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Kubira (クビラ) is a character exclusive to the Strider Hiryu manga, as one of two enemy Striders under Matic's orders. He's named after one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals from Buddhism, also written Kumbhīra or Kompira, a deity related to the seas.

Member of Matic's Strider Unit, Kubira is an imposing Strider with a wild and monstrous appearance. The product of body modifications, Kubira sports reptilian features such as scaly skin and sharp teeth, as well as increased abilities while swimming underwater. Kubira is a cruel and efficient murderer, but he's also cautious when confronting his targets, planning in advance how to ambush them and taking any advantage possible.

Kubira was a fellow student with Hiryu during the Striders' training program[1] and as such he is well aware of Hiryu's superhuman strength and mastery of the Cypher as witnessed in those times, even confessing to have feared Hiryu back then[1]. He's, apparently, confident now that his new skills will make up for that, though.

Story[]

Manga[]

Kubira1

Kubira (Manga)

Arana and Kubira were given orders from Matic to take care of Hiryu and Kain after ZAIN predicted they'd attack the Amazon Research Institute next in their crusade against Enterprise. After Arana's defeat, Kubira awaits for them on the Amazon River. Just as Hiryu and Kain are crossing through the waters, Kubira snatch Kain from below and knocks him by slashing his stomach, spreading blood on the water so the nearby crocodiles would react to its scent and devour him. With the crocodiles on their way toward Kain, Kubira stops Hiryu on his tracks and attacks him. Kubira drags Hiryu underwater on a chokehold, where Hiryu is unable to use the Cypher due to its electric properties. Kubira has this planned from the beginning, knowing Hiryu's mastery of the weapon meant little chance of victory.

However, just as he's about to stab him, Hiryu is able to break free of his hold and return to surface. Forced to resurface too, Kubira looks around for Hiryu. Taking his chance, Hiryu jumps onto him and stabs him in the chest with his Cypher and then activates it, sending an electric discharge through Kubira while at the same time stopping the crocodiles from reaching Kain. Before dying, Kubira calls Hiryu a fool, believing he'll die with him now that he used the Cypher in the middle of the river. Hiryu, however, used a wire he picked up from his battle with Arana earlier to cling onto a nearby tree, avoiding the electrified waters and saving himself.

Strider (NES)[]

Str africa croc

A crocodile in Africa

Although Kubira appears to be absent in the NES adaptation, crocodile enemies appear in the swamps of Africa. These enemies are very simple, only coming out of the water to damage Hiryu through contact. Although they can't be damaged, they can be easily avoided by carefully moving and jumping over them.

As the area also features Arana's appearance as a generic stage enemy, it is possible this enemy is intended to be either Kubira himself, or the crocodiles he used to attack Kain.

Skills and Abilities[]

Due to his enhancements, Kubira has greatly increased strength and stamina, being capable of feats such as swimming all the way from Africa to the Amazon without being visibly tired[2]. He's also capable of breathing and moving unrestricted underwater, giving him a greater advantage if he fights his target while both are submerged.

While submerged, Kubira can spring ambushes while hiding and drag his enemies under with him, where he has the upper hand. He takes note of any advantage he has at his disposal before battle, and uses any exploits that benefits him such as using crocodiles to kill Kain or preventing Hiryu from using his best weapon.

Kubira can be seen fighting with a hunting knife.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Wada, Tatsumi (November 10, 1989). Strider Hiryû. Chapter 4, Pg. 123. Kadokawa Shoten. ISBN 4-04-713009-5.
  2. Wada, Tatsumi (November 10, 1989). Strider Hiryû. Chapter 4, Pg. 122. Kadokawa Shoten. ISBN 4-04-713009-5.
Strider Manga/NES Series
Main Articles Manga (Gaiden) • Strider (NES)Moto KikakuTatsumi WadaMasahiko Kurokawa
Characters AranaCommanderFaceas ClayHiryuKainKubiraKuramotoMaticPolice ChiefScientistSheena
Game only: BadgerDragon FiendFlash BladeKodiakRyuzaki
Manga only: Commander KeithDr. HoganFlower GirlDirectorMariyaMinor StridersRinYuriZangi Brothers
Stage Enemies BirdClawed StridersDobermanEgypt SoldierGiant RobotMachine CannonMechanical SnailRobot Arm
Robot ClawRobot FrongRussian InfantrymanScuba SoldierSharkmanSky WingSpark Machine
Turret/Laser TurretTwin Bats
Technology Assault RifleBootsCypherKaliKunaiPhantom TrainRescue AircraftShadow Tag BulletsStealth Chopper
SystemT-48Transport TubeZAIN Project (ZAIN TerminalZainsYggdrasil)
Locations AmazonKazakh Federation (KazakhMental Institute) • Los AngelesMongoliaStrider Headquarters
AfricaAustraliaChinaEgyptJapanRed Dragon
Techniques Acceleration JumpBoomerang ThrowCypher AttackPlasma ArrowSlide InTriangle JumpTricks
Groups EnterpriseKazakh Secret PolicePhantom UnitRebel ArmyStriders
Strider Matic UnitSpecial Forces
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