Orochi

Orochi (オロチ, Orochi) in The King of Fighters is one of the series main villains and the final boss of The King of Fighters '97. His character origin is another interpretation of the mythical eight headed serpent, Yamata no Orochi. In the KOF series, he was sealed 1,800 years ago by the three sacred treasures of Japan. The three clan's descendants are charged with protecting the seal over him. In KOF '97, his spirit possesses Chris' body to fight in the mortal realm. He was sealed again at the climax of the '97 tournament but the seal surrounding him has been broken in recent games; the reasons why are still unknown but it revolves around awakening him again. He is also known as Gaia's Will (地球意思, Chikyu Ishi).

He is voiced by Rio Ogata in the games and Motoko Kumai for one of the series' drama CDs.

Origin and the War
Orochi was created by Gaia, the mother-earth alongside several other beings to protect the earth. Orochi was Gaia's most faithful servant and took his job to the point of fanaticism. Orochi saw human beings as a threat to Gaia itself and planned on exterminating them so Gaia could survive.

A clan that worshiped Orochi's ideals named themselves the Hakkesshu. Around the year 400, Orochi and the Hakkesshu started the process to exterminate all human beings. Then, three powerful clans gathered to stop Orochi's madness. Those clans were the Yata clan, the Yasakani clan and the Kusanagi clan. A war began between the three clans and the Hakkesshu. In order to obtain more energy for himself, Orochi captured the last Kushinada maiden and was ready to sacrifice her. However, she was saved by the three clans' respective treasures. Without Kushinada's energy, Orochi was defeated and sealed.

660 years after his defeat, the Yasakani clan started to feel they were in the shadow of the Kusanagi clan. To become stronger, the Yasakani clan made a blood pact with Orochi. This gave the Yasakani stronger power, but shortened their lives and made every women to die in childbirth. The Kusanagi declared war on the Yagami in response for this treachery, a war that has killed many clan members on both sides - much to the glee of the Orochi clan.

Return
In 1986, Leopold Goenitz, one of Orochi's Four Heavenly Kings attacked the heir of the Yata, Maki Kagura and killed her. By doing so, Goenitz damaged the Orochi seal, but Orochi was still too weakened to return. Goenitz traveled the world gathering energy for Orochi until he found the small Hakkesshu group in the Amazon. Goenitz called forth their leader and a man named Guidel appeared. He was one of the Eight Heads of Orochi and Goenitz was pleased to see him. Goenitz asked for their help to resurrect Orochi, but Guidel said they were at peace and that they don't want anything with Orochi anymore. Enraged, Goenitz saw a girl (Leona Heidern), with part human, part Orochi blood calling Guidel her father. Goenitz left with a smile on his face. Later that night, Goenitz activated the Riot of the Blood in Leona and she killed the whole village.

Eight years later, Goenitz felt that someone was trying to channel Orochi's power. Goenitz went to the place and found Rugal Bernstein. Goenitz said that the Orochi power was not meant for humans. Rugal attacked him, but Goenitz countered by removing one of Rugal's eyes. Goenitz, surprised with Rugal surviving the attack, gave a small amount of the Orochi power to him and warned him not to use it completely. But Rugal did, and died because of it.

Two years later, the new heir of the Yata and Maki's sister, Chizuru Kagura was helding a The King of Fighters tournament and invited Kyo Kusanagi (heir of the Kusanagi clan) and Iori Yagami (heir of the Yasakani clan). Goenitz was curious to see the trio in action and watched the tournament from the shadows. He ordered Mature and Vice, assassins and two of the Eight Heads of Orochi to keep an eye on Iori Yagami. The Japan team, formed by Goro Daimon, Benimaru Nikaido and Kyo Kusanagi made it to the finals and defeated Kagura. Goenitz stepped in and fought Kyo and Iori, but lost. Orochi's presence was too strong and made Iori go into the Riot of the Blood, and he killed Mature and Vice.

The next year, Orochi's presence was made present in the minds of Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie, Chris and Ryuji Yamazaki and made them the last four of the Eight Heads of Orochi, while Yashiro, Shermie and Chris were the other three of the Four Heavenly Kings. Yashiro, Shermie and Chris stole the USA Sports Team invitation to this year's KOF and entered as a team, while Yamazaki entered the tournament with other plans. Near the finals, the Orochi team send Iori and Leona into the Riot of the Blood to gather more energy for Orochi. They revealed themselves and fought the Japan team but lost. Yashiro and Shermie killed themselves and gave all of their energies to Orochi. Orochi was freed once again, possessed Chris' mind and started to transform into the original eight headed monster.

Kyo and Chizuru stepped in, and so did Iori. The battle between the three clans and Orochi was being reproduced. Orochi was losing the fight, and as a last resort, he triggered Iori's Riot of the Blood, but Iori jumped to Orochi's throat and held him while Kyo was preparing to deliver the final blow and Chizuru preparing the seal. Orochi was sealed back again, but said once more that he would return, and that he wouldn't underestimate humans anymore.

Those From the Past
By 2003, a group of servants of another deity created by Gaia break the Orochi seal. They plan to take Orochi's power for their master. Meanwhile, a mysterious young man called Ash Crimson is taking all the three sacred treasures (Mirror of Yata, Winecup of Yasakani and Sword of Kusanagi) one by one. With the seal broken, Orochi is free to enter the mortal realm once again.

Personality
Orochi is a powerful being that plans to serve Gaia by all costs. He will protect her from anything, even from what she created herself.

Powers
Orochi has an incredible set of powers. He can give powers to the Eight Heads of Orochi.


 * Telepathy - Orochi can project thoughts and talk to people with his mind.
 * Telekinesis - Orochi can move objects with his mind.
 * Translocation - Orochi can translocate himself.
 * Possession - Orochi can possess the mind of any of his followers.
 * Energy Projectile - Orochi can release a projectile of energy from his hands.
 * Energy Pillar - Orochi can create a pillar of energy from the ground.
 * Light - Orochi can create a powerful light that damages the enemy.
 * Damage Soul - Orochi can penetrate the enemy's soul, take a part of it and crush it.
 * Give Powers - Orochi can give any of the powers below to his servants.
 * Pyrokinesis - Orochi can give full control over purple fire.
 * Electrokinesis - Orochi can give full control over electricity.
 * Geokinesis - Orochi can give full control over the earth.
 * Aerokinesis - Orochi can give full control over the air.
 * Hydrokinesis - Orochi can give full control over the water.
 * Superhuman Strength - Orochi can give superhuman strength.
 * Cutting Powers - Orochi can give cutting powers (slashing hands, cutting aura, slashing projectile).
 * Snake Arms - Orochi can give the power Snake Arms to anyone.

Fighting Style
Orochi fights mainly with his powers.

Music

 * The Origin of the Mind - The King of Fighters '97

Game Appearances



 * The King of Fighters '97
 * The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match
 * The King of Fighters 2000 - As a PS2 Maniac Striker for Leona
 * The King of Fighters (pachinko) - hidden boss
 * The King of Fighters: Kyo

Mobile Appearances

 * The King of Millionaire

Cameo Appearances

 * SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom - in Iori's ending
 * The King of Fighters '94: Rebout - background cameo
 * Days of Memories (first, fourth, and fifth) - mentioned in various ways in all titles

Similar Characters

 * Mizuchi