Raven (Tekken)

**Raven** (レイヴン *Reivun*) is a fictional character in the *Tekken* fighting game series. Raven was introduced in *Tekken 5* as one of the three new characters (the other two being Asuka Kazama and Feng Wei) and has returned for all subsequent games except *Tekken 7*.

## Gameplay

Raven is one of the trickiest and hard to use characters in the series. Most of his attacks are really unsafe, so he's best used as a defensive/runaway character: he has an incredible ability to reverse and parry attacks, and also has the ability to backflip out of the situation. To compliment his capability to set the pace of a match, Raven has some good poke and pressure options. As with other tricky characters, gaining familiarity to his moveset is the key to use him effectively.

## Character Relationships

* Master Raven - His superior.
* Sergei Dragunov - His enemy in both *Tekken 5* and *Tekken 6*, it is implied that there is a history between the two of them.
* Heihachi Mishima - His opponent in *Tekken 5*. Raven did not finish the fight and pulled out on orders.
* Lars Alexandersson - His second partner since Tougou entrusted Raven to look over him in the Scenario Campaign mode.
* Alisa Bosconovitch - Were allies in the Scenario Campaign story, until Alisa was forced to change sides since she was under Jin's control.
* Jin Kazama - His enemy at first, despite being ordered to watch over him, he later found Jin lying in the desert after Azazel's demise in *Tekken 6*. His friend and protege in the 2010 film (non-canon).
* NANCY-MI847J - Destroyed by Raven in the Scenario Campaign story.
* Kazuya Mishima - Raven's enemy, since Kazuya is one of mankind's threat for using the Devil Gene.
* Azazel - His enemy in *Tekken 6*, one of potential threat within a Devil Gene's reign.
* Tougou - He told Raven to give Lars his tag before he died recently.
* Zafina - Raven and Lars helped her defeat a group of Tekken Force soldiers in the Scenario Campaign mode.
* Yoshimitsu - His partner in *Street Fighter X Tekken*.
* Eddy Gordo - Defeated him in the 2010 film (non-canon).
* Kunimitsu - His partner in the *Tekken Tag Tournament 2* opening (non-canon).
* Asuka Kazama - His opponent in the *Tekken 5* demo.

## TMNT X Pokemon

Raven is a rival to the Turtles and often times fight them to show how much he had improved.

## Trivia

**General**:

* Apart from an X-shaped scar on his face, not much about Raven is known.
* It was stated in the European site that Raven is from Canada. However, in later versions of the site, his nationality is stated as unknown.
* The hand signs that Raven performs are part of the Kuji-in, a Japanese Buddhist Tantric technique said to be also practiced by ninjas.
* In his story modes, Raven will occasionally get orders from his commanding officer.
* Raven's appearance is a direct look-a-like of the famous K-1 Champion and Muay Thai Champion Michael McDonald of Canada also known as the "Black Sniper".
* Raven also resembles famous Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes and specifically two of his characters, Simon Phoenix from *Demolition Man* (blonde hair) and more obviously, the Marvel Comics character Blade from the *Blade* film series in terms of shades, personality, tattoo and costume. The "I'll see you in hell" win pose is a reference to Blade's "catch you later" point and walk.
	+ When Namco was asked about the similarities being intentional, they stated that they simply wanted a true ninjutsu practitioner and a "cool black guy" for a character, and that the similarities were purely coincidental.
* Raven has also been compared to Ryu Hayabusa from the *Ninja Gaiden* and *Dead or Alive* series due to the fact that they both wear mostly black, and are both serious and stoic ninjas who carries out their mission to the end.
* Raven was voiced by Jack Merluzzi in *Tekken 5* but in *Tekken 6* however, his voice actor changed to DC Douglas. The reason of the change has not been stated.
* Raven is the only character who has a customization item that is incompatible with the default item. His "Ninja Mask" item is not compatible with his default 2P hood.
* Raven bears a few resemblances to Killer B from the *Naruto* manga series; both are ninjas, have blonde hair and wear sunglasses.
* Raven bears a striking resemblance to Bob Makihara when his dreads get cut off.

**Tekken 5**:

* In this game, he tells Nina that he is known as the *Dark Talon of Death*.
* In Yoshimitsu's story mode, he claims there is no way Yoshimitsu could be a ninja, as Yoshimitsu replies "This... coming from a wannabe ninja". Commenting that it is not part of his objective, Raven states that he won't lose this fight. Afterwards, Raven is seen trying to teach Yoshimitsu the Kuji-in signs, the latter failing to do so, only to Raven's frustration.[1]

**Tekken 6**:

* Raven can be customized as Morpheus from *The Matrix* series and Snake Eyes from *G.I. Joe*and Marvel Comics character Blade.

**Tekken Tag Tournament 2**:

* His ending takes place in the same forest as Kunimitsu's ending. Oddly enough, Yoshimitsu is riding on a horse in both endings.

**Other**:

* On the official *Street Fighter X Tekken* website, he is referred to as "Shadow Dancing Raven". Rolento's Swap Costume is also based on Raven's outfit.