The King of Fighters 2003, Mukai, a member of a mysterious group known as "Those from the Distant Land", stole the seal belonging to the demon Orochi. Taking advantage of this situation, Ash Crimson attacked Chizuru Kagura in her weakened state and stole the Yata Mirror from her, draining her powers in the process. In due time, a new tournament is established which follows the previous tournament's new rules, with both established fighters and newcomers participating in the competition. The hosts of the tournament are two members of "Those from the Distant Land", consisting of a weapons expert named Shion and a dimension manipulator named Magaki, who serve as the respective sub and final bosses of the game. Following their defeat, Magaki tries to escape and steal Orochi's power, but instead ends up being murdered by his own ally Shion. In the ensuing chaos, Ash attacks a rampaging Iori Yagami (affected by his Riot of the Blood curse) who had seriously injured both Kyo Kusanagi and Shingo Yabuki, managing to steal the Yasakani Jewel from him. Despite being confronted by his estranged childhood friend Elisabeth Blanctorche and her two associates Benimaru Nikaido and Duo Lon, Ash manages to swiftly escape from them, warning the trio that he intends to target Kyo as his final victim in the near future. Characters The main cast includes the following 40 characters: Ash Team (Hero Team) Ash Crimson Oswald Shen Woo Elisabeth Team (Rivals Team) Elisabeth Blanctorche Duo Lon Benimaru Nikaido Fatal Fury Team Terry Bogard Kim Kaphwan Duck King Art of Fighting Team Ryo Sakazaki Yuri Sakazaki King Ikari Warriors Team Ralf Jones Clark Still Whip Psycho Soldier Team Athena Asamiya Sie Kensou Momoko Garou Team B. Jenet Gato Tizoc Agents Team Vanessa Blue Mary Ramón Anti-Kyokugenryu Team Eiji Kisaragi Kasumi Todoh Malin K' Team K' Kula Diamond Maxima Kusanagi-Yagami Team Kyo Kusanagi Iori Yagami Shingo Yabuki Mid-bosses Adelheid Bernstein Gai Tendo Sho Hayate Silber Jyazu Sub-boss Shion Final boss Magaki PlayStation 2 exclusive Hotaru Futaba Mai Shiranui Robert Garcia Tung Fu Rue EX Kyo Kusanagi Mr. Big Geese Howard Development and release In December 2004, Falcoon, the series' main illustrator, said the next game SNK Playmore were developing would be different from the recent spin-off The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, which was originally intended to be released as The King of Fighters 2004. Development of the game began when SNK completed