Eiji Kisaragi
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is a character in both the
Art of Fighting and
King of Fighters series.
Art of Fighting
Eiji is an
assassin ninja from the feared and respected Kisaragi clan. He had been taught the killing arts of the Kisaragi since childhood, and he also became an expert in
psychokinetic transportation, as well as being able to wield two blades in his hands as if it where his own. A cold blooded killer, Eiji would work for anybody who paid him enough money for his services.
The King of Fighters
His family had been in war with the Sakazaki family for some time now, and he decided to end the rivalry by killing them. He once traveled to Southtown to kill them all, but found no one in their dojo. There he learned of the King of Fighters tournament, in which the Sakazaki clan was participating. Rumors spread townwide that Billy Kane, Geese's personal bodyguard, was looking for some teammates for his team for the next tournament. Eiji saw in this a perfect opportunity to face the Sakazaki family one last time. After the tournament, he would know how to take care of the "pests" he had for teammates.
Eiji fought like an authentic killing tornado, using his stealth and bone cutting techniques. However, he never could get a clean shot against any of the Sakazaki family. When he was about to escape and go search for them on his own, Iori appeared in front of Billy and Eiji. Using some unknown techniques, Iori brutally mauled Billy and Eiji, and left. For over 10 years, Eiji tried to re-enter the KOF tournaments, but was repeatedly rejected. He was finally accepted into The King Of Fighters XI tournament, but he hadn't forgotten about his vendetta against Kyokugenryu practitioners, or Iori Yagami who nearly killed him. It is unclear if Eiji wanted to enter to kill the Sakazaki family or Iori in this tournament.
Eiji is a ruthless assassin incapable of
remorse or emotional attachment, human life means nothing to him.
He is also very skilled at dispatching several people at once. Few people know his past, but all remain silent, fearful of his fury.
* Eiji has always been on his own. Even though he was a villain in
AOF2, there was no indication he was ever a member of
Mr. Big's syndicate.
* His attacks are mostly speed-based, as well as using energy attacks taking the form of various blades and swords.
* As the descendant of
Zantetsu (from the
Last Blade series), Eiji wields the twin Ninja daggers, Nagare(流）and Kage(影）.
*
SNK originally considered having Eiji fight with poison tipped needles hidden in the hair of his bangs.
* Eiji has appeared in several background
cameos in every game after KOF '95. In KOF '96, he appears in Chizuru's stage. In KOF '97, he appears in China. In KOF '98, he appears in U.S.A.. In '98, 2002 and NeoWave, he even appears in the battlefield, in Billy's intro scenes against Iori (he always appears unnoticed to Billy, in these cases).
* Even though Eiji is nowhere to be seen in
Art of Fighting 3, Jin Fuha looks for him.
* Eiji appears as Lin's
Another Striker in KOF 2000.
* Eiji is seen in the background of the Japanese stage of
KOF 2002* Eiji also appeared in
King of Fighters XI, teaming up with
Kasumi Todoh (another rival of Kyokugenryu Karate, but not to the violent extent that Eiji holds), and Malin (Who appears to have some hostility at Yuri).
* In both
KOF XI and the manga of The King of Fighters: Kyo, Eiji is portrayed as only semi-serious, and is often the butt of other characters' jokes.
* According to the KOF: Kyo
manga, Kyo's mother, Shizuka Kusanagi, finds Eiji interesting. The two appear to be friendly, even, despite meeting when Eiji was infiltrating the Kusanagi home for information about the Kusanagi and Yagami blood feud.
* Eiji resembles
Strider Hiryu, a ninja of
Capcom fame.
* It is speculated that Eiji was the one that attacked
Takuma Sakazaki in the end of KOF 2003.
* In US version of AoF2, there is a goofy translation in Eiji's
ending that made Eiji is in love with Mai Shiranui, but he never said something like that in the
ending of Japanese version. Not to mention the fact that Mai was only 5 years old in AoF2.
*
The King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website
