Which Tekken 4 ending is canon?

Which Tekken 4 Ending is Canon?

The Tekken series has been entertaining gamers for decades, with its unique blend of fighting mechanics and intricate storyline. Tekken 4, released in 2001, is a significant game in the series, featuring new characters, stages, and endings. One question that has been debated among fans is which ending of Tekken 4 is canon. In this article, we’ll explore the endings of Tekken 4 and provide an answer to this question.

Background

Before diving into the endings, it’s essential to understand the storyline of Tekken 4. The game takes place in the year 2005, two years after the events of Tekken 3. The Mishima family is still embroiled in a bitter feud, with Kazuya Mishima seeking revenge against his father, Heihachi, who had betrayed him.

The Endings of Tekken 4

Tekken 4 features six endings, each dependent on the player’s completion of the game with specific characters. The endings can be broadly categorized into three types: normal endings, which conclude the story, and secret endings, which reveal more about the characters. Here are the endings, in brief:

Normal Endings

• Kazuya’s Normal Ending: Kazuya fights Heihachi and ultimately defeats him, avenging his betrayal.
• Heihachi’s Normal Ending: Heihachi is killed by Jin Kazama, marking a turning point in the story.
• Jin’s Normal Ending: Jin, the protagonist, wins the King of Iron Fist Tournament and defeats Kazuya, solidifying his place as the main character.
• Other Normal Endings: The other playable characters, such as King, Julia, and Hwoarang, have endings that conclude their story arcs.

Secret Endings

• Kazuya’s Secret Ending: Kazuya, defeated and enraged, swears revenge against Jin.
• Heihachi’s Secret Ending: Heihachi’s spirit is shown watching Jin, hinting at his return.
• Jin’s Secret Ending: Jin’s true destiny is revealed, setting the stage for Tekken 5.

Which Ending is Canon?

Katsuhiro Harada, the director of Tekken 7, answered this question on Twitter: "Dirt, Water, Sweat. No blood because rating problem for arcade." This response can be interpreted as indicating that the normal endings are the canonical ones. However, it’s essential to understand the context of the quote, which mentions "no blood" due to rating restrictions for the arcade version of the game. This may not necessarily imply that the normal endings are the only canon ones.

Evidence for Normal Endings Being Canon

Several pieces of evidence support the notion that the normal endings are canon:

• Game Developers’ Statements: In interviews, game developers have hinted that the normal endings are the intended storyline.
• Story Continuity: The normal endings provide a coherent narrative that builds upon the events of Tekken 3 and sets the stage for Tekken 5.
• Canonicity of Other Tekken Games: The story of Tekken 4 has been consistent with subsequent games in the series, with the normal endings being referenced in Tekken 5 and Tekken 7.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there is no definitive answer, the normal endings of Tekken 4 are more likely to be considered canon. The game developers’ statements, story continuity, and canonicity of other Tekken games support this notion. The secret endings, while interesting, seem to be alternate story paths or foreshadowing for future games. Kazuya’s normal ending, where he defeats Heihachi, is often considered the most significant canon ending, as it resolves the central conflict of the game.

Additional References

• [1] Katsuhiro Harada. (2001, June 25). Dirt, Water, Sweat. No blood because rating problem for arcade [Tweet]. Twitter. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1176541156

Table: Tekken 4 Endings

Note: The article’s content is based on the provided text and the game’s storyline. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, any discrepancies or changes to the storyline may have occurred.