Virtua Fighter Crossroads reveals new fighter Bakunawa Killer, but who is behind the mask?

Fans are speculating about who is behind the Bakunawa Killer's mask.

A mysterious masked fighter has stepped into the spotlight for Virtua Fighter Crossroads, and it did not take long for fans to start picking apart every frame of the latest trailer.

During Evo Las Vegas 2026, RGG Studio unveiled a new cinematic trailer, along with an announcement introducing the Bakunawa Killer, a central figure in Cielo's story who will also be playable in Battle Mode when Virtua Fighter Crossroads launches in 2027. 

While the trailer finally gave players a proper look at the elusive character, it also raised a much bigger question after one particular reaction from Pai Chan.

Virtua Fighter Crossroads

Release date: 2027

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG)

Who is the Bakunawa Killer in Virtua Fighter Crossroads?

The latest trailer centres on the city of Vilasapara, where a series of attacks targeting fighters has left the local fighting scene on edge. Cielo reveals that the mysterious "Bakunawa Killer" has taken "out another fighter" who was not even part of the tournament, before confronting another man. Cielo then asks who the Bakunawa killer is, and why the man he was confronting had been chasing its shadow the other day.

The action then shifts to Pai Chan as she clashes with the masked fighter. After managing to knock off the attacker's mask, Pai freezes in surprise and asks, “How is this possible?” From there, the trailer turns into an extended showcase of the Bakunawa Killer in action, with the new fighter displaying techniques that appear to blend Hung Gar Kung Fu and Chen Taijiquan techniques, while taking on both Cielo and Pai Chan.

The trailer closes with someone speaking in Cantonese, saying, “Help me beat up this guy” in a moment reminiscent of classic Hong Kong martial arts films.

Why do fans think the Bakunawa Killer is Lau Chan or Lei-Fei?

The mystery surrounding the Bakunawa Killer has quickly spread beyond the trailer itself, with Reddit users already debating who could be hiding beneath the mask. 

Much of the discussion centres on Pai Chan's shocked reaction after removing the mask, leading many to believe that the reveal is tied to someone she already knows.

Several fans believe the masked fighter could be Lau Chan, while others have suggested an "undead Lau". Another popular theory points towards Lei-Fei, with players noting that some of the Bakunawa Killer's techniques resemble his fighting style.

The speculation stems from the long-standing connection between the three characters. Lau Chan is Pai Chan's father, and a master of the legendary wushu style Tiger Swallow Fist. Lau has suffered from illness since Virtua Fighter 4. He met Lei-Fei in Virtua Fighter 5, who sought to learn from him as a student, thirsty for knowledge of the craft. 

However, while they were training, Lei-Fei suddenly turned on him, and Lau barely survived the battle in his weakened state.

Around the same time, Pai Chan also disappeared. Though Lau had abandoned her long ago, he realised their bond was still intact. With death rapidly approaching, he believed he had no choice but to disappear from her life again. He withdrew to what he thought was a secret hideaway, before mysteriously receiving an invitation to the Fifth World Fighting Tournament.

While RGG Studio has yet to explain the origin of the character's name, the Bakunawa is also known in Philippine mythology as the moon-eating dragon. The dragon-like serpent is traditionally associated with eclipses, earthquakes, rain and wind, and was believed to inhabit either the sky or the underworld. Its movements also formed part of an ancient geomantic calendar used by early Filipinos.

Whether the Bakunawa Killer turns out to be one of those familiar faces remains to be seen, but Pai Chan's reaction and the character's fighting style have already given fans plenty to dissect, while they wait for RGG Studio to reveal more details.

What else is coming in Virtua Fighter Crossroads?

The Bakunawa Killer is only one part of RGG Studio's new direction for the series. Virtua Fighter Crossroads follows four protagonists whose convictions and pasts collide throughout one life-altering adventure. Set in the fictional Southeast Asian metropolis of Vilasapara, players will explore everything from the city's walled centre to its entertainment and resort districts, uncovering side stories and quests connected to the people who live there.

Story Mode also expands beyond traditional one-on-one matches, featuring multi-opponent brawls and boss battles alongside online multiplayer, as RGG Studio blends Virtua Fighter's signature combat with its cinematic storytelling.

With one masked fighter now at the centre of the story, RGG Studio has managed to give Virtua Fighter fans another mystery to solve before Crossroads arrives in 2027. Judging by the early theories, the search for the Bakunawa Killer's true identity is already well underway.