Leo

Bio

Leo Kliesen was born into the family of a famous speleologist and one of the G Corporation employees. Leo is described as "cute" and "charming" on the surface, but dangerous on the inside. Their father died on one of the expeditions, so they were brought up by a loving and caring mother until their youth. Leo wanted to become a caver, like their father.

However, one day a hitman comes to their house and kills their mother Emma Kliesen. Police officers started an investigation, but then it was dropped without explanation. This prompted them to conduct their own investigation, demonstrating that Leo is determined in their search for justice and answers. Leo was outraged and decided to find the killer themself. They soon discovered that Kazuya Mishima might be involved. Leo feels resentment towards the G Corporation, and in particular towards Kazuya Mishima, since they consider them responsible for the death of their mother. The only opportunity for young Leo to meet with this man was the King of Iron Fist Tournament 6 because they learned that Kazuya Mishima would be there.

Leo manages to survive the tournament, after which they comes to their mother's grave. After this, Leo defeats Yoshimitsu, who is in the dojo's ruins, in which Leo was supposed to prepare for the next King of Iron Fist Tournament.

Personality

Leo is shown to be somewhat of an anxious fighter, as indicated by their intro and win fighting pose: "Just relax. You can do it." and "Phew. That was a close one". During Scenario Campaign in Tekken 6, upon entering the G Corporation, Millennium Tower, Alisa Bosconovitch points out to Leo that their heart rate had increased by twenty beats per minute. Reasonable Leo does not seek a fight unnecessarily.

Leo also appears to be afraid of monsters, for example, seeing Yoshimitsu in their Tekken 7 character episodes causes Leo to flinch in fear. They even go as far as to knee Yoshimitsu in the crotch in attempt to get away from him in the latter's episode ending. However, Leo is brave in facing their fears and fighting for survival.

Gameplay

Leo is defined by a balanced gameplay and is good at just about everything: Leo has lots of fast, strong combos and multi-hits, stunning blows that strike high and low. Leo is also very safe because their moves have little lag or recovery in-between. Many of the attacks, however, are pretty straightforward and predictable and are prone to be sidestepped. Leo also has a reversal with a larger than average window than most character's reversals. This reversal, however, deals damage only when it is used against kicks and only parries the opponent when used against punches.

Fighting Style

Leo practices Baji Quan, a Chinese martial art famous for its powerful elbow strikes, arm/fist strikes, hip checks and strikes with the shoulder, delivered with explosive, short-range power.

This style, mixed with other Chinese martial arts and Pro-Wrestling, is also practiced by Julia Chang and Michelle Chang. Leo, however, is the first Tekken character to practice this style exclusively, in its purest form.