Tekken 8 Director Hits Back at Fan Criticism of Anna's New Look

Tekken 8 veteran Anna Williams is rejoining the fight, and her fresh redesign has garnered widespread approval from most players. However, some fans remain unconvinced, even comparing her new look to Santa Claus.

After one fan questioned whether the development team could restore the "old Anna design," Tekken director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada responded directly. He stated: "If you prefer the old design, I am not taking those away from you."

"While 98% of fans welcome this change, there will always be dissenters like you," explained Harada. "I understand personal preferences vary, and it might not align with your taste, but the older versions are still accessible. I haven't removed them.

"Additionally, you label yourselves as 'Anna fans,' implying you speak for everyone, but please voice your opinion as an individual.

"You threaten to quit if she isn’t reintroduced. Then, upon her return, you complain. After a complete redesign—model, framework and all—you demand a revert," he continued. "And if we actually reversed the changes, you'd likely call it 'recycling!'

"In any case, your approach to feedback and the nature of your arguments are neither productive nor constructive. Most importantly, they show disrespect toward fellow Anna supporters who are genuinely excited about her comeback."

When another user noted that Tekken "hasn’t rereleased older titles on modern platforms with functional netcode" and dismissed Harada's reply as "a joke," the director fired back: "Thank you for your POINTLESS feedback. You are the real joke here. MUTED."

Despite some criticism, the response to Anna's updated appearance has been largely favorable. The main critique centers on her outfit. "Before the official reveal, I was hoping for a fiercer, more vengeful Anna driven by her fiancé's death—and this design delivers!" shared redditor AngryBreadRevolution.

"The hairstyle is growing on me. It complements both her attire and personality. While it might not suit every alternative costume, her classic bob cut will still be an option.

"The coat lost some appeal after the Santa comparison surfaced. Still, the leotard, tights, boots, and gloves all look stunning, so I’m eager to toggle the coat off."

"Everything is great except the white feathers," noted troonpins. "It really gives off Santa Claus vibes."

"Beyond the Santa resemblance, she appears much younger than in Tekken 7 and earlier installments," added Cheap_Ad4756. "She now seems more like a girl than a 'woman.' The dominatrix aura is completely gone."

"Awful," asserted spiralqq. "This is another overdesigned Tekken 8 look. Nearly every costume lacks a clear focal point, drowning characters in excessive accessories from head to toe. I’d prefer it without the coat, or at least if the whole ensemble didn’t mimic Santa cosplay. A bright red coat with white fur trim and a black belt can’t be seen as anything else."

What do you think of Anna's the new outfit coming from Tekken 7?
byu/PrimaSoul inTekken

Tekken 8 has surpassed 3 million copies sold within a year of release, reaching this sales milestone faster than Tekken 7, which took a decade to achieve 12 million global sales.

"Tekken 8 is an outstanding new chapter in the enduring franchise," we noted in IGN's Tekken 8 review, scoring it 9/10. "Thoughtful refinements to its classic combat, a rich suite of offline modes, stellar new fighters, top-tier training tools, and a vastly upgraded online system make this a fighting game I’ll return to for years. By honoring its roots while boldly stepping forward, Tekken 8 establishes itself as something truly special."