Gab Hernandez 
Heihachi Mishima is coming back from the dead as the next Tekken 8 DLC and release date info was revealed, but fans are confused given how he was seemingly dead after the events of Tekken 7.
Tekken 7 was heavily advertised as the conclusion of the classic Mishima saga. After over two decades, the never-ending fight between Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, and Heihachi Mishima finally ended in blood and fire. Kazuya, in an ironic twist of fate, threw his father down a volcano, much like Heihachi did to him years ago.
In a 2023 interview, Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada seemingly confirmed Heihachi Mishima’s demise, reiterating that he’s truly dead. Given the framing of Tekken 7’s ending focusing on the conflict between Jin and Kazuya, many fans welcomed the new era of Tekken 8. However, reports of Heihachi Mishima’s death have been greatly exaggerated.
How is Heihachi Mishima alive in Tekken 8?
The nature of Heihachi Mishima’s resurrection has not been revealed yet.
The trailer showcases the Mishima patriarch casually walking out of the volcano that Kazuya threw him into in Tekken 7. Unlike Kazuya’s resurrection, which involved his body parts being gathered up by the mysterious G Corporation and “science’d” back to life, Heihachi just walks out of the volcano’s mouth and shouts his name.
The nature of Heihachi’s return in Tekken 8 will likely be the focus of his DLC story mode, so an explanation won’t come until his actual release date. Some theories believe Reina had something to do with it, given her obsession with the Mishima patriarch. Some speculate Heihachi may have the Devil Gene in his blood now, which would explain his absurd durability.
The trailer also mentions he’s kept his strength and skill, but his mind was waning, which may imply the resurrection didn’t go exactly as planned. Either way, fans won’t have to wait long to find out the answers behind Heihachi’s resurrection.
What is the DLC release date for Heihachi Mishima’s Tekken 8?
Heihachi Mishima will join Tekken 8 in Autumn 2024. An exact release date was not specified, but fans won’t have to wait long.
Heihachi is the third DLC character for Tekken 8’s Season 1 DLC. Notably, his reveal disproved a recent Tekken 8 DLC fighter leak which many believed to be accurate. The leak claimed either Marduk or Fahkunram would be the next DLC character.
Of course, the Tekken 8 team may have changed its plans. No DLC fighter would generate more hype or excitement than Heihachi. He’s likely been in a “break glass in case of emergency” case since the game launched.
