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Joe Kusanagi

BIO:

Joe Kusanagi is known as the "Red Panther of Honmoku," and he is the protagonist of Aggressors of Dark Kombat. Joe is the most powerful and famous brawler of the eastern area of Japan known as Kant. Bored from the lack of good opponents in his area, he hears rumors about strong fighters to the west, so he travels there to confirm them. Joe is also called "Jo" in-game because of the kanji in his Japanese name. His friend Katsuo appears in some of Joe's special moves & ending, also making other cameo appearances alongside Joe. It's rumored he's actually his brother. Apart from Aggressors of Dark Kombat, Joe makes a cameo appearance in one of Kisarah's attacks in Neo Geo Battle Coliseum.
 
                                      
 

ORIGIN:
Aggressors of Dark Kombat

  

 

OTHER APPEARANCES:
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Page Updated:  Mar. 25th, 2025

Due to his general appearance and color scheme (and name), this Joe could easily be confused for the more popular spiky-haired SNK character, Joe Higashi... but his last name and fighting style confirms that he's not the same Joe. Was SNK trying to confuse players? Maybe. Fuuma from World Heroes randomly appeared in AODK. Maybe AODK was going to be a very early SNK "crossover" of sorts.

Overall, Joe is your typical Japanese schoolboy delinquent. He's got a mini henchman that beats up his opponents? Hilarious. If you looks past his genericness, he's a somewhat entertaining fighter and he gets cool points for the gaku-ran... but bright orange?! A bit loud. His troubled love relationship with Kisarah is entertaining at least. SNK even gave Joe a nod in NEOGEO Battle Coliseum during Kisarah's super move.

Fighting  Style  /  Moveset
Personality  /  Charisma
Outfit(s)  /  Appearance
Effectiveness  in  series
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