Always being a fan of Kyo ever since his participation in the martial arts tournament that defined the Japan Team for the King of Fighters tournament, Shingo could not believe his luck when it turned out to be that Kyo also studied in the same school as he did. When he first entered high school, he could not believe that Kyo was still studying there, despite being the age of a college student. He always pesters Kyo so he can teach him, but several times has Kyo refused to. Being a persistant young man, Shingo knows that he will do it one day. One day, being hungry and the cafeteria full of already lined students, Kyo just needed a lunch break! Then, he noticed Shingo was getting near. He then exploited the admiration Shingo felt for him, and tells Shingo that if he gets some sandwiches for him, he would teach him. Getting all excited, Shingo bolts in the cafeteria and disputes with other students, but finally manahes to retrieve a bunch of sandwiches. After chowing them down, Shingo reminds Kyo of his promise. Having nowhere to hide, Kyo then decides to teach Shingo. The deal is like this: Kyo performs a special move once, and Shingo has to learn it from there. However, even though Kyo does it only once, Shingo is always so careful in deatils, and writes down all the steps in his handbook. From there on, Shingo executes all the moves of Kyo, hoping even one day that he can be able to wield crimson flames as Kyo does! (Of course, it is not possible since Kyo can wield them due to his Kusanagi blood)

Shingo trains without rest night and day, and his big chance finally comes when he passes the preliminary battles for the King of Fighters tournament in 1997, and makes it as a single entry. Shingo always takes his chance to learn the moves of the other fighters, for his later battles. Shingo is like a friend for everyone, even for those who do not seem to care too much about others. However, his trial comes when the Orochi power makes an appearance in the tournament, and he has to fight for real. Since Shingo has no notes on this new opponent, he has to do whatever he can do to fight the evil entity. Finally, the Orochi shows itself, but before Kyo goes to his final destiny, Kyo gives Shingo his gloves. He then bids Shingo farewell. Shingo wants to help him, but Kyo tells him to stand back, as his opponent is stronger than anybody he has known. Shingo then sees how Kyo vanishes in the mist, and Shingo remains to keep on fighting!

It has been two years since Shingo last saw Kyo. Only his gloves remain as his only legacy Kyo left to him, but Shingo misses him a lot. He wonders where he would be as keeps trying to perfect the Kusanagi martial art style. One day, Shingo is approached by Kyo's best friend, Benimaru. Shingo likes to know if Benimaru has any news of Kyo lately, but he has other news: an invitation to participate in the next King of Fighters tournament! This is the perfect way to show Kyo, wherever he would be, how much he has improved! He would certainly feel proud!

Shingo then meets his new partners, K' and Maxima. It seems weird to him, having participated as a single entry last tournament. Although the two fighters are quite cold and insensitive, Shingo greets them warmly. And soon, Shingo begins to fight with all his might in the tournament. He also gets really down when he sees K' wield flames. "Geez, why can't I can", moaned Shingo. His question would soon be answered by Krizalid, host of the tournament, who had taken Shingo and his teammates to his underground facility for the final battle. It seems that Krizalid kidnapped Kyo to create clones and infuse both him and K' with Kusanagi power in order to conquer the world! Shingo curses Krizalid, and fights with Kyo's memory burnt in his mind and heart. Despite being severly overpowered by Krizalid, Shingo never holds back. However, he is about to be eliminated by Krizalid, when all of a sudden,a huge crimson blast fills the room and blows Krizalid away. It was Kyo! He had saved him! Shingo's eyes filled with tears. He had so much to say to Kyo! However, a steel door slams in front of him, and the whole base begins to fall apart! Shingo has no choice but to run, but as he looks back, he promises Kyo that one day, he would see him turn into a true man!

After training for a whole year with the sole promise to his master Kyo of becoming a better fighter, Shingo is more than ready to face the new challenges that can be seen in the next King of Fighters tournament! The only problem resides in that neither him nor Benimaru have any idea of how they are going to complete their team for this year's tournament. K' and Maxima have been missing ever since the Krizalid battle, and there were no other qualified warriors to replace them.

One day, Benimaru tells the anxious Shingo that there might be a chance yet to enter the next KOF tournament. Shingo trembles in excitement, and Benimaru quickly tells him that an old friend of his will help them out to form the new team. At the meeting place, Shingo finds himself face-to-face against a huge black man in a suit. He looked rather impressive, and he looked quite serious, unless around Benimaru, where the lumbering oaf was kind and gentle. Along with the man was an ominous ninja who seemed very unfriendly. Since Benimaru was talking with his longtime friend, Shingo saw it fit to strike a conversation with his new partner. Shingo kindly introduced himself, but the ninja seemed unimpressed. Shingo insisted on making the creepy guy talk, up to a point where the ninja finally grew tired, and in a swift motion, tried to strike Shingo down. Benimaru saves Shingo in the nick of time, knocking the eerie warrior away. Shingo may seem out of place in a team of bitter people, but his high spirits of a youngster can't be quenched!

Suprisingly, Shingo performs superbly in the tournament, complementing the great work of his partners. With his help, the new team makes their way into the finals. Shingo is burning with excitement to finally prove himself (and Kyo) the real man he has become! Shingo and the others travel to Southtown for the final battle, but things begin to go wrong the moment they set foot in the industrial zone: NESTS agents surround the abandoned factory, site of the last match. Forced into a dark room at the back, Shingo realizes that he was set up for a trap by Zero, one of NESTS' officers!

Dumbfounded by Zero's plans to use their fighting energy in order to charge up the Zero Cannon, Shingo fights with all his might in order to stop Zero's evil plans. Shingo, despite being no match for Zero, puts it all he's got into the fight, reminding the burning spirit of his master Kyo. The rest are surprised by Shingo's fierce determination. Being one of the main pillars in Zero's defeat, Shingo and the others escape from the unavoidable destruction of Southtown at the hands of the Zero Cannon. On his way out, Shingo barely gets a chance to exchange words with Kyo, who has been watching over them. Kyo pats Shingo's shoulder, and has now seen how powerful he has become. Shingo is so excited, but Kyo hurries him on his way. Shingo turns back, and wishes Kyo good luck, for a new life begins for Shingo, a life dedicated to the fight!

They say if you fight hard enough for your dreams, they just might come true. And Shingo's golden dream finally comes true one year later, when he receives news from Benimaru that Kyo will be joining them for the next King of Fighters tournament! Shingo is overwhelmed with joy and just can't believe that he will be fighting along his master in a King of Fighters tournament after so many years. During the final meeting in a local park with all the teammates (which includes the former partner of Kyo and Benimaru, Judo tough guy Goro Daimon), Kyo confesses that spies might be behind their tracks, and most likely, they must be NESTS spies. Shingo wonders what his master will do about it, and Kyo answers that the solution is simple: enter the King of Fighters tournament and destroy them!

The tournament was almost like a walk in the clouds for Shingo. To experience the power of his master Kyo firsthand was an event that just couldn't be explained with words. He feeled totally inspired, and put his best effort to help out the former Hero Team members. Shingo never gave up, even during the final battle against the NESTS cartel, which took place in their main HQ, a space station floating around the planet! Shingo was severly underpowered, but he mustered enough courage and dedication to surpass his lack of technique and skill. As the CEO of NESTS, Igniz, was defeated and the space station crumbled to the sea by his own ambition, Shingo and the others manage to escape to shore. Shingo is at a lack of words from the experience. To be part of history, to be part of the downfall of NESTS, and he was on the front row of it all! Shingo turned around to meet his shared happiness with his friends, but all he met was with cold shoulders, especially from Kyo, whos just turned him down in a rude fashion! Shingo was abandoned to his luck, as his partners walk away from the scene. The dream had came to a sudden and harsh end. Shingo was left alone with a feeling of wasted emotion...until a familiar man approaches him and offers Shingo the chance to become stronger than ever before. Shingo looks into the man's eyes, and realizes that it is Saisyu Kusanagi, Kyo's father and mentor! Shingo happily accepts, and both depart on a journey to encounter themselves, and for Shingo to find a new purpose.

Shingo is a bright, funny, and good natured young man. He is always so jolly, and never seems to get angry. He considers all the fighters as his friends, and everybody sees in him as a weird kid, but a good kid nonetheless. Shingo admires Kyo like a idol, and dedicates his victories to him. However, he also seems to tire due to his inexperience! He always takes out his handbook if he seems to forget a move. An all-around good guy, Shingo always fights with his best moves, but he is also afriad his mother may come and put him to study again!