Benimaru Nikaido

Benimaru Nikaido is a original character from The King of Fighters series and one of Kyo Kusanagi's friends. His straight hair stays up during fights due to a rather exaggerated case of electrostatics. His official nickname is The Shooting Star.

Development
Benimaru's appearance was loosely based on Jean Pierre Polnareff from the manga series and Capcom's fighting games series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, right down to his outfit in The King of Fighters '94 and The King of Fighters '95. Even after Benimaru's name was decided, the game developers continued to refer to him as Polnareff. Additionally, his taunt in The King of Fighters XI mirrors Polnareff's stature from the manga. His vocal performance was initially deemed by his original designer to have nothing to do with the character's original image.

The idea for his electric powers—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: lightning strikes the earth which sparks the flame).

Due to the particular pitch in his voice, some fans have voiced question to Benimaru's sexuality to developers, to which they respond, "It's not what you think. (Not that there's anything wrong with that)." A developer also responds that he's a man's man who loves women.

Personality
Benimaru, while sometimes outspoken and flamboyant, means business in battle as he's very proud of his skills and doesn't want anyone to look down on him for his good looks. He also respects ladies though he tends to be more than a flighty flirt. Although he seems to have an indecisive mind, Benimaru has a heart of gold. His loyalty and respect can go a long way.

Despite his American heritage, he carries many Japanese mannerisms. Though he would never openly admit it aloud, his pride as a professional fighter was shaken when Kyo beat him before 1994 and he secretly trains for a rematch.

Abilities

 * Electrokinesis - Benimaru can control electricity.
 * Static - Benimaru can create static around his body. This is what makes his hair upwards.
 * Electric Fist - Benimaru can create an electric ball around his fist.
 * Thunder - Benimaru can summon lightning from the sky. Benimaru can also form sparks on the ground and move them upwards.
 * Discharge - Benimaru can release an electric discharge by touching his enemy.
 * Electric Attacks - Benimaru can fuel his attacks with electric energy, especially from lightning he summons.
 * Super-Speed - Benimaru can move himself so quickly that he leaves several images of himself when he moves.


 * Cooking - Benimaru is an accomplished cook.
 * Modeling - Benimaru is a professional model by occupation.
 * Shooting - Benimaru has interests and has practiced shooting with rifles.

Fighting style
Benimaru specializes in shooting techniques and electricity, though his fighting style is more focused on agility and less on actual submission and raw power, focusing on agile kicks and decent range.

His character also pays homage to the Tatsunoko character, Hurricane Polymar. The attacks Shinkuu Katategoma (Vacuum One-Handed Top), Handou Sandan Geri (Recoiling Three-Stage Kick) and Gen'ei Hurricane (Phantom Hurricane) take their names and functions directly from the aforementioned character.

Several other of his moves also take their namesakes from various anime and manga, including: Benimaru Coleda/Benimaru Collider from Gunbuster; Elec-Trigger from Super Robot Red Baron; Flying Drill, Raijiken (Thunder Quiver Fist) and Raikouken (Lightning Fist) from Casshern's Denkou Punch (Voltaic Punch); and Iai Geri (Re-sheath Kick) from Kako Teito: Ore wa Shubei!. Despite all of these anime-based references, Benimaru ironically dislikes otaku.

Music
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Themes

 * Esaka - The King of Fighters '94
 * Funky Esaka - The King of Fighters '95, '98 Ultimate Match (with Daimon and EX Kyo)
 * Esaka? - The King of Fighters '96, '98
 * KD-0079 - The King of Fighters '99
 * Inner Shade - The King of Fighters 2000, EX
 * Flame of Invincibility - The King of Fighters 2001
 * J - The King of Fighters 2002
 * Joyrider - The King of Fighters 2003
 * Queen - The King of Fighters XI
 * Esaka Continues... - The King of Fighters XIII
 * Esaka ~Acid Remix~ - The King of Fighters XIII (when the music is set to "Type B", console version only, shared with Kyo and Daimon)
 * Yappari ESAKA - The King of Fighters XIV
 * Under the Control of... - The King of Fighters XV
 * ESAKA!! - The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match

Image songs
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 * Show Time!
 * The Song of Fighters II - shared image song with other characters

Voice actors

 * Atsushi Maezuka - The King of Fighters '94~Present
 * Genki Okawa - The King of Fighters for Girls
 * Hikaru Midorikawa - Dengeki Bunko drama CD

Appearances
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Game appearances

 * 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
 * Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000
 * The King of Fighters 2000
 * The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood
 * Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001
 * The King of Fighters 2001
 * The King of Fighters 2002
 * The King of Fighters Neowave
 * The King of Fighters 2003
 * The King of Fighters XI
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
 * The King of Fighters XII
 * The King of Fighters XIII
 * The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
 * Xuan Dou Zhi Wang
 * CR The King of Fighters
 * The King of Fighters XIV
 * The King of Fighters XV

Mobile appearances

 * The King of Fighters Mobile
 * SNK Dream Battle
 * Metal Slug Defense - unlockable
 * The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Online
 * Brave Frontier
 * Crash Fever
 * Puzzle & Dragons
 * Kimi wa Hero
 * 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 appearances

 * Days of Memories (second and fourth titles) - in-text cameos
 * The King of Fighters
 * The King of Fighters 2
 * KOF: Maximum Impact 2 - background
 * Garou: Mark of the Wolves - background in Hokutomaru's stage
 * SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy - in Miss X's ending

Anime appearances
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 * The King of Fighters: Destiny

Similar characters

 * Another Benimaru

Trivia

 * His name means "crimson, deep red" (紅), beni) and "circle, pills, purity, suffix for ship names, complete" (丸), maru). His surname means "two-storied, upstairs" (二階), nikai') and "hall" (堂),do).
 * When Daimon uses Jirai Shin in KOF '95-'98, Benimaru and Kyo Kusanagi are the only background characters who will jump.
 * Benimaru has canonically won the most tournaments. Kyo, Benimaru and Goro Daimon were the winners of the three hosted in the Orochi Saga; he won in KOF '99 alongside K', Maxima and Shingo Yabuki, KOF XI alongside Elisabeth Blanctorche and Duo Lon, and most recently in XIII and XIV. These victories are confirmed in team stories, light novels, and cutscenes.
 * In Neo-Geo Freak 1998, the characters in KOF '98 have their own interviews. Here are Benimaru's answers to the questions.
 * What is your aspiration in this competition? - "To stand out more than anyone. That is all."
 * Who would you like to fight the most? - "Kyo Kusanagi. I've only had one fight with him. Although it was my loss."
 * Who would you like to team up with? / Who would you not like to team up with? - "I want to fight alone if I can. The rest of the guys don't feel comfortable with just being companions?"
 * What is "KOF" for you? - "Something like a stage for actors...Huh?"
 * Finally, please give a word to your fans. - "I LOVE YOU!"
 * It has been mentioned in an interview that Benimaru has many girlfriends.
 * It can be noted that Benimaru and Jean Pierre Polnareff, his character inspiration, does share more elements than just the hairstyle: Being a gentleman, and their sense of justice. Polnareff also inspired the creation of Capcom's Guile from Street Fighter series (to a degree) and Tekken's Paul Phoenix.
 * One of Benimaru's many quotes is "Yare, Yare." This is possibly another reference to the Jojo's Bizarre Adventure series.
 * In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Benimaru was voted as the staff's thirteenth favorite character. He tied the spot with Samurai Shodown character, Shizumaru Hisame. In the character popularity poll on Neo Geo Freak's website, he was voted as the sixth favorite character with a total of 1,269 votes.