Jiggle physics aren’t a new phenomenon. They’ve been around just as long as modern entertainment has been, if not longer. But, jiggle physics arguably more prevalent in video games, with the likes of Street Fighter VI’s Chun-Li and the entire femme fatale cast of Dead or Alive’s roster often cited as examples. Tekken too has its fair share of female fighters whose breasts are, for the lack of a better phrasing, out of control.
While it’s easy to blame the former “issue” on Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time producer of the Tekken franchise, it appears the ever-vocal developer actually specifically asked not to incorporate jiggle physics in Tekken – to no avail.
In Harada’s own translated words, he wanted Tekken’s character movements to be more “serious and stiff” to stand out from other fighting games. However, much to his surprise, character chests started bouncing once the game was close to being finished. He adds that the, “programmers and modelers are probably secretly working on it together.” Harada eventually relented after seeing that each title improved on the physics of the previous entry, explaining that the “muscles and fat started to sway more naturally with each work.”
Breast physics in video games have become a controversial subject in recent years. The issue is often grouped together with the industry’s still-unrealistic body standards, the improving but still lacking representation and diversity in games, as well as the sometimes purposely stunted character development and obvious sexualization of virtual women.
Still, it’s nice to know that, unlike other games, Tekken isn’t doing it simply for fan service.
Harada’s statement was taken from the latest episode of his YouTube channel, Harada’s Bar.
Aside from the Tekken franchise’s use of jiggle physics, Harada also talked about how the Tekken development team is full of creative-minded individuals who often do as they please. Apparently, the aliens and UFO in the background of some stages in the game have become an inside joke that Harada has nothing to do with. Still, he did spend quite a bit of time in the episode talking about extraterrestrial stuff and the occult in Peru, the hometown of the MMA-fighter, Azucena, the newest character to join the Tekken roster.
As Bandai Namco is expected to ramp up the marketing hype for Tekken 8, fans can look forward to hearing more from Harada, whether it’s in a new Harada’s Bar episode or an interview.
Never one to mince words, Harada’s frankness has seen him call out players over the years, earning him the respect of hardcore fighting game fans. Last year, he famously denounced a series of Tekken 8 leaks shortly after he angrily confirmed that PC players shouldn’t worry about DRM when Tekken 8 comes out.
Tekken 8 will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC (via Steam) on January 26.
