Is King Ogre in Tekken? Unmasking the Truth Behind the Jaguar and the God of Fighting
The question of whether King is Ogre in Tekken is a common one, often sparking confusion among fans of the series. The short answer is a definitive NO. King is not Ogre, nor is Ogre a masked wrestler. They are two separate and distinct characters within the Tekken universe, each with their own unique stories, fighting styles, and roles in the overall narrative. This confusion often stems from the fact that Ogre did kill the original King, leading to the introduction of King II. Let’s delve into the details to understand why these two characters are so often confused.
The Legacy of King: A Masked Wrestler with a Heart
The Original King and King II
The original King was a masked Mexican pro wrestler, known for his jaguar mask and powerful wrestling moves. A beloved figure, he established an orphanage for disadvantaged children, funding it through his wrestling career. Tragically, King was killed by Ogre sometime after the events of Tekken 2.
This death led to the introduction of King II, an orphan raised by the first King, who donned the jaguar mask himself to continue the orphanage’s funding and honor the first King’s legacy. King II inherited King I’s moves and wrestling style, thus perpetuating the idea of King as a single character across multiple titles and generations, albeit under the mask of different people.
King’s Fighting Style and Attributes
King is renowned for his professional wrestling style, relying on grapples, throws, and powerful strikes. The character is a fan favorite due to his iconic appearance, strong moral compass, and dedication to protecting vulnerable children through his wrestling. His strength in the Tekken lore is considerable, shown by him being able to lift hundreds of pounds in training, and his dedication to continuing his predecessor’s legacy.
Ogre: The God of Fighting and Ancient Evil
The Awakening of Ogre
Ogre, also known as the God of Fighting, is a mysterious ancient entity with immense power. He was awakened by Heihachi Mishima’s Tekken Force from an ancient ruin in Mexico and was primarily featured in Tekken 3 as a sub-boss. He is not human, and his character is shrouded in mystique. Ogre’s motive was to test his own power by challenging strong fighters, leading him to attack numerous characters. He transforms into True Ogre later, showing his power in his final form.
Ogre’s Ferocious Combat and Abilities
Ogre’s fighting style is brutal and unorthodox, incorporating moves from various fighting styles he’s absorbed from other characters. He can also utilize ranged attacks and powerful bursts of energy. His presence is menacing, and his role in the storyline is typically that of a force of destruction, not that of a protector or wrestler. The difference in fighting styles is one of the key differentiators between the two characters.
The Truth Behind Ogre’s Motivations
Ogre is not a hero or a protector like King. He’s an ancient evil being driven by the need to fight and test his strength, attacking several fighters and ultimately clashing with Jin Kazama, which led to the demise of True Ogre. His actions are not altruistic and are driven by his innate hunger for battle.
Distinguishing the Two Characters: Why They Are Not the Same
Different Origins and Backstories
The most apparent difference is their origin. King is a wrestler, and his identity is passed on through generations. Ogre is an ancient being whose origin is tied to ancient ruins and supernatural forces. These distinct backgrounds highlight that the two have very different roles in the Tekken lore.
Contrasting Fighting Styles
King relies on wrestling techniques, while Ogre’s style is a chaotic mix of various fighting moves, plus supernatural abilities. These differences in how they fight are crucial in understanding that they are not connected.
Distinct Roles in the Tekken Storyline
King’s main focus is on his orphanage and carrying on the legacy of his predecessor, whereas Ogre is a force of destruction and a boss-level character. The roles they fulfill within the overarching story couldn’t be more divergent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the original King in Tekken?
The original King is a masked wrestler from Mexico who established an orphanage. He fought in Tekken 1 and Tekken 2 before being killed by Ogre.
2. What happened to the original King in Tekken?
The original King was attacked and killed by Ogre sometime after the second Tekken tournament.
3. Who is King II in Tekken?
King II is an orphan who was raised by the original King in the orphanage. After the first King’s death, he took on the mantle of King to continue his legacy and fund the orphanage.
4. Is Ogre a playable character in Tekken?
Yes, Ogre’s first form, Ancient Ogre, is available as a downloadable character in the console versions of some Tekken games and his second form, True Ogre, is playable in Tekken Tag Tournament 2.
5. Which Tekken game does Ogre appear in?
Ogre is known as a sub-boss in Tekken 3 and appeared in the Devil Within mini-game in Tekken 5.
6. What happened to Ogre after Tekken 3?
Ogre, in his True Ogre form, was defeated by Jin Kazama in the storyline of Tekken 3.
7. Why is Ogre not in Tekken 7?
Ogre’s absence from Tekken 7 is primarily due to his storyline ending and because developers focus on bringing back more requested characters.
8. Who awakened Ogre in Tekken?
Ogre was awakened from an ancient ruin in Mexico by Heihachi Mishima’s Tekken Force.
9. Is King a popular character in Tekken?
Yes, King is a very popular character, especially in Japan, for his iconic design and strong moral compass.
10. What is the relationship between King and the orphanage?
King’s main motivation is to maintain funding for the orphanage, which was founded by the original King.
11. What is Ogre’s main motivation?
Ogre’s primary motivation is to test his strength by fighting powerful opponents.
12. Was Baek Doo San killed by Ogre?
No, Baek Doo San was attacked by Ogre but survived, although he was put into a coma.
13. Is King Mexican in Tekken?
Yes, the original King and King II are both pro wrestlers from Mexico.
14. How powerful is King in Tekken?
King is portrayed as being very strong and is seen training with substantial weights, which showcases his physical prowess.
15. Is Ogre an evil character in Tekken?
Yes, Ogre is generally portrayed as an evil entity, driven by a desire to fight and destroy, not protect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Ogre did play a significant role in the story of King by killing the first King, they are absolutely not the same character. King is a legacy character, a symbol of wrestling prowess and altruism, while Ogre is an ancient, destructive force and a boss-level enemy. Understanding their distinct backgrounds, fighting styles, and motivations clarifies the confusion and reaffirms their separate identities within the fascinating universe of Tekken. The characters have distinct lore and playstyles that emphasize the separation in the story.