The King of Fighters

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Video game fandom
NameThe King of Fighters
Japanese nameKatakana: ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ
Hiragana: きんぐおぶふぁいたーず
Romanji: Za Kingu Obu Faitāzu
Abbreviation(s)KOF
Developer(s)SNK
Publisher(s)SNK
Release date25 August 1994
Platform(s)Originally Neo Geo Arcades, later multi-platform
Genre(s)Fighting Game
External link(s)On Wikipedia
Official Website
See alsoFatal Fury, its precursor, which originated the in-game tournament the King of Fighters
The King of Fighter's logo as of 1994 by SNK. Each new installment of the series features a different logo.
Related articles on Fanlore.

The King of Fighters is a Japanese fighting video game series created by SNK in 1994. It acts somewhat similarly for SNK's characters as Super Smash Brothers does for Nintendo's characters, as fighters featured in KOF come from an assortment of SNK's lineup. In the first game of the series, fighters came from Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Ikari Warriors and Psycho Soldier. Later installments feature mostly characters original to KOF.

Although not very popular in comparison to its fighting game contemporaries such as Tekken and Street Fighter, the series has a dedicated fandom, especially in Latin America and Japan. it has been adapted into anime, manga, manhwa and many a spinoff series.

Fannish History

Instead of 1 vs. 1 matches between players, KOF's signature play style instead has fighters in trios which can be picked as a set, or as individuals, to construct 3 vs. 3 matches between players. This formula has been with KOF since the first installment, though the formula may change from game to game, particularity during the NESTS saga of the 2000s.

KOF has always had an emphasis on story as well as a priority on interesting gameplay and character concepts. Characters from otherwise different universes often have dynamics with one another and the overall setting of KOF, creating a since of world-building not seen in similar fighting games. In fanworks, characters are often portrayed as being a part of their canonical trio. Since these trios either stay consistent or are shaken up with each new installment, fanworks often reflect on these changes than not.

New installments for main-series games are part of larger "arcs", which often span three games (though the latest installment has shaken this trend.) Each arc introduces new heroes, villains, and of course, fighters. Despite the hype often surrounding these new fighters, most fanworks for KOF feature mainly its core cast, introduced in the late 90s.

Since the late 1990s, most of KOF's fanac comes from Latin America and Japan. KOF's Latin American popularity came from the wider availability of KOF's arcade cabinets in the region during the 90s and 00s.[1] SNK has embraced these fans by having press releases in Mexico City and adding Latino/a characters into the series such as Ramón. Instead of conventions, KOF is at EVO, Combo Breaker and Community Effort Orlando to name a few events. Most influential fanworks for KOF are from Spanish-speaking KOF fandom, including for the juggernaut BL pairing of KOF, Iori x Kyo. Brazilian Portuguese-speaking KOF fandom is also sizable for similar reasons. The non-ship relationship between Terry Bogard & Rock Howard is also popular for fanac.

In 2018, the Benimaru x Freeman Boys' Love Doujinshi Love Macabre was released. Since Benimaru x Freeman is very much a rarepair, this doujinshi has its own microfandom among fans of webtoons.

Example/Notable Fanac

Fancommunities/Fanevents

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Fan Fic

Archives

Zines

Websites

References/Further Reading

KOF on PixivEncyclopedia

The King of Fighters (series) on SNK FANDOM wikia