One of the most thrilling highlights of Evo 2025 was undoubtedly Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. From KojiKOG's viral, dramatic reaction after his Top 8 elimination to the breathtaking grand finals showdown between Go1 and ET, the tournament delivered unforgettable moments that reminded everyone why fighting games remain so exhilarating. Though I couldn't interview SNK representatives onsite, Producer Yasuyuki Oda and Animator Masanori Obari generously responded via email to discuss Ken's debut in City of the Wolves and other topics that will excite SNK and fighting game enthusiasts.
Adapting Street Fighter's Flame into Fatal Fury's Fury
Ken's gameplay in City of Wolves feels remarkably faithful to his SF6 incarnation despite different systems. What challenges did you face translating his mechanics?
Yasuyuki Oda: Our foremost challenge was preserving Ken's core identity while adapting him to Fatal Fury's mechanics. With so many Street Fighter fans on our team, we poured tremendous care into every detail. The process involved constant iteration – analyzing what made Ken special, seeing where advantages could translate, and refining his flame-based techniques until they felt perfect for City of Wolves' combat flow.
Balancing Legacy and Innovation
Were you concerned about SF6's notoriously strong Jinrai Kick mixups and Dragon Lash pressure becoming overpowered in Fatal Fury?
Oda: Directly porting Ken's SF6 toolkit would've undoubtedly caused balance issues. The key was creatively implementing systems like Braking and REV Accel to contextualize his strengths within our mechanics. We're eager to see how players utilize this distinct version of Ken.
The Eternal Dream: Capcom vs. SNK Revival?
With increasing character crossovers between SF6 and City of Wolves, is another Capcom vs. SNK title being considered?
Oda: *Smiles* That would be something, wouldn't it? While I can't confirm anything currently, we deeply appreciate fans' enthusiasm – it fuels our passion daily.
The Philosophy Behind Guest Characters
What's your stance on guest characters impacting fighting game ecosystems?
Oda: When handled respectfully, crossover characters generate incredible creative energy – those unpredictable "chemical reactions" that push fighting games forward. For City of Wolves though, our priority remains expanding core roster members before considering additional guests.
Chun-Li's Upcoming Arrival
Can you share anything about adapting Chun-Li after Ken?
Oda: While building upon her SF6 foundation, our team aims to honor Chun-Li's entire legacy through signature touches longtime fans will appreciate.
The Animator's Perspective
Masamori Obari, what was your approach animating such an iconic non-SNK fighter?
Obari: This tremendous honor required balancing faithfulness with personal flair – what I playfully call "Bari-Ken" style! Adapting Ken into Fatal Fury's dynamic animation language proved incredibly rewarding.
Dream Collaborations
Any fantasy crossovers you'd love to work on?
Obari: As a pro wrestling enthusiast, I'd adore collaborating with actual wrestlers! Within fighting games, Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer holds special significance for me.
The Ultimate Hypothetical
Who wins canonically: Ken or Terry?
Obari: *Laughs* While evenly matched skill-wise, Terry's stronger narrative resolve might give him the edge. Though as director, I'd prefer teaming them against greater threats!
