Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves stole the spotlight at Evo 2025 with unforgettable moments—from KojiKOG's viral reaction to his Top 8 elimination to the electrifying Grand Finals showdown between Go1 and ET. The event perfectly captured the game's thrilling essence. Though I couldn't connect with SNK team members onsite, Producer Yasuyuki Oda and Animator Masanori Obari generously addressed my questions via email, covering Ken's debut in City of the Wolves and other topics SNK and fighting game enthusiasts will love.
Ken plays remarkably close to his SF6 counterpart despite Fatal Fury's distinct mechanics. How challenging was it to adapt such an iconic character into a new fighting system?
Yasuyuki Oda, Lead Producer: Our top priority was preserving Ken's core identity while integrating him into Fatal Fury's ecosystem. Many team members are Street Fighter devotees, and their passion influenced every detail—from refining his flame attacks to optimizing his speed within REV Accel and Braking mechanics. Through constant iteration ("How can we enhance his strengths?" "Where does he need balance?"), we crafted a version that honors his legacy while feeling fresh.
Ken dominates SF6 with tools like Jinrai Kick pressure and Dragon Lash's frame advantage. Did balancing these strengths for Fatal Fury's meta prove difficult?
Oda: Directly porting his SF6 toolkit would have disrupted balance. Instead, we reimagined his techniques through Fatal Fury’s mechanics—layering REV Accel combos or Braking mixups to maintain his aggressive flair without overpowering the roster. The goal was to let players rediscover Ken’s playstyle within a new strategic framework.
With Terry/Mai in SF6 and Chun-Li coming to Fatal Fury, could another Capcom vs. SNK collaboration be on the horizon?
Wouldn’t that be incredible?"
Oda: Wouldn’t that be incredible? Unfortunately, I can’t confirm anything yet. Fan requests for this definitely motivate us, though!
What’s your stance on guest characters? Do they benefit fighting games long-term, and might SNK explore more?
Oda: When done thoughtfully, crossovers spark creativity—like chemistry experiments yielding unexpected results. For now, our focus is reintroducing classic Fatal Fury fighters before considering new guests. Post-Mr. Big, we’re cooking up fresh faces and mechanics, so stay tuned!
Could you tease Chun-Li’s adaptation? Will SF6 heavily influence her design?
We're blending her entire legacy into one definitive version."
Oda: While SF6 anchors her moveset, our team—packed with Street Fighter historians—is weaving surprises that celebrate her full evolution. Think of this as Chun-Li’s "greatest hits" incarnation.
Obari-san, animating Ken must’ve been surreal. Did you inject your signature flair or prioritize faithfulness?
Masanori Obari, Animator: This project was an honor! I aimed for "Bari-Ken"—my stylized take blending Fatal Fury’s anime aesthetic with his fiery persona (laughs). Capturing his dynamism within our animation pipeline was exhilarating.
Dream crossover outside fighting games?
A pro-wrestling collab would thrill me."
Obari: As a wrestling superfan, I’d adore working with real athletes. Fighting-game-wise? Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer—my old project—would be poetic!
Lastly, who wins canonically: Ken or Terry?
Obari: Terry’s resilience tips the scales. But as an anime director? I’d team them against a greater threat—imagine those combined Burning Knuckle and Shoryuken combos!
