History Fridge / TheKingOfFighters

!! FridgeBrilliance

!! FridgeHorror

* Ash Crimson is pretty much [[JustForPun The King of]] [[TheScrappy Scrappies]]. He's a {{Jerkass}} SmugSnake who has gotten away with some pretty controversial stuff in his saga (namely, stealing the powers of [[BarrierMaiden Chizuru]] and [[TheRival Iori]]) simply because ''Creator/{{SNK}} [[CreatorsPet likes him too much]]''. If you've played ''The King of Fighters XI'', you've probably noticed that there's a [[ThemeNaming common motif]] with a few of the team themes, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24rUGSD_1ms "Jack,"]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9ozaXGgFfk "Queen,"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFy7cHbnTnk "King";]] they're all high level playing cards (in fact, Ace is the only one missing from the bunch). [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-1xYnuKZoY "Joker"]] is the theme of the "[[DesignatedHero Hero]]" Team. Given that there's a literal [[DeathDealer card-wielding]] CoolOldGuy on the team, you might think that this theme had [[TheGambler Oswald]] in mind. However, this was subtle foreshadowing at its finest. The Joker is used in a variety of roles when it comes to card games. It can either be the most powerful card to play or the weakest. ''It can even be used as a placeholder for missing cards.'' Ash Crimson only ''appears'' to be a frail, unassuming weakling, but he's a bastard of both the {{manipulative|Bastard}} and {{magnificent|Bastard}} varieties. ''He is literally the personification of the Joker, a true WildCard.'' Not only did he run the masses with an {{expy}} of [[ComicBook/XMen Gambit]] and a [[BloodKnight fight-craving]] BadassNormal in order to progress far enough through the tournament, but he set it up with such finesse so that after [[AHouseDivided he turned his former allies against one another]] ([[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness when they had outlived their usefulness]]) [[AnOfferYouCantRefuse by preying on their personal ambitions]] ([[EnemyCivilWar thus eliminating any potential threats by having Shen Woo and Oswald duke it out to the death]] [[VillainExitStageLeft as Ash slips away]]), he could then steal Iori's powers (as ''[[SuperpoweredEvilSide Orochi]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity Iori]]'') ''immediately'' after Iori had been worn down in a fight with [[TheProtagonist Kyo]] and [[{{Determinator}} Shingo]]. That's ObfuscatingStupidity so brilliant that you might wonder whether or not Ash is TheChessmaster.

* For XIV, the "villains team" and why Chang and Choi (two reformed criminals) of all people would join. Then the Villains Team trailer shows just ''[[AxCrazy what kind]] [[AmbiguousDisorder of person]]'' Xanadu is.
* The meanings behind the name of Warspite, a historical Royal Navy battleship in [=WW2=]. Apparently, it can either mean "despising wars" (a more modern interpretation) or "a symbol of hate/spite towards one's enemies" (an older interpretation). This could explain Iori's apparent hate of violence, despite his otherwise overly violent persona and style. Iori's hatred of violence makes him act like a hateful person towards their enemies so he could scare them or at least make them surrender. Alternatively, Iori's hatred of violence fuels a hatred towards his enemies who makes him fight in the first place, so he tries to violently finish his foes quickly so he won't be violent for long.

* In the Another World Team's ending, it might look like Nakoruru has been taking a little level in either cheerfulness or ditziness, whereas Love Heart's concern about getting back to their world made her the [[OnlySaneMan Only Sane Woman]]. However, according to Nakoruru's earlier words, she knows that while Verse was beaten, this does not mean the end, there will be an after-effect which will happen in the current world and will cause a mess, and it can strike at any time, in a day or year. So her idea of 'vacation' just meant a softer way to say 'we're staying in this world to be ready if the after-effect will ruin the multiverse again'. And [[WrongGenreSavvy Love kind of missed the point]], while Mui Mui caught on quick, but only because she's also an excitable girl in the beginning.

** It's also reflected by the fact that the only moves that Yuri has consistently kept throughout all of her appearances in the series are the [[KamehameHadoken Ko-Ou Ken]], [[RapidFireFisticuffs Hyakuretsu]] [[ArmorPiercingSlap Binta]], [[{{Shoryuken}} Kuuga]] (her version of the Kyokugenryu Kohou), and [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown Hien Houou Kyaku]]. While it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for the ''Art of Fighting'' team's moves to be shuffled around every other game, it often does for Yuri, seeing as those moves in particular represent her basic grasp of the fundamentals, while everything else represents her tendency to try and make the Kyokugenryu style her own, often with middling results (at best).

* Considering how much of ''[[CardCarryingVillain an utterly loathsome human being]]'' Rugal is, plus [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything the rather creepy manner he treats one of his maids]] in the Shingyouji manga, it's more than likely that Adel and Rose [[ChildByRape were not conceived consensually]], most likely though Rugal abusing his MaritalRapeLicense.

* Considering how much of ''[[CardCarryingVillain an utterly loathsome human being]]'' Rugal is, plus [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything the rather creepy manner he treats one of his maids]] in the Shingyouji manga, it's more than likely that Adel and Rose [[MaritalRapeLicense were not conceived consensually]].

* On the topic of {{Inferred Holocaust}}s, just ''how much'' was South Town affected by the Zero Cannon's blast during the events of ''2000''? Because it sure seemed like they rebounded pretty well despite, you know... ''being nuked into oblivion with a fucking KillSat''. Even crazier is the fact that, if ''2001'' was any indication, the ''KOF'' tournament was still more popular than ever despite NESTS now openly hosting the tournament. Yikes. ** For that matter, if SNK characters can appear as guests in other games, and vice versa, what's stopping Otoma from consuming the worlds of those games? It's not impossible to assume that [[VideoGame/{{Tekken}} any]] [[VideoGame/SoulCalibur one]] [[VideoGame/ForHonor of]] [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear those]] [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive worlds]] could be subject to a very nasty, unexpected DownerEnding courtesy of the Goddess of Truth.

* Exactly how many people were injured - or worse, killed - when Verse destroyed the arena at the end of ''KOF XIV''? Even worse is that, unlike prior tournaments (namely ''KOF [='=]96''), Antonov actually '''DID''' face consequences even though he had no control of what transpired beyond hosting the tournament, to begin with. Keep in mind, this guy was practically ''swimming'' in money - he had his own airport, had enough money to buy an entire rainforest, and more than enough to pay the Official Invitation team ''double'' than what they were promised initially. All of that ''gone'' by the events of ''XV''. [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome Reality sure is a cruel mistress, isn't it?]]
* On the topic of {{Inferred Holocaust}}s, just ''how much'' was South Town affected by the Zero Cannon's blast during the events of ''2000''? Because it sure seemed like they rebounded pretty well despite, you know... ''being nuked into oblivion with a fucking KillSat''. Even crazier is the fact that, if ''2001'' was any indication, the ''KOF'' tournament was still more popular than ever despite NESTS now openly hosting the tournament. Yikes.
* If Dolores is to be believed, Verse and Re Verse are tasked by Otoma=Raga in gathering souls for her to consume. Meaning that, had it not been for the destruction of the former in ''XIV'', it's very likely that all of the characters that were brought BackFromTheDead would've ''[[KilledOffForReal stayed dead]]''. Including Ash and Gaidel, the former of whom had just reunited with his adoptive sister in ''XV'' while the latter is implied to be alive if the Ikari Warriors' ending in the latter game is any indication.
* On the topic of Otoma, how many worlds could she have consumed and recreated in her own image? If she can travel across dimensions at will, what's to stop her (besides Shun'ei and Isla) from paying a visit to the mainline ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' or ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' continuities and wreaking havoc there? For the latter, even Ambrosia and Yuga would be like ants to her.
** For that matter, if SNK characters can appear as guests in other games, and vice versa, what's stopping Otoma from consuming the worlds of those games? It's not impossible to assume that [[VideoGame/{{Tekken}} any]] [[VideoGame/SoulCalibur one]] [[VideoGame/ForHonor of]] [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear those]] [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive worlds]] could be subject to a very nasty, unexpected DownerEnding courtesy of the Goddess of Truth.

** In ''XIII'', Ash's a single entry character. Quite odd, given that he's TheHero of the saga... You'd think that it's because he'll become the TrueFinalBoss at the end as Evil Ash, and that's right - but it's deeper than that: he's prone to manipulate his teammates to his own ends. So him being a single entry is a subtle GameplayAndStoryIntegration - He can make team with any character in the roster, but he'll end up leaving them in the end.

* The meanings behind the name of Warspite, a historical Royal Navy battleship in [=WW2=]. Apparently it can either mean "despising wars" (a more modern interpretation) or "a symbol of hate/spite towards one's enemies" (an older interpretation). This could explain Iori's apparent hate of violence and yet overly violent persona and style. It can be said like this: "Iori's hatred of violence makes him act like a hateful person towards their enemies so he could scare them or at least make them surrender" or "Iori's hatred of violence fuels a hatred towards his enemies who makes him fight in the first place, so he tries to violently finish his foes quickly so he won't be violent for long".

** Plus Nakoruru is now in a new world, one that she barely understands and is a novelty to her. Who's to say that she can't experience it now that she has a chance, before Verse or any other upcoming villain comes up and fucks up everything?
** Rock could also be counted as an unofficial member of the Another World team based on one school of thought. Assuming he didn't age up normally in the background, which is a theory that has one hole in logic[[note]]Rock appeared as a child in the opening to 2003, the 9th tournament. If the tournaments are yearly events, he would have only aged 5 years around the events of ''XIV''.[[/note]], he has an out via the same magic which brought all of the Another World members to the tournament; he could very well be ripped from the original ''Fatal Fury'' timeline.
*** That doesn't exactly account for B. Jenet's, Gato's, or Tizoc's/King of Dinosaurs' earlier appearances back in ''KOF XI'', though...
* The original Japan Team members - Kyo, Benimaru, and Daimon - are the personified homages to a Japanese phrase of giving birth to fire. The quote translates to "lighting strikes the earth which sparks the flame" Benimaru is the lightning due to his power to control electricity, Goro is earth due to his ability to cause seismic waves due to his incredible strength, and Kyo is fire due to his Kusanagi heritage's ability to control flames.
* Why are the New Faces Team now called Team Orochi? Because of their actions back in ''[='=]97'', they are now branded as the ones that revived Orochi (albeit temporarily). OnceDoneNeverForgotten, even with Orochi sealed away.
* A bit of Brilliance and {{Tearjerker}}, Kukri's antics (notably with how perverted he is towards the female fighters and the entirety of ''VideoGame/SNKHeroinesTagTeamFrenzy'') might have some degree of FreudianExcuse to them. His backstory states that he grew up in harsh desert streets only to be taken in by Dolores (quite the looker herself) from a young age. Due to a rather tragic case of PowerIncontinence, though, Dolores ended up sacrificing herself to contain Kukri's abilities, ultimately leading to Kukri feverishly looking through her study to find ways to bring her back to life. Granted, this ''does'' '''''NOT''''' excuse or vindicate Kukri from his actions in ''SNK Heroines'', but it does put his perversions and {{jerkass}} behavior in a whole new light.
** For that matter, Dolores' words, "The crucible of souls connects all universes, converging all possibilities in TheMultiverse. However, these can only be perceived as illusions, and only a limited few are capable of meddling with them", suddenly make the events of ''SNKH'' being self-contained (despite otherwise being canon) make more sense. After all, it's very likely Kukri might've found a way to [[RealityWarper create pocket dimensions]] in his quest to revive Dolores.
* Given how K9999 has been gone (from a meta standpoint, at least) for the better part of 20 years, it makes sense that he'd eventually get the hang of the Kusanagi flames come his return as Krohnen in ''KOF XV''. Compare K9999's "Split!" (Z-Motion plus Punch) to Krohnen's equivalent, Heat Shield, and the difference is pretty substantial, to say the least.
* It makes sense Rugal would be [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXV resurrected]] in his Omega form, as that was the state he was in when he was seemingly killed for good back in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters95''.
* How is Terry a top-tier character in ''KOF XV''? What was Terry's last appearance prior to this game? ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate A certain different crossover perhaps?]]'' It looks like fighting those challengers really paid off.
** That, and considering how his appearance in that game drew new players into the ''KOF'' series, why ''wouldn't'' SNK make him top-tier? Seeing as he's been, at best, middle of the road in the past three entries.
** It also has to do with the kind of fighters found in that crossover, which surpasses even ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum''. In the ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom'' crossovers, at best he had to deal with the ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' cast. In ''VideoGame/FightingEXLayer'' and ''VideoGame/XuanDouZhiWang'' there weren't many supernatural beings to deal with. But in ''SSBU''? There are big monsters such as Bowser and Ridley, sword users like the ''Fire Emblem'' and ''Final Fantasy'' casts, creatures that appear cute on the outside but have monstrous abilities such as the ''Pokémon'' mons and Kirby, [[VideoGame/{{Megaman}} robots]]... Hell, he fought ''two'' eldritch entities hellbent on [[ApocalypseHow/ClassZ destroying everything known]] who can ''dwarf'' Otoma=Raga, ''and survived''. He fought so many varied enemies (yet still not to Ryu's level, of course) that he TookALevelInBadass.
* And speaking of guest appearances, every time you knock Geese down (e.g., a sweep or a combo), he'll get back up while roaring '''[[AtomicFBomb "SHIT!"]]''' in the process. Guess [[Characters/TheWalkingDeadTVShowNegan who else]] had quite the potty mouth in [[VideoGame/Tekken7 another game]] he guest starred in?
** Actually, going back to the ''Tekken 7'' example, that game alone has the likes of [[MadeOfIron Heihachi]], [[PhysicalGod Kazuya]] and [[FallenAngel Jin]], but in addition to them, you've also got [[MightyGlacier Gigas]], [[MechaMook Jack]], [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Feng]], and even ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV Noctis Lucis Caelum]]'' to contend with as far as power level is concerned. And the less said about [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma]], the better. Going by Terry's appearance in ''SSBU'', it's safe to say that Geese ''also'' TookALevelInBadass with how much better he fares in ''KOF XV'' compared to ''XIV''.
* While on the topic of Geese, one of his {{Signature Move}}s, the Reppuken, is different compared to the other versions seen in ''KOF'' canon. Especially in ''KOF XV'', which has two of its other known users - Rock and Rugal - alongside Geese himself in the same game.
** Geese's version is a conentrated pure blue blade of energy. Unsurprisingly, being the progenitor of the move itself, his version is the best of the three from a gameplay standpoint, being the single best zoning tool in the entire game (only beaten out by Krohnen's [[MoreDakka Fusion]] [[ArmCannon Blaster]]). Not only is Geese's regular Double Reppuken as massive as Rugal's EX Reppuken, but it also knocks down on hit, something that Rugal and Rock can only accomplish by spending half of the Power Gauge.
** Rugal's on the other hand, while no slouch himself, is a colorless white and gray. While it's a nice showcase of Rugal's AwesomenessByAnalysis, it's nowhere near as refined as Geese's, as not only does he lack the Double version that both Geese and his son have, but the EX version doesn't even come close to Geese's normal Double Reppuken in sheer size or speed.
** And as for Rock's, he's an entirely different matter altogether. As a consequence of his undying hatred for Geese and the abandonment of his mother, his Reppuken is an [[UnskilledButStrong uncontrolled shade]] [[PurpleIsPowerful of purple]] that, despite being called the Reppuken, is actually closer to the projectile of his adoptive father, the Power Wave. Furthermore, the fact that the Double Reppuken is locked behind meter (and even then is nowhere near as large as Rugal's or Geese's versions) showcases that Rock doesn't come close to the mental fortitude of his father when it comes to executing the move properly.
* The team theme for the Rivals in ''XV'' is, for all intents and purposes, an ImageSong for Isla. So then why is it the team's theme and not a special versus theme for her and another character? Because in their team story, Heidern and Dolores agreed to Isla's terms to make her the leader, thus letting her call the shots for the team.

** Geese's version is a conentrated pure blue blade of energy. Unsurprisingly, being the progenitor of the move itself, it's no surprise that his version is the best of the three from a gameplay standpoint, being the single best zoning tool in the entire game. Not only is Geese's regular Double Reppuken as massive as Rugal's EX Reppuken, but it also knocks down on hit, something that Rugal and Rock can only accomplish by spending half of the Power Gauge.

* The original Japan Team members Kyo, Benimaru, and Goro are the personified homages to a Japanese phrase of giving birth to fire. The quote translates to "lighting strikes the earth which sparks the flame" Benimaru is the lightning due to his power to control electricity, Goro is earth due to his ability to cause seismic waves due to his incredible strength, and Kyo is fire due to his Kusanagi heritage's ability to control flames.

** It also has to do with the kind of fighters found in that crossover, which surpasses even ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum''. In the ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom'' crossovers, at best he had to deal with the ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' cast. In ''VideoGame/FightingEXLayer'' and ''VideoGame/XuanDouZhiWang'' there weren't many supernatural beings to deal with. But in ''SSBU''? There are big monsters such as Bowser and Ridley, sword users like the ''Fire Emblem'' and ''Final Fantasy'' casts, creatures that appear cute on the outside but have monstrous abilities such as the ''Pokémon'' mons and Kirby, [[VideoGame/{{Megaman}} robots]]... Hell, he fought ''two'' eldritch entities hellbent on [[ApocalypseHow/ClassZ destroying everything known]] who can ''dwarf'' Otoma=Raga, ''and survived''. He fought so many varied enemies (yet still not to Ryu's level, OFC) that he TookALevelInBadass.

** It also has to do with the kind of fighters found in that crossover, which surpasses even ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum''. In the ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom'' crossovers, at best he had to deal with the ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' cast. In ''VideoGame/FightingEXLayer'' and ''VideoGame/XuanDouZhiWang'' there weren't many supernatural beings to deal with. But in ''SSBU''? There are big monsters such as Bowser and Ridley, sword users like the ''Fire Emblem'' and ''Final Fantasy'' casts, creatures that appear cute on the outside but have monstrous abilities such as the ''Pokémon'' mons and Kirby, [[VideoGame/{{Megaman}} robots]]... Hell, he fought ''two'' eldritch entities hellbent on [[ApocalypseHow/ClassZ destroying everything known]], ''and survived''. He fought so many varied enemies (yet still not to Ryu's level, OFC) that he TookALevelInBadass.

** It also has to do with the kind of players found in that crossover, which surpasses even ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum''. In the ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom'' crossovers, at best he had to deal with the ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' cast. In ''VideoGame/FightingEXLayer'' and ''VideoGame/XuanDouZhiWang'' there weren't many supernatural beings to deal with. But in ''SSBU''? You have big monsters such as Bowser and Ridley, sword users like the ''Fire Emblem'' and ''Final Fantasy'' casts, creatures that appear cute on the outside but have monstrous habilities such as the ''Pokémon'' mons and Kirby, [[VideoGame/{{Megaman}} robots]]... Hell, he fought ''two'' eldritch entities hellbent on destroying everything known to man ''and survived''. He fought so many varied enemies (yet still not to Ryu's level, OFC) that he TookALevelInBadass.

** Also, when you examine [[SiblingRivalry Yuri and Ryo's relationship]], some interesting conclusions can be deduced/speculated. Ryo is the dutiful son, the one trained from childhood by his father Takuma to become the heir of Kyokugenryu, alongside his natural talent; Yuri is a late-bloomer, who only started when she was a teenager and mastered the basics within a year. While they love each other dearly, they also intensely clash: Ryo objected to her being trained (though he doesn't object to ''other'' {{Action Girl}}s being around, like King or Mai), Yuri decided to keep training and then add her own variations to the style. Ryo's current objections to have her around don't only come from her being a girl (though that ''does'' play a part), but because he sees Yuri's additions to the Kyokugenryu roster as an insult to the Kyokugenryu style itself... and also as a part of their interactions outside the ring. Ryo had to work ''very'' hard for his martial arts skills and to make the Kyokugenryu style widely known ever since he was a young boy, adding an ItsPersonal layer to what seems to be a mere "StayinTheKitchen"-like SiblingRivalry, even when it's not very fair to [[PluckyGirl Yu]][[TeenGenius ri]] herself.

* In "Team Another World" ending, it might look like Nakoruru has been taking a little level in either cheerfulness or ditziness, whereas Love Heart's concern about getting back to their world made her the [[OnlySaneMan Only Sane Woman]]. However, according to Nakoruru's earlier words, she knows that while Verse was beaten, this does not mean the end, there will be an after-effect which will happen in the current world and will cause a mess, and it can strike at any time, in a day or year. So her idea of 'vacation' just meant a softer way to say 'we're staying in this world to be ready if the after-effect will ruin the multiverse again'. And [[WrongGenreSavvy Love kind of missed the point]], while Mui Mui caught on quick, but only because she's also an excitable girl in the beginning.

* Why are the New Faces Team now called Team Orochi? Because of their actions back in '97, they are now branded as the ones that revived Orochi albeit temporarily. OnceDoneNeverForgotten, even with Orochi sealed away.

* How is Terry a top tier character in KOF XV? What was Terry's last appearance prior to this game? ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate A certain different crossover perhaps?]]'' It looks like fighting those challengers really paid off.

* On the topic of Otoma, how many worlds could she have consumed and recreated in her own image? If she can travel across dimensions at will, what's to stop her (besides Shun'ei and Isla) from paying a visit to the mainline ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' or ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' continuities and wreaking havoc there?

* There ''are'' three people that are able to sense that Ash's intentions aren't as malevolent as they seem. One of them is King, who refers to Ash's behavior as "a cry for help" among other things. Why would she sense such stuff, considering that she's not a psychic (unlike Athena) and has relatively limited experience (unlike Chin)? Easy: she's a bartender, and bartenders are typically used to listen to the problems of people who are [[DrowningMySorrows drowning their sorrows.]] This means she can catch body language signals that others cannot, whether the person she's speaking to is toasted or not; then, it's not surprising that she can see that Ash's plans and mindset are more complex than he lets other see, even when she obviously doesn't know ''what'' he wants (and never will, now that he's gone forever).

* In "Team Another World" ending, it might look like that Nakoruru has been taking a little levels in either cheerfulness or ditziness, whereas Love Heart's concern about getting back to their world made her the [[OnlySaneMan Only Sane Woman]]. However, according to Nakoruru's earlier words, she knows that while Verse was beaten, this does not mean the end, there will be an after-effect which will happen in the current world and will cause a mess, and it can strike at any time, in a day or year. So her idea of 'vacation' just meant a softer way to say 'we're staying in this world to be ready if the after-effect will ruin the multiverse again'. And [[WrongGenreSavvy Love kind of missed the point]], while Mui Mui caught on quick, but only because she's also an excitable girl in the beginning.

* A bit of Brilliance and {{Tearjerker}}, Kukri's antics (notably with how perverted he is towards the female fighters and the entirety of ''SNK Heroines'') might have some degree of FreudianExcuse to them. His backstory states that he grew up in harsh desert streets only to be taken in by Dolores (quite the looker herself) from a young age. Due to a rather tragic case of PowerIncontinence, though, Dolores ended up sacrificing herself to contain Kukri's abilities, ultimately leading to Kukri feverishly looking through her study to find ways to bring her back to life. Granted, this ''does'' '''''NOT''''' excuse or vindicate Kukri from his actions in ''SNK Heroines'', but it does put his perversions and {{jerkass}} behavior in a whole new light.