Yashiro Nanakase

"'It's an open brawl when his band walks in! He'll bust you up and break you down! YASHIRO NANAKASE.' - The King of Fighters XV"Yashiro Nanakase is a character from The King of Fighters series, serving as the leader of the Orochi Team (temporarily under disguised Team name, "New Faces Team" in KOF '97). He is one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi and serves as the darker counterpart to Goro Daimon. His official nickname means "Shrine of the Seven Shackles", and in The King of Fighters XV, is "Dauntless and Decisive".

Development
Yashiro's team was created to offset the remaining top three characters. Yashiro was modeled after a character in the anime, Combat Mecha Xabungle.

Personality
While living his normal life, Yashiro has a very 'cool' personality. Even so, he shows a part of his Heavenly King persona while composing his songs, which often has themes like death and blood.

Due to being upstaged in one of their gigs during the events of The King of Fighters '97 by Iori, he has developed a deep hatred and grudge over him. This, on top of the fact that Iori's a natural enemy of his, which he either does not know nor care about. However, he may be trying to get over this grudge as per his special introduction with Iori in KOFXV, only for this to be rekindled anew. After getting his shot against Iori, he has been vigilant at Yagami, not just as rival musician, but as an obstacle to Orochi's revival.

When Yashiro was revived, his Orochi heritage was retained as well. While they take their roles as Heavenly Kings seriously even in their normal forms, this time, it isn't an outstanding priority. However, Yashiro is more eager to set it to fruition, but only if the opportunity presents itself, and not through cheap tactics, having scoffed off plans to actually make Kyo and Yuki quarrel.

Powers

 * Super Speed - He can deliver punches at high speed.
 * Wind Manipulation - In his climax in KOF XV, Yashiro can create a wind ball with his punch.

Skills

 * Musical Instruments - Yashiro is a singer by profession and plays the guitar.
 * Musical Composition - Yashiro is responsible for composing some of his band's songs, and sometimes his Orochi persona reflects at the music they produce.
 * Musical Production - As part of CYS, they have the knowhow on all things music.
 * Management - Yashiro plays a role in the management of his band, being the one organizing the gigs they play at jointly with Shermie and Chris.
 * Swimming - Yashiro is an accomplished swimmer.

Fighting Style
Yashiro's fighting style is focused on offensive power. He is an all around fighter that balances out his great striking power with amazing speed and swift technique. His punches are extremely powerful and straight-forward, contrasting with his acrobatic kicks that sometimes resemble Capoeira.

Music

 * Bloody - The King of Fighters '97, '98, R-1, R-2, and 2002
 * Re: Bloody - The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
 * Resonant Objects - The King of Fighters XV

Voice Actors

 * Makoto Awane - The King of Fighters '97 ~ 2002 UM
 * Keisuke Hamaoka - The King of Fighters: World ~ present
 * Megumi Han - The King of Fighters: All Star (as the Female Version)
 * Shin'ichirō Kamio - The King of Fighters for Girls

Appearances
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Game

 * The King of Fighters '97
 * The King of Fighters R-1
 * The King of Fighters '98
 * The King of Fighters R-2
 * The King of Fighters: Kyo
 * The King of Fighters 2000 - As a Striker for Ralf
 * The King of Fighters 2002
 * The King of Fighters Neowave
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
 * CR The King of Fighters
 * The King of Fighters XV

Mobile

 * Days of Memories (second title) - unplayable
 * SNK Dream Battle
 * Tower of Saviors
 * Kimi wa Hero
 * Puzzle & Dragons
 * The King of Fighters: World
 * The King of Fighters All Star
 * The King of Fighters Destiny (Game)
 * The King of Fighters: Orochi Go
 * The King of Fighters for Girls

Cameos
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 * The King of Fighters 2003 - in the Edit Team ending
 * KOF: Maximum Impact - background cameo
 * The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout - background cameo in the Japan Team, Art of Fighting Team and Kim Team stages
 * Neo Geo Battle Coliseum - in Shermie's ending
 * SNK Gals' Fighters - in Shermie's ending
 * The King of Fighters (pachinko)
 * The King of Fighters 2
 * SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy - in Shermie's ending; also mentioned in some winquotes

Similar Characters

 * Orochi Yashiro

Etymology

 * The name Yashiro means "company, Shinto shrine" (社).
 * Yashiro's surname Nanakase means "seven" (七) (nana) and "cangue, shackles, fetter/fetters, bonds, cuffs/handcuffs, irons" (枷) (kase).

Trivia

 * Yashiro, Iori Yagami and Kukri are the only male rivals/deuteragonists of the series.


 * In Neo-Geo Freak 1998, the characters in KOF '98 have their own interviews. Here are Yashiro's response to the questions.
 * What is your aspiration in this competition? - "Punch the redhead."
 * Who would you like to fight the most? - "Redhead."
 * Who would you like to team up with? / Who would you not like to team up with? - "Red hair. Because I stand out more. People who I don't want to team up with is also red hair."
 * What is "KOF" for you? - "A tournament where I can beat the red hair."
 * Finally, please give a word to your fans. - "We win. It's decided. Please watch."


 * In the character popularity poll on Neo Geo Freak's website, he was voted as the sixteenth favorite character with a total of 783 votes.


 * Yashiro's birthday, December 31, falls on New Year's Eve.