Leona Heidern
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Seiko Yoshida (KOF XIV onwards)
| Leona Heidern | |
|---|---|
| The King of Fighters character | |
 Leona by Eisuke Ogura | |
| First game | The King of Fighters '96 (1996) |
| Voiced by | Masae Yumi (KOF '96–KOF XIII) Seiko Yoshida (KOF XIV onwards) |
| In-universe information | |
| Fighting style | Martial arts + Heidern style of assassination arts |
| Family | Heidern (adopted father) |
Leona (Japanese: レオナ, Hepburn: Reona), also known as Leona Heidern (Japanese: レオナ・ハイデルン, Hepburn: Reona Haiderun) is a fictional character from SNK's The King of Fighters series of fighting video games. Leona is introduced in The King of Fighters '96 as the adopted daughter of another character, Heidern. Leona suffers from a curse known as Riot of the Blood (血の暴走, Chi no Bōsō; lit. "Rampage of Blood") that causes her to become berserk. She often takes the nicknames Orochi Leona (暴走レオナ, Bousou Reona; lit. "Rampaging Leona") and "Awakened Orochi Blood from the Darkness Leona" (ヤミノナカオロチノチニメザメルレオナ, Yami no naka Orochi no Chi ni Mezameru Reona; lit. "Insane Leona with Blood of Orochi Awakened within the Darkness"). The character has also appeared in multiple spin-off games and other media, some of which also feature her Orochi form.
Leona was created by SNK to replace Heidern, her superior in the story. Leona's design was intended to contrast with previous SNK heroines, which led to her silent personality. Leona has been voiced by Masae Yumi and Seiko Yoshida.
Critical reception to Leona's character has been mostly positive, with journalists enjoying her backstory, movesets and her Orochi form. Her relationship with her superior and adoptive father Heidern was praised as a result of similar moves and impact in the storyline.
Leona Heidern debuted in The King of Fighters (KOF) series in The King of Fighters '96 (KOF '96) as a replacement for Heidern. She was introduced as his adopted daughter. The details of her origins gradually came to include a crucial role as a descendant of the Orochi tribe. Leona's special moves were designed to be unique and reveal the tastes of her designers.[1] SNK noted there were multiple conceptions that Leona's complete name is Leona Heidern as a result of being under Heidern's care but they stated that it was only a codename and her only name is Leona.[2]
Shinkiro, an illustrator who worked on KOF, considered Leona with her "ice queen" persona an opposite of Mai Shiranui, another popular female character featuring in the series.[3] SNK artist Falcoon stated that Leona is the company's response to Street Fighter character Cammy; both of whom are implosion assassins.[4] While never used for fights, SNK provided Leona with a secretary outfit Falcoon found stylish.[5] Fellow Ikari Team member Whip was originally meant to be introduced in KOF '96 but the importance of Leona in the story led to her exclusion until The King of Fighters '99. Leona's and Whip's designs were meant to contrast one another.[6] Character designer Nao Q also named Leona as his favorite character.[3]
While most of Leona's moves are inherited from Heidern, they also possess unique expressiveness. This includes dance-like, chaotic super move "Gravity Storm," and a one-hit kill "Spinning Spark".[7]
Leona's design has been altered since her debut. Falcoon gave her an alternative skin in Maximum Impact 2, in which she wears Heidern's clothing, including her eyepatch. Another outfit is a reference to Neon Genesis Evangelion character Rei Ayanami.[8] Her most recent design was completed by Eisuke Ogura for The King of Fighters XIV.[9] For the spinoff game SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, The King of Fighters XIV producer Yasuyuki Oda had recommended Leona alongside Yuri Sakazaki as playable characters for newcomers.[10] Oda added that Leona's characterization was meant to make the story of the spin-off more comical as a result of her stoic traits.[11]
The popularity of Iori Yagami's berserker form inspired the idea of Leona entering into her own alter ego. The team liked this form and added multiple aspects to her introductions that would make both Orochi Leona and Orochi Iori appear threatening in The King of Fighters '97, in which Leona is revealed in the arcade run.[12]
The character has been voiced by Masae Yumi and Seiko Yoshida.[13][14]