KMC Forums - The 'Hurricane Upper,' Joe Higashi

What's to tell about Joe? He may goof around, but he's tough as they come.

(please log in to view the image)

Joe's Stats

Nickname: Hurricane Upper
Nationality: Japanese
Date of Birth: March 29, 1974 (33 years old)
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 72 kg
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Brown
Blood Type: AB
Family: Unknown
Favorite Sport: All types of Martial Arts
Favorite Pastime: Brawling
Favorite Food: Alligator meat (deep-fried)
Likes: His headband
Dislikes: School
Capcom Rivals: Sagat, Dan Hibiki
SNK Rivals: King, Mai Shiranui, the Bogard brothers
Fighting Style: Muay Thai
Theme Music: Fatal Fury 2 - Thai nanbu no tsutaetai atarashii shi

Although Joe's place of origin is Japan, he spent the majority of his time at Thailand, where he trained Muay Thai. It was through his victories that Joe got the nickname "Hurricane Upper" Joe Higashi.

Joe earned his title as the champion of Muay Thai by beating Hwa Jai in a Muay Thai only tournament. Hwa Jai later joined the King of Fighters tournament in order to exact revenge against Joe but failed, and after admitting his defeat they're good friends and sparring partners. Ever since then, Joe has been defending his title against lesser opponents. Joe then met Andy Bogard and assumed that he is superior to Andy in an exhibition match. Joe was wrong as he was defeated. Realizing that he was much slower than Andy, Joe congratulated Andy for his tenacity. Andy then offered Joe a chance to join him on a quest to Southtown in order to help him and his brother Terry exact revenge against Geese Howard, the man responsible for the death of their father Jeff Bogard. Although Joe understands that he risked expulsion from the Muay Thai Federation for this, Joe accepted Andy's offer and then went to the King of Fighters tournament to support the Bogards unconditionally. While both Andy and Joe were not able to fight Geese, Joe did his job in helping the Bogards out. Terry managed to defeat Billy Kane and later on bested Geese on top of the Geese Building. Joe then returned to Thailand to defend his title.

However, his recess turned out to be short-lived when a German brute named Wolfgang Krauser attacked his archrival Hwa Jai without warning. Joe was forced to enter the King of Fighters tournament to investigate the truth behind Hwa Jai's beating. While Joe tried to prove that he was much stronger than the Bogards, he could not do so and all he could do was provide support for the Bogards again. Joe then helped Terry and Andy defeat Billy, Axel Hawk, and even Laurence Blood. Terry provided the final wallop, prompting Krauser to fight Terry. Terry wasted Krauser with a Power Geyser, leading to Krauser's loss. Krauser tells Terry to leave at once since he has to live with his pride destroyed by an upstart. With Krauser finally losing to Terry, Hwa Jai and Joe ended their rivalry and became friends ever since.

Joe is a mainstay to Terry's team throughout a lot of King of Fighters tournaments. During the 94 tournament, Andy chose to include Joe as a team member instead of Mai Shiranui, making her feel left out. While Joe never played much of a major role since the defeat of Geese, Joe has proven to be a loyal sidekick to the Bogards, teaming with them in every KOF. He has since become the practical joker amongst the brothers Bogard and their other friends and allies.

He is absent from KOF XI because a Muay Thai tournament is being held at the same time.

__________________

Chuck Norris learned his trademark move, along with his sense of duty and justice, from Jesus after watching Him roundhouse kick a money changer out of the temple.