Kuma, one of the original characters in the original "Tekken" game, is expected to return to the "Tekken" universe in the home version of "Tekken 7." And if Kuma is returning, then Panda is not way behind. This time however, the two characters are now fully separate from each other.
According to the Polygon, producer Katsuhiro Harada himself broke the news after the King of Iron Fist 2016 Grand Finals in Tokyo. Harada said that the two characters are now distinct from each other, with Kuma and Panda now have their very own move sets and Rage Arts.
Harada showed a trailer of Kuma and Panda to highlight Kumo's and Panda's new moves. Kuma has now that salmon fish batting strike attack while Panda does a volleyball setup and spike-move. Harada confirmed that the console release of the game will feature a new mode called online tournament. This tournament will allow players to play out tournament brackets with each other online. The tournament mode has single-elimination and double-elimination settings.
According to Forbes, Kuma was originally introduced in the first "Tekken" game and then included in "Tekken 2." "Tekken 3" has Kuma II seemingly replacing Kuma from thereon. It is interesting to note that Kuma II is the son of the original Kuma. Kuma is meant to be Heihachi Mishima's bodyguard and was trained in the martial art of Kuma Shinken from a small cub.
Meanwhile, Panda was introduced in "Tekken 3" and is the love interest for Kuma. Panda is the friend and bodyguard of Ling Xiaoyu. Both Kuma and Panda are included in "Tekken 7: Fated Retribution" in the arcades in Japan but will be included in the home release of the game in 2017.
"Tekken 7" is set to be released for PS4, Xbox One and PC in 2017. Now that Kuma and Panda are set to return as separate characters in the home version of 'Tekken 7,' providing the beloved characters with their own separate moves and Rage Arts is a brilliant move by Katsuhiro Harada. For the latest "Tekken" news, follow this link.
