List of Teams in The King of Fighters

In almost every game in The King of Fighters series, the characters are grouped in teams. Each team consists of three characters (four during the NESTS Chronicles Saga).

There are instances where a character doesn't belong to a team, and are considered "Single Entries". There are also "Special Edit Teams", unique combinations of characters that have a special ending picture if the player chooses them together.

List of Teams
Below is a list of recurring teams in the KOF series:

Classic Teams (formed during the Orochi Saga)
Teams formed between '94 and '98 (remakes included).


 * Japan Team (A.K.A. Team Kyo): the first "Hero Team" or "Protagonist Team" in the series and the protagonists of the Orochi Saga. It is usually formed by Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon, though Shingo Yabuki has also been a member in some entries (2001 & 2003). Moe Habana and Reiji Oogami also join this team in the EX games. Kyo is the lead character of this team in the most of the formations, with exception of 2003, when Benimaru replaces him.


 * Fatal Fury Team: consists of characters from the Fatal Fury series, mainly the three protagonists, Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi. Other characters from the series, such as Mai Shiranui ( '99), Blue Mary (2000 and 2001), Tizoc (2003), Kim Kaphwan and Duck King (both in XI) have also participated in this team. Though the members tend to differ, Terry is always the lead character of this team.


 * Art of Fighting Team: includes characters from the Art of Fighting series, mainly Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia, with the third member being either Yuri Sakazaki ( '96,  '97,  '98/UM,  '99, 2001, 2002 UM, 2003, XI and XIV) or Takuma Sakazaki ('94/Re-Bout, '95, '99, 2000, 2001, 2002 and XIII). King has also joined the team (2000, XI and XV), and with the exception of her, every member practices Kyokugenryu Karate. Ryo is always the lead character of this team.


 * Ikari Warriors Team: formed by the lead characters from the Ikari Warriors games, Ralf Jones and Clark Still, alongside their commander Heidern (' 94/Re-Bout,  '95 and 2001), and the female soldiers Leona ( '96,  '97, ' 98/UM, all the NESTS Chronicles Saga, 2002/UM, 2003, XIII, XIV and XV) and Whip ( '99, 2000 and XI). Leona leds the team in most of the tournaments ('96, '97, '98/UM, '99, 2000, 2001, 2002/UM, 2003 and XV), followed by Heidern ( '94/Re-Bout and  '95) and Ralf (XI, XIII and XIV).


 * Psycho Soldier Team: formed by the lead characters from the arcade game Psycho Soldier, Athena Asamiya and Sie Kensou (all the two first canonical sagas, XI, XIII and XIV), alongside their master Chin Gentsai (all the two first canonical sagas, 2002, XIII and XIV), as well as other characters with psychic powers, such as Bao (all the NESTS Chronicles saga) and Momoko (XI). Athena is always the lead character of this team.


 * Women Fighters Team: formed by a variety of female characters. This team was founded by King, Mai and Yuri in ' 94, but has changed the most over the years, though its original members were Yuri ('94, '95, 2000, 2002, XIII and XV), Mai (except  '99) and King (except 2000, XI and XV). Other members include Kasumi Todoh ( '96, '99, 2000 and 2002 UM), Chizuru Kagura ( '97 and  '98/UM), Blue Mary ( '99 and 2003), Li Xiangfei ( '99 and 2001), Hinako Shijou (2000 and 2001), May Lee Jinju (2002), Alice Nakata (XIV) and Athena Asamiya (XIV). In most of the games (cannonical or not), King or Mai always leads this team. Kasumi and Chizuru also led the team for some games.


 * Kim Team (A.K.A. Korea Justice Team): formed by Kim Kaphwan, with the other members being either criminals he's trying to reform (usually Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge [both during the two first canonical sagas, and only Chang in 2003], and also Raiden & Hwa Jai [both only in XIII]) or fellow Taekwondo practitioners (such as Jhun Hoon [ '99, 2000 and 2003], May Lee Jinju [2001], Gang-il and Luong [both in XIV]). Kim is always the lead character of this team, with exception of The King of Fighters Neowave, which Jhun replaces him in the leadership.


 * American Sports Team: formed by American characters who practice sports, led by Heavy-D! (Boxing), and composed by Lucky Glauber (Basketball) and Brian Battler (American Football). They appears in The King of Fighters '94 and Rebout and have only reappeared once in The King of Fighters '98 (a Dream Match game which also includes its Ultimate Match version as well). Despite various cameo appearances, they have never been heard from nor seen again in the main storyline due to a running gag of their tournament invitations getting stolen by other characters.


 * Yagami Team: the first "Rivals Team" a team formed, firstly, by Iori Yagami (leader), Eiji Kisaragi and Billy Kane in The King of Fighters '95, they act as rivals to the Hero Team (Iori), the Fatal Fury Team (Billy) and Art of Fighting Team (Eiji). In The King of Fighters '96 with his most common partners being Mature and Vice ('96, '98/UM, 2002/UM, XIII and XIV). He has also teamed up with the Agents Team in 2001, and with Jun Kagami and Miu Kurosaki in the EX games.


 * Bosses Team: a team consisted by Geese Howard (leader), Wolfgang Krauser and Mr. Big, all of which served as boss characters in previous Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting games.


 * Outlaw Team (A.K.A '97 Special Team): a team led by Ryuji Yamazaki, and formed by Blue Mary and Billy Kane at the behest of and through the machinations of Geese. This team is unique in that its members were chosen in a KOF fan contest via three Japanese gaming magazines (Famitsu, Gamest and Neo Geo Freak, respectively). It reappears in 2003, with Gato replacing Mary.


 * New Faces Team (A.K.A. Orochi Team): a team led by Yashiro Nanakase, and formed by Shermie and Chris, they're the main antagonists of The King of Fighters '97. They also appears in Dream Match games, and reappears in The King of Fighters XV, with his real name, after 25 years without being arised in a canonical game, and 20 without an appearance in a mainline game.


 * Awakened Orochi Team: the New Faces Team in their real states: Orochi Yashiro, Orochi Shermie and Orochi Chris. Appears in the same games as their normal versions (with exception of XV until now).


 * Sacred Treasures Team: a team led by Kyo, and formed by Iori and Chizuru, the three descendants of the clans that imprisoned Orochi. Commonly appears as an Edit Team and their endings are usually the canon ones. In The King of Fighters R-1 and The King of Fighters XV, they are an official team.

NESTS Chronicles New Teams


Teams formed between '99 and 2002 (remake included).


 * K' Team: The "Hero Team" or "Protagonist Team" of the NESTS CHRONICLES saga, it's led by K', with Maxima as his partner. Other members include Benimaru, Shingo Yabuki (both in  '99), Ramón, Vanessa (both in 2000), Whip (2001, 2002/UM and 2003), Lin (2001) and Kula Diamond (XI, XIII and XIV).


 * Benimaru Team: a team led by Benimaru and composed by Shingo, Lin and Seth, it only appears in The King of Fighters 2000, it's an alternative version of the Japan Team.


 * NESTS Team: a team formed by NESTS members in KOF 2001, such as Kula (leader), Foxy, K9999 and Ángel (the four together in 2001, the first, the third and the last in 2002 and Foxy replacing K9999 in 2002 UM, due to copyright issues). This team is the Rivals Team of the saga of same name.


 * Zero Team: led by the original Zero in KOF 2001, it is unique in that Zero is the only one that fights directly, with the other three members (Krizalid, Ron and Glaugan) being strikers.


 * Agents Team: a team firstly formed by Vanessa, Seth and Ramón, with the objective of investigating the events of the KOF tournament. Mary replaces Seth in XI and, in XV, Luong enters to replace the Mexican luchador.

Tales of Ash New Teams
Teams formed between 2003 and XIII.


 * Ash Team: The "Hero Team" or "Protagonist Team" of the Tales of Ash saga, it's led by Ash Crimson, and his teammates include Duo Lon (only in 2003), Shen Woo (2003 and XI) and Oswald (only in XI).


 * High School Girls Team: a team formed by Athena, Hinako and Malin in 2003, it's an alternative version of the Women Fighters Team.


 * Mark of the Wolves Team: formed by B. Jenet, Tizoc and Gato, all of whom originated from the game Garou: Mark of the Wolves.


 * Anti-Kyokugenryu Team: A team opposing the Art of Fighting Team  in XI, and formed by Eiji, Kasumi (both enemies of the style) and Malin (Yuri's enemy).


 * Kyo & Iori Team (Kusanagi-Yagami Team): A team formed by Kyo, Iori and Shingo in XI, it's a new version of the Sacred Treasures Team, with Shingo replacing Chizuru.


 * Elisabeth Team: The "Rivals Team" of the Tales of Ash saga, in KOF XI, the team reappears with a new formation: Elisabeth Blanctorche (new leader), Duo Lon and Benimaru Nikaido, and, in KOF XIII, Shen Woo replaces Benimaru. The last formations mentioned rivals against Ash Crimson.

Shun'ei Saga New Teams
Teams formed between XIV and XV (until the current moment).


 * China Team: formed by Tung Fu Rue and his newest apprentices, Shun'ei (leader of the team) and Meitenkun. It's the fourth Hero Team of the series.


 * South Town Team: formed by Geese (leader) and his subordinates, Billy and Hein.


 * Villains Team: formed by three escaped convicts: Xanadu (leader), Chang and Choi.


 * Mexico Team: a team formed by Ramón (leader), Angel and King of Dinosaurs, all of which are fighters hailing from Mexico.


 * Official Invitation Team: formed by Sylvie Paula Paula (leader), Kukri and Mian, all of them invited by Antonov in XIV.


 * South America Team: formed by Nelson (leader), Zarina and Bandeiras Hattori (all borned or raised on Brazil, a );


 * Another World Team: formed by Nakoruru (leader), Mui Mui and Love Heart, it's an alternative version of the Women Fighters Team.


 * Shun'ei Team (A.K.A. KOF XV Hero Team): formed by Shun'ei (leader), Meitenkun and Benimaru Nikaido.


 * Galaxy Anton Wrestling Team (A.K.A. G.A.W. Team): formed by Antonov (leader), Ramón and King of Dinosaurs, all of which are fighters of wrestling.


 * Isla Team (A.K.A. KOF XV Rivals Team): formed by Isla (leader), Dolores and Heidern.

Dream Match Teams


Teams formed only in Dream Match Games.


 * Masters Team: a team formed by master/mentor type characters; Heidern, Takuma and either Saisyu Kusanagi ( '98 and UM version) or Chin (2002 UM). It only appears in Dream Match games.


 * Dream Team (Mixed Team): a team formed by Saisyu, Kula and Shingo, only appearing in The King of Fighters Neowave.


 * Edit Team: formed by Eiji, Kasumi and Shingo, are grouped together only in '98 UM, despite not having a special ending picture.


 * Pretty Girls Fighters Team: formed by Xiangfei, Hinako and May Lee, appears only in 2002 UM.


 * Asian Triple Alliance Team: a team formed by Jhun, Lin and Shingo, reunite members from the three largest nations in Asia (Korea, China and Japan, respectively) and appears only in 2002 UM.


 * Clones Team: consists of Kusanagi, Kyo-1 and Kyo-2, all of which are clones of Kyo Kusanagi, and appears only in 2002 UM.

Alternative Teams
Teams formed only in spin-off games or EX games (some teams are officials).


 * South Town Team: formed by Terry, Ryo and Kim, appears in R-1. In R-2, Mai replaces Kim in this team. Unrelated to the team of the same name in XIV.


 * Heroines Team (A.K.A. Super Heroines Team): formed by Athena, Mai and Yuri, appears in R-1 (and in XV as an official team).


 * Sub-Orochi Team: formed by Orochi, Orochi Iori and Orochi Leona, appears in R-1.


 * Kusanagi Team: formed by Kyo, Saisyu and Shingo; a team formed by practitioners of the ancient Kusanagi style. Appears in The King of Fighters R-2.


 * Super Babe Team: formed by Athena, Yuri and Kasumi, appears in R-2.

Number of Teams
Each game has a specific number of teams. Below, the list:

Trivia

 * The Maximum Impact series does not have specific teams, but in Regulation A, the final battle is against a team of Nightmare Geese, Duke and Jivatma.


 * The King of Fighters XII is the only mainline game without any official team, despite the game system allows to form them.