Nicotine Caffeine

Nicotine Caffeine (花諷院 和仲, Kafūin Nikochin) is a character introduced into the Samurai Shodown series in Samurai Shodown II. Similar to Neinhalt Sieger, he was dropped from the character lineup after his introduction and is then limited to mostly cameos or background story appearances.

Development
He was added as the ideal character for tricky players. His name originated from the fact that one of the director, Yasushi Adachi, was addicted to coffee and cigarettes at the time. On SNK's 40th Anniversary website, Senri Kita notes that Nicotine is her favourite Samurai Shodown character.

Originally Nicotine was going to be in Samurai Shodown (2019), however Yasuyuki Oda wanted another female character to join the roster instead.

Story
He is the chief priest of Koka-in (a pun on "Cocaine"), a temple deep in the mountains of Hida, and former master swordsman who taught Haohmaru and Genjuro Kibagami. He once exorcised many demons in his prime and once encountered Mizuki Rashojin thirty years before the second game begins. He leaves his temple in order to save his disciples from Mizuki and to place a solid seal on her. In his ending to the game, he succeeds but accidentally lets her loose again. He returns home after her defeat and continues to offer sage advise to Haohmaru on his visits. Shiki's child, Mikoto, is raised in his temple.

Personality
In spite of being a wise elder, Nicotine takes life lightly. He has an enormous heart and is often seen smiling, even when fighting.

Powers

 * Summoning Magic - Using his o-fuda cards, Nicotine can summon a variety of mystical creatures.
 * Shikigami Summon: Electric Hawk - He can drop an o-fuda card to summon a hawk-like shikigami entirely composed of electricity.
 * Shikigami Summon: Fire Beast - He can drop an o-fuda card to summon a beast-like shikigami entirely composed of fire.
 * Doppelganger Summon - He can drop an o-fuda card to summon a doppelganger of himself.
 * Deva King Summon - He can drop an o-fuda card to summon a giant Deva King, (their statues usually guard entrances to buddhist temples), also composed of fire.
 * Confuse Movement - Nicotine can reverse the controller motions of his enemies for a time.
 * Pump Up - Nicotine can temporarily revert to a more youthful appearance, giving him more muscles, physical strength, and a sword.
 * Seals - Nicotine's experience in sorcery allows him to perform various seals and barriers on demons.
 * Multiple Attacks - Nicotine can deliver several attacks with his staff in an amazing speed.
 * Poison Breath - Nicotine can blow a small poisonous cloud.

Fighting Style
He fights with a wooden staff and magical sealing cards. Of these cards, he can send projectiles from a high or low angle, confusing players as to which position they should block. The character also possesses a move that can reverse controller movements for a time. Because of his small stature, his attack range is short, though largely effective when once in range.

Music

 * Mayoi Kiri (Bewildering Fog) - Samurai Shodown II
 * Daimen's Nite Groove (Hot Sake Mix) - Samurai Remix VA (shared with Genjuro)

Voice Actors

 * Monster Maezuka - Samurai Shodown II, Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden
 * Naoki Yanagi - Samurai Shodown VI
 * Isamu Tanonaka - Samurai Shodown II Dengeki drama CD

Game Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown II
 * Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden - NPC; guest character
 * Samurai Shodown VI

Mobile Appearances

 * Days of Memories (third title) - in-text cameo; in Mikoto's story
 * Samurai Shodown Tenkadaiichi Kenkakuden

Cameo Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown IV - in Gaira's ending
 * Samurai Shodown! - cameo in background of bamboo forest arena, together with Gaira and Basara
 * Samurai Shodown V - in Gaira's ending
 * Neo Geo Battle Coliseum - during Akari's super
 * Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage - in Shiki's ending
 * Samurai Spirits Oni
 * Samurai Spirits ~Kengou Hachi-ban Shoubu~
 * Samurai Shodown (2019) - mentioned indirectly in Haohmaru quote vs. Ruixiang

Trivia

 * When asked "The path of the sword is?", Nicotine's response is "The process for perfecting the life of the mind."