What does Kiriko ULT mean in Japanese?
Kiriko, the new support hero added in Overwatch 2, yells a very distinct voice line when she activates her ultimate ability. But what exactly does she say in Japanese and what is the meaning behind it? Let‘s break it down.
Kiriko‘s Ultimate Voice Line Translated
In Japanese, Kiriko shouts "Kitsune no kagidzume o tokihanate!" when using her ultimate. This roughly translates to "O fox spirit, unleash your claws!" in English.
The word "kitsune" refers to fox spirits from Japanese folklore. Kitsune are known to have magical abilities like shape-shifting and illusion casting. As a kitsune herself, Kiriko calls upon her mystical fox spirit powers when boosting her team‘s speed and cooldowns during her ultimate.
What Kiriko‘s Ultimate Does
Kiriko‘s ultimate creates a large, glowing fox spirit that rushes forward in a line when activated. The fox spirit leaves a path that buffs Kiriko and her teammates – increasing their movement speed, rate of fire, reload speed, and ability cooldown reduction significantly for a short duration.
This powerful support ultimate allows Kiriko and her team to aggressively push enemies with enhanced mobility and ability usage. It charges quickly compared to other support ultimates as well.
Kiriko‘s Abilities and Playstyle
In addition to her impactful ultimate, Kiriko has other abilities that complement her kitsune theme:
- Healing Ofuda: She throws talismans that attach to allies and heal them over time.
- Kunai: Kiriko launches rapid-fire kunai projectiles that damage enemies.
- Swift Step: She quickly lunges in a direction. Can be used to dodge or reposition.
Kiriko‘s versatile kit enables her to deal damage while healing frequently. She plays like an off-healer with the output of a main healer.
Other Heroes‘ Japanese Voice Lines
Kiriko isn‘t the only Overwatch hero that shouts in Japanese during their ultimate. For example:
- Genji: "Ryūjin no ken o kurae!" ("Taste the dragon‘s blade!")
- Hanzo: "Ryuu ga waga teki wo kurau!" ("Let the dragon consume you!")
It adds cultural flair hearing the game‘s Japanese characters ult in their native language.
The Significance of Kitsune in Japanese Folklore
Kitsune are fox spirits figures in Japanese mythology known for their trickery and magical powers. They grow smarter and gain new abilities like shape-shifting as they age. Stories portray them as intelligent, mischievous creatures.
As a kitsune herself, Kiriko has supernatural healing abilities. Calling upon her fox spirit ultimate shows how her kit draws from Japanese culture and lore.
Kiriko‘s Voice Actress Brought Her to Life
Sally Amaki voiced Kiriko in both Japanese and English, granting an authenticity to the character. This was Amaki‘s first ever video game role – she was previously known for singing and voice acting in anime.
Fans praised the personality and charm Amaki brought to Kiriko through her voice work. It helped make Kiriko feel like a vibrant new addition to Overwatch‘s roster.
Fan Reactions to Kiriko‘s Japanese Heritage
Overwatch players appreciated how Kiriko embodies Japanese culture through her kitsune theme and shrine maiden design. Her voice lines and abilities reflecting Japanese folklore and mythology stood out.
Fans were excited to learn more about Kiriko‘s background growing up in Hanamura alongside the Shimada brothers. Many reacted positively to having another Japanese hero added to the game‘s diverse cast.
Kiriko shouting a Japanese ultimate voice line emphasized her cultural roots. It shows how Overwatch incorporates heroes and lore from all around the world.