Hokutomaru

Hokutomaru (北斗丸) 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 who has lived most of his life in remote mountains. Andy retired from the fighting scene to teach Hokutomaru. 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. Andy was absent again in The King of Fighters XI to train his student.

Days of Memories ~Dai Job!~ establishes Hokutomaru as being biologically related to Mai, though a clear cut family relation for them isn't established. She is looking after him while juggling her makeshift identity and her nighttime banditry. Hokutomaru frequently runs away from her apartment, causing Mai to worry for him.

If the player wishes to have the route focusing on Mai's day job, they have to select the text options that ignore her nighttime SHIRANUI alias. Doing so will follow a story path that has the protagonist look for the missing Hokutomaru to support Mai. As he tails Hokutomaru, he eventually discovers that Mr. Big is bullying and extorting Mai; Hokutomaru is trying to figure out ways to protect her on his own. Though the boy is initially cold towards the photographer, Hokutomaru warms up to the protagonist once he realizes that the protagonist genuinely cares for him and Mai. Hokutomaru then starts calling him "Big brother" as a show of respect.

The good ending for this path ends with Mai and the protagonist getting married; they happily continue to look after Hokutomaru together. The bad ending has Mai and Hokutomaru move away, leaving behind a single letter thanking the protagonist.

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 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 quick and unpredictable, having some of the fastest attacks in the game.

Music Themes

 * Ninja? Or Monkey? - Garou: Mark of the Wolves

Game Appearances



 * Garou: Mark of the Wolves

Mobile Appearances

 * Days of Memories (fifth title) - NPC

Cameo Appearances

 * SNK vs Capcom: SVC Chaos - in Mai's ending
 * The King of Fighters '94: Rebout - background cameo in the Fatal Fury Team and USA Sports Team stages
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match - in the Italy stage
 * KOF Sky Stage - in-text cameo in Mai's ending

Gallery
Hokutomaru