Tekken series director Katsuhiro Harada once attempted to bring Colonel Sanders, the iconic face of KFC, into the Tekken roster. In a move that would have taken guest characters to new heights of absurdity and fun, Harada envisioned the fast-food mogul trading blows with some of the series’ toughest characters.
Colonel Sanders Almost Entered the Tekken Arena, But KFC Said No
Harada’s idea to introduce Colonel Sanders was not just an off-the-cuff remark. During a recent interview, he revealed that he approached KFC’s headquarters in Japan, pitching the idea of having the Colonel join the game as a playable character. Unfortunately for Tekken fans who love quirky guest characters, the fast-food giant wasn’t sold on the concept. KFC’s corporate office wasn’t keen on the idea of their beloved founder engaging in violent combat—a notion that ultimately caused the deal to fall through.
Harada’s failed attempt isn’t entirely surprising considering the Tekken series’ history of quirky guest fighters. Over the years, Tekken has added characters like Akuma from Street Fighter, Geese Howard from Fatal Fury, and even Negan from The Walking Dead. Each of these crossovers brought a unique flair, but Colonel Sanders would have certainly been the most unexpected guest in the series.
In a recent interview, Harada reflected on this missed opportunity. He mentioned that while Tekken fans might have enjoyed seeing the Colonel in action, KFC wasn’t as open to the idea, particularly given the violence of the game. He humorously pointed out that Colonel Sanders has since appeared in more family-friendly games, such as a dating simulator, hinting that perhaps the fast-paced, high-stakes world of Tekken was simply too much for KFC’s brand to handle.
Despite this setback, Harada expressed admiration for the process of securing guest characters in Tekken, noting that bringing external characters into the game is always a negotiation filled with both creativity and constraints. Even though Colonel Sanders never made it into the game, Harada’s ambitious ideas highlight how Tekken continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in fighting games.
The idea of Colonel Sanders squaring off with fighters like Heihachi or Jin remains a tantalizing “what if?” scenario. Many fans believe that this crossover would have been a tongue-in-cheek addition that might have attracted a wider audience, potentially even some KFC loyalists. But it seems that, at least for now, Tekken fans will have to settle for the Colonel’s virtual appearance in other, less violent games.
What makes this failed collaboration even more intriguing is Tekken’s long history with bizarre and unexpected guest characters. Tekken 7 alone featured a number of crossover fighters, from Akuma to Noctis from Final Fantasy XV. The addition of these characters not only spiced up the roster but also brought in new fans from outside the core fighting game community.
This failed partnership between Tekken and KFC is also a reminder of the increasing commercialization in gaming. Guest characters often serve as vehicles for cross-promotion, leveraging brand recognition to attract new players. Harada’s pitch of Colonel Sanders as a guest character may have seemed unconventional, but the marketing potential was significant. The Colonel is instantly recognizable and could have brought in fans who don’t usually engage with fighting games. However, the violent nature of the game likely clashed with KFC’s brand identity, which ultimately led to the project’s rejection.
While Colonel Sanders in Tekken remains a dream that never materialized, the franchise’s fans can rest assured that Harada will continue to push the envelope with creative ideas for future guest fighters. After all, with the success of previous guest characters, it’s clear that Tekken’s developers are always looking for ways to innovate and entertain.
Conclusion
Katsuhiro Harada’s attempt to add Colonel Sanders to Tekken may not have worked out, but it’s an intriguing glimpse into the creative risks involved in video game development. The idea, while humorous, underscores how video games can intersect with popular culture in unexpected ways. Though Colonel Sanders may not be swapping punches with Tekken’s finest anytime soon, the story of this rejected crossover will certainly remain a quirky footnote in the franchise’s history.
