Niklas Kliesen (ニクラス・クリーゼン Nikurasu Kurīzen?) is a minor character in the Tekken series and the father of Leo Kliesen. He is mentioned throughout Leo's profiles since their first introduction in Tekken 6 and has had a great influence on Leo. He is an archaeologist, spelunker, and a martial artist, and was married to Emma Kliesen.
Story[]
Niklas Kliesen was married to genetics researcher Emma Kliesen, and is the father of Leo Kliesen. Niklas was a German archaeologist and spelunker, who also practiced martial arts.[3] He seems to have imparted both hobbies to Leo, and to have been a big influence on them. During a spelunking expedition while Leo was just a child, Niklas went missing and has not been heard of since. Leo vowed to become like Niklas and followed in his footsteps as a professional spelunker.[4]
Tekken 8[]
Niklas was revealed to have been looking into Azazel's connection with the Devil Gene as well as its long history with the Mishima Clan.[5] Following Kazuya Mishima's announcement of the eight King of Iron Fist Tournament, Niklas reunites with Leo at some point and comes in contact with Yggdrasil and Lee Chaolan to provide his research into the Devil Gene and Azazel, meeting with Lee, Lars Alexandersson, and Jin Kazama on the flying ship "Víðópnir".[6][7]
During the finals of the eighth King of Iron Fist Tournament, Kazuya managed to defeat a newly-revived Azazel and absorb its power, transforming into True Devil Kazuya.[8] Once Kazuya is forced to retreat, Lars, Lee, Alisa, and Reina meet with Niklas and Leo once more to discuss a possible counter-play to Kazuya's new power, with Niklas explaining that Kazuya had surpassed Azazel's strength. During the meeting, Reina mentions Claudio's exorcism abilities, and how they had weakened Kazuya during their battle. Niklas theorizes that these abilities could be a way to control the Devil's blood, or remove the power entirely.[9]
In the good ending, Niklas is seen spelunking alongside Leo.
Relationships[]
- Emma Kliesen - His wife.
- Leo Kliesen - His child. Leo vowed to become just like him after Niklas vanished. During the events of Tekken 8, Leo acts as his research assistant.
- Kazuya Mishima - His wife's killer.
- Lee Chaolan - His ally. Niklas aids Lee and Yggdrasil by sharing his research on the Devil Gene.
- Lars Alexandersson - His ally.
- Jin Kazama - His ally.
- Azazel - Niklas researched the origins of Azazel and the Devil Gene.
Trivia[]
- Niklas seems to be based on Indiana Jones.
- Both are archaeologists.
- Both wield pistols and bullwhips, triggered a trap by stealing a small item, and are seen running from boulders, referencing a similar event in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first movie that Harrison Ford starred in as Indiana Jones.
- Niklas also saves Leo from falling through a wooden bridge, similar to the way Indiana Jones saves Short Round in The Temple of Doom, the second Indiana Jones film.
- Niklas' full name was revealed only in Tekken 8, though the character has been mentioned since Leo's introduction in Tekken 6.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ According to Leo's Tekken 8 profile, their father taught them fighting, so it is likely that Niklas' fighting style is the same as Leo's. (Tekken 8 Official Japanese Website Profile; Tekken 8 Official US English Website Profile)
- ^ Katsuhiro Harada @Harada_TEKKEN, Twitter, 4:21 PM Jun 13, 2024. Note that information is not stated in-game and only comes from a database of information provided by series developer Katsuhiro Harada.
- ^ a b Leo Kliesen's Tekken 8 profile: Tekken 8 Official Japanese Website Profile; Tekken 8 Official US English Website Profile
- ^ a b Leo Kliesen's Tekken 6 profile.
- ^ Tekken 8 Chapter 1
- ^ Tekken 8 Chapter 2
- ^ Tekken 8 Chapter 4
- ^ Tekken 8 Chapter 7
- ^ Tekken 8 Chapter 8