Benimaru Nikaido

Benimaru Nikaido (二階堂 紅丸, Nikaidō Benimaru) is a character from The King of Fighters game series. He debuted as one of the members of the "Japan Team" during the Orochi Saga (also composed with Kyo Kusanagi and Goro Daimon). He forms his own team dubbed the "Benimaru Team" in 2000. Benimaru is born of half-Japanese and American descent, and wears a waist-length sleeveless top with matching jeans/pants. In his later appearances, his top is shorter, exposing his abs. His top is plain black (with short sleeves from '98 to 2002), until it changes to a leopard spot motif in The King of Fighters 2003 and beyond. His straight hair during fights stays up due to a rather exaggerated case of electrostatics.

He is voiced by Monster Maezuka and Hikaru Midorikawa in The King of Fighters '94 Dengeki Bunko drama CD.

Development
He was loosely based on the character Jean Pierre Polnareff from 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 on, 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: lighting 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)." 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.

Orochi Saga
Benimaru was a man that learned to fight in Japanese streets. He grew up to be a narcissist man but also very powerful. He learned by unknown means how to control electricity and often used it to bully some random guys. One day, he heard of a national tournament where all martial artists could participate. Benimaru entered it and made it to the finals. There he fought a man named Kyo Kusanagi and lost. He was the runner-up, while Goro Daimon was the third-place. The trio was then invited to that year's The King of Fighters tournament by an unknown host to represent Japan. They accepted and started to compete with many strong fighters. Team Japan made it to the semi-finals against Team Italy, composed of Joe Higashi, Andy Bogard and the winner of the past-two The King of Fighters, Terry Bogard. Benimaru faced Andy but the fight ended up with a double KO, but Kyo defeated Terry. They were then, sent to a ship named Blacknoah and a man named Rugal Bernstein challenged them. Rugal defeated Saisyu Kusanagi, Kyo's father and that made him extremely angry. Benimaru and Daimon were easily defeated by Rugal, but Kyo went toe-to-toe with the man and won. Rugal, refusing to lose, started the self-destruction process of Blacknoah. Team Japan managed to escape thanks to the help of Heidern. After the tournament, Benimaru went back to Japan with the prize money.

The next year, Benimaru received the same letter to the King of Fighters tournament signed by Rugal. He joined Kyo and Daimon once again and entered the tournament. Benimaru made to the finals and they were surprised to see Saisyu Kusanagi by Rugal's side. Kyo couldn't fight his own father, but Benimaru and Daimon attacked Saisyu and told Kyo to fight Rugal instead. Benimaru and Daimon eventually defeated Saisyu and Kyo defeated Rugal. Rugal, who was consumed by the Orochi power, started to blow up and the trio saw Iori Yagami saying that only those of the bloodline could control this power.

In 1996, Benimaru, Kyo and Daimon received another invitation to this year's KOF but this time the sponsor was Kagura Enterprises of Japan, not Rugal. This year's KOF was shown live on TV and made all of the fighters world-famous. Benimaru couldn't do nothing but to love that innovation. Once again, Team Japan made it to the finals and faced a woman named Chizuru Kagura. Chizuru said she wanted to test Kyo and had no concern for Benimaru and Daimon, which left Benimaru extremely mad. They eventually defeated Kagura, but a very strong wind blew Benimaru and Daimon away. It was Leopold Goenitz who wanted to fight Kyo and gather more energy for Orochi. Kyo fought alongside Iori and won, what lead to Goenitz killing himself. After that, Benimaru, Kyo and Daimon were given the prize money.

The next year, The King of Fighters was an event compared to the likes of FIFA World Cup, and Team Japan was once again invited to participate by Chizuru. She asked them to be careful because Orochi's presence was very strong that year. That year marked the entrance of the New Faces Team (Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie and Chris), the Special Team (Blue Mary, Billy Kane and Ryuji Yamazaki) and of Shingo Yabuki as a single entry. Team Japan was victorious once again and during the finals they had to go against Wild Iori, but they could manage to defeat him. After this fight, they were transported to a place where the Orochi Team was waiting for them. Orochi Yashiro, Orochi Shermie and Orochi Chris told them they used the tournament to gather enough energy for Orochi's awakening and they needed a bit more energy. Kyo fought Chris, Benimaru fought Shermie and Daimon fought Yashiro. Team Japan eventually defeated them, but Yashiro and Shermie said that Orochi was awake again inside Chris' body. Yashiro and Shermie killed themselves to give their energy to Orochi. Orochi started to transform into his original form and with a simple movement, knocked Benimaru and Daimon out. Orochi was eventually defeated by Kyo, Iori and Chizuru.

NESTS Saga
After that battle, Kyo disappeared and Benimaru spent a whole year looking for him until he heard of the NESTS syndicate. He heard that the NESTS syndicate was keeping Kyo hostage and creating clones of him. Benimaru met two men, K' and Maxima and learned of NESTS' scheme. K' was infused with Kyo's DNA to create the perfect weapon and he escaped NESTS alongside Maxima. They heard that NESTS was organizing a new The King of Fighters tournament, but this time the teams would have four contestants. Benimaru tought to ask Daimon to join them, but he refused. Benimaru then called Shingo to join the team. This new team made it to the finals, where NESTS officer, Krizalid was waiting for them. Krizalid was a clone of K' but was very powerful. They could be able to defeat him with the help of a fire blast by none other than Kyo himself. Benimaru and Shingo were happy to see him, but they had to escape, since the place was collapsing.

The next year, NESTS was organizing another The King of Fighters tournament. Benimaru was approached by the mercenary Seth who was working to break NESTS down. Benimaru and Seth called Shingo to join them and they also called the Flying Brigand, Lin to join their team. This team didn't make it to the finals but when the Zero Cannon fired, Lin was attacked by Ron, a Flying Brigand traitor and the reason why Lin entered the tournament. Ron told Lin that his power is even greater now that NESTS helped him. Ron was preparing to deliver a killing blow when Benimaru saved Lin with his Electrigger move.

In 2001, Benimaru joined once again Kyo, Daimon and Shingo to form once again the Japan Team. This team was defeated by the team of K', Maxima, Whip and Lin. Benimaru didn't aid K', Kyo and Iori defeat NESTS Ceo, Igniz.

Ash Saga
In 2003, another KOF tournament was being held. Benimaru was invited, but Kyo refused to join him in the tournament, because he wanted to watch it from the shadows. So, Japan Team was formed by Benimaru, Goro Daimon and Shingo. This team faced the made of KOF newcomers Ash Crimson, Duo Lon and Shen Woo. Benimaru felt that Duo Lon's aura was very similar to Ron's. Team Japan eventually lost to this new Hero Team.

Benimaru heard from Kyo, that Ash wanted to take all the three sacred treasures and that he already took Chizuru's Yata Mirror. Benimaru and Duo Lon were invited by Elisabeth Blanctorche to hear what really happened at the climax of the last tournament with Ash. Seeing as they were all united under a common goal (to stop and question him), they formed a team and entered the tournament. In their ending, they find Ash after he had taken Iori's magatama. He leaves them with a cryptic warning: that Kyo will be next.

Personality
Benimaru, while sometimes outspoken and flamboyant, means business in battle since 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, as shown with a special introduction pose before engaging in battle with a female opponent. Even though he tends to be more than a flighty flirt, when it comes to certain things (along with seeming as if he has an indecisive mind), Benimaru in fact has a heart of gold, his loyalty and respect can go a long way and even behind the American exterior he still holds close the Japanese personality traits. 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.

Whether intentionally ironic or not, Benimaru's dislike is otaku, or anime fans. This is ironic in that almost every aspect of Benimaru's character and fighting style is borrowed from elements of anime.

Powers

 * 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 thunders from the sky. Benimaru can also create thunders that are formed on the ground and go upwards.
 * Discharge - Benimaru can release an electric discharge by touching his enemy.
 * Electric Attacks - Benimaru can fuel his attacks with electric energy, especially from thunders he summon.
 * Super-Speed - Benimaru can move himself very quickly that he leaves several images of him when he moves.

Skills

 * Cooking - Benimaru is an accomplished cook.

Fighting Style
His fighting technique specializes in shooting techniques and electricity. His character also pays homage to the Tatsunoko character, Hurricane Polymar. The attacks Shinkuu Katategoma, Handou Sandan Geri and Gen'ei 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 (Gunbuster), Elec-Trigger (Super Robot Red Baron), Flying Drill and Raijiken (Casshern), and Iai Geri (Kako Teito: Ore wa Shubei!).

Music

 * Esaka - The King of Fighters 94
 * Funky Esaka - The King of Fighters 95
 * Esaka - The King of Fighters 96, 98
 * KD-0079 - The King of Fighters 99
 * Inner Shade - The King of Fighters 2000
 * Flame of Invicibility - The King of Fighters 2001
 * Tears - The King of Fighters 2002
 * Joyrider - The King of Fighters 2003
 * Queen - The King of Fighters XI

Image Songs

 * Show Time! - 1999 image song
 * The Song of Fighters II - Shared image song with other King of Fighters characters

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
 * The King of Fighters 2000
 * The King of Fighters EX
 * Capcom vs SNK 2
 * The King of Fighters 2001
 * The King of Fighters EX2
 * 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

Cameo Appearances

 * Days of Memories (second and fourth titles) - in-text cameos
 * The King of Fighters (pachinko)
 * The King of Fighters 2

Similar Characters

 * Another Benimaru