History Characters / TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga97

[[WMG:[[center:[-''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'' | '''[[Characters/TheKingOfFighters Main Index]]'''\\
'''Main Series'''\\
''[[Characters/TheKingOfFighters94 The King Of Fighters: The Rugal Saga]]'': [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga01 1]] | [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga02 2]] | [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga03 3]] | [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga04 4]]\\
''Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga'': ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFighters95 KOF '95]]'' | ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFighters96 KOF '96]]'' | '''''KOF '97'''''\\
''Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheNESTSChronicles''\\
''Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheTalesOfAsh''\\
''Characters/TheKingOfFightersXIV''\\
'''Spin Offs'''\\
''Characters/TheKingOfFightersEX'' | ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFightersMaximumImpact Maximum Impact]]''\\
'''Related Series'''\\
''Characters/{{Athena}}'' | ''Characters/FatalFury'' | ''Characters/ArtOfFighting'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodown'' | ''Characters/MetalSlug'' | ''Characters/FuunSeries'' | ''Characters/BurikiOne'']]-]]]

The characters in ''Franchise/{{The King of Fighters}}'' introduced during ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters97''.
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[[foldercontrol]]

!New Faces Team / Orochi Team
[[folder:Yashiro Nanakase - ''Japan'']]
[[quoteright:100:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/japan_4602.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/yashiro_9.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Click [[labelnote:here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kof_all_star_orochi_yashiro.png [[/labelnote]] to see Yashiro, The Parched Earth (Orochi Yashiro)]]
->''"You're not too bad. That is, you're second."''
->''"Quiet down, you fly!"''

-->'''Voiced by:''' Makoto Awane (KOF 97-KOF 02UM; retired), Keisuke Hamaoka (KOF All-Star, XV; current), Shinichiro Kamio (The King of Fighters for Girls)

-> The guitarist of the band C.Y.S., Yashiro is the powerhouse of the New Face Team. Alongside his bandmates Shermie and Chris, he entered the King of Fighters '97 tournament to get revenge on Iori for stealing one of their gigs...or so he claimed. In actuality, Yashiro is a member of the Hakkesshu, a clan dedicated to serving the will of the legendary eight-headed serpent Orochi and designated as one of the deity's [[FourIsDeath Four Heavenly Kings]]. His true power is the ability to [[DishingOutDirt control the element of earth]], and his true motive for entering the tournament was to gather energy in order to revive Orochi alongside his teammates and fellow Hakkesshu members. After being defeated, he and Shermie sacrificed themselves in order to resurrect Orochi through Chris, committing suicide by tearing out their own throats. In ''XV'', however, he and his teammates are brought back to the world of the living due to the defeat of Verse. Interested in the power that revived him, he enters KOF once again.

* AwesomeMcCoolname[=/=]NameThatUnfoldsLikeLotusBlossom: Translated, his name reads, "Shrine of the Seven Shackles." [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Gets worse when you realize]] the shackles refer to [[HumanSacrifice the slain sisters of Kushinada-hime.]]
* BackFromTheDead: Somehow he manages to make it back to the realm of the living. [[spoiler:This is because of his soul being merged into Verse and its defeat at XIV released the souls back to the living, Yashiro's included.]]
* BattleAura: In his introduction before the fighting as Orochi Yashiro.
* BiggerIsBetter: The more you charge his MegatonPunch in his regular form, the stronger. The last inch of charging makes it unblockable.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Towards Chris, to a degree.
* BigWhat: When knocked out.
* BloodKnight: As Orochi Yashiro, as seen in one of his winquotes in ''2002'', after defeating Mature or Vice.
--> Orochi Yashiro: "Enemies! Bring me enemies!"
* BoisterousBruiser: He is quite the arrogant fellow, judging by his quotes, but he actually is that strong. He also enjoys fighting by nature (despite his forte is merely [[UnskilledButStrong "power attacks"]]) and as long as his Orochi blood isn't in check, he's also generally easygoing and fun.
* TheBusCameBack: After a 24-year long absence (which involved [[PlotlineDeath being dead]]), he returns in ''XV''.
* CoDragons: He and his team are this to Orochi.
* DanceBattler: Some of his moves are reminiscent of Capoeira, and several of his animations involve him dancing about.
* DarkSkinnedBlond: As Orochi Yashiro.
* DishingOutDirt: His "Parched Earth" version. Similar to Daimon, his prowess with earth comes from his powerful new grapple moves.
* DisproportionateRetribution: Vowed to beat up Iori in the KOF tournament... for him stealing his band's gig. Possibly [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]], as his true mission is to awaken Orochi, and Iori was just an excuse.
* DrenchCelebration: In ''[='=]98'', one of his winposes is picking a bottle of water and get dumped with it as he yelling when it happens.
* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler:In the NFT's ending. After subjecting both Shermie and Chris to [[ImpromptuTracheotomy impromptu tracheotomies]] to power up Orochi, he kills himself in the same way and for the same purpose.]]
* EvilCounterpart: Depending on whether they're the New Faces or Orochi versions they're this to either the Ikari Warriors or the Japan Team. NF Yashiro is this to Ralf, the cocky guy who takes the lead and is known for his punches, even including a charge up punch that's unblockable (only if charged all the way).He is this to Daimon, as a member of the [[ThePsychoRangers Orochi Team]]. He gets the powerful grapple moves plus his own version of Daimon's Jigoku Gokuraku Otoshi DM.
%% Don't add Expy here. It goes in ShoutOut/TheKingOfFighters.
* FriendToAllLivingThings: In one of his winposes he whistles as if calling a dog... and summons [[RuleOfCool an eagle]].
* FlashStep: A special move in his regular persona has him dashing so fast toward the enemy and punch them at such blistering speeds, he seems to fade while doing so.
* HellishPupils: His "Parched Earth" version has slitted snake eyes in ''R-1''.
* InvulnerableKnuckles: His HSDM in ''2002''(''UM'').
* KamehameHadoken: His projectile super in ''[='98=]''(''UM'') is this.
* TheLeader: Yashiro is the leader of the New Faces Team but they act more like equals, much more so as their Heavenly King roles, they are all the same under Orochi’s rule. With their gig as musicians Yashiro’s name doesn’t even come first in '''C'''hris '''Y'''ashiro '''S'''hermie, he is in the middle, holding them together.
* {{Leitmotif}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWkCybRfFTA Rhythmic Hallucination]] for Orochi Yashiro. Doubles as a BootstrappedTheme, as it became Yashiro's theme after ''[='97=]''.
* LightningBruiser: Has minor SuperSpeed similar to that Chris [[FlashStep possesses]] and ''hits like hell''.
* MegatonPunch: His Final Impact DM. It can be charged for bigger damage, becoming much like Ralf's Galactica Phantom.
** Actually, he has ''three'': one as normal Yashiro; two for Orochi Yashiro (one doubles as a RocketPunch and the other is his HSDM in ''2002'').
* MetronomicManMashing: Keeping with his parallelism to Daimon, Orochi Yashiro's Musebu Daichi (and its DM variant Ankoku Jigoku Gokuraku Otoshi) involves him [[NeckLift chokeslaming]] his opponent several times in succession.
* MysticalWhiteHair: Possibly indicative of his Orochi status.
** WhiteHairBlackHeart: Nona's artwork from ''2002'' plays this up extensively, where the normally handsome Yashiro looks rugged in his normal form and downright monstrous as Orochi Yashiro.
* {{No Shirt|LongJacket}}[[DownplayedTrope , Short Jacket]]: His outfit features this. It's similar to Billy, but with a shorter jacket.
* NotSoHarmlessVillain: A mild subversion in his case (especially in comparison to his teammates); Yashiro actually has the physical constitution of a fighter.
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler: Does this to ''himself'' in his team ending in ''[='97=]''.]]
* OfficiallyShortenedTitle: Yashiro's actual name in his Orochi form is ''Yashiro, The Parched Earth'' for he is one of Orochi's four Heavenly Kings, but SNK also makes it simple by calling him just Orochi Yashiro, like Iori and Leona who aren't one of the four.
* PainfullySlowProjectile: His projectile DM in ''[='98=]'' isn't this because of the execution itself, but because of its charging time if you want to make it useful (read: unblockable).
* PillarOfLight: At the end of his Araburu Daichi DM.
* RealMenWearPink: Look at his jacket, people. And his earrings and [[HeartSymbol choker]]. And he ''remains'' badass.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: As Orochi Yashiro.
* SealedEvilInACan: See Chris' entry below.
* ShipTease: In the ''SNK Character Sounds Collection'' album series, volume 10, a conversation between Yashiro and Shermie in a bar shows he doesn’t like Shermie being a flirt to many of the pretty guys she fancies in the cast, Shermie rebukes him by saying she is a free woman and can do whatever, but she changes to a playful tone, teasing him about how he wants her all for himself.
* SNKBoss: The hardest to beat of the trio, because he's a blocking whore. Most of the time you will find him blocking almost all of your attacks. And then he'll be right in the needed position to use one of his very powerful throws...
* SuperStrength: As Orochi Yashiro. He hit pretty damn hard to begin with, but Orochi Yashiro, drawing his power from the earth itself, treats his foes like they're nothing but mere toys.
* UnknownRival: Of Iori, due to Iori's jazz-themed band cancelling his own rock band's performance at a local venue. Iori, true to form, doesn't even care for the guy. In ''[='98=]'', Yashiro's intro against Iori [[TakeThat ribs]] on Iori's own intro pose (while quoting Chris' standard intro or (in ''2002'' (UM)) Shermie's).
* UnskilledButStrong: Yashiro is a power-based fighter but he never really received proper training, so his fighting style is listed as "Power attacks". Also may explain why when he becomes a grappler due to being Orochi, he doesn't really care about grappling finesse, all that matters is that if he can grab his opponent and smash them to the pavement as hard as he can.
* ViolationOfCommonSense: Remember the second MegatonPunch we talked about? If you're right next to him, it whiffs.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Borderline example: After remembering his status as a Heavenly King of Orochi, Yashiro immediately discards his old fighting style in favor of several grappling and throwing techniques. Most of said attacks lack the finesse of wrestling moves.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Shermie - ''France'']]
[[quoteright:100:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/frenchfag_214.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shermie.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Click [[labelnote:here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kof_all_star_orochi_shermie.png[[/labelnote]] to see Shermie, The Insanely Violent Lightning (Orochi Shermie)]]
->''"Game over, pal! Don't forget to save. Sweet dreams!"''
->''"What, me? Lonely? No way! Soon, there'll be no humanity!"''

-->'''Voiced by:''' Hazuki Nishikawa (KOF 97-KOF 02UM), Erina Seto (SNK Heroines, KOF All-Star, XV)

-> A fashion designer, and the keyboardist for C.Y.S. Like Yashiro and Chris, Shermie is another of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi, with [[ShockAndAwe power over lightning]]. She's normally laid back and somewhat ditzy, but when she reveals her true power she becomes very serious and devoted to Orochi's cause. After sacrificing her life in '97 to resurrect Orochi, Shermie is brought back in ''XV'' due to Verse's defeat in the prior tournament, and enters the latest one alongside Yashiro and Chris once again.

* AbsoluteCleavage: Her new outfit in ''XV'' has one that goes all the way down to her navel, and is held close only by a few pieces of thick string.
* AdaptationDyeJob: Orochi Shermie in ''2002'' maintains her red hair after its original depiction in ''97'' made her hair go purple, ''All-Stars'' makes it go back to purple.
* AwesomeButImpractical: Her Orochi Shermie MAX 2/HSDM from ''2002'' and ''2002UM'' has got to be one of the worst examples: She makes lightning come down, but has no control of where it lands, and because it requires low health, [[EpicFail she can even get killed without even damaging her opponent]]! Sure she can make a last minute evasion (the move is unblockable) but so can the opponent.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:She makes an appearance in VideoGame/SNKHeroinesTagTeamFrenzy, which takes places after XIV, alive and well after she sacrificed her life force to revive Orochi. It is initially implied that Verse's defeat released her soul and put her back in her old body, therefore she's susceptible of Kukri's plot of trapping people within dreams, and outright confirmed when Yashiro makes his return in ''XV'', with her own ending in ''Tag Team Frenzy'' hinting that she will return alongside Chris to join him for the new tournament.]]
* BlindingBangs: Her [[HiddenEyes eyes]] have [[HellishPupils slitted pupils]] and are probably [[RedEyesTakeWarning red like her fellow teammates in Orochi Mode]].
* BoobsOfSteel: Shermie has a very large bust and is incredibly strong.
* BreakingTheFourthWall: Her ''[='98=]'' winquote, reproduced above.
* TheCameo: In ''XIII'', she can randomly appear in the France stage, boredly sitting at a table on the left-hand side of the arena. [[spoiler:There's no word if she's BackFromTheDead like Mature or Vice or if this is {{Fanservice}} a la the other cameos found in the game.]]
** [[spoiler:Chris appears in the England stage, but much like Shermie, the canoncity of such an appearance is unknown. However, given that Mature and Vice depart for the afterlife once more at the end of ''XIII'', even if the trio ''was'' back, their revival wouldn't last for long... if it wasn't for the ending of ''XIV'' bringing her back to the land of living for real.]]
* CasualKink: Just look at the way she fights. Those poses are way too kinky: she willingly catches you with her ample chest in a command move, after all.
* CleavageWindow: Coupled with the fact that she has the largest bust size of all female characters (tied with Angel). Her redesign in ''XV'' trades this out for AbsoluteCleavage instead.
* CoDragons: Shermie and her team are this to Orochi.
* CombatStilettos: She wears high heels and seems to fight well despite that.
* CoolBigSis: Plays this role to Chris, apparently.
* DarkActionGirl[=/=]FemmeFatale: Debatably, as she has little screentime, but her personality while in Orochi Mode fits.
* DarkSkinnedRedhead: As Orochi Shermie in ''2002''.
* DiedInYourArmsTonight: [[spoiler:In the New Faces Team ending in ''[='97=]''. Yashiro [[ImpromptuTracheotomy rips her throat]] (and Chris's too) so their LifeEnergy can aid to Orochi's awakening, then as Shermie dies he holds her in his arms and promises to follow her soon. [[DownerEnding And he does]].]]
* TheDitz: Sings and dances nonchalantly in her {{victory pose}}s.
** Subverted in her Orochi form, where she's [[SuperpoweredEvilSide much more serious and bloodthirsty]]. Only Yashiro and Chris are safe from this, though.
** Also notable for this trope is her ''VideoGame/SNKGalsFighters'' ending: after she wins the tournament, she gets to make a wish, and wishes for a larger cage for her pet hamster, since she (the hamster) is having babies. Later, Yashiro points out that she could've used said wish... to ''resurrect Orochi''.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything:
** Her intro quote translates to "Since this is my first time, please be gentle."
** She also presses her crotch into your face during her Shermie Spiral grapple, and jiggles her breasts as a command counter.
* {{Dominatrix}}: Just look at those fancy grapples! She can intertwine her legs between your neck like a pro!
* [[HeroesWantRedheads Everyone Wants Redheads]]: Yashiro, a fellow bandmate and servant of Orochi, is clearly attracted to Shermie (if ''2002'' is anything to go by). [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys She appears to at least reciprocate his feelings to some degree]]. As for the credits reel of ''2002''? [[DistractedByTheSexy That speaks volumes]].
* EveryoneLooksSexierIfFrench: She's French. Gets a lot of emphasis on her legs and hips.
* EvilCounterpart: Depending on whether they're the New Faces or Orochi versions they're this to either the Ikari Warriors or the Japan Team. Normal Shermie is this to Clark, being the second in command who's all about wrestling moves and has a follow up attack after they grab you. Orochi Shermi is this to Benimaru. Funnily enough, while this avoids a DesignatedGirlFight, her opponent is ''[[CampStraight Benimaru]]''. She gets electrical moves plus her own version of Benimaru's Raikouken.
* EvilRedhead: In her normal form. When she first revealed herself as one of Orochi's, she had the purple hair of her Orochi persona, though.
* EvilSoundsDeep: As normal Shermie, Hazuki Nishikawa gives her a chipper, high-pitched voice. [[PowerMakesYourVoiceDeep But as Orochi Shermie]], she uses an angrier and deeper tone.
%% Don't add Expy here. It goes in ShoutOut/TheKingOfFighters.
* TheFaceless: It's said that her eyes have a malevolent glare about them... but we never see them, save the one time Shinkiro teased them in one of ''97'' fliers.
* TheFashionista: Is seen hosting a fashion show in the ''KOF:KYO'' game. [[spoiler:Which is where she meets Yuki (she and Kyo were there in a date) and identifies her as Kushinada.]]
* GirlishPigtails: To a degree. It's more like a Girlish Split Ponytail.
* HiddenEyes: Unlike other examples of characters with their eyes covered by hair (like Chin), her eyes were never shown after the one stance where they were partially seen, in a single Shinkiro promotional flier for ''97''.
* KissOfDeath: One of her attacks in Orochi Mode has her sending electric projectiles as if she were blowing kisses. Her MAX 2 also starts out this way.
* {{Leitmotif}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2km0abdZdj4 Fanatic Waltz]] for Orochi Shermie.
* LeotardOfPower: Wears one underneath her vest.
* LightIsNotGood: Par the course for the New Faces Team, who dress in bright outfits, but her standard costume is all white. Her Orochi version has her wearing a shade of purple shared by her teammates.
* MarkOfTheBeast: In one of the ending pictures for ''KOF '98'', Shermie is revealed to have Orochi's tattoo on her back.
* MurderousThighs: Emphasized to the point of her sprite receiving larger hips than Mai Shiranui, [[AllThereInTheManual whom officially has the largest hip measurement of the series]].
* MsFanservice: She tends to do suggestive poses, act very seductive and displays her [[ShesGotLegs prominent legs]] and hips all the time. She's got the biggest bust amongst the cast, but her outfit only capped out at CleavageWindow. By ''XV'', Shermie instead opts a ''wide'' AbsoluteCleavage to show off that yes, this is the biggest bust of all KOF fighting ladies that is only matched with Angel.
* OfficiallyShortenedTitle: Shermie's actual name in her Orochi form is ''Shermie, The Insanely Violent Lightning'' for she is one of Orochi's four Heavenly Kings, but SNK also makes it simple by calling her just Orochi Shermie, like Iori and Leona who aren't one of the four.
* RapunzelHair: It already looks long even when tied up.
* SealedEvilInACan: See Chris' entry above.
* SexyWalk: Her standing walking animation has her struting like she is in a catwalk.
* ShesGotLegs: [[http://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters3/shermie02stance.gif She's got 'em all right.]]
* ShipTease: In the ''SNK Character Sounds Collection'' album series, volume 10, a conversation between Yashiro and Shermie in a bar shows he doesn’t like Shermie being a flirt to many of the pretty guys she fancies in the cast, Shermie rebukes him by saying she is a free woman and can do whatever, but she changes to a playful tone, teasing him about how he wants her all for himself; then changing her tone to a serious one, Shermie reflects upon herself that she cherishes Yashiro and Chris over any playful flirt of hers.
* ShockAndAwe: The "Insanely Violent Lightning" version. Her Lightning Leg Lariat HSDM in ''2002'' for regular Shermie also counts, but it loses the lightning aspect in ''2002: Unlimited Match''.
** PsychoElectro: She gets electric powers when she is in her SuperpoweredEvilSide mode.
* ShowSomeLeg: Some of her moves were redesigned in ''2002'' to show off more of her leotard. Her taunt in said game also invokes this trope.
* SNKBoss: A ''cruel'' subversion: Her "Insanely Violent Lighting" version was originally a boss and hidden to play as, but was and has always been, a low tier, if not a true JokeCharacter.
* StatuesqueStunner: She is 173 cm tall, making her taller than many male characters around her age.
* [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown Stomp Them While They Are Down]]: Like Clark, she's able to add on an additional attack to certain throws of hers. Shermie's particular variant involves her stomping on her foe's downed body.
* TheTease: She flirts with any male she finds attractive, [[DistractedByTheSexy strikes several suggestive poses, and makes a few lewd comments.]]
** InnocentInnuendo: Her moves in her regular form are quite sexy, but she doesn't really seem the type that likes perversion.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Her fighting style revolves mainly about grapples. Both of her desperation moves involve throws.
* [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair You Gotta Have Purple Hair]]: [[PowerDyesYourHair As]] Orochi Shermie in ''[='97=]'' and ''[='98=]''. Oddly enough, in ''2002'', her hair became auburn in color.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Chris - ''Sweden'']]
[[quoteright:100:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/125px-Flag_of_Sweden_svg.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chris_3.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Click [[labelnote: here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kof_all_star_orochi_chris.png[[/labelnote]] to see Chris, The Flames of Destiny (Orochi Chris)]]
->''"You make me laugh, chump. And laugh. And laugh. And laugh."''
->''"You did well for scum."''

-->'''Voiced by:''' Rio Ogata (KOF 97-KOF 02UM), Creator/ShikiAoki (KOF All-Star), Yuki Sakakibara (The King of Fighters for Girls), Rui Yamasaki (KOF XV)

-> The speed-based member of the New Faces Team, vocalist for the band C.Y.S., and Orochi's chosen vessel. A cute boy who knows it and takes advantage of it. As one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi, he wields purple flames not too dissimilar from those of Iori Yagami. He is resurrected alongside his teammates due to Verse's defeat.

* AdaptationDyeJob: It seems [=SNK=] cannot decide if Chris has blue eyes or brown eyes, in ''97'' he did debut with brown eyes, but subsequent portrayals did have Chris with blue eyes, then in his triumphant return in ''XV'' the brown eyes are back.
* AdorablyPrecociousChild: Keep in mind that he's ''[[OlderThanTheyLook fourteen]]'' and he still manages to pull the look real well [[BitchInSheepsClothing to fool those who don't know him.]]
* {{Bishonen}}: Being a 14-year old boy who is voiced by a woman, it was pretty much inevitable.
* BootstrappedLeitmotif: In ''Sky Stage'', Orochi Chris' boss theme is "butterfly emerges from chrysalis", the Orochi Team's theme in ''2002: Unlimited Match''. The problem here is that the song is a {{medley}} of "Mad Fantasy" (Orochi Chris' ''[='98=]'' theme) and "Rhythmic Hallucination" (the Orochi Team's ''[='97=]'' theme/Orochi Yashiro's ''[='98=]'' theme) [[note]]"Fanatic Waltz", Orochi Shermie's ''[='98=]'' theme, is conspicuously absent from this composition, although that might be because it overshadowed the other two in "Violent Fire, Lightning, Earth", the Orochi Team's ''2002'' theme[[/note]] and Orochi Yashiro already has the actual "Rhythmic Hallucination" as his theme in the same game.
* CoDragons: Chris alongside his team are this to Orochi.
* CreepyChild[=/=]EnfanteTerrible: In his Orochi form. Only his teammates are safe from this.
* CrossdressingVoices: Voiced by Rio Ogata, who is female.
* DemonicPossession[=/=]InvoluntaryShapeshifting[=/=]PainfulTransformation: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV1MWL9S8Uk His transformation into Orochi.]]
* {{Do It Yourself|ThemeTune}} ImageSong: To a degree. The arranged version of "Rhythmic Hallucination" features vocals performed by none other than Rio Ogata herself.
* EvilCounterpart: Depending on whether they're the New Faces or Orochi versions they're this to either the Ikari Warriors or the Japan Team. He's this Kyo as a member of the [[ThePsychoRangers Orochi Team]]. He gets fire powers plus his own version of Kyo's Orochinagi. Normal Chris is this to Leona, being TheKid of the group based around high speed, dashing around and aerial flip attacks that's got a hidden power within them that makes them very dangerous.
* FlashStep: A key part of his fighting style. He can either dash across the screen, or various combinations of dashing, punching and kicking.
* FragileSpeedster: Most of his normal moveset revolves around {{Flash Step}}s.
* HellishPupils: His "Flames of Destiny" version has slitted snake eyes in the ''KOF R-1'' for the UsefulNotes/NeoGeoPocket.
* KilledOffForReal: Possible subversion in that they NeverFoundTheBody, which means Orochi could still be inhabiting it. Orochi being killed by Kyo and [[SealedEvilInACan sealed by Chizuru in another dimension]] does make things more than a little difficult, though. [[spoiler:Chris did appear in Shermie's ending in ''VideoGame/SNKHeroinesTagTeamFrenzy'', where he's shown to be greeting Shermie back when she awakened from her dream, and since that took place after ''XIV'', it's implied that Chris' soul was released with Verse's defeat and then put back to his old body, as Orochi got into another body that was immediately taken care of by Kyo, Iori and Chizuru. The return of Yashiro in ''XV'' outright confirms that Chris is also BackFromTheDead.]]
* LateArrivalSpoiler: Yashiro and Shermie give up their lifeforce to empower Chris, and he becomes the vessel in which Orochi is resurrected.
* {{Leitmotif}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q2kmCXVzn8 Mad Fantasy]] for Orochi Chris.
* OfficiallyShortenedTitle: Chris' actual name in his Orochi form is ''Chris, The Flames of Destiny'' for he is one of Orochi's four Heavenly Kings, but SNK also makes it simple by calling him just Orochi Chris, like Iori and Leona who aren't one of the four.
* OneWingedAngel: He transforms into Orochi at the end of ''KOF '97'' and also in ''2002'', during his MAX 2/HSDM (Orochi Chris only).
* PlayingWithFire: His "Flames of Destiny" version. Despite turning him into an EvilCounterpart to Kyo, his flames are purple, similar to Iori's.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: As Orochi Chris, go figure.
** Seems to overlap with SupernaturalGoldEyes in ''2002: Unlimited Match'''s artwork.
* SealedEvilInACan: In the ''EX'' continuity, at least, Chris, along with Yashiro and Shermie, was sealed away with Orochi after its defeat in ''[='97=]'', as mentioned by Reiji. Goenitz was the only member of the Four Heavenly Kings to escape that fate, as he was killed the preceding year.
* SophisticatedAsHell: During his Ankoku Orochi Nagi DM he says, "Hai. Shinde kudasai!" ("Yes. Die, please!")
* StepfordSmiler: Always with a smile in his face, even when killing random people. The fact that he's the BigBad's host doesn't help, either.
** WordOfGod describes him as a character who can "kill with an innocent smile." Additionally, some of Orochi Chris's artwork (as well as his idle stance in ''2002'') shows him with a SlasherSmile instead.
* WoundedGazelleGambit: How Chris manages to get to [[spoiler:Yuki]] in ''KOF: KYO''. [[spoiler:When she's waiting for Kyo in what's supposed to be their last pre-KOF date, Chris comes in while pretending to be ill. He then asks Yuki for help, making him lower her defense enough to get caught.]]
* YouAreACreditToYourRace: His sole win quote in ''[='97=]'': "Mushikera ni shite wa, yoku ganbatte ne." ("For a mere worm, you did well.")
[[/folder]]

!'97 Special Team
[[folder:Ryuji Yamazaki - ''Japan'']]
[[quoteright:100:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/japan_4602.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dlcchara2.png]]
->''"Annoying. Annoying! Annoying! You're just so bleeding annoying!"''

-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KoujiIshii ('97-2003), Tsuguo Mogami (XIV)

->''The'' PsychoForHire when it comes to psychos for hire. Yamazaki has been in the crime business for as long as he can remember; he actually started as an orphan from Okinawa, who at an early age joined a local Yakuza cell and ultimately became the right hand of his idol, the high-ranked Yakuza boss Sorimachi, who considered him as a sort-of surrogate son and possible successor. One day, when he and Sorimachi were on their way to make a deal in Osaka, they were set up and ambushed, and Sorimachi was bloodily killed in front of him. This drove him completely insane, and he killed everyone who was there without a scratch. He became something of a criminal mercenary, broker and arms dealer, offering his services to the highest bidder no matter how dirty the job was: his biggest activities were took place in Hong Kong, where he clashed with the policeman Hon Fu. He was approached by the Jin brothers, who hired him to obtain the Jin Scrolls, but was defeated by Terry. He also kidnapped Franco Bash's son for some reason, but Franco rescued him eventually. \\
In the ''King of Fighters'' timeline, it's revealed that he is part of the Orochi bloodline, but he doesn't seem to care about that. In ''[='97=]'' he decides to bust up dojos for pleasure, and Billy Kane approaches him with a substantial offer of money courtesy of Geese. At first he doesn't feel like it, but after being infuriated by a surviving student and killing him, Yamazaki agrees. After the tournament he confronts Geese regarding his money and is paid. In ''2003'' he teams up with Billy yet again on the behest of Geese, along with Gato, but after a scuffle with Billy he has not been heard from since.\\
\\
He makes his return as a DLC character for ''KOF XIV''.
----
->See Characters/FatalFury3 for tropes on him.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Blue Mary - ''USA'']]
[[quoteright:100:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/usa_1961.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dlcchara5.png]]
->''"This isn't about logic, it's about smashing your face in!"''

-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/HarumiIkoma ('97-XI), Creator/SarahEmiBridcutt (XIV-XV)

->A freelance agent who was originally hired to investigate the theft of certain important scrolls. Her activities usually revolve around Geese's intentions; it's just as well, as her grandfather was Geese's mentor. In her ''KOF'' debut, she was hired to team with and investigate Geese's right-hand-man Billy Kane and PsychoForHire Ryuji Yamazaki, only to find that Geese was behind her employment. Since then, she has served as a semi-regular team member, usually alongside other Southtown representatives or female fighters. She gets along very well with Terry Bogard, though he wouldn't call her a girlfriend or pursue any relationship with her other than that of an "acquaintance" or "close friend."

->After her last playable appearance in ''The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match'', Blue Mary is set to make her return as [[DownloadableContent DLC]] for ''The King of Fighters XIV''.

----
->See Characters/FatalFury3 for tropes on her.
[[/folder]]

!Others
[[folder:Shingo Yabuki - ''Japan'']]
[[quoteright:100:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/japan_4602.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shingo_3.png]]
->''"Did you see me, Mom?! I... I won! King of the World!"''

-->'''Voiced by''': Creator/TakehitoKoyasu

-> Kyo Kusanagi's biggest fan, and a junior in his old highschool. He enters the tournament to fight his idol, and in ''[='99=]'' goes looking for him with Benimaru, K', and Maxima. Afterwards, Saisyu takes him in as an apprentice. He re-enters the ''XI'' tournament to replace Chizuru, but though [[TheHeart he sorta manages to keep Iori and Kyo from killing each other]], he's beaten senseless by a reawakened Orochi Iori.

* AllLovingHero: His good sportsmanship in ''98'' is simply absurd compared to literally everyone else, Shingo will have higher chances of randomly risking himself to protect a team mate in a match with ''every single character in the game'' save Iori, Yashiro, Goenitz, Rugal and Orochi, that’s five out of more than forty characters, not a single other character who can also be considered a good person will even have higher affinity for more than three others at most; this puts Shingo as a borderline saint who’s out to be in good terms with everyone he fights alongside with.
* AlternateCompanyEquivalent: High-school student who idolizes the main hero of the series to the point of emulating their fighting techniques? Yep, Shingo is pretty much a male [[Franchise/StreetFighter Sakura]].
* AscendedFanboy: From merely watching the ''[='96=]'' tournament on TV, to actually participating in it in ''[='97=]'', to being part of the Hero Team in ''[='99=]'' to finally teaming up with his idol Kyo in ''2001'' and ''XI''.
* BadassNormal: Believe it or not, he's more powerful than any normal human being, in fact, his chiseled body and strength are a force to reckon with, it's just nobody takes him seriously.
* BonusBoss: In '''98''. He can be fought anywhere from after the 3rd team to before the 6th.
* ButtMonkey: Particularly in '''98''[='s=] ending pictures.
* ClarkKentOutfit: His clothes hide very well just how packed he is. Only his powerful forearms attest to what his clothes hide.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Treated mostly as a ButtMonkey, but his CriticalHit attacks actually give him a big edge. Also, in the Kyo and Iori team ending in ''XI'', he survives one hell of a beating by Orochi Iori.
* CriticalHit: His status as a LethalJokeCharacter revolved around this. It's gone after '''98''.
* [[CuteClumsyGirl Cute Clumsy Guy]]: Sometimes trips after performing some special moves.
* {{Determinator}}: His techniques are low-grade imitations of Kyo. He can't shoot flame, no matter how much training he receives from Kyo or Saisyu or the fact that he has Kyo's old gloves. But every single fighter be ''damned'' if Shingo will ''ever'' give up. Proof? He ''survives'' a beatdown from ''[[SuperpoweredEvilSide Orochi Iori]]'' in ''XI''.
* DoesNotLikeSpam: Milk. It's his official dislike and the special "Birthday Team" (him, King and Mature) ending in '''98'' has him getting a milk carton, much to his dismay. PlayedForLaughs, of course!
* FingerlessGloves: [[ItWasAGift Presented to him by Kyo]] as a sign of Shingo's progress as a martial artist in ''[='97=]''.
* FlungClothing: Sometimes wears a track jacket over his uniform.
* HeroicBuild: He almost never struts his stuff but the rare canon images of him shirtless do show that he's unusually jacked for a young man his age indeed.
* HeroicWannabe: Idolizes Kyo Kusanagi, to the point of mimicking his moves and speech. He's training to be as good as Kyo, and is convinced that he, too, can "shoot fire."
* HeroWorshipper: The parallels between him and [[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha Sakura Kasugano]] (who made her debut around the same time) are so staggering that you might wonder if they're {{Distaff Counterpart}}s.
** SchoolUniformsAreTheNewBlack: Mainly due to Shingo wanting to emulate Kusanagi-san as much as possible.
** MartialArtsHeadband: Ditto, although it isn't quite the same as Kyo's.
** IconicItem: The Kusanagi gloves Kyo gave to him in ''[='97=]''. Shingo has worn them ever since.
* TheHeart: The other one aside of Chizuru who can keep Kyo and Iori from being at each other's throats. Though he did a good job in ''XI'', Iori went Orochi and beat up both him and Kyo at their ending.
* IGaveMyWord: To Chizuru.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: Him and Chizuru, who's around 6 years older than he is.
* {{Keet}}: Has some traits. He acts loud and excited most of the time, despite one of his intros having him telling himself to keep it cool.
* {{Leitmotif}}: It's usually "[[https://youtu.be/lTcYZ_ylAoE Still Green]]", being his theme tune in ''[='97=]'', ''[='98=]'', and in ''XI'', but he's also shared the leitmotifs of his respective teams in each of his appearances.
* LethalJokeCharacter: Thanks to his hard-earned SuperStrength and high CriticalHit capacity.
* MovesetClone: In regards to Kyo and Iori, he's akin to a Dan/Sakura-hybrid, although his [[LethalJokeCharacter spins]] on Kyo's teachings make him a formidable fighter.
* MusclesAreMeaningful: There's a reason why Shingo can hit so hard despite being just a regular human. It's hard to tell at first but take a closer look and you will notice that he's actually ''very'' muscular, much more than Kyo or Iori themselves. He's just too modest to show it off.
* NiceGuy: He is almost never arrogant or condescending to his enemies in his quotes. Most of the time, he is just very excited and surprised that he won.
* OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent: Though one with the power of CriticalHit attacks. And that random flame from his attacks in ''2003'' and ''XI''...
* PaintingTheMedium: During his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e66Srayz_kc HSDM]] in ''2002UM'', Shingo tries to copy one of Kyo's moves... [[RuleOfFunny and forgets about halfway through]]. He then takes advantage of the fact that he's in a video game to read through his notebook and finishes the chain of attacks.
** Also in ''[='99=]'', one of his intros had him saying, "Shingo is not an Edit Character this year!", considering that in his debut in ''[='97=]'' and the subsequent Dream Match in ''[='98=]'', he's exactly that: an Edit Character without an official team.
* PutOnABus: Hasn't made a playable appearance since ''KOF XI'', which was released in 2005. That being said, he has made cameos in ''XI'', ''XIII'', and in ''XIV'', as well as being playable in the mobile spin-off, ''All Star''.
* RandomNumberGod: In some games, Shingo will randomly perform the aformentioned CriticalHit attacks, occasionally do two hits (and produce flames) with his Dokugami Mikansei, and randomly lose his balance and fall at the third hit of Oboro Guruma Mikansei.
* ShoutOut: His ''[='99=]'' taunt is basically feigning being hit and saying "[[Anime/MobileSuitGundam You hit me! Not even my parents hit me!]]"
** His Intro in ''2001'' is [[Anime/Daitarn3 "If you don't fear the shine of the sun, bring it on !"]]
* {{Squee}}: His intro with Kyo in ''[='99=]'' is quite the squee.
--->'''[[AscendedFanboy Shingo]]''': KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAA, KUSANAGI-SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!
--->'''Kyo''': [''[[NoSympathy burns his headband]]''] Ikuze.
* TheTeamNormal: No matter what team he is in, he is only one without any special powers.
* UseYourHead: His Shingo's Own Red-Hot Chariot DM/LDM ends with Shingo flubbing the move and divebombing into the ground. Said divebombing does a ''tremendous'' amount of damage, nearly equaling the rest of the move's damage output.
* TheWorfEffect: At the receiving end in ''KOF: KYO'' and ''KOF XI''. In the first he gets beaten up by [[spoiler:[[BrotherSisterTeam the Sendoh siblings]] [[note]](and you as Kyo should take him to the hospital since it'll let you learn about the Sendoh's brother Keisuke)[[/note]]]] and later by [[spoiler:Yamazaki during the investigation on Yuki's supposed disappearance]]; in the second [[spoiler:he ''and'' Kyo [[CurbStompBattle are curbstomped by Orochi Iori]], though Shingo takes the worst part and, unlike Kyo, he can't join ''KOF XIII''.]]
* YourMindMakesItReal: [[EpilepticTrees There is the belief that]] ''[='98=]'''s "Dream Match Never Ends" comes from Shingo's dream. Every character in this dream match is Shingo's impression of them, based on either personal experience or his notes in his notebook.
** There's also [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWywvCS_uVA the spark of flame]] that randomly appears during his 115 Shiki: Dokugami Mikansei in ''2003'' and ''XI''. It seems that only Shingo notices it, most likely due to his goal to shoot flames (as evident in the Japan Team's ending for ''2003'').
[[/folder]]

[[folder:{{Orochi}} - ''Japan'']]
[[quoteright:100:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/japan_4602.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/orochi_76.png]]
->''"The butterfly emerges from its chrysalis..."''

-->'''Voiced by:''' Rio Ogata (KOF 97), Creator/MotokoKumai (CD dramas), Shiki Aoki (KOF All-Star)

->The infamous creature of legend. Orochi is one of the servants of Gaia, but along the way he became fanatical in his views, and believed that humans were a threat to Gaia. As such, he began putting a scheme into motion to eliminate humans from existence. He created a cult known as the Hakkesshu, or the 8 Heads of Orochi, to help him with his plans. He was stopped 1800 years ago by the Kusanagi, Yasakani, and Yata clans, who sealed him away. However, he was still able to use some of his power through the seal, and began to spread his influence to others. Through Goenitz, he managed to open the seal partially upon the death of Maki Kagura. The seal was broken in ''[='97=]'', when Yashiro Nanakase and Shermie offered their powers to reawaken him inside Chris. He was resealed by Kyo, Iori, and Chizuru after a fierce battle. Recently there has been a plot to try and break his seal once again by Those From The Past, meaning he may return in the final chapter of the Tales of Ash. [[spoiler:Or not, seeing as Ash's HeroicSacrifice in ''XIII'' [[CosmicRetcon nullified every event in the current saga]].]]

* AchillesHeel: His [=AI=] was poor, and most of his normal attacks were nothing special and repetitive.
* AncientEvil: He is a deity created by the planet and is the greatest threat to humanity and the only people that can stop him are the Kusanagi, Yagami and Yata clans.
* AnimalMotifs: The snake, it's even in his name; Orochi means "Great Snake". Still, the snake aspect is mostly in his eyes. Naturally, these extend to his followers. He also invokes [[ButterflyOfDeathAndRebirth a butterfly motif]] with his "rebirth" stemming from Chris' status as his host; his intro quote ("Sanagi o yaburi, chou wa mau") translates to "Breaking the cocoon, I shall flutter" and the Orochi Team's ''2002UM'' theme is entitled "butterfly emerges from chrysalis."
** ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Though there's nothing reptilian about his appearance or moves in the KOF universe.
** SnakesAreSexy: It doesn't help that his physical form is just Chris's body [[InvoluntaryShapeshifting remolded into a more suitable form]].
* ArchEnemy: To the Kusanagi, Yagami and Yata clans, as they sealed him away in ancient times. He’s also this to the to the heirs of the three clans Kyo, Iori and Chizuru.
* AttractiveBentGender: In ''[[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/File:Orochi-sealing.jpg The King of Fighters: KYO]]'' and [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/File:Orochi_past.jpg a few pieces of bonus artwork]] for ''[='98=]'', Orochi is depicted as a total babe (probably because Orochi reincarnated itself into a female follower).
* AudibleSharpness: His Ukei, which is pretty much a standing Genocide Cutter.
* BeamMeUpScotty: Thanks to [[VideoGame/{{Mugen}} M.U.G.E.N]], Orochi is commonly associated with yelling "ARIEN!" [[note]] possibly a KilledMidSentence version of "arienai", which can [[BilingualBonus translate to]] [[ThisCannotBe "impossible"]] [[BilingualBonus in Japanese]] [[/note]] upon being KO'ed. In reality, this is only muttered by his clone in VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum, Mizuchi. Orochi, meanwhile, doesn't say a word upon being KO'ed.
* BigBad: Of the Orochi Saga, but due to his major influence in the series, he can be considered to be the main antagonist of the ''King of Fighters'' series as a whole.
* TheBusCameBack: [[spoiler:After Ash [[CosmicRetcon erased himself]] at the end of ''XIII'', Orochi became a part of EldritchAbomination called Verse, which is the final boss of ''XIV''. After the destruction of Verse, he manages to escape...]]
** BackForTheDead: [[spoiler: ...Only to immediately get sealed again by Kyo, Iori, and Chizuru in Yagami Team's ending. Effortlessly.]]
* CatchAndReturn[=/=]CounterAttack: Both. His Utsushi Iwai special can counter moves of varying properties (ranging from overheads to physical attacks to projectiles) depending on the button pressed.
* CompleteImmortality: He cannot be killed by any normal means, and the only way to stop him is to seal him away.
* CrossdressingVoices: [[ActingForTwo As with Chris]], he is voiced by Rio Ogata.
* DealWithTheDevil: His main interaction and connection with the Yagami (called "Yasakani" back then) family. The Yasakani clan swore subservience (and some other terms) in exchange for the power to overcome the Kusanagi family.
* ExpositoryPronoun: Refers to himself with the highly formal first-person pronoun ''ware'', emphasizing his nature as a divine being of ancient provenance.
* FlashStep: As part of his moveset.
* GaiasVengeance: To an insanely fanatical degree.
* GodOfEvil: More of a quasi-deity, really. Orochi wasn't originally like that either; chalk it up to [[LoveMakesYouEvil his frenetic attempts to "protect" his beloved creator from humanity]].
* GreaterScopeVillain: Became this for the whole Orochi saga, and the effects of his involvement are still felt even in the NESTS, Tales of Ash and ''XIV'' sagas. Most of the other villains from later sagas want his power, and making sure he ''stays sealed'' is pretty much the overlying focus of the series as a whole.
* HellishPupils: Has slitted snake eyes.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: In the Sacred Weapons ending of ''KOF '97'', a defeated Orochi tries to use Iori against Kyo and Chizuru by activating his Riot of the Blood, but Iori instead grabs Orochi and restrains him long enough for Kyo to give the final blow.
* HumansAreTheRealMonsters: And a threat to his beloved Gaia.
** KillAllHumans: [[NeverHeardThatOneBefore And he would have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for]] [[YouMeddlingKids those meddling Three Sacred Clans]] [[OverlyLongGag that sealed him away eons ago and their meddling descendants!]]
** HumanityOnTrial: The ending of ''[='97=]'', in a nutshell.
* LawfulStupid: Hates humans because he sees them as a threat to his beloved Gaia. Gaia ''made humanity'' according to the storyline.
* {{Leitmotif}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrSW_ThlX7Q Origin of Mind]]
* LightIsNotGood: His Bright Light/Fade to Nothingness/Marukare (Churning Chaos) DM, [[LightEmUp which fills the screen with an eerie greenish light]].
* MarkOfTheBeast[=/=]PowerTattoo: His "dark sun" tattoo that is over his chest. It's probable that Chris has the same tattoo, as his clothes cover the key areas where it would be.
* MeaningfulName: His namesake is the eight-headed Yamata no Orochi of Japanese lore. While not canon, some sources ([[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/File:Iori-orochi.gif Iori's ending]] in ''[[VideoGame/SNKVsCapcomSVCChaos SVC Chaos]]'', Andy Seto's ''[[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/File:Orochi-kofkyo.jpg The King of Fighters: Zillion]]'' manhua) depict his true form as ''the'' Orochi.
* MysticalWhiteHair: Better seen in his intro, where Chris morphs into Orochi, and his brown hair becomes...
** WhiteHairBlackHeart: He takes the form of a young man with white hair.
* NoBiologicalSex: Despite "his" appearance as a fully-grown man, Orochi is a genderless deity whose appearance depends on its host (see AttractiveBentGender above). Most refer to Orochi as a male due to the fact that "his" appearance in ''[='97=]'' is its most commonly known form.
* {{Orochi}}: [[AnthropomorphicPersonification Did you really expect anything else]]?
* OverarchingVillain: Even after his defeat, he’s this for the entire series, making sure he ''stays sealed'' is pretty much the overlapping focus of the series as a whole.
* PhysicalGod: He is a divine being created from the earth itself, and he considers himself to be "Gaia’s will".
* PowerFloats: His original version never touched the ground on purpose.
* PowerGlows: Again, his original sprite had a glow that seems to be absent in ''KOF '98 UM''.
* ReligionOfEvil: His cult engages in sacrifices and hijacking tournaments for the purposes of breaking his seal and reviving him.
* RuleOfCool: Orochi's Supreme Divinity DM involves drawing you in with his godly powers. He then [[YourSoulIsMine rips your soul out of your body]] and crushes it in the palm of his hand. ''Ouch''.
* SealedEvilInACan: So far, always inside a person. First it was Chris in ''97''. [[spoiler: Then Verse in ''XIV'']].
* SNKBoss: Was the first to use an absolute priority projectile, a full screen attack, and to fight without needing to crouch.
** In ''KOF 98 UM'', Orochi has been revamped from his original incarnation and now has a crouching animation, along with updated normals and several of his original moves switched around, but his Mu Ni Kaerou screen filler super still does ridiculous damage, and if you're positioned exactly in the middle of the screen and don't block, it does double the amount of hits and damage. 50% plus 50% equals [[OneHitKill 100%. Yes, it instantly kills you if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.]]
* TattooAsCharacterType: [[NoBiologicalSex Goes both ways on this.]] Orochi's dark sun tattoo is commonly hypothesized to belong to Chris (whose shirt covers where the marking would be). The location of Shermie, Mature, and Vice's tattoos, all in different spots, would support this idea, but the female Orochi seen in artwork and ''KOF: KYO'' depicting the legendary battle from 1,800 years ago has the same tattoo (although, due to her robes and current body shape, the sun primarily spans across her neck and breasts as opposed to her entire torso). By default, the "warrior" aspect of a chest tattoo could be applied to Orochi, but his female form is depicted as a bit of a [[TheVamp temptress or seductress]] (which, consequently, would certainly explain the hypersexual personalities of Orochi's known female followers).
* VocalDissonance: It's a bit of a DownplayedTrope since the voice is basically that of his vessel, Chris, but it's still odd hearing such a rather effeminate and youthful voice coming from the well-built man he appears as in his boss fight.
* VoiceOfTheLegion: Which still comes off as child-like.
* WalkingShirtlessScene: Never wears a shirt, and it also reveals that when he fully possessed Chris, he's ripped with chest muscles, something that the petite Chris wouldn't have.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Seeing him as a [[WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers Captain Planet]] wannabe who wants to save the Earth by killing all of humanity seems to describe him well.
** KnightTemplar: On his worst days, Orochi walks the narrow tightrope between well-intentioned extremism and this. [[HumanityOnTrial It remains to be seen if he'll slowly move away from it all.]]
[[/folder]]

''Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga'': [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga01 1]] | [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga02 2]] | [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga03 3]] | [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheRugalSaga04 4]]\\

''Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga'': ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFighters95 KOF '95]]'' | ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga96 KOF '96]]'' | '''''KOF '97'''''\\

The characters in ''Franchise/{{The King of Fighters}}'' introduced during ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters97''

[[WMG:[[center:[-''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' | '''[[Characters/TheKingOfFighters Main Index]]'''\\

''Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga'': ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga95 KOF '95]]'' | ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga96 KOF '96]]'' | '''''KOF '97'''''\\

->''The'' PsychoForHire when it comes to psychos for hire. Yamazaki has been in the crime business for as long as he can remember; he actually started as an orphan from Okinawa, who at an early age joined a local Yakuza cell and ultimately became the right hand of his idol, the high-ranked Yakuza boss Sorimachi, who considered him as a sort-of surrogate son and possible successor. One day, when he and Sorimachi were on their way to make a deal in Osaka, they were set up and ambushed, and Sorimachi was bloodily killed in front of him. This drove him completely insane, and he killed everyone who was there without a scratch. He became something of a criminal mercenary, broker and arms dealer, offering his services to the highest bidder no matter how dirty the job was: his biggest activities were took place in Hong Kong, where he clashed with the policeman Hon Fu. He was approached by the Jin brothers, who hired him to obtain the Jin Scrolls, but was defeated by Terry. He also kidnapped Franco Bash's son for some reason, but Franco rescued him eventually. In the ''King of Fighters'' timeline, it's revealed that he is part of the Orochi bloodline, but he doesn't seem to care about that. In ''[='97=]'' he decides to bust up dojos for pleasure, and Billy Kane approaches him with a substantial offer of money courtesy of Geese. At first he doesn't feel like it, but after being infuriated by a surviving student and killing him, Yamazaki agrees. After the tournament he confronts Geese regarding his money and is paid. In ''2003'' he teams up with Billy yet again on the behest of Geese, along with Gato, but after a scuffle with Billy he has not been heard from since.\\

Confirmed as a DLC character for ''KOF XIV''.

* AnimalMotifs: Snakes. Particularly their various poisons.
* AxCrazy: More so than any other character save for Xanadu from ''XIV''. ''Don't'' catch him in a bad mood.
** ''2003'' takes it to absurd levels. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3e9BBKiflc Yamazaki is at his absolute zaniest here.]]
** ''XIV'' dials it back to believable levels, but he still has plenty of moments, like sticking his tongue out during Level 3 Drill.
* BadassInANiceSuit: From '''97'' until ''2002'', Yamazaki wore slacks and a vest. In his intro he even wears a [[FurAndLoathing pimp]] [[BadassLongcoat coat]].
* BeatingADeadPlayer: One of his win poses in ''[=CvS=]'' has Yamazaki grab the fallen opponent [[RubberMan from afar]], [[FacePalmOfDoom hoist them up by the face]], and then taunt them, implying he has this in mind. His ''XIV'' win quotes also imply this to opponent characters such as him threatening Choi with his own claws:
--> '''Yamazaki''': Nice try, bozo! Gimme those! Now... This is how you stab somebody, you little freak!!
* BladeSpam: One of his Drill variants is him carving his foe with his knife multiple times before ending with the Drill.
* BlondesAreEvil: Ryuji's got blonde dyed hair on top of his undercut and one of the most evilest and craziest characters in the series.
* BloodKnight: Takes refuge in absolute carnage. One of the reasons he agrred to enter ''[='97=]'' was a rush of adrenaline he felt after trashing a dojo and killing the martial artists there.
* CardCarryingVillain: His winquote against Kim in ''2003'' shows him to be this. As if it wasn't obvious already...
--> '''Yamazaki''': What? Can't you forgive villains like me? Gyah, ha!
* CatchAndReturn: Usually more prevalent in his ''Fatal Fury'' appearances, but included in his ''[=CvS=]'' moveset and EX Yamazaki's moveset in ''[='98UM=]'' (which is based off of Yamazaki in ''Real Bout 2'') and later also in 2002, 2003 and XIV. Depending on the button used, he may opt to either [[EnergyAbsorption absorb the projectile for his]] ManaMeter or immediately return it with a projectile of his own.
* ChargedAttack: His Drill (Climax) DM has multiple levels of potency, [[SituationalDamageAttack depending on how much you]] [[ButtonMashing mash the A/C button]] after he successfully grabs his opponent (indicated by his laugh becoming more crazed). Then SpamAttack ensues.
* ChekhovsGunman: In addition to his DarkAndTroubledPast from ''VideoGame/FatalFury'', ''[='97=]'' also reveals that some of his insanity is caused by his Orochi blood. [[ScrewDestiny Not that he cares or anything...]]
* CombatPragmatist: [[AHandfulForAnEye Kicks dirt in his opponents' faces]] and [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown stomps]] [[GroinAttack on their crotches in one of his supers]].
* CombatSadomasochist: Not quite. While he doesn't seem to enjoy being hit, one of his specials goes by the name of [=SadoMaso=] and it involves him [[IShallTauntYou goading on his opponent]], and then [[CounterAttack countering their attack]] with a Drill.
* DamageOverTime: He gets a new DM in ''XIV'' named Pit Viper where he jabs his foe with his right hand covered in red energy, then violently pulls it out, leaving the opponent poisoned. Its SDM version instead [[PunchedAcrossTheRoom front-kicks the foe towards the wall]] after the grab.
* DemotedToExtra: He's the only surviving member of the Hakkesshu, [[ScrewDestiny not that he gives a shit or anything about it]]. With Orochi's justifiably minimal presence after the climax of the Orochi Saga, Yamazaki has only seen two non-Dream Match appearance since ''[='97=]'' (''KOF 2003'' and ''XIV'', the latter as DLC).
* EvilLaugh: So much that in his Drill DM he starts ''[[LaughingMad foaming at the mouth]]''. Many of his winquotes have him laughing as well.
* {{Flanderization}}: Par for the course for ''KOF'' (and especially immigrants from other series). Believe it or not, ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' Yamazaki had a lot less screws loose (his [[EvilLaugh Maniacal Laugh]] actually started out as a sly little chuckle). ''KOF'' took his ''Real Bout Special''/''Real Bout 2'' psychopathy and ran with it, turning him into the nutter we all know and love. YMMV on whether [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools this was for better or worse]]. His reappearance in ''XIV'' dials the crazy back a bit, only cutting loose once the fight starts.
* FingerlessGloves: Usually a part of his outfits but they're absent in ''XIV''.
* GrappleMove: his Bakudan Pachiki (Bombshell Badda-bing) special has him grab an opponent and then do an explosive headbutt. His Drill (Climax) DM is another grab move with varying kind of attacks afterward.
* InsanityImmunity: Despite being of Orochi blood, Yamazaki's just so ''batshit insane'' that he doesn't suffer from any of its negative side effects and unlike Iori and Leona, lacks an Orochi form.
* ItsAllAboutMe: Ryuji shows that he's clearly a selfish jerk who only looks out for himself. In Japanese, his preferred pronoun is "Ore-Sama", meaning himself in a higher position and it further emphasized his big ego.
* KnifeNut: He ''loves'' collecting knives. And one of his moves involves slashing away at the enemy with one. In ''XIV'' however, he lost his Judgement Dagger special move and none of his win poses ever have him pull out a knife.
* LagCancel: His [[AHandfulForAnEye Suna Kake (Sand Spray)]] special can be cancelled to Hebi Tsukai (any version) and then aborted by pressing D. As Suna Kake does more hitstun than most other special moves, he can quickly do another attack after this cancel combination, thus this makes up the bulk of his combos.
* ManiacTongue: He tucks out his tongue during some of his animations, whether to mock the opponent or when he's being fired up in general. And yes, he's a maniac.
* MulticoloredHair: He's perhaps the only character in the series to rival Goenitz, Mr. [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic "Trash Head"]] himself, in this department.
* NeckLift: Aside from his Bakudan Pachiki and Drill grab moves, EX Hebi Tsukai ends with him hoisting his foe by the neck.
* ObviouslyEvil: Just look at this guy. He acts and laughs like a crazy maniac and fights without honor. Although he's not a major villain, he certainly is a threat to avoid at all costs.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: His team story in ''[='97=]''. Though also due to his insatiable bloodlust, he jumps at the offer to enter the tournament when Billy promises him double the amount of the prize money. In his team's ending, he appears at Geese's office, lunging at him and demanding his pay.
* PsychoForHire: '''THE''' psycho-for-hire in the ''KOF'' world.
* RandomEffectSpell: In ''XIV'', one of the new variants of his Drill is him pulling an object from the background to be slammed on top of his opponent; the object varies depending on the stage.
* RapidfireFisticuffs: If you charge his Drill DM to the max, he'll then rapidly attack his opponent with multiple Serpent Slashes before ending with the Drill. There's also his 2002 HSDM named "...!" where he'll whip his downed opponent with both of his arms before [[ManBitesMan biting them in the head and throwing them away.]] In ''XIV'', his full-charged Drill does a similar thing to the aforementioned HSDM, but it attacks forward instead of downward and, well, ends with the Drill.
* RubberMan: his Hebi Tsukai (Snake Charmer/Serpent Slash) special has him do a mid-ranged punch with his arm stretched. He can aim it to one of 3 directions.
* ScrewDestiny: Doesn't give a rat's ass about his Orochi heritage and in some special fight intros against any of the Hakkeshu [[note]]Vice, Mature, Chris, Yashiro, Shermie, and Goenitz[[/note]] and even Orochi himself, he will be openly laughing his ass off towards them.
--> '''Yamazaki''': Who gives a rip about Orochi? All that matters is [[ItsAllAboutMe what helps out yours truly]].
* SelfMadeMan: Sort of. As said before, Yamzaki went from a poor StreetUrchin to a top {{Yakuza}}.
* SexIsViolence: In certain win quotes from ''XIV'', he makes the most sadisticly perverted comments to female opponents. Like his win quote against Whip for example:
--> '''Yamazaki''': Quit waving that whip around and give it here, [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything so I can spank you the way you deserve!]] Gyahaha!!
* SirSwearsalot: He loves hurling insults and profanity at male opponents. For female opponents, he tends to call them "miss" our of sarcasm.
* SlasherSmile: ''All the time.'' Never loses it, not even for a moment.
* TakeOverTheCity: If he defeats Geese Howard in ''XIV'', he sarcastically and sadisticly taunts him about taking over South Town:
--> '''Yamazaki''': Rest in peace, pal. I'll take care of South Town for you! Gyahaha!
* TeethClenchedTeamwork: Most notably with Billy. He derides him as Geese's lapdog while Billy finds him a liablity due to his unhinged mental state. Both have special winquotes against each other in ''2003'', where they're also teammates.
* TortureTechnician: His ''2002'' win quotes reference skinning the opponent and throwing him/her to the sharks, or feeding them their own intestines.
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih3snN4QBmc Drill.]] Brutal does not even ''begin'' to describe it.
* UseYourHead: His knockback attack is a headbutt. He also has a souped-up version of the move as a special called Bombshell Badda-Bing. [[StuffBlowingUp It causes an explosion]]. Its EX version has him do it 3 times. In one of his Drill variations, he may do multiple head-butts to his opponent before ending it with a Drill.
* WildCard: In regards to his fellow Hakkesshu. The remaining Heavenly Kings were hoping to enlist his aid during TheReveal in ''[='97=]''. [[ScrewDestiny It didn't go quite as planned.]]
* WipeTheFloorWithYou: His Guillotine special has him doing a jumping uppercut, then slamming them to the ground, then dragging their body along the ground and kicking them away. Its SDM/MAX version has him either stomping the poor sap multiple times before the last kick or (in ''XIV'') repeatedly slamming them onto the ground.
* WithMyHandsTied: Always keeps his right hand in his pocket out of respect for the gangster he idolized as a child. He still manages to kick copious amounts of ass. The only times you'll ''ever'' see his right hand is when [[KnifeNut he's carving you to shreds with his knife]], or during his desperation moves.
* WouldHitAGirl: He has '''absolutely zero''' qualms about hitting female fighters. His ''XIV'' win quotes emphasize on him getting off of this, where he implicates violent and sexual threats against them for his own amusement.
* {{Yakuza}}: Minus the tattoos, it's all there.
* YearsTooEarly: 100, to be exact, in one of his win poses.
* YouWillNotEvadeMe: His EX Hebi Tsukai in ''XIV'' ends up with him pulling his foe close to him, allowing for further combos.

* ActionGirl: On par with [[ActionMom Vanessa]] and mercenaries Leona and Whip.
* AmazonianBeauty: More evident in her sprites than artwork, though [[http://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters/bluemaryxi.jpg her ''XI'' artwork]] makes one of the better cases amongst her art renders.
* BareYourMidriff: She is always wearing a short sports bra that leaves her belly exposed.
* BellyDancer: As a part of one of her taunts.
* ButNotTooForeign: Mary is actually part-Asian, given that her grandfather was a Japanese kobujutsu master named Tatsumi Suo who once taught Geese Howard.
* CanineCompanion: Her dog Anton (short for Antonio), who appears in some of Mary's intros and win poses.
* CounterAttack: A few of her throws work like this.
* DarkSkinnedBlond: Her {{Stripperiffic}} "Another" outfit from the ''Maximum Impact'' series.
%% Don't add Expy here. It goes in ShoutOut/TheKingOfFighters.
* FingerGun: Playfully uses one as a win pose in later games.
* FingerlessGloves: Always wears them in her outfits.
* FlungClothing: In some games, she will throw away her jacket, which her dog, Anton, catches.
* {{Gainaxing}}: Oddly enough, all she's wearing for a top is a sports bra.
* GivingSomeoneThePointerFinger: In one of her win poses, Mary makes a gun gesture with her index finger and then "fires" it as [[SayingSoundEffectsOutLoud she says "Bakyuun!"]] ("Bang!").
* GorgeousGaijin: She is an American woman in a Japanese fighting game series, who wears very little.
* GratuitousEnglish: "Are you ready?" and "I shall return!"
* HumanHammerThrow: Her Dynamite Swing DM, which involves her violently spinning her opponent and tossing him to the other side of the screen.
* ImageSong: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA7NkmbvV_E "Blue Mary's Blues."]] Made it into ''[='97=]'' and ''[='98=]'' as her theme song (sans vocals).
** In the [=PS2=] version of ''Ultimate Match'' the vocal version is present if you go into Practice Mode against her with the Arrange soundtrack on or if you have EX Mary face EX Terry.
* MurderousThighs: Her "Mary's Typhoon" DM.
* NiceGirl: While she's serious about her job, she's usually very friendly.
* PerpetualFrowner: In her backstory, the loss of her lover Butch has left her unable to smile. She's still pretty lively, though. Averted in the games proper.
* ShipTease: [[AllAmazonsWantHercules With Terry]]. If it wasn't for [[CelibateHero Terry's lack of interest in pursuing romance]] and their [[JustFriends lack of commitment]] to actually [[RelationshipUpgrade becoming a]] [[BattleCouple couple]], she'd definitely be his ActionGirlfriend.
* SomethingAboutARose: For some reason, one rose shows up in SDM version of her Typhoon DM.
* StandardFemaleGrabArea: Inverted, a large portion of Mary's repertoire involves ''her doing the arm-breaking'' (and all other kinds of breaking), not being on the receiving end.
* StaticStunGun: Whips one out on her foes every once in a while in her Stun Fang special.
* TokenGoodTeammate: For the ''[='97=]'' Special Team. She jumped ship the very moment she found out Geese was her real employer, however.
* TooManyBelts: She wears two. Only one holds her pants in place.
* TragicKeepsake: Her jacket [[ItWasAGift was presented to her]] by her dead lover Butch.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Another hazy example, considering that Mary's fighting style is labeled as some variation of Combat Sambo.

''Characters/FatalFury'' | ''Characters/ArtOfFighting'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodown'' | ''Characters/MetalSlug'' | ''Characters/FuunSeries'' | ''Characters/BurikiOne'']]-]]]

* TooManyBelts: She wears two. Only one holds her pants in place.

''Characters/TheKingOfFightersEX'' | ''[[Characters/TheKingOfFightersMaximumImpact Maximum Impact]]'']]-]]]

!! Index: [[Characters/TheKingOfFighters Main Page]] | [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersTheOrochiSaga Orochi Saga Main Page]]