The Story of Kasumi Todoh - KOF Lore

Kasumi Todoh, the daughter of Ryuhaku Todoh, initially stepped into the spotlight in Art of Fighting 3. However, she wasted no time in making her mark in SNK's flagship title, joining the KOF series in 1996. While she appeared in subsequent games, her most notable presence was felt in KOF 2002 UM, where she emerged as one of the game's strongest characters.

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References:
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Music:
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"Sha-La-La" from The King of Fighters 98

"Triumphantly" from The King of Fighters XI

"Destiny" from The King of Fighters 2002 UM

"Get'n Up" from The King of Fighters 96

"Who Likes To Party" by Kevin MacLeod

"Aurea Carmina" by Kevin MacLeod

[crencottrell]

She was cute, fun, underrated, and should have been included in more KOF sequels with an upgraded movelist.

[NicCyprus]

I hope SNK rereleases Kof XI because it's the most unique entry honestly. Most of the characters from that game never appeared in other entries. Plus it's a tag team match which is a formula that has a lot of potential

[sasuke]

You reopened a wound in my heart. As i saw Kasumi ending in aof3 i always wanted to see Ryo wearing her red band, just like Ryu does with Ken's.
Instead, that epic end has just been forgotten. Too sad.

[PaperPrincessChannel]

I've always loved the way the Todohs move. So many of these muscular strong-man types have the same kind of big, sweeping upper body movements. Seeing the Todohs moving around in ways that are true to their martial art and the katas they practice is a pleasure to see. And then you get to their specials, and you get that satisfying flash. Kasumi and her dad teaming up to do her hidden desperation move is probably my single favorite super.

[mascadadelpantion]

I believe that kasumi is not able to see her father because she is so focused. Untruly truly putting her putting her own mental blinders on, When she get into a fight. The father knowing her daughter so well. Knows this

It makes sense and truly does go with her fighting style

[NuBlanco]

I've always admired your narration when it comes to KOF lore. Your choices of words and vocabulary make your videos a must to watch. I can't imagine anyone better than you to cover the story of any character in KOF. Keep up the good work, shoryu!

[NewGabeOrder]

0:21 Sounds like she's the Magneto of KOF, complete with the counter/reversal specials, a projectile, a Magnetic Shockwave and all. It feels as if I kept playing MVC2 way more often as I was waiting for Kasumi to come back in a KOF newer than XI, and my most commonly-played characters in MVC2 happened to be Magneto, Storm and Sentinel.

[GRNDZA]

Always loved this character, she's an interesting hybrid of archetypes. I hope she shows up in XV.

[elgatofelix]

Once again Shoryu shines a light on one of the most underrated characters in SNK lore. Thanks for this fantastic video about Kasumi, Shoryu! She really deserves more love! Next I hope you can do a video on one of my personal favorites, another underrated waifu, Li Xiangfei

[Mohammedreal]

Kasumi should've been in Capcom vs SNK 2 though.

[SatoshiKenji]

Additional lore :
In KoF 96' comic, Ryuhaku is a good friend with Lett Kusanagi (Kyo's grandfather) and they trained together inside of volcano (probably Mt. Fuji, but I can't remember). I remember that they both being ordered by Emperor of Japan to help Emperor reached the 100% Max Power (which is a difficult task at that time). They succeed, but they're being beaten up by Emperor, because 100% Max Power tend to make a person lose sanity (Rugal is an example), which is why not many people attempt it. Not sure if they're still alive after that.

Emperor himself have an interesting story in the comic, but I don't read that far to know what happened to him at the end. He's able to maintain his sanity after getting 100% Max Power, but he's still crazy regardless. I remember that he's unscatched after helicopter he's riding crashed. That's how strong he is.

[meganinten]

SVC Chaos gave us a bit more info about Kasumi in her pre battle dialogues.

Kasumi: "A priest? I'm a Buddhist. And... That suits me just fine."
Goenitz: "Oh no, my child. I don't seek converts. However..."
Kasumi: "...You seek a fight?!"
Goenitz: "Hoo, hoo, hoo. A good wind blows... His will be done!"

That dialogue made me laugh 😆 also I didn't know Kasumi was buddhist 😮

Chun-Li: "(Nice legs. She must tell me her secret.)"
Kasumi: "Huh? Menace! Yah!"
Chun-Li: "Yeek! What's your problem?"
Kasumi: "Silence! You tried to ambush me. I read your thoughts."
Chun-Li: "Hold on. I was just noticing your legs and... Uh, oh!"
Kasumi: "You dare insult me! Defend yourself!"

So Chun-Li (the Leg Queen) is jealous of Kasumi's legs!? 🤯
If Kasumi returns she should have a redesign where she shows her legs 😁

Kasumi: "Greetings, Kim! It's been a while."
Kim: "Oh, Miss Todoh... Care for a little match, do you?"
Kasumi: "Sounds good to me."

Probably the nicest pre battle dialogue in the whole game 😄

[crimcrusader]

Not meaning to sound sarcastic, but it seems to me that Kasumi's own story in AOF 3 basically amounts to her own wild goose chase in pursuit of Ryo Sakazaki.

Didn't help matters that her poor command of English and her hard time navigating Glasshill in Mexico really paints her as a fish out of water!

[memedelacreme]

If we had Hinako, I am sure we’ll have Kasumi back. She is a force to be reckoned with.
An upgraded movelist (notably adding an anti-air and an Ex Kasane Ate that travels full screen) would make her the scariest character in the KOF series. I hope to see her back as I love her.

Shoryu, great vid. Can you make one on Xiangfei?

[elgatofelix]

Fun Fact: there is another, lesser known Kasumi from SNK lore that was never in AOF or KOF and probably will never be in KOF due to Kasumi Todoh already being part of KOF history. As some may have already guessed, I am talking about the Kasumi from the underrated ADK/SNK classic *Ninja Masters* which I believe might be the final game ADK made for SNK.

[duncan]

Overlooked fighter indeed, similar to Eiji.

[piguelmonce]

She’s hella fun to use especially that counter special it’s very satisfying when you labs it and finish the match with it

[kristinecabacungan]

I'm new to KOF and fell inlove with the characters, they are very charming and has deep story

[meganinten]

3:38 Ouch.
There is no blow more painful than a mother's slap 😅

I still remember Kasumi's ending in Art of Fighting 3
The beautiful music also helps, AOF3 has the best soundtrack (and gameplay) of the AOF series 🎵

Anyway, Kasumi's ending made me believe that she ended up having romantic feelings towards Ryo.
I have the theory that the original SNK wanted Kasumi to be Ryo's love interest but they changed their mind.
What a shame.

AOF3 ended with Yuri and Robert being a couple.
SNK missed a huge opportunity to make that event canon into the KOF series.
Besides Kasumi, the only thing that KOF took from AOF3 was that cool Robert's design, which is the same outfit he wears in KOF 96-98

[BlueMageWithSoulEdge]

Good stuff as always.

I always thought of her "just" missing her dad as a gag. Since she is somewhat of a "hime" archtype and paired with her birthday and blood type [reminder here that she was created at a time when those tidbits were legit part of character design], the gag was she had an idealized version of her father. And when she saw him in person, she either mistaken him for someone else, or just overlooked him.