This is a list of characters appearing in the Samurai Shodown series. Characters included into the list are characters exclusive to the 3D incarnations made for the series.
For the purposes of this article, the section headings list characters in the Japanese name order, the introduction will list the official English localized full name, and the information box will list the in-game shortened name of characters. Note: Some characters will remain in English order based on their country of origin.
| Angelica | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Ottoman Empire, Istanbul |
Angelica (アンジェリカ Anjerika) is one of new characters introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny
She was raised as an assassin to an unknown organization. She tried to flee from her benefactors but was allowed to live by her pursuers. To ensure her safety and her possible freedom, Angelica is given two missions: to bring Suzuhime and a treasured sword back to them and to find a worthy samurai successor for their leader. She obeys but is reluctant to leave their leader's side.[1]
| Asura | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Kazuya Ichijō (一条和矢) (SSWR, NGBC) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | The Demon World (魔界 Makai) |
| Fighting style | Unknown |
| Weapon | The 7 Ancient Weapons (7つの古代武器 Nanatsu no Kodai Buki) Vimukti (ヴィムクティ Vimukuti) (as Shadow Asura) Red Lotus Blade (紅蓮刃 Gurenjin) (as Yuda) |
The character Asura (アスラ Asura), or Asra, is the main protagonist in the game Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage. Like other characters in the same game, his Bust form is considered to be a separate character from himself and plays a different role in the series.
He is a being who has a long-standing conflict with Yuga the Destroyer, who wreaks havoc in order to bring about "the unification of this world and the Netherworld". Yuga imprisoned Asura in the Netherworld and he subsequently escapes when it is defeated during the events of Samurai Shodown 64.[2] When he confronts Yuga, his clone assists him in slaying the fiend (see below).
Shadow Asura (反面のアスラ Hanmen no Asura) is the Bust form of Asura. He is a clone of Asura created by Yuga using a forbidden technique. For some time during the plot of Samurai Shodown 64, this clone was completely loyal to Yuga but wavered when he realizes his affections for Shiki.[2] He comes to love Shiki and wants to save her from her former master. Subsequently, he and his original band together and kill Yuga. However, upon Yuga's defeat, he begins to deteriorate because Yuga's magic is what kept him alive. For the sake of his clone, the two Asuras merge together and turn into one unique being. Before he merges with his original, Shiki gives birth to their child.[3]
In Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, Yuda (幽堕 Yuda) is the product of Asura merging with Shadow Asura. The consequences of their fusion results in an unstable body with no memory from either Asuras' previous lives. Yuda is assigned to a section of the shogunate linked to the Three Blades of Ritenkyo. He is secretly promised the position of shogun if Oboro (Jigen Taishi) succeeds. If the plan fails, Yuda would be used as the political scapegoat to destroy evidence of Oboro's plot. His first mission is clearing out Ritenkyo. In his ending, he encounters his daughter, Mikoto, who has been used by Oboro for his fiendish purposes. The dormant part of both Asuras revive themselves instinctively and Yuda releases the evil within Mikoto (revealed to be Yuga). Yuda returns to the Demon World, meaning to keep Yuga sealed there for eternity.
Asura also appears in Samurai Shodown! 2 for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. He makes an outside series appearance in Neo Geo: Battle Coliseum.[4]
| Black Hawk | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | America, Florida |
| Fighting style | His own two-handed axe fighting style |
| Weapon | two tomahawks |
Black Hawk (ブラック・ホーク Burakku Hōku) is a character introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny.
He is a Native American warrior who was told by the shaman of his village to travel to Japan. He goes there to find his father's murderer -who committed the crime sometime in the past- to avenge his father.[5]
| Claude | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Lesphia Kingdom (レスフィーア王国 Resufīa Ōkoku) |
| Weapon | a Japanese sword |
Claude (クロード Kurōdo) is one of new characters introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny.
He is a guard from a foreign kingdom who was washed ashore Japan with Suzuhime ten years before the game begins. Realizing that they may never see their home again and suffering under amnesia, he adopts the land's culture and trains himself in kendo to a respectable monk. One night, he was attacked from someone who hailed from his home country. Curious, he journeys away from his residence to investigate.[6]
| Daruma | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Shin'ichi Noda (野田晋市) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | Dueling Arts of Tennen (天念流居合術 Tennen-ryū Iaijutsu) |
| Weapon | Kage-chiyo (影千代 Kagechiyo), a gadget cane |
Daruma (陀流磨 Daruma) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
He is a care-free wanderer who was once a legendary duelist that single-handedly annihilated an infamous family. When he is in Ritenkyo, he acts as the surrogate parent of Ran Po and Minto. One day, as Daruma returns to Ritenkyo, he notices the deterioration of the town (violence, robbery and murder are everyday affairs) and resolves to assume his past identity to punish the roots: the Three Blades of Domination.
| Draco | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Weapon | rifle |
Draco (ドラコ Dorako) is the mid-boss in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny
| Garros | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Norway |
| Fighting style | Viking |
| Weapon | A giant battle axe |
Gallows (ガロス Garosu) is a character introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny.
He is the leader to his band of honorable Vikings who sail the seas looking for adventure and treasure. Many years prior to the game, his wife, Agnes, left on a trip to another country and never returned home. Hearing that a woman resembling her was found somewhere in Japan, he departs with his comrades to look for her.[7]
| Garyo | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Enma Itō (伊藤えん魔) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | Personal single sword fighting style |
| Weapon | Gozen (轟膳 Gōzen), his beloved sword |
Garyo the Whirlwind (つむじ風の臥龍 Tsumujikaze no Garyō) (Whirlwind is a title he earned) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
He is the leader to his own band of brigrands that travel across Japan. Although feared throughout the countryside, he is kind-hearted and deeply honors his comrades. Because of a scheme made by the "Three Blades of Domination", he was imprisoned by the shogunate. He breaks out but all of his followers were killed by Tohma -except one, Chobisuke. Enraged, Garyo and his sole comrade go to "Ritenkyo" for two reasons: to get revenge for his band and to steal away "his bride", Mikoto, from Tohma's clutches.
In his ending, he defeats Tohma but hides from Mikoto. After seeing her genuine love for Tohma, he resigns his original intentions and leaves. To compensate for his decision, he steals Tohma's horse and a donkey for Chobisuke.
Garyo uses a dagger fashioned from steel, which he rarely unsheathes, preferring to use combo attacks that make the most of his speed. When he does draw his sword, he takes hold of the sheath with his mouth. He also blows a bamboo sheath to fire blow darts. Although he appears to be one armed, he actually keeps his left arm within his yukata as a sign of status.
| Golba | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Norio Wakamoto |
| Fictional profile | |
| Weapon | saber |
Golba (ゴルバ Goruba) is the final boss in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny
He is the first Samurai Shodown boss that has no demonic attributes.
| Jin-emon | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Hikaru Hanada (花田光) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | Ancient Spear Arts of Life and Death (活殺古式槍術 Kassatsu Koshiki Sōjutsu) |
| Weapon | Crucifix Spear Arts of Life and Death (活殺十字槍 Kassatsu Jūji Yari), a jūmonji spear |
Jin-emon Hanafusa (花房 迅衛門 Hanafusa Jin'emon) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
He is a veteran samurai loyal to the shogunate. During his years of service, he befriends Seishiro and Tohma's father and Sakaki Jushiro. Along with Seishiro, he goes on a secret mission to end the rebellions of the "Three Blades of Domination". He is also assigned the task of retrieving the rogue Jushiro. Unlike his partner, he is sympathetic to his lesser ranked peers that are stationed at Ritenkyo and tries his best to moralize them with a promise to return home.
Jin-emon meets Jushiro in his ending and they duel. He loses and takes care to warn his friend of the shogunate's pursuers. He prepares to die but Saya nurses him back to health. Because he has difficulty dealing with women, he has a nosebleed when she flirts with him (an anime caricature of arousal).
| Yaci | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Shin'ichi Noda (野田晋市) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Way of Cursed Destiny (呪祖道弦流) |
| Weapon | Ochiyomi (落黄泉 Ochiyomi), a saw-blade |
Yaci Izanagi (十六薙 夜血 Izanagi Yachi) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
He is one of the most formidable warriors dwelling in the streets of the prison island of Riten Kyo. He makes a living as a free-lancer bodyguard with his friend in crime, Haito Kanakura. His life changes when he meets a popular geisha, Tomohime, who eventually becomes his boyfriend under the guise Namino. Wishing to have a better future together, Yaci promises to cease his life of crime and escape Ritenkyo with him. In order to accomplish this task, he decides to move up in the Riten Kyo scale and become as powerful as the Razor Trio or the bakufu. Aware of his proceedings, the Razor Trio kidnap Namino and force Yaci to save him.
He overthrows the Razor Trio in his ending and reunites with his beloved. A thug, bitter at Yaci for throwing Ritenkyo into chaos, sneaks upon them and attempts to snipe him with a gun. Namino shields Yaci from the shot, and an infuriated Yaci kills the assailant. Desperate to uphold his promise, he takes the wounded Namino to a boat on the shores of Ritenkyo. To his dismay, Namino dies shortly after they set sail.
| Haito | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Tomohiro Nishimura (西村朋絋) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Dueling Arts of Zato (座頭流居合) |
| Weapon | Yao-hebi (Snake of 8 Tails) (八尾蛇 Yaohebi), a sword |
Haito Kanakura (七坐 灰人 Kanakura Haito) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation).
Haito is a drug addict who works around Ritenkyo's brothels as a free-lancer bodyguard and assassin. When he was a child, his family experienced prejudice due to the color of their skin and hair. One of the most prominent insults from this time was questioning the color of his family's blood (implying that Haito and his family are not human). Because of their cruelty, he has a liking to the color red that develops to the point of obsession. After his partner, Yaci, leaves the crime syndicate, Haito is offered a chance to go to a "free land to the East" (America). Knowing that the Razor Trio will block his way, he goes to defeat them.
In his ending, he dies from the side effects of the drugs.
| Kim | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Korea |
Kim (キム ヘリョン Kimu Heryon) is one of new characters introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny
Kim is a Korean warrior who has defeated many "evil people" for the sake of justice. On his way to Japan, he caught sight of Angelica executing a group of hired men after her life. He decides to search for her once he became aware of the evil surrounding her.[8]
| Kirian | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Spain |
| Fighting style | Fencing |
| Weapon | Masquerade, a rapier |
Kirian (キリアン Kirian) is one of the new characters introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny.
He is a skilled torero who met Charlotte after one of his bullfighting events. He becomes intrigued by her when their encounter is interrupted by a hired man after her life. He then decides to follow her, wanting to see for himself why she was assaulted.[9]
| Seishiro | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Naoki Oikawa (及川直紀) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Vehement Way of the Nine Rulers (九皇天昇流 冽) |
| Weapon | Sei-oh (蒼煌 Seiō), a blue katana |
Seishiro Kuki (九葵 蒼志狼 Kuki Seishirō) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage. He is also the main protagonist of the game.
He is one of the sons of the Kuki clan who follows in his father's footsteps as Leader of the Inner Guard to the shogunate. During his childhood, he and his adopted brother, Tohma, were taught swordsmanship by their father, who was a legendary samurai with two powerful swords. Tohma envied him -as he was their father's son by blood- and killed their father in a jealous rage. His brother left with one of their father's prized swords, Kohroh. Years after his father's death, he receives secret orders to infiltrate Ritenkyo and annihilate the rebellious Razor Trio. Hearing that Tohma is one of their leaders, he departs with one of his father's friends, Jin-emon Hanafusa taking the missing blade's counterpart, Sei-oh, in hand.
In his ending, he and his brother engage in battle with Seishiro as the victor. A prideful Tohma tries to attack him again but is beaten again effortlessly. He reclaims his father missing sword and returns home, continuing the Kuki legacy.
| Tohma | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Tetsuya Sakai (酒井哲也) (WR PS) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Vehement Way of the Nine Rulers (Explosion) (九皇天昇流 烈) |
| Weapon | Kohoh (紅煌 Kōō), a red katana |
Tohma Kuki (九鬼 刀馬 Kuki Tōma) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
He is an albino orphan who had come aboard a ship from the west (Europe). He was the adopted son of the great samurai legend, the fantastic Kuki, and in order to live up to his heritage, Tohma trained everyday since he young in order to become a true samurai one day. Since their father seemed to favor Seishiro more than him, Tohma became embittered and envious of his brother. One night, Tohma killed his father and stole the sword, Koryo, from him; a sword that was said to grant incredible strength to its owner. Later, he joined Mikoto and Oboro to create the Razor Trio as the "mightiest swordsman". Arrogant with power, he sets his sights on Seishiro's sword.
As with Seishiro's ending, Tohma loses his fight against Seishiro. He awakes in Riten Kyo three days later with Mikoto beside him. She relays Seishiro's messages to him: his brother forgave him and wants Tohma to live. Tohma recognizes Mikoto's love for him and admits a third blade that is more powerful than the two Seishiro has, which is Mikoto. He leaps from the castle's balcony, promising to return as a "better blade" for both Seishiro and Mikoto. It is implied that his leap is a suicide attempt but, because of the ambiguous wording of the script, he may have also survived the fall in a similar fashion to Geese Howard.
| Mikoto | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Yumi Kakazu (かかずゆみ) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | Natural instinct |
| Weapon | The Fairy Blade, Wailing Giraffe (妖刀 哭麟 Yōtō Kokurin) |
Mikoto (命 Mikoto) is a character who is introduced in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
She is Shiki and Shadow Asura's child, born at the end of Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage. Before she died, Shiki left her child with List of Samurai Shodown characters#Nicotine Caffeine and his students, Haohmaru and Caffeine Gaira. As she grew over the years, Mikoto demonstrated inhuman abilities and skills. She adapts these powers into a powerful fighting style that corresponds with her dual personas, commonly dubbed as "Angel" and "Devil" respectively. She uses her heavenly powers to conduct religious services and rituals in which she was revered as a religious symbol (shrine maiden).
Mikoto, ashamed of her red eyes, flees from her home, Kokain Shrine. She subsequently arrives in Riten Kyo and, through Oboro's enticements and her infatuation with Tohma Kuki, joins as a member of the "Three Blades of Domination".[10] Eventually, Haohmaru sets out on a quest to find her. When he reaches Riten Kyo, he kills Oboro and tells Mikoto of her heritage. Though she is thankful, she decides to wait for Tohma's return at Ritenkyo.
In her ending, the "Devil" dominates her "Angel" side and defeats Yuda. However, both Asuras instinctively awaken and slay her "Devil" side, revealing the darkness to be her parents' tormentor, Yuga. The freed Mikoto (or "Angel" Mikoto) is encouraged by her parents' spirits to continue living, for their sake and hers.
Mikoto makes another appearance in the dating sim Days of Memories: Oedo Love Scroll.[11][12]
| Minto | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Mika Kasai (葛西美香) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | None (relies on her instinct) |
| Weapon | Cat Hammer of Autumnal Colors (紅葉の猫鎚 Momiji no Neko Tsuchi）), a stylized hammer |
Minto (眠兎 Minto) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
She is Ran Po's younger adopted sister and, like him, is an orphan who doesn't understand social morals. However, unlike her brother, she is more cheerful and has a curious nature. She befriends a boy named Mario, an invetor of sorts who created her weapon as a present. When Mario leaves to return to his master (Mikoto), Minto follows him.
| Taizan | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Takaya Yamauchi (山内圭哉) (64: WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Japan, The mountains of Oku-Hida (奥飛騨山中) |
| Fighting style | Law of Confining Characters (封字の法) |
| Weapon | The Divine Spear Mizuguki (神槍 端頭具樹 Shinsō Mizuguki), a giant calligraphy brush |
Taizan Morozumi (八角 泰山 Morozumi Taizan) makes his only appearance in the Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage and its Neo Geo Pocket Color counterpart, Samurai Shodown! 2.
Taizan is a man who possess the powers to seal evil, an ability passed down through generations of his family. However, he grows tired of battling demons and settles down in the mountains with his wife and child. Taizan returns home one day to find his family murdered by Yuga the Destroyer. Enraged, he once again wields his legendary Mizuguki, and sets out for vengeance. However, as he battles, he realizes that he was turning into what he detests. He stops his quest and retires to the mountains to live in peace with his deceased family.
His Slash form wields a large calligraphy brush and his Bust form attacks with a lance. In the same style as the later Capcom game, Ōkami, he writes words and puts them into action. For example, if he wrote "wind", his foe would be hit with a whirlwind attack moments later.
| Mugenji | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Enma Itō (伊藤えん魔) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | None (killing intent) |
| Weapon | Extreme Color (Gokusai-maru) (極彩丸 Gokusaimaru), a razor katana |
Mugenji (無限示 Mugenji) makes his only appearance in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage.
Mugenji is a homicidal murderer, driven insane with his abnormal obsession with beauty and butterflies. As a child, he was ostracized by his village for his unruly appearance, often driven to live alone in fields of flowers. A blind girl, named Ocho (whose name means butterfly) willingly befriends him. One day, Ocho excitedly tells him that she will visit a doctor to gain her sight. For dubious reasons -hinted at fear of her seeing what he looks like- he strangles her. Believing that he will be reborn into a butterfly, Mugenji traverses across the land, killing anyone who is in his path.
In his ending, he defeats the "Three Blades of Domination" and returns to a field full with flowers and butterflies. He collapses, mortally spent from his wounds. As a butterfly whisks above him, he crushes it.
| Oboro | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Toshiya Ueda (上田敏也) (WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Magic Ways of Oboro (朧流幻術 Oboro-ryū Genjutsu) |
| Weapon | The Blade of the Silent Curse; Spear of Forbidden Destruction (呪黙刀・禁滅槍 Jumokutō Kinmetsusō), a spear controlled with his magic |
Oboro (朧 Oboro) serves as the main antagonist to Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage and leader of Ritenkyo.
Though he has a kind looking demeanor, he was once a ninja that was revered as much as Hanzo Hattori. He was forced to leave the clan after Hanzo defeats him in a duel. Hateful during his alienation, he learns dark magic and gathers several "cursed weapons". He devotes himself to the will of the earthly Buddha "Jigen Taishi" -who protects Ritenkyo- and spends twenty years plotting the government's downfall. During this time, he creates the "Three Blades of Domination" -or the Razor Trio- and trains an army of skilled amazons. He wants to assume the will of his benefactor and establish a new nation for the martial deity. He also hopes to avenge his disgrace caused by Hanzo.
Oboro uses the cursed armaments of the bewitching blade and magic sword controlled by various spirits created through the ever-changing "Magical Arts of Kakkyo." Because Oboro is at one with the demons, this sorcerer may be injured whenever one of his demons is wounded, even if he is not in the general vicinity.
| Ran Po | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation) |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Mika Kasai (葛西美香) (WR PS) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | None (pure instinct) |
| Weapon | Kazekodama (Spirit Summoning Zephyr) (風呼霊 Kazekodama), a metallic hammer |
Ran Po (乱鳳 Ran Pō) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation).
He is an orphan raised in the streets of Ritenkyo. Because he was raised without moral discipline, he lives purely on instinct and doesn't know when he is being offensive. Though they're not related by blood, he considers Minto as his younger sister. When she doesn't appear at their home for ten days, Ran-Po becomes worried and looks for her. He finds her with her friend, Mario, and they return home.
Ran-Po fights with a gigantic war hammer that is nearly twice the size as his body. Despite his weapon's size, he attacks his opponents quickly. He also jumps high and can glide through the air with several attacks.
| Jushiro | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation) |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Kunihiko Yasui (安井邦彦) (WR PS) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Way of the Serpent Strike (龍巳一刀流 Tatsumi Ittō-ryū) |
| Weapon | Kuzuryu (Dragon of 9 Heads) (九頭竜 Kuzuryū), a katana with a concealed rifle hilt |
Jushiro Sakaki (榊 銃士浪 Sakaki Jūshirō) is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation).
He is a former samurai that was once part of the bakufu government. During his service as a government samurai, he was mentored by Kuki and made friends with Hanafusa Jin-Emon. He fell in love with a woman samurai named Karen. The feelings were mutual but formalities and duties discouraged them from developing their affections further.
One day, it was predicted by spies that the princess was endangered by an assassination attempt by Oboro. As she bore a striking resemblance to the princess, Karen volunteered herself to be the decoy princess to lure Oboro in. In spite of Jushiro's protests, the coup was staged. Oboro attacked but his strength was overwhelming and he preceded to kill everyone at the site, including the "princess" Karen. Jushiro, who arrived at the scene too late to assist, was targeted as the main suspect of the massacre by the bakufu, earning his disgust and desertion of his samurai class.
He escapes from his pursuers to Riten Kyo where he joins with female warriors Saya and Rinka to form the "Atom Rebels", an anti-Bakufu group. In his ending, he defeats Jin-emon in a duel and spares his life.
| Saya | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation) |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Kyōko Hikami (氷上恭子) (WR PS) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | Compassionate Arts of Cancellation (慈梵式相殺術) |
| Weapon | Shi'en & Hien (Halting Swallow & Soaring Swallow) (止燕 飛燕 Shien Hien), twin stylized daggers |
Saya (サヤ Saya, also written as 沙耶) is a character who is introduced in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation).
She is a foreigner from an unknown country, trained by her stepmother in Ritenkyo in the ways of assassin. She joins as a member to the "Atom Rebels", a faction which seeks independence from both the Bakufu government and the iron reign of the Razor Trio, seeking to avenge the death of her family.
After the fall of the Razor Trio, Saya is confronted by a female ninja who claims to be a member of the Razor Trio called Benten, who is intent on finishing her mission of killing Saya's family. They fight one another with Saya emerging victorious. Benten reveals herself to be Saya's stepmother, who was also ordered by Oboro to assassinate Saya's family. However, she lost her husband during the mission, and started to question the motives behind the Razor Trio's ambitions. Benten urges Saya to kill her to complete her revenge. Instead, Saya spares her and decides to care for the rest of the orphans who inhabit Riten Kyo, leaving a proud Benten behind.
Saya makes another appearance in the dating sim Days of Memories: Oedo Love Scroll.[11][12]
| Shiki | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown 64 |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Kaori Minami (南かおり) (64 series, SNK vs Capcom, NGBC) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Japan, a small shrine in a cave at Fear Mountain (恐山洞窟内の祠) |
| Fighting style | Unknown twin blade fighting style |
| Weapon | Ring of the Evil Shadow, Ring of Helios (陰魔輪、陽神輪 Onmarin, Yōshinrin), twin katana with stylized hilts |
Shiki (色 Shiki) is one of the new characters introduced into the series in Samurai Shodown 64. She remains mostly exclusive to the Samurai Shodown 64 series.
She is a woman who was tailored to be Yuga's servant before her birth. Her identity and memory become fractured when she was brainwashed by Yuga in her adulthood and trained in the art of twin sword fighting. She is told to find a man fit to become the perfect body for the Dark Lord's resurrection.[13] Finding Haohmaru to be that man, she follows him for a chance to take him away to her master. Her soul becomes freed after Haohmaru defeats Yuga.[14]
During the year of Yuga's absence, she loses her memory of being Yuga's servant and lives on as a normal woman named Kanae.[15] When Yuga resurrects itself a second time, it sends its new servant, Shadow Asura, to capture Shiki and regain her servitude. He succeeds in restoring her memories as Yuga's servant but the two unexpectedly fall in love.[2] After the two Asuras defeat Yuga, she gives birth to Mikoto. She leaves her child with Nicotine and Haohmaru as her servitude to Yuga made her feel unworthy of being a mother. It is unknown what occurred after this point, but it is strongly implied she died somewhere.
Shiki also makes appearances in SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum,[4] SNK Gals' Fighters, and the dating sim Days of Memories: Oedo Love Scroll.[11][12]
| Suzuhime | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Lesphia Kingdom (レスフィーア王国 Resufīa Ōkoku) |
| Weapon | a bastard sword |
Suzuhime (鈴姫 Suzuhime) is the main heroine of Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny.
She is the princess of a foreign country, orphaned when her parents' ship was raided ten years ago.[16] She washed ashore the beaches of Japan and was adopted by a daimyo who resides in Amori. One day, ten years later, she found Takechiyo along the shoreline to her home and nursed him back to health. After hearing that the ship he stowawayed on collided with a ship bearing a particular crest, Suzuhime runs away from home two months before the game begins in order to pursue a certain man.[17]
| Takechiyo | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Japan, Sagami Province, Fukami-mura |
| Weapon | A wood sword for beating things up (打ち込み用木刀 Uchikomiyō bokutō), a wooden sword |
Takechiyo (猛千代 Takechiyo) is the main protagonist of Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny. He is a based on the historical concept of peasant-samurai from the Sengoku period, the most famous and successful example of the practice being Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
He is a warrior-in-training who was once under Haohmaru's tutelage in swordplay.[18] Like his idol, he travels the land in hopes of improving himself. One day, he was saved by Suzuhime when he swept ashore from his shipwrecked boat. Two months prior the events of the game, Suzuhime runs away from home and he decides to find her. Though he finds it a bother, he agrees as the journey will also help him improve his swordplay and his code of honor.[19]
| Ta Shonmao | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation) |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Naoki Oikawa (及川直紀) (WR PS) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Assassin Arts of Hakkei (発勁暗殺拳 Hakkei Ansatsuken) |
| Weapon | Full-Piercing Talons (満貫爪 Mangansō), a metallic claw |
Ta Shonmao (ター・ションマオ （大熊猫） Tā Shonmao, Hanyu Pinyin: Dàxióngmāo), whose name means "giant panda" when translated, is a character who appears only in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation).
He hails from China and travels to perfect his warriors skills. He enters Ritenkyo in a foreign skiff, mistaking it for the Japanese mainland. He chanced to see a fairy sprite (Nakoruru) in the forest and instantly becomes obsessed with her. Jealous of any strangers who may steal her away, he fights to ward off visitors and "protects" Nakoruru.
He fights with an abnormally huge metal replica of his arm and has the ability to extract talons at close range.
| Walter | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Mondschein Drache Empire (モーントシャイン・ドラッヘ帝国 - Mohntoshain Dorahhe Teikoku; German for "Moonlight Dragon Empire") |
| Weapon | a bastard sword |
Valter (ヴァルター Valutā) is one of new characters introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny
| Hanma | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown 64 |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Takeshi Watanabe (渡辺健) (64 series) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Birthplace | Japan, Suruga Province, the Inari shrine near the Tsuchi Mansion (土屋敷 Tsuchi Yashiki) |
| Fighting style | The Reverse Yagyu Life Figure Arts-Revised (裏柳生体術 改 Ura Yagyū Taijutsu Kai) |
| Weapon | The Boulder Slicer (破岩丸 Haganmaru), a metallic gauntlet |
Hanma Yagyu (柳生 磐馬 Yagyū Hanma) is a character who is exclusive to the Samurai Shodown 64 iterations.
He is an expert inventor of the Yagyu clan. One day, he was ordered by his surperiors to observe a rival clan. To do this, he slipped into the clan under the guise of a body guard for the princess. The princess instantly found Hanma to be an enjoyable character because of his smiling face and appointed him as her personal bodyguard. However, one day, the father of the princess told Hanma to go investigate the mysterious puppeteer.
Shortly before he left, he created a robot version of himself, called Karakuri Hanma to ensure the safety of the princess. However, in his overzealousness, he had made a mistake in the programming, causing it to attack her. Realizing what occurred, he was forced to destroy his creation and come to her rescue.[20]
| Rinka | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation) |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Yōko Asada (浅田葉子) (WR PS) |
| Fictional profile | |
| Fighting style | The Way of Muso Seki-un (夢想夕雲流 Musō Sekiun-ryū) |
| Weapon | Yamijikotetsu (Dark Path of the Piercing Tiger) (闇路乕徹 Yamijikotetsu), a nodachi |
Rinka Yoshino (吉野 凛花 Yoshino Rinka) is a character who is introduced in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PlayStation).
Originally the daughter of a samurai family, she was sent away to train in seclusion. While training, her family fell into ruin and was eventually wiped out, presumably caused by the shogunate's influence. Understandably, Rinka develops a profound resentment against the shogunate and all of their representatives. She resided alone in an anti-shogunate organization within Riten Kyo until Rinka joins Jushiro Sakaki and Saya in an anti-shogunate force called the "Atom Rebels". She previously met Seishiro who challenged her to become more open-minded, a new venue of life that she tests throughout her story. Her constant companion is a gray hamster named Tetsunosuke, who appears during her win poses and story scenarios.
Rinka makes another appearance in the dating sim Days of Memories: Oedo Love Scroll.[11][12]
| Yuga | |
|---|---|
| First game | Samurai Shodown 64 |
| Designed by | Senri Kita |
| Voiced by | Daiki Nakamura, Kaori Minami (中村大樹・南かおり) (64) Satomi Nakatani (中谷さとみ) (64 WR) |
| Fictional profile | |
Yuga the Destroyer (壊帝ユガ Kaitei Yuga), often referred to as the "mysterious puppeteer", is the apparently genderless main antagonist for the Samurai Shodown 64 iterations of the series.
Its existence is veiled in mystery. It is a powerful sorcerer who originates from the Demon World. It wishes to become a god of destruction and rule the world. Knowing it would require many followers, it concocts an elaborate plan. Twenty years before Amakusa's revival, it enters the human realm and steals various babies from their mothers' wombs. Using its powers, it bestows fantastical powers upon them and waits for them to mature their superhuman strength and paranormal abilities. When they reach adulthood, it appears before all of them, brainwashing them by performing a magical puppet show and effectively creates a powerful and obedient army of warriors. Along with these braindead individuals, Yuga obtains Shiki.
Yuga, seeking Shiki's male counterpart, chooses Haohmaru to fulfill the requirements for a perfect resurrection. As a back-up plan, it creates the puppets Deku (木偶♂ Deku Osu) and Dekuina (木偶♀ Deku Mesu) ("Deku" being Japanese for "wooden doll" or "puppet") as experimental samples for the same ritual. Modeled on Haohmaru and Shiki, Yuga gives them strength from the Netherworld to make them exceptionally strong.[13] Yuga also creates Gandara (巖陀羅), a monstrous and sturdy puppet-servant composed of remnants from thousands of different corpses, as its personal guardian. However, as it attempts to place her plans into motion, it is engaged by Haohmaru and Shiki, who destroy Yuga in the body chastely created by Deku and Dekuina. Despite Gandara's overwhelming strength, it is also destroyed by the Kazama brothers, Sogetsu and Kazuki.[21]
However, Yuga apparently anticipated its defeat. It subsequently resurrects itself and Gandara, and continues its plans, making a clone of Asura in the process. It sends this doppelgänger to retrieve the freed Shiki, but he develops feelings for her instead. Taking this into account, the two Asuras both engage Yuga, destroying its body for good along with Gandara.[3] In a desperate attempt to remain in the mortal realm, it possesses Shiki and Asura's child, Mikoto. It lives as the "Devil" side of Mikoto's power as a "dark presence". It almost succeeds in gaining complete control of Mikoto's body but Yuda, the product of the two Asuras' merge, destroys its spirit before the deed is done.
Yuga is the last boss of Samurai Shodown 64, Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, and Samurai Shodown! 2 (and is also a secret character in this game). Gandara is never playable but appears in Samurai Shodown 64, Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, and Samurai Shodown! 2 as the game's sub boss. Deku and Dekina are never playable and are sub bosses only in Samurai Shodown 64.
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