Haohmaru

Haohmaru
Samurai Shodown character

Haohmaru in Samurai Shodown 64
First appearance Samurai Shodown (1993)
Voiced by (English) Milton Lawrence (Motion Picture)
Voiced by (Japanese) Masaki Usui (I-IV, Sen, VI (re-dub), Neo Geo Battle Coliseum)
Dorio Takaya (V)
Daiki Nakamura (64 series, Warriors Rage, Capcom vs SNK 2)
Hiroyuki Koga (VI)
Toshiyuki Morikawa (Oni)
Shingo Katori (Motion Picture)
Bin Shimada (Dengeki drama CD)

Haohmaru (覇王丸 Haōmaru) is the star character of the Samurai Shodown series and is one of the series' most known characters (the other being Nakoruru). He was introduced in the original Samurai Shodown in 1993 and since then has appeared in every title of the series. His character origin was originally based around the famed swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, a duelist who claimed to have never lost a match.[1] Though he is a swordsman with no loyalties to any lord, Haohmaru has a "samurai spirit" which is often stressed in the series. He is also often accredited to defeating most of the series' villains.[2]

Appearances

In the Samurai Shodown series

At the age of fifteen, Haohmaru challenged Jubei Yagyu to a duel but lost due to lack of experience.[3] Jubei, amused by the youth's bravado, brought Haohmaru to Nicotine Caffeine so that he may gain proper training. Whilst living there, he also met and befriended Kibagami Genjuro, fellow student and another orphan like himself. One day, Nicotine told them they would battle to determine who would learn the secrets in a magical scroll to increase their fighting ability. Genjuro wins, but almost kills Haohmaru; in response, Nicotine banishes Genjuro which begins the latter's grudge against Haohmaru and Nicotine. Encouraged by this defeat to further improve himself, Haohmaru travels the lands perfecting his sword skills, and searches for worthy challengers in the name of shura. During his many travels, Haohmaru also raises Shizumaru Hisame and trains him to be a fighter.[3] He is in love with a girl named Oshizu, but in Samurai Shodown VI, he eventually leaves her for his travels even as she begs him to stay with her.[4] Also in Samurai Shodown VI, it is shown that Haohmaru shares a close relationship with Charlotte Christine de Colde, even travelling all the way to France in order to visit her.[5][6] In Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, Haohmaru is a skilled and active swordsman at the age of forty-seven. At this time, he is trying to find his adopted niece, Mikoto and bring her back home.[5][6]

His trademark moves are "Kogetsuzan", a crescent-shaped uppercut, and "Senpuretsuzan", a whirlwind projectile which lifts opponents into the air (like a hurricane) before dropping them on their heads. He also has a sake jug, which he uses to 'bless' his blade with liquor before he fights. In Samurai Shodown II, he may swing his jug in battle for a multi-hit short-range attack or alternatively use it to reflect projectiles. He also gained a somersault attack, which could cause massive damage upon crouching foes. When his style splits in Samurai Shodown III, his "Slash" form retains several strategies used in previous games, being a balanced and easy-to-master mid-range combatant. By contrast, his "Bust" form alters several moves, granting him access to aggressive close-combat fighting. His appearance in Warriors Rage (PlayStation) also combined some elements from Genjuro's fighting style such as his stance and crouching strikes.

Other appearances

Haohmaru also makes appearances in the games Capcom vs. SNK 2, SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum,[7] the mobile game Neo Geo Tennis Coliseum,[8][9] and the dating sim Days of Memories: Oedo Love Scroll.[10][11] Neo Geo Battle Coliseum developers stated that no matter what the fans wanted, they wanted to include Samurai Shodown characters and made Haohmaru's inclusion one of their top priorities in development.[12] He also makes regular appearances in the series' merchandise and has at least two action figures.[13][14]

Reception

In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Haohmaru was tied with Ukyo for their 29th spot (out of 50) for the staff's favorite character.[12][15] In 2013, WatchMojo.com ranked him as the tenth most iconic fighting game character.[16] Greg Kasavin from GameSpot listed his "Crescent Moon Slash" move as one of the best special moves in fighting games' history.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Shiroi, Eiji. "Fated? Rivals Column". Samurai Shodown Official Website. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  2. ↑ SNK Playmore. "Samurai Spirits Genealogy". Samurai Shodown V Official Website. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rey. "Ending for Samurai Shodown III-Haohmaru(Neo Geo)". The Video Game Museum. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Fight-A-Base : Haohmaru Dialogue". Fenixware.net. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Fight-A-Base : Charlotte Christine Colde Dialogue". Fenixware.net. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Fight-A-Base : Charlotte Christine Colde Storyline". Fenixware.net. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  7. ↑ SNK Playmore. "Neo Geo Battle Stadium Character Profiles". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  8. ↑ Famitsu. ネオジオキャラが大暴れ! ｢ネオジオ テニス コロシアム｣. Famitsu Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  9. ↑ SNK Playmore. "NEOGEO TENNIS COLISEUM". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  10. ↑ SNK Playmore. "Days of Memories ~ Edo Lovers Edition Official Website". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  11. ↑ "SnkPlaymore, Samurai Spirits, Simulation in imode Days of Memories ~ Oedo Love Scroll". Game Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 SNK Playmore. "Neo Geo Battle Coliseum Q&A Station". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved August 2013.
  13. ↑ Crawford, Michael. "Michael's Review for the Week". Captain Toy. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  14. ↑ Forbidden Planet. "Capcom Vs SNK: Series 2 Action Figures: Haohmaru". Forbidden Planet. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  15. ↑ Gamest, ed. (1997). Gamset Game Hero Collection 1997; issue 208 (in Japanese). p. 240.
  16. ↑ "Top 10 Fighting Game Characters". WatchMojo.com. September 24, 2012. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  17. ↑ Kasavin, Greg. "The 10 Best Ways to Beat a Dead Horse". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 3, 2002. Retrieved August 3, 2011.

External links