Mai Shiranui
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BIO:

Mai Shiranui is the granddaughter of Hanzo Shiranui, a master of ninjitsu and Koppo-ken. Mai learned the secrets of Ninjitsu from her father and from her grandfather's old friend, Jubei Yamada. Mai met Andy Bogard when he moved to Japan to further his training. At first, Mai wasn't interested in Andy and thought he was just another callous man only interested in his training. However, when Andy gave her a present on her birthday, she eventually fell in love with him. After they were in a serious relationship, Mai spent much of her time pursuing Andy and fantasizing various daydreams about their wedding.

The sexy aspect of Mai's design and "bounce" was inspired from a kunoichi (female ninja) method of assassination: to be sensual to their unassuming prey before they strike.
On a side note, the contrastingly ugly Gen-An from Samurai Shodown is rumored to be Mai's late ancestor.

For many years, Mai pressured Andy to enter and form a team with her in The King of Fighters tournament. However, Andy usually chose to join a separate team. Mai, upset with Andy, decided to form the Women Team with Yuri and King. Her teammates changed throughout the years, but she wanted to prove to Andy that he was wrong for not joining her team. In King of Fighters 99, she finally convinced Andy to join her team. However, in the following tournament was asked to sit out so that Blue Mary investigate a case.
During King of Fighters XIII, Mai felt that a KOF tournament isn't complete without her, and decided to join with her original KOF teammates.
 
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ORIGIN:
Fatal Fury 2

   
 
 
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OTHER APPEARANCES:
Fatal Fury Special, Fatal Fury 3, Real Bout Fatal Fury, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, Real Bout Special: Dominated Mind, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition, Fatal Fury: First Contact, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, King of Fighters '94, KOF '94 Rebout, King of Fighters '95, King of Fighters '96, King of Fighters '97, King of Fighters '98, KOF '98: Ultimate Match, King of Fighters '99, King of Fighters 2000, King of Fighters 2001, King of Fighters 2002, KOF 2002 Unlimited Match, King of Fighters 2003, King of Fighters XIII, King of Fighters XIV, King of Fighters XV, KOF: Neowave, KOF: Maximum Impact, KOF: Maximum Impact 2, KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation A, Card Fighters Clash, Card Fighters Clash 2, Card Fighters Clash DS, SNK Vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, SNK Gals Fighters, SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, Capcom Vs. SNK, Capcom Vs. SNK: Pro, Capcom Vs. SNK 2, SNK Vs. Capcom Chaos, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, DOA5: Last Round, Dead or Alive 6, Street Fighter 6

  
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Page Updated:  Dec. 5th, 2024

Mai is SNK's original curvy ninja gal, yes, with large breasts (a trademark part of her design since the very beginning). Indeed, Mai was one of the first (if not the first) fighting game females to show off noticeably bouncy boobs (and booty) in a 2D game. Interestingly, Mai's sexual features are part of her design as a kunoichi (using her sex appeal on her prey before she strikes). So in this case, Mai's sexuality has a purpose in her visual design and personality!

Over the decades, Mai has gone through some cool evolutions, as she appeared in all KOF installments as well as making guest appearances in crossover titles. Seeing Mai's 2D sprite evolve was something! Mai's KOF13 sprite = PEAK. Best 2D boob jiggle ever? YES. (Simply giving "artistic credit" where it is due.) Besides Mai's awesome return in KOF13, I think Mai's overall best appearance was in Capcom Vs. SNK. Her 2D animations by Capcom are still gorgeous. In closing, Mai comically seems "undisciplined" to be a legit ninja. Is she a real ninja, though? FUN FACT: Mai Shurani inspired Kasumi from DOA.

Fighting  Style  /  Moveset
Personality  /  Charisma
Outfit(s)  /  Appearance
Effectiveness  in  series
Overall Score

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