SNK has revealed that Chizuru will join Kagura The King of Fighters XV by forming Team Sacred Treasures with Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami. It deviated every Wednesday night from the usual weekly program of a new character trailer, such as the unveiling of Chizuru in KOF XV was made at the 2nd Japan Fighting Game Publisher Roundtable stream.
Chizuru debuts as the penultimate underdog in The King of Fighters ’96, the third game in the then annual series. Chizuru’s last playable appearance before XV was in the tenth game, KOF 2003. This is the first time we’re seeing her fight in a KOF game with 3D models, as she could not be played in The King of Fighters XIV.
According to the background settings of the series, Chizuru, Kyo and Iori are descendants of the three sexes who each possess a sacred treasure to seal the snake monster Orochi. Although the three literally teamed up in KOF 2003, they were not considered an official team, as Chizuru also appeared there as the sub-boss. This is the first time that the three iconic characters are officially grouped in a main line KOF title.
The confirmation of Team Sacred Treasures further broke expectations KOF XV characters would be grouped based on the order of the trailer. Although Joe Higashi’s trailer came between Iori and Kyo, he is not with them.
The King of Fighters XV is currently being developed by SNK with a release window for 2021.