Tekken with Colonel Sanders? No, But Not For a Lack of Trying

Despite Katsuhiro Harada, Tekken series director, having envisioned a Colonel Sanders cameo for years, the iconic KFC mascot won't be gracing the Tekken arena. This, according to Harada himself, is due to rejection from both KFC and his own superiors.

Harada's Pursuit of the Colonel: A Rejected Proposal

In a recent interview with The Gamer, Harada revealed his past attempts to secure Colonel Sanders for Tekken. He personally contacted KFC's Japanese headquarters, but the proposal was met with resistance. This isn't a new revelation; Harada previously expressed his desire to include the Colonel on his YouTube channel, only to face disapproval from his own team. The interview further details that KFC's marketing department expressed concerns about player reception.

Game designer Michael Murray elaborated on the KFC collaboration's failure, highlighting the difficulties in securing such crossovers. While other games have featured Colonel Sanders, the specific context of a fighting game may have posed unique challenges.

Harada's Vision and KFC's Hesitation

Harada has openly admitted his long-held dream of integrating Colonel Sanders into Tekken, even outlining specific ideas with director Ikeda. Despite their confidence in a successful implementation, KFC's marketing concerns ultimately proved insurmountable. Harada's plea to KFC remains open: "So if anyone from KFC reads this interview, please contact me!"

Other Crossovers and Future Prospects

Tekken's history boasts surprising guest characters, including Akuma (Street Fighter), Noctis (Final Fantasy), and Negan (The Walking Dead). However, Harada's aspirations extend beyond Colonel Sanders, as he previously expressed interest in a Waffle House crossover, though acknowledging the logistical hurdles. For now, fans can anticipate the return of Heihachi Mishima as the game's third DLC character.