Kyo Kusanagi

Kyo in Bleach the King of Fighters A15

### Birthdate

September 20, 1978; 16 years old (*BKOF*~*BKOFE*), 18 years old (*BKOFSN*~present)

### Height

174 cm (5'8¼")(BKOF~BKOFE), 181 cm (5'11¼")

### Weight

61 kg (134 lbs)(BKOF~BKOFE), 66 kg (145 lbs)

### Family/Relatives

Saisyu Kusanagi (father), Shizuka Kusanagi (mother), Souji Kusanagi (cousin), Aoi Kusanagi (cousin), Kyo-1 (clone), Kyo-2 (clone), K' (has Kyo's DNA), Krizalid (has Kyo's DNA), K9999 (has Kyo's DNA), Nameless (has Kyo's DNA), Emi Toshiba (girlfriend)

### Weapon

Several firearms and explosives (Metal Slug Code J)

### Fighting style

Kusanagi style of ancient martial arts + personal style of Chinese boxing (Kenpō)

### Element

Fire

**Kyo Kusanagi** (草薙京, *Kusanagi Kyō*) is the main protagonist in SNK's *The King of Fighters* video game series. He was first introduced in *Bleach the King of Fighters*. He is the rival of Iori Yagami.

Kyo is a cocky delinquent high school student who is the heir of the Kusanagi Clan, one of the three clans that sealed the legendary snake entity, Orochi, 1800 years ago. His clan wields pyrokinetic powers, an inherited power that few members obtain. They, along with the Yasakani and Yata clans, keep one of the Three Sacred Treasures used to contain Orochi long ago. His family's treasure is the **Kusanagi Sword** (草薙の剣, *Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi*), and his family crest is the sun, represented in a stylized halo of fire.

His official nickname is "**Scion of the Flame**" (炎の貴公子, *Honō no Kikōshi*)  or "**The Cleansing Exorcising Flame**" (火炎 祓 濯, *Kaen Harau Yusu*).

He is the main protagonist in Bleach the King of Fighters, the true main protagonist in Bleach the King of Fighters 2ndMIX, the supporting protagonist in Bleach the King of Fighters EXTREME, the central protagonist in Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA, the major character and a hero from the Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2, the anti-heroic from the Bleach the King of Fighters X, the major protagonist in Bleach the King of Fighters X2, the final protagonist and a hero from Bleach the King of Fighters X3 and one of the three main protagonists in Bleach the King of Fighters A.

## Story

### The King of Fighters

Kyo as mourn at his pet dog passed away had a many Stroheim's Henchmen, he is friend Emi Toshiba, Hon Fu, Yuni Verse, Rock Howard, Alice Ip, Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon had to The King of Fighters tournaments. Kyo their those will his rival American Combat Muay Thai the time of everything always on ever. He is myth mystery his enemy Wolfgang Krauser von Stroheim in KOF Tournament, and so trouble make to more can merrier reminiscence fair around. He is Emi and Rock being work it the trouble messaging manager defeat Krauser. He will first fight British Boxers in England with the chasing for waiting, and Kyo defeating British Boxers in the England. He has second fight Female Kickboxers with cannot loser if are within battle, and Kyo defeating Female Kickboxers in Las Vegas. He has third fight American Combat Muay Thai why use with cannot crush him, and Kyo defeating American Combat Muay Thai at Chiang Mai. He is commentary final fight Wolfgang Krauser is the dangerous can too destructed him for battle, after Kyo defeating Krauser will be idea, and he is champion in Chiang Mai.

After defeating Krauser for The King of Fighters tournaments and the ceremony have things, He's begun challenge for The King of Fighters 2ndMIX. Kyo is Rage real it time, He and Disco careful elegant their. He so many reason thing but can Disco meets Geese Howard in Howard Estate, and he watching Disco reasoning fight Geese be careful slow him. Kyo enraged him moment Geese attacked Disco furious, He and Disco combination killed Geese at Howard Estate every night late to reasoned homing best match, after at winning Disco in KOF 2ndMIX championships.

He likely real one Ichigo Kurosaki that sometimes, he ready to beginning of The King of Fighters EXTREME. Kyo is Emi meeting a Yuni and Alice one all formation ready thing talkin' 'bout. He made in meetings his rival Iori Yagami what so been happened. Iori tell Kyo will betray Krauser just would begin anywhere. He will begun keeping to Rock and Hon Fu know then Krauser kidnap Uryu Ishida in Karakura Town. Kyo fighting on Ryuji Yamazaki and Billy Kane the two bodyguards of Igniz. He reveals Rock and Hon Fu hangout Ichigo fight Leopold Goenitz in Igniz Chamber, however, Rock and Hon Fu killed Goenitz and then Ichigo destroy Igniz. Kyo that is what Ryuji and Billy knocked Ichigo, and know Ichigo his release Zanpakuto Zangetsu beating Krauser, Ryuji and Billy at the Igniz Chamber. He is revealing Uryu was rescued by Athena Asamiya.

### The King of Fighters SuperNOVA

Kyo will behind tries defeated by Devin Weston, and wish working they alone a Yui Hirasawa. He would've go to the Roppongi City, as attacking or killing on Stellar Master's Soldier, they are starting to The King of Fighters SuperNOVA tournaments, and will remaining calm around. Kyo is Rock and Hon Fu those would coming intolerance messages his friends Benimaru and Daimon. He is could've grateful done wich ordinance good mission, and shocked to Stellar Master's Soldier was attacked by Ichigo Kurosaki wich finally introduction. Ichigo was defeated by Devin is an couldn't feeling these come back thrill. Kyo and Krauser only known wrath in dimensions, as Ichigo and Jagi was crucified a those making reviewed to Devin. He will revenge for Ichigo can rescuing and coming to Jagi under pleasant. Kyo was knocked by Ichigo and whole Krauser appears to him. He should Ichigo defeating Krauser recommend just will revenge destination over.

Kyo in Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2 (2007)Kyo in Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2: ULTIMATE Special (2008)
After Devin Weston was defeated in The King of Fighters SuperNOVA, Kyo Kusanagi the archenemy of Wolfgang Krauser von Stroheim, knocked unconscious by Ichigo Kurosaki in the Battle of Roppongi Temple. They're something as be best attacking on UTX Gangsters, and then invader mission on Tsubasa Kira, Erena Todo and Anju Yuki. Kyo at Krauser brutal killing Tsubasa these intemperance rule going on, and death of Krauser will commander missing things but forward being later around. K' while use working refuse calming only resistance to Rugal Bernstein's Resurrection. He somewhere it a Belger Bernstein who is talent a kidnap Banri Tada, However, Koko Kaga and Sayaka Maizono just can good of works about. How are Fiona Mayfield that resurrected her surrogate sister's idol group at the Akihabara Idol Stage. Kyo could work somewhere ordinary to Kanon Nakagawa training on Sie Kensou, as well Chinami Oka to building a house, and Linda seeing Billy Kane and Ryuji Yamazaki. He will beside reveals can believe it anywhere on Shiori Shiomiya prayer at Meiji Shrine, as well Mio Aoyama training a matador with ninja sword in Okinawa bullfighting ring, and Ayumi Takahara athletic sprint in Akihabara School Grounds.

### The King of Fighters X

Aftermath Rugal Bernstein is demised in The King of Fighters SuperNOVA2. Kyo Kusanagi only then regularly timing to Seth as Vanessa and Ramon, as then well refund over to Yuni Verse, and will course thing real good on the bout Ryo Kongoji. He is than entered difficult to The King of Fighters X tournaments. Kyo tells on Ichigo Kurosaki the servant of Angelia Avallone in the X/2010. He is remember calling actuality Karen Kujo, and somewhere between working through everything on mission around. Kyo so everywhere day upon Ichigo serves Angelia, and stay with Rock and Emi just go away. He reunion can see faithful make it fearsomely thing call someone else, and he must paradise will dilemma everything on Japan.

After Angelia Avallone and Ichigo Kurosaki was defeated in The King of Fighters X. Kyo out of come up with very special good luck perfective formation. He with a teams Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon who talent of entering to The King of Fighters X2. All so he somewhere rivalry Iori Yagami, Billy Kane, and Eiji Kisaragi in the tournament. Kyo will can fair and energetic furiously overall mysterious on Angelia Avallone, and work something come up with from Karen Kujo and Chika Takami at Paris, France. Kyo that is fair of justice will reanimation for the coming someday, and he everyday for Iori and Rock resembles within recommend. He they are all someone with mysterious Angelia will promises on the lady's killer, and work that awesome going Karen and Chika about.

Aftermath Angelia Avallone is brutal killed in The King of Fighters X2. Kyo tells from on believe an Emi still Rock coming will ordinary Benimaru and Goro. He some more revenge come on up with to King of Fighters X3 tournaments. He something within a Chitoge Kirisaki and Ayumu Uehara this going work very match, and will absolute splendid for the match.

### The King of Fighters A

Kyo Kusanagi in Bleach the King of Fighters A (2016)Kyo Kusanagi in Bleach the King of Fighters A15 (2019)
## Personality

Kyo is the over-confident but well meaning protagonist of the series, more interested in enjoying life than having to partake in any particular responsibilities. He is quick to dismiss subjects that don't interest him and will often carry out his actions with a devil-may-care attitude. Despite his seemingly arrogant and rude demeanor, he treasures his friends and family, enjoying their presence and particularly doting on his girlfriend, Emi Toshiba. His extreme disinterest in studies has led to his chronic inability to graduate from high school (which has become subject to in-jokes). Although he is confident in his poetic talent, most of his poems aren't considered to be good by his listeners.

Kyo takes his clan's responsibilities on a more personal level, disregarding ancient legends and predestined events as any reason for his actions. His strong sense of justice and his zeal to fight stronger opponents are what he believes to drive him to carry out his destiny. His rivalry with Iori is one of mutual hatred and was hardly spurred by their clans' history. When Kyo and Iori join forces, it is often begrudgingly and as a last resort solution to the conflict at hand.

## Powers

* **Pyrokinesis** - Due to his Kusanagi heritage, Kyo can control fire. He can create fire from thin air, create fire balls, deliver punches of fire, create pillars of fire and put his own body on fire. However, he is neither immune to other types of fire nor able to control other fires that he didn't create. Also, the flames he wields are nothing more than just ordinary fire: it does not have the mystical 'trapping' ability of Iori's purple holy flames.

## Skills

* **Motorcycle Driving** - Kyo likes to ride his motorcycle around the streets of Japan. Some official pictures depict Kyo driving a scooter.
* **Poetry** - Kyo likes to write poetry as a hobby, though his poetry is generally not much liked by his listeners.
* **Ice Hockey** - Although representing the element of fire, Kyo likes ice hockey.
* **Musical Instrument** - Kyo is also an accomplished guitarist, as seen in The Band of Fighters

## Fighting Style

Kyo fights using the Kusanagi style of ancient martial arts, a Japanese style of empty handed combat taught only to the Kusanagi clan members. Like most of the clan members in modern times, these are labeled as Method/Style with numbers; numbers that actually use alternate kanji different from their originals. These examples are 108 Shiki: Yami Barai (Method 108: Darkness Sweeper), etc. with "Reverse Methods" being stronger versions of other attacks such as Kyo's signature DM, Ura 108 Shiki: Orochinagi (Reverse Method 108: Great Serpent Mower) being an example. In some sources, this even applies to his "unnamed" normal attacks.

Kyo also knows Kenpo, and uses it in most of his normal attacks. Kyo's moveset emphasizes Kenpo from *BKOF EXTREME* onwards, discarding his 108 Shiki: Yami Barai and 101 Shiki: Oboroguruma (Method 101: Hazy Wheel), instead focusing on two of the clan's other techniques, the 114 Shiki: Aragami (Method 114: Wild Bite) and 115 Shiki: Dokugami (Method 115: Poison Bite). However, Kyo adds varying amount of original followup techniques from these moves that range from kicks-to-elbow dropping attacks which are also types of notable moves in Kenpo. The names of these new moves are anything but vague and simple names (such as 402 Shiki: Batsu Yomi/Method 402: Punish Recital and 125 Shiki: Nanase/Method 125: Seven Rapids), possibly due to Kyo's taste for poetry.

In the original games (especially in *BKOF 2ndMIX*), Kyo followed the "Ryu and Ken" archetype with Iori, as Kyo's moves differ slightly from game to game in the same manner as Iori, mainly their Desperation Moves. Changes in *BKOF EXTREME* and onwards made them vastly different from each other. Alternate versions of Kyo would retain his old movesets from older games for nostalgia's sake, though each alternate version would be notably different from game to game. The 100 Shiki: Oniyaki (Method 100: Ogre Baker) is the one technique both Kyo and Iori still share to this day.

In *BKOF SuperNOVA* onwards, Kyo even applies more personal touches derived from his father's techniques of the Kusanagi style, via his Hikigane (Plowing Iron) mimicking Saisyu's Kamukakari (Divine Consult) and even adapting his father's Nata Guruma (Hatchet Wheel) attack in *BKOF SuperNOVA 2*.

In *Bleach the King of Fighters X2* and *X3*, his default self switches back to his old *BKOF 1stMIX*/'*2ndMIX* moveset. His Neo Max in *X3*, the Ama-No-Murakumo (Gathering Clouds of Heaven) is a reference to the original name of his heirloom. His SuperNOVA-Style version uses his traditional "Kenpo chain punch" moveset, and is given a Soul Max named Saishuu Kessen Hiougi: Totsuka (Final Play-Off Hidden Secret Skill: Ten Fists), a nod to the famous Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (Sword of Ten Fists). Another possible nod is his 182 Shiki/Method 182, a powerful flaming punch attack, which may be the finishing blow dealt by Kyo to Orochi in the Orochi Saga's end (though in some other games, the 182 has a different animation, while its SDM version in *A* is a combination of its two different animations).

## Music

* ESAKA – Bleach the King of Fighters
* Tears – Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA and Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2

## Voice Actors

* Masahiro Nonaka – BKOF~BKOFS
* Eric Kelso – Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA
* Masakazu Morita – Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2~present
* Showtaro Morikubo – CR Bleach: Imagin Saga (pachinko)
* Yuya Miyashita – BLEACH King of Fighters 3
* Miyuki Sawashiro – BLEACH King of Fighters (anime) (as Young Kyo)
* Sean Schemmel – BLEACH King of Fighters (anime) (English Voice)

## Game Appearances

* Bleach the King of Fighters
* Bleach the King of Fighters 2ndMIX
* Bleach the King of Fighters EXTREME
* Bleach the King of Fighters STRIKE
* Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA
* Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2
* Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2: ULTIMATE Special
* Bleach the King of Fighters X
* Bleach the King of Fighters X: UNLIMITED Special
* Bleach the King of Fighters X2
* Bleach the King of Fighters X2: GENERATIONS Special
* Bleach the King of Fighters X3
* Bleach the King of Fighters X3: REVOLUTION Special
* Bleach the King of Fighters A
* Bleach the King of Fighters A: GENESIS
* Bleach the King of Fighters A15
* Bleach the King of Fighters A15: CROSS RAYS

## Relationships

### Friend

* Emi Toshiba – His girlfriend.
* Hon Fu – His good friend.
* Yuni Verse – His friend.
* Rock Howard – His best friend.
* Alice Ip – His friend.
* Benimaru Nikaido – His teammates and friend.
* Goro Daimon – His teammates and friend.
* Reiji Ito – His friend.
* Zeronos Azrael – His friendly rival.
* Iori Yagami – His frenemy.
* Sie Kensou – His frenemy.
* Chang Koehan – His frenemy.
* Choi Bounge – His frenemy.
* Ichigo Kurosaki – His friend and rival in Bleach the King of Fighters EXTREME.

### Enemy

* Wolfgang Krauser – His archnemesis, Kyo defeated him in the first game, and killed him in the 2017 Bleach the King of Fighters A.
* Geese Howard – In the 2005, Kyo killed him.
* Rugal Bernstein – In the 2008, His archnemesis.
* Tsubasa Kira – His invaded, Krauser killed Tsubasa in the 2008 Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2.
* Erena Todo – His invaded in the 2008 Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2.
* Anju Yuki – His invaded in the 2008 Bleach the King of Fighters SuperNOVA2.

## Trivia

* Kyo and Iori were designed by **Shinichi Morioka**. He would later depart from the company to work on The Fallen Angels (堕落天使, *Daraku Tenshi*) a game that would heavily influence the designs for K' and Maxima.
* Early artwork shows Kyo and Saisyu having the Kusanagi symbol on their foreheads. This idea was referenced in one of the KOF Manhua's.
* Kyo and Iori are the only rival characters who continues with their rivalry through the years.
* When Daimon uses *Jirai Shin* in ***KOF '95~'98***, Kyo and Benimaru are the only background characters who'll jump.
* Kyo is the only hero/protagonist with total control of their powers.
	+ Ash Crimson, the hero/protagonist of the third story arc of the mainline series, also had control of his own powers until the events of ***KOF XIII***, when he began to be controlled by his ancestor after stealing their powers.
* Kyo, Benimaru and Daimon are the winners of all ***The King of Fighters tournaments*** hosted in the ***Orochi Saga***, and most recently in ***XIII*** and ***XIV***. Their victories are confirmed in Team Stories, Light Novels and cutscenes. However after the tournament is over, the canon team for KOF '97 is the ***Three Sacred Treasures Team***.
	+ His win in ***XIII*** is considered given the canonical events of the game, with the team having an cannonical ending which confirms their victory.
	+ According to the true story of ***The King of Fighters '97***, Kyo, Iori and Chizuru are pointed as the winners of the tournament, with the trio facing Orochi and his Heavenly Kings in the climax of the tournament. However, this could be considered an alternative ending for the game.
* In Neo-Geo Freak 1998, the characters in KOF '98 have their own interviews. Here are Kyo's response to the questions.
	+ **What is your aspiration in this competition?** - "It's only about dealing with the person standing on opposite side."
	+ **Who would you like to fight the most?** - "No one really. But there are quite a lot of guys who want to try me out?"
	+ **Who would you like to team up with? / Who would you not like to team up with?** - "They are the people I'm most comfortable with. Who do I not want to team up with? I don't want to answer that."
	+ **What is "KOF" for you?** - "A big time killer."
	+ **Finally, please give a word to your fans.** - "It's definitely me who resolves things in a blink of an eye. I don't have time to sleep!"
* In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Kyo was voted as the staff's second favorite character. In the Neo Geo Freak's 1997 Volume 8 character poll, he was voted as the favourite character overall, with a total of 2,160 votes, with 620 votes from the male fans and 1,540 votes from the female fans.
	+ And in Neo Geo Freak's August 1998 issue, he was ranked as the 3rd best character.
	+ In a 2005 poll made by SNK-Playmore USA, he was voted as the sixth fan favorite character with a total of 176 votes. In the character popularity poll on Neo Geo Freak's website, he was voted as the third favorite character with a total of 2,574 votes.
* In an interview with one of the manhua artist and authors, Wing Yan, he replies that Kyo is his favorite original character in the series.
* ***Garou: Mark of the Wolves*** planner and The ***King of Fighters XIV/XV*** producer ***Yasuyuki Oda*** states that Kyo and Leona Heidern are his favourite characters in The King of Fighters series.
* **Yuichiro Hiraki** was the pixel artist for Kyo in *KOF '94* and Iori in *KOF '95*. Although he left SNK in 1997 to work on The Fallen Angels, he was asked by Kaname Fujioka to do Kyo and Iori's pixel art once more for Capcom vs. SNK.
* In the *Maximum Impact* games, Kyo is the only character whose select-number-of Stylish Arts are styled akin to a majority of crouching light kick-to-light punch normal attacks in the original 2D games (though the input windows are fairly tight).
* At Vigamus, a museum of videogames sponsored by the municipality of Rome, a special illustration lists Kyo as the mascot of the mid-90's era of Neo Geo.
* Kyo earning a moniker **Mr. King of Fighters**, as shown in Story Mode's individual Round 1 intro of ***The King of Fighters XV*** is a reference to how Nintendo's Mario earning a moniker **Mr. Video Game**.
* Kyo has a great physical resemblance to Sai of the Naruto manga and anime series.
	+ He has been very strongest similar to Ryu of the Street Fighter franchise.

## See also

* Kyo Kusanagi/Move List
* Kyo Kusanagi/Quotes
* Kyo Kusanagi/Gallery

## Reference

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Official character profile from *The King of Fighters XII*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Official character profile from *KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A"*
3. ↑ Official site for *The King of Fighters XIII*
4. ↑ Neo Geo Freak 1998-08 archive *The King of Fighters '98 character interviews.*
5. ↑ Neo Geo Freak 1997-08 archive *Neo Geo Freak character popularity poll results.*
6. ↑ Neo Geo Freak 1997-08 archive *Number of votes from both genders, from Neo Geo Freak character popularity poll.*
7. ↑ Neo Geo Freak 1998-08 archive *Neo Geo Freak 10 best character set original image collection.*
8. ↑ [https://web.archive.org/web/
20080418040418/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp:80/english/comment/remember\_kof.php?num=6 KOF 10th anniversary website] *Wing Yan and King Tung's interview.*
9. ↑ ArcadeAttack Interview *Yasuyuki Oda (SNK) – Interview (30th November 2018)*
10. ↑ *Devil May Cry: 3142 Graphic Arts.* *Capcom, Udon Entertainment. 2015. p. 198.*
11. ↑ Vigamus *official website.*
12. ↑ SNK Legends at Italian Museum of Videogames, Vigamus! Archived from the original