King of Fighter 15 has been unveiling character trailers on a near-weekly basis since the announcement of Shun’Ei last month. That trend has shown no signs of slowing down, as the trailer for Chizuru Kagura debuted yesterday during the Second Annual Japan Fighting Game Publishers Roundtable.
The latest King of Fighter 15 footage follows the same blueprint of past character trailers, showcasing the stylish fighting style of Chizuru Kagura. Chizuru uses mirror images of herself to shock and trap enemies.
She is joining long-time archenemies Iori Yagami and Kyo Kusanagi to complete Team Sacred Treasures, the first time the trio ever joined a King of Fighter competition as an official team. Previously, Team Sacred Treasures could only be chosen as a “secret edit team” in King of Fighter ‘96 and King of Fighter ’97.
Chizuru Kagura joined the series in King of Fighter ’96, where she was the game’s miniboss and a sponsor of the King of Fighter competition. An heiress to the Yata clan, Chizuru is one of three characters whose families own sacred artifacts that previously sealed the serpent creature Orochi 1,800 years ago. Chizuru, alongside fellow sacred treasure successors Iori Yagami and Kyo Kusanagi, successfully seal Orochi at the conclusion of King of Fighter ’97.
During the first official character trailer reveal for King of Fighter 15, creative director Eisuke Ogura divulged that the most recent chapter in the franchise “will differ greatly” from past installments. With the announcement of Team Hero and Team Sacred Treasures, his promise has proven to be true. Members of beloved tag teams, such as Japan Team’s Goro Daimon and Benimaru Nikaido, are being separated to form totally new character dynamics.
The official return of Team Sacred Treasures has massive implications for the ever-evolving narrative of the King of Fighter franchise. Archenemies such as Iori, Kyo, and Chizuru teaming up might mean there are serious problems brewing.
The Team Yagami ending from King of Fighter 14 saw the three reunited to take down an evil force, supposed to be a weakened form of Orochi. There is very scarce information surrounding the plot of King of Fighter 15, so fans will just have to keep piecing together the clues as SNK continues to release new character trailers every week.
