Bandai Namco Unveils Miary Zo Starter Guide Ahead of Release

Miary Zo is the newest fighter joining Tekken 8, becoming the fourth DLC character of Season 2 and the first confirmed African character in the franchise. From her reveal to her impending release, she has been a gravitational center for conversation across the community.

With launch around the corner, Bandai Namco has released a starter guide showcasing her toolkit. Though she is new to the roster, Miary carries echoes of the past. She fights using Morengy, a martial art native to Madagascar, and has lore ties to Ogre, the ancient creature first introduced in Tekken 3. Her design borrows from that lineage, horns, serpentine motifs, and even a tail woven into her silhouette.

Among pro players, reactions have been mixed. JDCR noted that his early impressions were lukewarm, but also emphasized that trailer footage rarely reflects how a character actually plays, leaving room for cautious optimism.

In Madagascar, however, the mood is far from divided. The country celebrated Miary’s arrival in mainstream media, and local community leaders shared a heartfelt message thanking the developers for the character’s inclusion.

Responding to the warm reception, series producer Katsuhiro Harada wrote:

“I’m truly glad to know that all of you are happy.
Through the interviews and our time together in Madagascar, the conversations and interactions with you became wonderful memories for me.”

Game director Kohei Ikeda added his appreciation:

“To everyone in the Madagascar Tekken community, thank you very much for the wonderful photos and messages!
I truly appreciate all the support you gave during my stay in Madagascar and throughout the development of Miary Zo.”

Miary Zo enters early access today, with full public release scheduled for December 5th, 2025.