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"She's a cute and bubbly karate girl! But her talents are said to be limitless! YURI SAKAZAKI." - The King of Fighters XV

Yuri Sakazaki (Katakana: 惦ćƒŖļæ½ļæ½ć‚µć‚«ć‚¶ć‚­; Kanji: 坂哎ļ¼ˆć•ć‹ć–恍ļ¼‰ ē™¾åˆļ¼ˆć‚†ć‚Šļ¼‰) is a character introduced in the Art of Fighting series as a damsel-in-distress and eventually as a playable character. Since then, she has appeared in many SNK fighting games, alongside her older brother, Ryo Sakazaki. She is the first female practitioner of Kyokugenryu Karate. Yuri is also a recurring character in the Art of Fighting Team, and one of the founders of Women Fighters Team, along with King and Mai Shiranui.

Her official nickname is "The Wild Flying Swallow" (å„”ę”¾ļ¼ˆć»ć‚“ć½ć†ļ¼‰ćŖć‚‹é£›ē‡•ļ¼ˆć²ćˆć‚“ļ¼‰).

Personality[]

Yuri Sakazaki is a friendly young girl who always cares about her family and friends. She is a strong believer of innovation and trends, constantly finding ways to improve herself through change. She is often arguing with her father and Ryo over matters regarding her newfound sense of independence.

In the Art of Fighting series, it is heavily implied that she has a romantic interest in Robert after her kidnapping. As of Art of Fighting 3, she is confirmed to be in a relationship with Robert. Though still present to a certain degree, this attraction and relationship is downplayed in the King of Fighters series, and is sometimes the humorous cause as to why Robert is suddenly being beaten up by Ryo and Takuma.

Powers[]

  • Gather chi: Yuri can gather chi from Gaia, the mother-earth.
  • Energy Projectile: Yuri can fire the Ko-Ou Ken and Haoh Shoukou Ken blast normally.
  • Energy Reflector: Yuri can create a ball of energy in her hands to reflect projectiles.
  • Copying techniques: Yuri is capable of copying almost any technique after seeing it once. However, these copied techniques tend to be quite ineffective when used by her since she has not properly trained them and she has a bad habit of trying to use them anyway.

Fighting Style[]

Yuri uses the lowest-grade version of the Kyokugenryu Karate discipline, and is taught only the basic and low-level moves. To prove her own worth, she personally arranges the style to better fit her physique and persona. Among her own moves are the Slipstream Handslap/Hyakuretsu Binta (Hundred Rending Face Slaps), the Big Butt Press/En'yoku (Swallow Wing), Hien Hou'ou Kyaku (Flying Swallow Fenghuang Leg), and the more popular Yuri Chou Upper (Yuri Super Upper) with its added variations. Later in KOF 2002 UM, she even manages to create her own version of the Kyokugen-style's signature Ryuuko Ranbu (Dragon Tiger Wild Dance). Several of her techniques also have a flying swallow-naming motif.

Yuri's moveset is a running parody of various special moves from the Street Fighter series. This is very noticeable in The King of Fighters '96, when she received her Yuri Chou Mawashi Geri (Yuri Super Roundhouse Kick), which was similar to Sakura's Shunpuu Kyaku. Yuri has since then received various moves and other mannerisms that are parodies of these (both Capcom and SNK alike):

  • Sakura's Flower Kick: Senkai Kyaku (Swiveling Leg) in KOF '99~2001 and KOF: Maximum Impact series
  • Ryu's Shin Shouryuuken (True Rising Dragon Fist): Shin! Chou Upper! (Wick/Staple! Super Upper!) in KOF '98 (UM) (as EX Yuri), KOF '99~XI / Neowave, KOF EX2: Howling Blood and KOF: Maximum Impact series
    • The "Shin" here is written with a different kanji.
  • Ryu's Denjin Hadouken (Electric Blade Surge Fist): Raijin Haou Shoukou Ken (Thunder God Supreme King Soaring Howl Fist) in KOF 2003
  • Ryu's Joudan Sokutou Geri (High-Level Foot Edge Kick): Yuri Chou Slash (Yuri Super Slash) in KOF 2002 Unlimited Match
    • The kanji's literal reading is "Hien Sokutou" (Flying Swallow Foot Edge).
  • Ken's Shouryuu Reppa (Rising Dragon Rend Blast): Hien Rekkou (Flying Swallow Violent Pit) in KOF '97~2001, KOF EX2: Howling Blood and Capcom vs. SNK series
    • Also doubles as Yuri Chou Reppa (Yuri Super Rend Blast) in terms of the quote she spouts.
  • Akuma/Gouki's Tenma Kuujinkyaku (Sky Demon Air Blade Leg) and Hyakki Shuu (Hundred Ogre Assault): Yuri Raijin Kyaku (Yuri Thunder God Leg) and Houyoku (Feng Wing) in KOF XIII, respectively
  • Akuma/Gouki's Shun Goku Satsu (Blinking Prison Killer, known as the Raging Demon in international releases): Yuri Chou Enbu (Yuri Super Swallow Dance) in KOF 2001
  • Chun-Li's Tenkuukyaku (Aether Leg): Shouyoku (Rising Wing) in KOF 2002~XI/Neowave
  • Iori's Ge Shiki: Yuri Ori (Foreign Method: Lily Snapper): Yuri Ori (Yuri Snapper) in KOF 2003~XI
    • Notice that the "Yuri" on her own version is not in written kanji but in katakana akin to her own name.
  • Terry's Burn Knuckle: Yuri Chou Knuckle (Yuri Super Knuckle) in KOF '96~2001 and KOF: Maximum Impact series
    • The kanji is literally read as "Hien Shippuu Ken" (Flying Swallow Hurricane Fist), making it her own version of one of the Kyokugen Karate signature techniques used by Ryo (the Kohou Shippuu Ken; lit. Tiger Roaring Hurricane Fist).
  • Kaede's Kuuga (Air Fang): Yuri Chou Upper (Yuri Super Upper) and Double Chou Upper.
    • This attack's name eventually rendered respectively Chou Upper and Double Chou Upper as alternate readings to the kanji "Kuuga" (Air Fang) and "Ura Kuuga" (Air Fang) the year just after The Last Blade's release first in 1997 in Japan, despite this anti-air technique being different from Kaede's Kuuga.
  • Dan's Shissou Burai Ken (Sprinting Ruffian Fist): Chou! Ryuuko Ranbu! (Super! Dragon and Tiger Wild Dance) in KOF XIV

It is notable that KOF '96 came out exactly one year after Street Fighter Alpha, where Dan Hibiki (a character that parodies both Ryo and Robert) was introduced. It is because of this that Yuri can sometimes be taken as the counter-parody character from SNK to Capcom, given the impression "even a basic level Kyokugenryu Karate can perform Ansatsuken techniques".

Likewise, her classic attacks also have alternate character readings which may or may not parallel the original Kyokugenryu's existing techniques; Yuri Chou Knuckle's literal kanji reading is "Hien Shippuu Ken" (Flying Swallow Hurricane Fist), Yuri Chou Upper's literal reading is "Kuuga" (Air Fang; the follow up is Ura Kuuga/Reverse Air Fang, read by Yuri as "Double Chou Upper"), the Yuri Chou Mawashi Geri her own version of the Hien Shippuu Kyaku (Flying Swallow Hurricane Leg) and so forth.

In some games, when Yuri is knocked out with a special move, the top of her costume is torn off, exposing her bra. This happens in Art of Fighting 2, The King of Fighters '94, The King of Fighters '95, The King of Fighters XIII and The King of Fighters XIV, though in the latter case, her bra is not fully exposed.

In Capcom vs. SNK 2, when Yuri finishes a fight with a "Finest KO" (finish with a super move as a counter to an opponent's special or super move), she will attempt to tie her gi tighter. However, the belt becomes completely undone and her top opens, revealing a semi sheer undershirt. Yuri will then blush in total embarrassment, immediately covering herself, and appearing to say "Mosaite." This victory pose first appeared in Art of Fighting 2 when Yuri scores a Perfect victory.

Music[]

Themes

  • Diet - Art of Fighting 2, The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match (as EX Yuri), The King of Fighters R-1, The King of Fighters R-2, The King of Fighters 2002, SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millenium, The King of Fighters XI (Yuri as leader, Console version)
  • Ne! - The King of Fighters '94, The King of Fighters '98 and Ultimate Match (When teamed with Mai and King)
  • Tsuchi o Hau Bass - The King of Fighters '95
  • Kamikirimushi - The King of Fighters '96, The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match (When teaming EX Yuri with EX Ryo and EX Robert)
  • Art of Fight - The King of Fighters '98
  • Ryu-Ko - The King of Fighters '99
  • Come up Smiling - The King of Fighters 2000
  • Beauty and the Beast - The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood
  • Fight to the Limit - The King of Fighters 2001
  • Kyoku-gen - The King of Fighters 2003
  • After a Long Absence - The King of Fighters XI (Normal Team Theme)
  • Who is Queen? - The King of Fighters XIII
  • I'm Hot for You - The King of Fighters XIII (When the music is set to "Type B", console version only, shared with King and Mai Shiranui)
  • Tiger & Dragon - The King of Fighters XIV
  • Like a Queen - The King of Fighters XV
  • Diet -KOF XV ver.- - The King of Fighters XV (as Ryo's opponent)
  • MOJO -KOF XV ver.- - The King of Fighters XV (as Robert's opponent)
  • ART OF FIGHT ~ Ryuko to Tsubame (Art of Fight ~ Dragon, Tiger and Swallow) - The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
  • Cho Smile - Days of Memories (Kaze Maou Miyako de Tsukamaete!)
  • Diet ~SNK Heroines Edit~ - SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy

Image Songs

  • The Song of Fighters '95 - Shared image song from The King of Fighters '95 Arranged Soundtrack
  • Heavy Baby's - Neo Geo DJ Station shared image song

Actors[]

Voice Actors

Live Action Actors

  • Miki Hareyama - Art of Fighting commercial
  • Ayumi Hamasaki - Art of Fighting 2 commercials

Appearances[]

Games

Mobile

Cameos

Anime

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Art of Fighting characters
Art of Fighting Logo Sprite Ryo Sakazaki ā€¢ Robert Garcia ā€¢ Ryuhaku Todoh ā€¢ Jack Turner ā€¢ Lee Pai Long ā€¢ King ā€¢ Mickey Rogers ā€¢ John Crawley ā€¢ Mr. Big ā€¢ Mr. Karate
Art of Fighting 2 Logo Sprite Yuri Sakazaki ā€¢ Takuma Sakazaki ā€¢ Eiji Kisaragi ā€¢ Temjin ā€¢ Geese Howard
Art of Fighting 3 Logo Sprite Kasumi Todoh ā€¢ Karman Cole ā€¢ Rody Birts ā€¢ Lenny Creston ā€¢ Jin Fu-Ha ā€¢ Wang Koh-San ā€¢ Sinclair ā€¢ Wyler
The King of Fighters characters
KOF '94 Logo Sprite Kyo Kusanagi ā€¢ Benimaru Nikaido ā€¢ Goro Daimon ā€¢ Terry Bogard ā€¢ Andy Bogard ā€¢ Joe Higashi ā€¢ Ryo Sakazaki ā€¢ Robert Garcia ā€¢ Takuma Sakazaki ā€¢ Ralf Jones ā€¢ Clark Still ā€¢ Heidern ā€¢ Athena Asamiya ā€¢ Sie Kensou ā€¢ Chin Gentsai ā€¢ King ā€¢ Mai Shiranui ā€¢ Yuri Sakazaki ā€¢ Kim Kaphwan ā€¢ Chang Koehan ā€¢ Choi Bounge ā€¢ Heavy-D! ā€¢ Lucky Glauber ā€¢ Brian Battler ā€¢ Rugal Bernstein
KOF '95 Logo Sprite Iori Yagami ā€¢ Billy Kane ā€¢ Eiji Kisaragi ā€¢ Saisyu Kusanagi ā€¢ Omega Rugal
KOF '96 Logo Sprite Leona Heidern ā€¢ Mature ā€¢ Vice ā€¢ Kasumi Todoh ā€¢ Geese Howard ā€¢ Wolfgang Krauser ā€¢ Mr. Big ā€¢ Chizuru Kagura ā€¢ Goenitz
KOF '97 Logo Sprite Shingo Yabuki ā€¢ Yashiro Nanakase ā€¢ Shermie ā€¢ Chris ā€¢ Blue Mary ā€¢ Ryuji Yamazaki ā€¢ Orochi Iori ā€¢ Orochi Leona ā€¢ Orochi Yashiro ā€¢ Orochi Shermie ā€¢ Orochi Chris ā€¢ Orochi
KOF '99 Logo Sprite K' ā€¢ Maxima ā€¢ Whip ā€¢ Bao ā€¢ Li Xiangfei ā€¢ Jhun Hoon ā€¢ Kyo-1 ā€¢ Kyo-2 ā€¢ Krizalid
KOF '99 Evolution Logo Vanessa ā€¢ Seth ā€¢ Syo Kirishima ā€¢ Alfred ā€¢ Fiolina Germi ā€¢ Gai Tendo
KOF 2000 Logo Sprite RamĆ³n ā€¢ Lin ā€¢ Hinako Shijo ā€¢ Kula Diamond ā€¢ Clone Zero ā€¢ Foxy ā€¢ Candy Diamond ā€¢ Another K' ā€¢ Another Iori ā€¢ Another Benimaru ā€¢ Another Robert ā€¢ Cosplayer Kyoko ā€¢ Kang Bae Dal ā€¢ Smart Chang ā€¢ Cool Choi ā€¢ Kaoru Watabe ā€¢ Baitang ā€¢ Duck King ā€¢ Lilly Kane ā€¢ Kim Jae Hoon ā€¢ Kim Dong Hwan ā€¢ Unknown ā€¢ King Lion ā€¢ Kim Sue-il ā€¢ Kaede ā€¢ Duke Edwards ā€¢ Rocky ā€¢ Athena ā€¢ Neo & Geo ā€¢ G-Mantle
KOF 2001 Logo Sprite May Lee Jinju ā€¢ K9999 ā€¢ Ɓngel ā€¢ Zero ā€¢ Ron ā€¢ Glugan ā€¢ Igniz ā€¢ Misty ā€¢ Nests
KOF EX Logo Moe Habana
KOF 2002 Logo Sprite Kusanagi
KOF EX2 Logo Reiji Oogami ā€¢ Jun Kagami ā€¢ Miu Kurosaki ā€¢ Sinobu Amou
KOF 2003 Logo Sprite Ash Crimson ā€¢ Duo Lon ā€¢ Shen Woo ā€¢ Tizoc ā€¢ Gato ā€¢ Malin ā€¢ Maki Kagura ā€¢ Adelheid Bernstein ā€¢ Mukai
KOF MI Logo Alba Meira ā€¢ Soiree Meira ā€¢ Lien Neville ā€¢ Mignon Beart ā€¢ Chae Lim ā€¢ Duke ā€¢ Rock Howard
KOF XI Logo Sprite Oswald ā€¢ Elisabeth Blanctorche ā€¢ Momoko ā€¢ B. Jenet ā€¢ Shion ā€¢ Magaki ā€¢ Silber ā€¢ Sho Hayate ā€¢ Jyazu ā€¢ Hotaru Futaba ā€¢ Itokatsu ā€¢ Tung Fu Rue
KOF MI2 Logo Luise Meyrink ā€¢ Nagase ā€¢ Jivatma ā€¢ Ninon Beart ā€¢ Hyena ā€¢ Hanzo Hattori ā€¢ Kyo Kusanagi Classic ā€¢ Wild Wolf ā€¢ Mr. Karate II ā€¢ Armor Ralf ā€¢ Richard Meyer
KOF MIRA Logo Xiao Lon ā€¢ Makoto Mizoguchi
KOF '98UM Logo Nightmare Geese
KOF 2002UM Logo Nameless
KOF XII Logo Raiden
KOF XIII Logo Hwa Jai ā€¢ Saiki ā€¢ Evil Ash ā€¢ Mr. Karate
KOF XIV Logo Shun'ei ā€¢ Meitenkun ā€¢ Gang-il ā€¢ Luong ā€¢ Xanadu ā€¢ Sylvie Paula Paula ā€¢ Kukri ā€¢ Mian ā€¢ Nelson ā€¢ Zarina ā€¢ Bandeiras Hattori ā€¢ King of Dinosaurs ā€¢ Hein ā€¢ Nakoruru ā€¢ Mamahaha ā€¢ Mui Mui ā€¢ Love Heart ā€¢ Alice Garnet Nakata ā€¢ Antonov ā€¢ Verse ā€¢ Najd (Aila)
The King of Fighters XV Logo Isla (Amanda) ā€¢ Dolores ā€¢ Krohnen McDougall ā€¢ Re Verse ā€¢ Otoma Raga ā€¢ Haohmaru ā€¢ Darli Dagger ā€¢ Unnamed "Special" DLC Character
SNK vs. Capcom characters
SNK current logo Kyo Kusanagi ā€¢ Iori Yagami ā€¢ Leona Heidern ā€¢ Orochi Iori ā€¢ Terry Bogard ā€¢ Mai Shiranui ā€¢ Geese Howard ā€¢ Ryo Sakazaki ā€¢ Yuri Sakazaki ā€¢ Athena Asamiya ā€¢ Haohmaru ā€¢ Nakoruru ā€¢ Mamahaha ā€¢ Jubei Yagyu ā€¢ Rimururu ā€¢ Akari Ichijou ā€¢ Marco Rossi ā€¢ Fiolina Germi ā€¢ Mars People ā€¢ Genjuro Kibagami ā€¢ Kim Kaphwan ā€¢ Mr. Karate ā€¢ Kasumi Todoh ā€¢ Choi Bounge ā€¢ Earthquake ā€¢ Shiki ā€¢ Goenitz ā€¢ Honki ni Natta Mr. Karate ā€¢ Princess Athena ā€¢ King ā€¢ Vice ā€¢ Benimaru Nikaido ā€¢ Raiden ā€¢ Ryuji Yamazaki ā€¢ Rugal Bernstein ā€¢ Chang Koehan ā€¢ Ryuhaku Todoh ā€¢ Hibiki Takane ā€¢ God Rugal
Capcom Logo Ryu ā€¢ Ken Masters ā€¢ Chun-Li ā€¢ Guile ā€¢ Dan Hibiki ā€¢ Sakura Kasugano ā€¢ Morrigan Aensland ā€¢ Felicia ā€¢ Akuma ā€¢ Baby Bonnie Hood ā€¢ M. Bison ā€¢ Evil Ryu ā€¢ Karin Kanzuki ā€¢ Arthur ā€¢ Red Arremer ā€¢ Dhalsim ā€¢ Vega ā€¢ Sagat ā€¢ Balrog ā€¢ Hugo Andore ā€¢ Tessa ā€¢ Demitri Maximoff ā€¢ Zero ā€¢ Violent Ken ā€¢ Shin Akuma ā€¢ Red Arremer ā€¢ Blanka ā€¢ Cammy White ā€¢ Edmond Honda ā€¢ Eagle ā€¢ Rolento Schugerg ā€¢ Maki Genryusai ā€¢ Yun Lee ā€¢ Kyosuke Kagami
CardFightersClash1 Shin ā€¢ Kei ā€¢ Cap ā€¢ Comet ā€¢ The Kid ā€¢ Fo ā€¢ Kana ā€¢ Harumi ā€¢ Zombie ā€¢ Yoshiki ā€¢ Nishi ā€¢ Taka ā€¢ Nori ā€¢ Saki ā€¢ Yuki ā€¢ Aki ā€¢ Take ā€¢ Mika ā€¢ Nonaka ā€¢ Keiko ā€¢ Yuri ā€¢ Mikami ā€¢ The Mask ā€¢ Rikuto Arata ā€¢ Haruna Hatena ā€¢ Lip Ayaha ā€¢ Sasuke Fuwa ā€¢ Kido Yoshiji ā€¢ Ryugai Torawo ā€¢ Asō ShÅ«ko ā€¢ Dogou Sōken ā€¢ Shin Daichi ā€¢ Kei Kikka ā€¢ Foru Gotton ā€¢ Yashichi Fuwa ā€¢ Cap Com ā€¢ Comet Com ā€¢ Nanako Nijiiro ā€¢ Zet Charles Detroit ā€¢ Sys Tem ā€¢ Neomantle ā€¢ Robomantle ā€¢ G-Lady
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