At the beginning of the year, SNK revealed that among the DLC characters that will be part of season 2 content for The King of Fighters XV (KOF XV) are the much loved Shingo Yabuki, the classic Korean ‘taekwondo’ fighter Kim Kaphwan, the Middle Eastern warrior Najd and Sylvie Paula Paula, a curious fighter we’ve known since KOF XIV and who has an interesting influence: the ‘idol’ Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
Who is Sylvie Paula Paula and what is her story?
Sylvie joined the tournament KOF XIV together with Kukri and Mian as part of a team specially invited by the organizer Antonov. It seems there was no secret motivation behind this invitation, and while Kukri seems familiar with the strange powers of Verse—that game’s final boss—his teammates were only there because Antonov wanted the best fighters in the world in his tournament.
But Sylvie is not just any fighter, as she was created by NESTS, the powerful organization to which Ángel, Krohnen, K’, Kula and other characters belonged. For a long time she was considered a failed experiment until she awakened powers of electromagnetism. Despite her cheerful attitude and festive appearance, she is quite a tragic character. She hears voices in her head, suggesting that she suffers from schizophrenia or another mental illness. Fans also believe that her childish behavior is due to the trauma she suffered when she was under the control of NESTS.
It is for this reason that Sylvie is afraid of Angel and sympathizes with other characters who are victims of the evil organization’s experiments, such as Kula. After the destruction of that criminal syndicate, she devoted herself to underground fighting in which she was eventually discovered by Antonov, who invited her to his tournament.
Paula Paula Pamyu Pamyu
Players familiar with Japanese pop culture immediately associate this character’s name with that of a well-known Japanese singer, model, and fashion icon. We’re talking about Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, whose resemblance both in name and style to Sylvie Paula Paula from The King of Fighters (KOF) is quite obvious.
The real name of this ‘idol’ who started her career as a blogger is Kiriko Takemura. Her popularity grew mainly around Harajuku, known as the “youth fashion district” in Shibuya, Tokyo. Her exaggerated and colorful style in her way of dressing is perfect for that place.
When she debuted on the music scene, she paid homage to the whole culture of ‘kawaii’ fashion and ‘decora’ in her first video: PON PON PON.
Although it has had many popular songs, that video is still iconic. The design of Sylvie Paula Paula pays direct tribute to her with the eyes that she uses as decoration in her hair.
Some suggest a resemblance between the eyeballs on his suit and those used in the fiestas of the devil
Another characteristic element of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu that Sylvie Paula Paula inherited is the tendency to make funny and exaggerated gestures on stage.as can be seen in some of his victory poses in the games of The King of Fighters (KOF) in which it appears
Sylvie is also present in the game SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy and some of his costumes maintain references to ‘decora’ fashion. In this game you also have a “sexy bunny” outfit and a very revealing dress that definitely do not fit his style or his personality.
The most curious thing about all this is that Sylvie is not even Japanese. This character is of French nationality
When does Sylvie Paula Paula come out in The King of Fighters XV (KOF XV) and what do we know about her in that game?
During EVO Japan 2023, SNK presented a video full of news about their games. In this we briefly saw how Sylvie Paula Paula will look doing her introduction in The King of Fighters XV (KOF XV).
We can also get a better look at his new outfit and attitude. Sylvie retains the eyeballs and childish and cheerful personality of her that so identify her with the ‘idol’ that inspired her. Her dark purple bat-wing outfit brings her closer to gothic fashion. She also has some elements specific to the ‘gothic lolita’ style that is so popular in Japan.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has also worn outfits in this style and the bat seems to be one of the signature elements on them, both in the “wing-like” cut of her dresses and in a hairstyle that is literally in the shape of this animal.
Sadly, we don’t have exact information on the character’s release date or what his moves will be in this game, although hopefully they will continue to have the electric theme of KOF XIV. What we do know is that Sylvie Paula Paula will join The King of Fighters XV (KOF XV) in the third quarter of 2023. That means we’ll be able to play with her sometime between July and September.
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