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Mai Shiranui (Kof 13)
Mai Shiranui (不知火しらぬい 舞まい) is a character from the Fatal Fury series. She made her debut in Fatal Fury 2 as the last Shiranui ninja heiress and the girlfriend of Andy Bogard (assumed officially in The King of Fighters XIV). She also appears in almost every game in The King of Fighters series (with exception of KOF XII), being one of the founders of the Women Fighters Team, along with King and Yuri Sakazaki.
Read MorePersona: Mai is a very cheerful and temperamental girl. She tends to also be somewhat of an airhead and admires any kind of beauty or attractiveness, which sometimes comes across as being vain. She also at times compares attractive boys who flirt with her or acknowledge her beauty to Andy, acknowledging their attractiveness but ending with a comment saying they're 'not as cute as Andy'.
Like many girls, she has dreams of getting married to her Prince Charming — she found her own Prince in Andy Bogard, and self-proclaimed herself his fiancé, which at times has creeped out Andy himself. Within the Fatal Fury series, he mostly tries to ignore her advances as he views her like a younger sister but has a hard time adequately returning platonic affections due to her persistence.
Another notable example of this within the King Of Fighters series is her intro with Andy in KOF '97, proposing to Andy outright in a wedding dress, or scaring Andy with a mock child doll in KOF '99 and 2001. Despite this, Andy mutually acknowledges her love but prefers to keep quiet about it, mostly due to his own stoicism and focus on training.
Although her peppy fighting persona suggests otherwise, Mai is actually a traditional and ideal Japanese beauty. However, her pride as a Shiranui ninja and infatuation with Andy usually keeps her from fitting the mold 100% of the time.
Despite her complex relationship, Mai has shown her support for the women's team and their notorious reputation for years and enjoys working with her teammates. As for Andy's older brother Terry, Mai admires him, although she gets skeptical when she feels he's hiding something about Andy. Mai shows deference towards Joe but she feels his silly habits are a little annoying.
Fighting style: Mai utilizes the Shiranui-ryuu form of ninjutsu, blending traditional ninjutsu techniques with graceful and majestic movements reminiscent of traditional Japanese dance. This style is further complemented by her expert use of paper fans, which she integrates into her combat technique, performing a variety of combinations and moves with them.
Mai is highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, using various throws and powerful elbow strikes that can break through an opponent’s defenses and incapacitate them. Her strength allows her to lift and throw opponents much heavier than herself, demonstrating her physical prowess. Fire is another central aspect of her combat style. She can create and control fire, infusing her attacks and fans with flames or completely cloaking herself in them.
Due to her ninja training, Mai is skilled in stealth and climbing. She also possesses aerial control, allowing her to stay airborne temporarily, float, glide, and change directions mid-air. Additionally, Mai can create shadow images of herself and her weapons, a technique called "Bunshin," which she uses to confuse and outmaneuver her opponents.
Mai's combat attire is not only functional but also strategic. Her revealing outfit often distracts male opponents, giving her an advantage in battle. She has the ability to change these clothes instantly with a single gesture. Moreover, her clothing can be used offensively; for example, the tassel on her ninja garb can be set ablaze to attack her opponent.