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Who would have thought that a funny boxing kangaroo would get so many people hyped?
Season three of Tekken 8 is on the horizon and it’s got many fans buzzing because a particular fighter, namely Roger Jr., is back on the roster. First appearing in Tekken 5, the silly little marsupial returns to the joyous outcry of a packed theatre.
While we got fan favorites among the revealed characters, Roger Jr. really is the one that stands out the most. Not surprising considering he’s literally a boxing kangaroo but from the outside looking in, this looks like another joke character to pad out the roster.
That’s understandable but we’re here to tell you that there are good reasons to celebrate Roger Jr.’s return. He’s more than a joke character to many fans and it’s genuinely exciting to have him back in Tekken.
Continuing the Legacy
As implied by his name, Roger Jr. is the offspring of Tekken’s original boxing kangaroo, Roger. The genetically modified Animal Commander debuted in Tekken 2, all the way back in 1995.
While Roger Jr. is technically branded as a different character, the two share the same fighting style and moveset. This means that the ‘boxing kangaroo’ trope has been a consistent gag throughout Tekken’s lifespan.
Of course, the Tekken series is no stranger to fighting animals – just look at Kuma who’s been there since the first Tekken. Roger has no direct ties to the overall narrative of the series however, hence why he’s mostly seen as a side character and has skipped a couple of entries.
But he’s an ‘OG’ to older Tekken fans and it feels strange to have an entry without him. Roger Jr.’s return is an appeal to those who value the legacy of Tekken’s characters. It’s impossible to have every character come back in new installments, but seeing this silly little guy in Tekken 8 warms the hearts of those who’ve been with the series for a long time.
The Heart of Tekken
Now we’re not saying that Roger Jr. is the heart of Tekken but more of what he represents. A boxing kangaroo is ridiculous, yet it both stands apart and is perfectly inline with all the other weird and ridiculous things that happen in the Tekken universe.
We love Tekken for its bombastic action and spectacular martial arts on display. And when we get to the narrative, we have the Mishima family feud bringing entire nations to its knees. Ninjas, androids, and magicians battle for supremacy, all while angels and demons clash overhead.
And while all that’s happening, we have the drama of this little kangaroo family playing in the background.
Tekken’s humor has always been very tongue-in-cheek and slapstick. It comes with embracing just how over the top its setting is. It’s what makes the games fun; not just for the ultra competitive pros, but also for the casual fan who can pick Roger Jr. from the character select screen and have a laugh at seeing a kangaroo beat the snot out of the series’ protagonists.
Characters like like Roger Jr. are important for the series and it’s great to have him back.
A Mechanical Update
We can also expect this version of Roger Jr. to be more fleshed out than the last. The unfortunate thing about him is that he’s always been barebones in terms of mechanics. He does have unique moves but a huge chunk of his fighting style was copied directly from King, Tekken’s premier wrestler character.
While seeing a kangaroo throw around their opponent like a ragdoll is funny, seeing all the copied moves ultimately makes Roger Jr. feel half-baked. His inclusion in Tekken 8 is a prime opportunity to make him feel like his own character. With Tekken 8 being the flashiest the series has ever been, we’re excited to see what chaos this boxer can do when he drops in Autumn.
Banner photo by Vexanie.