Tales of Ash

Tales of Ash, also known as the Ash Saga (アッシュ編, Asshu-hen) is the third story arc in The King of Fighters series. It covers the events found in The King of Fighters 2003 (prologue) through The King of Fighters XIII.

Story
Notes: Starting with The King of Fighters XI, the series drops the years that the games take place in. Additionally, all characters who debut in The King of Fighters series starting with The King of Fighters XIII will not have their ages displayed. Certain characters who debut in the Console release and not the original Arcade release are considered non-canon.

Additionally, The King of Fighters XII is a "Dream Match" game, and is therefore non-canon.

Past
Within old Europe, a mysterious group known as Those from the Past began emerging as the counterparts to Orochi's Hakkesshu. Their leader, Saiki, was a power being who possesses control over time. Sometime after Orochi was sealed, many members of Those from the Past were wiped out, at the hands of the Blanctorche Family, a group of nobles who protect the innocent and have a mastery of the elements of light.
 * -|Ancient Times, -Another Side-=

Characters Introduced
2003=
 * Ash Crimson (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Duo Lon (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Shen Woo (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Tizoc (The Griffon) (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Gato (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Malin (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Adelheid Bernstein (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Maki Kagura (Playable in 2003)
 * Mukai (Playable in 2003; Console Only)


 * -|XI=
 * Oswald (Playable in XI)
 * Elisabeth Blanctorche (Playable in XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Duck King (Playable in XI)
 * Momoko (Playable in XI)
 * B. Jenet (Playable in XI)
 * Shion (Playable in XI; Console Only)
 * Magaki (Playable in XI; Console Only)
 * Gai Tendo (Playable in XI)
 * Silber (Playable in XI)
 * Sho Hayate (Playable in XI)
 * Jyazu (Playable in XI)


 * -|XII=
 * Raiden (Playable in XII and XIII)


 * -|XIII=
 * Hwa Jai (Playable in XIII)
 * Saiki (Playable in XIII)
 * Evil Ash (Boss Only)

Returning Characters
'94=
 * Kyo Kusanagi (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Benimaru Nikaido (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Goro Daimon (Playable in 2003, XII, and XIII)
 * Terry Bogard (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Andy Bogard (Playable in XII and XIII)
 * Joe Higashi (Playable in 2003, XII, and XIII)
 * Ryo Sakazaki (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Robert Garcia (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII; PS2 Only in XI)
 * Takuma Sakazaki (Playable in XIII)
 * Ralf Jones (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Clark Still (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Athena Asamiya (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Sie Kensou (Playable in XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Chin Gentsai (Playable in XII and XIII)
 * King (Playable in 2003, XI and XIII)
 * Mai Shiranui (Playable in 2003, XI and XIII; Console Only in XI)
 * Yuri Sakazaki (Playable in 2003, XI and XIII)
 * Kim Kaphwan (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Chang Koehan (Playable in 2003)


 * -|'95=
 * Iori Yagami (Playable in 2003, XI, XII and XIII)
 * Billy Kane (Playable in 2003 and XIII; Console and XIII Climax ver. Only)
 * Eiji Kisaragi (Playable in XI)


 * -|'96=
 * Leona Heidern (Playable in 2003, XI, XII, and XIII)
 * Kasumi Todoh (Playable in XI)
 * Mature (Playable in XII and XIII)
 * Vice (Playable in XIII)
 * Geese Howard (Playable in XI; Console Only)
 * Mr. Big (Playable in XI; Console Only)
 * Chizuru Kagura (Playable in 2003)


 * -|'97=
 * Ryuji Yamazaki (Playable in 2003)
 * Blue Mary (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Shingo Yabuki (Playable in 2003 and XI)


 * -|'99=
 * K' (Playable in 2003, XI and XIII)
 * Maxima (Playable in 2003, XI and XIII)
 * Whip (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Jhun Hoon (Playable in 2003)


 * -|2000=
 * Vanessa (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Ramon (Playable in 2003 and XI)
 * Hinako Shijou (Playable in 2003)
 * Kula Diamond (Playable in 2003, XI and XIII)


 * -|2002=
 * Kusanagi (Playable in 2003; Console Only and Canonical Debut)