Action Figure – Ryuji Yamazaki KOF ’98 UM 97 Special Team SNK 1/18 – JOYTOY The King of Fighters

Character Identification: The Ruthless Outlaw

This highly detailed 1/18 scale action figure represents Ryuji Yamazaki, a brutally violent, unpredictable underworld broker and a massive fan-favorite from the legendary fighting game franchise The King of Fighters (KOF) by SNK. This specific figure captures his imposing, arrogant appearance based on the critically acclaimed title The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match.

Specific Name and Visual Details

Specific Name: KOF ’98UM ’97 Special Team Ryuji Yamazaki

• Head and Face: The figure captures Yamazaki’s signature look with slicked-back blonde hair and a harsh, arrogant facial expression that perfectly conveys his sadistic and uncontrollable personality.

• Upper Body Clothing: He is dressed in a form-fitting black turtleneck shirt. The most striking feature of his design is the massive, floor-length white overcoat featuring a thick, gray fur lining. In true Yamazaki fashion, he wears the coat draped intimidatingly over his shoulders like a cape, rather than putting his arms through the sleeves.

• Lower Body Clothing: He wears tailored, slightly baggy black trousers that match his shirt, secured at the waist by a brown leather belt with a prominent gold buckle.

• Accessories/Footwear: True to his erratic fighting style, he wears a single black fingerless glove on his right hand, keeping it ready to strike, while his left arm is tucked closely to his side. He wears polished black dress shoes to complete his mobster aesthetic.

Historical Background (SNK IP & KOF ’98 UM)

• The Franchise: The King of Fighters is one of the most famous and enduring arcade fighting game franchises in history, created by SNK. KOF ’98 Ultimate Match is widely celebrated by the Fighting Game Community (FGC) as one of the best and most perfectly balanced entries in the entire series.

• Ryuji Yamazaki & The ’97 Special Team: Yamazaki originally debuted in Fatal Fury 3 but became a cornerstone of KOF. He is a lone wolf who fights purely for his own twisted amusement and profit. In KOF ’97 (and ’98 UM), he teams up with Billy Kane and Blue Mary to form the ’97 Special Team.

• The Orochi Bloodline: A major twist in KOF lore reveals that despite his status as a criminal outlaw, Yamazaki is actually one of the Eight Heavenly Kings of Orochi (the Hakkesshu)—sharing the same dark bloodline as the Orochi Team (Yashiro, Shermie, and Chris). However, unlike the others, Yamazaki stubbornly refuses to follow the Orochi’s will, preferring to live by his own violent rules. His fighting style is infamous for keeping one hand in his pocket while lashing out with brutal, whip-like arm strikes known as Hebitsukai (Serpent Slash).

Product Specifications

• Brand: JOYTOY x SNK

• Series: The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match

• Product Name: KOF ’98UM ’97 Special Team Ryuji Yamazaki

• Product Scale: 1/18 (Approximately 4.1 inches / 10.5 cm tall)

• Material: Manufactured from high-quality ABS and PVC

• Applicable Age: 15+

Please note: Minor variations may occur between promotional images and final products. The actual physical product shall prevail.

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