Despite Katsuhiro Harada, Tekken series director, having envisioned a Colonel Sanders cameo for years, it remains unrealized. Harada's proposal, pitched to KFC's Japanese headquarters, was rejected, a setback he's publicly lamented.

Harada's KFC Crossover Bid Rejected

The dream of a Colonel Sanders versus Tekken showdown, a long-held aspiration of Harada's, has been thwarted not only by KFC, but also by his own superiors. In a recent interview with The Gamer, Harada revealed the rejection, describing the negative reception he received. This isn't the first time he's expressed this desire; previous YouTube appearances showcased his enthusiasm for the KFC icon as a guest fighter. Fans shouldn't anticipate a Tekken 8 KFC crossover anytime soon.

Game designer Michael Murray elaborated on Harada's unsuccessful outreach to KFC, stating that the company wasn't receptive to the idea. He speculated that the potential conflict of the Colonel fighting might have been a deterrent. This highlights the challenges inherent in such collaborations.

Harada previously expressed his fervent desire for Colonel Sanders' inclusion, even detailing collaborative concepts with Director Ikeda. However, KFC's marketing department deemed the crossover unlikely to resonate with players, leading to consistent rejection. Harada publicly appealed for KFC to reconsider.

Tekken's history includes successful crossovers with characters like Akuma (Street Fighter), Noctis (Final Fantasy), and Negan (The Walking Dead). However, a Waffle House crossover, another idea Harada explored, also appears improbable due to logistical constraints. Despite this, fans can anticipate Heihachi Mishima's return as the game's third DLC character.