Heidern is best known as the commanding officer of the Ikari Warriors, a mercenary unit he founded himself. He debuted as a playable character in The King of Fighters '94 on the Brazil Team (which eventually became the Ikari Team) alongside Ralf Jones and Clark Still. As the General of the Soldiers of Fortune, he oversees his most trusted operatives: Clark, Ralf, his adopted daughter Leona, and Whip.
The character's tragic backstory shapes everything about him. Eight years before the '94 tournament, at age 34, Heidern had just been promoted to commander—a recognition of his exceptional martial arts abilities and tactical mind. The ceremony took place at a secret Brazilian base with his wife and daughter present. Rugal Bernstein, learning of Heidern's accomplishments, saw an opportunity. While Heidern was away handling duties, Rugal stormed the base and slaughtered fifty secret service officers. When Heidern returned, Rugal took his right eye, then murdered his wife and child, deeming Heidern unworthy of being added to his collection of strong fighters.
From that point on, Heidern's life became defined by two things: building the Ikari Warriors from the ground up and hunting Rugal for revenge.
He eventually discovered Leona as the sole survivor of a destroyed village, her memory completely gone. Rather than leave her, he adopted her. Though he initially kept her away from combat training, he eventually relented when she showed her own drive to fight. He's still protective though—his refusal to officially rank her is deliberate, a way of keeping her somewhat removed from the warfare's worst dangers.
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
