The Tekken 8 roster continues to expand, with Hwoarang, the fiery, arrogant and impulsive Taekwondo master, making his return. He joins a lineup of characters that includes Emilie ‘Lili’ De Rochefort, Paul Phoenix, Leroy Smith, and Asuka Kazama.
Hwoarang has always been portrayed as a character who values his fighting prowess and is often found boasting about his capabilities in the ring. Despite his rebellious nature and disdain for authority, he exhibits deep respect for his master, Baek Doo San.
The driving force behind Hwoarang’s journey in the series has always been his rivalry with Jin Kazama. Initially sparked by a draw they fought to before Tekken 3, this rivalry has evolved into something beyond just proving his superior fighting skills. Throughout the series, Hwoarang often appears disinterested and dissatisfied in daily life, even after major victories. It’s the potential for another challenging fight with Jin that rekindles his spirit and pulls him away from his routine life.
Though typically seen as self-centered, Hwoarang has also shown emotional depth around those he genuinely cares about. This side of him is particularly evident in his interactions with his master, as seen in Baek’s Tekken Tag Tournament 2 ending cutscene.
As a character, Hwoarang is recognized for his Taekwondo techniques, focusing on speedy and flexible kicks that can easily overwhelm his opponents. His style is more aligned with the self-defense-based techniques of the International Taekwondo Federation than the more widely recognized World Taekwondo. Hwoarang’s motion capture is performed by ITF 7th Dan Black Belt and lightweight champion, Hwang Su-Il.
Hwoarang’s aggressive playing style is highlighted by his moves that enable him to rush into opponents with a flurry of attacks. However, while his kicks offer impressive damage and range, his speed is quite average, and his moves are susceptible to counters. His punches are best utilized as quick pokes or for maintaining air juggles, and should be employed with strategic planning due to their minimal raw damage.
Despite his flashy and agile moveset, Hwoarang remains one of the more complex characters in the Tekken series. His multiple stance transitions and vast movelist make him a challenge for beginners. However, those who master his aggressive playing style and constant pressure tactics can turn Hwoarang into a formidable adversary, despite his limited defensive capabilities.
Although the release date has yet to be announced, the game is set to launch on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X and Series S platforms.
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