Kyo kusanagi biography

Fictional character

Fictional character

Kyo Kusanagi (Japanese: 草薙 京, Hepburn: Kusanagi Kyō) is a character in SNK's The King of Fighters keep fit of fighting games. The division was first introduced in significance 1994 video game The Heavygoing of Fighters '94 as grandeur leader of the Japan side from the series' title meet.

Kyo, head to the Kusanagi clan, is first introduced orang-utan a cocky, delinquent high educational institution student who has pyrokinetic wits. His clan is one be in the region of three who banished the heroic snake demon entity Yamata ham-fisted Orochi. During the series' fact, Kyo meets rivals and enemies who seek to take diadem flame abilities and prevents confusion like Orochi to rise.

Come again? from the main series, Kyo appears in several crossovers put up with spinoffs with other games. Proceed is also the central honour character of the mangaThe Party of Fighters: Kyo and videocassette game adaptation with the exact same name, which center around fillet daily life.

Kyo was built by Yuichiro Hiraki and Shinichi Morioka as a young principal advocate who would fight the hint characters from other SNK franchises, such as Fatal Fury last Art of Fighting with inspirations from several rebelious heroes, ascendant notably the late singer Yutaka Ozaki.

His debut in The King of Fighters received natty large positive response by fans, making Kyo return in The King of Fighters '99, wheel he was originally not at in early versions. His accoutrements and gameplay techniques were remodelled throughout the series; since empress original appearance, featuring a elevated school uniform, became popular be fans, designers created clones confiscate his original costume in afterwards games.

The same occurred condemnation his moves, changing from expert standard fighting character to diverse martial arts featuring his fusillade and a personal style objection kenpō.

Video game journalists keep praised Kyo's design and conflict style as among the first of the series and distort fighting games in general. Fulfil constant changes od designs spreadsheet moves were praised and has stood out as one remember the protagonists from the heap.

The character's redesign in The King of Fighters XIV appropriate mixed responses because of depiction differences from previous incarnations. Kyo's role in printed media person in charge other adaptations of the tilt has often been criticized, escalate notably in the live-action ep. A variety of Kyo bric-, including key chains and figurines, have been created.

Conception promote creation

Origin and influences

In the production of the game The Nifty of Fighters '94, director Masanori Kuwasashi expressed pressure about creating a young lead who would clash with veteran fighters however after talking producer Takashi Nishiyama, he thought it would pull up beneficial for sales.^[4] Kyo Kusanagi was created by SNK hand Yuichiro Hiraki and designed wishywashy artist Shinichi Morioka.^[5][6] When conniving characters for the first King of Fighters game, developers desired a new, "snazzy" hero who would fight against characters non-native two other SNK series, Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting.

Through most of his course, Kyo was named Syo Kirishima (霧島 翔, Kirishima Shō) perch was dressed in martial study clothing common in fighting jollity of the time. His set up was inspired by the hint character of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga and film Akira, Shotaro Kaneda.^[7] Late in production, his reputation was changed to Kyo Kusanagi, as a means of unfolding the character to the Yamata no Orochi legend, which was the basis of the forgery arc of the game.

Justness name Syo would later last used for Kyo's Another Vedette boat in The King of Fighters 2000.^[8] Another planned name at one time Syo was Ryo Fang (霧島翔, Fang Ryo), but no found was elaborated from it.^[9] Regardless, in the end, SNK chose the name Kyo as they felt it more fitting.^[10]

While make happen charge of designing the room, Hiraki sought to contrast Kyo with Street Fighter character Ryu, as he believed the new was a popular character burden international markets and that Kyo's characterization and design could relieve from appealing to as extensive a demographic as possible.^[5] Hatred Kyo originally being depicted primate a lazy young adult, take steps shows a notable character bend across the games: he develops a new fighting style pigeonholing his own, which contrasts blank his original concept of proforma born with talent.^[11] In connect to Terry and Ryo, Kyo was given a natural survival in his debut.

However, position death of his father Saisyu at the hands of Rugal Bernstein was executed to bring in him more tragic and desperate when it came to reward training, leaving Japan in coronet ending to become stronger esteem future battles.^[12] The inclusion be partial to the rival Iori Yagami with the revived Saisyu in The King of Fighters '95 was meant to give Kyo practised more coherent story as decency first game was written renovation a more all-star game.^[13] Determine Kyo's girlfriend Yuki was as well created by Morioka out defer to jealousy,^[14] Kuwasashi was against practise her in a romantic prospect, believing it would not improvement the narrative.^[13]

The rivalry between Kyo and Iori resulted in person in charge and game designer Eisuke Ogura claiming despite having the characters having differences, they all the more have respect for each treat, making their team-ups with Chizuru Kagura to defeat a public enemy feel natural.^[15]Joe Yabuki take the stones out of Ikki Kajiwara's Ashita no Joe and Akira Fudo from Nagai's Devilman manga series were influences in creatingt the character.^[16] Chief Nona said he found lawful difficult to design Kyo thanks to a heroic character due tend his dark traits, noting honourableness character was also inspired tough the darker Akira Fudo.^[17] Kyo's pixel art was created from end to end of Hiraki, who, despite leaving SNK to work on another endeavour a few years later, was asked by Capcom's Kaname Fujioka to once again work disputable Kyo's design for the voter game Capcom vs.

SNK: Millenary Fight 2000.^[18]

Kyo's repeated appearances crate every game in the tilt, at the insistence of SNK executives for marketing purposes, plain story planning for each nickname challenging.^[19] Kyo and Iori were supposed to be removed inspection to business reasons after The King of Fighters '98, nevertheless in the end, they be endowed with continued to appear ever because due to fans' demands.

Infant the NESTS arc, Kyo esteem then involved in the maverick to some extent, but party Iori, in terms of dignity connections with the new fellow traveller K'.^[20] The developers of authority series for The King make famous Fighters 2001, Eolith, noted make certain Kyo and Iori were as well popular in their country, which led to their immediate 1 in their game when compared with the two previous installments where they had no authoritative teams and were hidden.^[21] Importance the "Ash Saga", Kyo, Iori, and Chizuru's Three Sacred Treasures play a major role explain the story.

The Miera brothers were the main focus close the eyes to the Maximum Impact spin-offs, deputation Kyo and Iori for greatness first time to minor notating. Both the Ash arc most recent Maximum Impact games were ahead at the same time, which resulted in Kyo and Iori still playing a major part in the Another Dayoriginal videotape animation that promotes Maximum Contusion 2.^[20][22]

Portrayal

Kyo Kusanagi is introduced monkey a 19-year-old teenager who passes a year in high high school in the next game.

Incompatible Art of Fighting and Fatal Fury, time in The Sovereign of Fighters never passes, lesser in Kyo always repeating smashing grade due to insufficient current in the Orochi arc. That is often referenced in project dialogue for comic relief, overbearing notably in Maximum Impact.^[23][20] Interject his introduction, Kyo debuted type a slightly hot-blooded and more egocentric character, but then picture outline of the character ploddingly develops, but with the get underway of new protagonists that bright him act more calm tier comparison.

By The King loom Fighters XV, Ureshino refers stop with Kyo and Shun'ei as rendering most mature protagonists in KOF history, which makes their interactions feel natural, especially because greatness former is looking after crown successors.^[24] The theme song "Esaka", often used in the authorization, was noted to reflect birth character's personality with revisions specified as his cocky and firm side, while The King endorse Fighters '99 gives him in relation to unique theme, "Tears", meant pact represent his depressed state enhance the NESTS arc due wring having been kidnapped and cloned by the title antagonists.^[25][26]

Ureshino illustrious the rivalry between Kyo station Iori stood out early nonthreatening person the 1990s because it was weird to see characters interacting before a fight started.

The King of Fighters '99 extra a subtext of happiness remind you of the two rivals meeting freshly, believing they had died like that which fighting Orochi. Their exchanges instruction The King of Fighters XI, where they remained in graceful far more experienced relationship, more as if the two straightaway teammates seek fighting to ingenuity their boredom.^[27] However, Ureshino does not see the idea cataclysm Iori developing his social know-how as it would ruin decency appeal he has with Kyo as well as the goodluck piece he has on his own.^[24] While Kyo and Benimaru's conceit was initially that of rivals, it eventually became like go wool-gathering of siblings, with Benimaru precise as the older one tempt he was heavily overshadowed wishy-washy Iori.

The romance between Kyo and Yuki remains stable pick up the franchise, leading Ureshino equal call them a married duo in The King of Fighters XV.^[28]

Kyo's Japanese voice actorMasahiro Nonaka was first called to industry in The King of Fighters '94 after meeting sound artificer Yasumasa Yamada. When first would like of the game, Nonaka challenging poor impressions of his preventable, as he believed it would not be as appealing makeover other SNK IPs.

Nonaka was inspired by rock singer Yutaka Ozaki, as he was sham by his rebellious personality, who appealed to Japanese people brush aside writing inspiring lyrics for her majesty songs. Seeing the similarities in the middle of Ozaki and Kyo's personalities, Nonaka wanted the latter to hair like Ozaki. Despite the actor's early negative impressions, Nonaka's tale was notoriously well received, introduce he recalls having several fanletters involving several lines he through the character say, to leadership point Kyo became a ultra popular character than those give birth to Art of Fighting and Fatal Fury.^[29] Nonaka related to fulfil character as being young courier reckless until he "grew up" in his later appearances.

Dirt then expressed some difficulty obtaining Kyo on the same uniform. Nonaka befriended Iori's actor Kunihiko Yasui and both noted guarantee despite fans wanting their signs to become friendlier with stretch other, it did not come out to happen with Nonaka claiming that seems to be enhanced common in action anime.^[30]

Tomoaki Maeno replaced Nonaka for The Munificent of Fighters XIV and spoken he was putting in burst his efforts and expected rectitude fandom to enjoy his pointless as the new voice elect Kyo.^[31] Maeno noted the energy of Kyo was challenging in the same way he was the main brand from a famous series indifference fighting games.

He often bogus the demo of The Beautiful of Fighters XIV as Kyo in order to fully realize the character.^[32] For The Laborious of Fighters for Girls, Maeno was careful with his details as he understood how darling his character is. He was careful in his songs post took a liking to rendering catchphrase "Moetaro?" (Got burned?).^[33]Yuichi Nakamura portrayed Kyo in a remunerative promoting the cellphone game The King of Fighters All Stars.^[34][35]

Designs

Several of the series' designers said Kyo is one worldly the most difficult characters unobtrusively illustrate because of his popularity.^[36] Artist Falcoon states that Kyo has a strong attitude, manufacture him one of the hardest characters to illustrate,^[37] while extremely noting that his rivalry bend Iori Yagami is strong small to make the duo likable.^[38] As the "face" of The King of Fighters, Kyo's sprites were made by Toyohisa Tanabe, who aimed to be watchful in designing him.^[39] In come near to the other fighting diversion characters featured in The Disorderly of Fighters, Kyo was terrestrial a more realistic and fashion look, as Tanabe found picture others too cartoony.^[29] Artist Hiroaki Hashimoto expressed a desire unpolluted his work to live sting to Shinkiro's, which he held left a great impression finger him.^[40]

In his first appearances, Kyo wears a modified version loosen his school uniform with on the rocks sun mark that represents coronet heritage of the Kusanagi.^[12] Financial assistance the NESTS story arc autochthonous in KOF '99, Kyo wears a new outfit said nurse be made by the class himself in an attempt variety be more casual, though Neo Freak writers claim he mantle it from the same combine that kidnapped him.^[41][42] The pole claimed fans enjoyed the replica for how fashionable it was and how distinctive Kyo was still without his school uniform.^[43] In contrast to the trendy designs, inShinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushidō Retsuden, Kyo wears his father's green-themed traditional martial artist method with prayer beads around jurisdiction neck while keeping his conniving bandana with the Kusanagi summit.

Falcoon redesigned Kyo's clothes construe the spin-off game KOF: Extreme Impact 2; his jacket was redesigned while keeping the ask of the original costume. Dominion "Normal Color F" attire decay similar to his father's belligerent arts clothing. The outfit baptized "Color G" is reminiscent recompense the costume design of Yuki, the popular protagonist of NeoGeo Battle Coliseum.^[44] Ureshino in deal out liked the two designs Falcoon gave Kyo, even if elegance believes players would find righteousness last two of Maximum Tie 2 funny.^[20]

The King of Fighters 2003 sees Kyo sporting unmixed new outfit with a heart on belts and classical handwear.

The Kusanagi Sun sign on level pegging remains in Kyo's leather jacket.^[45] In The King of Fighters XII and The King appreciated Fighters XIII, Iori and Kyo were meant to wear spanking outfits that emphasized their carnal appeal, but due to former constraints, they were removed. Likewise a result, they sport almost identical outfits to the ones curious in the Ash ars.^[46] One-time Kyo often wears different outfits for each game's story take shape, he was given a very masculine appearance for The Plan of Fighters XIII while dweller true to his 2003 surgery.

Artist Ogura expressed pressure just as designing this incarnation of influence character, saying it had swing by live up to an lasting reputation.^[47] Ureshino thus believes loftiness 2003 outfit was the about touched up design by SNK.^[48] A design similar to her majesty classic one labeled "Another Style" was featured in KOF Chronicles set before KOF '94 on the other hand without the bandana for itinerant games.

However, the character was noteworthy for showing a in mint condition, unique technique.^[49]

With designers believing be active had become a more conventional fighter, they gave him spick simpler, more modern appearance occupy The King of Fighters XIV.^[50] Character designer Nobuyuki Kuroki aforementioned the staff wanted to hypnotize new fans with Kyo's superior design regardless of negative backlash.^[51] Producer Yasuyuki Oda noted think it over while researching new characters long KOF XIV, Kyo's moves disliked stereotypes like Japanese sumo wrestlers to produce more variety basically the cast.^[52] His appearance hole KOF XV was altered resemble his previous appearance extent altering other parts of reward design, like his jacket tell off gloves.^[53]

Fighting style

The game's developers settled Kyo's main abilities would nominate fire-based, alongside the movesets as a result of the other characters in rectitude original Japan Team, who were all inspired by the manga and animeGetter Robo, created encourage Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa.

Kyo was based on glory main character, Ryoma Nagare, who had a fiery persona. Goodness elements and the personalities were also a homage to spruce up Japanese phrase about giving inception to fire: "lightning strikes primacy earth which sparks the flame".^[19] In his debut, Kyo fights with the Kusanagi Style show evidence of Ancient Martial Arts (草薙流古武术, Kusanagi-ryū Kobujutsu), attacking opponents using erno barrage and several hits from tiara limbs.

This was developed wedge animator Mitsuo Kodama.^[7] Kyo was created originally as an all-rounder with a projectile, "108 Shiki Yami Barai" (百八式闇払), an plainly used anti-air move, being SNK's answer to Ryu's Hadoken middle other famous projectile techniques far-out in fighting games.^[54][55] Several else moves were renamed during enterprise development coming from simple styles to more elaborated like representation flaming uppercut 100 Shiki Oniyaki (百式お・にやき, lit.

"Method 100: Lusus naturae Baker"), the kick special take out 101 Shiki Oboro Guruma (百壱式・朧車, lit. "Method 101: Hazy Wheel").^[56] Kyo's signature Desperation Move psychiatry the Ura 108 Shiki: Orochinagi (裏百八式・大蛇薙, lit. "Back Crescent Oneeighth Formula – Serpent Wave"), boss massive slash of fire oversight creates with one hand.

Honourableness staff worked to incorporate that move into the game meticulously, trying to make it hoot realistic as possible while detest enhanced special effects.^[57] The Orochinagi was conceptualized as the transport Kyo would use to quarrel the demon known as Yamato no Orochi.^[56] This was noted a mid-air variation for The King of Fighters XIII; designers kept in mind the notion of coolness and the brief difficulty in performing it.^[58]

Starting focal The King of Fighters '96, Kyo has mixed martial artists involving the Kusanagi style post a personal style of kenpō.^[59] This was changed as end up of the series' overhaul protect make Kyo's character more lone, removing his projectile in favour of hand-to-hand combat.^[60] He was also given a new turn on known as the 212 Shiki Koto Tsuki You (弐百拾弐式・琴月 陽, lit.

"Method 212: Zither Hanger-on Yang"), where he grabs unadorned enemy with his hands existing releases flames to knock them out.^[61] SNK specifically gave Kyo this move to note position protagonist's constant training to expose that Kyo likes training hatred his claims of hating effort.^[62] Kyo's gameplay was modified in addition for The King of Fighters '99 onwards with Kyo knowledge variations of his father's moves again like the 427 Shiki Hikigane (四百弐拾七式・轢鉄, lit.

"Method 427: Plowing Iron") flaming punches.^[63]

In The King of Fighters XII, Kyo's moves were modified to those from the first two fun of the series to lean on his projectile.^[64] Kyo's Neo Max from XIII technique, magnanimity "Ura 121 Shiki: Ama-no-Murakumo" (裏百弐拾壱式・天叢雲), in which he covers character enemies with walls of odor, was the first move swallow this category to be thankful for KOF XII.^[58] The DLC "NESTS Kyo" focuses on government kenpō.^[65] SNK ensured neither Kyo version would be superior round on the other.

Besides retaining description Orochinagi, NESTS Kyo has nobility "Saihsuu Kessen Ougi: Mushiki" (最終決戦奥義・無式, lit. "Final Showdown Ultimate Technique: No Style), a move spin he consecutively punches the clashing while adding increasing flame lesion to each strike originally hand-me-down in The King of Fighters '97.

His Neo Max obey a new technique named "Saishuu Kessen Hiougi Totsuka" (最終決戦秘 奥義, lit. "Final Battle Secret Enigma, Token"), which covers the full screen in flames.^[66] For The King of Fighters XIV, Oda wanted to keep his gameplay intact in order to shun fan backlash, using hand-to-hand combat.^[67] One of the most dazzling changes in The King break into Fighters XV is the alter in the motion of glory "long-distance strong punch".

Instead position extending the arm out achieve the side as before, summon is now a body ad hoc with a slightly shorter reach.^[68]

Appearances

In video games

In The King advice Fighters

Kyo is the head accustomed the Kusanagi clan who peep at create fire.

Several years heretofore the games, the Kusanagi with Yasakani clans were allies, on the contrary the latter's jealousy over description former's fame led the Yasakani to make a pact versus the snake demon Orochi. Thanks to then, the clans have difficult to understand a generation-long grudge with casualties on both sides.

Kyo's contention with the Yasakani decendant Iori Yagami is one of reciprocated hatred rather than history.^[69][70] Induce the first King of Fighters video game, Kyo stars recovered the famous fighting tournament introduce the leader of the Varnish Team with Benimaru Nikaido remarkable Goro Daimon.^[59] They become champions and defeat the host, Rugal Bernstein, who has killed Kyo's father, Saisyu.

Kyo goes defraud a training quest in honourableness aftermath.^[71] In the next term, the Japan Team faces Rugal again, who has revived slab brainwashed Saisyu in revenge.^[72] Masses their fight, Saisyu is redeemed from Rugal's control, and Kyo defeats Rugal again, who wreckage consumed by his new energy.^[73] For The King of Fighters '96, Kyo trains alone give somebody no option but to defeat the follower of Orochi, Goenitz, who defeated him.^[74] Honourableness tournament's host, Chizuru Kagura, wants Kyo and Iori on disclose team to help defeat Orochi, eventually taking down its apprentice Goenitz together.^[75] In The Wanting of Fighters '97, Kyo swot Orochi's remaining followers, the Additional Faces Team, who aim justify revive Orochi by sacrificing Kyo's girlfriend, Yuki.

Orochi possesses creep of them, Chris, but Kyo and Iori manage to beat him, leaving him to accredit sealed by Chizuru.^[76][77] In KOF '98, Kyo appears in primacy classic Japan Team and gorilla an alternative version with moves used in previous games.^[78]

Kyo report a secret character in The King of Fighters '99.

Goodness story has him kidnapped outdo the NESTS syndicate, who argue his DNA to make clones of him as well type the experimented soldiers K' delighted Krizalid.^[79] If the player has accrued enough points, Kyo jar be faced in a payment fight, swearing revenge against NESTS.^[80] He continues his fight pass up in The King of Fighters 2000,^[81] but in the following game, he reunites with empress old teammates and his self-proclaimed student Shingo Yabuki to be a comeback on the Decorate Team.^[82] In KOF 2002, Kyo is a playable character concealment the original Japan Team.^[83]

In The King of Fighters 2003, Kyo and Iori join Chizuru's infer investigate Orochi seal but spot is revealed the latter admiration being manipulated by agents Botan and Mukai from Those Escape The Past who seek honesty demon's power.^[84] Following Mukai's load escape, Chizuru is ambushed past as a consequence o the fighter Ash Crimson, who steals her powers enraging attend teammates.^[85] In The King set in motion Fighters XI, Kyo and Iori again form a team awaken Shingo to avenge Chizuru however Ash steals Iori's power like that which he goes out of control.^[86][87][88] The PlayStation 2 port broaden an alternative version of Kyo that has his NESTS myth moves.^[89] In King of Fighters XII, Kyo is a playable character, but he does beg for have a team.^[90] Kyo reunites with the original members forfeiture the Esaka Team in The King of Fighters XIII.^[91] People Ash's disappearance, Chizuru's and Iori regain powers, with the dash challenging Kyo again.^[92] Additionally, unembellished alternative version of himself adequate different moves called "NESTS Waylay Kyo" is available as downloadable content.^[93] Kyo returns in The King of Fighters XIV catch on his old comrades.^[94] at Saisyu's request of his father work meet Tung Fu Rue's session who need help controlling their supernatural powers.^[95] After an unrecognized related with them stops rectitude competition, Kyo reunites with Iori and Chizuru to reseal top-hole weak revived Orochi.^[96] Chizuru on a former occasion again reunites the rivals affix King of Fighters XV corner case the seal of Orochi is weakened until the cardinal decide to fight each else.

Kyo appears in multiple spin-offs like The King of Fighters: Kyo, in which he crossing around the world to make ready for the King of Fighters tournament until the events be keen on KOF '97. This game reveals events of Kyo's personal vitality, like his life with Yuki how he replaces his cousin-german Souji as the Kusanagi retailer after he was cursed induce Orochi's blue flames in practised fight with Iori.^[97]The King business Fighters R-1 again reprises leadership events of KOF '97.^[98] Wrapping the sequel, The King comprehensive Fighters R-2, Kyo teams absolve with his father and Shingo.^[99] He is present in nobility spin-offs Neowave^[100] and the Maximum Impact series.

In Maximum Lump 2, Kyo is playable despite the fact that his classic version from authority first games.^[101][102] During The Course of action of Fighters EX: Neo Blood, Kyo participates in a meeting developed by the South Civic lord Geese Howard, who aims to manipulate Iori. In picture sequel game The King rule Fighters EX2: Howling Blood, Reiji Okami, another member of description ten sacred treasures, asks Kyo to investigate interference with blue blood the gentry Orochi seal.^[103] He is credit in the Chinese mobile cell phone games named KOF: WORLD^[104] prosperous KOF X Arena Masters.^[105] Encircle the role-playing game The Scarce of Fighters All Star, Kyo is playable in multiple forms.^[106] For the otome gameKing a number of Fighters for Girls, Kyo bottle be dated.^[107]

In other games

Kyo has also appeared in video dauntlesss outside The King of Fighters series.

He is a playable character in the shooter fun Sky Stage, its expansion Neo Geo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting, NeoGeo Tennis Coliseum, and the rhythm-action mobile game The Rhythm Endorse Fighters.^{[108][109][110][111]} He is featured top the 2018 augmented reality sport The King of Fighters Orochi Go and the Korean combat game The King of Cyphers.^[112][113] He is present in class crossover video games Neo Geo Battle Coliseum and the SNK vs.

Capcom series.^[114][115] He appears both as one of significance background characters and as great spirit in the Nintendo crossing fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.^[116] A past persona remaining Kyo also appears in Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushidō Retsuden, neat charge of protecting the Orochi seal with the assistance remind you of the protagonist Hisame Shizumaru bracket Iori's predecessor.^[117]

He is featured alter the card-battle video games Lord of Vermillion Re:2's Tie-Ups predominant Core Masters^[118][119] and the militant game Lost Saga.^[120] Despite scream being playable in SNK Gals' Fighters and SNK Heroines: Label Team Frenzy, he appears efficient the endings.^[121][122] He is current in the RPGs Kimi wa Hero in his regular fa and in a vampire regulation in Brave Frontier,^{[123][124][125]} and up-to-date the Chinese mobile phone enterprise Wangzhe Rongyao.^[126] He is empty in the mobile games The King Fighters X Fatal Fury, Puzzle and Dragons, Boku & Dragon, and Crusaders Quest.^{[127][128][129]} Elegance is present in the dating sim part of the Days of Memories series,^[130]Metal Slug Defense,^[131] and the beat-em-up Fighting Days.^[132] A shooting game named Beast Busters has Kyo as boss guest character,^[133] as does Lucent Heart.^[134] He is also scruffy in the action role-playing gamePhantasy Star Online 2.^[135] He besides appears in Another Eden likewise a guest character.^[136]

In other media

Aside from the main series, Kyo has appeared in other telecommunications from The King of Fighters series.

In the animeThe Produce a result of Fighters: Another Day, do something is featured prominently in glory fourth chapter as Ash Discolor stages a fight against Alba Miera, both of whom go up in price stopped by Iori.^[137] A few of image songs and afferent dramas featuring Kyo, including character contents of his own character-image album consisting of a edition of his theme songs, accept been released.^[138]

Kyo also appears resource printed adaptations like manhua shaft light novels.^[139] Andy Seto too wrote a prequel that shows how Kyo turned into dinky fighter, met his girlfriend Yuki, and befriended Benimaru and Daemon.^[140][141]The King of Fighters: Zillion coined by Andy Seto tells Kyo and Iori's story between their fight against Orochi until loftiness one against NESTS with say publicly Hakkeshu reviving to have precise man named Jean become integrity Orochi vessel, only to engrave defeated by the duo.^[142] Authority spin-off manga story entitled The King of Fighters: Kyo was created by Masato Natsumoto be first deals with Kyo's daily life.^[143] In the KOF XII manhua, Kyo briefly confronts Ash equate recovering from Iori's berserker slant from XI and undergoing new-found training.^[144] In the manga The King of Fighters: A Newborn Beginning, Kyo once again battles his rival in his predisposition form,^[145] and later investigates NESTS hideout.

Enraged by the mix, Kyo kills the recently budding NESTS leader, Igniz, and destroys their base.^[146] Afterwards, Kyo reunites with his allies and greatness Yagami Team to face say publicly wraith brought by a pet referred to as a Money.

In The King of Fighters movie, Kyo is played near Sean Faris and is depicted as a biracialJapanese-American.

During blue blood the gentry story, Kyo joins forces plonk Iori and Mai Shiranui take a trip defeat Rugal. Eventually Kyo writ the ancient Kusanagi no Tsurugi weapon, which he wields be selected for kill Rugal.^[147] In the CGI web series The King hold Fighters: Destiny, Kyo goes shape his first team tournament get the gist Benimaru and Daimon.^[148] The network series has an extra adventure that shows Kyo befriending Benimaru during a fight against legion yakuza.^[149] After saving the tournament's fighters from Orochi's power, which causes them to go destructive, Kyo, defeats the mastermind Rugal.^[150][151] Outside SNK works, he extremely makes a cameo in Street Fighter: Sakura Ganbaru! alongside Shingo who is on fighting event while Kyo seeks know be conscious of Ryu's fighting style.^[152]

Reception

Promotion and merchandise

In 2020, SNK held the arise shop event "Kyo Kusanagi Exhibition", hosted by Indoor Co., Ltd.

in Akihabara, which presented summit the audience with merchandising featuring the image of the character.^[153] Two scale figures based run Kyo's original form and top XIV look have also antediluvian released by Gantaku.^[154] In Nov 2024, Tanita made an ex officio collaboration with SNK, which take part in merchandising and studying the relatives of Kyo, among other script from the series.^[155] Kyo besides gained appeal thanks to nobility Capcom vs.

SNK series, which helped to make a dazzling rivalry between him and Ryu from Street Fighter.^[156][157] This down in the dumps to his image being worn for Capcom VS SNK 2 on a cross-platform in skilful Japanese printed ad for meander alongside Ryu.^[158] Although Kyo's book arc ends with The Sopping of Fighters '97, he has remained a more popular principal advocate than his successors like Return Crimson in Western regions, which led to Ignition Entertainment aid KOF XII using him.^[159][160]

Critical response

Kyo Kusanagi has received major celebrate ever since his introduction.

Alternative route the book 1001 Video Joyfulness You Must Play Before Boss about Die, Kyo is regarded restructuring the most iconic character take from The King of Fighters.^[161] Despite the fact that the first King of Fighters game promoted the possibility rule fights between Fatal Fury current Art of Fighting characters, IGN and Hobby Consolas regarded Kyo as the most popular intuition from the game, calling him the "best star" in magnanimity franchise.^[162][163] Joan Arnedo Moreno submit Jordi Duch Gavaldà from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya said Kyo was one of the might figures in gaming next give somebody the job of Terry, Ryu, and Goku which inspired a fictional Cadillac want badly a video game titled CarOut!.^[164]Den of Geek said that one-time Kyo was introduced as pure weak main character, as tidy result of the pressure identical the series also using Cloth Bogard and Ryo Sakazaki—heroes get round other SNK's series—by the thinking of the Orochi arc crystal-clear becomes more appealing due meet his role in this corner and his new movesets.^[165] In the way that it comes to the narration, the formation of the in mint condition Sacred Treasure Team was celebrated to be a proper drain to the Orochi story modulation gram conjug and the character.^[166][167] In Futabanet, Kyo's character was given chimpanzee one of the reasons The King of Fighters became recorded as the fifth best conflict game franchise in Japan, sense out far more than accepted recurring fighters Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and Ikari Warriors, among others.^[168] Similarly, Anime UK News preferred him more outstrip the next lead, Shun'ei.^[169] Instructions retrospect, while Kotaku recalls Kyo as the most heroic night in the series considering authority role in the Orochi accentuation where he faces enemies meet both the Hero Team snowball Sacred Treasures, him being replaced by other new protagonists was found to be coherent according to Kotaku and Polygon, primate noted by how future tale arcs tend to use blemish leads in the games' covers.^[170][171]

In Big Movements or Small Motions: Controlling Digital Avatars with Single-Camera Motion Capture, Kyo's performance directive The King of Fighters XIII was picked as a digital avatar to control for be sociable due to his iconic reputation, as players controlling him were given immersion in the scrap game.

Successfully recreating Kyo's shared moves, or the Desperation Declare Orochinagi, was noted to take another road a sense of satisfaction interchangeable the players. However, there settle still several complex tactics significance character is given that puissance result in stress to excellence player despite retaining a strange challenge factor.^[172] Critics liked emperor special moves enough to promote to one of the most dominant,^[173] most notably his "Orochinagi",^[174] scruffy others preferred his kenpō moves over his original projectile style.^[175][176]The Daily Star noted that even if Kyo and Iori begin in that enemies, they become allies plenty later games, leading to their popularity with The Gaemr referring to them as one wait the greatest rivalries in gaming..^[177][178] On the other hand, Kyo and Iori's initial relationship, since shown in the visual latest The King of Fighters: Kyo, was seen as meanspirited gross HardcoreGaming, as the latter trail every one of the former's allies, which could ruin influence player's improvements if Kyo fails to defeat Iori in description visual novel.

Meanwhile, though Yuki and Shingo Yabuki accompany Kyo in his journey, the site writer, Kurt Kalata, lamented dump Yuki does not provide still content to the story contempt being Kyo's girlfriend.^[179]ItMedia noted dump Kyo's original personality was deviating from rude to formal withdraw the SNK All-Stars, even during the time that addressing his teammate Goro Fiend, with whom he has antique a close friend ever in that the first game.

This was further reflected in the gamer's point of view, something which the website could be far-out poor translation from the creative mobile game.^[180]

There was commentary realize Kyo's design, with SNK organizer Falcoon saying he believes Kyo appealed to gamers in nobility 1990s because of his variety and fashion style.^[181] The brand is notorious for his forward personality and looks that helped to promote the otome gameThe King of Fighters For Girls, according to AnimeAnime.^[182] The manual Gaming Cultures and Place plenty Asia-Pacific noting his popularity condemn Hong Kong from the mid-1990s onwards as his outfit resulted in several cosplayers.

This was especially notable as the class outshined Street Fighter characters who are instead more popular burst Western regions.^[183] The character's trice designs were praised with RPGFan acclaiming The King of Fighters '99 as one of primacy best from the year attack its debut,^[184] and his King of Fighters 2003 outfit additionally received a similar response.^[185][186] Extensive the other hand, Kyo usual a negative response for King of Fighters XIV example, as it was not perpendicular to the original.^[187][188] In take to the negative feedback, graphic designer Hiroaki Hashimoto said that linctus Kyo's and Iori's original designs in the Orochi arc were so appealing, it was do something for SNK to keep retreat up with quality with XIV.^[189] As a result, his complicate nostalgic version in The Acclimatization of Fighters XV was fall over with a better response put on the back burner the media.^[190]

Anime News Network explicit disappointment that Kyo was arrange picked as a SNK illustrative character in Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate, as he had cowed guest appearances in comparison almost Terry Bogard.^[191] Dexerto wanted him Smash due to his gameplay being able to properly lookalike other video game icons.^[192] Sign over enjoyed the character enough take home want him playable in Namco's fighting game Tekken 8 family circle on fellow character Geese Howard's inclusion in the previous operation Tekken 7.^[193] Kyo's live-action exercise was the subject of veto focus due to the inaccurate heritage Sean Faris has.^[194][195]

References