The aesthetics of the Tekken series and its fighters have certainly evolved over time, and Bandai Namco’s work with the most recent Tekken 8 is truly commendable . Some costumes and stylistic choices from the past, however, remain etched in the minds of fans.
Tekken 3 is undoubtedly one of the most crucial chapters for the fighting game series , a game that during its release (1997) managed to really bring the IP to the mainstream market. Contributing to the popularity of Tekken 3 were also and above all the characters on the roster, each characterized by a unique and peculiar aesthetic style. Let’s take a look at five of the best costumes in Tekken 3 .
Jin Kazama
New to the Tekken series, Jin Kazama is the son of Kazuya Mishima and Jun Kazama. Like his father, he also possesses the devil gene and is gifted with extraordinary abilities. Marked by a tragic history and a relationship that is nothing short of conflictual with Kazuya and his grandfather Heihachi Mishima, Jin becomes from this moment on one of the most iconic characters of the franchise and will return in all its future chapters. Part of Jin’s charm in Tekken 3 was also due to his costume.
Jin is shirtless and wears black pants with a design of red , orange and yellow flames on the right leg and red and black footrests. He wears red Mishima-style gloves with a triangular pattern of metal studs on the back of the hands, reminiscent of his father’s gloves.
Yoshimitsu
One of the simultaneously most loved and hated characters of the entire series . Yoshimitsu is the leader of the Manji Clan, a famous group of thieves, and is the owner of the legendary sword Youtou – Yoshimitsu, much desired by the thief Kunimitsu. Yoshimitsu is an over the top character and very often in his gameplay breaks the rules of Tekken to play on his terms. When he starts stringing together one crazy move after another, Yoshimitsu is truly irresistible and hilarious to watch (a little less fun when it comes to having to face him in battle…).
Yoshimitsu is the only Tekken character to almost completely change his appearance with each iteration of the series. Tekken 3 is a particularly successful version of the character’s aesthetic, which has remained engraved in the mind of anyone who has ever played the fighting game at least once. Here he is wearing gray armor with red parts designed to resemble exposed muscle tissue. His helmet has the appearance of a skeletal demon.
Nina Williams
Present in the series since the first chapter, Nina Williams is one of the most important female characters in Tekken. She is a “fighting” declination of the femme fatale , a lethal spy who has learned the most refined techniques to kill without leaving a trace. Nina is the protagonist of an eternal battle with her sister Anna Williams , which continues from episode to episode in the Tekken series.
In Tekken 3, Nina wears her classic purple dress, probably the one that has characterized her most over time and has become her aesthetic symbol. She has a holster for a knife on her right leg and dark purple leather boots with high heels that reach her knees. Her forearms have leg warmers and she has a cuff around her right arm. She also wears bronze lipstick. Always ready for action, Nina is a fighter as fascinating as she is lethal .
Forest Law
Another new entry for the Tekken series, Forest Law replaces Marshall Law as a playable character in Tekken 3. Just like his father, he wants to be a tribute to Bruce Lee , both in appearance and in martial arts. In this episode of the series we discover his great friendship with Paul Phoenix.
Forest Law wears a Tangzhuang martial arts outfit consisting of a long-sleeved white jacket with navy blue cuffs, black linings and matching buttons, navy blue pants, matching shoes and white socks.
Heihachi Mishima
Heihachi Mishima is one of the cornerstones of the Tekken series . Father of Kazuya Mishima and husband of Kazumi, Heihachi is also the founder of the Iron Fist Tournament as well as the Mishima Zaibatsu, a company that plays a fundamental role in the unfolding of the history of Tekken. He appears in all the games of the series, outside of the most recent Tekken 8 (who knows, maybe this can be remedied with the next DLC).
In Tekken 3, we immediately notice that Heihachi looks more aged than in the second episode of the series. In his main outfit, he appears shirtless with a blue hakama with golden designs and wears geta sandals. He also has two katanas attached to the left of his hakama and wears black armbands.
Of course, there are many other outfits that remain etched in the memory of Tekken 3 players. The title also had hidden costumes for Jin Kazama, Anna Williams, and other characters. What is your favorite Tekken 3 costume?
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