Benimaru Nikaido

## Personal Info

Title: Shooting Star

Birthdate: June 6

Birthplace: Japan

Age: 20-21

Height: 5’10 (180)

Weight: 150 (68)

Blood: O

Style: Shoot Boxing

## History

Benimaru is a young son of a multi-millionaire family. He is
a professional fighter and part-time professional modeler who is very confident
in his abilities. When Japan held a tournament for their country's
representative team in the King of Fighters, Benimaru entered and made it to
the finals. Despite his experience, he lost to newcomer Kyo Kusanagi and earned
second place. He and Kyo enter the 1994 KoF tournament with the third place
contestant, Goro Daimon. Eventually, he befriends his teammates and joins them
for the rest of the saga.

After the climax of The King of Fighters 97, Benimaru
resumed his modeling career and went on a world tour. He returns to Japan
before the 1999 tournament due to an invitation he seemingly received from
Kyo's pupil, Shingo. In reality, both Shingo and him were actually set up to
join the "special team" with K' and Maxima. During the tournament
finals, he learns about NESTS, a syndicate that is responsible for Kyo's
disappearance. After he helps Shingo escape from the crumbling base, Benimaru
continues to track NESTS to try and find Kyo.

In the following year, Benimaru forms his own team with
Shingo and his old friend, Seth. The agent also brings their final teammate,
Lin. Benimaru hopes to use Lin's abilities to help his search for Kyo. In his
team's ending, he saves Lin from Ron. After this encounter, Benimaru loosely
trusts members from the Hizoku.

Regardless of his search's results, he meets Kyo again in
2001. Looking to relive their glory days once more, he teams up with the old
Japan Team and Shingo. Each member goes their separate ways after the
tournament's climax.

After he bails Shingo from a false arsonist accusation, he
teams with him and Goro in the 2003 tournament. In KoF XI, him and Duo Lon are
invited to Elisabeth Blanctorche's mansion. There, they discuss Ash Crimson's
thievery of Chizuru's powers, the existence of Those From the Past, and their
experiences during the 2003 tournament. The trio forms the Rival team and track
down Ash. They find him after he steals Iori's powers. Benimaru sees Shingo and
Kyo's beaten states and threatens Ash for an explanation. Before either members
can interrogate him further, Ash teleports away and warns that Kyo will be
next.

Deciding to let Duo Lon do as he please, Benimaru returns
from overseas to Japan. He first visits Chizuru to tell her about what happened
in the last tournament, both aware of the dangers that come with Ash's new
abilities. Excusing himself to meet with his teammates, he visits Shingo to
learn the details of what caused Kyo's hospitalization. Goro arrives and they
catch up during the meeting. With the current state of affairs and the
invitations from "R" passed out, he and Goro decide to reunite the
old team for the tournament.

In the KOF XIII ending, he and Daimon both watch Kyo as he
fights once again with Iori to an unknown result.

## Powers

Electrokinesis

Static

Electric Fist

Thunder

Discharge

Electric Attack

Super-Speed

## Music

ESAKA (KOF: 94)

Funky Esaka (95, 98)

Esaka? (96, 98)

KD-0079 (99)

Inner Shade (00)

Flame of Invincibility (01)

Joyrider (03)

Queen (11)

Acid Esaka (13)

Esaka Continues (13)

Esaka!! (02: UM)

Showtime (99)