Saisyu Kusanagi

Saisyu Kusanagi (草薙 柴舟, Kusanagi Saishū) is a character who debuted in The King of Fighters '94 as a victim in Rugal's gallery of defeated fighters. He appears as a mid-boss in The King of Fighters '95 and becomes playable for the first time in The King of Fighters '98. He was originally meant to have died in The King of Fighters '94 but was added in at the last minute of developing stages for The King of Fighters '95.

Story
He was the previous head of the Kusanagi clan who left his family to face worthy opponents across the globe. After his defeat by Rugal, he was brainwashed by his secretaries -primarily by Vice- to fight his son, Kyo. Upon his defeat, he regains his senses and escapes from the ship, Black Noah, unnoticed. Saisyu then leaves the clan's duties to his son, presumably resuming his travels. In The King of Fighters 2001, he appears before a distraught Shingo Yabuki and spends a year properly teaching him the Kusanagi fighting style.

Personality
Saisyu Kusanagi is simply an older more mellow version of his son Kyo. Never appearing overly serious unless the situation calls for it, like his son Saisyu tends to appear as a bit of a slacker. This is quite evident based upon his attitude during several win-poses; where he either laughs abrputly after winning a match, nonchalantly scratches his beard or generally seems uninvolved... almost bored by rubbing his stomach. As if the whole affair was a waste of his time. The only character that seems to make him even remotely upset is Rugal (who defeated him) and Kyo (who subsequently saved him) but seemingly to a lesser extent.

Powers
Pyrokinesis: Due to his Kusanagi heritage, Saisyu can control fire. He can create fire from thin air, create fire balls, deliver punches of fire, create pillars of fire and put his own body on fire. He is not immune to other types of fire. He cannot control other fires that he didn't create.

Fighting Style
Saisyu fights with the Kusanagi style of ancient martial arts, a japanese style of empty handed combat taught only to the Kusanagi.

Music

 * Hall, Bass and Melody - The King of Fighters '95
 * In Spite of One's Age - The King of Fighters '98

Voice Actors

 * Toshimitsu Arai - The King of Fighters series ('95, '94 Rebout, King of Fighters Kyo)
 * Keiichiro Sakagi - The King of Fighters series (98, 2000, Neowave)

Live Action Actors

 * Hiro Kanagawa - King of Fighters movie

Game Appearances



 * The King of Fighters '95
 * The King of Fighters '98
 * The King of Fighters R-2
 * The King of Fighters 2000 - As a Maniac Striker for Kyo
 * The King of Fighters Neowave
 * The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match
 * The King of Fighters '94: Rebout
 * The King of Fighters (pachinko) - event character

Mobile Appearances

 * The King of Fighters Mobile
 * The King of Fighters Mobile R-2

Cameo Appearances

 * The King of Fighters '96 - in Chizuru's stage
 * The King of Fighters 2001 - during the Japan team's ending
 * The King of Fighters XII - mentioned in Kyo's sidestory
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match - background cameo
 * The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2 - background cameo (Neo Geo Land Stage), Kyo Kusanagi's Normal Outfit-Variation F