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"That falcon looks dangerous! Mother Nature's guardian is here to dish out punishment! NAKORURU." - The King of Fighters XV

Nakoruru (ナコルル) is a character in the Samurai Shodown series. She is also a common mascot for SNK's social action programs for children and nature awareness campaigns, sometimes being paired with Terry Bogard for such events. Her official nickname is "Mother Nature's Guardian" (ははなる自然しぜん守護者があぢあん).[1]

Aside from the main series, Nakoruru also has several figurines made in her image from various game appearances and is a featured character in several of the series's drama CDs. She stars in her own character image CD and is also a member in SNK's character image band, The Band of Fighters.

Development[]

Although she has no particular model for her character, Hilda from The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun and The Dagger of Kamui helped her conception process. Also developers admit that her famous "This is nature's punishment" quote is based on Sailor Moon's "In the name of moon, I punish you" line. Her character is based upon the Ainu people of Hokkaido, Japan. As the Japanese perceive the Ainu as living closer to nature, Nakoruru's role in the game is of a defender of Mother Nature; in some material Nakoruru has been referred to as a priestess.

Garou: Mark of the Wolves planner and The King of Fighters XIV producer Yasuyuki Oda states that Nakoruru's popularity surprised even the company as no one at SNK had "expected that Nakoruru would become a popular character to that extent." [2] Oda recalls being surprised that one of the series’ characters, became a fan-favorite despite her modest, non-sexualized appearance. “A lot of characters at that time were popular because of their sexiness,” he says. “But Nakoruru doesn’t show a lot of skin.” [3] Old developers in the Neo Geo era had no plans to add Nakoruru in The King of Fighters as they felt that she didn't fit into the game very well, but admit that they probably wanted to add her in regardless but was unable to due to the systems limitations.[2] A "Samurai Spirits Team" was originally scheduled to participate in The King of Fighters '95 and The King of Fighters '96. This idea was eventually dropped due to time constraints as KOF was released every year. Nakoruru was originally intended to team up with Haohmaru and Galford D. Weller.[4] Nakoruru was later included to KOF XIV due to her immense popularity.[5]

During Samurai Shodown (2019) development, someone on the team pointed out that Nakoruru's disposition had gradually changed over the years in other ways, going from sad and stoic to a bit cheery. So the team decided to depict her closer to the character’s original ’93 incarnation. “So for this one, I don’t think you’ll ever see her smile.” [3]

Personality[]

Nakoruru is calm and gentle. She seems to be shy toward people. Yet, to others, her mannerisms and appearance make her seem rather "doll-like", a term that somewhat displeases her. She is also maternal, chiding her sister as she would a child. She believes that Nature can be protected without killing others and often vies for non-violent solutions if she thinks it's possible and, thus, has a will to protect the weak, fearful, and innocent. She also knows that true power must not be misused. Although she is dedicated in her mission, she also desires to be a normal girl with selfish desires, which sometimes sets her apart from her friends and peers. This is alluded to in The King of Fighters XV, where Krohnen finds this fact about Nakoruru... rather creepy.

Powers[]

  • Nature Empathy: Nakoruru can hear and sense nature's voice. In other media, this power also includes sensing the spirits of people or nature.
  • Energy Slash: Nakoruru's weapon can be fueled with ki energy.
  • Reflector: With the power of her cloak, Nakoruru can reflect a projectile back to its sender.
  • Healing: With the power of nature, Nakoruru can heal wounds.
  • Dimensional Travel: Nakoruru can travel to different dimensions and spacetime. This is how she is able to appear in The King of Fighters series. Although Interdimensional travel takes a heavy toll on the body, Nakoruru can bypass this logic due to her being a spirit. She can summon others across dimensions and spacetime as well with this ability.

Fighting Style[]

Nakoruru fights with a kodachi, and, depending on the form, a hawk named Mamahaha (in "Shura/Slash") or a wolf named Shikuru (in "Rasetsu/Bust" form and later Rera). To compensate for her short weapon range, players must rely on her speed to punish her opponents' mistakes. She can also recover from her moves a little quicker than other characters, making it easier for her to hit-and-run during fights. To balance her out with the rest of the cast, her attack strength is slightly weaker than most fighters. Her move set usually incorporates slightly longer ranged attacks that project her or her animal companions to her foes so her attack range isn't limited to her sword. She can also reflect projectiles with the move, Kamui Ryusei.

Music[]

Character Themes

  • Shizen no Utage (Banquet of Nature) - Samurai Shodown, Warriors Rage, SNK Gals' Fighters, SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium
  • Shizen no Utage -Haru- (Banquet of Nature -Spring-) - Samurai Shodown II
  • Shizen no Ibuki (Breath of Nature) - Samurai Shodown III
  • Shizen no Utage -So no ni (Banquet of Nature -Lighthearted) - Samurai Shodown IV, V
  • Banquet Invitation - Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden
  • Four Seasons - Samurai Shodown 64
  • Wind - Samurai Shodown 64-2
  • Forest Spirit - Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
  • Banquet of Nature - Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
  • Purification - Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
  • Waltz of Nature - Samurai Shodown (2019)
  • Shizen no Uta ~ Jiai no Kaze (Song of Nature ~ Wind of Kindness) - Nakoruru ADV
  • Summer is Gone, Winter is Here - Samurai Remix VA
  • Nakoruru - Samurai Spirits 2: Asura-Zanmaden (OVA)
  • Shizen no Uta (Song of Nature) - 100 Mega Shock!
  • Banquet of Nature ROF version - THE RHYTHM OF FIGHTERS
  • Magical Sky - The King of Fighters XIV (Another World Team Theme)
  • Honor's Melody "Hawk" - The King of Fighters XV
  • Banquet of Nature -KOF XV ver. - The King of Fighters XV (as Dolores' opponent)
  • Banquet of Nature ~SNK Heroines Edit~ - SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy

Image Songs

  • Koko ni Oide - Brand-New Spirits song; performed by Reiko Chiba; also collected in Neo Geo Gals Vocal Collection
  • Koe o Kikasaete... - Neo Geo DJ Station Image Song
  • Kokoro wo Tsunaide - Neo Geo DJ Station Duet Image Song with Rimururu
  • Heavy Baby's 1, 2, 3 - Neo Geo DJ Station shared image song
  • Miko no Densho Uta - Nakoruru ADV song
  • Ashita no Hate - Nakoruru ADV Duet Image Song with Manari

Voice Actresses[]

Japanese[]

Harumi Ikoma Mikako Takahashi Mai Nakahara Reiko Chiba Mariko Kouda
Hivan
MikakoTakahashi
List of Roles:
Mai Nakahara
Reikochibanew
List of Roles:
  • Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture
  • Koko ni Oide (image song)
  • Samurai Shodown II commercials
Marikokouda
List of Roles:
  • Samurai Shodown Dengeki drama CD series

English[]

Carol Amerson
Carolamerson
List of Roles:
  • Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture

Appearances[]

Games

Mobile

Cameos

Anime

Cards[]

Samurai Shodown! 2 Samurai Shodown! 2 Samurai Shodown! 2 Samurai Shodown! 2 SNK vs SNK vs SNK vs SNK vs SNK vs SNK vs SNK vs SNK Dream Battle Nakoruru Yamato Chronicle KOF98UM OLDragon Genesis Kimi Wa Hero Kimi Wa Hero Kimi Wa Hero Kimi Wa Hero KOF All Star

Sprites[]

Samurai Shodown! 2 SNK vs SNK vs SNK Gals' Fighters Shinsetsu Samurai Supirittsu: Bushidō Retsuden Nariyuki Quest

Samurai Shodown Samurai Shodown II Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge Samurai Shodown V The King of Fighters 2000 Neo Geo Battle Coliseum Capcom vs

Samurai Shodown II (Doll Transformation) Samurai Shodown VI (Doll Transformation)

Gallery[]

Similar Characters[]

References[]

Samurai Shodown characters
SamSho I Logo Sprite HaohmaruNakoruruMamahahaUkyo TachibanaWan-FuTam TamCharlotte Christine de ColdeGalford D. WellerPoppyKyoshiro SenryoEarthquakeHanzo HattoriJubei YagyuGenan ShiranuiShiro Tokisada AmakusaPurple NakoruruKurokoHikyaku
SamSho II Logo Sprite Genjuro KibagamiCham ChamPaku PakuNeinhalt SiegerNicotine CaffeineMizuki Rashojin
SamSho III Logo Sprite Shizumaru HisameRimururuBasaraGaira CaffeineKim Ung CheZankuro MinazukiShikuru
SamSho IV Logo Sprite Kazuki KazamaSogetsu KazamaAku Amakusa
SamSho 64 Logo ShikiHanma YagyuGandaraDeku & DekuinaYuga the Destroyer
SamSho 64-2 Logo AsuraShadow AsuraHalf-Shaded Shiki‎‎Taizan MorozumiKarakuri HanmaEnja KazukiSuija Sogetsu
SamSho Warriors Rage Seishiro KukiJin-Emon HanafusaJushiro SakakiRinka YoshinoSayaHaito KanakuraYaci IzanagiGaryo the WhirlwindRan PoMikotoTohma KukiTashon MaoDarumaMintoMugenjiYudaSamuraiHanzo HattoriIga NinjaBruteOboro's AmazonsKunou SeishiroOboro
Nakoruru ADV Logo MikatoHokuteYantamuManariOutadaHibabaUbabaMibabaRera
SamSho V Logo Sprite Yoshitora TokugawaMina MajikinaChampleRasetsumaruEnjaSuijaLiu YunfeiYoukai KusaregedoTam TamPoppySankuro YorozuYumeji KurokouchiGaoh
SamSho VI Logo AndrewIrohaSugoroku MatsuribayashiOcha-Maro KarakuriDemon Gaoh
SamSho EOD Logo SuzuhimeAngelicaTakechiyoGarrosJ.Kim Hae-RyeongWalterJinbei SugamataBlack HawkKirianClaudeDracoGolba
SamSho 2019 Logo Yashamaru KuramaDarli DaggerWu-RuixiangShizuka GozenHibiki TakaneWardenGongsun LiBaiken
SNK vs. Capcom characters
SNK current logo Kyo KusanagiIori YagamiLeona HeidernOrochi IoriTerry BogardMai ShiranuiGeese HowardRyo SakazakiYuri SakazakiAthena AsamiyaHaohmaruNakoruruMamahahaJubei YagyuRimururuAkari IchijouMarco RossiFiolina GermiMars PeopleGenjuro KibagamiKim KaphwanMr. KarateKasumi TodohChoi BoungeEarthquakeShikiGoenitzHonki ni Natta Mr. KaratePrincess AthenaKingViceBenimaru NikaidoRaidenRyuji YamazakiRugal BernsteinChang KoehanRyuhaku TodohHibiki TakaneGod Rugal
Capcom Logo RyuKen MastersChun-LiGuileDan HibikiSakura KasuganoMorrigan AenslandFeliciaAkumaBaby Bonnie HoodM. BisonEvil RyuKarin KanzukiArthurRed ArremerDhalsimVegaSagatBalrogHugo AndoreTessaDemitri MaximoffZeroViolent KenShin AkumaRed ArremerBlankaCammy WhiteEdmond HondaEagleRolento SchugergMaki GenryusaiYun LeeKyosuke Kagami
CardFightersClash1 ShinKeiCapCometThe KidFoKanaHarumiZombieYoshikiNishiTakaNoriSakiYukiAkiTakeMikaNonakaKeikoYuriMikamiThe MaskRikuto ArataHaruna HatenaLip AyahaSasuke FuwaKido YoshijiRyugai TorawoAsō ShūkoDogou SōkenShin DaichiKei KikkaForu GottonYashichi FuwaCap ComComet ComNanako NijiiroZet Charles DetroitSys TemNeomantleRobomantleG-Lady
The King of Fighters characters
KOF '94 Logo Sprite Kyo KusanagiBenimaru NikaidoGoro DaimonTerry BogardAndy BogardJoe HigashiRyo SakazakiRobert GarciaTakuma SakazakiRalf JonesClark StillHeidernAthena AsamiyaSie KensouChin GentsaiKingMai ShiranuiYuri SakazakiKim KaphwanChang KoehanChoi BoungeHeavy-D!Lucky GlauberBrian BattlerRugal Bernstein
KOF '95 Logo Sprite Iori YagamiBilly KaneEiji KisaragiSaisyu KusanagiOmega Rugal
KOF '96 Logo Sprite Leona HeidernMatureViceKasumi TodohGeese HowardWolfgang KrauserMr. BigChizuru KaguraGoenitz
KOF '97 Logo Sprite Shingo YabukiYashiro NanakaseShermieChrisBlue MaryRyuji YamazakiOrochi IoriOrochi LeonaOrochi YashiroOrochi ShermieOrochi ChrisOrochi
KOF '99 Logo Sprite K'MaximaWhipBaoLi XiangfeiJhun HoonKyo-1Kyo-2Krizalid
KOF '99 Evolution Logo VanessaSethSyo KirishimaAlfredFiolina GermiGai Tendo
KOF 2000 Logo Sprite RamónLinHinako ShijoKula DiamondClone ZeroFoxyCandy DiamondAnother K'Another IoriAnother BenimaruAnother RobertCosplayer KyokoKang Bae DalSmart ChangCool ChoiKaoru WatabeBaitangDuck KingLilly KaneKim Jae HoonKim Dong HwanUnknownKing LionKim Sue-ilKaedeDuke EdwardsRockyAthenaNeo & GeoG-Mantle
KOF 2001 Logo Sprite May Lee JinjuK9999ÁngelZeroRonGluganIgnizMistyNests
KOF EX Logo Moe Habana
KOF 2002 Logo Sprite Kusanagi
KOF EX2 Logo Reiji OogamiJun KagamiMiu KurosakiSinobu Amou
KOF 2003 Logo Sprite Ash CrimsonDuo LonShen WooTizocGatoMalinMaki KaguraAdelheid BernsteinMukai
KOF MI Logo Alba MeiraSoiree MeiraLien NevilleMignon BeartChae LimDukeRock Howard
KOF XI Logo Sprite OswaldElisabeth BlanctorcheMomokoB. JenetShionMagakiSilberSho HayateJyazuHotaru FutabaItokatsuTung Fu Rue
KOF MI2 Logo Luise MeyrinkNagaseJivatmaNinon BeartHyenaHanzo HattoriKyo Kusanagi ClassicWild WolfMr. Karate IIArmor RalfRichard Meyer
KOF MIRA Logo Xiao LonMakoto Mizoguchi
KOF '98UM Logo Nightmare Geese
KOF 2002UM Logo Nameless
KOF XII Logo Raiden
KOF XIII Logo Hwa JaiSaikiEvil AshMr. Karate
KOF XIV Logo Shun'eiMeitenkunGang-ilLuongXanaduSylvie Paula PaulaKukriMianNelsonZarinaBandeiras HattoriKing of DinosaursHeinNakoruruMamahahaMui MuiLove HeartAlice Garnet NakataAntonovVerseNajd (Aila)
The King of Fighters XV Logo Isla (Amanda) • DoloresKrohnen McDougallRe VerseOtoma=RagaHaohmaruDarli Dagger
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