Hokutomaru

Hokutomaru is a character in the Fatal Fury series of fighting games. He first appeared in Garou: Mark of the Wolves and he is the youngest character in that game. Hokutomaru's role is to be the substitute of Andy Bogard and Mai Shiranui in terms of gameplay. He is unfamiliar with the ways of the big cities, so his stage is a traffic accident that he caused. In his stage, many cameos can be seen: two drivers resemble Kaede and Moriya Minakata (from The Last Blade) and posters from previous Fatal Fury games. He was voiced by Junko Takeuchi.

Story
Hokutomaru is the only pupil of Andy Bogard. Andy has retired from the fighting scene to teach Hokutomaru the ways of the Shiranui ninja and Koppouken. When Hokutomaru was about to complete his training, Andy sent him to Second Southtown so he could enter the "King of Fighters: Maximum Mayhem" tournament. Hokutomaru didn't win the tournament, but he made his master proud, so Andy sent him a letter saying that he doesn't see Hokutomaru as a student, but as a rival.

In The King of Fighters 2003, Andy was absent to take care of Hokutomaru, who was sick.

Personality
Hokutomaru is a boy that grew up in nature. He knows nothing of the civilized world and will feel confused in a big city. He is a brash kid who doesn't like to be treated as a child. He's very noisy and often acts before the thinking, but he has a strong will. He looks up to Andy and treats Mai Shiranui as a big sister (and she treats him as a little brother). His best friends are the mountain monkeys near the Shiranui Clan.

Powers

 * Pyrokinesis - Using his ninja powers, Hokutomaru can throw fire tinted kunai and shuriken and envelop his body in fire (he burns himself sometimes). Using exploding devices or maybe his pyrokinetic powers, Hokutomaru can also teleport.

Fighting Style
His fighting style is considered by some an amalgam of Andy and Mai's fighting styles. He uses Andy's Kuhadan and Mai Shiranui's weapon throwing. He is very quick and sudden, having the quickest attacks in the game.

Music Themes

 * Ninja or Monkey - Garou: Mark of the Wolves

Game Appearances

 * Garou: Mark of the Wolves