Tekken Reveals Release Date for Next DLC Character

Fans who have been waiting for more content from Tekken 8 won’t have to wait for too much longer, as Kunimitsu launches for early access players later this month. Bandai Namco revealed a full gameplay trailer for the upcoming character in season 3 of Tekken 8, giving players a look at her Manji Ninjutsu, with some new tricks in her kit.

Tekken 8 is the latest entry in Bandai Namco’s 3D fighting game franchise, launching on January 26, 2024. Since its launch, Bandai Namco has supported Tekken 8 with multiple major patches and two seasons of DLC, most recently concluding the second season in December 2025. Tekken 8‘s DLC characters have been a mix of new and returning fighters, including fan favorites like Eddy Gordo and newcomers like Miary Zo, who just closed out season 2. But it wouldn’t be a Tekken game without at least one guest appearance, and for this entry, fans have been treated to Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy XVI, who joined the fight in season 1. At the Tekken World Finals 2025 in January, Bandai Namco took the event as an opportunity to reveal Tekken 8‘s third season of DLC content.

Tekken 8 Gets Big New Update for March 2026

Bandai Namco’s flagship fighting title Tekken 8 gets a huge balancing-heavy content update as part of March 2026’s Season 3 release.

Kunimitsu Returns to Tekken 8 Soon

Kunimitsu launches in early access on May 27, 2026, for Tekken 8 season 3 pass holders
The public release for Kunimistu is June 1, 2026

Now, Bandai Namco has taken Evo Japan 2026 as the best time to showcase the first character in Tekken 8‘s season 3, Kunimitsu, who launches on May 27, 2026, for early access holders and June 1, 2026, for everyone else. The three-minute trailer showcases Kunimitsu’s return to Tekken as the second iteration of Kunimitsu in the main story, but with some new moves for her return. In the trailer, Kunimitsu can be seen sporting a new fire-breathing move and fighting with her signature Manji Ninjutsu style, making her one of the most agile and evasive characters on the Tekken roster. Additionally, Kunimitsu now has an intense Rage Art where she deploys a Kuji-do to end her enemy in one hit.

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Kunimitsu is only the first of four characters coming in season 3 of Tekken 8. At the end of the trailer, it is revealed that the upcoming characters Bob and Roger Jr. will be coming to Tekken 8 this summer and fall, while character four will be revealed at Combo Breaker on May 24. However, there is more coming down the pipeline in season 3 to keep fans busy between character launches. Season 3 of Tekken 8 will also include 44 new cosmetics, the Aurora Outfit Pack, and a new battle stage.

Since her first appearance in the original Tekken in 1994, Kunimitsu has been a fan-favorite character throughout the franchise’s history. Known as the Phantom Thief, Kunimitsu is a Manji Clan member who was originally a sub-boss to Michelle Chang. The character hasn’t been too involved in the main Tekken storyline since the second game, but her character has been notably reworked as the daughter of the original character, who has stepped into the role of the Phantom Thief in Tekken 7 and now returns in Tekken 8.

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Tekken 8 fans seem excited about Kunimitsu’s return to the series, with many dreading having to go up against her due to her quick and evasive move set. Meanwhile, multiple fans are incredibly impressed by Kunimitsu’s devastating Rage Art, imposing curse blade, and newfound laid-back personality. Often, it seems like the game’s meta breaks and has to re-adjust when a new fighter is released in a Tekken 8 season, so fans might have to be wary of the dextrous Kunimitsu when she launches on May 27, as she seems like a lethal enemy.