Iori Yagami
Game series	King of Fighters series SNK Vs. series
First game	King of Fighters '95
Voice actor(s)	Kunihiko Yasui
In-universe information
Birthplace	Japan
Blood type	O
Fighting style	Yagami style of ancient martial arts combined with pure instinct

Iori Yagami (八神 庵, Yagami Iori^?) is a video game character who made his first appearance in the Neo Geo fighting game, The King of Fighters '95. He is a central recurring character and the initial enemy (and eventual rival) of Kyo Kusanagi. Iori is voiced by Kunihiko Yasui. He wears an instantly recognizable outfit of a black jacket (slightly cut off above the waist with a white crescent moon on the back) over a long white button-down shirt with the sleeves open, red pants that are tied together just below the knees with a red belt, and a black leather collar around his neck. He also wears a plain silver ring around his left middle finger. The significance of the ring (if any) is unknown. The King of Fighters ), or KOF for short, is a fighting game series by SNK that debuted in 1994. ... The SNK vs. ... Kunihiko Yasui. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... It is popularly believed in Japan that a persons ABO blood type or ketsu eki gata is predictive of their personality, character, and compatibility with others, similar to the Western worlds Astrology. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Fictional character. ... Neo-Geo is the name of a cartridge-based arcade and home video game system released in 1990 by Japanese game company SNK. The system offered comparatively colorful 2D graphics and high-quality sound. ... Screenshot of The King of Fighters XI (2005, SNK Playmore). ... The King of Fighters ), or KOF for short, is a fighting game series by SNK that debuted in 1994. ... This article or section on a video game-related subject may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ... Kunihiko Yasui. ...

History

Legend of Yagami

In ancient times, the Yagami clan was once known as the Yasakani; at that time, they were allied with the Kusanagi clan. In 1200 CE, with the help of the Yata clan (now known as the house of Kagura), keepers of the sacred mirror, the two clans sealed Orochi away, placing him in an eternal slumber. They accomplished this by giving Orochi eight cups of wine and when he was drunk, he was weakened with the sword of Kusanagi and sealed by the Yasakani's Magatama, their mystical and spiritual flame. He was then imprisoned within the sacred mirror of the Yata. Uniting the power of the both clans, and using the crimson flames, the two blood lines managed to seal away the Orochi's power. They assigned the Clan of the Yata to look over the seal, and both clans retired to their respective villages. The Japanese Imperial Regalia (Jp: 三種の神器; Sanshu no Jingi, or Three Sacred Treasures) consist of the sword, Kusanagi (草薙剣) (or possibly a replica of the original; see Kusanagi), the jewel, Yasakani no magatama (八尺瓊曲玉), and the mirror Yata no kagami... The Orochi in The King of Fighters is a version of the Kusanagi legend. ... Kusanagi-no-tsurugi (Japanese: 草薙の剣) is a legendary Japanese sword as important to Japans history as Excalibur is to Britains. ... Magatama Magatama(Japanese: 勾玉), are curved beads which first appeared in Japan during the Jomon period. ...

As time passed, the Yasakani, tired of living in the shadow of the Kusanagi, fell to the temptation of the power of Orochi and made a blood pact with him. This gave them greater powers, but in return, they and their descendants were forever cursed. They renamed their clan the Yagami and set out to destroy the Kusanagi with their new flames, the Magatama no Orochi. The Kusanagi declared war on the Yagami in response for this treachery, a war that has killed many clan members on both sides - much to the glee of the Orochi clan.

As a side-effect of the Orochi's curse, the flames of the Yagami have a bluish tint (more purple in color). The curse also causes each heir to die young and each mother to die in childbirth. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Maternal health. ...

Rugal Saga

Iori is the current descendant of the Yagami clan. Kyo and Iori continue the ancient feud, though fate would (somewhat) steer them off the footsteps of their ancestors.

While Iori was training, he heard of numerous exploits by the current heir to the Kusanagi throne, Kyo. One of them was his entrance into the King of Fighters tournament, which Iori perceived as an excellent chance to kill Kyo. To accomplish this, he entered the tournament with Billy Kane and Eiji Kisaragi, forming the Rival Team. Unfortunately, the Rival Team failed to defeat (or, by some accounts, to even fight) the Heroes Team - Iori subsequently became extremely angry {and additionally was perhaps momentarally affected by the Riot of the Blood due to such intense anger inconnection with his extreme hatred for Kusanagi combined with exposer to the looming presence of Orochi power within Rugal} and beat both Billy and Eiji within an inch of their lives before angrily marching off to find Kyo {he was brought here by Billy Kane in the battle who forced him to enter the battle by exploiting the name of Kyo}. He then arrived at the secret underground base where Kyo was fighting the host, Rugal Bernstein, and recognized the presence of Orochi blood within Rugal. This made him very formidable, but as he was not born with the power, he could not contain it - Iori said the classic phrase: "Only those of the bloodline can control such power. You didn't have a chance!" as he saw Rugal wondering why his own power was consuming him. Iori's phrase gave birth to the Orochi saga in The King Of Fighters. Billy Kane (ビリー・カーン) is a video game character in both the Fatal Fury and King of Fighters series. ... Eiji Kisaragis own fighting style makes him a deadly rival of the Kyokugenryu family. ... In order to meet Wikipedias quality standards, this articles trivia section may require cleanup. ... The Orochi (オロチ) in The King of Fighters is a version of the Kusanagi legend. ... The King of Fighters ), officially abbreviated KOF, is the premiere series of fighting games by SNK Playmore, formerly SNK. The series was originally developed for SNKs Neo-Geo MVS arcade hardware, which served as the main platform for the series until 2004, when SNK retired the MVS in favor...

Orochi Saga

The next year, Iori trained strenuously, practicing nearly to unconsciousness, convinced he would triumph in the next tournament. While training, Iori was confronted by two women. Iori recognized Mature as one of the secretaries that were with Rugal. Both then revealed to him that they were servants of the Orochi. Vice, the other woman began attacking him when he demanded that they get lost. While Iori was enjoying the ferocious attacks of the weird and elegant woman, Mature told Iori that they had been observing him, and that he would be perfect as their teammate in the next King of Fighters tournament, as they all were genius and sadistic fighters. Mature is a video game character from The King of Fighters series. ... Vice is a video game character from The King of Fighters series. ...

In the course of the competition, he eventually faced the "Heroes Team", composed of Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon. However, the ensuing fight was brief; Chizuru Kagura of the Yata clan quickly took his rival away to confront the threat of the impending Orochi. This article or section on a video game-related subject may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ... Goro Daimon is a video game character in the King of Fighters series. ... Chizuru Kagura is a videogame character from the King of Fighters series. ...

Iori immediately sought out Kyo again, and found his rival fighting against Goenitz. Iori recognized the power as the same that had destroyed Rugal, and he knew it had to be related to the Orochi. Iori then joined in Kyo's attack on Goenitz. With a double blow of crimson flames, Kyo and Iori defeated Goenitz. As he was standing bleeding, he told the two men that he had underestimated the power of the Yagami, and that Yagami was a dangerous man, that as long as he possesses the Orochi power Goenitz would have power. Iori, not amused by this at all, started to make fun of Goenitz, but saying his final words, he disappeared. Still deeply disgusted, Iori walked away, and when he was walking his teammates, Mature and Vice, started to mourn on his back "That Yagami guy is one scary dude" and "He's really tough". Meanwhile, stopping, looking to the ground Iori began to feel bad. His eyes got hazy, and he began coughing blood - symptoms of the "Riot of the Blood". Unable to control this surge of Orochi power, Iori killed his companions violently and we see him roaring and going crazy before the screen fades. Leopold Goenitz is a video game character who made his first appearance in the Neo Geo fighting game, The King of Fighters 96 as the last boss, following Chizuru Kagura. ...

After the two murders, Iori disappeared for a year, continuing to suffer from multiple outbreaks of the Riot of Blood (resulting in a number of fatalities). Iori learned he had been entered in the next King of Fighters tournament of 1997 as a single entry. Iori was convinced that the responsible agent was Chizuru, who was likely thinking he might help her again. However, not much later, Iori once again entered the Riot of Blood, and went into a berserk rampage that grew and grew with the presence of Orochi. With much difficulty, the other fighters were able to calm him down through force.

Immediately after gaining consciousness again, Iori finds himself along with Chizuru and Kyo confronted by the New Faces Team, composed of Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie and Chris, which then turn into their Orochi forms, revealing themselves to be the 3 last and most important servants of Orochi, who are meant to revive him once and for all. Before the fight, Orochi Yashiro tells them "Even if you win, a living hell awaits you!", hinting that Orochi's resurrection is irreversible now. When the 3 servants are defeated, Chris starts to levitate and Orochi himself awakes in him. Saying "Even with your power, you are too late!" Orochi threatens them, and the fated battle of 1800 years ago begins. Through the combined efforts of Kyo, Iori and Chizuru, they eventually are able to turn the tide against the resurrected demon. In a desperate gambit, Orochi caused Iori to snap and revert to the Riot of Blood state, expecting that he would turn on his allies. Supposedly being under Orochi's control, Iori jumps towards Kyo, but later we see that he actually jumps over him, grabs Orochi by the neck, and with a saddened look in his face, offers his own life to give the chance to his rival, Kyo Kusanagi, to defeat the God using the last of the sacred treasures in a single blow with all his might, and Kyo doesn't hesitate. Thereafter, with Orochi weakened by the full effort of Kyo and Iori, Chizuru enters to the action and seals Orochi again. Yashiro Nanakase is a videogame character from the King of Fighters series. ... Shermie is a videogame character in the King of Fighters series. ... Chris is a character from SNK Playmores King of Fighters series of fighting games. ... The Orochi in The King of Fighters is a version of the Kusanagi legend. ... This article or section on a video game-related subject may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ...

NESTS Saga

Shortly after discovering the creation of clones of Kyo, Iori gained word of another King of Fighters tournament, and he began to suspect that the person responsible for cloning Kyo might be there. Iori followed the battles from the shadows, and eventually found an abandoned warehouse where Krizalid had fought the New Hero Team and Kyo.

The whereabouts of Iori were unknown after KoF '99, and it is assumed he cared little about Southtown and the events of KoF 2000, instead focusing on the opportunity for a fight against his rival (which came to pass during Southtown's destruction).

The next year, an agent named Seth invited Iori to join his team for the next King of Fighters tournament, under the presumption that he would get his shot against Kyo if he entered. Iori made it clear from the beginning of the tournament that teamwork was irrelevant, as he could take on whole teams by himself. However, near the climax of the tournament, he assisted K' and Kyo in besting Igniz, the CEO of NESTS, aboard a massive space station. He later escaped the destruction of the station before its impact with Earth. Seth is a videogame character in the King of Fighters series. ... This article or section on a video game-related subject may need to be cleaned up and rewritten because it describes a work of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. ... Igniz is the final boss in SNK Playmores The King of Fighters 2001. ...

Tales of Ash Saga

In The King of Fighters 2003, Iori reluctantly teamed up again with Kyo and Chizuru Kagura at the latter's request, as it seemed that the current tournament might be linked to the Orochi. After their battle with Mukai, Ash Crimson stole Chizuru's powers. He then made an offer of servitude to Iori, who answered with a fiery attack. Ash then disappeared while Kyo swore revenge. With the defeat of Chizuru and the crippled Orochi seal spelling possible catastrophe, it seemed that the Yagami clan would soon be changed forever. Chizuru Kagura is a videogame character from the King of Fighters series. ... Ash Crimson is a video game character in the King of Fighters series. ...

In KoF XI, Iori teamed up with Kyo and Shingo Yabuki in hopes of opposing Ash. At the end of the tournament, the strengthening presence of Orochi caused Iori to enter the Riot of Blood, in which he trashed Kyo and Shingo before Ash Crimson appeared and stole Iori's sacred treasure, the Yasakani no Magatama, and his power. In the anime The King of Fighters: Another Day Iori is seen wandering searching for Ash to regain his powers. Shingo Yabuki is a character in the King of Fighters video game series. ...

Game appearances

The King of Fighters (or KOF for short) is a fighting game series by SNK that debuted in 1994. ... 1995 1995 in games 1994 in video gaming 1996 in video gaming Notable events of 1995 in video gaming. ... The King of Fighters 96 is the third game in The King of Fighters series by SNK. It continues the three-part storyline arc known as the Orochi Saga, which began in The King of Fighters 95. ... 1996 1996 in games 1995 in video gaming 1997 in video gaming Notable events of 1996 in video gaming. ... King of Fighters 97 is the fourth game in the King of Fighters series. ... 1997 1997 in games 1996 in video gaming 1998 in video gaming Notable events of 1997 in video gaming. ... The King of Fighters 98 is the fifth game in the King of Fighters series. ... 1998 1998 in games 1997 in video gaming 1999 in video gaming Notable events of 1998 in video gaming. ... 1999 1999 in games 1998 in video gaming 2000 in video gaming Notable events of 1999 in video gaming. ... 1999 1999 in games 1998 in video gaming 2000 in video gaming Notable events of 1999 in video gaming. ... The King of Fighters 99 is the sixth game in the King of Fighters series. ... 1999 1999 in games 1998 in video gaming 2000 in video gaming Notable events of 1999 in video gaming. ... 2000 2000 in games 1999 in video gaming 2001 in video gaming Notable events of 2000 in video gaming. ... 2000 2000 in games 1999 in video gaming 2001 in video gaming Notable events of 2000 in video gaming. ... 2000 2000 in games 1999 in video gaming 2001 in video gaming Notable events of 2000 in video gaming. ... The King of Fighters (or KOF for short) is a fighting game series by SNK that debuted in 1994. ... 2000 2000 in games 1999 in video gaming 2001 in video gaming Notable events of 2000 in video gaming. ... Capcom vs. ... 2001 2001 in games 2000 in video gaming 2002 in video gaming Notable events of 2001 in video gaming. ... The King of Fighters ), or KOF for short, is a fighting game series by SNK that debuted in 1994. ... 2001 2001 in games 2000 in video gaming 2002 in video gaming Notable events of 2001 in video gaming. ... 2002 2002 in games 2001 in video gaming 2003 in video gaming Notable events of 2002 in video gaming. ... In this screenshot of The King of Fighters 2002, Angel is using her Reppun Kamui attack against Billy Kane. ... 2002 2002 in games 2001 in video gaming 2003 in video gaming Notable events of 2002 in video gaming. ... 2003 2003 in games 2002 in video gaming 2004 in video gaming Notable events of 2003 in computer and video games. ... The King of Fighters (or KOF for short) is a Japanese fighting video game series by SNK that debuted in 1994. ... 2004 2004 in games 2003 in video gaming 2005 in video gaming Notable events of 2004 in video gaming. ... 2004 2004 in games 2003 in video gaming 2005 in video gaming Notable events of 2004 in video gaming. ... The King of Fighters Neowave is a fighting game by SNK Playmore, released in 2004 for the Sammy Atomiswave arcade platform. ... 2004 2004 in games 2003 in video gaming 2005 in video gaming Notable events of 2004 in video gaming. ... 2005 2005 in games 2004 in video gaming 2006 in video gaming Notable events of 2005 in video gaming. ... The King of Fighters XI (KOF XI) is the latest installment of The King of Fighters series. ... 2005 2005 in games 2004 in video gaming 2006 in video gaming Notable events of 2005 in video gaming. ... Neo Geo Battle Coliseum (abbreviated NGBC or NBC) is a 2 on 2 tag team fighting game for the Atomiswave arcade board. ... 2005 2005 in games 2004 in video gaming 2006 in video gaming Notable events of 2005 in video gaming. ... Notable events of 2006 in video gaming. ...

Trivia

• His LDM, San Shingi no Ni (or The Trinity Two in America) is a reference to the way he held Orochi to let Kyo finish him off. In San Shingi no Ni, Iori grabs his opponent, slams him/her into the ground, then sets the foe ablaze in a giant pillar of flame that starts off purple, only to fade away to a crimson hue (symbolizing possible redemption for the Yagami). This attack returns in The King of Fighters XI, but the flame stays purple until it fades. This, along with the absence of Kyo's sacred technique (San Shingi no Ichi, or The Trinity One), may symbolize the loss of one of the Sacred Treasures.

• Iori's flames are almost always shown as purple, though there have been two occasions when they were blue: In the opening of The King of Fighters '95, and on the monitor displaying characters fighting in the background of Chizuru's stage in The King of Fighters '96.

• Iori's original character design was vaguely influenced by the typical drawings of Japanese manga artist Yasuhiro Nightow, known for his character designs in Trigun and Gungrave. It is also noted that Iori has the Yasuhiro design of broad, sloping shoulders; strong-build, and bangs that covers one of his eyes. This is especially noted by Iori's similarities to Trigun villain Legato Bluesummers, and Gungrave protagonist Brandon Heat (although obviously Iori predates Brandon by several years). Iori's red hairstyle also resembles ES member Dextera from Kiddy Grade.

• When Demitri's Midnight Bliss is used on the Blood Riot form of Iori in SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom, he is transformed into alleged alter ego Miss X, final boss of the Neo-Geo Pocket Color game SNK Gals Fighters. Miss X was, presumably, Iori in a long dress and cloth mask. [1] Also note that Miss X appeared with Iori in the Hong Kong comic (which is non-canonical), as his female cousin.

• Iori almost always has special before-battle conversations with Kyo in every KOF series. The absence of a special introduction with Kyo in KOF 2002 created quite a bit of negative attention. Also, in SVC Chaos, Kyo and Iori don't have a special introduction either (unlike in their appearances in Capcom VS SNK 1 & 2, they use the same introduction they had in KOF '98). Also, in KOF XI, Iori has a special taunt animation if he's against either Kyo or EX Kyo.

• Iori is stated (on his official bio) to hate violence, but he always portrayed as a violent, sadistic, rage-consumed fighter who frequently beats up his fellow teammates (this hate of violence was probably stated with sarcasm by himself while making the bio, or else his rage is normally sublimated, but peaks extremely rapidly when he is in battle, or even anticipating it, it is also possible that Iori's hatred of Kyo overpowers his dislike of violence).

• He appeared also Real Bout Special's GB version as a secret character.

• Orochi Iori (Known as Wild Iori or Riot of Blood Iori) howls like a wolf in his introduction before a fight begins. He can be compared to a werewolf while Leona Heidern can be compared to a werecat.

• Iori quoted a line from Hamlet in his pre fight with Chun Li in SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom He quotes "Fair Madien, if you do not wish to die, Get Thee to a nunnery!"

A desperation attack in a video game, commonly in fighting games, is an unusually powerful attack a character will do, desperate to even the odds or defeat the opponent. ... Serialized in Shōnen Captain Original run February 1995 – 1997 No. ... For other uses, see Gungrave (disambiguation). ... Kiddy Grade ) is a science fiction, 24-episode anime series produced in 2002 and created by gímik and Gonzo Digimation and directed by Keiji Gotoh. ... Demitri Maximoff is a vampire character in the Darkstalkers fighting game series. ... Flag Ship from the video game Gorf A boss is a particularly challenging computer-controlled enemy in video games. ... Neo Geo Pocket Color The Neo Geo Pocket Color (or NGPC) was released in 1998 in Japan. ... Leona Heidern is a video game character who made her first appearance in the Neo Geo fighting gameseries, The King of Fighters. ... Hamlet and Horatio in the cemetery by Eugène Delacroix For other uses, see Hamlet (disambiguation). ... Chun-Li , based on Chinese 春麗 ChÅ«n-Lì) is a video game character created by Capcom. ...

External links

• The King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website

References

1. ^  K-Lantis (1994). Story Guide. Gamefaqs. Retrieved on May 25, 2006.
2. ^  Basel (2003). Character background FAQ. Gamefaqs. Retrieved on May 25, 2006.
3. ^  Numerous (2003). The King of Fighters official website. SNK. Retrieved on May 25, 2006.
4. ^  David Conaway (2003). "King of Fighters: The History". "GamingWorldX". Retrieved on May 25, 2006.

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