Kali (カーリー), known as the ZAIN Defense System (ザインの防衛システム), is an enemy machine exclusive to the Strider Hiryu manga. It is designed and named after the Hindu goddess of destruction. In the NES adaptation of the manga, Kali is replaced in its basic function by a tempered glass shield, which protects Faceas Clay as he gloats that no human power can break it^[1]. Not amused, Hiryu proceeds to break it without too much effort, which is funny considering Kali was probably the hardest enemy Hiryu faced in the manga.

The mechanical monster Kali, also known as the "Goddess of Slaughter" (殺戮の女神), is ZAIN's main defense system developed by Enterprise. It also serves as Faceas Clay's bodyguard, as he has full confidence in this mechanical wonder^[2]. The giant four-armed robot counts with a sword, a hanging rope and a skull staff as weapons^[3], which it uses in tandem with its inmense strength to destroy any intruder. Kali itself seems to have some semblance of conscience^[3][4], but this is all part of the defense system's deception, by making Kali look like a real being rather than a mere machine.

StoryEdit

MangaEdit

Kali makes its appearance just as Faceas Clay is about to be attacked by Hiryu. Following Clay's sudden disappearance, Hiryu seems to be transported into a temple-like environment, which Clay claims it's ZAIN's sacred grounds. Soon enough, the giant figure of the goddess Kali appears in front of Hiryu. He at first believes that it is just an illusion generated by ZAIN, but the mocking goddess proves it's a real being by attacking Hiryu, who barely avoided the sword strike. Taken off guard, Hiryu is forced into the defensive, until Kali gains the upper hand and strikes him down.

Just as the monstrous machine approaches for a final attack, Hiryu recovers his strength after remembering Kuramoto's words and is able to slice off Kali's sword wielding arm as it attacks. With sheer willpower, Hiryu proceeds to slice the machine apart. It's just after the system stops working and the illusion disappears when Hiryu realizes the true nature of Kali and ZAIN's defense system.

ReferencesEdit

Strider Manga/NES Series
Main Articles	Strider Hiryu (Manga) • Strider (NES) • Moto Kikaku • Tatsumi Wada • Masahiko Kurokawa
Characters	Arana • Commander • Faceas Clay • Hiryu • Kain • Kubira • Kuramoto • Matic • Police Chief • Sheena Game Exclusives: Badger • Dragon Fiend • Flash Blade • Kodiak • Ryuzaki Manga Exclusives: Captain Keith • Kazakh Institute Scientist • Mariya • Rin • Yuri
Stage Enemies	Doberman • Egypt Soldier • Giant Robot • Hunchback • Machine Cannon • Mechanical Snail Robot Frong • Russian Infantryman • Scuba Soldier • Sharkman • Sky Wing • Spark Machine
Technology	Cypher • Kali • Phantom Train • Shadowtag Bullets • Stealth Chopper • T-48 • ZAIN Project • Yggdrasil
Locations	Africa • Australia • China • Egypt • Japan • Kazakh • Los Angeles • Red Dragon
Groups	Enterprise • Kazakh Secret Police • Striders • Strider Matic Unit