Iori Yagami

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Iori Yagami
Game series	King of Fighters series SNK Vs. series
First game	King of Fighters '95
Voiced by (English)	Eric Summerer (Maximum Impact series)
Voiced by (Japanese)	Kunihiko Yasui
Information
Birthplace	Japan
Blood type	O
Fighting style	Yagami style of ancient martial arts combined with pure instinct
Dislikes	Violence (?)

Iori Yagami (八神 庵, Yagami Iori^?) is a video game character in The King of Fighters series who made his first appearance in The King of Fighters '95 as the leader of the Rivals Team. He is a central character and the initial enemy -and eventual rival- of Kyo Kusanagi.

He is the heir to one of the three clans that sealed the legendary snake entity, Orochi, 1,800 years ago. His clan, formerly known as the Yasakani (八尺瓊, Yasakani^?), wields pyrokinetic powers. They keep the seal over Orochi intact with help from the Kusanagi and Yata clans using three ancient artifacts. His family's treasure is the Yasakani no Magatama (八尺瓊曲玉, Yasakani no Magatama^?) and his family crest is the crescent moon, which he wears on the back of his jacket.

Aside from the main body of the King of Fighters series, Iori features his own drama CD^[1] and character image album.^[2] His character is also a member of SNK's character image band, Band of Fighters. Iori also appears in the spin-off manga, The King of Fighters: Kyo.

Contents 1 Development and Reception 2 In-Game History 2.1 Legend of Yagami 2.2 Rugal Saga 2.3 Orochi Saga 2.4 NESTS Saga 2.5 Tales of Ash Saga 3 Game appearances 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Development and Reception

One of the main objectives planned for The King of Fighters '95 was to properly introduce Iori as Kyo's rival. Creators have stated Iori's personality and other aspects to his character "broke the mold for characters in fighting games at that time".^[3] In several interviews for their official anniversary site for the series, several creators and developers -such as C.A.C Yamazaki and Mr. Marito- predicted that Iori would be popular on his release -which they admit happened during their observations of initial location testing for King of Fighters '95.

He has three versions to his character:

• Riot of the Blood Iori/Wild Iori- Iori as a berserker due to the Orochi blood within him (see In-Game History). This version of him is hinted to existing before^[4] its debut in The King of Fighters '97 as one of the game's mid bosses and is playable through a special code. While in this form, his eyes are dilated, his back is hunched, and his skin adopts a shade of violet. He is mostly incoherent but frequently screams, "Kyooo!", during fights. He was specifically designed "to mow down the other characters with relative ease."^[5] Series' flagship director, Toyohisa Tanabe, states that the staff was initially reluctant to add this version of Iori to the series' roster -worried about fans' reactions- but did so to add more impact to the Orochi saga's climax. He was particularly pleased to see female fans' surprised reactions to this form of Iori during KOF '97's location testing.^[6]

• Miss X - a comical interpretation of Iori who appears in SNK's hand-held game, SNK Gals' Fighters. He dresses in a long-skirted purple sailor fuku outfit with a mask similar to Art of Fighting character, Eiji Kisaragi. He insists he is a female to participate in the game's Queen of Fighters tournament, though several female fighters can easily see through his disguise.^[7] The Riot of Blood version of Iori also turns into this form during Demitri Maximoff's attack Midnight Bliss in the crossover game, SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos.

• Another Iori - a Striker only version of Iori that appears in The King of Fighters 2000. He is dressed in a long trench coat (similar to how he is seen in some of the series' promotional arts), making it one of the few redesigns made to his character.

Because of his popularity amongst fans, some of the main designers for the series have stated that he is "difficult to draw for". Illustrator Shinkiro thought Iori as one of the series' most wild characters because of his hairstyle^[8] with similar sentiments being made by Last Blade illustrator, TONKO.^[9] Additionally, KOF Maximum Impact producer, Falcoon, stated that attempting to change an "untouchable" design such as Iori's put him under severe pressure. He stated that designing Iori's alternate (or Another as it is stated in the Maximum Impact games) outfit almost felt "unforgiveable", unsure of fans' reaction to the change.^[10] In an interview with a group of the series' voice actors, Yasui explains that the staff for the games treat their characters as normal people and are constantly changing their character line-up to the games to reflect this. He adds that he feels responsible as a voice actor for his performances as Iori, taking care to sound different in each installment as a means of developing as well as "protecting" his character's humanity.^[11]

In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Iori was voted as the staff's favorite character, claiming 1st place out of fifty other characters.^[12]

[edit] In-Game History

[edit] 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 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.

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.

[edit] 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, for he was brought to the battle by Billy Kane, who forced him to enter by exploiting the name of Kyo. Iori perceived this 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, when the Rival Team failed to defeat (or, by some accounts, to even fight) the Heroes Team, Iori subsequently became extremely angry. This anger, along with his extreme hatred for Kusanagi, and the presence Rugal's Orochi power, cause him to give in to his Riot of the Blood. He soon beat both Billy and Eiji within an inch of their lives before angrily marching off to find 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 Rugal 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.

[edit] 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.

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.

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.

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

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.

[edit] Game appearances

[edit] 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. ^  David Conaway (2003). "King of Fighters: The History". "GamingWorldX". Retrieved on May 25, 2006.

[edit] External links

• The King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website

v • d • e Notable characters in The King of Fighters series Original Angel · Iori Yagami · Kyo Kusanagi · May Lee · Rugal Bernstein · Yuki Orochi saga characters · NESTS agents · Maximum Impact characters · EX characters From Fatal Fury Andy Bogard · Billy Kane · Blue Mary · Geese Howard · Joe Higashi · Kim Kaphwan · Mai Shiranui · Terry Bogard · Wolfgang Krauser From Art of Fighting King · Mr. Big · Robert Garcia · Ryo Sakazaki · Takuma Sakazaki · Yuri Sakazaki From Ikari Warriors Clark Still · Ralf Jones From Psycho Soldier Athena Asamiya

v • d • e Neo Geo Battle Coliseum Characters A-G Ai - Akari Ichijou - Asura - Athena - Cyber Woo - Geese Howard - Genjuro Kibagami - Goodman H-K Hanzo Hattori - Haohmaru - Hotaru Futaba - Iori Yagami - Jin Chonrei - Jin Chonshu - K' - Kaede (Awakened) - Keiichiro Washizuka - Kim Kaphwan - King Lion - Kisarah Westfield - Kotaro Fuuma - Kyo Kusanagi L-T Lee Pai Long - Mai Shiranui - Marco Rossi - Mars People - Mizuchi - Moriya Minakata - Mr. Big - Mudman - Mr. Karate (Ryo) - Nakoruru - Neo Dio - Robert Garcia - Rock Howard - Shermie - Shiki - Terry Bogard - Tung Fu Rue - Yuki