The King of Fighters (Nintendo Cinematic Universe)

The King of Fighters is a Japanese graphic novel series.

Volume 1
In 1994, a new King of Fighters tournament is held by a mysterious host named "R"; the catch: the competitors are in teams of three.

Volume 2
In 1995, "R" holds a King of Fighters, but it is unknown if this host is the same host of the previous year's tournament: Rugal.

Volume 3
In 1996, although Rugal is gone, a new host holds a new King of Fighters tournament.

Volume 1

 * The story is set in 1994.
 * Rugal Bernstein, an influential black market weapons and drugs dealer bored of the lack of competition, sent out 24 invitations to certain individuals around the world. Eight teams had entered, each representing a different country.
 * At the tournament's conclusion, Mature, Rugal's personal secretary, invited the Japan team to fight their final match within Black Noah.
 * It is there when Rugal revealed the true purpose of his tournament: defeat the winning team and add them to his grisly collection of previous challengers.
 * Kyo sees his defeated father there and decides to avenge him.
 * As Rugal is finally beaten, he triggers the self-destruct mechanism on his ship. The team escapes and reflects on their victory.

Volume 2

 * The story is set in 1995.
 * A new King of Fighters tournament is announced by "R", presumed to be the same host of the previous year's tournament: Rugal Bernstein, who supposedly blew himself up on his aircraft at the end of the tournament.
 * The Hero Team ultimately win and gassed into unconsciousness. Recovering, they meet the host: Rugal Bernstein.
 * Rugal sends Kyo's brainwashed father, Saisyu, to kill the winners, but is defeated and freed from Rugal's mind control.
 * Angered, Rugal uses the of Orochi to become Omega, only to be defeated as well. Rugal then explodes from using too much of Orochi's power, although he vows to return.
 * Saisyu disappears, but Kyo is determined to reunite with his father someday.

Volume 3

 * The story is set in 1996.
 * A new King of Fighters tournament is announced, though the letters of invitation sent out to the fighters are no longer sent by Rugal Bernstein.
 * There are many changes in the tournament's approach. Since the previous year, the tournament's fame has grown immensely, turning it into a major international event. Huge corporations transform the King of Fighters tournament into something widely televised, commercialized, and celebrated, drawing in many crowds from around the world.
 * The tournament is now held by Chizuru Kagura, a descendant of the ancient Yata Clan responsible for sealing the Orochi demon along with the Kusanagi and Yasanaki clans (the clans from Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, respectively).
 * Chizuru uses the tournament in hopes of finding and recruiting Kyo and Iori in order to stop the upcoming Orochi threat, but Kyo and Iori aren't willing to work together on friendly terms.
 * The Hero Team win the tournament and defeat Chizuru.
 * Goenitz then arrives to defeat the Hero Team and awaken Orochi, but is defeated.
 * The Hero Team parts ways as they leave the tournament.

Volume 1

 * Based on The King of Fighters '94.

Volume 2

 * Based on The King of Fighters '95.

Volume 3

 * Based on The King of Fighters '96.