Germinal Caprice

Germinal Caprice (or Germinal in KOF: MIRA) is one of Ash Crimson's Special Moves, first introduced in KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A". It returns, both visually and functionally, in The King of Fighters XIII and The King of Fighters XV.

Description
Ash rushes at his opponent for an attack. Depending on the game, he either tackles the opponent (MIRA, XIII) or slaps them up (XV).

Strategy
A combo tool through and through, this is mostly used in juggles or after you're sure you got that first hit confirm in.

By itself, the move has very little to offer in the way of utility beyond catching an unaware opponent off-guard. It's extremely punishable on whiff or on block and doesn't do as much damage as Nivose in most cases.

That being said, the and  versions of the move both lead to a juggle on hit, allowing Ash to follow up with a Nivose or even a Pluviose immediately after.

The move's greatest strength, however, is its sheer combo potential if used during Sans-Culotte, especially in KOF XV. Ash can juggle the opponent from one end of the stage to the other very quickly thanks to the cancel properties provided by Sans-Culotte, working hand in hand with Floreal (+ or +) and Nivose. And to say nothing of the insane damage potential should your execution be up to par for it.

Trivia

 * Germinal means "Spring" in French, with Germinal Caprice meaning Fleeting Spring in French.
 * Evil Ash's version of the move bears a striking resemblance to the one seen in KOF: MIRA.
 * In KOF XV, the move's animation has been altered. Ash now performs the same swipe seen during his Neo Geo C Button.gif/EX Ventose. Additionally, the dashing animation that he does before the attack connects is derived from his forward Emergency Evasion.
 * Germinal was the name of the seventh month in the French Republican calendar, running from March 20th to April 21st.