Is Baki Coming in Tekken 8?

What you need to know about the possibility of Baki Hanma in Tekken 8.

By Ali Usama

Have you heard about this super exciting rumor going around? It’s about Baki, the anime character, possibly joining Tekken 8. You could be familiar with how much Mortal Kombat is featured in a lot of places and even Tekken has tried out a few. Now, with the release of Tekken 8, there’s buzz that Baki Hanma might be entering the fray. If you’re not deep into anime series, you might be wondering, “Who’s Baki?” Well, he’s so popular that his lovers are seriously speculating if he’s going to be in Tekken 8.

Who is Baki?

Baki Hanma is the protagonist of the manga and anime series Baki the Grappler, written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. It’s been around since 1991 and it’s still going strong with sequels, an OVA, a couple of anime TV series, and even a Netflix show.

So, Baki is the buff young dude with spiky black hair. He’s got a pretty intense backstory – his dad, Yujiro Hanma, is the strongest guy on the planet, nicknamed the Ogre. Baki’s goal is that he wants to beat him because Yujiro actually killed his mom when Baki was just a kid.

Baki’s not just strong; he’s a master of all sorts of martial arts like karate, judo, jujutsu, boxing, wrestling, and even Chinese kenpo. And he can tap into his inner energy, or ki, which lets him do insane stuff like breaking steel chains, stopping bullets, and healing his own wounds.

Will Baki Be in Tekken 8?

Regarding the inclusion of Baki in Tekken 8, turns out it’s not happening, at least not for now. So here’s the scoop: back on January 22, 2023, the YouTuber named HANMASON posted a very realistic animation showing Baki as a character in Tekken 8. It had everything – his moves, intro, outro, and even a special stage – super impressive stuff.

But it was all fan-made; HANMASON even said so in the video description and at the end of the video. However, some people who watched it didn’t catch the disclaimer. They thought it was an actual announcement or leak from Bandai Namco – the video went viral racking up over 3 million views. Loads of fans got really excited, thinking Baki was going to be in Tekken 8. But others were like, “Wait, is this for real?” Even some media outlets and influencers got mixed up in it, adding to the confusion.

The real deal is that this video isn’t official or authorized by Bandai Namco, Netflix, Keisuke Itagaki, or anyone else involved with Tekken or Baki. The YouTuber is only a talented animator and a big fan of both series. He even clarified on his Twitter and in the video comments that he’s not working with Bandai Namco or any insiders. He just wanted to share his cool idea with everyone and he even updated the original trailer, making it even more convincing – it’s simply an awesome fan project.

Why Do Fans Want Baki Hanma in Tekken 8?

Tekken is one of the world’s most successful and long-running fighting game franchises, with a large roster of characters representing different martial arts styles and cultures. Tekken 8 is the new installment of the series, which was recently released on Jan 26, 2024.

Fans are really hoping to see Baki Hanma from the anime series join the game; they think he’d be a perfect fit. Baki has a fighting style that’s a lot like what you see in Tekken – it’s a cool mix of striking and grappling. He’s very adaptable, which would be awesome in the game. Moreover, Baki is an incredibly determined character, always pushing his limits, and he’s got some intense family drama with his dad, who’s also a tough fighter – it sounds just like something out of Tekken.

He’s also got the muscular look, and a unique hairstyle, and his outfits and accessories show off his character. He has a vibe that would mesh very well with Tekken’s style. And let’s not forget his fanbase, Baki has been around for ages, and he’s got fans all over the world, from different generations. If he joined Tekken 8, imagine the crowd he’d bring along – it would be a great move for bringing in both new and old players to the game.

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