Dead or Alive 5 promises to marry its signature fighting style with a wide variety of martial arts fighting techniques to create an even stronger direction for the popular franchise. No longer content to be eye candy with a deadly kick the female fighters will prove that they possess even more character in the game. Doing so adds to their unique styles which will accentuate their individual personalities as they fight it out with their opponents with a new look and feel only befit for a new generation of intense Dead or Alive combat.

In Dead or Alive 5, players will once again take on the roles of the cast of Dead or Alive fighters in an intense, action-packed brawler set in visually striking locations from around the world. The famed Dead or Alive hand-to-hand combat returns supported by completely new 3D stages that maintain their incredibly characteristic style but with a fresh look and feel. In Dead or Alive 5 stages are more than spectacular visual backdrops, instead playing to a fighter’s strengths. As a fight progresses, the backdrop will change and interact with players. Skilled fighters will be able to utilize these dynamic stages to execute hard-hitting blows, pitting their opponents against fresh obstacles to create a breathtaking new fighting experience.

Under the leadership of Hayashi-san, Team NINJA is developing a bright new future for the Dead or Alive franchise. As long-time fans of the series become more established, Team NINJA has taken great strides to ensure a new experience that matured with the player. Intertwining elements of realism within the Dead or Alive world, players will be able to connect with their fighters in a whole new light.

With each battle executing a new level of involvedness, the fighters themselves have become more complex in their design. In Dead or Alive 5 players will be able to feel more involved in the action as they see their fighters sweat as they exert more energy. Further, the grittier realistic design of these beloved fighters adds a new layer of depth to the Dead or Alive series. Players can also kick up the competition in online multiplayer modes where fighters must learn to utilize their strength and weaknesses to K.O. challengers.

“After showing the evolution of Dead or Alive 5’s high quality, high energy action fighting experience it is now time to reveal what our first set of female fighters have in store for players,” said Yosuke Hayashi, Team NINJA leader. “Ayane and Hitomi retain their signature spirits while complimented by a new look that reflects amazing beauty, grace, and a strong sense of presence alongside deadly attack skills in intense combat as they take to the massively dynamic and interactive new stages that are a hallmark of this latest installment.”

AYANE is a female ninja or kunoichi who first made her appearance in Dead or Alive. The leader of the Hajin Mon ninja, she is the half-sister and cousin to Hayate and Kasumi. Nicknamed the “Female Tengu” for her lethal Hajin Mon fighting style, she has also appeared in the Ninja Gaiden series.

The German karate fighter HITOMI first entered the game’s pantheon in Dead or Alive 3 when she entered the tournament to prove her abilities to her karate master father. Somewhat gullible but with a noble and honorable character, she has formidable martial arts skills.