Goro Daimon

Goro Daimon is a character who debuted as a member to the Hero Team in The King of Fighters '94, along with Kyo Kusanagi and Benimaru Nikaido. His character was created to add a practitioner of Judo to the cast, and many elements from his original designs, such as his geta and his victory cries, remained for his final look.

His official nicknames are "The Rising Storm" and "Over-Towering Mountain Storm".

Development
The designers had a desire to create a judo athlete who uses dynamic body tosses. Despite the criticisms, the creators were very adamant that Daimon would fight with his Japanese geta (wooden clogs).

The idea for his earthquakes -as well as the other elemental powers for the rest of the Japan team- was derived from the anime Getter Robo. In the show, there were three featured heroes who served as the inspiration for the KOF trio: the protagonist had a "fiery" persona, his friend was "edgy and daring", and the third hero was the "down-to-earth giant". It is also a homage to a Japanese phrase of giving birth to fire (roughly translated: lighting strikes the earth which sparks the flame).

In The King of Fighters '97, Orochi Yashiro became his elemental rival, as both men share the ability to manipulate earth.

Personality
Daimon always seems to have a very serious expression, and grunts a lot. However, he has a very warm heart, as he always takes his time to coexist with nature and immerse himself there. He also likes to teach youngsters about Judo in his free time. He also patiently serves as an adviser and mediator between Kyo and Benimaru. His old teammates nicknamed him "Goro-chan". He wasn't very popular with ladies due to his large and "scary looking" stature—a fact that he lamented for many years—until he was fortunate enough to meet the woman who would later become his wife.

Abilities

 * Geokinesis/Terrakinesis - Using his incredible strength, Daimon can manipulate the grounds of the Earth to his advantage.
 * Seismic Wave - By smacking the ground, Daimon can create a seismic wave that can make anyone fall.
 * Explosive Stomp - Daimon can sometimes emit explosive attacks with his attacks.

Fighting style
Daimon fights with Kodokan Judo techniques, plus a personal striking style. Much of his techniques also have a slight earth motif, enough to cause tremors (via his iconic Jiraishin/Mine Quake move). In terms of playstyle, Daimon focuses on singular strikes, deft evasion and versatile grapples, with his signature DM being the Jigoku Gokuraku Otoshi (Hell Sukhavati Dropper).

Two of his strongest moves are also named after famed proverbs; his original HSDM in 2002, Neowave and 2002 UM is known as the Fuurinkazan (Wind Forest Fire Mountain), named after the proverb of the same name. Meanwhile, his Neo Max DM is named as Kyouten Dou'chi (Surprised Heaven & Moving Earth), a term for earth-shattering amazement.

Voice actors

 * Masaki Usui - The King of Fighters '94~XIII
 * Takahiro Fujiwara - The King of Fighters XIV~present
 * Shunsuke Takeuchi - The King of Fighters for Girls
 * Ryūzaburō Ōtomo - The King of Fighters '94 Dengeki Bunko drama CD

Appearances
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Games

 * The King of Fighters '94
 * The King of Fighters '95
 * The King of Fighters '96
 * The King of Fighters '97
 * The King of Fighters '98
 * The King of Fighters '99: Evolution - as a Striker
 * The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise - as a Striker
 * The King of Fighters 2000 - as a Striker for Seth
 * The King of Fighters 2001
 * The King of Fighters 2002
 * The King of Fighters 2003
 * The King of Fighters Neowave
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
 * The King of Fighters XII
 * The King of Fighters XIII
 * The King of Fighters XIV
 * CR The King of Fighters

Mobile

 * Metal Slug Defense - unlockable
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Online
 * The King of Fighters Destiny
 * The King of Fighters: World
 * The King of Fighters All Star
 * The King of Fighters: Orochi Go
 * The King of Fighters M: Fighting Stars Assembly
 * The King of Fighters for Girls
 * SNK Fighting Age

Cameos

 * Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 - background in Kyo vs. Benimaru matches
 * Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 - background in Kyo vs. Benimaru matches
 * KOF: Maximum Impact - background
 * Days of Memories (fourth title) - in-text
 * The King of Fighters
 * The King of Fighters 2
 * SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy - sillhouette and name appears in gameplay; in Miss X's ending
 * Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - background in King of Fighters Stadium stage
 * The King of Fighters XV - mentioned in Hero Team's Story and by Benimaru in his interview with Clemence Bellamy; also in the G.A.W. Team Ending

Anime
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 * The King of Fighters: Destiny

Trivia

 * Kyo, Benimaru and Daimon are the winners of all King of Fighters tournaments hosted in Orochi Saga. And the most recent ones in XIII and XIV. Their victories are confirmed in team stories, light novels and cutscenes.
 * In his interview for KOF '98, he responded that he would like to fight the Masters Team sometime. Here are the response to the rest of the questions.
 * What is your aspiration in this competition? - "I will do my best."
 * Who would you like to fight the most? - I would like to fight with Mr. Saisyu Kusanagi, Mr. Takuma Sakazaki, Mr. Heidern.
 * Who would you like to team up with? / Who would you not like to team up with? - "I didn't think about anything other than teaming up the team so far."
 * What is "KOF" for you? - "A great place where you can prove the depth of induction."
 * Finally, please give a word to your fans. - "Well ... hmm ..."
 * In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Daimon was voted as the staff's forty-fourth favorite character. He shared the spot with Street Fighter character, Alex.