It was rarely like this before KOF99, even metrosexual characters like Benimaru are not weak-looking, so that was okay.
Ash looks built underneath that shirt. I can clearly see that he has muscle tone. He has the same build and frame that a character like Benimaru does.
Only difference is, he doesn't copy the style of Jean-Pierre Polnareff.
Look at his backstory, he does not have any interests because he thinks everything is "A bother". =/
Hehe, I've known guys like that before. ^__^ They're usually very soft and sweet on the inside. Ash certainly seems it just from his mannerisms.
A lot of the Japanese fans hate him too.
Japan loves girly boys! ^__^