KOF XV Character Designer Explained Why Mai’s Outfit Looked Familiar

Details about every newly revealed and featured fighter in The King of Fighters XV from Character Designer Tomohiro Nakata appear after SNK shares each trailer. In every case, he tends to talk about their look or approach in this upcoming entry. Now that it’s Mai Shiranui’s turn, Nakata explained why her KOF XV outfit might have looked familiar in her trailer. It’s because she’s worn it in a past installment.

Here’s Nakata’s full statement on Mai’s look from Twitter. He also teased developments in her relationship with Andy.

Mai appears in this game wearing her KOF XIV ensemble.

The details on her dress and obi (cloth belt) give off a wonderful, refined look.

I’m excited for players to see how her story unfolds with Andy Bogard, and to find out exactly why she joined this latest KOF.

Please look forward to it.

As a reminder, here’s how Mai will look in KOF XV.

Mai isn’t the only KOF XV character with design callbacks. Nakata also mentioned how two other characters’ looks and movesets will call back to the past. He mentioned that King’s past specials will make “a big comeback.” He also mentioned how Yuri Sakazaki’s got a braid for her hairstyle again to “help bring out a different kind of cuteness.”

KOF XV is in development and will launch in 2021. SNK didn’t reveal which systems it will appear on yet.