SNK has announced the return of the beloved character Mai Shiranui in their upcoming fighting game, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
This reveal was made at Gamescom 2024, where a new trailer debuted, featuring Mai in both a new, updated design for the latest installment and her classic, iconic look that fans have come to love.
The trailer showcased Mai Shiranui’s fluid combat moves and combos, while also celebrating her evolution throughout the series. Fans glimpsed her powerful special attacks and super moves, all performed with the signature sex appeal and flair that have made her an iconic character.
The trailer also introduced Mai’s new look, featuring a sleek black leather jacket and pants, which adds a modern edge to her design while preserving her seductive allure.
For those who love the classics, SNK has confirmed that Mai Shiranui’s iconic red and white kunoichi outfit will undoubtedly be available, keeping her original design intact.
Mai’s inclusion in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves honors her long-standing legacy and her huge popularity in the fighting game world. Since her official debut in 1992’s Fatal Fury 2, Mai has mesmerized players with her stunning looks and powerful fighting abilities. Her design, blending traditional Japanese elements with sensuality, has made her one of the most iconic figures in the fighting game genre.
A significant part of Mai Shiranui’s popularity stems from her character design and sex appeal, which have been core elements of her identity since her introduction. In contrast, some modern studios like Capcom and NetherRealm have shifted towards more inclusive and unattractive character designs.
Capcom recently added a disclaimer to the re-release of SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos, apologizing that the game’s content does not align with the company’s current values, likely due to its portrayal of attractive female characters from a “bygone era.”
This disclaimer accompanied modified key artwork outside Japan, sparking speculation that SNK might have influenced the messaging given that they are the publisher of the game.
However, it’s pretty much certain that SNK’s involvement limited the extent of the changes, given Capcom’s recent trend toward more inclusive, modern character designs, alongside senseless altercations of preexisting content as seen in other titles like the Dead Rising remake.
SNK is owned by a Saudi Arabian Prince, and while such tycoons are often seen as lacking the expertise to effectively manage businesses or sports teams, fans of SNK should note that Saudis typically invest in foreign companies or sports teams when they have a genuine passion for the products or the sport.
This suggests that the Prince’s investment in SNK is driven by a real interest in the company and its legacy, which bodes well for its future as tycoons genuinely don’t give a shit about losing money.
The Saudi Prince who owns SNK has expressed a strong desire to preserve the company’s Japanese roots rather than following the path of other major Japanese gaming companies like Square Enix, Capcom, SEGA, and Bandai Namco, which have embraced ESG policies emphasizing diversity and inclusivity and are subsequently bleeding finances.
ESG policies have led to significant changes in character designs, particularly in reducing sex appeal as attractive women are supposedly sexist. In contrast, the Prince aims to reestablish SNK as a powerful presence in the gaming industry, with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves serving as a key milestone in this revival.
SNK has already shown its commitment to maintaining its traditional character aesthetics by also including B. Jenet in her classic, voluptuous form. This dedication to authenticity and legacy positions SNK for a strong resurgence, with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves marking a pivotal moment in their revival.
Mai Shiranui’s curvaceous figure, especially her prominently depicted cleavage, has been highlighted through detailed character models and animations.
The use of “jiggle physics” in her portrayal in the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves trailer stands out, especially as many other Japanese developers have moved away from such elements due to their alignment with ESG initiatives. These initiatives lead to the removal of what is perceived as “sexist” or “objectifying” content in games, making Mai’s depiction all the more distinct in the current gaming landscape.
The physics in the game realistically simulate the movement of her body during combat sequences, adding a dynamic visual layer that enhances her on-screen presence.
This feature not only highlights Mai’s femininity but also contributes to the overall fluidity and realism of her animations, making the combat feel more vibrant and engaging for gamers who are predominately men that favor attractive character designs over gameplay.
SNK’s approach prioritizes authenticity and immersion over pandering to Twitter enthusiasts and those within the Western Fighting Game community who project as moralists while regularly engaging with fighting games featuring attractive female characters, fan service, and “underaged” loli characters, everything they despise.
Alongside Mai, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will include a roster of fan-favorite characters such as B. Jenet, Terry Bogard, and Rock Howard, as well as new additions that will introduce fresh dynamics to the game.
The trailer also announced that Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is set to release on April 24, 2025. Fans can anticipate a special edition priced at $60 USD, which includes the base game and the first season pass with five new playable characters.
Pre-ordering the game comes with added benefits, such as Terry Bogard’s classic Fatal Fury 2 outfit and three-day early access, letting players start the action on April 21, 2024.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be available on modern platforms, including Sony’s PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles, Microsoft’s Xbox Series S/X (excluding Xbox One), and on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
The game promises an exciting and nostalgic experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. With its appeal to fans who prefer fighting games free from progressive political influence, and the return of iconic characters like Mai Shiranui, along with new features and designs, the game is set to be a thrilling addition to the franchise rife with sex appeal for true fans. So expect it to be hated by the Western FGC alongside gaming journalists.
