Mature (The King of Fighters)

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Mature
Official The King of Fighters Neowave artwork for Mature.
Game series	The King of Fighters series
First game	The King of Fighters '94
In-Universe Information
Birthplace	Unknown
Blood type	O
Fighting style	Speed-based attacks

Mature is a video game character from The King of Fighters series.

[edit] Origin

Mature was modeled as a sexy character in homage to Marilyn Monroe.^{[citation needed]} She looks and acts a bit like Monroe and one of her win poses resembles a pose Monroe struck during her modeling career. Both Orochi assassins, Mature and Vice, are named with "adult" themes in mind. In Mature's case, her name refers to "mature content" or perhaps even sexual maturity.

[edit] Story

The first appearance of Mature, before she was developed into a full fledged character, in The King of Fighters '94.

Mature is one of the two Orochi assassins (the second being Vice) that work for Goenitz, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi.

Mature disposes of those who oppose the Orochi as commanded by her master Goenitz. Her ultimate goal was to liberate the Orochi power and she accomplished this when Goenitz killed the heir of the Clan of the Yata. The Orochi power, however, was still weak so they decided to bide their time. Some time later, Rugal Bernstein tried to take control of the Orochi power. Upon learning this, Goenitz went to face Rugal and gouged out his right eye as punishment. Surprised that he was still alive, Goenitz allowed him to possess a small part of the Orochi power, but warns him not to use it until necessary since it would eventually kill him.

Goenitz then assigned Mature and Vice to keep an eye on Rugal to make sure he doesn't do anything to jeopardize the Orochi clan. Mature and Vice became Rugal's secretaries and aided him in the organization of the first two King of Fighters tournaments that had team battle rules. Mature was assigned to take care of the details of the first tournament in 1994. Mature did not see any display of Orochi power from Rugal during that year, but he unleashed it in the tournament the following year. As scheduled, Rugal died from the overwhelming power. With their mission accomplished, Mature and Vice returned to Goenitz.

Once reunited with their master, Goenitz assigned them a new "client". He was Iori Yagami, bearer of Orochi blood and a candidate for joining their cause. Mature and Vice both went to meet Iori and decided to play with him before offering their help. Afterwards, Iori and his two female assassins formed a team for the new King of Fighters tournament. During the tournament, however, Mature noticed how powerful Iori could be from his display of strength and his determination. Mature even considered him to be more powerful than Goenitz. The two assassins decided that it was in their best interest to side with Iori against Goenitz. When the finals came up, Mature and Vice knew that Goenitz was going to strike, so they warned Iori who went after Goenitz. As planned, Iori fought against Goenitz since he considered Kyo to be his to kill. Goenitz quickly realized that he had been betrayed by Mature and Vice. Upon his defeat, Goenitz cursed both assassins and told them that they would die at the hands of their "savior". Not understanding what their former employer meant, Mature and Vice went to assist Iori, but Iori began to enter the Riot of Blood. Realizing too late that Iori was unable to control his Orochi power, Mature and Vice suffered the cutting edge of Iori's hands and were left to die. Mature's current status is unknown.

[edit] Personality

Mature is determined to kill anyone who opposes her goals. She freely sided with Iori in order to awaken Orochi without Goenitz's help. Mature usually enchants men before she goes in for the kill. In Mature's eyes, any method that guarantees victory is viable, even if it means using her considerable charms. She, along with Vice, has the intention to purge the world by releasing Orochi from its seal. If Vice was to be the cruel woman, then Mature is definitely the ruthless woman. She manipulates Iori and betrays her master Goenitz in order to achieve her goals.

[edit] Gameplay

Mature (left) performing "Deicide" on King in The King of Fighters '98.

In King Of Fighters '96, Mature was a top-tier character.^{[citation needed]} She, along with Iori and Leona, had severe advantages over most other characters while Vice took a back seat to the action.^{[citation needed]}

In KoF '98, she was toned down reasonably.^{[citation needed]} She was also given new sprites. Her provocative taunt was also changed. Many consider Mature as the bottom tier of character of KoF 2002.^{[citation needed]} Her damage pales in comparsion with Vice, who has grown to surpass Mature in terms of gameplay.^{[citation needed]} For some reason, Mature's Ebony Tears move has a command normally reserved for DM/SDM moves.

[edit] Game appearances

• The King of Fighters '94 (1994) − Cameo appearance of Mature, as Rugal's secretary, introducing the player to the final duel.
• The King of Fighters '96 (1996) − First playable appearance.
• The King of Fighters '98 (1998)
• SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash (1999)
• The King of Fighters 2000 (2000) - Paired with Vice as Iori's Another Striker.
• SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters 2 Expansion Edition (2000)
• The King of Fighters 2002 (2002)
• The King of Fighters Neowave (2004)

[edit] Trivia

• During Vice's special intro with Rugal in the Capcom vs. SNK series, Mature makes a small cameo by bowing before Rugal and then jumping away. Mature also has a special intro with Rugal in which she blows a kiss to him.
• Like her partner Vice, some of Mature special moves are music references. Donors for her move names include Despair, Deicide, Crematory, Ebony Tears, Sacrilege and Nocturnal Rites. Also, Metal Massacre is not only a very early song by Metallica, but it is also the name used for various compilation albums dating back to the early 80's. Her Death Row was likely named for Death Row Records.
• In KOF '96, there was an unused DM animation viewable in the debug mode. She would perform her Despair special attack three times in a row. This move was likely scrapped due to its relatively bland look in comparison to her Heaven's Gate DM. In KOF '98, and later '02, the move remained unseen, scrapped this time for the addition of the Nocturnal Rites DM.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Mature's profile at The King of Fighters 10th anniversary official website