Tekken series director Katsuhiro Harada recently shared insights into the unique Tekken 6 x Naruto crossover and his experience working with Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto.
Over the years, the Tekken series has featured several surprising guest appearances, including The Walking Dead’s Negan and Street Fighter’s Akuma in Tekken 7. Its fighters have also appeared in other franchises, with Kazuya Mishima participating in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Street Fighter X Tekken, and successive Yoshimitsu characters appearing in Soulcalibur.
One of the more obscure crossovers occurred with Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, released in 2010, which included Tekken’s Swedish fighter Lars Alexandersson as a playable character. To integrate Lars into the Naruto universe, Masashi Kishimoto gave him a makeover. This same costume had been previously released as an extra outfit in Tekken 6 through a collaboration between Kishimoto and Harada.
Reflecting on this collaboration, Harada expressed his amazement at Kishimoto’s enthusiasm. Harada recalled how Kishimoto eagerly sent him a rough draft for Lars’ costume via fax, even before they had discussed a contract. The final design featured Lars in a red kimono, white obi, and gold armor pieces with lion motifs, while retaining his signature spiky hair, now styled in a topknot. Due to Lars’ fast, lightning-based attacks in Tekken, he was given a lightning chakra affinity similar to Naruto characters Kakashi and Sasuke. The costume also included a stylized “46” on Lars’ back, referencing Sweden’s international dialing code.
Although Harada did not confirm if Lars’ Naruto-inspired look will be available in Tekken 8’s Tekken Shop, he expressed a willingness to collaborate with Kishimoto again. With Kishimoto currently busy with Boruto and other Naruto projects, fans can still hope for another Tekken x Naruto crossover in the future.