Big Bad Toy Store have announced their $1,050 USD The King of Fighters XIII Mai Shiranui 1/4 Scale Limited Edition Statue is now available for pre-order.
Arguably as much a mascot for The King of Fighters series as Terry Bogard, Mai first appeared in the Fatal Fury series. Grandaughter of master ninja Hanzo Shiranui, she learned the arts of ninjitsu and koppoken (a Japanese martial art specializing in breaking bones).
She also met Andy Bogard while he trained under Hanzo (and she in turn trained under Jubei Yamada). After receiving a present from Andy on her birthday, she began to fall for him, a deep love which continues to this day. She typically begs to join the same team as Andy in King of Fighters tournaments, but usually ends up on all-woman teams instead (typically with her friends such as King and Yuri Sakazaki).
While she can be mistaken as an airhead or totally vain, she is a master of ninjutsu. This lets her create fire, weaving it into her attacks. Her ninja abilities also let her glide, float, and change directions mid-air, create shadow images of herself, pull weaponized fans out of her cleavage, and can even change her clothes almost instantly.
In fact her clothes, and design, are a part of her ninja abilities as well. While dismissed or cherished by some as a mere fan-service character; Mai can distract male opponents much like the real-life kunoichi who used seduction as a tool for spying and assassination. Mai narrowly missed out on our Hottest Video Game Characters of All Time April Fools article, but still featured in the main image.
Mai was also snubbed from a cameo appearance in the background of Terry Bogard‘s stage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Director and scenario writer Masahiro Sakurai explained the game “is for good boys and girls of many different ages.” This may explain why recent additions; Pyra and Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 had their costumes censored.
Mai’s appeal can certainly be seen in her new statue from Big Bad Toy Store. Created by PJ Studio and standing at 21.26″ tall (54cm or a 1/4 scale of Mai herself), it is made of polystone, PU, and epoxy resin; based on her The King of Fighters XIII appearance. It also features artificial glass eyes and simulated skin paint to bring her to life even more.
You can find the full gallery below.
The King of Fighters XIII Mai Shiranui 1/4 Scale Limited Edition Statue is available for pre-order now for $1,049.99 USD (and a $157.50 Non-Refundable Down Payment). Deliveries arrive in the 4th Quarter of 2021.
In case you missed it, you can find Mai Shiranui’s The King of Fighters XV gameplay reveal trailer here.
The King of Fighters XV launches 2021. Platforms have not been confirmed at this time. We shall keep you informed as we learn more.
