Tekken 8 Director Slams Fan Over Anna Williams' New Look: 'Unconstructive and Pointless'

Veteran Tekken 8 character Anna Williams is making a comeback, and her new design has sparked a range of reactions among fans. While many are embracing the change, a vocal minority has drawn comparisons to Santa Claus due to certain elements of her outfit.

When a fan expressed a preference for Anna's older look and requested its return, Tekken game director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada responded firmly. He emphasized that the previous designs are still available for those who prefer them, stating, "If you prefer the old design, I am not taking those away from you." Harada pointed out that while the vast majority of fans, around 98%, are welcoming the new design, there will always be dissenters. He criticized the way some fans express their opinions, calling it unconstructive and disrespectful to others who are excited about the new Anna.

Harada also addressed a comment about the lack of rereleases of older Tekken games on modern systems with functional netcode, dismissing it as a "pointless reply" and muting the commenter.

The general reception to Anna's new design has been positive, though not without its criticisms. Some fans, like redditor AngryBreadRevolution, appreciate the new look, hoping for an edgier Anna and finding the new design fitting. Others, such as troonpins and Cheap_Ad4756, have mixed feelings, with some elements like the white feathers drawing specific critique. Spiralqq expressed strong disapproval, feeling the design is overdone and too reminiscent of Santa Claus.

Despite the varied reactions to Anna's outfit, Tekken 8 has seen impressive sales, reaching 3 million copies sold within a year of its release—a faster pace than Tekken 7, which took a decade to sell 12 million copies worldwide.

In IGN's Tekken 8 review, the game received a 9/10 score, praised for its innovative tweaks to the classic fighting system, robust offline modes, new characters, enhanced training tools, and improved online experience. The review concluded that Tekken 8 honors its legacy while pushing forward, making it a standout title in the series.