In goldgrube 's collection
King of Fighters '95 | Neo-Geo | Cover #2 | Kyo Kusanagi | Fatal Fury & S.N.K.
Ink
25.5 x 35.5 cm (10.04 x 13.98 in.)
Added on 5/19/25
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Description
Original cover featuring Kyo Kusanagi | Cover illustration by Yūji Hosoi published by Kodansha for Comic BomBom (or sometimes BonBon)
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The King of Fighters and the Importance of Neo Geo
The King of Fighters was released by SNK in 1994 and quickly became a defining title in the fighting game genre.
KOF stood out for its innovative team-based combat system, bringing together characters from various SNK franchises like Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and Ikari Warriors.
This crossover approach helped create a shared universe long before it became a trend!
KOF was developed for the Neo Geo, SNK’s arcade and home console, which played a crucial role in 1990s gaming culture. Unlike most consoles of the time, the Neo Geo delivered true arcade-quality graphics and sound. Though expensive, it became a cult favorite among fighting game enthusiasts. One of its biggest strengths was its ability to handle fluid animations and detailed sprite work, which improved with each yearly installment.
Beyond games, The King of Fighters also expanded into manga, helping deepen its narrative appeal. Several manga series were published in Japan, and a few even made their way internationally.
Kyoichi Nanatsuki and Ryo Takamisaki created an adaptation featuring original characters and storylines.
Masato Natsumoto offered a high-school drama spin on Kyo Kusanagi.
But it’s Yūji Hosoi who is especially known for his official manga version of The King of Fighters '94 and his continued involvement with KOF-related manga projects throughout the 1990s.
One of those was KOF '95.
Hosoi’s style captured the intense action of the game while highlighting the personal conflicts and rivalries between characters.
His manga featured dramatic poses, dynamic fight scenes, and stayed faithful to the spirit of the original game.
He also added original scenes and expanded the characters’ backgrounds, helping fans connect with the world of KOF on a deeper emotional level.
Hosoi’s KOF manga was officially sanctioned by SNK and has become a collector’s item.
Even if it hasn’t been widely translated, it holds an important place in KOF’s expanded universe. His adaptation is often seen as a pioneering work in the mangaïsation of (fighting) games.
If you're looking for the manga itself, it was published in Japanese in the mid-1990s and has been reprinted or preserved by fans. Some volumes are now quite rare.
The manga adaptation of The King of Fighters '95 is a direct sequel to the KOF '94 manga.
It was originally published in Comic BomBom, a Kodansha mangazine, and follows the events of KOF '95.
Kyo Kusanagi takes center stage again, and we’re introduced to his rival Iori Yagami, a major figure in the KOF storyline.
This marks the beginning of the deeper Orochi Saga, focused on ancient bloodlines and supernatural powers.
While the game itself gives only brief story elements through intros and endings, the manga expands the plot significantly:
– It explores the rivalry between Kyo and Iori with mythological depth.
– It focuses on team dynamics, especially among the Japan Team (Kyo, Benimaru, Daimon) and other iconic teams like Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting.
The KOF '94 and '95 manga by Hosoi helped establish the popularity of these characters in Japan—especially Kyo and Iori, who became franchise icons.
It also helped broaden the KOF audience by drawing in manga readers.
These manga contribute to the mangaïsation of the franchise, adding emotional depth and expanding the universe beyond the arcade.
Together, the games and their manga offshoots helped anchor The King of Fighters as a cultural pillar in both gaming and manga fan communities worldwide.
The King of Fighters was released by SNK in 1994 and quickly became a defining title in the fighting game genre.
KOF stood out for its innovative team-based combat system, bringing together characters from various SNK franchises like Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and Ikari Warriors.
This crossover approach helped create a shared universe long before it became a trend!
KOF was developed for the Neo Geo, SNK’s arcade and home console, which played a crucial role in 1990s gaming culture. Unlike most consoles of the time, the Neo Geo delivered true arcade-quality graphics and sound. Though expensive, it became a cult favorite among fighting game enthusiasts. One of its biggest strengths was its ability to handle fluid animations and detailed sprite work, which improved with each yearly installment.
Beyond games, The King of Fighters also expanded into manga, helping deepen its narrative appeal. Several manga series were published in Japan, and a few even made their way internationally.
Kyoichi Nanatsuki and Ryo Takamisaki created an adaptation featuring original characters and storylines.
Masato Natsumoto offered a high-school drama spin on Kyo Kusanagi.
But it’s Yūji Hosoi who is especially known for his official manga version of The King of Fighters '94 and his continued involvement with KOF-related manga projects throughout the 1990s.
One of those was KOF '95.
Hosoi’s style captured the intense action of the game while highlighting the personal conflicts and rivalries between characters.
His manga featured dramatic poses, dynamic fight scenes, and stayed faithful to the spirit of the original game.
He also added original scenes and expanded the characters’ backgrounds, helping fans connect with the world of KOF on a deeper emotional level.
Hosoi’s KOF manga was officially sanctioned by SNK and has become a collector’s item.
Even if it hasn’t been widely translated, it holds an important place in KOF’s expanded universe. His adaptation is often seen as a pioneering work in the mangaïsation of (fighting) games.
If you're looking for the manga itself, it was published in Japanese in the mid-1990s and has been reprinted or preserved by fans. Some volumes are now quite rare.
The manga adaptation of The King of Fighters '95 is a direct sequel to the KOF '94 manga.
It was originally published in Comic BomBom, a Kodansha mangazine, and follows the events of KOF '95.
Kyo Kusanagi takes center stage again, and we’re introduced to his rival Iori Yagami, a major figure in the KOF storyline.
This marks the beginning of the deeper Orochi Saga, focused on ancient bloodlines and supernatural powers.
While the game itself gives only brief story elements through intros and endings, the manga expands the plot significantly:
– It explores the rivalry between Kyo and Iori with mythological depth.
– It focuses on team dynamics, especially among the Japan Team (Kyo, Benimaru, Daimon) and other iconic teams like Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting.
The KOF '94 and '95 manga by Hosoi helped establish the popularity of these characters in Japan—especially Kyo and Iori, who became franchise icons.
It also helped broaden the KOF audience by drawing in manga readers.
These manga contribute to the mangaïsation of the franchise, adding emotional depth and expanding the universe beyond the arcade.
Together, the games and their manga offshoots helped anchor The King of Fighters as a cultural pillar in both gaming and manga fan communities worldwide.
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