Bandai Namco seems to have taken feedback from fans who were not satisfied with Tekken 7’s story mode. The developers have expanded on the overarching plot in Tekken 8, delivering a more comprehensive experience.
The game introduces The Dark Awakens, a lengthier and more structured story mode that more than doubles the size of its predecessor. The plot follows Jin Kazama and those closest to him, presenting a clearer and more cohesive storyline.
Jin and Kazuya’s rivalry reaches new heights—literally (Photo: Tekken/ASCII Corporation and Sony Music Entertainment Japan)While the conclusion offers some closure to the series’ overarching plot, it also introduces a few lingering mysteries that leave fans with much to think about.
The longest-running storyline in fighting games reaches new levels—both figuratively and literally—throughout Tekken 8. The intense rivalry between Jin and Kazuya builds up to an explosive confrontation, where both characters unlock the full extent of their devil gene abilities.
Players witness them ascend to new, never-before-seen forms: Angel Jin and True Devil Kazuya. As the story reaches its climax, these two warriors engage in an all-out battle on a falling comet, a scene so visually stunning that it feels straight out of an anime.
Tekken 8’s Ending Leaves Several Questions Unanswered
The Story Suggests the Devil Gene Has Been Eliminated
Rather than allowing either Jin or Kazuya to fully dominate, their battle ends in a way that prevents total victory for either side. However, Jin appears to have succeeded in his mission—removing the devil gene from both himself and his father.
With both of them returning to their human forms, the fight continues in its purest form: a brutal exchange of fists. Eventually, Jin overpowers Kazuya, leaving him unconscious and facedown on the ground.
Confident that the devil gene no longer exists, he then notices a dove flying past, which he takes as a sign of his mother’s presence. A white flower lying on the ground catches his eye, and he picks it up, offering a silent word of gratitude to his mother for her guidance in defeating Kazuya.
The game then changes to a scene of Jin riding his motorbike on an American highway before pulling over, where Xiaoyu is waiting for him. Meanwhile, the footage cuts back to Kazuya’s motionless body, where an unknown figure approaches him.
Players who pay close attention will notice that the shoes belong to Jun Kazama, Jin’s mother. This heavily implies two crucial things: Kazuya is still alive, and Jun may never have been dead in the first place.
Throughout the series, Jin has believed that his mother was killed by Ogre, and up until this moment, her presence in Tekken 8 seemed purely spiritual. However, her fate is left uncertain.
Tekken 8’s Ending May Not Be Explained Anytime Soon
Although each of Tekken 8’s 32 fighters has a dedicated character episode, these are not considered part of the official storyline. Jun’s episode, which portrays her surviving her fight against Ogre and later coming out of hiding to aid Jin against Kazuya, cannot be taken as solid proof that she is alive.
However, the moment she appears beside Kazuya’s body during the game’s climax is the strongest indication yet that she may have survived. The truth behind this is something that will likely be clarified in a future installment.
After the credits roll, Tekken 8 introduces a new mystery character—Reina. She reveals herself as Heihachi Mishima’s daughter, activating her devil transformation and declaring her intent to hunt down Kazuya.
This strongly suggests that she will have a central role in upcoming storylines, possibly as the next major antagonist. However, considering how long Tekken 7 remained relevant, it is safe to say that Tekken 9 is still a long way off.
