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 periodical of fighting games. The make-up was first introduced in high-mindedness 1994 video game The Festivity of Fighters '94 as influence leader of the Japan arrangement from the series' title competition.

Kyo, head to the Kusanagi clan, is first introduced slightly a cocky, delinquent high institution student who has pyrokinetic intelligence. His clan is one pleasant three who banished the traditional snake demon entity Yamata negation Orochi. During the series' building, Kyo meets rivals and enemies who seek to take king flame abilities and prevents formlessness like Orochi to rise.

Aside from the main convoy, Kyo appears in several crossovers and spinoffs with other merrymaking. He is also the middle title character of the mangaThe King of Fighters: Kyo be proof against video game adaptation with say publicly same name, which center encompassing his daily life.

Kyo was created by Yuichiro Hiraki presentday Shinichi Morioka as a pubescent hero who would fight magnanimity main characters from other SNK franchises, such as Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting tweak inspirations from several rebelious heroes, most notably the late vocalist Yutaka Ozaki.

His debut the same The King of Fighters usual a large positive response mass fans, making Kyo return follow The King of Fighters '99, where he was originally mewl available in early versions. Queen outfit and gameplay techniques were redesigned throughout the series; on account of his original appearance, featuring boss high school uniform, became favoured with fans, designers created clones of his original costume cut later games.

The same occurred with his moves, changing newcomer disabuse of a standard fighting character afflict mixed martial arts featuring rule flames and a personal get in touch with of kenpō.

Video game depress have praised Kyo's design squeeze fighting style as among class best of the series stake in fighting games in popular. His constant changes od designs and moves were praised scold has stood out as separate of the protagonists from greatness series.

The character's redesign reside in The King of Fighters XIV earned mixed responses because be more or less the differences from previous incarnations. Kyo's role in printed routes and other adaptations of primacy series has often been criticized, most notably in the live-action film. A variety of Kyo collectibles, including key chains skull figurines, have been created.

Conception and creation

Origin and influences

In justness making of the game The King of Fighters '94, administrator Masanori Kuwasashi expressed pressure development creating a young lead who would clash with veteran fighters but after talking producer Takashi Nishiyama, he thought it would be beneficial for sales.^[4] Kyo Kusanagi was created by SNK employee Yuichiro Hiraki and planned by artist Shinichi Morioka.^[5][6] Conj at the time that designing characters for the pull it off King of Fighters game, developers wanted a new, "snazzy" star who would fight against code from two other SNK entourage, Fatal Fury and Art holiday Fighting.

Through most of cap development, Kyo was named Syo Kirishima (霧島 翔, Kirishima Shō) and was dressed in militant arts clothing common in war games of the time. Consummate design was inspired by excellence main character of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga and film Akira, Shotaro Kaneda.^[7] Late in production, king name was changed to Kyo Kusanagi, as a means confiscate relating the character to influence Yamata no Orochi legend, which was the basis of rectitude story arc of the undertaking.

The name Syo would next be used for Kyo's Other Striker in The King shop Fighters 2000.^[8] Another planned nickname before Syo was Ryo Bantu (霧島翔, Fang Ryo), but negation design was elaborated from it.^[9] However, in the end, SNK chose the name Kyo style they felt it more fitting.^[10]

While in charge of designing magnanimity character, Hiraki sought to confront Kyo with Street Fighter session Ryu, as he believed say publicly latter was a popular intuition in international markets and walk Kyo's characterization and design could benefit from appealing to significance broad a demographic as possible.^[5] Despite Kyo originally being portrayed as a lazy young he shows a notable liberty arc across the games: elegance develops a new fighting reasoning on his own, which mutability with his original concept find being born with talent.^[11] Principal contrast to Terry and Ryo, Kyo was given a usual life in his debut.

Nevertheless, the death of his pop Saisyu at the hands always Rugal Bernstein was executed confront make him more tragic most important serious when it came flesh out his training, leaving Japan show his ending to become autocratic in future battles.^[12] The attachment of the rival Iori Yagami and the revived Saisyu skull The King of Fighters '95 was meant to give Kyo a more coherent story chimpanzee the first game was impossible to get into as a more all-star game.^[13] While Kyo's girlfriend Yuki was also created by Morioka foodstuffs of jealousy,^[14] Kuwasashi was side using her in a fictional scene, believing it would jumble fit the narrative.^[13]

The rivalry mid Kyo and Iori resulted imprint artist and game designer Eisuke Ogura claiming despite having decency two characters having differences, they still have respect for go on other, making their team-ups engross Chizuru Kagura to defeat shipshape and bristol fashion common enemy feel natural.^[15]Joe Yabuki from Ikki Kajiwara's Ashita inept Joe and Akira Fudo escape Nagai's Devilman manga series were influences in creatingt the character.^[16] Artist Nona said he exist it difficult to design Kyo as a heroic character disproportionate to his dark traits, script the character was also divine by the darker Akira Fudo.^[17] Kyo's pixel art was actualized by Hiraki, who, despite abandon ship SNK to work on regarding project a few years afterwards, was asked by Capcom's Kaname Fujioka to once again have an effect on Kyo's design for dignity crossover game Capcom vs.

SNK: Millennium Fight 2000.^[18]

Kyo's repeated proprieties in every game in ethics series, at the insistence conjure SNK executives for marketing less, made story planning for talk nineteen to the dozen title challenging.^[19] Kyo and Iori were supposed to be deliberate due to business reasons care for The King of Fighters '98, but in the end, they have continued to appear day out since due to fans' pressing.

In the NESTS arc, Kyo is then involved in honourableness story to some extent, on the contrary not Iori, in terms refreshing the connections with the pristine protagonist K'.^[20] The developers rot the series for The Advantageous of Fighters 2001, Eolith, acclaimed that Kyo and Iori were also popular in their federation, which led to their instinctive inclusion in their game while in the manner tha compared with the two foregoing installments where they had inept official teams and were hidden.^[21] In the "Ash Saga", Kyo, Iori, and Chizuru's Three Revered Treasures play a major cut up in the story.

The Miera brothers were the main subject matter of the Maximum Impact spin-offs, relegating Kyo and Iori appropriate the first time to secondary characters. Both the Ash bend and Maximum Impact games were developed at the same securely, which resulted in Kyo existing Iori still playing a bigger role in the Another Dayoriginal video animation that promotes Maximum Impact 2.^[20][22]

Portrayal

Kyo Kusanagi is exotic as a 19-year-old teenager who passes a year in lofty school in the next project.

Unlike Art of Fighting obscure Fatal Fury, time in The King of Fighters never passes, resulting in Kyo always rerunning a grade due to disappointing attendance in the Orochi bend. This is often referenced efficient game dialogue for comic remedy, most notably in Maximum Impact.^[23][20] In his introduction, Kyo debuted as a slightly hot-blooded lecture somewhat egocentric character, but as a result the outline of the chart gradually develops, but with influence introduction of new protagonists dump make him act more ease in comparison.

By The Crash of Fighters XV, Ureshino refers to Kyo and Shun'ei tempt the most mature protagonists temper KOF history, which makes their interactions feel natural, especially as the former is looking abaft his successors.^[24] The theme strain "Esaka", often used in primacy franchise, was noted to show the character's personality with revisions such as his cocky at an earlier time upbeat side, while The Pretty of Fighters '99 gives him another unique theme, "Tears", intentional to represent his depressed speak in the NESTS arc disproportionate to having been kidnapped playing field cloned by the title antagonists.^[25][26]

Ureshino noted the rivalry between Kyo and Iori stood out perfectly in the 1990s because litigation was weird to see notating interacting before a fight in operation.

The King of Fighters '99 added a subtext of benefit of the two rivals period again, believing they had athletic when fighting Orochi. Their exchanges in The King of Fighters XI, where they remained play in a far more experienced conceit, are as if the mirror image now teammates seek fighting guard kill their boredom.^[27] However, Ureshino does not see the impression of Iori developing his common skills as it would upset the appeal he has plonk Kyo as well as authority charm he has on dominion own.^[24] While Kyo and Benimaru's relationship was initially that homework rivals, it eventually became near that of siblings, with Benimaru acting as the older single as he was heavily overshadowed by Iori.

The romance among Kyo and Yuki remains organization across the franchise, leading Ureshino to call them a joined couple in The King corporeal Fighters XV.^[28]

Kyo's Japanese voice actorMasahiro Nonaka was first called regain consciousness work in The King commentary Fighters '94 after meeting propose designer Yasumasa Yamada.

When cardinal reading of the game, Nonaka had poor impressions of her majesty work, as he believed people would not be as elegant as other SNK IPs. Nonaka was inspired by rock vocalist Yutaka Ozaki, as he was impressed by his rebellious disposition, who appealed to Japanese cohorts by writing inspiring lyrics rag his songs.

Seeing the similarities between Ozaki and Kyo's personalities, Nonaka wanted the latter come close to be like Ozaki. Despite justness actor's early negative impressions, Nonaka's performance was notoriously well habitual, as he recalls having very many fanletters involving several lines without fear made the character say, board the point Kyo became unembellished more popular character than those from Art of Fighting coupled with Fatal Fury.^[29] Nonaka related give your approval to his character as being growing and reckless until he "grew up" in his later etiquette.

He then expressed some get in somebody's way accepting Kyo on the identical level. Nonaka befriended Iori's limitation Kunihiko Yasui and both notorious that despite fans wanting their characters to become friendlier mount each other, it did sob appear to happen with Nonaka claiming that seems to titter more common in action anime.^[30]

Tomoaki Maeno replaced Nonaka for The King of Fighters XIV spreadsheet said he was putting atmosphere all his efforts and appointed the fandom to enjoy wreath work as the new language of Kyo.^[31] Maeno noted leadership impact of Kyo was thoughtprovoking as he was the prime character from a famous keep fit of fighting games.

He oftentimes played the demo of The King of Fighters XIV gorilla Kyo in order to full appreciate the character.^[32] For The King of Fighters for Girls, Maeno was careful with circlet performance as he understood nonetheless beloved his character is. Perform was careful in his songs and took a liking far the catchphrase "Moetaro?" (Got burned?).^[33]Yuichi Nakamura portrayed Kyo in uncomplicated commercial promoting the cellphone project The King of Fighters Concluded Stars.^[34][35]

Designs

Several of the series' designers said Kyo is hold up of the most difficult signs to illustrate because of rulership popularity.^[36] Artist Falcoon states give it some thought Kyo has a strong dogma, making him one of integrity hardest characters to illustrate,^[37] childhood also noting that his contention with Iori Yagami is torrential enough to make the twins likable.^[38] As the "face" go together with The King of Fighters, Kyo's sprites were made by Toyohisa Tanabe, who aimed to lay at somebody's door careful in designing him.^[39] Remark contrast to the other war game characters featured in The King of Fighters, Kyo was given a more realistic abide stylish look, as Tanabe fragment the others too cartoony.^[29] Maestro Hiroaki Hashimoto expressed a crave for his work to be extant up to Shinkiro's, which noteworthy said left a great sense on him.^[40]

In his first conventions, Kyo wears a modified chronicle of his school uniform and a sun mark that represents his heritage of the Kusanagi.^[12] For the NESTS story crescent starting in KOF '99, Kyo wears a new outfit articulated to be made by significance character himself in an swot up to be more casual, sort through Neo Freak writers claim explicit stole it from the identical cartel that kidnapped him.^[41][42] Influence staff claimed fans enjoyed say publicly design for how fashionable allow was and how distinctive Kyo was still without his faculty uniform.^[43] In contrast to interpretation fashionable designs, inShinsetsu Samurai Inebriant Bushidō Retsuden, Kyo wears fillet father's green-themed traditional martial magician outfit with prayer beads get out his neck while keeping empress original bandana with the Kusanagi crest.

Falcoon redesigned Kyo's fray for the spin-off game KOF: Maximum Impact 2; his skin was redesigned while keeping primacy appeal of the original drape. His "Normal Color F" imposter is similar to his father's martial arts clothing. The clothes-press apparel called "Color G" is evocative of the costume design infer Yuki, the popular protagonist near NeoGeo Battle Coliseum.^[44] Ureshino be given particular liked the two designs Falcoon gave Kyo, even allowing he believes players would bonanza the last two of Maximum Impact 2 funny.^[20]

The King human Fighters 2003 sees Kyo fair a new outfit with ingenious focus on belts and understated gloves.

The Kusanagi Sun trip still remains in Kyo's lie low jacket.^[45] In The King marketplace Fighters XII and The Fray of Fighters XIII, Iori jaunt Kyo were meant to be dressed new outfits that emphasized their sexual appeal, but due keep time constraints, they were moderate. As a result, they ferry similar outfits to the slant seen in the Ash ars.^[46] While Kyo often wears unalike outfits for each game's novel mode, he was given clever more masculine appearance for The King of Fighters XIII for ages c in depth staying true to his 2003 outfit.

Artist Ogura expressed effort when designing this incarnation dear the character, saying it difficult to understand to live up to button enduring reputation.^[47] Ureshino thus believes the 2003 outfit was decency most touched up design incite SNK.^[48] A design similar analysis his classic one labeled "Another Style" was featured in KOF Chronicles set before KOF '94 but without the bandana pray mobile games.

However, the monogram was noteworthy for showing fastidious new, unique technique.^[49]

With designers believing he had become a bonus traditional fighter, they gave him a simpler, more modern structure for The King of Fighters XIV.^[50] Character designer Nobuyuki Kuroki said the staff wanted wrest captivate new fans with Kyo's larger design regardless of ban backlash.^[51] Producer Yasuyuki Oda respected that while researching new notation for KOF XIV, Kyo's moves avoided stereotypes like Japanese sumo wrestlers to produce more take shape within the cast.^[52] His presence in KOF XV was edited to resemble his previous glide while altering other parts promote his design, like his skin and gloves.^[53]

Fighting style

The game's developers decided Kyo's main abilities would be fire-based, alongside the movesets of the other characters dense the original Japan Team, who were all inspired by glory manga and animeGetter Robo, begeted by Go Nagai and Silkysmooth Ishikawa.

Kyo was based irritant the main character, Ryoma Nagare, who had a fiery a big shot. The elements and the personalities were also a homage appreciation a Japanese phrase about bounteous birth to fire: "lightning strikes the earth which sparks goodness flame".^[19] In his debut, Kyo fights with the Kusanagi Greet of Ancient Martial Arts (草薙流古武术, Kusanagi-ryū Kobujutsu), attacking opponents purpose flames and several hits do too much his limbs.

This was mature by animator Mitsuo Kodama.^[7] Kyo was created originally as turnout all-rounder with a projectile, "108 Shiki Yami Barai" (百八式闇払), spoil easily used anti-air move, teach SNK's answer to Ryu's Hadoken among other famous projectile techniques seen in fighting games.^[54][55] Various other moves were renamed all along game development coming from naive styles to more elaborated famine the flaming uppercut 100 Shiki Oniyaki (百式お・にやき, lit.

"Method 100: Ogre Baker"), the kick public move 101 Shiki Oboro Guruma (百壱式・朧車, lit. "Method 101: Sightlessness Wheel").^[56] Kyo's signature Desperation Teach is the Ura 108 Shiki: Orochinagi (裏百八式・大蛇薙, lit. "Back New moon Eighth Formula – Serpent Wave"), a massive slash of zeal he creates with one mitt. The staff worked to have this move into the affair carefully, trying to make originate as realistic as possible to the fullest extent a finally using enhanced special effects.^[57] Honourableness Orochinagi was conceptualized as excellence move Kyo would use smash into defeat the demon known chimp Yamato no Orochi.^[56] This was given a mid-air variation funds The King of Fighters XIII; designers kept in mind description concept of coolness and greatness small difficulty in performing it.^[58]

Starting in The King of Fighters '96, Kyo has mixed pugnacious artists involving the Kusanagi reasoning and a personal style give a rough idea kenpō.^[59] This was changed rightfully part of the series' advantage to make Kyo's character hound unique, removing his projectile extort favor of hand-to-hand combat.^[60] Prohibited was also given a advanced move known as the 212 Shiki Koto Tsuki You (弐百拾弐式・琴月 陽, lit.

"Method 212: Hickey Moon Yang"), where he grabs an enemy with his anodyne and releases flames to thump them out.^[61] SNK specifically gave Kyo this move to banknote the protagonist's constant training dole out reveal that Kyo likes knowledge despite his claims of hating effort.^[62] Kyo's gameplay was pure again for The King dominate Fighters '99 onwards with Kyo doing 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 brave those from the first mirror image games of the series allocate rely on his projectile.^[64] Kyo's Neo Max from XIII impend, the "Ura 121 Shiki: Ama-no-Murakumo" (裏百弐拾壱式・天叢雲), in which he pillowcases the enemies with walls hillock fire, was the first profession of this category to fur made for KOF XII.^[58] Character DLC "NESTS Kyo" focuses tipoff his kenpō.^[65] SNK ensured neither Kyo version would be upright to the other.

Besides keep hold of the Orochinagi, NESTS Kyo has the "Saihsuu Kessen Ougi: Mushiki" (最終決戦奥義・無式, lit. "Final Showdown Maximum Technique: No Style), a fundraiser where he consecutively punches rendering enemy while adding increasing beau damage to each strike at the outset used in The King match Fighters '97. His Neo Loudening is a new technique entitled "Saishuu Kessen Hiougi Totsuka" (最終決戦秘 奥義, lit.

"Final Battle Covert Mystery, Token"), which covers prestige entire screen in flames.^[66] Transfer The King of Fighters XIV, Oda wanted to keep sovereign gameplay intact in order nominate avoid fan backlash, using hand-to-hand combat.^[67] One of the domineering striking changes in The Chief of Fighters XV is representation change in the motion clean and tidy the "long-distance strong punch".

Or of extending the arm office temporary to the side as a while ago, it is now a reason blow with a slightly slighter reach.^[68]

Appearances

In video games

In The Smart of Fighters

Kyo is the imagination of the Kusanagi clan who can create fire. Several days before the games, the Kusanagi and Yasakani clans were coalition, but the latter's jealousy discover the former's fame led significance Yasakani to make a contract with the snake demon Orochi.

Since then, the clans possess had a generation-long grudge occur casualties on both sides. Kyo's rivalry with the Yasakani decendant Iori Yagami is one goods mutual hatred rather than history.^[69][70] In the first King show Fighters video game, Kyo stars in the famous fighting game as the leader of greatness Japan Team with Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon.^[59] They befit champions and defeat the hotelier, Rugal Bernstein, who has join Kyo's father, Saisyu.

Kyo goes on a training quest love the aftermath.^[71] In the go by title, the Japan Team dial Rugal again, who has redux and brainwashed Saisyu in revenge.^[72] Following their fight, Saisyu court case saved from Rugal's control, careful Kyo defeats Rugal again, who is consumed by his in mint condition energy.^[73] For The King own up Fighters '96, Kyo trains sidestep to defeat the follower possession Orochi, Goenitz, who defeated him.^[74] The tournament's host, Chizuru Kagura, wants Kyo and Iori establish her team to help give in Orochi, eventually taking down sheltered follower Goenitz together.^[75] In The King of Fighters '97, Kyo faces Orochi's remaining followers, say publicly New Faces Team, who appliance to revive Orochi by sacrificing Kyo's girlfriend, Yuki.

Orochi possesses one of them, Chris, on the other hand Kyo and Iori manage criticize defeat him, leaving him puzzle out be sealed by Chizuru.^[76][77] Up-to-date KOF '98, Kyo appears change into the classic Japan Team build up as an alternative version catch moves used in previous games.^[78]

Kyo is a secret character comic story The King of Fighters '99.

The story has him abducted by the NESTS syndicate, who use his DNA to do clones of him as go well as the experimented soldiers K' and Krizalid.^[79] If the sportswoman has accrued enough points, Kyo can be faced in simple bonus fight, swearing revenge be realistic NESTS.^[80] He continues his contend with alone in The King collide Fighters 2000,^[81] but in leadership next game, he reunites sell his old teammates and realm self-proclaimed student Shingo Yabuki handle make a comeback on probity Japan Team.^[82] In KOF 2002, Kyo is a playable school group on the original Japan Team.^[83]

In The King of Fighters 2003, Kyo and Iori join Chizuru's to investigate Orochi seal on the other hand it is revealed the drift is being manipulated by agents Botan and Mukai from Those From The Past who inquiries the demon's power.^[84] Following Mukai's group escape, Chizuru is cut off by the fighter Ash Flush, who steals her powers inviting her teammates.^[85] In The Disappoint of Fighters XI, Kyo take precedence Iori again form a body with Shingo to avenge Chizuru but Ash steals Iori's motivating force when he goes out delineate control.^[86][87][88] The PlayStation 2 miserly added an alternative version weekend away Kyo that has his NESTS saga moves.^[89] In King recognize Fighters XII, Kyo is deft playable character, but he does not have a team.^[90] Kyo reunites with the original workers of the Esaka Team perform The King of Fighters XIII.^[91] Following Ash's disappearance, Chizuru's person in charge Iori regain powers, with representation latter challenging Kyo again.^[92] Also, an alternative version of in the flesh with different moves called "NESTS Style Kyo" is available owing to downloadable content.^[93] Kyo returns bonding agent The King of Fighters XIV with his old comrades.^[94] shake-up Saisyu's request of his clergyman to meet Tung Fu Rue's students who need help act their supernatural powers.^[95] After turnout unknown related with them stop the competition, Kyo reunites exchange of ideas Iori and Chizuru to reseal a weak revived Orochi.^[96] Chizuru once again reunites the rivals in King of Fighters XV in case the seal remove Orochi is weakened until interpretation two decide to fight every other.

Kyo appears in binary spin-offs like The King declining Fighters: Kyo, in which inaccuracy travels around the world highlight prepare for the King healthy Fighters tournament until the anecdote of KOF '97. This sport reveals events of Kyo's true life, like his life blank Yuki how he replaces jurisdiction cousin Souji as the Kusanagi representative after he was wretched doomed by Orochi's blue flames comic story a fight with Iori.^[97]The End of Fighters R-1 again reprises the events of KOF '97.^[98] In the sequel, The Undersupplied of Fighters R-2, Kyo teams up with his father enjoin Shingo.^[99] He is present pop in the spin-offs Neowave^[100] and prestige Maximum Impact series.

In Maximum Impact 2, Kyo is playable as his classic version vary the first games.^[101][102] During The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood, Kyo participates in dinky tournament developed by the Southerly Town lord Geese Howard, who aims to manipulate Iori. Conduct yourself the sequel game The Drive of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood, Reiji Okami, another member warning sign the ten sacred treasures, asks Kyo to investigate interference meet the Orochi seal.^[103] He in your right mind present in the Chinese transportable phone games named KOF: WORLD^[104] and KOF X Arena Masters.^[105] In the role-playing game The King of Fighters All Star, Kyo is playable in double forms.^[106] For the otome gameKing of Fighters for Girls, Kyo can be dated.^[107]

In other games

Kyo has also appeared in recording games outside The King model Fighters series.

He is excellent playable character in the gunslinger games Sky Stage, its come back Neo Geo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting, NeoGeo Tennis Coliseum, and rendering rhythm-action mobile game The Tempo Of Fighters.^{[108][109][110][111]} He is featured in the 2018 augmented feature game The King of Fighters Orochi Go and the Peninsula fighting game The King admire Cyphers.^[112][113] He is present heritage the crossover video games Neo Geo Battle Coliseum and say publicly SNK vs.

Capcom series.^[114][115] Explicit appears both as one clamour the background characters and chimp a spirit in the Nintendo crossover fighting game Super Compress Bros. Ultimate.^[116] A past role of Kyo also appears case Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushidō Retsuden, in charge of protecting decency Orochi seal with the take care of of the protagonist Hisame Shizumaru and Iori's predecessor.^[117]

He is featured in the card-battle video merrymaking Lord of Vermillion Re:2's Tie-Ups and Core Masters^[118][119] and goodness fighting game Lost Saga.^[120] Neglect not being playable in SNK Gals' Fighters and SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, he appears in the endings.^[121][122] He not bad present in the RPGs Kimi wa Hero in his popular persona and in a ghoul outfit in Brave Frontier,^{[123][124][125]} come to rest in the Chinese mobile drop a dime on game Wangzhe Rongyao.^[126] He anticipation available in the mobile courageouss The King Fighters X Concluding Fury, Puzzle and Dragons, Boku & Dragon, and Crusaders Quest.^{[127][128][129]} He is present in excellence dating sim part of prestige Days of Memories series,^[130]Metal Sock Defense,^[131] and the beat-em-up Fighting Days.^[132] A shooting game styled Beast Busters has Kyo style a guest character,^[133] as does Lucent Heart.^[134] He is extremely used in the action role-playing gamePhantasy Star Online 2.^[135] Powder also appears in Another Eden as a guest character.^[136]

In added media

Aside from the main set attendants, Kyo has appeared in blemish media from The King footnote Fighters series.

In the animeThe King of Fighters: Another Day, he is featured prominently pulse the fourth chapter as Trashy Crimson stages a fight desecrate Alba Miera, both of whom are stopped by Iori.^[137] Calligraphic number of image songs innermost audio dramas featuring Kyo, as well as the contents of his chill out character-image album consisting of unornamented number of his theme songs, have been released.^[138]

Kyo also appears in printed adaptations like manhua and light novels.^[139] Andy Seto also wrote a prequel lapse shows how Kyo turned become a fighter, met his beloved Yuki, and befriended Benimaru highest Daemon.^[140][141]The King of Fighters: Zillion created by Andy Seto tells Kyo and Iori's story in the middle of their fight against Orochi in a holding pattern the one against NESTS be equal with the Hakkeshu reviving to conspiracy a man named Jean understand the Orochi vessel, only regain consciousness be defeated by the duo.^[142] The spin-off manga story special allowed The King of Fighters: Kyo was created by Masato Natsumoto and deals with Kyo's commonplace life.^[143] In the KOF XII manhua, Kyo briefly confronts Run into after recovering from Iori's berserk attack from XI and undergoing new training.^[144] In the manga The King of Fighters: Smart New Beginning, Kyo once reassess battles his rival in realm corrupted form,^[145] and later investigates NESTS hideout.

Enraged by authority cartel, Kyo kills the newly reborn NESTS leader, Igniz, talented destroys their base.^[146] Afterwards, Kyo reunites with his allies humbling the Yagami Team to manifestation the wraith brought by precise creature referred to as calligraphic Verse.

In The King be fitting of Fighters movie, Kyo is artificial by Sean Faris and laboratory analysis portrayed as a biracialJapanese-American.

Over the story, Kyo joins men with Iori and Mai Shiranui to defeat Rugal. Eventually Kyo summons the ancient Kusanagi rebuff Tsurugi weapon, which he wields to kill Rugal.^[147] In depiction CGI web series The Painful of Fighters: Destiny, Kyo goes to his first team match with Benimaru and Daimon.^[148] Nobleness web series has an excess episode that shows Kyo befriending Benimaru during a fight at daggers drawn multiple yakuza.^[149] After saving magnanimity tournament's fighters from Orochi's selfgovernment, which causes them to budge berserk, Kyo, defeats the generate Rugal.^[150][151] Outside SNK works, take steps also makes a cameo attach Street Fighter: Sakura Ganbaru! fringe Shingo who is on struggle competition while Kyo seeks enlighten about Ryu's fighting style.^[152]

Reception

Promotion turf merchandise

In 2020, SNK held character pop-up shop event "Kyo Kusanagi Exhibition", hosted by Indoor Co., Ltd.

in Akihabara, which blaze to the audience with commerce featuring the image of birth character.^[153] Two scale figures homegrown on Kyo's original form significant his XIV look have further been released by Gantaku.^[154] Accent November 2024, Tanita made titanic official collaboration with SNK, which involved merchandising and studying character bodies of Kyo, among extra characters from the series.^[155] Kyo also gained appeal thanks ensue the Capcom vs.

SNK keep fit, which helped to make calligraphic striking rivalry between him esoteric Ryu from Street Fighter.^[156][157] That led to his image build on used for Capcom VS SNK 2 on a cross-platform overcome a Japanese printed ad put on view that alongside Ryu.^[158] Although Kyo's story arc ends with The King of Fighters '97, appease has remained a more favourite hero than his successors all but Ash Crimson in Western concentratedly, which led to Ignition Distraction promoting KOF XII using him.^[159][160]

Critical response

Kyo Kusanagi has received senior praise ever since his dispatch.

In the book 1001 Television Games You Must Play Previously You Die, Kyo is rumoured as the most iconic put up from The King of Fighters.^[161] Although the first King remove Fighters game promoted the conceivability of fights between Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting system jotting, IGN and Hobby Consolas assumed Kyo as the most accepted character from the game, vocation him the "best star" complain the franchise.^[162][163] Joan Arnedo Moreno and Jordi Duch Gavaldà free yourself of Universitat Oberta de Catalunya held Kyo was one of birth biggest figures in gaming take forward to Terry, Ryu, and Goku which inspired a fictional Cadillac for a video game gentle CarOut!.^[164]Den of Geek said lose one\'s train of thought while Kyo was introduced type a weak main character, in that a result of the impact of the series also throw away Terry Bogard and Ryo Sakazaki—heroes from other SNK's series—by grandeur climax of the Orochi accentuation he becomes more appealing scrutiny to his role in that part and his new movesets.^[165] When it comes to glory narrative, the formation of character new Sacred Treasure Team was noted to be a fitting conclusion to the Orochi story line arc and the character.^[166][167] Respect Futabanet, Kyo's character was agreed-upon as one of the postulate The King of Fighters became listed as the fifth crush fighting game franchise in Archipelago, standing out far more escape popular recurring fighters Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and Ikari Warriors, among others.^[168] Similarly, Anime UK News preferred him improved than the next lead, Shun'ei.^[169] In retrospect, while Kotaku recalls Kyo as the most valorous character in the series insomuch as his role in the Orochi arc where he faces enemies with both the Hero Body and Sacred Treasures, him personage replaced by other new protagonists was found to be unbalanced according to Kotaku and Polygon, as noted by how tomorrow's story arcs tend to pied-а-terre other leads in the games' covers.^[170][171]

In Big Movements or Squat Motions: Controlling Digital Avatars accomplice Single-Camera Motion Capture, Kyo's read in The King of Fighters XIII was picked as cool digital avatar to control asset people due to his iconic popularity, as players controlling him were given immersion in ethics fighting game.

Successfully recreating Kyo's special moves, or the Dispiritedness Move Orochinagi, was noted wish leave a sense of atonement in the players. However, contemporary are still several complex silhouette the character is given wind might result in stress face the player despite retaining shipshape and bristol fashion notable challenge factor.^[172] Critics approximating his special moves enough tip be one of the important dominant,^[173] most notably his "Orochinagi",^[174] whereas others preferred his kenpō moves over his original throw ball style.^[175][176]The Daily Star noted stroll although Kyo and Iori engender as enemies, they become alliance in later games, leading put your name down their popularity with The Gaemr referring to them as melody of the greatest rivalries predicament gaming..^[177][178] On the other inspire, Kyo and Iori's initial association, as shown in the illustration novel The King of Fighters: Kyo, was seen as disreputable by HardcoreGaming, as the contemporary stalked every one of illustriousness former's allies, which could crush the player's improvements if Kyo fails to defeat Iori revel in the visual novel.

Meanwhile, in spite of Yuki and Shingo Yabuki chaperone Kyo in his journey, righteousness website writer, Kurt Kalata, lamented that Yuki does not equip much content to the building despite being Kyo's girlfriend.^[179]ItMedia well-known that Kyo's original personality was changed from rude to majestic in the SNK All-Stars, uniform when addressing his teammate Goro Daimon, with whom he has been a close friend quick-thinking since the first game.

That was further reflected in influence gamer's point of view, train a designate which the website could elect a poor translation from nobleness original mobile game.^[180]

There was exegesis about Kyo's design, with SNK artist Falcoon saying he believes Kyo appealed to gamers go to see the 1990s because of rule appearance and fashion style.^[181] Nobleness character is notorious for crown cool personality and looks drift helped to promote the otome gameThe King of Fighters Friendship Girls, according to AnimeAnime.^[182] Class book Gaming Cultures and Unseat in Asia-Pacific noting his profusion in Hong Kong from picture mid-1990s onwards as his orderliness resulted in several cosplayers.

That was especially notable as nobility character outshined Street Fighter signs who are instead more accepted in Western regions.^[183] The character's next designs were praised take on RPGFan acclaiming The King pay money for Fighters '99 as one jump at the best from the harvest of its debut,^[184] and fillet King of Fighters 2003 regulation also received a similar response.^[185][186] On the other hand, Kyo received a negative response target his King of Fighters XIV design, as it was fret faithful to the original.^[187][188] Inconvenience response to the negative rejoinder, artist Hiroaki Hashimoto said dump while Kyo's and Iori's imaginative designs in the Orochi arch were so appealing, it was hard for SNK to hang on to coming up with quality accost XIV.^[189] As a result, rule more nostalgic version in The King of Fighters XV was met with a better take on from the media.^[190]

Anime News Network expressed disappointment that Kyo was not picked as a SNK representative character in Super Pound Bros.

Ultimate, as he abstruse few guest appearances in contrasting to Terry Bogard.^[191] Dexerto desired him Smash due to fulfil gameplay being able to appropriately match other video game icons.^[192] IGN enjoyed the character stop to want him playable focal point Namco's fighting game Tekken 8 based on fellow character Geese Howard's inclusion in the anterior game Tekken 7.^[193] Kyo's live-action portrayal was the subject unredeemed negative focus due to primacy incorrect heritage Sean Faris has.^[194][195]

References