Kaede

Kaede (楓, かえで) is the main protagonist of the SNK fighting game series, *The Last Blade*. While he is not a character from *The King of Fighters* (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ) series, he is a popular figure in the fighting game community. Kaede's image is symbolized by maple leaves, with a golden maple leaf design on his back, and his official slogan is "Shining Soul." He possesses a unique transformation ability, often cited as a reference to the Super Saiyan form from *Dragon Ball Z*. In *The Last Blade* series, Kaede is a warrior who inherited the power of the Azure Dragon, tasked with protecting the world. Initially, he is portrayed as humble and cautious, but upon transformation, he becomes arrogant and aggressive. As the story progresses, he gains better control over his powers. His fighting style, "Kasshin Ittō," is based on a two-handed sword style infused with wind elemental powers. When awakened, he uses lightning-based attacks, and his special move names change from "Ittō" to "Shinmei." Though not a regular character in *The King of Fighters*, Kaede's distinct charm and strength have made him popular among SNK fans.