EVO 2026 in Las Vegas has been absolutely unforgettable. Amidst the roaring crowds and high-stakes drama—where the legendary Arslan Ash put on an absolute masterclass to claim his historic eighth EVO championship title—Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe dropped a bombshell for fighting game fans.
Get ready to clear the runway, because Bob is officially making his explosive return as the second playable character of TEKKEN 8 Season 3!
The Return of the “Onigiri Saviour”
For those who have been following the lore, Robert Richards has been through a lot since we last saw him. After recovering from a brutal assault by Bryan Fury that kept him out of The King of Iron Fist Tournament 7, Bob spent his hospital time dreaming up his own culinary masterpieces. Frustrated by bland hospital food, he created a wildly successful fast-food empire, eventually introducing the smash-hit “Bob’s Onigiri.”
When Kazuya Mishima’s G Corp descended upon New York, Bob chose to use his food chains to aid those in need during the crisis. Armed with a fierce sense of justice and his self-proclaimed “perfect body,” the freshly dubbed “Onigiri Saviour” is trading his apron back for the battlefield to stop Kazuya and restore balance to the world.
Check out his official gameplay presentation reveal below:
Development Insider: Bob’s iconic stances, like United Step and Spinner Ball, are back and fully modernized for TEKKEN 8’s aggressive Heat System. He even brings a skateboard to his intro animations this time around!
Speed, Power, and the “Perfect Body”
If you thought Bob might have slowed down, think again. Bandai Namco has confirmed that he retains his iconic, deceptive blend of heavyweight power and lightning-fast agility.
Here is what you can look forward to when he joins the roster:
- Grounded Dominance: Bob excels at close-to-mid-range combat, utilising his massive frame for high-damage punishers.
- Expanded Stances: Classic moves like Langue Washer and Cutting Coppa return, while Spinner Ball has been expanded with new options, including a devastating Heat Engager.
- Comical, Hard-Hitting Flaunts: True to character, his Heat Smash and Rage Art feature the highly expressive, dynamic, and slightly comical animations fans love.
Release Dates & Season Pass 3 Lineup
Mark your calendars! Bob will roll onto the stage in late August:
- Thursday, 20 August 2026: Early Access for Season Pass 3 holders.
- Tuesday, 25 August 2026: General release for all players.
Bob is the second fighter to arrive in Season Pass 3, following the elusive Kunimitsu. He will pave the way for the hefty marsupial Roger Jr. (with a formal trailer promised for EVO France!) and the ultimate guest fighter, Yujiro Hanma from the Baki series.
Bonus: A New “TEKKEN! CARTOON” Series!
As if a major character drop wasn’t enough, Bandai Namco also announced a brand-new “TEKKEN! CARTOON” series set to premiere on 10 July 2026. This bite-sized, stylised animated series will feature fan favourites like Paul, Yoshimitsu, Kazuya, Alisa, and Kuma in quick, expressive, and highly addictive under-one-minute episodes.
TEKKEN 8 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Are you ready to main the Onigiri Saviour this August? Let us know your thoughts on Bob’s new look in the comments below!
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