Reiko Hinomoto

Reiko Hinomoto
“The Zero Fighter”
Alignment	Babyface
Place of Birth	Yokohama, Kanagawa Pref. Japan
Age	19
Date of Birth	February 9, 1985
Height	5'7” (170 cm)
Weight	114 lbs (52 kg)
Measurements (Bust, waist, hips)	34"-26"-33" (86-66-84 cm)
Specialties	Sunrise Suplex, Angel Dive
Allies	Dixie Clemets (Friend and Tag-Partner), Makoto Aihara (friend), Noble Rose
Family	Kamikaze Rose (Mother, Deceased), Fujiko Hinomoto (Older Sister)

Reiko Hinomoto is a playable character in both the original Rumble Roses in 2004 and sequel Rumble Roses XX in 2006. She fights under the moniker of "The Zero Fighter". Her Japanese voice actress is Noriko Hikada. She was dubbed by Bianca Allen in the first game, with Michelle Ruff voicing her in the sequel.

Background

"Mom, if you're up there listening... I've come all this way to debut in the country where you died... I haven't heard from sis... since she told me she was coming here... to enter the Rumble Rose. Maybe I'll find out what happened to her when I enter the tournament. Mom... I'll become the greatest wrestler the world has ever seen, and make you proud! If you're listening, watch over me... And sis."

-Reiko's prayer (from her Prologue)

From a young age, Reiko grew up learning martial arts from her mother- the famous female wrestler Kamikaze Rose. However, when Reiko was only nine years old, she died in the ring under mysterious circumstances while on tour in America. Five years later, Reiko's older sister Fujiko set out uncover the truth behind their mother's death, only to go missing herself, leaving the then fourteen year old Reiko on her own.

Despite this, she spent the next five years building her reputation as a fighter in her own right, while working part time as a "Race Queen" (a Model in car photo-ops). One day, she found an advertisement for the Rumble Roses Championship Tournament and signed up in the hopes of emulating her mother's wrestling achievements and perhaps of finding clues to the whereabouts of her sister. Along the way, she soon made friends with two of her fellow competitors- Dixie Clemets and Makoto Aihara.

By the start of the second game, Reiko joined with Dixie to creat the tag-team "Tequila Sunrise". She later teams up with her elder sister Fujiko (now as Noble Rose) to form "The Kamikaze Typhoon".

Personality

While Reiko is very energetic and enthusiastic both in and out of the ring, she is also more introspective and less conceited than some of the other wrestlers. In fact, Reiko will often pray to her mother before the start of a match, hoping that she is 'watching'. However this does not make her any less ambitious; her ultimate goal is to follow in her mother's footsteps and become the world's greatest wrestler.

A long-haired Reiko squares off in the ring

Reiko also seems eager to impress those who she cares about and respects, such as Dixie. When they enter the ring as a team, Dixie holds her hand up just out of Reiko's reach. Reiko clearly recognizes the intent of this, and leaps up to high-five her (even though she misses the first time!).

Reiko highly values honor and loyalty, and will go out of her way to help her friends. She has a fierce determination that drives her on, and this ultimately allows her to break through Fujiko's mental conditioning and free her from the evil influence of Anesthesia. Even after freeing her, Reiko still believes that she must continue to earn her respect. Nevertheless she goes against Fujiko's instructions by remaining in America to continue fighting in the Tournament.

In regard to her self-image, Reiko is clearly confident about her looks. Back in Japan (prior to the tournament), she worked as a Race Queen, a high-end car cover model at photo-shoots. When Reiko is first introduced, she is revealed wearing a white and red boxing robe with the hood up. In an instant, she casts off the robe and sprints along the runway to leap into the ring, where she performs some fast-paced martial arts and then strikes a series of poses. In the Queen's Matches, she happily poses while dressed in her bikini, and waves at the audience. She's also not camera-shy, and responds enthusiastically to Photo-Shoots (especially when accompanied by Dixie).

Appearance

Because of her martial arts background, Reiko has a lean muscular build. Like all the Hinomoto women, she's surprisingly tall at 5'7"- putting her above the average height for both Japanese and American women.

Reiko is fair-skinned, has hazel eyes (with pink eye-shadow) and long collar-length dark brown hair- that layered distinctively, with tapered edges, and long bangs that are parted far to the left. Even more distinctively, Reiko has a small mole visible just above her left breast.

The default colors of her normal in-ring costume are primarily a bright crimson red, with black trimming. The outfit includes a pair of tight-fitting bright red leather short-shorts that show off her legs. They are unbuttoned to show a pair of white panties with the word "Zero" (in white) written in English on the black waistband.

She wears a matching bright red and black sports bra to shows off her cleavage. It's tied in front with white lace, and "Zero" is written (in white) over the black section on the right cup. She has a red and black "scarf" around her neck that hangs down in the back. She wears red and black traditional MMA gloves and matching high-heeled, knee boots- done up in front with white laces. During her intro, she arrives dressed in a white and red hooded boxing robe with the iconic Japanese image of the Red Rising Sun on the back. A "merger" of the two Kanji symbols that form the word "Nihon" (the native Japanese name of their country) appears over the sun.

Super Star Reiko

When Reiko wins enough matches and becomes popular enough (80% plus) she achieves Super Star status. Her hair is depicted as having grown out, coming almost halfway down her back. It's at this point, that she looks almost identical to her mother(Images of the "Kamikaze Rose" can be seen in the reliefs on the archway leading to the beach).

Reiko's flashy new upgraded outfit has a white and red color scheme- the same as the Japanese flag (but with a silver trim). Fittingly, the colors and the overall style of the outfit syncs up with Dixie's Super Star costume quite well. Whether the similarities in the designs were intentional or a purely by coincidence is not clear, though it makes sense as they are Tag-Team Partners. The overall design motif of the entire costume appears to be based around the Imperial Naval Flag of Japan- the red rising sun (and its rays) against a white background. This likely serves to conjure images of her homeland.

The outfit includes silver and red and silver high-heeled boots that lace up in the front, and cuffed chaps-like garments over her legs- white, with red and silver stripes, and the sun design at the top. Reiko also wears a short white and red skirt, with a silver and red (studded) belt. She wears a matching (red, white, and silver) sleeveless top, with the same rising sun image and "Japan" symbol on the front. The base of the top is adorned with a silver and red belt, similar to the one with the skirt. Red and white striped 'sleeves' cover her arms (with silver cuffs at both ends) and she wears red and silver MMA gloves. Reiko wears a long white scarf (with red edges) around her neck that hangs down her- also with the red Sun and Kanji design on the ends. Reiko has an inverted five-point silver star (a piercing?) right over her navel.

When Reiko takes part in a Queen's Match (or a Mud Match in the first game), she arrived dressed in a relatively modest two-piece (the default colors is white with varying red spots). The bottom piece is tied above her hips on either side and the top piece is tied around her neck and behind her back. She also wears a pair of sandals.

Fighting Style

As the daughter of the legendary Kamikaze Rose, Reiko learned her mother's brand of martial arts from a young age. In the ring, she blends this with elements of traditional wrestling to form her own fighting style. Reiko's moves are largely based around her speed and agility, as well as flexibility. Her overall style is the most 'balanced' of all the wrestlers, and she's able to strike and throw with equal ability. Her aerial moves are also excellent and, with good timing, she can deliver powerful dropkicks.

Her punches and kicks somewhat lack the sheer brute force of some of the other characters, but she can strike faster and has a longer reach. Reiko is also fast on her feet and is good at evading attacks. However, she only has basic reversal skills and little ability to inflict humiliation (at least in her normal mode). As a result of this, Reiko can be at a disadvantage in Pure Humiliation Matches. She can also only soak up so much abuse before she gets injured.

However, if the player is particularly adept with Reiko, they can learn to reverse their opponents attacks and (ideally) transition into her signature Killer move Sunrise Suplex which automatically delivers a pin. Her reversal skill will also increase if used frequently.

Killer Move

• Sunrise Suplex: A power throw that utilizes Reiko's strength as a wrestler. Reiko grabs, steps underneath and twists her opponent's left arm. She steps behind her opponent and hooked the left arm across their back. Reiko then turns her opponent around, whilst locking their right arm with her other hand. Then she arches her back and hoists her opponent over her body, causing them to turn 180° in midair and landing on the back of their neck.
  • This move can only be executed by have at least 1 meter filled.
  • With that being said, this move can be done anywhere, as long as Reiko's opponent is on their feet.

Lethal Move(s)

• Angel Dive: An aerial technique that utilizes Reiko's high-flying ability. Reiko leaps off the turnbuckle, performs two backflips in midair, and lands stomach first across her opponent. She then covers them for the pin.
  • Only Reiko Hinomoto can perform this move.
  • This move can only be executed by have at least 1 meter filled.
  • In addition, Reiko must be on the turnbuckle, with their opponent lying on their back.

• Angel Dive Extreme: An aerial technique that utilizes Reiko's high-flying ability. Reiko's first jumps and makes a 180° turn. She then leaps high off the turnbuckle, performs four backflips in midair, tucking herself in to increase angular velocity. Reiko lands stomach first across her opponent. Then she then covers them for the pin
  • Only Super Star Reiko can perform this move.
  • This move can only be executed by have at least 1 meter filled.
  • In addition, Reiko must be on the turnbuckle, with their opponent lying on their back.

Humiliation Move

• Lock Type Zero: A submission hold that utilizes Reiko's ground abilities. First she brings her opponent to a sitting position. Reiko grabs her opponent's left arm, pulling it around behind their back. Then she steps over her opponent's head with her left leg, resting their head behind her knee. She then completes the hold by applying an arm wrench to her opponent's other arm, pressing on their arm while pushing against their body.
  • Like all Humiliation moves, the opponent must have their Humiliation Meter at full to execute this move..
  • This move can only be executed by have at least 1 meter filled.
  • With that being said, this move can be done anywhere, as long as her opponent is on their feet.

Entrances

Rumble Roses XX - Reiko Hinomoto Entrance-1

Reiko Hinomoto

Rumble Roses XX - SS Reiko Hinomoto Entrance

SS Reiko Hinomoto

Quotes

Story Mode

• "Mom, if you're up there listening... I've come all this way to debut in the country where you died... I haven't heard from sis... since she told me she was coming here... to enter the Rumble Rose. Maybe I'll find out what happened to her when I enter the tournament. Mom... I'll become the greatest wrestler the world has ever seen, and make you proud! If you're listening, watch over me... And sis."
• "Evil Rose! I knew something wasn't right."
• "Wait! Why should you give a damn? No, it can't be!?"
• "I went outta my way to wear this cute little bathing suit today, but...Wha!?"
• "Hey, you're Aisha, the famous singer! I'm a huge fan!"
• "Look! I'm doing the best I can! Take that back!"
• "I have to stay focused. Mom, I hope you're watching..."

• What's with the Miss stuff? Hey, aren't you that girl who took the gold medal in Judo!?"
• "Whoa, slow down there..."
• "Whoa, slow down there..."
• "I'm not stopping until I become the greatest wrestler the world has ever known... and make my mom up there proud of me! Count on it!"
• "'Hm?"
• "Oww! Uhh! Oof!"
• "Is Evil Rose my...sister?"
• "Me too. They say wrestlers from Texas are some of the best."
• "I haven't regretted anything yet, and I don't plan to. No matter who I'm fighting."
• "I made a vow with my sister to become the best wrestler in the world... and to make my mom proud."
• "I'm looking forward to seeing you try."
• "Dixie Clemets, the 3-Count Cowgirl... Looks like we're gonna have quite a rivalry."

Trivia

• Reiko's name means "Beautiful Child" in Japanese. While her family name, Hinomoto, can be translated into English as meaning "The Origin of Fire".
  • Interestingly, "Nihon" (Japan) is comprised of two Kanji characters 日本, with the first meaning "sun" and the second meaning "origin"- hence, why Japan is “The Land of the Rising Sun”. Originally, the characters were pronounced as “hi no moto”  (“moto” is another pronunciation of 本). So Reiko's family name is also the name of her homeland.
• Reiko's title- "The Zero Fighter"- is likely a reference to the iconic WW2-era Japanese Fighter Planes of the same name. This also links up with her mother's name, as Zeros would often carry out suicide ("Kamikaze") attacks during battles in the Pacific Theatre.
• Reiko's anthem, "Look to the Sky", was composed and performed by Konami in-house musician Sota Fujimuri (with guitar work by fellow Konomi musician Atsushi Sato). The song's lyrics were written by Anna Quin and performed by Japanese performer "Yoshiko".
• Reiko is one of the only two characters who appears on the official release covers of both games, the other character being Dixie Clemets.
• Reiko (as well as her "Heel" alter-ego) was much more central to the two games' advertisements in Japan, featuring in numerous posters and alternate game covers and soundtrack covers. To this extent, she can be considered the 'flagship' character in Japan.
• Reiko is from Yokohama, Japan the same City as wrestling legend Antonio Inoki who founded New Japan Pro Wrestling (one of the largest promotions in the world) and former WWE Champion (although the WWE does not recognize Inoki's title reign).
• Her mother's death in a wrestling ring, is a nod to Plum Mariko, who died in the middle of a match in 1997, from severe head trauma.