K'
{{short description|Video game character from The King of Fighters fighting game series}}
{{About|the fictional character|the similarly written consonantal sound|Velar ejective}}
{{for|the Japanese talent agency|K Dash (talent agency)}}
{{for|the Latin alphabet letter|Kra (letter)|K with diagonal stroke}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox character
|name=K'
|image= K' KOFXI.png
|caption=K' in The King of Fighters XI
|firstgame=The King of Fighters '99 (1999)
|series=The King of Fighters
|voice = Japanese
Yuuki Matsuda{{cite video game|title=The King of Fighters '99 |developer=SNK|publisher=SNK|year=1999|platform=Neo Geo|level=Credits}} (KOF '99 - KOF XIII)
Yoshihisa Kawahara (KOF XIV - onwards)
Yūki Ono (KOF for Girls){{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/2658/|title=『KOF』の女性向け『KOF乙女』発表。友情あり恋愛ありのイケメン格闘家育成ゲーム|website=dengekionline.com|date=June 12, 2019|access-date=November 10, 2019|language=ja|archive-date=September 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910062014/https://dengekionline.com/articles/2658/|url-status=live}}
English
Andrew Scott (KOFMI series - KOF: Another Day)
|fighting_style={{nihongo|Pure violence|暴力}}
}}
{{Nihongo|K Dash|ケイ・ダッシュ|Kei Dasshu|commonly stylized as K' and also known as K Prime in certain English language materials|lead=yes}} is a character from The King of Fighters fighting game series developed by SNK. He debuted as the leader of the Hero Team in The King of Fighters '99, released in 1999. He often stars as the reluctant hero. K' is a young man who lost all his memories when the NESTS syndicate captured him and injected the DNA of Kyo Kusanagi to replicate his pyrokinetic abilities. While rebelling against organization, K' forms multiple bonds with other NESTS agents. Aside from the main series, K' also appears in several other media series, such as spin-offs and crossover video games, as well as printed adaptations of the series.
He was created to be a "dark hero" in contrast to the series' previous protagonist Kyo. While K'{{'}}s gameplay has been altered across the franchise in order to be more stylish, his physical appearance has generally remained unchanged. SNK artist Falcoon still tried giving K' different outfits in the Maximum Impact spin-offs in order to attract more gamers as well as giving him more variety.
Since his introduction in the series, K' has received both praise and criticism by video game publications. The character's gameplay and role in the story has been praised to the point of often being listed as one of best ones from the series. His absence in The King of Fighters XII was controversial and his return in the following game was due mainly to his popularity as a character.
Conception and creation
To contrast the previous protagonist of the series, Kyo Kusanagi, K' was made to be the "dark hero".{{Cite book
| date=September 20, 2005
| editor=Akihiko Ureshino
| title=The King of Fighters Perfect Reader
| language=ja
| publisher=Nikkei Business Publications
| isbn=978-4-8222-1711-2
| page=139
}} During the early phases of the development of The King of Fighters '99, the introduction of K' to the series was meant to remove popular characters Kyo and Iori Yagami from the roster—though this idea was scrapped before the game's release.{{cite web
|author=SNK Playmore
|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=kyo-1
|title=Kyo Kusanagi-1 Official Profile
|work=King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|access-date=January 19, 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414134729/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=kyo-1
|archive-date=April 14, 2016
|url-status=dead
}}
Eiji, one of the game's designers, commented that he thought K' would be more popular than he turned out to be, noting that K' was too plain.{{cite web
| author=SNK Playmore
| url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=8
| title=Interview with Eiji
| work=King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
| access-date= November 12, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071017122404/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=8
| archive-date = October 17, 2007
}}
Nevertheless, character designer Tatsuhiko Kanaoka, better known as "Falcoon", said K' was one of his favorite original King of Fighters characters.{{cite web|access-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418040403/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=3|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=3|title=Interview with Falcoon|publisher=King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website|archive-date=April 18, 2008}} He further compared him with Dante, the main character of Devil May Cry based on their anti-heroic traits.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/falcoon_master/status/910702291098910720|title=Falcoon|publisher=Twitter|access-date=August 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901182945/https://twitter.com/falcoon_master/status/863039571126243328|archive-date=September 1, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Fellow designer Hiroaki Hashimoto said that while most characters felt difficult to illustrate, K' did not give him problems, making him the easiest character during his game debut, The King of Fighters 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/snk40th/spillust/illust/hiroaki.php|title=Hiroaki|publisher=SNK|access-date=October 20, 2018|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020182054/https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/snk40th/spillust/illust/hiroaki.php|url-status=live}} Furthermore, Hiroaki said that he has memorised the design of K' to the point he never needed to check an image in order to draw a different stance involving the character. In one of the images he made, Hiroaki's superiors said that his eyes were incorrectly colored but Hiroaki insisted it was made on purpose and as in multiple arts K' stares at Kula Diamond and thus his eye color reflects Kula's.{{cite web|url=http://shmuplations.com/snkartists/|title=The Illustrators of SNK – 2001 Developer Interview|work=Shmuplations|access-date=August 10, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104013701/http://shmuplations.com/snkartists/|url-status=live}} When drawing him, Falcoon states K' can be challenging due to similar parts within his appearance.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/falcoon_master/status/657523739895164928|title=京に代わる新主人公として99年に登場したK'。彼を描くのは難しく、少し気を抜くとロックや楓（覚醒）が混じりこんでしまう。要はパーツが似ているということだ。寡黙でスレたダークヒーローとして出発した彼はKOFの中でもかなりお気に入り|publisher=Twitter|access-date=November 10, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308215906/https://twitter.com/falcoon_master/status/657523739895164928|url-status=live}} When exploring K'{{'s}} role in KOF: Maximum Impact 2, Ureshino took notes from SNK members who worked in The King of Fighters 2001 as he was not present for such work. He enjoyed the handling of the NESTS' experiments and wanted to explore more K' and Kula's relationship in upcoming works.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604124052/http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/ureshino/archives/2006/02/post_10.html|url=http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/ureshino/archives/2006/02/post_10.html|title=で、キャンディーって直ったの？|website=SNK Playmore|language=Japanese|archive-date=June 4, 2011|access-date=September 11, 2024}}
Writer Akihiko Ureshino said K' has a hard time coming up with a motivation to participate in the game because of his attribute of "hating KOF". Following on from last time, here are some random thoughts about the people around him. For K', Maxima is not a rival, nemesis, senior, or lover, but a colleague. For K', Maxima was like a living smart speaker who looked after him in every way. Even after overcoming the battle with NESTS at the end of 2001, a friendship probably had not developed between the two, but the fact that they continue to act together despite being able to escape on their own is because both K' and Maxima recognize each other as a kind of comrades in arms K' and the others have a pseudo-family-like character structure. With just the absent-minded but "earnest father" Whip, the "dependable mother" Maxima, and the rebellious son K', the family would be too strained and unbalanced, but with the addition of the innocent "younger sister" Kula, helped give the cast a more lovable status. Despite highly unsociable, K' becomes more open to other due to his interactions with Kula. K9999 was more of a pushover than a rival to K'. They do not share the same friendly rivalry like Iori to Kyo, and it's not a problem if he's not around. The novelization of 2001 was written with this in mind.{{cite web|url=https://note.com/ureshino_te/n/n61d462c02892|title=【SNK】Ｋ'と○○【KOF】|website=Note|date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=August 29, 2024}}
While the character has always worn a black clothing, Falcoon has attempted to do a simpler designs that might show more sex appeal while at the same time giving him more variety in terms of clothing.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/falcoon_master/status/863039571126243328|title=Falcoon|publisher=Twitter|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901182945/https://twitter.com/falcoon_master/status/910702291098910720|archive-date=September 1, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} For the spin-off games known as Maximum Impact, Falcoon, produced multiple alternate costumes. The normal costume that has uniform levels of a hard image throughout. Whether it's his "color E" with its overflowing roughness that is evocative of a wild dog or his "color G" that emphasizes himself as a motorcyclist, this is a design that has succeeded in magnifying his image on many levels regardless of the variation according to Falcoon. Him exposing his upper-half with his "another color" and having characteristics such as sunglasses on him, a wild image of him is portrayed.{{Cite book | date=June 17, 2006 |page=52| title=The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook| language=ja | publisher=SNK Playmore | isbn=978-4-7973-3543-9 }} Music composer Sha-V suggested that K' should yell "Dora!" or "Ora!" to mirror Kyo and Iori's shouts, "Kurae!" and "Doushita!" respectively. Konny, another music composer, jokingly wondered if K' is trying to say the word "dry", since the first word of his yell was "Dorei!"{{cite web
| url = http://www.neogeo.co.jp/kof00/diary/diary00_06.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010417085239/http://www.neogeo.co.jp/kof00/diary/diary00_06.htm
| archive-date = April 17, 2001
| title=KOF 2000 Diary
| language=ja
| publisher=Neo Geo official website archived by Personal Triticom
| access-date=January 21, 2009
}} Originally, K' was voiced by Yuuki Matsuda. However, by The King of Fighters XIV, he was replaced by Yoshihisa Kawahara.{{cite web
|url = https://twitter.com/SNKPofficial/status/764024250894196737
|title = The King of Fighters XIV cast
|work = SNK
|access-date = August 12, 2016
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160816190142/https://twitter.com/SNKPofficial/status/764024250894196737
|archive-date = August 16, 2016
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}} For the otome game, The King of Fighters: For Girls, Yūki Ono is voicing the character who worked hard with Maxima's voice actor to perform a duet. He enjoy this take of the characters and was looking forward to the audience's reaction.{{cite web|url=https://kofg.net/interview10|title=Yuki Ono|publisher=Kof G|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=January 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121080820/https://kofg.net/interview10/|url-status=dead}}
It has been noted by several of the series' designers that K' is one of the most difficult characters to illustrate, since his look is very different when he is drawn by different illustrators.{{cite web
| url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=6
| title=Interview with Wing Yan and King Tung
| work=King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
| access-date=July 29, 2008
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418040418/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=6 |archive-date = April 18, 2008
}} In the early development of the game, K' had a slicked back hairstyle, but as it was nixed by his powers, the character's hair was changed. They also jokingly mentioned that the reason for his hair being bushier than it needed to be may be a reflection of the conditions around him. The King of Fighters '99 was developed at the same time as Garou: Mark of the Wolves; developers noted several similarities between K' and Mark of the Wolves{{'}} main character, Rock Howard, which caused K'{{'}}s designer to become very nervous.{{cite web
|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=kdush
|title=K' Official Profile
|work=King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|access-date=January 19, 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105033802/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=kdush
|archive-date=November 5, 2015
|url-status=dead
}} For The King of Fighters XIII, the producer Masaaki Kukineo mentions that the team were pursuing a more "cooler" version of K' where he now keeps his sunglasses on during the fight. He wanted fans to pay close attention to his new animations. {{cite web | url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/279/279862/index-2.html| title=早く遊んでほしい！ 『KOF XIII』開発スタッフ2人が稼働直前の気持ちを告白！|publisher=ASCII Media Works| date=July 13, 2011|access-date=August 1, 2011| language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923151626/http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/279/279862/index-2.html| url-status=live|archive-date=September 23, 2015}}
=Fighting style=
K'{{'}}s fighting style is simply called {{nihongo|Pure Violence|暴力|Bōryoku}}, which involves him using the fire from his right hand along with martial arts moves, including some of similar movement from Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia. The producer of The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match, Neogeo Hakase, advised advanced players to use K' stating that once the player had learned how to control him, the character would become very strong during fights.{{cite web| url=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=169703103049202&id=115381791848274&ref=mf| title=INTERVIEW WITH NEOGEO HAKASE THE PRODUCER OF KOF 2002 UM| work=SNK Playmore|publisher=Facebook| access-date= April 4, 2011|date=November 15, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203090306/http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=169703103049202&id=115381791848274&ref=mf| url-status=live|archive-date=December 3, 2012}} The character also uses Jeet Kune Do moves like the one-inch punch, as references to late martial artist Bruce Lee.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011116162225/http://www.neogeo.co.jp/kof00/diction/yogo-wa.htm|url=http://www.neogeo.co.jp/kof00/diction/yogo-wa.htm|title=◆ ワイン＜わいん|publisher=Neo Geo|archive-date=November 16, 2001|language=ja|access-date=August 1, 2018}} His gameplay mechanics were developed so that gamers who had used him before would not find his new gameplay mechanics strange. He was made to be good at long distances and medium distances. In addition, SNK tried making it possible to use the technical composition and usage in the same way as the past title. In contrast to Kyo's flames, K'{{'}}s were designed with intention of making them look more violent. SNK recommended players using the {{nihongo|Crow Bites|クロウバイツ|Kurō Baitsu}} EX mode which was based on KOF 2003{{'}}s {{nihongo|Heavens Drive|ヘブンズドライブ|Hebunzu Doraibu}} in order to create multiple attacks in a single combo.
As a result of various The King of Fighters endings showing K' removing his red glove, a special move was required to show him doing the same thing. After thinking of several methods that would show this, the staff was inspired by The King of Fighters HK Comics printed adaptations in which the character's glove once broke after defeating his opponent, leading to his winpose that happens only after he has used his strongest technique. The team made various revisions of K'{{'}}s {{nihongo|"Chain Drive"|チェーンドライブ|Chēn Doraibu}} technique that required multiple touches to generate a major visual impact. This technique was named the Hyper Chain Drive. In order to better follow the material that inspired the move, the staff decided to make K' fight while wearing his sunglasses. This version generated popular response according to the developers.{{cite web | url=http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/blog/archives/2010/07/_k.html| title=チーム紹介 K'チーム|publisher=SNK Playmore| date=July 18, 2011|access-date=August 9, 2011| language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505101029/http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/blog/archives/2010/07/_k.html| url-status=live|archive-date=May 5, 2016}}
Appearances
=In video games=
An antisocial teenager,{{cite video game|quote=Yuri: You're always scowling. Does any good ever come of just scowling all the time!?" / K': "What do YOU think!? Of course not. Don't be an idiot." Yuri: "Then why are you such a sourpuss all the time?" / K': "I'm sick of all your rambling... This is just who I am.|title=The King of Fighters XIII|developer=SNK Playmore|publisher=Atlus|year=2001}}{{cite video game|quote=Kensou: "What are you still being so nihilistic for? That stopped being cool ages ago! It's all about having a sense of humor now! You should memorize a couple of good jokes!" / K':' "What are you on about? It doesn't sound so funny to me... It's more annoying than anything else... Get out of here before you get hurt!" |title=The King of Fighters XIII|developer=SNK Playmore|publisher=Atlus|year=2001}} K' makes his debut as a playable character in The King of Fighters '99. K' and his comrade Maxima hear of a King of Fighters tournament being held by NESTS and a "Hero Team" along with Benimaru Nikaido and Shingo Yabuki.{{cite web| url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof99_story/index.php| title=Hero Team Story 99| publisher=King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website| access-date=January 19, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629041348/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof99_story/index.php| archive-date=June 29, 2008| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}} The Hero Team is taken to a NESTS base, where they meet NESTS' agent Krizalid, who claims that K' was cloned from him; both are ignorant of the fact that K' was the original.{{cite video game
|title=The King of Fighters '99
|developer=SNK
|publisher=SNK
|date=July 22, 1999
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=Whip: You really are a simp. Who else can it be, but K'? / Krizalid: But, he's my clone...! Oh, no! It can't be! / Whip: You got it, gruel breath. You're one of K's clones!
|title=The King of Fighters '99
|developer=SNK
|publisher=SNK
|date=July 22, 1999
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=Shingo: Kyo Kusanagi! / Krizalid: Actually, he's a clone taken after the Orochi battle. The real one eluded us. And K', there, is my clone. A product of our Vtechnology.K': Saaay what? / Krizalid: You think differently? Remember your parents' faces? Your childhood...? Can't do it, can you? / K':: Uh, n, no... Benimaru: Just what're you scheming? / Krizalid: Clones'll seize major cities and our Cartel will rule!/Benimaru: What!? / Krizalid: K', Maxima, your final mission, help create the trigger data./Maxima: Trigger data?/Krizalid: The killer instinct! You want it, huh, K'? /K': Well, uh.../Krizalid: I'll take that as a, 'yes.' Seize them, you clones!
}} Following Krizalid's defeat, K' and Maxima become targets of NESTS.{{cite video game
|title=The King of Fighters '99
|developer=SNK
|publisher=SNK
|date=July 22, 1999
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=????: We are NESTS Cartel. The new world order. Out future, is now!/ Shingo: We've lost everybody./ Benimaru: Let's get going, we're not safe here./Shingo: Aaaah!/Benimaru: Shingo!/Maxima: Oh, what now!? Maybe I can get out in the confusion. K'! Are you okay?/K': The Globe's gone crazy!/Maxima: Holy shish-kabob, K'! You're going to be toast!/K': What, this? You can take it? Are you up to it, Maxima?/Maxima: If it's like the last time, I can handle a 100 blasts... I think./K': Whooo-ooooh!}}
In The King of Fighters 2000, K' and Maxima enter a new tournament, along with mercenaries Vanessa and Ramón. K' and Maxima enter the tournament to discover NESTS' scheme, but Vanessa and Ramón are using them to find NESTS.{{cite web
|url = http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2000_story/index.php
|title = Hero Team Story 2000
|work = King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|access-date = January 19, 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080531065854/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2000_story/index.php
|archive-date = May 31, 2008
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}
K' and his team make it to the finals and face NESTS' agent Zero. After Zero's defeat, K' has a dream involving his sister. He wakes up with Maxima as well as Whip, the clone of his sister.{{cite video game
|title=The King of Fighters 2000
|developer=SNK
|publisher=SNK
|date=July 26, 2000
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=Maxima: Who are you...!?/K': .../Maxima: What'll it be? Do you believe?/K': I do as I please. You serious? There're only 3 of us here!? This ain't going to be easy!
}}
In The King of Fighters 2001, K', Maxima, and Whip are joined by Lin, a Hizoku assassin who has a grudge against Ron, who betrayed the Hizoku to join NESTS.{{cite web
|url = http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2001_story/index.php
|title = Hero Team Story 2001
|work = King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|access-date = January 19, 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080629041301/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2001_story/index.php
|archive-date = June 29, 2008
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}
During the tournament, K' and his team face the original Zero, the one they met during the events of The King of Fighters 2000 having been a clone, and the new NESTS leader, Igniz, who has the secrets to unlock K'{{'s}} memories.{{cite video game
|title=The King of Fighters 2001
|developer=BrezzaSoft
|publisher=Eolith
|date=November 15, 2001
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=Igniz: Welcome back, K'. You had to win, I created you. You standing here, K', means my clones have succeeded. / K': Say again, ugly? / Igniz: You were selected from the start to do my bidding. You, Maxima, Whip, no, Seirah... Exited NESTS to grow... But you, along with Kula, had to be relieved of your memories. To become the strongest, you had to fight without thinking.}} After Igniz commits suicide, K' forms an alliance with Kula Diamond, a clone designed to be the Anti-K', and her guardian Diana to continue their lives.{{cite video game
|title=The King of Fighters 2001
|developer=BrezzaSoft
|publisher=Eolith
|date=November 15, 2001
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=Igniz: If I am not worthy to become a god... I shall become a demon! All will return to nothing!"/ Whip: He's going to blow us up!/ .../ Whip: Time to return a favor, eh?/ K': ...Yeah, I guess so. Let's go! Our real battle is about to begin.}}{{cite video game
|title=The King of Fighters 2001
|developer=BrezzaSoft
|publisher=Eolith
|date=November 15, 2001
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=K': Thanks to them, I am free. My long captivity is over! / Kula: Uh-huh. / K': Let's blow this place. Time to make up for a lit bad for a gaggle of women, winning the KOF...}} In The King of Fighters 2002, a game without a storyline, K' is a playable character, along with Maxima and Whip.{{cite web
|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/history.php?num=kof2002
|title=King of Fighters 2003
|work=King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|access-date=January 19, 2009
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207195941/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/history.php?num=kof2002
|archive-date=February 7, 2009
}}
In The King of Fighters 2003, K' and Maxima are requested to enter that year's tournament by Chin Gentsai to investigate a dark wave around the King of Fighters.{{cite web
|url = http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2003_story/index.php?num=kdush
|title = K' Team Story 2003
|work = King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|access-date = January 19, 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081226040024/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2003_story/index.php?num=kdush
|archive-date = December 26, 2008
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}
In the finals, K' faces Mukai, a demon who belongs to the group "Those from the Past". Mukai remains undefeated and taunts about reaching his true potential.{{cite video game
|title=The King of Fighters 2003
|developer=SNK Playmore
|publisher=SNK Playmore
|date=November 15, 2003
|platform=Neo Geo
|quote=Mukai: I'll be looking forward to it... K': ........!!! GOOOH-KAAAAHHH!!!!}} In The King of Fighters XI, K' enters the tournament with Maxima and Kula, in order to surpass his limits.{{cite web
|url = http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/history/kofxi_story/index.php?num=k
|title = K' Team Story XI
|work = King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|language = ja
|access-date = January 19, 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081218130019/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/history/kofxi_story/index.php?num=k
|archive-date = December 18, 2008
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}
The King of Fighters XIII retains the same team from The King of Fighters XI, with K' teaming with Kula and Maxima. Once again forced to team up, K' and his comrades continue investigating the motives behind Mukai's superiors in a ruins.{{cite web
|url = http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/character/index.html
|access-date = April 29, 2010
|publisher = SNK Playmore
|title = The King of Fighters XIII Characters
|language = ja
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100428035643/http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/character/index.html
|archive-date = April 28, 2010
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}}{{cite video game|title=The King of Fighters XIII|developer=SNK Playmore|publisher=Index Digital Media|year=2011|stage=K' Team Ending}} K'{{'s}} team once again join the tournament in The King of Fighters XIV following requests from Whip's team to search missing NESTS agents.{{cite web|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/games/kof-xiv/teamstory/k.php|title=K's Prologue Story|publisher=SNK|access-date=August 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035605/https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/games/kof-xiv/teamstory/k.php|archive-date=August 31, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite video game|title=The King of Fighters XIV |developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK|year=2016|platform=PlayStation 4 |stage=K' Team ending}} He returns in The King of Fighters XV, having had been persuaded by both Maxima and Whip to find and apologize to Kula for being to careless towards her and resulting her to join a team consisting defected NESTS agents Angel and the mysterious Krohnen McDougall.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-10-01/king-of-fighters-xv-game-highlights-character-k-in-trailer/.178025|title=King of Fighters XV Game Highlights Character K' in Trailer|website=Anime News Network|date=June 14, 2023|access-date=October 29, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029003624/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-10-01/king-of-fighters-xv-game-highlights-character-k-in-trailer/.178025|url-status=live}}
Aside from the main series, K' has also appeared in other media from The King of Fighters series. K' appears in the spin-off video game series The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact and Neowave. In Neowave, K' is playable, as are Maxima and Whip; while in Maximum Impact, he fights alone (as do all characters in the game).{{cite web
|url = http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/neowave/
|title = The King of Fighters Neowave official website
|publisher = SNK Playmore
|access-date = August 8, 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090207193556/http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/neowave/character/index.html
|archive-date = February 7, 2009
|df = mdy-all
|url-status = live
|url=http://www.snkplaymoreusa.com/game_kof2006.php
|title=The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2 official website
|publisher=SNK Playmore
|access-date=August 8, 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080504022832/http://www.snkplaymoreusa.com/game_kof2006.php
|archive-date = May 4, 2008
}} While only appearing as an assist character in The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood, K' can be unlocked across the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.eliteguias.com/trucos/gba/t/the-king-of-fighters-ex-neo-blood.php|title=Trucos The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood|publisher=Eliteguias|language=es|access-date=September 2, 2018|archive-date=September 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903045817/https://www.eliteguias.com/trucos/gba/t/the-king-of-fighters-ex-neo-blood.php|url-status=live}} In the Maximum Impact series, he enters into the King of Fighters tournaments searching for the host who sponsored it and meet the doctor who might repair Maxima's cybernetic body. He is also present in The King of Fighters All Star where writer Akihiko Ureshino regard this portrayal of K' more aggressive and talkative than the original one.{{cite web|url=https://app.famitsu.com/20180727_1328204/|title=【新作】『KOF』シリーズの大ファンが見た『KOF ALLSTAR』の魅力とは？|publisher=Famitsu|access-date=September 4, 2018|archive-date=September 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905023226/https://app.famitsu.com/20180727_1328204/|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|user=a_ureshino
|author=Akihiko Ureshino|number=1225452252267044864|date=February 6, 2020|title=おるすたくんのK'、やたら饒舌でアグレッシブだな。
}}
In the crossover video game Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, K' is featured as a playable character. In his ending, a frustrated K' feeks relief after realizing that while his memories still have not come back, he formed bonds with Maxima and Kula.{{cite web
|url=http://www.ignitionent.com/ngbc/main.htm
|title=Neo Geo Battle Coliseum official website
|publisher=SNK Playmore
|access-date=August 8, 2008
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104041918/http://www.ignitionent.com/ngbc/main.htm
|archive-date=November 4, 2006
}}{{cite video game|title=NeoGeo Battle Coliseum |developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK Playmore|year=2007|platform=PlayStation 2|stage=K' ending}} He is also a character card in SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighter DS,{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/snk-vs-capcom-card-fighters-ds/3030-23129/|title=SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS|publisher=Giant Bomb|access-date=August 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813043305/https://www.giantbomb.com/snk-vs-capcom-card-fighters-ds/3030-23129/|archive-date=August 13, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} He is also present in the RPG Kimi wa Hero,{{cite web|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/official/kimihero/news/archives/948|title=｢キミヒロ×KOF｣コラボイベント第2弾開催！|date=November 29, 2017|publisher=SNK|language=ja|access-date=September 9, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204152101/https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/official/kimihero/news/archives/948|url-status=live}} and Clash of Kings.{{cite web|url=http://www.appbank.net/2018/08/25/iphone-application/1602516.php|title=Clash of Kings|date=August 25, 2018|publisher=Appbank|access-date=September 15, 2018|archive-date=September 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915231233/http://www.appbank.net/2018/08/25/iphone-application/1602516.php|url-status=dead}} Though unplayable, K' appears The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise,{{cite web|url=http://neogeo.freeplaytech.com/kof00/toppage/para_index.htm|title=DC KOF '99 Evolution|publisher=NeoGeo|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808212454/http://neogeo.freeplaytech.com/kof00/toppage/para_index.htm|url-status=live}} as well as in Kula's endings from both Neo Geo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting and SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy.{{cite video game|title=Neo Geo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting
|developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK|year=2010|platform=PlayStation 4 |stage=Kula Diamond ending}}{{cite video game|title=SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy|developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK|year=2018|platform=PlayStation 4 |stage=Kula Diamond ending}}
=In other media=
In the anime The King of Fighters: Another Day, K' is featured prominently in the third chapter.{{cite video game|title=KOF Maximum Impact 2 |developer=SNK Playmore|publisher=SNK Playmore|year=2006|platform=PlayStation 2|level=The King of Fighters: Another Day}} K' also appears in the manhua adaptation of The King of Fighters: Zillion that was created by Andy Seto. He stars in other manhua for the games, starting with The King of Fighters 2001 through 2003, as well as the Maximum Impact series.{{cite web
|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=6
|title=Remembrances of KOF: An Interview with Eiji
|work= King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
|access-date=July 28, 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418040418/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=6
|archive-date = April 18, 2008
}} In the KOF XII manhua, K' seen fighting against Mukai's ally, Magaki, but with the help of Kula and Nameless, another NESTS former agent.{{cite book |last=Otto |first=Nekketsu |title=The King of Fighters XII, Volume 12|year=2009 |publisher=Lucky Dragon Comics|isbn=978-2-07-332100-8}} Another adaptation of the NESTS games focuses on K'{{'}}s life ever since his rebellion against the group until Zero's defeat.{{cite book|title=King of Fighters R-X|author=Ricky|publisher=SNK Playmore|volume=1}}{{cite book|title=The King Of Fighters Remix: The End of NESTS EPISODE|author=Ricky|publisher=SNK Playmore|volume=1}} He also appears in the CD dramas KOF 2000, in which he confronts Kula, Diamond, and in KOF: Mid Summer Struggle, in which he appears in a fake King of Fighters tournament.{{cite AV media | author=Ureshino, Akihiko| date=September 20, 2000 | title=The King of Fighters 2000 | publisher=Scitron}}{{cite book | author=Ureshino, Akihiko| date=September 16, 2005 | title=The King of Fighters Perfect Reader | publisher=SNK Playmore | isbn=9784822217112}} The manga A New Beginning features K', Kula and Maxima joining into another tournament.{{cite web|url=https://pocket.shonenmagazine.com/episode/13932016480029241882|title=Round 2|access-date=August 16, 2018|publisher=Shonen Magazine|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817055810/https://pocket.shonenmagazine.com/episode/13932016480029241882|archive-date=August 17, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} He is also present in multiple novelizations of the series by Akihiko Ureshino.{{cite book|title=ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ2000―ICICLE DOLL|year=2000|publisher=SNK|isbn=978-4757702790|author=Ureshino, Aikhiko|trans-title=The King of Fighters 2000 ～ICICLE DOLL|language=ja}}{{cite book|title=ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'99―BEYOND THE"K"|year=1999|publisher=SNK|isbn=978-4757205970|author=Ureshino, Aikhiko|trans-title=The King of Fighters '99 ～BEYOND THE "K"|language=ja}} The character has appeared in a dating sim part of the Days of Memories series and the otome game King of Fighters for Girls.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-13/snk-victor-entertainment-reveal-king-of-fighters-for-girls-smartphone-game/.147812|title=SNK, Victor Entertainment Reveal 'King of Fighters for Girls' Smartphone Game|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=June 13, 2019|archive-date=June 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613170206/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-13/snk-victor-entertainment-reveal-king-of-fighters-for-girls-smartphone-game/.147812|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/dom/episode/index.html |title=僕と彼女と古都の恋 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |publisher=SNK Playmore |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901201450/http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/dom/episode/index.html |archive-date=September 1, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}
Reception
The character K' has received praise and criticism from several video game publications and other media. Uve Juegos regarded K' as one of the best new characters from The King of Fighters '99 while{{cite web|url=https://uvejuegos.com/analisis/The-King-of-Fighters-99/Cuatro-ya-son-multitud/1451/2444/1|title=Cuatro ya son multitud|date=May 16, 2005 |publisher=Uvejuegos|access-date=October 14, 2018|archive-date=October 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014204542/https://uvejuegos.com/analisis/The-King-of-Fighters-99/Cuatro-ya-son-multitud/1451/2444/1|url-status=live}}
Scott Daylor from CultureCuartel labelled him a "lame" addition to the character roster.{{cite web
|url=http://www.culturecartel.com/review.php?rid=10003121
|title=King of Fighters '99 Review
|publisher=CultureCuartel.com
|last=Daylor
|first=Scott
|date=May 15, 2002
|access-date=August 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206185258/http://www.culturecartel.com/review.php?rid=10003121|archive-date=February 6, 2012
}} Andres Rojas from Nintendo World Report referred to K' as "a fighter not to be reckoned with" as well as a comical "Michael Jackson wannabe".{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3507/king-of-fighters-ex-neoblood-gamecube|title=King of Fighters EX: Neoblood|author=Rojas, Andres|publisher=Nintendo World Report|access-date=September 30, 2015|date=July 20, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001185636/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3507/king-of-fighters-ex-neoblood-gamecube|url-status=live|archive-date=October 1, 2015}} 1UP.com praised K' as among the most inspired new character designs in The King of Fighters series since Iori Yagami in The King of Fighters '95, noting his unique fighting style: merely "Violence" which contrasted with other known fighting styles. Additionally, 1UP.com noted that anything involving the character's sunglasses qualified as the best pose from the game.{{cite web
|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3112498
|title=History Of... The King of Fighters, SNK's classic team-based 2D fighting series
|work=1UP.com
|publisher = UGO Entertainment
|access-date=August 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004214749/http://www.1up.com/features/history-ofthe-king-fighters|url-status=dead
|archive-date=October 4, 2015
}} Similarly, Josh Kramer of Thunderbolt enjoyed K'{{'}}s design alongside Iori.{{cite web|url=http://www.thunderboltgames.com/review/king-of-fighters-0203|title=King of Fighters 02/03 |author=Kramer, Josh|publisher=Thunderbolt|date=February 26, 2005|access-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925124842/http://www.thunderboltgames.com/review/king-of-fighters-0203
|url-status=live|archive-date=September 25, 2015}}
In another review, Jeremy Dunham of IGN noted that Eolith had re-voiced K' in The King of Fighters 2001 for PlayStation 2, listing the character among those that provided "plenty of old-school enjoyment".{{cite web
|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/445/445739p1.html
|title=King of Fighters 2000/2001
|work=IGN
|publisher = IGN Entertainment
|last=Dunham
|first=Jeremy
|date=December 11, 2003
|access-date=August 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005114817/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/11/king-of-fighters-20002001|url-status=live
|archive-date=October 5, 2015
}} Gaming Age writer Jeff Keely took a liking to K' due to how he uses Kyo's techniques but in projectile forms.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=dreamcast&game=kof_evolution |title=King of Fighters '99- Evolution |author=Keely, Jeff |publisher=Gaming Age |access-date=April 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20021123223943/http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=dreamcast&game=kof_evolution |archive-date=November 23, 2002 |url-status=dead }} Den of Geek listed K' as the 24th best The King of Fighters with the writer finding his story as one of the best parts from the NESTS saga despite initially disliking him. Additionally, the writer enjoyed his fighting style calling his "badass animations".{{cite press release|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/king-of-fighters/258397/king-of-fighters-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/4|title=King of Fighters: Ranking All the Characters|publisher=Den of Geek|access-date=July 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731195040/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/king-of-fighters/258397/king-of-fighters-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/4|archive-date=July 31, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} On the other hand, Complex against his "douchiest" charactererzation based on his outfit and the way he attacks enemies.{{cite press release|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/04/the-25-douchiest-video-game-characters/2|title=The 25 Douchiest Video Game Characters|publisher=Complex|access-date=October 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905063749/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/04/the-25-douchiest-video-game-characters/2|archive-date=September 5, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} 4thLetter enjoyed the contrast between K'{{'}}s characterization from his teammates, Maxima and Kula, noting that the team's ending from XIII has him enjoying a vacation by beating up unknown enemies.{{cite web|url=http://4thletter.net/2013/05/the-top-200-fighting-game-endings-part-four/|title=The Top 200 Fighting Game Endings: Part Four|publisher=4thLetter|access-date=August 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809054034/http://4thletter.net/2013/05/the-top-200-fighting-game-endings-part-four/|archive-date=August 9, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} In a history article of SNK, GameSpot described Kula as the yin to K'{{'}}s yang due to how different are both characters in terms of elements they control while fighting.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-history-of-snk/1100-6089278/|title=The History of SNK|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828042719/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-history-of-snk/1100-6089278/|archive-date=2018-08-28|url-status=live|date=2004-06-11}} In a restrospective article, Polygon noted The King of Fighters story arcs involving the character fighting across in different eras with the era of K' starting in The King of Fighters '99 where he replaces the previous protagonist Kyo as one of the most marketable characters often seen in promotional artwork from the game. However, with The King of Fighters 2003, K' would be replaced by another protagonist, Ash Crimson, marking the start of another era.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/22929632/king-of-fighters-15-characters-history-of-evolution|title=King of Fighters started as a tournament of franchises; it's become a tournament of eras|website=Polygon|access-date=October 29, 2024|date=February 11, 2022|author=Leone, Matt}} Similarly, Retronaut while The King of Fighters '99 was controversial upon release due the near complete removal of Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, K' and Maxima came across as suitable newcomers even if K' was too similar to Kyo and had a confusing narrative about cloning.{{cite web|url=https://retronauts.com/article/1322/pre-millennium-tussle-the-king-of-fighters-99-at-20|website=Retronaut|access-date=May 18, 2025|title=Pre-millennium tussle: The King of Fighters '99 at 20|author=Feit, Diamond|date=September 23, 2019}}
On the official SNK Playmore King of Fighters anniversary website, an image of K' drawn in the style of the other The King of Fighters XII participants appeared, along with a similar image of Mai Shiranui, leading to speculation that they would appear in the game.{{cite web
|url = http://kotaku.com/5207191/are-these-your-new-king-of-fighters-xii-fighters
|date = April 10, 2009
|title = Are These Your New King Of Fighters XII Fighters?
|first = Michael
|last = McWhertor
|publisher = Kotaku
|access-date = April 30, 2010
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100505160703/http://kotaku.com/5207191/are-these-your-new-king-of-fighters-xii-fighters
|archive-date = May 5, 2010
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
|url = http://www.1up.com/news/king-fighters-xii-home-characters
|title = King of Fighters XII Home Characters Revealed
|work = 1UP.com
|author = Barres, Nick Des
|publisher = UGO Entertainment
|access-date = August 8, 2011
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130116021525/http://www.1up.com/news/king-fighters-xii-home-characters
|archive-date = January 16, 2013
|df = mdy-all
}} UTV Ignition Entertainment's business development director Shane Bettenhausen refused to answer these rumors, but noted fans asked more often about Mai's absence.{{cite web
|url = http://www.1up.com/previews/king-fighters-12-preview
|title = The King of Fighters 12 Preview
|work = 1UP.com
|author = Li, Richard
|publisher = UGO Entertainment
|access-date = August 16, 2011
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629060006/http://www.1up.com/previews/king-fighters-12-preview
|archive-date = June 29, 2011
|df = mdy-all
}} None of them made it into the game which caused discontent within gamers.{{cite web
|url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-king-of-fighters-xii-review
|title = The King of Fighters XII - Review
|work = Eurogamer
|date = August 26, 2009
|access-date = August 31, 2011
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010121823/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-king-of-fighters-xii-review
|archive-date = October 10, 2012
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
|url = https://www.eurogamer.pt/articles/the-king-of-fighters-xii-analise
|title = The King of Fighters XII - Review
|work = Eurogamer
|author = Alexandre, Vitor
|date = August 27, 2009
|access-date = August 31, 2018
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111228040428/http://www.eurogamer.pt/articles/the-king-of-fighters-xii-analise
|archive-date = December 28, 2011
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}} In an official press releases by Atlus regarding The King of Fighters XIII, it was stated that K'{{'}}s return was because of popular demand.{{cite web
|url = http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/the-king-of-fighters-xiii-makes-a-royal-appearance-on-ps3-and-xb/
|title = The King of Fighters XIII makes a royal appearance on PS3 and Xbox, escorted by Atlus
|work = Joystiq
|author = Fletcher, JC
|date = June 7, 2011
|access-date = August 16, 2011
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110829030951/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/the-king-of-fighters-xiii-makes-a-royal-appearance-on-ps3-and-xb
|archive-date = August 29, 2011
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
|url = http://www.shacknews.com/article/68818/king-fighters-xiii-coming-to
|title = King of Fighters XIII coming to North America
|work = Shack News
|author = O'Connor, Alice
|date = June 8, 2011
|access-date = August 24, 2011
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110812024020/http://www.shacknews.com/article/68818/king-fighters-xiii-coming-to
|archive-date = August 12, 2011
|url-status = live
|df = mdy-all
}} His return along with his two teammates, Maxima and Kula, as well as Mai, has been met with praise by video game publications,{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-28-the-king-of-fighters-xiii-review|title=The King of Fighters 13 Review|author=Edwards, Matt|publisher=Eurogamer|date=November 28, 2011|access-date=September 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908043208/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-28-the-king-of-fighters-xiii-review|archive-date=September 8, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-the-king-of-fighters-xiii/|title=EGM Review: The King of Fighters XIII|author=Patterson, Eric L.|publisher=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=November 21, 2011|access-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716010158/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-the-king-of-fighters-xiii/|archive-date=July 16, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} with GamePro labeling as one of the best ones alongside Mai based on their appearances.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/225183/review-the-king-of-fighters-xiii-360-ps3/|title=Review: The King of Fighters XIII (360/PS3)|publisher=GamePro|access-date=August 30, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20111201174136/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/225183/review-the-king-of-fighters-xiii-360-ps3/|archive-date=2011-12-01}} Shoryuken noted that despite how overpowered K' became in the patched version of KOF XIV, players would enjoy playing as him,{{cite web|url=http://shoryuken.com/2017/05/14/playergodaines-shares-k-combos-for-king-of-fighters-xiv-version-2-01/|title=Playergodaines shares K' Combos for King of Fighters XIV version 2.01|publisher=Shoryuken|access-date=August 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901182945/http://shoryuken.com/2017/05/14/playergodaines-shares-k-combos-for-king-of-fighters-xiv-version-2-01/|archive-date=September 1, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all|date=2017-05-14}} while Vandal referred to him as series' most popular characters.{{cite web|url=https://vandal.elespanol.com/noticia/1350673112/snk-presenta-a-los-tres-ultimos-luchadores-revelados-de-the-king-of-fighters-xiv-/|title=SNK presenta a los tres últimos luchadores revelados de The King of Fighters XIV|date=February 2016|publisher=Vandal|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214627/https://vandal.elespanol.com/noticia/1350673112/snk-presenta-a-los-tres-ultimos-luchadores-revelados-de-the-king-of-fighters-xiv-/|url-status=live}} A reviewer from GameSpot stated he played 20 hours of KOF XIV maining mostly K' before doing an article about the game which he enjoyed.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-king-of-fighters-xiv-review/1900-6416498/|title=GameSpot The King of Fighters XIV Reviews PS4|publisher=GameSpot|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=August 22, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824052353/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-king-of-fighters-xiv-review/1900-6416498/|archive-date=August 24, 2016|df=mdy-all}} PlayStation Universe regarded K' as "one of the coolest, most popular characters in the KOF Series" while also making sure people come to enjoy his moves alongside Kula's.{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/01/29/new-king-of-fighters-xiv-roster-details-revealed/|title=New King of Fighters XIV Roster Details Revealed|publisher=PlayStation Universe|access-date=September 3, 2018|date=January 29, 2016|archive-date=September 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903183139/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2016/01/29/new-king-of-fighters-xiv-roster-details-revealed/|url-status=live}} Despite concerns with the 3D models of the cast from XIV, Meristation noted K' was still recognizable from his previous incarnations thanks to the level of detail in his design.{{cite web|url=http://www.meristation.com.mx/the-king-of-fighters-xiv-impresiones-e3/avance-juego/2132969|title=The King of Fighters XIV, Impresiones E3|publisher=Meristation|access-date=September 15, 2018|date=2016-06-17|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916055852/http://www.meristation.com.mx/the-king-of-fighters-xiv-impresiones-e3/avance-juego/2132969|url-status=dead}} Famitsu noted that while K' was originally a weak fighter, The King of Fighters XV made his fight style more effective to use even if his new Climax requires more focus to properly execute.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/matome/kof-xv/obt05.html|title=『KOF XV』K´やブルー・マリーなど個性あふれる人気キャラクターたちを最速レビュー！ 12月18日より第2回βテストが開催|magazine=Famitsu|access-date=August 31, 2024}} The same site also praised Hiroaki Hashimoto's illustration for The King of Fighters 2001 for the appeal he gives to the design.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/matome/kof-xv/gallery01.html|title=『KOF』珠玉のアートに惚れろ！ 歴代アートギャラリーその1|magazine=Famitsu|access-date=May 1, 2025}} Excite said K' became relatively well-balanced and easy-to-use character compared to the previous series. They praised the animation used for his Desperation Moves like the Ein Trigger and Chain Drive in XV.{{cite web|url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/E1743410607149/|title=TGS2021 Onlineの「Xbox Live Stream 」で突如発表！KOF XV「K'」のキャラクタートレーラー公開|website=Excite|language=Japanese|date=September 30, 2021|access-date=June 4, 2025}}
Critics have also commented on the character's role in the printed adaptations of the franchise. Atomix noted that the KOF 2000 was one of the first times K' was given the role of protagonist but it was not until the next series, KOF 2001 that his personality was more developed.{{cite web|url=https://atomix.vg/el-paso-de-the-king-of-fighters-en-el-manga/|title=El Paso de The King of Fighters en el manga|website=Atomix|date=August 27, 2016 |language=Spanish|access-date=February 4, 2025}} A. E. Sparrow, reviewing the graphic novel King of Fighters 2003: Volume 4 for IGN, commented that K' is "sufficiently heroic" with the comic allowing the exploration of his motivations.{{cite web
|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/876/876635p1.html
|title=King of Fighters 2003: Volume 4 Review
|publisher=IGN
|last=Sparrow
|first=A.E.
|date=May 27, 2008
|access-date=August 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005094621/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/27/king-of-fighters-2003-volume-4-review|url-status=live
|archive-date=October 5, 2015
}}
Reviewing volume five, Mania Entertainment's Ben Leary said the K'-heavy storyline makes "one of the wildest transitions I've seen in a comic yet" with K' involved in a conflict related to Japanese mythology for no apparent reason. However, he said that the way K' receives new powers to defeat Mukai is "self-contradictory" and that "nothing really happens as a result" of this event.{{cite web
|url=http://www.mania.com/king-fighters-2003-vol-05_article_83858.html
|title=King of Fighters 2003 Vol. #05
|work=Mania
|publisher = Demand Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018135611/http://www.mania.com/king-fighters-2003-vol-05_article_83858.html|archive-date=October 18, 2012
|last=Leary
|first=Ben
|date=October 15, 2008
|access-date=November 12, 2010}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Portal|Video games}}
{{King of Fighters games}}
Category:Genetically engineered characters in video games
Category:Fictional Jeet Kune Do practitioners
Category:Male characters in video games
Category:The King of Fighters characters
Category:Video game characters introduced in 1999