Shun'ei


 * "Tung's final disciple is here to dish out justice! Catch hands with the phantom that resides within! SHUN'EI."
 * - The King of Fighters XV

Shun'ei is a character from The King of Fighters series. He made his debut in The King of Fighters XIV as the new protagonist of the series, as well as the main protagonist of the currently ongoing story arc, succeeding Kyo Kusanagi (Orochi Saga), K' (NESTS Chronicles) and Ash Crimson (Tales of Ash). His nickname is "Amped-up Illusionist".

He is voiced by Takashi Ōhara.

Development
Shun'ei was designed to be a new hero who brings new impressions to players without adhering to the existing KOF series. In order to achieve this goal, they had a younger designer come up with the design instead of Eisuke Ogura. Originally, Shun'ei was going to have a stereotypical Chinese design, but the developers dropped the idea in favor of making something cool instead.

Nobuyuki Kuroki comments that it's a design that's meant to be more appealing to the female audience and it would be nice if this character was the reason they'd play the game. He also notes that the people who were involved in Rock Howard' design were also involved in Shun'ei's creation so players may see similarities between the two. When discussing about the roster, Yasuyuki Oda mentions that Shun'ei and Meitenkun are closer to being Fatal Fury characters than KOF characters due to the obvious fact of being Tung Fu Rue's students.

In an interview before the games release, Oda felt that people are all bored with the headband wearing aggressive type of characters. And that those characters are so common now, so the team wanted to include a shy character who doesn't really show his emotions to add some variety.

In the KOF XV 's Teaser Trailer (released in December 2020), creative director Eisuke Ogura explains the reason to Shun'ei's shy introduction in the franchise compared to the other protagonists is because the staff wasn't sure if he should be the new protagonist of the story, but they decided to focus more on the character from KOF XV onwards.

Personality
Shun'ei is a nice and reasonable person due to Tung Fu Rue's kindly teachings. He fondly calls his master "Grandpa". He admits his cursed powers may endanger anyone near him and is worried about it. Due to his benevolent nature, he intends to continue his training to use his powers for good.

Powers
Shun'ei's power has a symbiotic relationship with Verse, Isla and an unknown blue creature.


 * Amplified Specters - Shun'ei can utilize the Amplified Specters.
 * Hydrokinesis - Shun'ei can control water usually in a form of a claw on his right side. The fragment of his right-half's power from unknown blue creature's power.
 * Pyrokinesis - Shun'ei can control fire usually in a form of a fist on his left side. The fragment of his left-half's power from Verse's power.

Fighting Style
Shun'ei uses Hakkyoku Gen'ei Ken, a personal fighting style that involves illusionistic powers' defense, movement and offense, mixed in with control via Hakkyokuseiken via Tung Fu Rue's teachings. Most of his attacks are also somewhat reminiscent to a personal form of Chinese boxing.

Games

 * The King of Fighters XIV (also in Kung-Fu Suit DLC Costume)
 * The King of Fighters XV

Mobile

 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Online
 * The King of Fighters All Star

Comics

 * The King of Fighters Original Comic
 * The King of Fighters: A New Beginning

Anime

 * The King of Fighters XV Special Animated Short; available in Gallery Mode

Cameos

 * SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy - in Customization Mode (his headphones are one of the items)

Trivia

 * Shun'ei and K' are the only heroes/protagonists who don't have total control of their own powers.
 * K' uses a special red glove to completely control his flame (Kyo's DNA deployed) and Shun'ei controls his demonic phantom hands with Tung’s training, a headphone given by Tung himself to silence the voices in his head and and armbands to better control of his powers.


 * Shun'ei is the only character in The King of Fighters series to have air dashes, which act as airborne Special Moves.


 * Shun'ei is the third protagonist to win a KOF tournament during the his source saga.
 * The only exception is Ash Crimson.