History ShoutOut / Tekken

* Being an arrogant sumo wrestler who becomes a champion at an ImprobableAge, is ousted dishonouraby from the business and later gets into martial arts, Ganryu is clearly based on Wrestling/KojiKitao (sumo name Futahaguro). If that's not enough, one of his alternate costumes is a white gi, just like the one worn by Kitao in pro wrestling and MMA.

* Raven is based on Creator/WesleySnipes's characters Film/{{Blade}} and [[Film/DemolitionMan Simon Phoenix]].

* Zafina has a few unlockable outfits in ''Tekken 6'' (her debut game). One of them is called the "Bastet outfit" (inspired in the eponymous Egyptian cat goddess), which makes her look very much like Catwoman from the [[Film/Catwoman2004 Halle Berry movie]]; this one appears in ''Tag 2'' as well. Another of her unlockable outfits gives her a BedlahBabe look, not unlike Princess Jasmine of ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' fame.

* For ''Tekken 7'' each fighter can wear a Wrestling/BulletClub t-shirt and your status and life bar (yes you can modify it with different emblems and mods) includes a panel for Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling.

* He visually resembles [[Manga/SakigakeOtokojuku Edajima Heihachi]], shares his name and has been voiced by the [[Creator/DaisukeGori same]] [[Creator/UnshoIshizuka actors]].
* He looks ''an awful lot'' like Creator/LeeVanCleef. He's also ''the'' BigBad of the series and Van Cleef was so great at playing villains.

* Given his friendship with the BruceLeeClone Law family, his imposing beard and his almost unstoppable power, he is probably meant to resemble Creator/ChuckNorris in a way. Only his BoisterousBruiser personality and facial design (whic resembles more Wrestling/TripleH) distinguish him from being a clear Chuck clone.
* His hairstyle and a bit of his personality are also strongly reminiscent of [[Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Jean-Pierre Polnareff]].
* In ''Fated Retribution'', his new default outfit, with the Stars and Stripes motif on the inner lining of his jacket, is also reminiscent of Ein, a secondary character in [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar Hokuto No Ken]] 2. Coincidentally, Ein is also a blonde (in the anime) and something of a BoisterousBruiser, UnskilledButStrong guy who uses [[GoodOldFisticuffs raw punching power]] instead of formal martial arts to defeat his opponents.

* ''Tekken 6'' also lets the player buy a series of tracksuits for Law with the [[Film/GameOfDeath yellow tracksuit]] costing around three times as much as the rest. Earlier in the series, this was occasionally one of his alternate outfits, and it reappears in newer games as well.

* Being an arrogant sumo wrestler who becomes a champion at an ImprobableAge, is ousted dishonouraby from the business and later gets into martial arts, Ganryu is clearly based on Wrestling/KojiKitao (sumo name Futahaguro). One of his alternate costumes is even a white gi, just like the one worn by Kitao in pro wrestling and MMA.

* Jaycee is a reference to the short-lived masked wrestling female persona created as a DistaffCounterpart to the real-life ''Manga/TigerMask'', ''Tiger Dream''. Her pink costume and mask resemble Tiger Dream's. She even has an unlockable custom mask which looks almost identical to Tiger Dream's mask.
** Interestingly enough, one of the characters in ''Anime/TigerMaskW'' (Haruna Takaoka) shares Jaycee's backstory of becoming a wrestler for the sake of replacing one of her wrestler friends after the latter was unable to perform. Making her somewhat of a Jaycee expy.

* Like the Dempsey Roll, he has a lot of other moves seen in pro boxing, or in media such as the anime and manga series ''Manga/HajimeNoIppo'', e.g. Gazelle Punch.

* His name is probably a reference to Craig Kukuk, the first American to receive a UsefulNotes/BrazilianJiuJitsu black belt.

* There's also some of Nathan Jones on him, being an Australian giant who is an ex-con and did both professional wrestling and martial arts. They are also so physically similar that when the maligned live action ''Tekken'' film was in production, there was the rumor Jones was going to appear playing Marduk.

* In ''Dark Resurrection'', his alternate costume can be customized with a short mohawk, scruffy beard, and a large gold chain, making him look very close to Mr T.

* He really looks alot like Kaioh Retsu from ''Manga/BakiTheGrappler'' in terms of fighting style and appearance such as his hairdo, and [[UnusualEyebrows arched up eyebrows]]. Not that mention that both of the characters can destroy a boulder with their fist.
* Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do was built around taking aspects of different styles, adding what was useful and discarding what was not. Lee was also heavily criticized for breaking the traditions and customs of Kung-fu. Feng's God Fist style revolves around overcoming other styles and conquering them. Feng also broke the rules of the dojo he trained at and got scolded for it. Whereas Law seems to just be lighthearted homage, Feng reads like a dark mirror of everything Lee stood for.

* His unlockable costume in ''5'' looks like a getup you can unlock for Ryu Hayabusa in the Xbox ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden'', right down to the [[HighlyVisibleNinja color scheme]].
* It also looks like the outfit Blade wore in the comics when he was brainwashed by Silver Eye.

* Not the per se, but their father seems like one of Indiana Jones, if their ''6'' Story prologue is anything to go by.

* [[Manga/{{Naruto}} Masashi Kishimoto]] has made a costume for Lars. He looks kinda like Deidara, but without the Akatsuki robe. Said outfit makes an appearance in ''VideoGame/NarutoShippudenUltimateNinjaStorm2'', where Lars is a GuestFighter.

* As an enormous, heavily battle-scarred Muay Thai champion and former national hero of Thailand in the unwilling employment of a NebulousEvilOrganisation, Fahkumram is highly reminiscent of [[VideoGame/StreetFighter Sagat]].
* Judging by his size and role, he also echoes Mongkut from the 2018 film ''Kickboxer Retaliation''.

* Nina is an {{Expy}} of Sarah Bryant from ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', in line with Kazuya being a partial Expy to Akira of the same franchise (the director of the first two Tekken games, Seichi Ishii, and presumably most of his staff, had previously worked on the first Virtua Fighter game as well). Both Sarah and Nina are young blonde women who wear their hair in ponytails, have similar purple/blue-ish outfits, are BrainwashedAndCrazy at some point in their stories, and have a strong rivalry with a sibling as well.

* Nina's wedding dress in ''7'' is an evident homage to The Bride from Film/KillBill. In some of the in-game character panel artwork, she's depicted wielding weapons like katanas or submachine guns as well.

* Zafina has a few unlockable outfits in ''Tekken 6'' (her debut game). One of them is called the "Bastet outfit" (which is inspired in the eponymous Egyptian cat goddess), which makes her look very much like Catwoman from the [[Film/Catwoman2004 Halle Berry movie]]; this one appears in ''Tag 2'' as well. Another of her unlockable outfits gives her a BedlahBabe look, not unlike Princess Jasmine of ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' fame.

* Nina is an {{Expy}} of Sarah Bryant from ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', in line with Kazuya being a partial Expy to Akira of the same franchise (the director of the first two Tekken games, Seichi Ishii, had previously worked on the first Virtua Fighter game as well). Both Sarah and Nina are young blonde women who wear their hair in ponytails, have similar purple/blue-ish outfits, are BrainwashedAndCrazy at some point in their stories, and have a strong rivalry with a sibling as well.

* Nina's and Anna's endings in ''5' have them dueling with swords, with [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Raphael Sorel]]'s theme in Soul Calibur III "Endless Warfare" playing in the background.

* Zafina has a few unlockable outfits in ''Tekken 6'' (her debut game). One of them is called the "Bastet outfit" (which is inspired in the eponymous Egyptian cat goddess), which makes her look very much like Catwoman from the [[Film/{{Catwoman}} Halle Berry movie]]; this one appears in ''Tag 2'' as well. Another of her unlockable outfits gives her a BedlahBabe look, not unlike Princess Jasmine of ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' fame.

* Both her [[KiAttacks Dark Wave]] and her [[Shoryuken Dark Blade]] bear a passing resemblance to techniques seen in the ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' series, the Reppuken and Psycho Sword respectively.

* He can summon a tiger as part of her jumping uppercut attack. Maybe not intentional but that would make it a ''[[VisualPun literal]]'' "[[Franchise/StreetFighter Tiger Uppercut]]".

* True Ogre's ''Tekken Tag 2'' ending is a direct homage to ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' and ''Film/Cloverfield''.

* Angel's unlockable outfit in ''Tag 2'' is a suit of armor including a full helmet that covers completely her face, giving strong vibes of Kayle from ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends''. The armor comes with a sword as well (which is her unique Item Move) but it's not just any sword, it's a LaserBlade whose blade grows to a ludicrous length. Kind of like the [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam Shining Gundam]]'s beam sword, or [[Anime/DigimonFrontier Susanoomon]]'s "Celestial Blade" attack.

!!Marshall Law
* He's a very clear BruceLeeClone, down to his FunnyBruceLeeNoises. Forrest could also be considered a clone of Bruce's son Brandon.

* True Ogre's ''Tekken Tag 2'' ending is a direct homage to ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}''.

* Zafina has a few unlockable outfits in ''Tekken 6'' (her debut game). One of them is called the "Bastet outfit" (which is inspired in the eponymous Egyptian cat goddess), which makes her look very much like Catwoman from the [[Film/{{Catwoman}} Halle Berry movie]]; this one appears in ''Tag 2'' as well. Another of her unlockable outfits gives her a BedlahBabe look, not unlike Princess Jazmine of ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' fame.

* Zafina has a few unlockable outfits in ''Tekken 6'' (her debut game). One of them is called the "Bastet outfit" (which is inspired in the eponymous Egyptian cat goddess), which makes her look very much like Catwoman from the [[Film/{{Catwoman}} Halle Berry movie]]; this one appears in ''Tag 2'' as well. Another of her unlockable outfits gives her a BedlahBabe look, not unlike Princess Jazmine of ''WesternAnimation/Aladdin'' fame.

* Zafina has a few unlockable outfits in ''Tekken 6'' (her debut game). One of them is called the "Bastet outfit" (which is inspired in the eponymous Egyptian cat goddess), which makes her look very much like Catwoman from the [[Film/Catwoman Halle Berry movie]]; this one appears in ''Tag 2'' as well. Another of her unlockable outfits gives her a BedlahBabe look, not unlike Princess Jazmine of ''WesternAnimation/Aladdin'' fame.

* Nina's and Anna's endings in ''5' have them dueling with swords, with [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Raphael Sorel]]'s theme in Soul Calibur III "Endless Warfare" playing in the background.

* Nina is an {{Expy}} of Sarah Bryant from ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', in line with Kazuya being a partial Expy to Akira of the same franchise (the director of the first two Tekken games, Seichi Ishii, had previously worked on the first Virtua Fighter game as well). Both Sarah and Nina are young blonde women who wear their hair in ponytails, have similar purple/blue-ish outfits, are BrainwashedAndCrazy at some point in their stories, and have a strong rivalry with a sibling as well.

* Judging by his size and role, he also echoes Mongkut from the 2018 film ''Kickboxer Retaliation''.

* "I must unleash this [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam awesome power]]!"

* Mirroring King, Armor King is this to the EvilCounterpart of the titular character in ''Manga/TigerMask'', Black Tiger.

* He gains some customizations that pretty clearly give him the appearance of Kenshiro from ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar''. As both men derive inspiration from Creator/BruceLee, this is a justified nod.
* ''Tekken 6'' also lets the player buy a series of tracksuits for Law with the [[Film/GameOfDeath yellow tracksuit]] costing around three times as much as the rest. Earlier in the series, this was occasionally one of his alternate outfits.

* He bears a strong resemblance of Franchise/{{Terminator}}s. Their faces are even just the tiniest bit reminiscent of Ahnold.

* Creator/{{CLAMP}} designed a special costume for Jin in celebration of the upcoming console release of ''Tekken 6''. It's [[Anime/CodeGeass Lelouch vi Britannia's]] emperor outfit from ''R2'', a series with a similar storyline, minus the NiceHat. FridgeBrilliance hits in: Jin's plan sounds ''very'' similar to the [[Anime/CodeGeass Zero Requiem]] (right down to the HeroicSacrifice and bearing the burden of the world's hatred on his shoulders) when you think about it.

* His hairstyle and personality are also strongly reminiscent of [[Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders Jean-Pierre Polnareff]].

* He's a very clear BruceLeeClone, down to his FunnyBruceLeeNoises.

* Early on she was clearly an {{Expy}} of Chun Li from ''Street Fighter'', although as time's gone on she has become quite different.

* His ending in ''Tekken 5'' is a nice homage to a scene from ''Manga/{{Akira}}''. In it, Hwoarang is riding his motorcycle down a highway when he sees Devil Jin in the middle of the road. Devil Jin destroys his motorcycle with what appears to be telekinesis and sends Hwoarang flying before he gets up and prepares to fight.

* There's also of Nathan Jones on him, being an Australian giant who is an ex-con and did both professional wrestling and martial arts. They are also so physically similar that when the maligned live action ''Tekken'' film was in production, there was the rumor Jones was going to appear playing Marduk.

* Judging by her backstory, she could be easily a female [[Manga/{{Hellsing}} Alucard]]. Her design and name may also imply a [[VideoGame/FateExtra certain incarnation of Elizabeth Bathory.]]

* His fighting stance is exactly like Goenitz, also from ''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters KOF]]''.
* His white suit, hairstyle, and blue flame-like energy also bring another SNKBoss to mind - Shinnosuke Kagami from VideoGame/TheLastBlade.

* There are some less noticeable ones at times. For example, [[http://eng.tekkenpedia.com/wiki/File:Kunimitsu_and_Lili_-_Bikini_Origins_-_TTT2.jpg Lili and Kunimitsu's bikinis]] in ''Tag 2'' are respectively based off of Lili's appearance on the cover of Play magazine's "Girls of Gaming 7" issue and promotional art for ''Tag''. [[http://eng.tekkenpedia.com/wiki/File:Michelle_Chang_-_Artwork_-_Bikini.jpg The same applies for Michelle.]]

* A FunnyBackgroundEvent in the Historic Town Square stage in Tag Tournament 2 is [[Literature/TheBremenTownMusicians a rooster dancing on top of a cat which is dancing on top of a dog which is dancing on top of a donkey]].

* One of King's grabs is called [[Manga/{{Kinnikuman}} Muscle Buster]].
* See the Tag Move King performs with [[TheRival Marduk]] in his ending in ''5''. Muscle Docking anyone?

* Armor King's moveset features several well-known Wrestling/{{WWE}} wrestlers' signature attacks, including [[Wrestling/ShawnMichaels a flying forearm smash and a Super Kick,]] a [[Wrestling/TheUndertaker Tombstone Piledriver,]] a [[Wrestling/BookerT scissors kick,]] a [[Wrestling/{{Edge}} Spear]], a [[Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin Stunner]] and the [[Wrestling/CMPunk Go To Sleep]]. Other inspiration sources range from Keiji Mutoh/The Great Muta (Space Rolling Elbow, Flashing Elbow, Green Mist) to Manga/{{Kinnikuman}} (Muscle Driver).

* King II's movelist includes the [[Wrestling/TheUndertaker Tombstone]] [[Wrestling/{{Kane}} Piledriver]], [[Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin Stunner]], [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson Rock Bottom]], [[Wrestling/AllJapanProWrestling Flashing Elbow]], [[Wrestling/TheGreatMuta Shining Wizard]], [[Wrestling/DragonGate Sol Naciente]], [[Wrestling/KentaKobashi Burning Hammer]], [[Wrestling/{{Sting}} Scorpion]] [[Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling Death]] [[Wrestling/BretHart Lock]], [[Wrestling/JushinThunderLiger Running Powerbomb]], [[Wrestling/JakeRoberts DDT]], [[Wrestling/StanHansen Lariat]], [[Wrestling/BuddyRogers Figure Four]] [[Wrestling/RicFlair Leg Lock]], [[Wrestling/ManamiToyota Rolling Cradle]], [[Wrestling/MitsuharuMisawa Emerald Flowsion]] (his Rage Art in ''7'' is a jumping variant), [[Wrestling/BobBacklund Crossface Chickenwing]], [[Wrestling/KurtAngle Olympic Slam]], [[Wrestling/{{FMW}} Vertebreaker]] [[AndZoidberg and]] [[Franchise/StreetFighter Spinning Piledriver]] (although it's actually a variation of the [[Wrestling/ScottSteiner Steiner Screwdriver]]). He also employs the [[Manga/{{Kinnikuman}} Muscle Buster]], and his ending in ''5'' has him and Marduk performing the Muscle Docking CombinationAttack.

* Being an arrogant, dishonored sumo champion who gets into martial arts and later gets somewhat redeemed in his art, Ganryu is clearly based on Wrestling/KojiKitao. One of his alternate costumes is even a sleeveless gi, just like the one worn by Kitao in pro wrestling and MMA.

* Like the Dempsey Roll, he has a lot of other moves seen in pro boxing, or in media such as the anime and manga series [[{{Manga/HajimeNoIppo}} Hajime No Ippo]], e.g. Gazelle Punch.

* He's basically a mix of Nathan Jones (enormous, Australian, ex-con professional wrestler), Wrestling/BobSapp (enormous, brutal mixed martial artist with outrageous behavior and a huge following), and Wrestling/{{Goldberg}} ([[OverlyLongGag enormous]], bald, with stubble/beard, chest hair and similar taunts). Also, his injured left ear is probably a reference to the Mike Tyson/Evander Holyfield bout in which Mike bite off Holyfield's ear.
* His fighting style contains several signature moves of Wrestling/KazushiSakuraba, like the Mongolian chop and the jumping stomp. Also, in line with the Goldberg similarities mentioned above, his ending in ''Tag Tournament 2'' has Marduk hitting the Jackhammer.
* One of his customization options in ''6'' is based on Mike Tyson's face tattoo. Also, in ''Dark Resurrection'', his alternate costume can be customized with a short mohawk, scruffy beard, and a large gold chain, making him look very close to Mr T.

* He really looks alot like Kaioh Retsu from Manga/BakiTheGrappler in terms of fighting style and appearance such as his hairdo, and [[UnusualEyebrows arched up eyebrows]]. Not that mention that both of the characters can destroy a boulder with their fist.

* He's based on Creator/WesleySnipes's characters Film/{{Blade}} and [[Film/DemolitionMan Simon Phoenix]].

* [[Manga/{{Naruto}} Masashi Kishimoto]] has made a costume for Lars Alexandersson. He looks kinda like Deidara, but without the Akatsuki robe. Said outfit makes an appearance in ''VideoGame/NarutoShippudenUltimateNinjaStorm2'', where Lars is a GuestFighter.

* The British Steve can wear a [[VideoGame/ModernWarfare skull bandanna.]]

* Being an arrogant sumo champion who gets into martial arts and later gets somewhat redeemed, Ganryu is clearly on Wrestling/KojiKitao. One of his alternate costumes is even a sleeveless gi, just like the one worn by Kitao in pro wrestling and MMA.

!!Raven

* Customization options in 6 allow you to make him look like [[Franchise/ResidentEvil Albert Wesker]], who is his [[Creator/DCDouglas voice actor's]] most famous role.

!!Lars

* Lars's ending in ''Tekken Tag 2'' has fanfare suspiciously similar to that of the ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series theme.

* Mokujin's appearance is based on the training dummies from the Creator/JackieChan movie ''Shaolin Wooden Men''.

* Going further with King, one of his grabs is called [[Manga/{{Kinnikuman}} Muscle Buster]]. Furthermore, see the Tag Move he performs with [[TheRival Marduk]] in his ending in ''5''. Muscle Docking anyone?
* Xiaoyu's ending in ''5'' has her TimeTravel to the beginning of ''Anime/TekkenTheMotionPicture'' in a bid to save Kazuya. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero She ends up sending both Kazuya and Heihachi into the cliff.]]
* Hwoarang's ending in ''Tekken 5'' is a nice homage to a scene from ''Manga/{{Akira}}''. In it, Hwoarang is riding his motorcycle down a highway when he sees Devil Jin in the middle of the road. Devil Jin destroys his motorcycle with what appears to be telekinesis and sends Hwoarang flying before he gets up and prepares to fight.
* Lars's ending in ''Tekken Tag 2'' has fanfare suspiciously similar to that of the ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' series theme.
* True Ogre's ''Tekken Tag 2'' ending is a direct homage to ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}''.

* Creator/{{CLAMP}} designed a special costume for Jin in celebration of the upcoming console release of ''Tekken 6''. It's [[Anime/CodeGeass Lelouch vi Britannia's]] emperor outfit from ''R2'', minus the NiceHat.

** King himself (and by proxy, King II) has one in the form of ''VideoGame/FZero'''s Leon.

!!Le Wulong
* He's obviously based on Creator/JackieChan, to the point of being nicknamed "SuperCop" as in the subtitle of ''Police Story III''.

* Especially in regards of King and ProfessionalWrestling. Some of the customization items as well. Creator/{{CLAMP}} designed a special costume for Jin in celebration of the upcoming console release of ''Tekken 6''. It's [[Anime/CodeGeass Lelouch vi Britannia's]] emperor outfit from ''R2'', minus the NiceHat. And that's not all: other [[NamesToKnowInAnime notable names in anime]] made costumes for some characters. [[Manga/{{Naruto}} Masashi Kishimoto]] has made a costume for Lars Alexandersson. He looks kinda like Deidara, but without the Akatsuki robe. Said outfit makes an appearance in ''VideoGame/NarutoShippudenUltimateNinjaStorm2'', where Lars is a GuestFighter. Yoshimitsu gets a bonus costume in the pre-order version of ''6'' -- the [[Webcomic/PennyArcade Cardboard Tube Samurai]]. In the same game, Julia has thigh holsters, grenades, short shorts and boots. Now think about that as you watch her ending and ask if that reminds you of [[Franchise/TombRaider anyone]].
* Marshall Law gains some customizations that pretty clearly give him the appearance of Kenshiro from ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar''. As both men derive inspiration from Creator/BruceLee, this is a justified nod.
* ''Tekken 6'' also lets the player buy a series of tracksuits for Marhsall Law with the [[Film/GameOfDeath yellow tracksuit]] costing around three times as much as the rest. Earlier in the series, this was occasionally one of his alternate outfits.

* Kazumi Mishima can summon a tiger as part of her jumping uppercut attack. Maybe not intentional but that would make it a ''[[VisualPun literal]]'' "[[Franchise/StreetFighter Tiger Uppercut]]".

* For ''Tekken 7'' each fighter can wear a Wrestling/BulletClub t shirt and your status and life bar (yes you can modify it with different emblems and mods) includes a panel for Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling.
* In ''Tekken 7'', Armor King can be customized to resemble the Marvel superhero Comicbook/BlackPanther.