Yuri Sakazaki

In this character name, her name is typically written in Katakana due to shared heritage, living and being prominent abroad, despite being born in Japan.

Yuri Sakazaki (Katakana: ; Kanji: ) 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".

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.


 * Felicia's intro and Makoto's intro: Capcom vs. SNK series


 * 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 and immediately cover herself. This victory pose first appeared in Art of Fighting 2 when Yuri scores a Perfect victory.

Music
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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
 * 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
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 * 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
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Voice Actors

 * Harumi Ikoma - Art of Fighting
 * Kaori Horie - Art of Fighting 2~The King of Fighters XIII
 * Ai Kakuma - The King of Fighters XIV~present
 * Amy Walls - Maximum Impact series (English voice)
 * Ayumi Hamasaki - Art of Fighting anime
 * Veronica Taylor - Art of Fighting anime (English voice)
 * Sakura Tange - Dengeki Bunko drama CD

Live Action Actors
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 * Miki Hareyama - Art of Fighting commercial
 * Ayumi Hamasaki - Art of Fighting 2 commercials

Appearances
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Games

 * Art of Fighting - Damsel in distress
 * Art of Fighting 2
 * Art of Fighting 3 - NPC in Ryo and Robert's story modes
 * The King of Fighters '94
 * The King of Fighters '95
 * The King of Fighters '96
 * Nettou The King of Fighters '95
 * The King of Fighters '97
 * The King of Fighters '98
 * The King of Fighters R-1
 * The King of Fighters R-2
 * The King of Fighters '99
 * SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millenium - Secret character
 * Capcom vs. SNK
 * Capcom vs. SNK Pro
 * SNK Gals' Fighters
 * The King of Fighters 2000
 * Capcom vs. SNK 2
 * The King of Fighters 2001
 * The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood - As a Striker for the Art of Fighting Team
 * The King of Fighters 2002
 * The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood
 * The King of Fighters 2003
 * The King of Fighters Neowave
 * KOF: Maximum Impact
 * The King of Fighters XI
 * KOF: Maximum Impact 2 - Both playable and Ryo Sakazaki's Another Outfit-Variation E
 * KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation "A"
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
 * The King of Fighters: Kyo
 * The King of Fighters XIII
 * Ryuuko no Ken (Pachislot)
 * CR The King of Fighters
 * Quiz King of Fighters - Damsel in distress
 * The King of Fighters XIV
 * SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy
 * The King of Fighters XV

Mobile

 * Days of Memories (First, Fourth, Fifth and Eighth titles) - non-playable
 * The King of Fighters Mobile
 * The King of Fighters Mobile R-2
 * The King of Fighters Volleyball
 * SNK Gals Fighters
 * SNK Gal's Open ~Cutey Shot~
 * KOF Gals Mahjong
 * SNK Gals Island Dokidoki Puzzle Shock!
 * SNK Gals Rhythm Combo Yudanshinaide!
 * SNK Gals Island Senkan Battle Gekichinshichaouzo!
 * SNK Gals Island Beauty Dungeon Mimi to Kimashita!
 * SNK Girls Island Beauty Dungeon Bibitto kimashita!
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Online
 * Metal Slug Defense - unlockable
 * Crash Fever
 * Puzzle & Dragons
 * The King of Fighters Destiny (Game)
 * Kimi wa Hero
 * The King of Fighters All Star
 * The King of Fighters Go
 * The King of Fighters M: Fighting Stars Assembly

Cameo

 * Fatal Fury Special - background cameo in Ryo's stage, Game Gear version only
 * The King of Fighters XII - Passing mention
 * Neo Geo Battle Coliseum - In-text cameo in Robert's win quote against Mr. Big and another in-text cameo in Mr. Karate's win quote against Robert
 * The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise
 * Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden (Neo-Geo CD version only)
 * SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos - cameo in Ryo and Mr. Karate's endings
 * Garou: Mark of the Wolves - In Hokutomaru's stage during the third round
 * Koi no Iroha ~Momiji Iro Tsuku Aki~ Mobile game
 * Dead or Alive 5 Last Round - as a DLC costume for Ayane and Hitomi
 * Mabinogi Heroes - as an avatar
 * Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - background cameo in King of Fighters Stadium Stage

Anime
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 * Art of Fighting (anime)
 * The King of Fighters: Destiny

Trivia

 * In The King of Fighters Maximum Impact, Yuri can use an alternate costume which is similar to Eri Kasamoto's original outfit from Metal Slug series.


 * In the Neo Geo Freak's 1997 Volume 8 character poll, she was voted as the tenth favorite character with a total of 944 votes. In the character popularity poll on Neo Geo Freak's website, she was voted as the nineteenth favorite character with a total of 726 votes.


 * In the Art of Fighting series, the two KOF mainline games and resuming from The King of Fighters XIII, Yuri's top clothes are ripped. The same process occurs with King in the referred games (except in AOF 3, when both character doesn't appear as playable characters).


 * Yuri notably breaks the fourth wall in KOF XI: in her win pose against Gai Tendo, she suggests he try saying "Hurricane Upper!", referencing the fact that Gai and Joe Higashi have the same voice actor (that voices Joe until KOF XIII and Gai until KOF XI).
 * Yuri also breaks the fourth wall in SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy, during his boss scene with Shermie, when both characters mentions indirectly Rugal Bernstein. Yuri says "swears she's heard that someone else say the same thing in the past", referencing the villain intentions with the KOF tournament in The King of Fighters '94, and Shermie says "I wonder if he also going to blow himself up when he loses?", referencing the fact that Rugal blew up his base when defeated, with him inside.
 * Later in the series, Antonov and King of Dinosaurs also breaks the fourth wall, but physically.
 * The Samurai Shodown series also uses the break of the fourth wall with the characters Yoshitora Tokugawa (during his fatefull battle with Jubei Yagyu [another fourth wall breaker] in Samurai Shodown (2019), he looks to the player), Wan-Fu and Iroha.


 * In the most of her appearances, Yuri uses a brown belt (known as 1st Kyu or Ikkyū in Karate). However, in her appearance in The King of Fighters XIII, she uses a yellow belt (known as 6th Kyū or Rokkyū in Karate). The belts represent, in karate, the levels of mastery in the martial art.
 * Her brother, Ryo, and other practitioners of Kyokugen style that appears as playable characters, uses the black belt (known as Dan in Karate).


 * In the most of her appearances in The King of Fighters series, Yuri is seen wearing a long braided hairstyle, which has been removed in The King of Fighters XIII and in The King of Fighters XIV. Yuri is seen wearing braids again in The King of Fighters XV.
 * Her braids are seen for the first time in Art of Fighting 3 (when she is a NPC character) and, in KOF XIII, the hairstyle appears in an alternative outfit.
 * In the first two games of the Art of Fighting series, Yuri's hair is loose.


 * In the first two chapters of the current saga, Yuri is the only character with four Special Moves (including the Climax Cancel).

Videos
Yuri Sakazaki