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JOE HIGASHI
"The Healthy East"
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Birthplace: Japan
Birthdate: March 29, 1974 (25 years old)
Height: 1.80 m (5'9")
Weight: 72 kg
Blood type: AB
Hobbies: Brawling
Favorite food: Deep-fried alligator meat
Favorite sport: All martial arts
Most valuable: Hachimaki
Hates the most: School
Fighting style: Muetai
*Hachimaki = bandanna
Joe is the current world champion of Muetai, which is Thai kickboxing.
Despite being born in Japan, Joe passed most of his youth training in Thailand,
home of the Muetai style. There he trained both in the gym and the jungle in
order to fortify his knees, fists, and feet. When Joe was ready, he entered the
Muetai world championship, and suprisingly breezed through the opposition,
rising as world champion in no time, a title which he conserves up until today.
Joe has taken his time to travel the world defending his championship
belt, and has bragged himself to be the strongest fighter in the world! However,
in one fight in his native Japan, after pummeling his opponent in turn, a man
with long, blond hair challenged him to a fight. Still whole after that
"sparring match", Joe accepts the challenge of the stranger. However, this time,
Joe meets more than his match, and gets whacked by Andy, leaving the crowd
around Joe astonished. Joe slowly gets up, and suddenly breaks out in laughter.
He shakes the man's hand, and he realizes the man's name is Andy Bogard. Joe
asks where Andy is going from here, and he says that he is going back to the
United States "to set an old score." Joe gets so emotive, he decides to go with
Andy. Ever since, the both fighters have been the best of friends, and Joe
constanly pesters Andy with his constant talk, and his arrogancy.
Joe and Andy arrive to Southtown. Joe sees all the fear and resignation in
the townspeople's face, all due to the iron rule of Geese Howard. So, when they
reunite with Andy's big brother, Terry, Joe decides to help them defeat Geese.
Ever since, the trio known as the "Lonely Wolves" have become a feared team in
the fighting circuit, and Joe never loses a chance to brag how good he is, and
how his Bogard friends are really some excellent fighters, but he is the number
one! However, actions speak more than words, and that's where Joe tends to not
be believed...
Joe has always been with the Bogard brothers in all the King of Fighters
tournament, and all their fights against both Geese and Krauser. Joe knows he
doesn't have the inmense skill of the Bogard brothers, but he sure can put up a
fight. Joe is determined to both win and give a good show for his fans. After
all, you always have to impress your fans before going in the main spot!
In the 1999 King of Fighters tournament, Joe has once again defended the
Muetai world championship, and this time he will surely prove his might against all
challengers! This time, however, he finds himself in a fix when he finds out that
Mai is to be with him, along with the Bogard brothers. Both have explosive tempers,
and they are more than willing to engage in verbal (and sometimes, physical)
fighting! However, their fights are cut short when they lose Terry in the explosion
that crumbles the base of Krizalid, the evil host of the tournament. Joe is the
only one who is sure that someone like Terry just can't die that way. After all, he
has yet to show Terry just how powerful Muetai really is!
Joe always talks too much. He does some lousy jokes even in bad times, and
although he seems to be pestering most of the time, his friends find him to be
motivating due to his very good humor. However, Joe also likes to brag himself,
and is so arrogant he gets so annoying! However, Joe is also a very good friend,
and a man you can always count on. He is currently dating Lilly, Billy Kane's
little sister, despite Billy's constant objections.
FATAL FURY JOE HIGASHI (The King of Fighters '98): An alternate version of
Joe based on the first games of the Fatal Fury series. He regains his long-range
Hurricane Upper, and his Bakuretsuken has a different animation (besides, the
finisher is now automatic, you don't have to input it). His only DM is the Screw
Upper, and loses the Exploding Hurricane Tiger Heel DM, and his Golden Heel
Hunter.
*Fun fact = When Joe "moons" his opponent by showing his butt! That has to be
one of the most insulting taunts in a fighting game! ^-^
*Cloth changes = Joe had bandages in his feet in KOF '94/'95. This changes for
some foot protectors in KOF '96.
Appearances: The King of Fighters '94, The King of Fighters '95, The King of
Fighters '96, The King of Fighters '97, The King of Fighters '98, The King of
Fighters '99
Other games: Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury Special, Fatal Fury 3: Road to
Final Victory, Real Bout: Fatal Fury, Real Bout: Fatal Fury Special, Real Bout:
Fatal Fury 2
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