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"Tung's final disciple is here to dish out justice! Catch hands with the phantom that resides within! SHUN'EI."
- The King of Fighters XV

Shun'ei (シュンエイ) is a character from The King of Fighters series. He made his debut in The King of Fighters XIV as the new protagonist of the series, as well as the main protagonist of the currently ongoing story arc, succeeding Kyo Kusanagi (Orochi Saga), K' (NESTS Chronicles) and Ash Crimson (Tales of Ash). His nickname is "Amped-up Illusionist" (増幅ぞうふくする幻影げんえい).


Development[]

Shun'ei was designed to be a new hero who brings new impressions to players without adhering to the existing KOF series. In order to achieve this goal, they had a younger designer come up with the design instead of Eisuke Ogura. Originally, Shun'ei was going to have a stereotypical Chinese design, but the developers dropped the idea in favor of making something cool instead.[1]

Nobuyuki Kuroki comments that it's a design that's meant to be more appealing to the female audience and it would be nice if this character was the reason they'd play the game. He also notes that the people who were involved in Rock Howard' design were also involved in Shun'ei's creation so players may see similarities between the two.[2] When discussing about the roster, Yasuyuki Oda mentions that Shun'ei and Meitenkun are closer to being Fatal Fury characters than KOF characters due to the obvious fact of being Tung Fu Rue's students.[1]

In an interview before the games release, Oda felt that people are all bored with the headband wearing aggressive type of characters. And that those characters are so common now, so the team wanted to include a shy character who doesn't really show his emotions to add some variety.[3]

In the KOF XV's Teaser Trailer (released in December 2020), creative director Eisuke Ogura explains the reason to Shun'ei's shy introduction in the franchise compared to the other protagonists is because the staff wasn't sure if he should be the new protagonist of the story, but they decided to focus more on the character from KOF XV onwards.[4]

Personality[]

Shun'ei is a nice and reasonable person due to Tung Fu Rue's kindly teachings. His closeness with him is evident, as he affectionately calls him "Grandpa" and looks up to him with appreciation for being taken in off the streets. This gratitude and connection are further emphasized when he feels loyal towards his master, acknowledging the harsh criticism from within his own circles, like Isla, who he calls a "child."

Despite this gratitude, Shun'ei feels burdened by his curse and intently worries about it danger others. The new challenges and high stakes presented by the tournament can serve as a platform where Shun'ei tries to master his powers while unconsciously venting his inner discontent with himself. Nevertheless, he tries treating his fight as a self-discovery process instead of resenting those who stand between him and the recognition he seeks.

In specific dialogues, Shun'ei regards Kyo as being stronger, which shows a certain warranted deference and a will to improving his own fighting. Similarly, he speaks of exercising his power and control rather than diving severe deliberations like an adult, he turns towards sharing positive notes of encouragement and wishes while protecting Tung.

Powers[]

Shun'ei's power has a symbiotic relationship with Verse, Isla and an unknown blue creature.

  • Amplified Specters - Shun'ei can utilize the Amplified Specters.
    • Hydrokinesis - Shun'ei can control water usually in a form of a claw on his right side. The fragment of his right-half's power from unknown blue creature's power.
    • Pyrokinesis - Shun'ei can control fire usually in a form of a fist on his left side. The fragment of his left-half's power from Verse's power.

Fighting Style[]

Shun'ei uses Hakkyoku Gen'ei Ken, a personal fighting style that involves illusionistic powers' defense, movement and offense, mixed in with control via Hakkyokuseiken via Tung Fu Rue's teachings. Most of his attacks are also somewhat reminiscent to a personal form of Chinese boxing.

Music[]

Song Title Game Appearances Track
The King of Fighters series
Inheritance
  • The King of Fighters XIV
  • The King of Fighters XV (DJ Station)
Full Burst
  • The King of Fighters XIV (vs. Kukri)
  • The King of Fighters XV (DJ Station)
Under the Control of...
  • The King of Fighters XV
Sobagaramakura (Buckwheat Chaff Pillow)
  • The King of Fighters XV (vs. Meitenkun)

Appearances[]

Games[]

Mobile[]

Comics[]

Anime[]

Cameos[]

Voice Actor[]

Japanese[]

Takashi Ōhara
Takashiohara

Names in Other Languages[]

Japanese
シュンエイ (Shunei)
Simplified Chinese
瞬影 (Shùnyǐng)
Korean
어릴 적에 (eolil jeog-e)

Trivia[]

  • Shun'ei and K' are the only heroes/protagonists who don't have total control of their own powers.
    • K' uses a special red glove to completely control his flame (Kyo's DNA deployed) and Shun'ei controls his demonic phantom hands with Tung’s training, a headphone given by Tung himself to silence the voices in his head and and armbands to better control of his powers.
  • Shun'ei is the only character in The King of Fighters series to have air dashes, which act as airborne Special Moves.

Cards[]

KOF98UM OL KOF98UM OL

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The King of Fighters XIV: Interview (2016-08-22) from Famitsu.
  2. THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV Premium Art Book, p.099
  3. Gamescom exclusive KOF XIV QA wih SNK Interview published on 23/8/2016
  4. KOF XV Teaser Trailer - YouTube
The King of Fighters characters
KOF '94 Logo Sprite Kyo KusanagiBenimaru NikaidoGoro DaimonTerry BogardAndy BogardJoe HigashiRyo SakazakiRobert GarciaTakuma SakazakiRalf JonesClark StillHeidernAthena AsamiyaSie KensouChin GentsaiKingMai ShiranuiYuri SakazakiKim KaphwanChang KoehanChoi BoungeHeavy D!Lucky GlauberBrian BattlerRugal Bernstein
KOF '95 Logo Sprite Iori YagamiBilly KaneEiji KisaragiSaisyu KusanagiOmega RugalNakoruru (Game Boy only)
KOF '96 Logo Sprite Leona HeidernMatureViceKasumi TodohGeese HowardWolfgang KrauserMr. BigChizuru KaguraGoenitzMr. Karate (Game Boy only)
KOF '97 Logo Sprite Shingo YabukiYashiro NanakaseShermieChrisBlue MaryRyuji YamazakiOrochi IoriOrochi LeonaOrochi YashiroOrochi ShermieOrochi ChrisOrochi
KOF '99 Logo Sprite K'MaximaWhipBaoLi XiangfeiJhun HoonKyo-1Kyo-2Krizalid
KOF '99 Evolution Logo VanessaSethSyo KirishimaAlfredFiolina GermiGai Tendo
KOF 2000 Logo Sprite RamónLinHinako ShijoKula DiamondClone ZeroFoxyCandy DiamondAnother K'Another IoriAnother BenimaruAnother RobertCosplayer KyokoKang Bae DalSmart ChangCool ChoiKaoru WatabeBaitangDuck KingLilly KaneKim Jae HoonKim Dong HwanUnknownKing LionKim Sue-ilKaedeDuke EdwardsRockyAthenaNeo & GeoG-Mantle
KOF 2001 Logo Sprite May Lee JinjuK9999ÁngelZeroRonGluganIgnizMistyNests
KOF EX Logo Moe Habana
KOF 2002 Logo Sprite Kusanagi
KOF EX2 Logo Reiji OogamiJun KagamiMiu KurosakiSinobu Amou
KOF 2003 Logo Sprite Ash CrimsonDuo LonShen WooTizocGatoMalinMaki KaguraAdelheid BernsteinMukai
KOF MI Logo Alba MeiraSoiree MeiraLien NevilleMignon BeartChae LimDukeRock Howard
KOF XI Logo Sprite OswaldElisabeth BlanctorcheMomokoB. JenetShionMagakiSilberSho HayateJyazuHotaru FutabaItokatsuTung Fu Rue
KOF MI2 Logo Luise MeyrinkNagaseJivatmaNinon BeartHyenaHanzo HattoriKyo Kusanagi ClassicWild WolfMr. Karate IIArmor RalfRichard Meyer
KOF MIRA Logo Xiao LonMakoto Mizoguchi
KOF '98UM Logo Nightmare Geese
KOF 2002UM Logo Nameless
KOF XII Logo Raiden
KOF XIII Logo Hwa JaiBig BearSaikiEvil AshHonki ni Natta Mr. Karate
KOF XIV Logo Shun'eiMeitenkunGang-ilLuongXanaduSylvie Paula PaulaKukriMianNelsonZarinaBandeiras HattoriKing of DinosaursHeinNakoruruMamahahaMui MuiLove HeartAlice Garnet NakataAntonovVerseNajd (Aila)
The King of Fighters XV Logo Isla (Amanda) • DoloresKrohnen McDougallRe VerseOtoma RagaHaohmaruDarli Dagger
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