Tekken’s Katsuhiro Harada Shares His Waffle House Epiphany

To quote artist MomoCullen, the prophecy has come true. Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time director of the Tekken fighting game series, has finally stepped foot in a Waffle House. While this might seem like a trivial detail at first glance, it holds significant meaning for those who have been playfully advocating for a Tekken stage set in a Waffle House at 3 a.m. — a place where chaos and combat could unfold.

In 2024, we covered the enthusiastic plea directed at Harada to include a Waffle House stage in the iconic chain within Tekken 8. Accompanied by a mock-up image of the Waffle House as a selectable location, the request read, “Mr. Harada, can you please add this stage to Tekken 8?” Known for his serious demeanor, Harada responded with curiosity, asking for clarification.

“Ok, I will only ask once about this request,” he stated. “Why do some communities send me requests for ‘Waffle House’?” He then proceeded to request a detailed explanation, saying, “Please be sure to explain the basis for the request, including the original story, history, and background.”