OK.

So there's a misconception about Zarina from KOF XIV, the *FIRST COLOMBIAN* character in fighting games.

Some people say she's Brazilian but in fact she's actually closer to Colombia than any other country.

As a Zarina player, as a Colombian and SNK fan, here's why:

1. While her moves borrows things from Capoeira/Samba, her fighting style *IS NOT* Capoeira properly. In fact, it's officially appointed as "Kicking Techniques". Why is that? Well, she's an empirical apprentice and her style is actually a mix of many things, focusing on *Rhythm*.

2. Zarina's special moves are also based on flowers, something Colombia really shines because we're one of the biggest exporters globally. We have a yearly Carnival of Flowrers (Feria de las Flores), which is a beautiful flower parade honoring hardworking ancestors!

Art: KQQ

3. Her flowers are mostly based on Yellow San Joaquín or even in Yellow Orquídeas, both very common flowers in Colombia. And even her physical special moves are named after parts of the flowers like:

4. Zarina has a Toucan named Coco and she protects him a lot.

Some may think Toucans are just from Brazil, but there's Toucans in Colombia too and also other places from South America. In fact, Colombia is the country with the biggest number of birds species in the world

5. Now let's talk about her colors. Some say she resembles Brazilian flag but despite having green, she also has the Colombian Flag colors , and her main color being Yellow makes sense because that's the biggest one in our flag.

6. By the way, I love the fact that SNK Heroines literally gave her the Colombian flag in her Bandeiras-Ninja costume. You can clearly see it in the lower part of her headband. This is amazing and cute

7. SNKH also gave her some lines in Spanish like: "Vamos" (Let's Go) or "Salto" (Jump). Which some could say work for Portuguese too, but it's actually Spanish because she even has 2 medallions that say: "Bendición del Sol" (Sun Blessing). Having the accent mark used in Spanish.

8. These medallions also remind me of something

It may be coincidence or maybe SNK based her a little in probably the most famous Colombian? and she kinda has curly hair too. #Shakira

One of the song's line is even be related to her style ("Lucky I have strong legs... ")

9. She lives in Brazil just like many other foreign characters live in South Town and they're not from USA. She's officially from Colombia, actually the first Colombian in a FG and probably the only one in games that isn't a bad stereotype of Narco, slutty or violent people

10. I'm glad SNK gave her a cheerful, caring, a bit funny personality instead, also the attitude to stand and protect nature and animals in danger.

Some may think that's a bit dumb, but in my opinion, it's great considering Colombia is such a rich country in biodiversity!

11. I don't want to make this way longer, but Zarina is Colombian and that's why is South America Team and not Brazil Team, because she also represents Colombia .

SA Team is great and hopefully Zarina (and Nelson and Bandeiras) will return for KOF XV!

I can't wait to see how her windy flower shaped moves will look in XV if she makes it!

Please SNK @snk_oda consider Zarina to be in KOF XV

Fun thing I forgot to add:

The Bendición del Sol in her medallions, which means Sun Blessing, could resembles Zarina's bright personality and also the yellow in the Colombian's flag, which represents the richness of the ground and the sun itself!