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Mai Shiranui

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Mai Shiranui
'Fatal Fury series
The King of Fighters series
SNK Vs. series character
File:Mai-mi2.png
Mai Shiranui as she appears in Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, illustrated by Ogura Eisuke
First gameFatal Fury 2 (1992)

Mai Shiranui (不知火 舞, Shiranui Mai) is a player character in both the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series of fighting games by SNK.

Character

Mai Shiranui is the granddaughter of Hanzo Shiranui, the now-deceased master of ninjitsu and an art of Shiranui-ryū ninja hand-to-hand combat called koppo-ken. In her mind, Andy Bogard, who studied Shiranui ninjutsu with her grandfather since their early teens, is her fiancé; the relationship between the two is often ambiguous (usually on the part of Andy, who at times seems to suppress his feelings for her in favor of treating her like a little sister). Mai has also studied at her grandfather's friend, the judo master Jubei Yamada. She uses a closed fan while fighting and is able to create and control fire ("Shiranui" is the Japanese name for will-o'-the-wisp).

Design

Prior to the creation of Mai (for Fatal Fury 2 in 1992), the Fatal Fury series would feature a male ninja using the fighting style that she would use. Later, the SNK staff changed their focus to including an idol character into the series, and they decided to replace him with Mai. According to the official Neo Geo publication Neo Geo Freak, her breasts were modeled after Fumie Hosokawa's and her butt is modeled after Ai Iijima's; both women were famous idols during the release of the Fatal Fury series.[2] Mai's characteristic "bounce" effect was inspired by a kunoichi (female ninja) supposed method of being sensual to their unassuming target before they would strike.[3] During the development from The King of Fighters '94 the designer for Mai asked if it was all right to increase Mai's pause actions, and because producers thought there was enough remaining memory for the game. Due to the pose's potency, however, Mai's motions were stilled in the game's international home version.[4]

Mai's basic look changes only slightly through most of the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters games. She has long brown hair (however, in some official art she has red) with long bangs framing the sides of her face, tied up in a thick, long ponytail which flows behind her back. Her costume is usually a sleeveless, skimpy red outfit or tunic. The costume is held at her waist by a decorative waistband, often with long, trailing decorative tails, leading down to a loincloth with a thong underneath (or mini-shorts in the U.S. version). Her footwear for Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury Special and The King of Fighters games is a pair of soft-soled tabi. From Fatal Fury 3 onwards into Real Bout Fatal Fury, she wears instep guards that leave her heels and the front parts of her feet exposed. In FF3, she also wore a red vest (which was abandoned later on) and a heavier eye shadow. Mai has been subject to much regional censoring and in the U.S. versions of Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury Special and The King of Fighters 2002 her famous breast bouncing animation was removed.

In The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, her alternate costumes portray her with very short, boyish hair and ninja outfits that resemble that of Kasumi from the Dead or Alive games. In KOF: Maximum Impact 2, one of Mai's second outfit color schemes is exactly Andy's standard palette, even giving Mai blonde hair. Another of her outfits bears a resemblance to the character Lum Invader from the manga and anime series Urusei Yatsura (long green hair, clothes sporting tiger prints, and her hairpin even makes it look like she had small horns). This costume is also considered to be a cosplay of Cham Cham from SNK's Samurai Showdown series. The Maximum Impact series' producer, Falcoon, stated that designing Mai's alternate design was one of the ones he felt "unforgivable", as he felt unsure of fans' reaction to the change.[5] Shinkiro, an illustrator from The King of Fighters, commented that Mai was the most difficult to draw since he "thought she was going to burst out of her costume", making the series less recommended for children.[6]

Appearances

In video games

Mai stars in Fatal Fury 2 to assist Andy Bogard, with whom she in love, into facing the new host of the King of Fighters tournament, Wolfgang Krauser. She also plays a supporting role in Fatal Fury 3 and Real Bout Fatal Fury into fighting Geese Howard, the criminal who killed Andy and Terry's father, Jeff Bogard. The following games from the series, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special and Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers do not contain a storyline, while the 3D game Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition, retells the story from the first Fatal Fury, which did not originally featured Mai.

The King of Fighters series tournament also feature Mai as a regular character participating in the annual tournaments in the Women Fighters Team. Initially, the team is composed of Mai and King and Yuri Sakazaki from the Art of Fighting series, but it changes constantly. In The King of Fighters '99, the teams were expanded to four members, and so Mai goes to the Fatal Fury Team (composed of Terry, Andy and Joe Higashi). She returns to the Women Fighters Team in The King of Fighters 2000 for the following games, until she leaves competition in The King of Fighters XI in order to search for Andy who was absent in 2003 (however, Mai appears in the PlayStation 2 version of the game as a hidden character). In The King of Fighters: Kyo, an RPG game centered on Kyo Kusanagi and settled right in between KOF'96 and KOF'97, Mai is not a playable character, but she provides Kyo with info and help during his trials, specially when his girlfriend Yuki is kidnapped and taken abroad. Following the unveiling of The King of Fighters XIII at Akihabara it was confirmed that Mai would make her return to the series along with the other two members of the '94 Women's Team.[7]

Mai is present in every SNK vs. Capcom crossover series as a rival to Street Fighter's Chun-Li, SNK Gals' Fighters, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, the mobile games Neo Geo Tennis Coliseum,[8][9] SNK Beach Volley～GAL'S ATTACK～[10] and in the dating simulation series Days of Memories. She is also playable in the shooter game KOF Sky Stage as well.[11]

She also has been known to make cameo appearances in character endings for both the Samurai Shodown[12][13] and Art of Fighting 2 games. In the U.S. release of the Art of Fighting game, it is implied that Eiji Kisaragi has feelings for her;[14] however the original Japanese version contains nothing of the sort canon-wise.

In other media

Mai makes her first anime appearance in Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle, where she follows Andy on his travels to find Krauser in Germany, where she is approached and later attacked by Laurence Blood. Andy defeats Blood and rescues Mai.[15] In Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture, Mai is present with Terry, Andy and Joe when the quest to find the Armor of Mars and stop the would-be conqueror Laocorn Gaudeamus is given to them by Sulia, Laocorn's sister. As usual, she tags along not so much to help save the world but more as an excuse to spend time with Andy.[16] Mai also plays a supporting role in the 2006 original net animation The King of Fighters: Another Day.[17]

In the live-action movie The King of Fighters, loosely based on the game series, Mai was played by Maggie Q.[18] As in the case of the rest of KOF characters in the film, her appearance, history and personality were re-designed from a scratch.

She is also a featured character in one of the Queen's Gate combat gamebooks (published by Hobby Japan as part of its Queen's Blade system) and has a number of cards in the Universal Fighting System card game (including a starter deck).

Gameplay

According to Sega Saturn Magazine, in Real Bout Fatal Fury Mai "is one of the easiest characters to master and also has a huge range of pyrotechnically astounding special moves".[19]

Promotion and reception

Since her first appearance in Fatal Fury 2, Mai has been converted and recognized as the main sex symbol of SNK, as well as one of the most popular KOF/Fatal Fury fighters. (In 2009, SNK Playmore's decision to not add to her in any form in The King of Fighters XII has disappointed and even upset many fans.[20][21][22]) She has several figurines, hardcast or otherwise, made in her image by Aizu Project,[23] Max Factory,[24] Daiki,[25][26] and more. Recently a third-party company has made a custom Neo Geo joystick controller designed to play for PlayStation consoles, which has been decorated with character-related imagery.[27] The actress Misa Nishida released a cosplay homage video to her, entitled "Queen of Fighters 2005".[28]

Japanese Gamest magazine named Mai one of the best characters in video gaming for five consecutive years in their annual awards, placing at #2 in 1994,[29] #10 in 1995,[30] #21 in 1996,[31] #28 in 1997[32] and #25 in 1998.[33] She was also awarded the title of Hottest Game Babe of 1994 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.[34] In a retrospective article Game babes: A history, GamesRadar commented in 2007: "Gaming magazines were abuzz with commentary on what Mai's bobbing bosom meant for the industry - it was like witnessing (half-naked) women entering the workplace for the first time."[35] An example of this was the review of Fatal Fury 2 by VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, commenting that "if Street Fighter's Chun Li turns you on, you're bound to be tittulated by the sight of Mai Shiranui, who jiggles through the battle wearing next-to-nothing from the waist down."[36]

In 2003, Mai was rated as #4 on GameSpy's list of Top Ten Babes in Games.[37] In 2009, MSN included her at #5 on their list of Gaming's Hottest Babes (with a comment: "The developers may have created a character that will upset every feminist out there, but the guys ain't complaining.").[38] In 2010, Complex featured her on their list of The 50 Hottest Women In Video Games.[39] She was also included on several lists of top ten video game ninja characters, including by CrunchGear in 2008 (#7)[40] and PC World in 2010 (#6).[41]

UGO Networks ranked Mai as #6 on their list of Top 50 Videogame Hotties (calling her the "Chun-Li of the SNK universe" and stating their preference for her over the Capcom character),[42] named her as one of the Top 11 Girls of Gaming at #7 (while describing her as "an unapologetic sex symbol" and a mascot for both the King of Fighters series and SNK as a whole),[43] and in 2011 featured her on their list of "25 Hot Ninja Girls".[44] GameDaily placed Mai as #6 on their list of Top 50 Hottest Game Babes in 2008,[45] and also featured her three times in their Babe of the Week series: Outrageous Boobs,[46] Asian Beauties[47] and Mai Shiranui,[48] as well as in the 2007 article Boobs Through the Years ("When it comes to 2-D breasts, no character tops Mai Shiranui").[49]

References

  1. ^ "Famitsu interview with Ami Koshimizu (Japanese)". Famitsu website. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  2. ^ KOFキャラクターズ―KOF’94~’97 全45キャラ設定資料完全収録 (in Japanese). Neo Geo Freak. 1998. ISBN 978-4874654064.
  3. ^ SNK Playmore (2000). ALL ABOUT SNK対戦格闘ゲーム〈1991‐2000〉. SNK Playmore. ISBN 978-4885546778.
  4. ^ "Successive characters: Mai". King of Fighters 10th anniversary Official Homepage. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  5. ^ "アナザーコスチュームのこと・・・（一回目）". Falcoon official blog. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
  6. ^ "Interview with Eiji". King of Fighters 10th anniversary Official Homepage. Retrieved 2009-01-24. [dead link]
  7. ^ "アッシュ編がついに完結！ 舞にユリ、キングも参戦する『KOF XIII』は夏稼働 - 電撃オンライン" (in Japanese). Dengki Online. 2010-03-25. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  8. ^ Famitsu. "ネオジオキャラが大暴れ!　『ネオジオ テニス コロシアム』". Famitsu Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved February 7, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  9. ^ SNK Playmore. "NEOGEO TENNIS COLISEUM". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved February 7, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  10. ^ SNK Playmore. "スポーツ：SNK WORLD-i". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  11. ^ Ciolek, Todd (November 4, 2009). "The X Button Strange Days". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
  12. ^ Rey. "Ending for Samurai Shodown-Haohmaru(Neo Geo)". The Video Game Museum. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  13. ^ Rey. "Ending for Samurai Shodown-Gen An(Neo Geo)". The Video Game Museum. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  14. ^ Kitsune Sniper. "Ending for Art of Fighting 2-Eiji Kisaragi(Neo Geo)". The Video Game Museum. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  15. ^ Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle. Viz Video. 1999. {{cite AV media}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help)
  16. ^ Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture. Viz Video. 1999. {{cite AV media}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help)
  17. ^ SNK Playmore (2006-04-27). KOF Maximum Impact 2 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. Level/area: The King of Fighters: Another Day.
  18. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (July 11, 2009). "King of Fighters Movie Promotional Images". Kotaku. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
  19. ^ Official Sega Saturn Magazine 13 (page 19)
  20. ^ Fan-Favorite Mai Definitely Not In Next King of Fighters, Kotaku, 17 Jun 2009
  21. ^ King of Fighters XIII bringing back Mai's breasts, Destructoid, 25 Mar 2010
  22. ^ KOF XIII - No Mai no Buy? | Orochinagi: The King of Fighters
  23. ^ "Aizu Project Mai Shiranui 1/7 Scale Figure". National Console Support, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  24. ^ "西村キヌコレクション 不知火 舞 CAPCOM VS. SNK2". MAX FACTORY Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  25. ^ McWhertor, Michael. "Daiki's Spin on Mai Shiranui's T & A". Kotaku, the Gamer's Guide. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  26. ^ SNK Playmore. "ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ　不知火 舞 PVC：SNKプレイモア ゲーム情報総合サイト　NEOGEO WORLD". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  27. ^ Exar. "NEOGEO STICK 3 -扇-version". 株式会社エクサー ゲームをもっと楽しもう！ゲーム周辺グッズの企画・開発会社です！ (in Japanese). Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  28. ^ Ashcraft, Brian. "Hot Tears of Shame ~ Queen of Fighters". Kotaku, the Gamer's Guide. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  29. ^ Staff (1994). "ベストキャラクター賞". Gamest (in Japanese) (107). Shinseisha: 32. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Staff (30 January 1995). "ベストキャラクター賞". Gamest (in Japanese) (136). Shinseisha: 50. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Staff (30 January 1996). "ベストキャラクター賞". Gamest (in Japanese) (162). Shinseisha: 48. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Staff (30 January 1997). "ベストキャラクター賞". Gamest (in Japanese) (188). Shinseisha: 54. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Staff (30 January 1998). "ベストキャラクター賞". Gamest (in Japanese) (212). Shinseisha: 102. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "Electronic Gaming Monthly's Buyer's Guide". 1995. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  35. ^ Game babes: A history (The era: Early '90s), GamesRadar, Dec 14, 2007
  36. ^ VGCE, March 1993 (page 39)
  37. ^ Johnson, Bryan. "Top Ten Babes in Games". GameSpy's Official Homepage. Retrieved February 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  38. ^ Gaming's Hottest Babes: Mai Shiranui, MSN, September 7, 2009
  39. ^ The 50 Hottest Women In Video Games | Complex.com
  40. ^ CrunchArcade: Top Ten Video Game Ninjas, CrunchGear, March 31, 2008
  41. ^ Top Ten video game ninjas, PCWorld, 06 August, 2010
  42. ^ Top 50 Videogame Hotties. UGO.com. Retrieved on 2008-12-14
  43. ^ Top 11 Girls of Gaming. UGO.com. Retrieved on 2008-12-28
  44. ^ Ninja Chicks are So Freakin' Hot, UGO.com, January 5, 2011
  45. ^ Top 50 Hottest Game Babes on Trial. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2008-12-29
  46. ^ Babe of the Week: Outrageous Boobs. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2008-12-29
  47. ^ Workman, Robert (2009-02-06). Babe of the Week: Asian Beauties. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2009-02-09
  48. ^ Babe of the Week: Mai Shiranui. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2008-12-29
  49. ^ Boobs Through the Years. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2008-12-29

External links

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