Look, let’s be honest. Most fighting game sequels are basically just roster updates. You get the same old faces with a few new moves and maybe a slightly shinier coat of paint. But then you have Garou: Mark of the Wolves. SNK did something truly gutsy in 1999—they threw away almost everything. They kept Terry Bogard, gave him a flight jacket, and basically told the rest of the Fatal Fury cast to take a hike. It was a complete reset.
What we got instead was a roster that felt... human. These weren't just "fighting archetypes." They were people with messy lives, bad parents, and actual personalities. It’s why people are still obsessing over the Garou: Mark of the Wolves characters even now in 2026, especially with City of the Wolves finally picking up the threads.
The Hero Who Shouldn't Exist
Rock Howard is kinda the ultimate "what if" character. He’s the son of Geese Howard—the man who killed Terry Bogard’s father. But instead of growing up to be a corporate overlord, he was raised by Terry. You see it in his moves. He has Geese’s Reppuken but uses Terry’s Rising Tackle. He’s a walking contradiction.
Actually, his whole story is about the fear of his own bloodline. He hates his father. He loves his surrogate dad. He’s caught in the middle. Most people think he’s just a "cool anime boy," but if you look at his win poses, he’s constantly struggling to keep his "evil" side in check. It’s heavy stuff for a 2D fighter.
Terry Bogard: The Only Legend Left
Terry is the anchor. In every other Fatal Fury game, he’s the energetic "Hungry Wolf." In Garou, he’s older. He’s the "Legendary Wolf" now. He traded the red cap for a brown bomber jacket and let his hair down. He’s basically the cool uncle of the fighting game world.
He isn't even the protagonist anymore. He’s the mentor. He’s there to watch Rock grow, even if it means Rock might eventually leave him to find out the truth about his mother, Marie Heinlein. Terry’s gameplay in this era is legendary because it’s so streamlined. No more "Are you okay?" spam—just pure, fundamental power.
The Next Generation of Fighters
The rest of the cast is a mix of legacy and total weirdness. You’ve got the Kim brothers, Dong Hwan and Jae Hoon. They’re the sons of Kim Kaphwan from the older games. Honestly, they’re a perfect example of sibling dynamics. Jae Hoon is the "serious" one who practices his Taekwondo until his feet bleed. Dong Hwan? He’s a total slacker who just happens to be a genius. He hits on girls and barely tries, yet he’s just as dangerous as his brother.
Then there’s B. Jenet.
She’s a pirate leader who enters the tournament basically because she’s bored and wants to rob the host. She’s flashy, she uses her dress as a weapon, and she has one of the best themes in the game. She’s become such a fan favorite that she’s practically a series staple now.
The Weird and the Deadly
- Gato: A brutal martial artist looking for his father. He’s grumpy, mean, and incredibly fun to play if you like high-pressure offense.
- Hotaru Futaba: She’s searching for her brother (who is almost certainly Gato, though he denies it). She has a pet marten named Itokatsu. Don't let the cuteness fool you; her projectile reflects are annoying as hell.
- Tizoc (The Griffon Mask): A pro wrestler who is a hero to children. He’s basically the heart of the game. If you lose to him, you can’t even be mad because he’s doing it for the kids.
- Kevin Rian: A SWAT officer looking for the man who killed his partner. He’s got a very "street" style, using fire-based strikes and grappling.
- Freeman: This guy is creepy. He’s the one Kevin is looking for. He’s a serial killer who views fighting as an art form. His movements are jagged and weird, making him one of the most unique sprites SNK ever drew.
Why This Roster Still Matters in 2026
We're currently seeing a massive revival of these characters. With the release of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, characters like Marco Rodrigues (the Kyokugen karate master) and Hokutomaru (the ninja kid trained by Andy Bogard) are finally getting their day in the sun again.
The reason people care isn't just nostalgia. It’s the "Just Defense" system and the "T.O.P." (Tactical Offensive Position) mechanic. These systems made the characters feel distinct. When you’re in your T.O.P. zone, you gain new moves and health regeneration. It makes the matches feel like a high-stakes chess game where one mistake leads to a massive comeback.
Hidden Bosses and the End of the Line
If you’re good enough to get an "A" rank or higher throughout the game, you don't just stop at the regular roster. You have to face Grant and Kain R. Heinlein.
Grant is a literal mountain of a man. He’s Kain’s bodyguard and childhood friend, Abel. He’s basically a dark version of a martial arts master, and his "Martyr" style hits like a truck.
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Then there’s Kain. He’s the boss. He’s Rock’s uncle. He wants to turn South Town into a "survival of the fittest" paradise. He’s elegant, he uses fire and ice-like energy, and he holds the key to Rock’s past. The game ends on a massive cliffhanger where Rock actually joins Kain to find out the truth. For 26 years, fans waited for the resolution to that story.
How to Get Started with the Cast
If you're picking up the game today—whether on a retro setup or a modern port—here is how you should approach the Garou: Mark of the Wolves characters:
- Start with Terry or Rock. They are the most balanced and will teach you the fundamentals of the "Breaking" system (canceling certain moves to extend combos).
- Learn to "Just Defend." This isn't just blocking. You tap the stick back right as the hit lands. It heals you and lets you counter-attack faster. It's the core of the game.
- Pick a T.O.P. position based on your style. If you’re aggressive, put it at the start of your health bar. If you like comebacks, put it at the end.
- Explore the weirdos. Once you're comfortable, try Gato or B. Jenet. Their movement options are much more complex but way more rewarding.
The beauty of this game is that there isn't a "bad" character. Even the ninja kid Hokutomaru can be a nightmare in the right hands. It’s a testament to SNK’s balancing that a game from 1999 still feels this tight.
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If you want to master the roster, your best bet is to jump into training mode and practice "Breaking" your specials. It changes everything about how the characters play. Focus on the timing of Rock’s Shine Knuckle or Terry’s Power Charge. Once you get that down, you’ll understand why this game is considered a masterpiece.