Tekken 8 has pushed the franchise forward through acting as the conclusion to the series' long-running Jin Kazama arc, but also serves as the simultaneous beginning of a new era due to the introduction of a brand-new Mishima. While T7 effectively wrapped up the conflict between Kazuya and Heihachi, and Tekken 8 proceeded to do the same for Jin and his father, the latest game's story has also heralded the dawn of a chapter centered around reshaped alliances and the seemingly crucial presence of Reina.

Decades of strife within the Mishima family seemed to come to an end with the eradication of Devil Gene and Heihachi before that, but both of these have actually survived through unexpected twists which will inform the future of the franchise.

With Reina now potentially acting as a catalyst for further conflict, and her true motives still unknown, her place in Tekken 9's narrative is likely to shape the landscape of the series moving forward despite her late introduction.

The Mystery of Reina in Tekken 8 Highlights a Long-Term Plan for the Series' New Story Arc

An Enigmatic Replacement for Heihachi Mishima

Relatively vague hints have left Reina's explicit ties to the Mishima patriarch unclear, but her gameplay has directly linked her to him since her reveal.

While she might also borrow moves from the likes of Tekken 7's Lidia Sobieska, Reina's blend of Mishima-style moves like the Electric Wind God Fist, and her own Taido-style set of techniques, like the Electric War God Kick, unmistakably mark her as a member of the family with her identity who also takes after Heihachi.

This set her up as his successor in the wake of his apparent death, but his recent return in a DLC story which continues to foreshadow Reina's importance has only shrouded her in more mystery.

The Unexpected Introduction of a New Devil Gene Carrier

The climax of Tekken 8's story mode sees an epic battle between Jin and Kazuya resulting in the Devil Gene being purged from both of them, seemingly concluding one of the series' longest-running conflicts once and for all.

Reina's near-fatal encounter with Kazuya and the subsequent activation of her own Devil Gene, however, has made it apparent that this aspect of the franchise is far from resolved.

Reina is Poised to Be a Pivotal Character in Tekken 9

Heihachi's Role in the Unforgotten Echoes Story Points to a Passing of the Torch

As her relevance within the series' world is set to grow in the eventual scenario of T9, Reina's expanding connections to the rest of the cast could foster rich opportunities for compelling conflict.

If she teams up with Heihachi Mishima as foreshadowed in Tekken 8's DLC story episode, the pair would be capable of possibly causing even more destruction than Kazuya as antagonists. She may have lingering connections to characters such as Jin and Lidia after T8, but these dynamics can easily shift for the worse if she ultimately takes up the mantle as the franchise's sole major villain.

Tekken's History of Moral Ambiguity Leaves Reina's Future Role Unclear

In a series that has never been afraid to place an objectively sinister character at the forefront as a protagonist, Reina could also step into the role of a morally dubious protagonist.

With all the core Mishima men having occupied that position at some point, regardless of each of their own reprehensible actions, it's a toss-up whether Reina will be set up as the new face of the franchise, or its next adversary. In an interview, series director Katsuhiro Harada told VG247 about plans for her without directly confirming her place in the Tekken narrative: