is the name of two fictional characters in the ''
Tekken
is a Japanese Media mix, media franchise centered on a series of fighting game, fighting video and arcade games developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment (formerly Namco). The franchise also includes film and print adaptations.
The ...
'' fighting game series. The first Kunimitsu made her debut in the original 1994 ''
Tekken
is a Japanese Media mix, media franchise centered on a series of fighting game, fighting video and arcade games developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment (formerly Namco). The franchise also includes film and print adaptations.
The ...
'' game as a sub-boss for
Michelle Chang as an unplayable character in the Arcade version, before being made an unlockable character in the PlayStation version. This Kunimitsu made her final canonical appearance in the ''Tekken'' series with ''
Tekken 2
is a fighting game, the second entry in the ''Tekken'' series. It was released in arcades in 1995, and for the PlayStation in 1996. The original arcade version of the game was released in ''Tekken 5''s Arcade History mode for the PlayStation 2, ...
''. She would also appear as a playable character in the non-canon spin-off ''
Tekken Tag Tournament
is a spin-off of Namco's ''Tekken'' fighting game series. It is the fourth installment in the ''Tekken'' fighting game series.
''Tekken Tag Tournament'' was released as an arcade game in 1999, before becoming a North American and European launch ...
'' and its sequel ''
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
''Tekken Tag Tournament 2'' is a sequel to the ''Tekken'' fighting game series. It was released for the arcades in September 2011. It received an update, subtitled ''Unlimited'', on March 2012. A console version based on the update was release ...
'' (initially as a pre-order bonus for the console version, and later as a free update). In ''
Tekken 7
is a fighting game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the seventh main and ninth overall installment in the ''Tekken '' series. ''Tekken 7'' was released to arcades in March 2015. An updated arcade version, ''Tekken 7 ...
'', Kunimitsu's daughter with the same name made her debut as a
DLC character, released on November 10, 2020. The second Kunimitsu is sometimes known as Kunimitsu II to distinguish her from her mother. Both Kunimitsus are
female ninjas, and rivals with fellow ninja
Yoshimitsu
is a name used by three different characters who appear in the ''Tekken'' and ''Soulcalibur'' series of fighting games by Namco.
The first version of Yoshimitsu made his debut in the original ''Tekken (video game), Tekken'' in 1994. The second ...
.
Appearances
''Tekken'' series
Kunimitsu made her debut in the original ''Tekken'' as a thief and rival of Yoshimitsu. A former member of Yoshimitsu's clan, known as the Manji Clan, she was banished from the clan for her theft. In order to make ends meet, Kunimitsu enters the King of the Iron Fist Tournament to attempt to steal valuable treasure from
Michelle Chang. Michelle manages to defeat her in battle.
Two years later, upon learning that Yoshimitsu's sword also holds value, she enters the King of the Iron Fist Tournament 2 to try and steal it. When she confronts Yoshimitsu in battle, she is once again defeated.
After the previous two failures, Kunimitsu decides to retire from thievery and does not participate in any more King of the Iron Fist Tournaments. Meanwhile, she gives birth to her daughter, who would also take the title of Kunimitsu.
Kunimitsu I would also appear in the non-canon games ''Tekken Tag Tournament'' and ''Tekken Tag Tournament 2''.
Kunitmisu II first appeared in ''Tekken 7'' as a DLC character. This Kunimitsu enters the King of the Iron Fist Tournament 7 with the same goal her mother once had: To steal Yoshimitsu's sword, in an attempt to cheer up her ill mother. She also had an undercover mission at Mishima Polytechnical School, prior to rushing back to her mother to finish what the latter started.
Design and gameplay
Kunimitsu is recognized by her fox-like mask and dagger that she carries in her hand, which she incorporates into some of her moves. Kunimitsu II dons a similar mask and also carries a dagger, but unlike the first Kunimitsu, Kunimitsu II can be customized to remove her mask. She sports two scars under each eye. In the first ''Tekken'' game, Kunimitsu was depicted as a man, but every game thereafter has depicted her as female.
Originally little more than a
skin
Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation.
Other cuticle, animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have diffe ...
for Yoshimitsu, she gained a more unique moveset starting with the first ''Tekken Tag Tournament''. Her fighting style is known as "Manji Ninjitsu."
Also known as Kunimitsu II, the second Kunimitsu uses the same fighting style as her mother, but with some new tweaks. Like her predecessor, she uses attacks based in
kunai
A is a Japanese tool thought to be originally derived from the masonry trowel. The two widely recognized variations of the kunai are short kunai (小苦無 shō-''kunai'') and the big ''kunai'' (大苦無 ''dai-kunai''). Although a basic tool, ...
and
kodachi
A , literally translating into "small or short ''tachi'' (sword)", is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (''nihontō'') used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Kodachi are from the early Kamakura period (1185–1333) and are in the ...
.
Az Elias at Cubed3 compared her fighting style to that of
Kasumi
Kasumi may refer to:
Places
* Kasumi, Hyōgo (香住), a former town in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
* Kasumigaseki (霞が関 "Gate of Mist"), a district in downtown Tokyo
* Kasumi, Jajce, a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Other uses
* Kasumi (gi ...
from the ''
Dead or Alive'' series, citing her somersaults, maneuver abilities and teleportation.
In ''Tekken 7'', she has her own stage, known as Vermilion Gates.
[
]
Reception
Kunimitsu was ranked as the 25th best ''Tekken'' character at ''Den of Geek
''Den of Geek'' is a US and UK-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture
Pop or POP may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
* Pop music, a musical genre Artists
* POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gan ...
'' by Gavin Jasper, whom opined "Kunimitsu doesn’t get nearly enough love." Tom Goulter of ''GamesRadar+
''GamesRadar+'' (formerly ''GamesRadar'') is an entertainment website for video game-related news, previews, and reviews. It is owned by Future plc. In late 2014, Future Publishing-owned sites ''Total Film'', '' SFX'', ''Edge'' and '' Computer ...
'' praised her as "...a throwback to the notion of ninja as conniving thieves and assassins, and her fleeing-and-hiding skill in particular is so finely honed..." Az Elias from Cubed3 praised her addition to ''Tekken 7'' as "eeling
Eels are ray-finned fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes (), which consists of eight suborders, 19 families, 111 genera, and about 800 species. Eels undergo considerable development from the early larval stage to the eventual adult stag ...
awesome to play."[ She was included as an honorable mention to the five best ''Tekken'' characters by ComicBook.com, where they state "...there's something about Kunimitsu that really does something for us, whether it's her pure speed and agility, or being able to deliver thunderous combos on opponents when they don't really expect it." They also suggested her to make an appearance in the weapons-base fighting game series '']Soulcalibur
is a weapon-based fighting video game franchise by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
There are seven main installments of video games and various media spin-offs, including music albums and a series of manga books. The first game in the series, '' ...
''. Prior to being added to ''Tekken 7'', Heavy.com
Heavy is a news aggregation platform based in New York City. It operates through its flagship website, Heavy.com, and Spanish-language platform, AhoraMismo.com. The website specializes in "5 Fast Facts" posts, which aggregate facts about trending ...
listed her as one of the characters they wanted to see as DLC, adding "All ''Tekken 7'' needs to throw the 'Tekken Tag Tournament 2''version of Kunimitsu into the fray, give her even more brand new maneuvers to utilize, and bless her with a bunch of flashy attires. Kunimitsu's current-gen arrival in ''Tekken 7'' is a must at this point."
At Evo 2021, Kunimitsu was the second-most picked character in ''Tekken 7'', after Geese Howard
is a fictional boss character and the main villain in SNK's ''Fatal Fury'' fighting game series. Debuting in '' Fatal Fury: King of Fighters'', Geese is the local crime boss of the fictional city of South Town. Geese created and hosts a fighting ...
.
References
{{Tekken
Female characters in video games
Fictional gymnasts
Fictional Japanese people in video games
Fictional Ninjutsu practitioners
Ninja characters in video games
Tekken characters
Video game characters who can teleport
Video game characters who can turn invisible
Woman soldier and warrior characters in video games
Video game characters introduced in 1994