A Tiny Yellow Dinosaur in the World of the Mishimas

Tekken 3, released in 1997, marks the third installment of one of the most popular fighting game series, while also being one of the most innovative titles in its history. The game garnered immense praise for its smooth animation, expanded character roster, and gameplay depth, solidifying its position in the market and in pop culture. Among the unique team of fighters, Gon, a tiny yet incredibly strong dinosaur, who has made the jump straight from the pages of manga to the virtual world of combat, deserves attention.

 

Despite his small size and charming appearance, Gon quickly became a fan favorite and one of the most recognizable characters in the series. His origin from the manga of the same title, created by Masashi Tanaka, adds an extra layer of charm and mystery to him. In Tekken 3, Gon stands out not only for his unique backstory but also for his unique set of moves, which can surprise even the more experienced players. In this article, we will take a closer look at this colorful character, exploring his origins, place in the Tekken world, and the impact he has had on the series and its community.

 

 

Gon: A Dinosaur from Another Era

Gon (ゴン), despite his small size, is a character that grabs attention with his strength and resilience. He is a tiny dinosaur originating from a one-volume manga of the same title, authored by Masashi Tanaka. The manga was first published in 1991 in Japan, and its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is completely devoid of dialogue. The story is conveyed solely through images, making it accessible and appealing to readers worldwide, regardless of the language they speak.

 

A distinctive feature of this manga is its raw yet humorous tone. Gon, being a tiny dinosaur, wanders through a world full of animals, with which he often interacts. Despite his cute appearance, Gon is incredibly strong and capable of facing the challenges that come his way. His adventures are filled with absurd humor and unexpected twists, quickly gaining popularity in Japan and beyond.

 

Masashi Tanaka, the creator of Gon, is recognized as a master in the field of wordless comics. His ability to tell stories solely through images makes Gon a universal work, capable of speaking to the imaginations of readers worldwide. The manga has won numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize.

 

Gon’s popularity has transcended the boundaries of manga. He has also appeared in other media, including a video game for Sony PlayStation, released in 1997, around the same time as Tekken 3. It was an adventure action game named “Gon,” in which players could control Gon, exploring the world and battling various opponents. The game, like the manga, was filled with humor and the character’s signature charm. Similarly, but earlier, games about the yellow dinosaur were released for Famicom and Gameboy.

 

Although Gon has not received his own anime series, his presence in pop culture is still visible and appreciated by fans worldwide. His impact on the world of manga and video games is enduring, and his unique story and character ensure that he remains a memorable figure for a long time.

 

 

Gon in Tekken

Gon made an appearance in the game Tekken 3 as a playable character, first as an opponent in a new game mode – Tekken Ball, and then available as a regular fighter, with his own ending cinematic after completing the Arcade mode (a cinematic which, by the way, was the only one in the game that lasted indefinitely - it was looped). His presence in Tekken 3 was the result of a licensing agreement between the game developers and the manga creator. Gon stood out among the other characters due to his unusual form - he was significantly smaller than the rest of the fighters (reaching up to their knees on average), which gave him a unique character in the gameplay. His small size and speed made him difficult to hit, making him a frustrating opponent for unprepared players.

 

Gon had a unique set of moves that distinguished him from other characters in the game. One of his most characteristic attacks was the “Gon Cannon,” an energetic ball shot that he could fire from his mouth. In addition, under the back-circle combination, he could release gas, shock with electricity, perform various acrobatics in the air, and with his frustratingly small stature, he avoided most attacks, while being known for his irritating kicks and "cubical" punches. His small size and speed were both his strength and his weakness; on one hand, they made him a difficult target to hit, but on the other hand, his attacks didn’t have as much power as the larger characters’ attacks.

 

Gon was a character that could dominate the gameplay in the hands of an experienced player, but at the same time was difficult to master for novices. His small size and speed were a great advantage, but his lesser strength meant that the player had to rely on quick and precise attacks to win.

 

Even though Gon was a popular character among Tekken fans due to his uniqueness and charm, he didn’t gain the same popularity on the tournament scene. High-level players often avoided using Gon due to his limitations in strength and attack range. However, there was a small group of enthusiasts who specialized in playing this character, which sometimes led to surprising and spectacular duels at tournaments. Nevertheless, this character never dominated the professional scene, remaining more of a choice for those who wanted to surprise the opponent or simply enjoy the game at a different level.

 

 

Community Reaction

The introduction of Gon to Tekken 3 elicited mixed reactions from the gaming community. On one hand, this character was considered a fresh and innovative addition to the series, thanks to his uniqueness and fun moves. Players enjoyed the opportunity to play as a character that was so different from the typical fighters in the game. On the other hand, some players criticized Gon’s presence in Tekken 3, considering him too absurd and unrealistic, a character that didn’t fit the rest of the Tekken universe.

 

Despite the divided opinions, Gon gained a group of dedicated fans and became one of the more recognizable characters in Tekken 3, especially among younger players (who are now the older players). Critics praised Namco for their courage in experimenting and introducing new, unusual elements, but at the same time pointed out that Gon might not appeal to more demanding players looking for a more realistic and balanced gameplay. Overall, however, Gon’s character was considered an interesting experiment and testified to the creativity of the Tekken 3 developers, who were not afraid to step outside the established patterns of fighting game series.

 

 

A Unique Entry in the Tekken History

Gon is the only character in the history of the Tekken series that originates from a completely different manga series, which in itself is already a curiosity. Introducing such an unusual character to a fighting game, especially one as prestigious as Tekken, was a risky move that caught the attention of players around the world. This character is often remembered by fans of the series, even years after the premiere of Tekken 3, which speaks to its lasting impact on the community.

 

Due to his small size and unique moves, Gon was banned in some Tekken 3 tournaments. His ability to avoid opponents' attacks simply due to his size made him difficult to beat, leading to a ban on his use in professional tournament play.

 

Gon was available as a playable character only in the console version of Tekken 3, not in the arcade version. He was also one of two characters (alongside Dr. Bosconovitch) that were unlocked in a special way, which further elevated his status as a "unique" character in the game. Players had to defeat him in Tekken Ball mode or obtain a special key in Arcade mode to be able to play as him, adding an additional challenge.

 

Despite his popularity and charm, Gon did not appear in any of the later editions of the Tekken series. This is likely due to licensing issues and a desire to focus on the series’ original characters. His absence in later games is often a source of nostalgia and speculation among fans.

 

The Gon character gained popularity not only among Tekken players but also among manga readers. His cute appearance and characteristic adventures attracted many fans, and his presence in Tekken 3 only strengthened that. The "Gon" manga was even adapted into an anime series in 2012, which attests to the durability and popularity of this character.

 

 

Summary

Gon, despite his small size and eccentric nature, won the hearts of players around the world, leaving a lasting mark in the history of video games. His presence in Tekken 3 was a surprise to the fighting game fans of the time, showing that even the most absurd ideas could find their place in the arena of battle. However, Gon never became a dominating character in the esports scene, and his uniqueness and unusual skills meant that he was treated more as a curiosity than a full-fledged competitor.

 

Even though Gon has disappeared from subsequent Tekken editions, he still lives on in the memory of players. Many of them still reminisce about those moments when they could embody the character of the little dinosaur and surprise opponents with an unconventional fighting style. Gon has become a breath of creativity and originality in the world of games, and his story shows that even the weirdest and most unexpected ideas can find their place and earn recognition in the eyes of players.