David

[Katsuhiro Harada @Harada_TEKKEN]

I finally made it to WAFFLE HOUSE.

The staff are always friendly, and when I asked if they would sell me a menu, they sold me one for $5.
Next time, I’ll be back at 3 a.m. for fight time.
#WAFFLEHOUSE

[Carver Fisher ➡️ Roundhouse 2026 @carver_fisher]

Let me tell you a story about @TK_iKARi

There's been a lot of conversation going around about how he "came out of nowhere" to win EVO. This isn't remotely true.

iKARi's been playing for like 20 years at this point. This guy is an OG thorugh and through. However, he lacked the international prestige to really stand out on the average Tekken player's radar. He was always a match or two away from making a big mark at an event.

This brings me to Combo Breaker 2025, one of his worst finishes at any major. He didn't even make top 128, but it wasn't a lack of skill from iKARi. He just wasn't playing like himself.

I remember watching one of his pools sets at CB and noticing that he was visibly shaking. His nerves were clearly getting to him. There was a clear difference between iKARi in his comfort zone and iKARi playing at a big major.

And, if you know anything about Kazuya, he requires unwavering confidence to succeed. You have to be completely locked in.

The next night at Combo Breaker, iKARi was running sets at 2am. He was out of the tournament anyways, might as well get some practice in, right?

A line started to form. Then a crowd. Everyone that was there still playing Tekken wanted a chance to fight against him.

Something shifted during the time he was running sets. He eventually started going full Pokchop on people, talking shit, getting loud, having the entire room rally behind him. It was like watching a different man.

There are certainly people in the community who know a lot more about iKARi than I do, but that night really stood out to me. There's something about running sets in the wee hours of the night that just makes things click.

His ability to take down the best Tekken players isn't something that he just pulled out in the spur of the moment. He's been putting effort into this for years, and his effort finally paid off, both in terms of mechanical skill and being mentally prepared to take on the best players in the world.

The pics here are mine, never had the chance to post them anywhere. I'd always planned to write about it someday because I knew just from sitting there and watching iKARi that he'd go on to do something absolutely incredible one day.

Unfortunately, the games journalism industry is abysmal right now, but it'd be a waste not to share this part of his journey even if it's just in a post like this.

Here's to hoping there's a long career ahead for you yet, iKARi. Congratulations on the win.

[George Derecho @LA_F0CA]

Bryan round

[KIWOOM DRX LowHigh @LowHigh92]

There are no unattainable goals. Even if you fail, keep going. And remember the importance of your teammates, friends, and family.

Thanks everyone cheer for me I will never stop. Let’s keep going.

Korea is best Tekken region in the world🇰🇷

[SKONK🐉 @BigSkonk]

"LowHigh"

[TPC | KiS @KeepsitSimple89]

The current rank situation in Tekken 8.

[George Derecho @LA_F0CA]

Finally some TG clips with the OP cyborg.

[Katsuhiro Harada @Harada_TEKKEN]

I’m no longer a developer / creator of the TEKKEN series.

Harada_TEKKEN is completely dead.

[Pablo Manríquez @PabloReports]

SOUTHSIDE CHICAGO — Windy City residents run off immigration agents to save a man mid-abduction at 63rd and Kostner Ave.

[David @hwtfayl]

@erickaclaire_ Bruhhhhh maybe he didn’t know it wasn’t hers but still😭😭😭

[George Derecho @LA_F0CA]

Counter hit master

[George Derecho @LA_F0CA]

Hard stuck tekken king, but I got what I’ve wanted from this game in this clip here.

[David @hwtfayl]

@erickaclaire_ @tylerthecreator Fuck it that works lmao

[🅿️ending Ⓜ️illionaire💰 @ManishLife_Ty]

I can’t lie, he went crazy with the lil elbow trick 🤣

[George Derecho @LA_F0CA]

Shit man fuck this game

[𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙚 🇨🇩✰ #WAKOFA @ClamsLK]

manji clan brehs where we at

[SKONK🐉 @BigSkonk]

The fuck going on at Combo Breaker ⁉️

[KIWOOM DRX｜KNEE @holyknee]

I did it! 40 years old this year.

Since Tekken 8 dropped,
my results have been rough. People said I was done,
washed up, too old to compete.
I didn’t even make it to TWT Finals for the first time. I was frustrated with the game and honestly, I still am in some ways.
But thanks to the dev team’s hard work, it’s been getting better.

I just couldn’t adapt.
Last year was the worst of my Tekken career. I felt lost,
unsure of what to do.
But the answer turned out to be simple: just keep going.
When you do, the right path starts to reveal itself.

Be thankful for your teammates, friends, fellow players, and the fans who support you.
Believe in them and in yourself. That’s how you stand back up.

I hope I’ve shown that there’s still hope for gamers in their 40s. Let’s keep pushing, even when the path is tough.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with me!

#drxwin
#EVOJapan2025