Tekken threatens to delete ‘Rizal’

MANILA, Philippines - The creator of the popular Japanese video fighting game Tekken has threatened to delete the character whose name is based on Jose Rizal following criticism from some sectors.

Responding to a suggestion to change the name Josie Rizal, Tekken creator Katsuhiro Harada refused and said he would rather delete the character.

“If Josie can’t get (support) in the Philippines, we (can) give her up anytime,” Harada said in a Twitter post.

“Tekken 7 arcade board has a network update system. We can change plan and change characters anytime and quickly,” he added.

The Japanese creator, however, appeared to backtrack from his threat after the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) issued a statement regarding its stand on the matter.

“Don’t worry guys. Calm down,” he tweeted, following appeals from Filipino gamers not to delete the first Filipino character in the popular game.

The NCCA denied taking any position on the issue.

“While the Commission is still studying what actions it may take on the issue of the name and image of Dr. Jose Rizal being dragged into this, we may safely say that NCCA has not issued any statement on the matter,” its statement read.

“‘The Commission shall issue an official statement soon on what actions it will take upon studying the legal aspect of this matter, in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines,’” it added.

The commission likewise denied seeking a temporary restraining order, noting that the article that circulated was published in a satirical website.

Japanese giant Bandai Namco recently introduced Josie Rizal as one of the characters in the upcoming seventh iteration of the popular fighting game.

On its Facebook page, game designers posted a concept art, with details in Josie’s outfit – long yellow sleeves and light blue and red short skirt – appearing to be designed after the sun symbol in the Philippine flag.

The concept art also noted that intricate embroidery on the sleeves as “sumpa-kita theme” but failed to provide additional details.