The iconic Tekken 8 fighter Anna Williams is making a comeback, and her fresh look has stirred a mix of reactions among the fanbase. While many have embraced her redesign, others have drawn comparisons to Santa Claus, sparking debates across social platforms.

When a fan expressed a desire for Anna's classic design to return, Tekken's game director and chief producer, Katsuhiro Harada, responded robustly. He emphasized that the old design remains accessible in previous games, stating, "If you prefer the old design, I am not taking those away from you." Harada pointed out that while the vast majority of fans are supportive, there will always be critics. He criticized the notion of one fan speaking for all, urging for more respectful and constructive feedback. He went further to highlight the inconsistency in some fans' demands, suggesting that reverting the design would be seen as "recycling."

In another exchange, when a user criticized the lack of rereleases of older Tekken games with modern netcode and labeled Harada's responses as a "joke," the director retorted sharply, calling the comment "POINTLESS" and muting the user.

Despite some negative feedback, many fans are pleased with Anna's new appearance. Redditor AngryBreadRevolution appreciated the edgier design, fitting well with their narrative expectations for Anna's character. They noted that while the hair might not suit all outfits, the original bob hairstyle remains an option. The coat drew some criticism for its Santa-like appearance, but other elements such as the leotard, tights, boots, and gloves received positive feedback.

Other fans had mixed feelings. Troonpins enjoyed everything except the white feathers, while Cheap_Ad4756 felt the new design made Anna appear younger and less dominant. Spiralqq was critical of the overall design, describing it as overdone and lacking a clear focus, particularly disliking the Santa-inspired elements.

On Reddit, the conversation about Anna's new look continues to generate discussion, with fans sharing their diverse opinions on her redesign.

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Tekken 8 has achieved impressive sales, reaching 3 million copies sold within a year of its release, outpacing Tekken 7, which took a decade to reach 12 million units. In IGN's Tekken 8 review, the game received a 9/10 score, praised for its innovative updates to the fighting system, engaging offline modes, new characters, advanced training tools, and enhanced online play. The review concluded that by respecting its roots while pushing forward, Tekken 8 stands out as a remarkable addition to the series.