Ryo Sakazaki (Art of Fighting)

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|-|Art of Fighting=
|-|Art of Fighting 2=
|-|Art of Fighting 3=
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==Summary==
Ryo Sakazaki is the main protagonist of the Art of Fighting series alongside Robert Garcia, and one of SNK's most iconic characters. He is a master of Kyokugenryu Karate who always seeks to reach new heights, while occasionally offering his strength to the service of justice to rid the world of villains such as Mr. Big and Geese Howard, especially when they threaten his loved ones. 
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|-|Past= 
Ryo was raised by his father, Takuma Sakazaki, and trained in the art of Kyokugenryu Karate alongside his best friend Robert Garcia. However, when he was about 10, Ryo lost his mother in a car accident, while his father disappeared for unknown reasons. Left alone, Ryo had to earn a living for himself and his sister Yuri, and so he entered the world of street fighting, quickly gaining fame for his prodigious strength and skill.
|-|Art of Fighting= A decade went by, and one day Yuri got kidnapped by a criminal organization. Joining forces with Robert, who was coincidentally paying a visit to Ryo, the two fought their way through South Town, tracking down the culprits. After defeating Mr. Big, the instigator of the kidnapping, Ryo confronted the mysterious Mr. Karate in order to free Yuri. 
Ryo won the match, and learned that his opponent was none other than his lost father Takuma, who had been forced to work for the South Town underworld for a long time to repay his debts and keep his daughter safe. Takuma also revealed him the identity of the man behind everything: Geese Howard. 
|-|Art of Fighting 2=
One year later, Geese made his appearance in South Town, and hosted the first The King of Fighters tournament, seeking powerful fighters to join his Howard Connection. Returning from his training deep in the mountains, Ryo battled old and new friends and foes, reaching the finals and earning his chance to get revenge against the man who caused him and his family so much pain. Once again, Ryo managed to win the battle, but Geese fled at the last moment and escaped Ryo's finishing blow. Having won the tournament and with his nemesis apparently out of business, Ryo returned to his path of self-improvement.
|-|Art of Fighting 3 and Garou: Mark of the Wolves=
In the third chapter of the series, the focus of the plot shifted more on Robert Garcia. Half a year defeating Geese, Ryo was once again going on with his training, when he hears about the disappearance of his friend, who got involved in helping a girl named Freia. Alongside Yuri, the two travel to Glasshill Valley in order to uncover the truth. Ryo will stumble across echoes of old foes on his path, such as Jin Fu-Ha and Kasumi Todoh, the disciples of Eiji Kisagari and Ryuhaku Todoh respectively. In the end, Ryo and Yuri find Robert, who managed to defeat the evil Wyler and assure future peace.
Here news about Ryo Sakazaki's life end, but it will later become known that he inherited the Kyokugenryu Karate and became its master, training a new generation of fighters such as Marco Rodrigues, while still looking to perfect himself more and more.
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==Powers and Stats==
Tier: 
Name: Ryo Sakazaki, epithet "The Invincible Dragon"
Origin: Art of Fighting
Gender: Male
Age: 20 in AoF (His father Takuma disappeared when Ryo was 10, and the events of AoF take place 10 years later), 21 in AoF 2 and AoF 3 (One year passes between AoF and AoF 2, then another half year until AoF 3), 44 in Garou: Mark of the Wolves
Classification: Human, Martial Artist
Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Kyokugenryu Karate Master, Ki Manipulation and Projection, Damage Boost (Can charge his Ki to perform powerful Super Attacks), Acrobatics (Can somersault jump forward and backwards, leap off of walls, land on his feet with a somersault after having been hit while airborne, do dodging rolls, spring back on a standing position after a throw [like many other fighters] and perform several acrobatic techniques)
Attack Potency: Wall level (Comparable to and most likely defeated Mr. Big, Takuma Sakazaki and Geese Howard. Stronger than his studentsGarou: Mark of the Wolves - Marco Rodrigues's Ending, such as Marco Rodrigues. Can smash four ice pillarsArt of Fighting - "Ice Pillar Smash" Bonus Stage with a single chop, shatter logsArt of Fighting 2 - "Initiate Super Death Blow" Bonus Stage and topple trees.Art of Fighting 2 - "Spirit Training" Bonus Stage Becomes progressively stronger over the course of the series, starting from having troublesArt of Fighting - Jack Turner's Stage defeating the likes of Jack Turner to feeling the need to hold back his strengthArt of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior - Jin Fu-Ha's Ending against Jin Fu-Ha)
Speed: Superhuman (Can deliver flurries of attacks at superhuman speed, as demonstrated by techniques such as Zanretsuken and Ryuko Ranbu. Can dodge whip strikes from close range)
Lifting Strength: Class 50 (Comparable to Geese)
Striking Strength: Wall level
Durability: Wall level (Able to withstand the force of his own blows and attacks from the likes of Geese Howard and Takuma Sakazaki)
Stamina: At least Athletic, likely Superhuman (Earning a living by street fighting and enduring wounds and hardships forged his iron-solid will and body, even before the events of the first game. Can engage comparable opponents in serious battle. Part of his training schedule consists in destroying objects such as ice blocks and trees with his bare hands, or taking down a dozen of thugs coming at him all together. Can replenish his reserves of Ki via Ki Charge. Should be at least comparable to the Fatal Fury characters, which have all consistently demonstrated to be able to to fight for hours and even entire days)
Range: Standard Melee Range; Several Meters via Ki Projection
Standard Equipment: None notable
Optional Equipment: Fighting gloves and shoes
Intelligence: Average, Gifted in combat (Went through a harsh training with his father Takuma, a master of Kyokugen-ryu Karate, and his friend Robert Garcia, since an early age. Entered the world of street fighting at the age of 10 and spent there a decade, rapidly improving his skill and earning the reputation of "Invincible Dragon". By the time of Art of Fighting 2, he is already considered a karate master. Entered and won the first "The King of Fighters" tournament.Art of Fighting - Virtual Console pageArt of Fighting 2 - Virtual Console pageNeo Geo Complete Box Website - Art of Fighting Can strike with enough precision to cut offArt of Fighting - "Bottle Cut" Bonus Stage the top of five bottles with a single chop and is able to quickly disposeArt of Fighting 2 - "Strength Training" Bonus Stage of multiple enemies at the same time. Over the course of his career he faced and defeated a number of capable fighters, with the most notable ones being Ryuhaku and Kasumi Todoh, Eiji Kisaragi, Jin Fu-Ha, Mr. Big, a young Geese Howard and Takuma Sakazaki, who was known for having been an undefeated fighter prior to the battle with his son. Ryo is also equal to Robert Garcia, and the two often fight and spar together. He never stopped his training, and 20 years after the events of Art of Fighting 2, he still practices Kyokugen-ryu karate and runs his own dojo)
Weaknesses: None notable.
Fighting Style:
Kyokugen-ryu is a simple but effective style based on traditional combat karate, with the addition of throws taken from judo and other unique techniques. Although it is mostly based on strikes and destructive combinations of attacks, an important part of Kyokugen-ryu karate is the ability to control and project Ki, the inner spiritual energy of the fighter. The best pratictioners often end up developing their own version of the style, and Ryo's balances direct approaches typical of stand-up fighting, acrobatic assaults from the air and an intelligent use of ranged techniques, with the latter being especially useful when facing an armed opponent.Art of Fighting - Mickey's Stage
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
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|-|Special Attacks=
*Ko'ou Ken (Tiger Sparkle Fist): Ryo unleashes a projectile of ki energy from his right arm. Over the course of the years Ryo learned a few variations of this technique, becoming able to fire it while airborne or using it to empower a punch directed onto a grounded opponent.
AoF-KoOuKen.gif|Art of Fighting
AoF2-KoOuKen.gif|Art of Fighting 2
AoF2-AerialKoOuKen.gif|Aerial Ko'ou Ken
AoF3KoOuKen.gif|Art of Fighting 3
GroundKoOuKen.gif|Ground Ko'ou Ken
*Ki Charge: Ryo focuses and charges up his reserves of Ki.
RyoKiCharge.gif|Art of Fighting
AoF2-KiCharge.gif|Art of Fighting 2
AoF3KiCharge.gif|Art of Fighting 3
*Kohou (Tiger Roar): A powerful jumping uppercut which allows Ryo to reach high into the air.
AoF-Kohou.gif|Art of Fighting
AoF2-Kohou.gif|Art of Fighting 2
AoF3Kohou.gif|Art of Fighting 3
*Hien Shippuu Kyaku (Flying Swallow Hurricane Leg): Ryo leaps towards the opponent at high speed, delivering two flying roundhouse kicks in a row.
AoFHienshippukyaku.gif|Art of Fighting
AoF2-Hienshippukyaku.gif|Art of Fighting 2
AoF3-Hienshippukyaku.gif|Art of Fighting 3
*Zanretsuken: Ryo delivers a stunning series of jabs at blinding speed, then ends with either an uppercut or a straight punch. 
AoFZanretsuken.gif|Art of Fighting
AoF2-Zanretsuken.gif|Art of Fighting 2
AoF3-Zanretsuken.gif|Art of Fighting 3
|-|Throws=
*Tomoe Nage: Ryo grips the opponent and falls backward, planting a foot on them and applying pressure, then rolling onto his back and flipping them over.
*Seoi Nage: Ryo grabs the opponent and pulls them over his shoulder, causing them to land on their back.
RyoThrow.gif|Tomoe Nage (AoF)
RyoThrow2.gif|Tomoe Nage (AoF2)
AoF3RyoThrow.gif|Seoi Nage (AoF3)
|-|Super Attacks=
*Haoh Shoukou Ken (Supreme King Flying Howl Fist): Ryo builds up his ki for a moment, then releases a large wave of energy towards the opponent.
AoF-HaohShoukouKen.gif|Art of Fighting
AoF2-HaohShoukouKen.gif|Art of Fighting 2
AoF3HaoShoukouKen.gif|Art of Fighting 3
*Ryuuko Ranbu (Dragon Tiger Wild Dance): Ryo's most powerful technique, with which he dashes towards the opponent and unleashes a savage barrage of punches and kicks, ending with a Kohou.
AoF-RyukoRanbu.gif|Art of Fighting
AoF2-RyukoRanbu.gif|Art of Fighting 2
AoF3RyukoRanbu.gif|Art of Fighting 3
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==Gallery==
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==References==
==Notable Matchups==
Victories:
Losses:
Inconclusive:
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