Bandai Namco has offered new insight into the creation of Tekken 8’s latest original fighter, Miary Zo, following her reveal at EVO 2025. The character, hailing from Madagascar, was introduced during the showcase alongside a full gameplay trailer for the returning fan-favorite, Armor King, whose arrival is slated for October as part of the Season 2 update.
Miary Zo stands out as a fresh addition to the Tekken universe, not only due to her unique background but also her distinct fighting style. According to her character profile, Miary is a young martial artist who developed her skills by observing animals in the wild and emulating their movements. Her combat technique fuses Moraingy, a traditional martial art of Madagascar, with other regional African fighting disciplines, resulting in a fluid, natural form of expression during battle.
Speaking on Twitter/X, game director Kohei Ikeda (Nakatsu) and producer Katsuhiro Harada discussed the development process behind Miary Zo and the decision to represent Madagascar in the roster.
“Last year, I visited Madagascar with Harada-san, and I learned so much about the country’s roots, culture, wildlife, and the everyday lives of its people,” said Ikeda. “I was also really happy to see that there’s a passionate community of young people who truly love and enjoy Tekken every day. We’re creating Miary Zo together with them, so please look forward to it!”
Harada elaborated on this point, highlighting the extent of their involvement with the local community. “Well, we didn’t just visit and stay there — we actually studied the local roots and history on-site, traveled from big cities to rural towns (not just the World Heritage sites), co-designed characters with the gaming community in Madagascar, had those designs reviewed and refined by the local community, and even cast voice actors from Madagascar.”
The involvement of local voices and perspectives was central to the authenticity of Miary Zo’s portrayal. Both developers emphasized that the creation process went far beyond surface-level research or online reference, opting instead for direct cultural exchange and collaboration. This development philosophy represents a shift towards more inclusive and globally aware character design in the Tekken franchise.
In addition to introducing Miary Zo, the director clarified that Armor King will not feature an install move in his latest iteration, despite some speculation. The gameplay trailer demonstrated Armor King’s return to form, maintaining his classic wrestling-inspired arsenal with subtle refinements to fit Tekken 8’s new mechanics.
Launched in January 2024, Tekken 8 was the first in the series to be built entirely in Unreal Engine 5 and brought several new systems to the table, including the Heat mechanic and Tornado attacks, both of which aim to promote more offensive gameplay.
