Due to Mai's vast popularity among fans; she has been in most promotional art, game art, themes, and merchandise out of any character making her the female mascot and sex symbol of SNK. Mai was rated #4 in GameSpy.com's "Top Ten Babes in Games" feature and #5 in Game Informer's "Top Ten Hottest Girls of the 16-Bit era.

Her great reputation has also influenced other female fighters in other fighting games, mainly Dead or Alive in which Mai herself makes an appearance in the fifth and sixth installments. As you entered a tournament, you didn’t realise your opponent was going to be Mai, and you looked over, and her outfit revealed her big, giant, round anime-like breasts.

”Well hello there big, tall and handsome! Want a taste of Shiranui Fire?”