Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 22:36, 5 November 2007

This is a list of characters appearing in the Samurai Shodown 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.

Amakusa Shiro Tokisada

This section needs expansion with: information on what happens to Amakusa after the first Samurai Shodown. You can help by adding to it. (October 2007)

Shiro Tokisada Amakusa (天草 四郎 時貞, Amakusa Shirō Tokisada) is a recurring boss and playable character in the Samurai Showdown series. His distinguishing features in the series are his wild red hair and huge multicolored robe. He is based off the historical Amakusa Shirō, who led a Christian rebellion in the Shimabara region of Japan; where the Bakufu army crushed his revolt and executed him.

Prior to to the events of Samurai Shodown, Amakusa is resurrected by the dark goddess Ambrosia; he uses the body of Shinzo Hattori (one of Hanzo Hattori's sons). His main plot involves him stealing Palenke stone, with which he intended to bring Ambrosia to the mortal world. The player prevents this from happening by defeating him.

In Samurai Shodown III, Samurai Shodown IV, and Samurai Shodown V Special, Amakusa is a playable character.

Andrew

Andrew (アンドリュー, Andoryū) is one of the main protagonists and new characters from Samurai Shodown VI. He is portrayed as an American soldier who goes to Japan to stop a new menace to his relatively young country. He befriends Tokugawa Yoshitora. Andrew likes tea and reading; he dislikes tobacco and is self-conscious about dealing with women.

He may have been based off U.S. president Andrew Jackson; he shares the name "Andrew", and his stage is in front of the White House.

Asura

The character Asura (アスラ) 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". Yura imprisoned Asura in the Netherworld and he subsequently escapes when she is defeated during the events of Samurai Shodown 64. When he confronts Yuga, his clone assists him in slaying the fiend (see below).

Hanmen no Asura (反面のアスラ), or "Shadow Asura", 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 begameless so after it realized its affections for Shiki. Subsequently, he and his original banded together and killed Yuga. However, upon Yuga's defeat he started to deteriorate because Yuga's magic was what was keeping him alive. For the sake of his clone, the two Asuras merge together and turn into Yuda, who appears in Warriors Rage for PlayStation. Asura also appears in Samurai Shodown! 2 for the Neo Geo Pocket Color, and in Neo Geo Battle Coliseum as a playable character.

In Mikoto's ending, she recognizes Asura as her father and he slays the "demon" part of her, which is actually Yuga.

Cham Cham

Cham Cham (チャムチャム) is the younger sister of the character Tam Tam. She secretly took a village heirloom, the "Tangiers Stone" (タンジルストーン, Tanjiru Sutōn), to play with when a goblin snatched it away. She thought her parents would be angry because of it so she she sets out with her pet chimpanzee "Paku Paku" (who is actually Tam Tam transformed as punishment for his failure to protect the stone) in order to look for it.

Cham Cham is a catgirl in appearance, and has feline mannerisms; for example, she walks on all fours when disarmed (she holds her weapon in one hand when she has it). Her taunts are also animalistic (in one, she meows and stretches like a cat, while in the other, she sits on her haunches and scratches behind her ear with her foot). Despite being a popular character, she was not featured in newer games until she appeared in the PSX port of Samurai Shodown IV and in Samurai Shodown VI.

Charlotte Christine Colde

Charlotte Christine Colde (シャルロット＝クリスティーヌ＝ド＝コルデ, Sharurotto Kurisutīnu do Korude) is a female fencer with blond hair and plate armor. She is a minor French noble, but the prefers the company of commoners. Her physical design is based off Oscar François de Jarjayes from the manga The Rose of Versailles; her name is actually a distortion of the Japanese phonetic interpretation of Charlotte Corday.

Whilst on her travels through the French countryside, she caught word of a "series of calamities" with no natural pretenses. Being an ever-vigilant warrior, she sets out to investigate. She ends up traveling to Japan in order to do battle with Amakusa who is the source of the evil plaguing her home country.

Later on, finding the goddess Ambrosia to be the further source of the malicious acts occurring around the world, Charlotte sets out once again to defeat the deity. Afterwards, she returns home to take part in the French Revolution.

She admired Haohmaru greatly but ends her affections when she sees his lover, Oshizu.

Deku and Dekuina

Deku (木偶♂, Deku Osu) and Dekuina (木偶♀, Deku Mesu) ("Deku" being Japanese for "wooden doll" or "puppet") are the sub-bosses of Samurai Shodown 64. Like Shiki, they are puppets created as experimental samples necessary for the ritual to transform Yuga the Destroyer into a god of destruction. Modeled on Haohmaru and Shiki, Yuga gives them strength from the Netherworld to give them abilities beyond those of Gandara. In the end, the two they sacrifice themselves so that Yuga can make a body for herself.

Earthquake

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown

Earthquake (アースクエイク, Āsukueiku) is a Texan who had trained under the same master as the ex-sailor Galford D. Weller, Ayame, but quit early due to lack of interest. Thanks to some of this training however, despite his enormous body, huge in both height and girth, Earthquake became deceptively fast and tricky. His ninjutsu combined with his size made him a formidable warrior. He used this to his advantage and became a bandit, somehow becoming the leader to his own bandit gang. Earthquake's main weapon is a Kusarigama named Fujiyama.

When Amakusa Shiro Tokisada started creating havoc, he decided to steal all the world's treasure. A year later, Mizuki Rashojin came into his mind and told him that if he killed those she told him to, she would reward him with gold each time. After the defeat of Mizuki, Earthquake and his henchmen went to the Makai, enchanted by the promise of greater treasure. After they entered, the entrance was sealed and they were never heard of again. Earthquake however also appeared in Samurai Shodown VI, Samurai Shodown RPG and the crossover fighting game SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom.

Enja

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown 64: Warrior's Rage

Enja (炎邪) is a powerful demon who ravaged the lands. With the power of fire, he flew from village to village setting them aflame and slaughtering innocent bystanders by the thousands. Upon hearing of this atrocious demon, the Kazama ninja clan took action. They ambushed Enja in a small, rural village and without fear, quickly set to the laborious task of attempting to seal the beast. However, Enja's might proved too powerful, and within moments, Enja had burned them all to cinders. Enja then flew away, his clear goal in mind: reunite with his old friend Suija and steal the spell of Jinma-Itai from Kuraki-sumeragi.

Gaira Caffeine

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown III

Gaira Caffeine (花諷院骸羅, Kafuin Gaira) is the grandson of Nicotine Caffeine and a monk in training. He fights with a belt of gigantic prayer beads. One day, he and his grandfather had an argument, causing Gaira to leave his home and venture out on his own. During his travels, he witnessed Zankuro Minazuki slaughtering an entire village. Gaira was transfixed in horror, however, and could not bring himself to move. Upon Zankuro's departure, Gaira became frustrated at himself for fearing Zankuro. He decided to go out on a journey to defeat the "demon". During his search, he found out that Zankuro was killed. He searched for his body, buried it, and enshrined it.

Shortly after, the grave was destroyed. He then sensed that Zankuro's soul had become resurrected and sealed once again. Deciding that whoever defeated Zankuro was very dangerous, he headed out to Shimabara to seek him out. Also he found in his way Basara Kubikiri, as Gaira seems as an evil spirit that he has to exorcise. After the death of Zankuro, Gaira continues as a monk. But again feels the evil presence in Gaoh Kyougoku Hinowanokami, so Gaira once again goes to defeat the new menace. In the end, he has confused what he searches for and back to his home, where his grandfather obligates him to shave bald.

Galford D. Weiler

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown

Galford D. Weiler, better known as Galford (ガルフォード, Garufōdo) is an American ninja hailing from San Fransico who uses a ninjato called "Justice Blade" as his weapon. His eternal companion is his pet dog Poppy, and they are accompanied by Poppy's puppies, Papa, Pipi, and Pipa. After the death of his father, Galford left his four older sisters and ran away from home to become a sailor, where he learned about the ninja of Japan. Facsinated by their stories of heroics and mysticism, he decided to learn from them. He completed his training in the Koga style under Ayame, Hanzo's wife and the same master as Earthquake, and received a scarf from her. Throughout the series Galford seeks to uphold justice as he travels the lands. In Samurai Shodown 64, his life goal is to become a superhero of justice. In two separate occasions (SSII and SS64:WR), he has been hinted to harbor affections towards Nakoruru.

In Samurai Shodown V, Galford tells Poppy that he has just heard that Gaoh, the lord of Hinowa, is plotting to take over Japan. Convinced that this will destroy Japan, Galford and Poppy embark on their journey to defeat Gaoh and save the nation. After defeating Gaoh, Galford tells Poppy that they should celebrate saving Japan by having a party. Galford then notices that Poppy's puppy is missing. Going back to the battlefield, they find Poppy's puppy stuck in an evil force field. Galford jumps in and throws her out, but becomes stuck in the force field himself. Unable to break free, he tells Poppy to never say good-bye and to always fight for justice. The force field then carries Galford up into the night sky and disappears.

Gaoh Kyougoku Hinowanokami

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown V

Gaoh Kyougoku Hinowanokami (兇國日輪守我旺, Kyōgoku Hinowanokami Gaō) is the shogun of Japan, and undersaw a pupil: Yoshitora Tokugawa. Concerned about the well-being of his country and famine that had recently affected it, he decided to rebel against the emperor and to this means, attempted to recruit as many followers to his cause as he could. He also saw potential in his pupil and the views he himself endorsed. Confident he would rule the country in regards to his beliefs, he told Yoshitora that Japan would only prosper if he accepted the throne. Yoshitora refused however, and Gaoh, determined to bring about a new regime to the country decreed that he would simply have to kill him and become Shogun instead.

The two then battled furiously, but Yoshitora prevailed. Dying, Gaoh explained to his pupil why he rebelled: the famine that had been sweeping Japan would have killed everyone since the current Tokugawa didn't care. As he died, Gaoh begged for Yoshitora to become Japan's Shogun. Yoshitora, finally seeing the truth, agreed to his former master's last request.

Gandara

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown 64

Gandara (巖陀羅) was a gigantic puppet-servant of Yuga the Destroyer. Composed of the bodies of thousands of deceased people, the creature was very sturdy and strong. It was directed to kill and crush anyone who opposed its master's plans. Despite Gandara's overwhelming strength, it was destroyed by the Kazama brothers, Sogetsu and Kazuki as they sought out Gandara's master. Though was revived again by Yuga later, he was destroyed again after Yuga's definitive defeat.

Gen-an Shiranui

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown

Gen-an Shiranui (不知火幻庵, Shiranui Gen-an) is a member of the enigmatic Shiranui Clan, one that follows the "way of the darkness". He seeks to enligten his progress in the "way of evil". To this end, he travels Japan, killing anyone he can. However, in his travels, he encounters an unknown female ninja (who greatly resembles Mai Shiranui) and is slain. Gen-an, his soul having been toppled into the depths of hell, is revived by a being calling himself "leader of the Demon World" and given a proposition: "Become my servant, and be reborn." He takes him up on this offer, but Gen-an plots to one day slay his benefactor then rule the Demon World himself. His status is unknown after this point.

Genjuro Kibagami

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown II

Genjuro Kibagami (牙神 幻十郎, Kibagami Genjūrō), with Genjūrō meaning Mystic Tenth Son in Japanese) claims to have killed his family and at least a thousand other people. His mother was a prostitute and, due to her profession, he knew nothing about his father. When he was fifteen, Genjuro killed one of her clients -due to his mother's pleas for protection from her client's drunken rage. As he went to leave, she attacked him, leaving the scar on his back, and he killed her. Orphaned, Nicotine Caffeine spotted him and took him under his tutelage along with Haohmaru in his dojo. The two became very close friends. However, Nicotine was ever aware of Genjuro's hunger for power and hoped to gradually qualm his brutality over time through his teachings. As a test, he decided to have his star pupils fight to determine who was stronger, as well as to determine to whom he will give the scroll that would enhance the victor's abilities. The two men fought for hours, and, while Haohmaru treated the match as friendly rivalry, Genjuro purposely slashed towards vitals. Eventually, Genjuro defeated Haohmaru and had to be restrained from killing him. Nicotine stopped the fight and banished Genjuro for his murderous intent; true strength does not mean killing a friend in a duel.

Genjuro then made it his goal in life to bring suffering upon Nicotine and Haohmaru. He hates Haohmaru especially, because he resembles the man his mother was with when he killed them. His profession during his travels is a hitokiri or killer-for-hire, often accepting the more "dirty" jobs such as wiping out pirate brigades and bandit hideouts. Unlike most characters, Genjuro willingly floats in the gritty underworld of the big cities, engaging in brothels and possibly drug trading. He commonly insult to his opponents is "Aho!" (Fool!). His "pet" of sorts is an orange frog named Kaeru. The frog follows him around wherever he goes. While he seems indifferent to the frog's presence, Genjuro does miss it when it goes into hibernation for the winter.

After Genjuro is approached by a mysterious, cloaked figure during his travels. The mysterious person asks Genjuro to kill the Lord of Hinowa, Gaoh for a handsome sum of money. The cloaked figure states he is just one of the many people who want him dead and, though skeptic, Genjuro accepts the job. When he finishes his job, he returns to the cloaked figure for his payment. However, the person instead issues second request. Annoyed, Genjuro attacks the cloaked figure to reveal the person was actually Sankuro Yorozu all along. Proclaiming himself the new Lord of Hinowa, he asks Genjuro to join him. Genjuro attacks him again but Sankuro is saved by Gosichi, Fuyo, and Ippachi. Uninterested, Genjuro rejects the offer and turns to leave. As he walks away, Sankuro shoots him in the back. With his last strength, he tries to attack the group again but they escape unharmed and he lapses into unconsciousness. He wakes up moments later to find that Haohmaru saved him. Humiliated, he attacks Haohmaru but he too gets away. Genjuro then declares his new resolution to someday kill Sankuro and Haohmaru.

In his last duel with Haohmaru, Genjuro surprisingly gained the upper hand. Before he could deal the final blow, a boy stabbed him in vengeance for his unnamed father. As he lay on the ground from the wound, Haohmaru promises to buy his friend a drink, and the two seem to regain their friendship. It's heavily implied that Genjuro dies from his wound and, as promised, an older Haohmaru still toasts to his friend's honor.

Hanma Yagyu

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown 64

Hanma Yagyu (柳生磐馬) 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.

Hanzo Hattori

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown

Hanzo Hattori (服部半蔵, Hattori Hanzo) is the mightiest of the Iga ninja, employed under the Tokugawa Dynasty. Leading his band of Ninjas, he specializes in assassination attacks against their enemies. However, one day, he discovers his son Shinzo exhibiting mysterious mannerisms. He takes arms against the evil proselytizer preying on his son's body and soul due to Amakusa's possession. He only succeeds recovering Shinzo's body, but word about his skills has spread, and he takes a young man named Kanzou in as his disciple.

Hanzo has succeeded in recovering the body of his son, Shinzo. But his son's soul still wanders the environs of the Demon World. If he can defeat the one who rules that region, he will be able to free his son's imprisoned soul; so, Hanzo once again sets out to save his child, along with his wife Kaede and his student Kanzou. In the end, they succeed, but Kaede sacrifices herself to make sure Shinzo is rescued. His son's soul rescued and avenged at rest, Hanzo returns to his dark life of serving the Tokugawa dynasty. To that end, he has accepted the mission to investigate and slay "The Demon", who committed a series of massacres three years ago and now kills samurai and swordsman. Hanzo, however, has a dim inkling of his true identity: "It must be my old friend..." While unrelenting in his search, Hanzo was unable to find "The Demon". However, he soon receives secret orders from the Shogunate, which has determined the "Dark Castle"'s return is the cause of worldwide calamities. They order Hanzo to destroy the Dark Castle, where, unbeknownst to him, his fated foe Amakusa awaits...

In Samurai Shodown V, Hanzo is visited by Jubei, who tells him that there is a rumor that Gaoh, the lord of Hinowa, is plotting to overthrow the government. Jubei then tells Hanzo his mission is to go and investigate the validity of this rumor. After giving the mission of investigating all of Gaoh's acquaintances to his ninja clan, Hanzo sets off to Hinowa. Upon reaching Hinowa, Hanzo learns the truth, that Gaoh is plotting to overthrow the government. Gaoh then tells Hanzo that he has to kill him. After beating Gaoh, Hanzo meets up with Jubei and tells him what has transpired. Then, one of Hanzo's ninjas appears and informs Hanzo and Jubei that a secretary of the castle was actually working for Gaoh and killed the Emperor. The ninja said that the Emperor's last words were to keep Yoshitora safe. Jubei then goes off to retrieve Yoshitora and take him to the castle and Hanzo runs off to find and execute the traitor.

Hanzo's son Shinzo is the "Hanzo" in Warriors Rage. In this game, Hanzo receives secret orders from the shogunate. The officials received intel regarding the plans of the Three Blades of Domination calling for the overturning of the government, he seeks the whereabouts of Jigen Taishi, believed to be the scheme's ringleader, and sets out alone for Riten Kyo.

Haohmaru

Haohmaru (覇王丸, Haōmaru) and Kibagami Genjuro once trained under master Nicotine Caffeine. They were very close friends. One day, master Nicotine told them they would battle to determine who would learn the secrets in a magical scroll to increase their fighting ability. Genjuro won, but almost killed Haohmaru; in response, Nicotine expelled Genjuro. After this, Haohmaru traveled the lands perfecting his sword skills, and searching for worthy challengers. Hearing of Amakusa's return into the world, Haohmaru sets out to defeat him. He does so with the assistance of Nakoruru, Hanzo, Galford, Charlotte and Ukyo. On his many travels, Haohmaru found a village that had been slaughtered to the last man, save a small child. He took in the child, Shizumaru, and trained him in the fighting arts.

In Samurai Shodown 5, Haohmaru has just defeated an opponent and let him go when Yoshitora arrives, calling Haohmaru a fool for letting an enemy go. Upon seeing Yoshitora's swords, Haohmaru challenges Yoshitora to a duel but Yoshitora declines the offer, stating he doesn't have time, but vows they will fight the next time they cross paths. Haohmaru then reveals that he is going to Hinowa because the strongest warriors are meeting there and whether Yoshitora would join him in the journey, but again Yoshitora declines. Haohmaru then tells Yoshitora to go there if he changes his mind and runs off. Upon reaching Hinowa, Haohmaru finally meets Gaoh, who says that he will build a new country. Gaoh then tells Haohmaru that he has to kill him. After beating Gaoh, Yoshitora shows up for the duel and formally introduces himself. Before the fight begins, Yoshitora asks Haohmaru to join him and help him build a new country. Haohmaru then says that if he loses, he'll join him. After the battle, Haohmaru reflects on his samurai life.

In Warriors Rage, Haohmaru is now an older, yet still skilled and active swordsman at the age of 47. After hearing that his adopted niece Mikoto had departed from the temple where she was raised, Haomaru follows her to the cursed island of Riten Kyo. There, he grows aware of the evil entity at work there, and departs on a journey to stop the Razor Trio, and as well as duel worthy opponents along the way. In the end, Haohmaru eventually reaches Mikoto at the Riten Kyo. Shortly after killing Oboro, he retrieves Mikoto and reveals some of her past.

Iroha

Iroha (いろは) is one of the main protagonists and new characters from the recent Samurai Spirits: Tenkaichi Kenkakuden. Iroha is a crane which is transformed into a Japanese maid, who serves her master, and appears to think of him as the most important aspect of her life. Her master is unknown (rumored to be Andrew), but is likely actually the player him/herself. Iroha is a very popular character in Japan, and even has her own game.

Jubei Yagyu

Jubei Yagyu (柳生十兵衛, Yagyū Jūbei) is the master of the Modified Shadow Style of Yagyu, and is a strict follower of the concept of Bushido. After abandoning the strict and regulated life of the dojo, and Japanese Hierarchy, he decides to become a ronin, and pursue personal enlightenment while perfecting his sword skills. In the midst of his spiritual enlightenment, Jubei is called before the shogunate, who requests he kill the demons who still wander the earth. Jubei accepts, but unbeknownst to him, a sinister force desires his soul. Apparently failing in his quest to exterminate the demon atrocity, Jubei is nevertheless summoned before the shogunate again. This time, the Shogunate caught wind that the cause of the calamities occurring around the globe is the "Dark Castle" and orders Jubei Yagyu to investigate and subdue its lord.

Jushiro Sakaki

Jushiro Sakaki (羅刹丸, Sakaki Jushirō) is from the Warriors Rage part of the Samurai Shodown series. Jushiro is a daydreamer that was once part of the samurai squad of the Bafuku government. Thus, being an outstanding warrior, he was assigned to train with the great samurai master, Kuki. Kuki took Jushiro in like if he were his own son, and Jushiro soon became acquainted with his fellow trainees: Seishiro and Tohma, both sons of Kuki. However, both of them liked to keep to themselves, and ignore everything else. So, Jushiro made friends with the veteran samurai, Jin-Emon, and both became best comrades. It was one woman, although, that changed Jushiro's world. Her name was Karen, one of the few female samurais working for the Bafuku. Jushiro loved her lively spirit and charming manners, but Karen was a loyal follower of the Way of the Samurai, and decided to put her duties before personal feelings.

One day, word came out that the princess was threatened by death by some fellow only known as Oboro. Baring a striking resemblance to the princess, Karen was chosen as the decoy to lure Oboro in. Jushiro opposed, but Karen kept up anyway. An entire unit was assigned to protect the fake "princess". As previewed, Oboro attacked. However, it wasn't previewed that Oboro would be so powerful, and in no time, he eliminated all the samurai, and mortally wounded the princess. Having heard this, Jushiro ran to Karen's side, but it was too late: she was far beyond hope. Disgusted and torn apart, Jushiro quits the samurai legion. Having been encountered alone in the butchering site, Jushiro was aimed as the main suspect, and sent to Riten Kyo. There, he joins with female warriors Saya and Rinka to form the Atom Rebels, an anti-Bafuku group. This enraged his former superiors even more, and becomes the main target of extermination. However, for some odd reason, Jushiro tends to worry more about his female friends, than the fact that he has been targeted.

Kazuki Kazama

Kazuki Kazama (風間火月, Kazama Kazuki) is a member of the Kazama ninja clan. However, learning his younger sister Hazuki was kidnapped by Amakusa, Kazuki decides to break his clan's rules, becomes a renegade ninja, and heads for the realm of Shimabara where evil resides. His clan, however, does not tolerate traitors, and they send his brother Sogetsu Kazama in pursuit to retrieve him. The two rendezvous at the enigmatic "Dark castle"; There, Kazuki defeated Amakusa and was able to save his sister. Sougetsu, on the other hand, stayed behind to fight Zankuro. Kazuki and Hazuki have been on the run ever since.

Kazuki and Hazauki continue on their days of travel, eventually learning of a powerful fire-demon named Enja. He proceeds to search for the demon, eventually encountering him. Enja is too powerful an opponent for Kazuki, however, and Hazuki saves his and Sogetsu's life by sealing the demons in each brother's respective weapons. Despite still being a renegade, Kazuki and his sister lead a carefree life. However, he soon catches word of a "mysterious puppeteer". He sets out to find the person, and along the way, once again meets with his brother. Together, they defeat the Gandara monstrosity.

Kubikiri Basara

• First Appearance: Samurai Shodown III

Basara Kubikiri (首切り破沙羅, Kubikiri Basara) is a skinny man with a blue long-hair, topless, wears red pants and wields a giant triple-bladed shuriken with a chain, named "Togabitogoroshi" ("Executioner"). Some of his powers are based in the use of his shuriken, as well as demonic powers like moving and disappearing into the shadows or release ghost balls. His distinguishing feature is a shrill laugh. Basara lived in peace with his wife, Kagaribi, in the village of Tanba, until the monstrous demonic swordsman Zankuro Minazuki came through and slaughtered everyone. Basara's last thoughts were of Kagaribi but, at the same time, he also harbored a deep hatred on Zankuro that prevented his spirit from earning peace.

Basara "awakens" again from the darkness, calling out for Kagaribi and her voices answers him. She tells him she has to go and free the souls of the dead but Basara asks her to stay. Kagaribi leaves but Basara follows her voice and was able to return to the mortal realm as a sort of yokai. Eventually, he remembered how he died and thus aimlessly sought revenge on Zankuro. However, Zankuro was already slain by the time he found him. Having no reason to remain, Basara searched for ways to finally rest in peace. Along his travels he discovers that he was revived by Amakusa Shiro Tokisada, and so he heads for Shimabara to kill him. He appears too late to claim his prey as Kazuki and Sougetsu beat him to it. Lured by a vision of Kakgaribi, his soul was captured by Mizuki and eventually sealed away.

Kuroko

Kuroko (黒子) was used as an official who officiated the match in early Samurai Shodown games. Kuroko is not his real name. His real name is shown in the ending of Samurai Shodown II; but it is, for unknown reasons, blurred. He is similarly dressed and dons a red flag and a white flag (used in martial arts competitions to denote when a player hits an opponent) as his weapon. As a playable character, Kuroko used moves borrowed from other SNK characters, mainly from those in Fatal Fury or Art of Fighting, and unlike every other character in the game, it was his outfit that became red as his rage bar filled up; he also can't be thrown normally, like Earthquake in the same game, and apparently his flags, which he uses as weapons, can't be destroyed or lost. He becomes a copy of the player's character in Samurai Shodown III, and appears in official art with a younger Nicotine Caffeine. Kuroko has five brothers: Ichiro, Jiro, Saburo, Shiro, and Goro.

Kyoshiro Senryo

Kyoshiro Senryo (千両狂死郎, Senryō Kyōshirō) is a master of the ancient art of Kabuki, utilizing its artful interpretations and majestic actions to construct a beautiful fighting art. To this end, Kyoshiro is determined to prove to the world the "magic" of the art and duels any opponents he meets. While traveling the country of Japan in search of his dream, Kyoshiro is accompanied by his faithful attendant. However, unexpectedly, his companion becomes possessed by a demon. Determined to prove his strength, he slays him/her and sets out on a vendetta against others. As Haohmaru and Nakoruru seal Mizuki in the Makai, he speaks to the now-free priestess Bizuki and restores her faith.

In Samurai Shodown 5, convinced people are sad because of the current state in Japan, Kyoshiro decides to cheer people up with his Kabuki. After practicing for a bit, Kyoshiro decides to go on the road, in the hopes of perhaps finding a new Kabuki style and using his adventure as the story for his Kabuki act. Kyoshiro is inspired to mix his Kabuki act and his fighting style to create the new Kabuki. Kyoshiro is then interrupted by a mysterious fighter with a boomerang and his master, who have also created a new style by mixing two martial arts styles. The student and Kyoshiro then fight to see whose mixed style is better.

Liu Yunfei

Liu Yunfei, also known just as Yunfei (Chinese: 雲飛), appeared for first time in Samurai Shodown V. Yunfei lived in the 800s, A.D. with his wife. But he made a deal with "The Dark Emperor" to apparently become immortal. However, in a time he lost the control of himself and left destruction where he goes until he was sealed in a rock for ages by his students, Enja and Suija. But after a millennium, he was freed again. Now, he wants to be freed of his sins, and decided stop Gaoh Kyougoku Hinowanokami's evil plans. Once he confronted and fought with Gaoh, he found the demon residing within him, and urged him to fight against it with all his spirit. In order to help him, Yunfei took possession of the monster's body to weaken it, urging Gaoh to end it while he could. Within moments, it was all over; Yunfei awakened to find himself in a field of flowers, where he was reunited with his wife.

Mikoto

Mikoto (命) is a from the Warriors Rage part of the Samurai Shodown series. She is a young woman born of an unnatural union between the human Shiki and Asura. Before she died, Shiki bequeathed the baby Mikoto to the Samurai master Nicotine Caffeine and his student, Haohmaru. As she grew over the years, Mikoto demonstrated inhuman abilities and skills whilst she learned a powerful fighting style that corresponded with her dual nature. However, she was still only half human, and Mikoto, ashamed with the color of her eyes, fled Kokain Shrine where she was born and raised. She subsequently arrived in Riten Kyo with Tohma Kuki. Through Oboro's enticements she subsequently joined his scheme as a member of the "Three Blades of Domination". She used her heavenly powers to conduct religious services and rituals in which she was revered as a religious symbol (shrine maiden). Eventually, Haohmaru set out on a quest to search for her, and when he reached Riten Kyo, he killed Oboro. Telling Mikoto of her parental origins, the two returned to the temple.

Mina Majikina

Mina Majikina (真鏡名ミナ) is a female warrior born in somewhere in Okinawa.She was blessed since birth with powerful spiritual energy. Ever since her village knew of this, they diligently trained her in the fighting arts to enable her to battle demons. Due to her training however, she was separated from her family, and raised akin to an Kaminchu (goddess). Mina rapidly increased in spiritual power and became an efficient warrior, but at a cost: she had become so powerful, that the inhabitants of her village began to fear her. Outcast, introverted, and consumed with sadness, Mina slowly became detached to her peer's discordant behavior, and became unable to even express feelings.

One day, she departed her village to destroy an Ayakasi (a certain kind of Youkai/demon) that landed near her village. Upon her victory, she sensed a powerful and evil force in her village. She immediately returned, but she was too late. Her village was in ruins and all the inhabitants deceased. Among all of the destruction however, she heard the calling of her name, and leading to its source, found her animal friend Chample. Clasping him in her arms, she vowed to avenge her village despite their discriminatory actions towards her. Determined to now defeat demons of her own will, she set out to destroy as many as she could. However, during her travels, she eventually came to the conclusion that her dear friend Chample was the demon that destroyed her village. In the end, she killed Chample to avenge the death of her village and then committed suicide so she could be with him for all eternity.

Mizuki Rashojin

Mizuki Rashojin (羅将神ミヅキ), known as "The Marauding Deity", is the first female boss in the series. Mizuki was a typical Japanese child who was born into a life of poverty. Because of the family's lack of resources and food, they abandoned her in the forest. Bitter with hatred and consumed with revenge, she made a pact with the evil god Ambrosia roughly a thousand years ago and transmogrified herself into a demon. Since this acquisition of demonic power, she proceeded to cause worldwide disasters and calamities around the Earth.

However, roughly 200 years later, she was challenged by a priestess named Bizuki. She defeated her, and due to her undead status, Mizuki took over her body and went into a long sleep to restore her power. Not long after, she was awakened by Amakusa's dark powers to destroy the world and invoke her resurrection. However, her plans were finally stopped by Haohmaru and Nakoruru. She has since been sealed into Makai (the demon world) after her defeat.

Nakoruru

Nakoruru (ナコルル) is a young girl dressed in clothing that looks like Ainu traditional clothes. The basic colors of her clothes are white and red. She fights with a kodachi named Chichiushi and a hawk named Mamahaha assists her in her Slash version. She also has a wolf named Shikuru who also assists her when in Bust and Rera versions. The original idea of her came from the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaidō, Japan, who are analogous in Japan to the Native Americans in the United States. As the Japanese perceive the Ainu as living closer to nature, Nakoruru's role in the game is of a defender of Mother Nature; in some material Nakoruru has been referred to as a priestess of the Ainu religion. She was born in October 11, 1771, in a place called Ainu Moshiri Kamui Kotan (Meaning "Ainu Territory Kamui Village" in Ainu), located somewhere in Hokkaidō. She lived in there alongside her grandparent Sanoku, her grandmother Monashiri and her little sister Rimururu.

Some day in 1786, when she was 15, she and Rimururu were playing in the forest when Mamahaha flew in, holding her father's sword. Sensing her father was in trouble, she apologized to Rimururu and ran off. Upon reaching Hinowa, Nakoruru tells Gaoh that his war is hurting the planet but Gaoh tells her that he will build a new country and that he has to kill her. Upon defeating Gaoh, Kamui, the Spirit of Nature, appeared to her, asking Nakoruru to be her successor. Kamui also told her that her father was the last Ainu fighter and that he gave his life to her. Nakoruru, devastated by the news of her father, asked what would happen if she declined and Kamui told her she would ask another maiden to be her successor. Nakoruru then accepted and became the new Kamui warrior of Kamui Kotan.

During the late winter of 1789, Nakoruru could not hear the voices of nature and this worried her. She found out then that the spirits of nature were sucked in the Makai (demon world) and she set out to bring nature to balance. She then fought on alongside Haohmaru again and defeated Mizuki but, even after his defeat, nature's balance was still not achieved. She died in the end of 1789 at the age of 18, while giving away her life to bring balance to nature. She then became a Spirit of Nature and the new Kamui of Kamui Kotan. During 1790, Nakoruru, as the new Kamui of Kamui Kotan, was resting peacefully. She was awakened when she felt a new evil in the world and had to take human form to fight the demons sent by Yuga. Then, alongside with Rimururu and Haohmaru, they destroyed Yuga's physical body, although, Nakoruru could not save Kamui Kotan. She went then into a long sleep again in order to restore Kamui Kotan.

Wanting to be even closer to nature, Nakoruru transcends even further and becomes one with the sprits of nature, melding her own soul with Gaia to become a Divine Spirit in nature's service. Now as The holy spirit who transcends time, she travels across space and time to prevent the disasters of the world from occurring. However, she is stopped in her quest by a magical spell cast by Jigen Taishi in Ritenkyo. This leaves Nakoruru unable to assume her original form, and she can only battle evil through the strength of her fellow forest sprits. Now weakened, she knows she must stop Oboro's evil plan, but cannot without the Maiden of Light Rimururu, who has been sealed by Oboro. She sets out on a quest to free her sister and together combine their powers to defeat evil.

In her ending in Gals Fighters, Nakoruru makes a wish to the talismen, wishing to go home. The talesmen grants her wish and her life is restored. She falls in front Rimururu as Rimururu is eating.

Neinhalt Sieger

Neinhalt Sieger (ナインハルト・ズィーガー, Nainharuto Zīgā) was introduced in Samurai Shodown II. He is a Prussian warrior and the leader of the Red Lion Knights. He went to Japan to deal with the threat of Mizuki. In his ending, he saved his country from demons and got married to Elizabeth, the daughter of the Prussian King.

Nicotine Caffeine

Nicotine Caffeine (花諷院和仲, Kafuuin Nikochin) has made his first appearance in Samurai Shodown 2, and is mentioned and referenced throughout the series. Nicotine is the chief priest of Koka-in (a pun on "Cocaine"), a temple deep in the mountains of Hida, and the master swordsman who taught Haohmaru and Genjuro. A fierce warrior, he once sent many demons out of this world, but became a life-worshiping priest after a defeat to a certain evil one. Hearing his young disciple and grandson has been attacked by demons, he takes up his sword and travels to save him. After the demon's defeat, he returns to his life in the temple.

Rasetsumaru

Rasetsumaru (羅刹丸) is a bloodthirsty demon from the dark world of Makai, which was opened up by Amakusa Shiro Tokisada many years ago. Rasetsumaru can never assuage his thirst for killing. Because he doesn't clean his blade, it has turned the color of blood from the hundreds of people he has killed. He learns of the existence of Haohmaru, an incredibly strong samurai who looks like him. After finding out about it, Rasetsumaru sought him out in Hinowato to battle him and taste his blood. In his ending, he believes to find Haohmaru in a temple, but he found a mysterious woman who changed her shape into his nemesis. After that, she killed Rasetsumaru.

Rera

Rera (レラ) is Nakoruru's alter-ego. She was basically the darker side of Nakoruru. It is said that Nakoruru had pushed away this side, trying to live separately from the part of her life that involved the death of others and related issues. Rera isn't actually a separate person, but exists within Nakoruru. She can physically take over Nakoruru, but has only done so once. Nakoruru does not like to fight, and she usually tries to get away to not hurt anything or anybody. Rera is actually the opposite from her, and thinks that fighting is something necessary to protect nature and herself; because of this, is that she takes over Nakoruru, as she sometimes is unable to kill. She merged with Nakoruru after finding out that it wasn't good to only fight and that, although is sometimes necessary to fight, sometimes is better not to.

Rera is based on the palette swap of Bust Nakoruru (noted for her evil grin during her victory scene in Samurai Shodown IV), but she's been turned into a different character since then. She is revealed more extentively in the PC and Dreamcast video game Nakoruru: Ano Hito kara no Okurimono, and from there she was adapted to the Samurai Spirits games.

Rimururu

Rimururu (リムルル) is the younger sister of Nakoruru, and lives in an Ainu village on Hokkaidō, Japan. She fights with a kodachi named "Hahakuru," and she can call upon the ice spirit "Konril" to assist her in battle. She greatly admires her older sister, and like her, strives to protect nature. Like her older sister, Rimururu has been referred to as a priestess of the Ainu religion. Rimururu is a guardian of nature and the living beings of the earth like her sister, Nakoruru. Although still training her skills, she repels evil from the forest during her elder sister's absence. After her sister departs again, Rimururu follows to Shimabara to protect Nature and offer her assistance.

During Samurai Showdown V, Rimururu and Nakoruru are playing in the forest when Konru runs off and she chases after it. Her grandma then calls out to her to have some soup with Nakoruru. Going back, Rimururu realizes Nakoruru ran off somewhere. She then resolves to go out and find her sister. Upon reaching Hinowa, Rimururu tells Gaoh she just wants to find her sister and that anything else he has to say is not important. Gaoh then tells her he has to kill her. After defeating Gaoh, Rimururu calls out to Nakoruru but starts to cry when she doesn't come. Rimururu then remembers the time Nakoruru found her in the forest, crying. Nakoruru asks her what is wrong and Rimururu replies that her sister is gone. Nakoruru then adopts Rimururu as her sister and tells her not to cry anymore. Rimururu then stops crying when Nakoruru appears and tell her she has become an Ainu fighter. Rimururu then tells her she wants to become one as well, like her sister. Nakoruru forbids it and says they should go home.

Rinka Yoshino

Rinka Yoshino (吉野凛花, Yoshino Rinka) is from the Warriors Rage part of the Samurai Shodown series. Rinka was originally the daughter of a Samurai family, but nearing the decline of the swordsmanship era, she was sent into training. She has since resided alone in the encampment of an anti-shogunate organization within Riten Kyo. While she was out in training, her family fell into ruin and was eventually wiped out, presumably through a subtle intervention by the Shogunate.

Following the wishes of her dead father and determined to reestablish the honor of her family, Rinka joins Jushiro Sakaki and Saya in an anti-shogunate force called the "Atom Rebels" to take on the Three Blades of Domination to establish the Way of Muso Seki-un. Understandably, Rinka holds a profound resentment against the Shogunate and all of their representatives (which includes samurai).

Sankuro Yorozu

Sankuro Yorozu (萬 三九六) is a mysterious figure, draped in a hooded cloth, who visits Genjuro Kibagami. He states that he's one of the many people who wants to see Gaoh, the Lord of Hinowa, dead. He also says that he'll pay him a handsome amount of money. And as Genjuro runs off to Hinowa, the cloaked figure laughs. After the battle, Genjuro returns to him. He requests for him to do another job, but Genjuro turns him down and promptly attacks him. He turns out to be Sankuro, the head lackie to Gaoh under Yumeji Kurokouchi. With Gaoh's death and Yumeji's defeat, Sankuro proclaims that he's the new Lord of Hinowa and asks Genjuro to join him. He's about to attack Sankuro again; not even stopping for his blurting out about "information about his mother."

Gosichi, Fuyo, and Ippachi came in to protect Sankuro from Genjuro's rage. And at that moment when Genjuro spares his life, telling him that he never wants to see him again; Sankuro shoots him. With the last bit of strength, Genjuro slashes him while he was bragging. Sankuro and his lackies manage to escape mostly unharmed as Genjuro collapsed to the ground.

Saya

Saya (サヤ) is the Warriors Rage part of the Samurai Shodown series. She is a female assassin from a foreign land. Her stepmother instructed her in the use of these weapons and assassin's techniques to survive in Riten kyo, and she now heads for the center of Riten Kyo to kill "Oboro" of the Three Blades of Domination who has taken her mother's life. To that end, she joins the "Atom Rebels", a faction which seeks independence from both the Bafuku government and the iron reign of the Razor Trio. While in the Atom Rebels, she befriends both Jushiro Sakaki and Rinka Yoshino.

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. Benten seems intent on killing Saya in order to complete the job that began with the assassination of Saya's family. The two femme fatales attack each other, but Saya gets the upper hand. Benten is then revealed to be Saya's stepmother, who happened to take part in the entourage that killed Saya's family as one of Oboro's underlings. 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 in order to gain revenge. Saya spares Benten, and instead decides to set the path straight for the rest of the orphans who inhabitate Riten Kyo, leaving a proud Benten behind.

Seishiro Kuki

Seishiro Kuki (九葵蒼志狼, Kuki Seishirō) is from theWarriors Rage part of the Samurai Shodown series. He is a young boy who has become a secret agent of the shogunate, following in his father's footsteps. Upon receiving secret orders from the shogunate, who has obtained information on the Three Blades' of Domination "plan to overthrow the government," he sets out to seek the one known only as "Ritenkyo". Seishiro is son of famed swordsman; Kuki. Kuki is a samurai of legend who was famous for his two opposing swords, The Full Moon Blade (蒼煌) and The Blade of The Rising Sun (紅煌（コウオウ）). Kuki also adopted a second son, Tohma Kuki. Seishiro and Tohma learnt the way of the sword together from their father, but Seishiro always excelled. Tohma envied Seishiro and always believed Kuki loved his blood son more and nothing Tohma could do would change it. This envy grew into anger and manifested itself when Seishiro, not Tohma, was named Leader of the Inner Guard.

One stormy night Seishiro found his father dead. Tohma and the blade of the flaming sun were missing. Months later he hears of Tohma's appearance at Riten Kyo and so joins his father's friend, Jin-Emon Hanafusa, in bringing the Razor Trio to justice. After much investigating, and fighting, Seishiro finds Tohma. They engage in one last fight which ends in Seishiro defeating his brother in a manner which almost seems effortless. Seishiro then takes both his father's swords home and continues the Kuki dynasty.

Shiki

Shiki (色) was born as one of Yuga's babies. Her identity and memory are fractured, but she was brainwashed and trained in the usage of twin sword fighting. She was told to find a man fit to become the perfect body for the Dark Lord's resurrection. Finding Haohmaru to be that man, she follows him for a chance to take him away to the dark side and is relentless in her quest. Her soul was finally freed after Haohmaru defeated Yuga. However, a year later, Yuga returned from the afterlife. During this timeframe, she encounters Shadow Asura who was sent to capture her but the two fall in love. After the two Asura's defeat Yuga, she gives birth to Mikoto. She then leaves her child with Nicotine and Haohmaru. It is unknown what occurred after this point, but it is strongly implied she died somewhere.

Hisame Shizumaru

Hisame Shizumaru (緋雨閑丸, Shizumaru Hisame) is a little boy who does not remember anything of his past, except for his parents and the rest of his entire family murdered by a vile demon. Since then, he has been alone and surviving on his own. He shows respect for Haohmaru, who took him when he was a baby and taught him the philosophy of the sword. Shizumaru seeks to defeat Zankuro and avenge his family's death. After he and Haohmaru slay Zankuro, Shizumaru senses the revived energy of Zankuro at Amakusa's castle. He heads there to defeat him a second time, but Zankuro is instead defeated by Sogetsu Kazama.

In the fifth game, a young girl named Hakana is expecting a child. Her husband however, has been drafted to go to Hinowa and fight in the war. He leaves Hakana in the hands of Shizumaru, who they have been taking care of. After the master leaves, Hakana asks Shizumaru to go with her to visit her father and they will all stay there until the war was over. Shizumaru, however, feels that since Hakana and her family have done so much for him, he will go to Hinowa and retrieve the master. At Hinowa, Shizumaru joins the war effort. Shizumaru, now with enough money to repay his master and Hakana, hurries home. He is stopped however by a man who calls him Yaiba. Confused, Shizumaru tells the man he is mistaken but the man insists he is Yaiba and that his family misses him. Shizumaru apologizes that he is not Yaiba and runs back home, saying his home is with master and Hakana.

Sogetsu Kazama

Sogetsu Kazama (風間蒼月, Kazama Sogetsu) is a member of the Kazama ninja clan, along with his brother Kazuki. When their sister Hazuki is kidnapped, Kazuki leaves on a personal vendetta to retrieve her. Since ninja are forbidden to leave their respective clans, Sogetsu is ordered to find and kill his brother. After searching, Sogetsu eventually finds Kazuki at Amakusa castle. There, he allows Kazuki to rescue Hazuki, while he stays behind to fight Zankuro Minazuki. He slays Zankuro and returns to his clan, telling his superiors that Kazuki has been taken care of; in truth, he allows Kazuki to fake his death so he and Hazuki can run away.

Sogetsu is ordered by his ninja clan to defeat a powerful water-demon named Suija. After much searching, he encounters the demon, and engages him. To his chagrin, Suija proves to be a powerful opponent, and nearly kills him. In a desperate attempt by his sister Hazuki, she uses a ninjutsu spell to seal Suija away in Sogetsu's weapon, making it more powerful. Sogetsu continues to keep a watchful eye on Kazuki and their sister as they lead a carefree life. However, he soon catches word of a "mysterious puppeteer". He sets out to find the person, and along the way, once again meets with his brother. Together, they defeat the Gandara monstrosity. He also discovers that the demon sealed in his weapon escapes at descriminate intervals and possesses his body, resulting in his "bust form".

Suija

Suija (水邪) is a powerful demon who was freed recently. He took a human form taking the body of one of the Kazama clan, who was investigatng about bad energies close to a lake (where Suija was). Suija was determined to take the spell of Jinma-Itai from Kuraki-sumeragi, so he now wants to reunite with his friend Enja to steal that spell. Suija is the demon sealed in Sogetsu's weapon. At some intervals in his life, his spirit seeps through the seal and takes possession of Sogetsu's mind and body (see above).

Taizan Morosumi

Taizan Morosumi (八角泰山, Morosumi Taizan) makes his only appearance in the Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors's Rage iterarion. Taizan is a man who possess the powers to seal evil, an ability passed down through generations of his family. However, he grew tired of his constant battles against demons, and settled down in the mountains with his wife and child, until things went wrong. Taizan returned one day to find his family murdered by Yuga the Destroyer. Enraged, he once again wielded his legendary Mizuguki, and set out for vengeance. However, as he battled, he realized that he was turning into what he detested so. He stopped his quest and retired to the mountains to live in peace with his deceased family.

Tam Tam

Tam Tam (タムタム) is the greatest warrior and hero of his village, Green Hell. Hearing from the village elders their sacred artifact is missing, he takes the responsibility to retrieve it. He now scours the world to recover his village's stolen treasure, the mysterious jewel called the "Palenke Stone." Having retrieved the teasure, and safely returned it to the village, Tam Tam returned to his normal village life. However, he is now notified of the grave calamities befalling his country due to an "evil god". Assuming his role as village hero once again, Tam Tam sets for Japan. However, he fails and as divine punishment is transformed into a monkey, Paku Paku. As a monkey, he helped Cham Cham recover the two stones for his village, somehow dying in the process.

The Tam Tam in Samurai Shodown V is a different warrior, using his legendary mask in his stead. After the original failed, the second Tam Tam sets out to save the original. In his ending, the second Tam Tam places the magical mask on the deceased first. Once the mask is back on, the original Tam Tam comes back to life.

Tohma Kuki

Tohma Kuki (九鬼刀馬, Kuki Tōma) is from the Warriors Rage part of the Samurai Shodown series. He was an albino orphan who had come aboard a ship from the west (Europe). He was the other son of the great samurai legend, the fantastic Kuki, and in order to live up to his heritage, Tohma trained everyday since he was very young in order to become a true samurai one day. However, his true intentions were far from being closely similar to that of a real samurai. Hungry for power and strength, Tohma always sought more and more, despite being an already incredible swordsman. In his eternal quest for more power, Tohma became irrational and totally maniacal.

One night, Tohma killed his father and stole the sword from him, that was said to grant incredible strength to its owner. Later, he joined Mikoto and Oboro, and they created the Riten Kyo. Now called the mightiest Sword Warrior, he now sets his sights on Seishiro's sword. After the rampage of killings he had by the Riten Kyo, Tohma fights against Seishiro, being defeated and wounded by him, losing the conscience. He awakes after 3 days and 3 nights in the Riten Kyo castle, with Mikoto nurses him. She said Seishiro forgived his life, and in the end, Tohma amended his ways in search of a third blade that is more powerful than the two Seishiro has , Mikoto is the keeper of that blade.

Ukyo Tachibana

Ukyo Tachibana (橘右京, Tachibana Ukyō) is a warrior and expert iaido swordsman, but has a very frail body and his lungs are stricken with tuberculosis. He searches for the perfect flower to give to Kei Odagiri, a female noble who understands him and is his confidante, but is already engaged to someone else. After hearing of a demon that has afflicted Kei, Ukyo sets out to defeat the creature. To Ukyo's dismay, Kei has finally married. After Ukyo congratulates her upon her wedding, he soon learns of a demon stealing Kei's unborn child. Henceforth, Ukyo sets out for revenge.

In Samurai Shodown V, Ukyo is asked by Yumeji's mother if he has heard anything from her daughter. Ukyo is also reminded that it has been 3 years since she left. Ukyo coughs, but when asked if he was alright, he changed the subject and runs off to find Yumeji. Pondering if he is good enough to join Yumeji he sets off for Hinowa. He finds Yumeji, shamed and now an outlaw. She explains that she met Gaoh soon after he left and became his right-hand woman. Yumeji then kneels and asks Ukyo to kill her. Ukyo cuts off Yumeji's pony tail and orders her to find her mother. Ukyo then goes back to his beach, to reflect on his life and wait for death.

Wan-Fu

Wan-Fu (王虎 Chinese Pinyin: Wánghǔ) hails from a powerful and notable family that resides in China and acts as the general of the Qing Dynasty. With his cunning battle strategies and powerful army, Wan-Fu seeks to unify all of China. To this end, he searches for worthy recruits to his army, and hearing of particularly "powerful warriors", sets out to find them. After he was unable to find "powerful warriors," a prophet appears before the furious Wan-Fu and informs him of the existence of the "Seed of Destruction," which, in exchange for one's soul, can allow one to rule the world. Determined to find it all costs, as his hope of uniting China would no longer be a mere dream, so he leaves his homeland to obtain it. Wan-Fu's status after SS2 is unknown.

Yaci Izanagi

Yaci Izanagi (十六薙夜血, Izanagi Yachi) is from the Warriors Rage part of the Samurai Shodown series. Yaci is one of the most formidable warriors dwelling in the streets of the prison island of Riten Kyo. Being a free-lancer bodyguard, Yaci and his friend in crime, Haito Kanakura, always roam the villages of Riten Kyo in search of work, whether from merchants or requests for assassinations. However, after he meets his boyfriend, Namino, Yaci promises to cease his life of crime, and escape with Namino, far away from the cursed island of Riten Kyo. To this end, he has decided to move up in the Riten Kyo scale, and become as powerful as the Razor Trio, or the Bafuku government. Despite being a bloodthirsty psycho, Yaci has strong feelings for Namino, but is constantly annoyed by the fact that he likes to apologize very frequently.

After the Razor Trio is overthrown, Yaci is more than intent on fulfilling his promise to Namino, and escape Riten Kyo. However, tragedy strikes when a common thug walks up to the couple and attempts to kill Yaci with a gun. Namino acts like a human shield to protect his beloved, being fatally wounded in the process. The thug blames Yaci for sinking Riten Kyo into chaos upon the fall of the Razor Trio. In an outburst of rage, Yaci manhandles the criminal, and takes Namino to a boat on the coastline of the island, still resolved to take him out of Riten Kyo despite her critical state. Yaci and the agonizing Namino depart on the boat, but Namino is far from salvation, and dies on the boat. But Yaci barely has time to grief his death, as the boat appears to have been sabotaged and begins to leak. It is unknown if Yaci managed to survive from being drowned.

Yoshitora Tokugawa

Yoshitora Tokugawa (徳川 慶寅, Tokugawa Yoshitora) is a soldier that was previously the student of Gaoh Kyougoku Hinowanokami. Yoshitora, after some convincing, agrees to meet up with Gaoh at Hinowa, traveling under the assumption that rumors are true and Gaoh is a traitor. Years before, when Gaoh used to be Yoshitora's master, they had an argument about Yoshitora becoming Emperor, to which Yoshitora refused. Gaoh believes that Japan would prosper only if Yoshitora takes the throne. Gaoh then tells Yoshitora if he refuses, they may become enemies and would have to kill him.

Upon reaching Hinowa, Yoshitora faces Gaoh, who reveals that his resolve is to build a new country and that he was getting it ready for Yoshitora to rule. When Yoshitora refuses, Gaoh states that he will have to kill Yoshitora and become the next Tokugawa. Now defeated, Gaoh admits Yoshitora's superiority and begs to have his head cut off. Yoshitora asks why he rebelled and Gaoh reveals that if he had not, the famine that had been sweeping Japan would have killed everyone since the current Tokugawa didn't care. As he died, Gaoh begged for Yoshitora to become Japan's Emperor. Yoshitora, finally seeing the truth, agreed to his former master's last request.

Youkai Kusaregedo

Youkai Kusaregedo (妖怪腐れ外道, Youkai Kusaregedou) appeared for first time in Samurai Shodown V. He is also sometimes called "Gedo Kusaregedo". Kusaregedo was once a very kind man, but was transformed into a gaki because of his habit of cannibalism after he died. In his present demonic form, he is cursed with an insatiable appetite. After slaughtering and devouring several people one day, he found himself still consumed with an undying lust for more prey. Smelling a young girl (Rimururu) not too far away, he quickly gave chase. The child, sensing his presence, ran away, and Kusaregedo's mind was consumed with only one thought: "I want to eat that girl. I want to eat. Want to eat..." He fails to capture and devour Rimururu, and instead finds a girl who claims herself Hakana, his daughter. She begs and pleads for him to stop and to come back home, promising to prepare lots of food for him. However, it was not meant to be, and he devours her.

Yuda

Yuda (幽堕) is the product of Asura merging with Shadow Asura. Their merge allowed the two to live on, but the consequence of the fusion resulted in an unstable body which caused him to lose his entire memory. This also makes him unable to utilize the "Seven Ancient Weapons" that lies dormant due to the gloves on his hands. In the end Yuda came under the control of Clan 1, one of the three branch families of the shogunate. This clan is in fact linked to the Three Blades of Ritenkyo and Yuda has been secretly promised the position of shogun when the plans of Oboro (Jigen Taishi) succeed. If the plan fails, Yuda would be used as the fall guy to destroy evidence of Oboro's plot and keep it from being brought to light. The amnesiac Yuda now takes on his duty and complete his first mission: clearing out Ritenkyo.

In his ending, he encounters his daughter Mikoto, who has been used by Oboro for his fiendish purposes. He releases the evil within her and proceeds to return to the Demon world (Mukai).

Yuga the Destroyer

Yuga (壊帝, Error: {{nihongo}}: transliteration text not Latin script (pos 1: ユ) (help)) is the main antagonist of the Samurai Shodown 64 iteration of the series. Her existence is veiled in mystery. She is a powerful sorceress who originates from the demon world known as Makai. She wishes to become a goddess of destruction and rule the world. Knowing she would require many followers, she was patient, and concocted an elaborate plan. Twenty years ago, she entered the human realm and stole the various babies from mother's wombs and using her power, bestowed superhuman abilities upon them. She then silently re-inserted the unborn children, and waited. Over the years, these children exhibited powerful abilities and above-average aspects. Knowing this the time to strike, she appeared before all of them, performing a mysterious and magical puppet show, warping their minds and resulting in brainwashing. They then obediently followed her orders.

Along with these braindead individuals, Yuga obtained Shiki, Yuga now seeks her male counterpart Haohmaru to realize her ambitions. However, as she attempted to place her plans into motion, she was engaged by Haohmaru and Shiki, who destroyed Yuga. However, Yuga (apparently) anticipated her defeat. She subsequently resurrected hereself, and began to continue her plans, making a clone of Asura in the process. She then sent this doppelganger to retrieve Shiki, but he developed feelings for her instead. Taking this into account, the two Asuras both engaged Yuga, destroying her for good.

Yumeji Kurokouchi

Yumeji Kurokouchi (黒河内夢路) is the daughter of Sakon Kurokouchi, a Sensei of iaido and the previous mentor of Ukyo Tachibana. However, for some unknown reason, she was expelled from her father's dojo and living facility. She has since been adopted into the following of Gaoh Kyougoku Hinowanokami and has pledged her life to him, being his "right arm". In the end, she finds Ukyo and after being defeated by him, Yumeji begged Ukyo to take her life for betraying her family after joinning Gaoh. Instead of that, Ukyo cut her ponytail and sent her to home, forgiving her life.

Zankuro Minazuki

Zankuro Minazuki (壬無月 斬紅郎, Minazuki Zankurō) is the final boss from Samurai Shodown 3 who wields a gigantic Mugen Katana. He is a fearsome warrior; due to his terrifying skill and battle prowess, he earned the title of "the demon". To this end, he traveled from village to village, slaughtering people as he encountered them. However, one day, something changed. After killing one village's populace, he encountered a young girl who he could not bring himself to murder. Realizing the mistake of his actions, he desisted attacking villagers and the weak, and only killed worthy opponents in duels. Eventually, he was challenged by Shizumaru and Haohmaru, and was subsequently buried and sealed by Gaira Caffeine. However, he was quickly revived by Amakusa who wanted to use his power for his plans, but he was eventually killed again this time by Sougetsu. In a case of Deus ex machina, however, it seems he somehow came back to life yet again since he appears in Genjuro's ending in ST1.

Animals

Several of the charactes on the SNK series of Samurai Shodown fighting games are aided by animals or friends during gameplay. These animals can be used for attacking purposes, or sometimes other uses, such as improving character's jumps and defense.

Chample

Chample is the friend of Mina Majikina on Samurai Shodown 5. He seems to be her only friend, and companion. When Mina's village is destroyed, Mina senses a problem eminating from the land of Helios, or Hinowa's land. She believes that Gaoh Kyogoku Hinowanokami is responsible, so she sets off with Chample to defeat him. It turns out however, that Chample is a brutal demon. Chample goes on a rampage and Mina has to kill him to stop the rampage. After killing Chample, Mina loses the will to live and then commits suicide. Chample is used less for attacking purposes,more just a character, as during Gameplay he just wanders about the arena making noises. Several moves do include him though, like 'Good night Chample' in which she sends him to sleep, stopping his moving and sounds.

Chample is a playable character on Samurai Shodown 6, although he is unlockable, along with many of the other Samurai Shodown animals.

Chample is sometimes given the name Caesar.

References

1. ^ Shiro Amakusa Tokisada, SNK Playmore's Samurai Shodown official website.
2. ^ Samurai Shodown character profiles, SNK Playmore's Samurai Shodown official website.
3. Samurai Shodown II, SNK Playmore's Samurai Shodown official website.
4. Template:Jp icon Andrew, SNK Playmore's official Samurai Shodown website
5. ^ Samurai Shodown: Warrior's Rage character profiles, SNK Playmore's Samurai Shodown official website.
6. Cham Cham, SNK Playmore's Samurai Shodown official website.
7. Template:Jp icon Samurai Spirits 2 character profiles, SNK Playmore's Samurai Spirits official website.
8. Samurai Shodown II character profiles, SNK Playmore's Samurai Shodown official website.
9. Samurai Shodown 64 character profiles, SNK Playmore's official Samurai Shodown website

• Samurai Shodown
• SNK characters
• Lists of SNK characters