When Tekken 3 dropped in the late '90s, a lot of players were introduced to a character who seemed to embody the essence of Jamaican culture—Eddy Gordo. With his trademark dreadlocks, vibrant green and yellow outfit, and energetic fighting style, it was easy to see why many assumed Eddy was Jamaican.
But as time went on, fans began to learn that the truth was quite different. Eddy Gordo, the Tekken character with a distinctly Caribbean vibe, was actually Brazilian, not Jamaican. So, how did this misconception come to be, and what was the real story behind Eddy's character design?
The Dreadlocks and the Jamaican Connection
One of the most obvious reasons people thought Eddy was Jamaican was his hairstyle. His dreadlocks immediately evoked the image of Rastafarians, a group of people often associated with Jamaica.
In the '90s, dreadlocks were commonly linked to Jamaican culture due to their connection to reggae music, Rastafarianism, and the global recognition of figures like Bob Marley. With Eddy sporting this iconic hairstyle, it was easy for fans to assume he was a part of the Jamaican cultural tapestry.
The Green and Yellow Outfit
Eddy’s outfit played a significant role in fueling the Jamaican assumption. His costume, featuring the bold green and yellow color scheme, seemed almost too obvious to ignore.
For many, these colors were heavily associated with the Jamaican flag, which is known for its vibrant green, yellow, and black hues. This visual cue was a clear signal to players that Eddy might hail from Jamaica, as those colors were so tightly intertwined with the Caribbean island’s national identity.
Dance Moves and Energetic Fighting Style
Another aspect of Eddy’s character that hinted at a Jamaican background was his dance-inspired fighting style. Jamaican culture, particularly through reggae and dancehall music, is known for its energetic and eccentric dance moves, often performed in upbeat and rhythmic styles.
Eddy Gordo’s fluid, breakdancing-like moves in the Tekken 3 arena felt right at home with the lively, expressive dance culture found in Jamaica. His fighting style mirrored the spirited dance battles that were popular in Jamaican street culture, making it easy for fans to draw parallels between him and the vibrant island culture.
The Island Location and Caribbean-Inspired Theme Song
Tekken 3 also placed Eddy Gordo in a tropical, island setting. His battles took place on a sandy beach with a lively background of palm trees, further aligning him with a stereotypical image of the Caribbean. His theme song, which had a distinct upbeat vibe, was fitting for a Jamaican video game character, further cementing the belief that Eddy was a character influenced by Jamaican culture.
Lack of Awareness About Brazil’s Black Population
At the time of Tekken 3's release, many gamers were unaware that Brazil had a large Black population, one of the biggest in the world. Brazil, with its rich Afro-Brazilian culture, is home to a vibrant mix of African, indigenous, and Portuguese influences, and its Black population has contributed to the country's music, dance, and fighting styles in profound ways.
Because of this lack of cultural awareness, players didn’t immediately recognize that Eddy’s backstory could be rooted in Brazil rather than Jamaica.
The Truth: Eddy Gordo Is Brazilian, Not Jamaican
Despite all the clues that pointed to Eddy being Jamaican, the truth is that he was actually Brazilian. Eddy Gordo comes from the favelas of Brazil, a country with its own rich and diverse culture.
His fighting style is based on Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, and is deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian traditions. This art form was created by enslaved Africans in Brazil as a means of self-defense disguised as dance, making it a powerful cultural symbol.
The fact that Eddy Gordo practiced Capoeira is a nod to Brazil's history, not Jamaica’s. His background story was designed to reflect Brazil's Afro-Brazilian identity and the influence of its Black community, which was overshadowed by the more obvious visual and musical cues that many fans misinterpreted as being Jamaican.
Conclusion: The Eddy Gordo Misunderstanding
In hindsight, it’s easy to see how fans could have mistaken Eddy Gordo for being Jamaican. His dreadlocks, green and yellow outfit, energetic dance moves, and tropical island setting all made him seem like a character heavily inspired by Jamaican culture. But in reality, Eddy Gordo was a reflection of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian heritage, and his fighting style was rooted in the traditional Brazilian martial art of Capoeira.
This misconception about Eddy’s nationality was a product of the time—before the internet made it easy to dig into a character’s backstory, and before global awareness of Brazil’s diverse cultural influences had become widespread.
Eddy Gordo’s character design was a reflection of Brazil’s rich and vibrant culture, and although fans may have gotten his origins wrong, it didn’t take away from the fact that he became one of Tekken 3's most memorable and beloved characters.
The future
It might be time for Tekken's Harada and Bandai Namco to introduce a Jamaican character to the roster. With the rich cultural heritage of Jamaica, including iconic styles like reggae, dancehall, and martial arts, it would be a fitting addition to the game.
The idea of a Jamaican character has long been overdue, much like how Street Fighter introduced Dee Jay, the Jamaican kickboxer and dancer. Tekken could give fans a unique character who truly reflects Jamaican culture and add a fresh dynamic to the game’s already diverse roster.