Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada's long-held dream of including Colonel Sanders in the Tekken fighting game franchise remains unrealized, despite his persistent efforts. Despite his repeated attempts, both KFC and Harada's own superiors have rejected the proposal.
Harada's Pursuit of a Fried Chicken Fighter
Harada's desire to feature the iconic KFC mascot has been a recurring theme, previously expressed on his YouTube channel and in interviews. He's even described the negative reception his idea received. His attempts to secure permission from KFC Japan’s headquarters proved unsuccessful. This collaboration, envisioned by Harada and director Ikeda, was deemed unappealing to KFC's marketing department, who feared a negative player response. Harada's plea for KFC to reconsider remains open.
Obstacles to a Culinary Clash
Further insight into the failed negotiations was provided by game designer Michael Murray. He revealed that KFC wasn't receptive to the idea, although other games have successfully incorporated Colonel Sanders. The challenges of securing such crossovers were highlighted.
While Tekken has featured surprising guest characters like Akuma (Street Fighter), Noctis (Final Fantasy), and Negan (The Walking Dead), a Waffle House crossover, another food-related idea Harada explored, also seems improbable. Despite these setbacks, fans can anticipate the return of Heihachi Mishima as DLC in Tekken 8. The Colonel Sanders cameo, however, remains a culinary clash that will not be seen in the near future.
