Fatal Fury and The Art of Fighting Universe Expands: Live Action, Webtoon, and Animated Series from The Arena Studio

Big news! The Arena Studio is preparing to expand the 'South Town' universe, setting of SNK's legendary fighting games Fatal Fury and The Art of Fighting, with a series of adaptations. According to Anime News Network's report on June 10, 2026, the studio is working on a project called 'South Town Saga' that brings these two classic series together. The project includes live-action films, a webtoon, and an animated series – essentially a feast for SNK fans.

Let's rewind a bit. The Fatal Fury series first appeared in 1991, and The Art of Fighting in 1992 on the Neo Geo platform. Both games take place in the fictional city of South Town and introduced unforgettable characters like Terry Bogard, Ryo Sakazaki, and Geese Howard. SNK has been in the news recently with moves to revive its classics; Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves announced in 2025 was part of that strategy. Now, The Arena Studio seems to be taking action to not leave this universe limited to games.

As for the project details: The Arena Studio plans to handle 'South Town Saga' across three different media. The first phase includes live-action films, as well as a webtoon targeting a younger audience and an animated series that will preserve the spirit of the games. In a statement from the studio, it was emphasized that these productions will be connected but can be watched independently, and that they will remain faithful to SNK's original stories. Release dates are not yet clear, but it is said that the project aims to create a long-lasting universe.

Why is this news important for us gamers? Because the South Town characters we've only seen on small screens or in short in-game cutscenes for years will now be presented with a deeper and more cinematic narrative. Considering the bar set by game adaptations like Arcane, The Arena Studio is expected to deliver high quality. In the coming period, we may see new visuals, cast announcements, and perhaps the first trailer from the studio. An exciting era begins for SNK fans!