Tekken’s Julia Chang: Why Her Character Matters

The gaming world can be fickle, with new and old IPs being left to dust with every tech advancement. Despite that, the Tekken series remains one of the world's most successful fighting game franchises. 

Just shy of its 30th anniversary, Tekken 8 was released in top-fighting form and welcomed new and veteran players alike. The latest release expanded and improved on its predecessors, ultimately delivering a satisfying fighting game packed with content. 

Much of the acclaim for the series has been rooted in its memorable lineup of heroes vying for the title of King of Iron Fist amid various personal motivations and turmoil affecting the fate of the universe they inhabit. This is why it’s worth shining a light on Julia Chang, whose absence in the latest release is felt by many. When Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada polled X (formerly Twitter) users on females who aren’t in the current lineup, Julia came out on top with 36.3% of the vote from a total of 57,694 voters. While most of the online chatter around Julia is about how frustrating she is as an opponent, her place in the world of Tekken bears conversation. 

Chinese-Native American representation

Games released today featuring people of color or women are usually criticized by a loud demographic of non-progressive gamers. In an age where cultural sensitivity is so crucial in media, it’s fascinating to see a grounded and powerful woman who is blatantly Chinese and Native American in a game series that has sold over 57 million copies. While her earliest depictions relied on stereotypical design elements to establish her culture, it was a step in the right direction that has since been honed with care. 

In January 2024, Harada asked Native American Tekken players to chime in with their opinions on how best to design Julia in a way that speaks to her heritage while going beyond stereotypes. It’s amazing to see a character grow because of actual conversation and input from the community meant to shape her narrative. Since Tekken has steadily expanded its scope and can now maximize modern game development tech to create more robust storytelling, it’s a hopeful sign that creators will continue to put thoughtful design into female characters of Asian and Native American descent. 

From the eyes of Julia Chang

The significance of Julia Chang’s appearance also goes beyond her ethnicity. In a genre created to glorify superhuman strength and almost immortal perfection, it’s fascinating to see an arguably overpowered character have subtle but meaningful human weaknesses. Julia’s distinctive eyeglasses have become such a core part of her more recent design that they have become a mainstay for cosplayers. While it is common to see people wearing Ray-Ban Clubmaster Optics on the street, it’s not often you see a similar pair on one of the protagonists of a fighting game, where she proudly brandishes prescription lenses and classic polished frames. 

Although Tekken 8’s customization mode allows players to add accessories, it’s refreshing how previous series entries with Julia made glasses part of her core style without any modifications. Glasses reinforce her character and play a small yet pivotal role in how players view a person’s abilities. Where Clark Kent uses glasses to hide his Superman identity, Julia succeeds exactly as she does with glasses in tow. Tekken 8 may not have Julia on the roster yet, but this impact has already trickled over into the real world. The game collaborated with Gentle Monster for a capsule collection that included sunglasses inspired by the iconic Kazuya Mishima and his Devil Kazuya variant. Practicality and style don’t have to clash, especially if the world of Tekken has anything to do with it. 

The journey to Jaycee and back

Julia has seen many changes over the years. She started as a quiet yet determined scientist and eventually took on a bubblier streamer personality. Looking back on her introduction, it was clearly less than smooth compared to other characters. Lost interest resulted in her brief reintroduction as the non-canon luchador Jaycee before her return to form in revamped high-top sneakers, jean shorts, a plaid long-sleeve top, and red-rimmed glasses.

Carrying on her mother’s highly effective move set, Julia is a formidable fighter in her own right. Since the third tournament, her motivation has been to restore the global ecosystem. Over time, Julia Chang became more than just a main to be wary of. She has become a symbol of good change and representation that doesn’t just tick a box, where characters and their designs are allowed to grow beyond their initial intention. In a gaming landscape where the divide is still strong, there should always be time for a bespectacled Chinese-Native American woman who will unapologetically take on the best of the best to fight for her ideals.