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Characters introduced in ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodownIII''
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Characters introduced in ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodownIII''''Samurai Shodown III''
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* InconsistentSpelling:
** In some games, her name is mistranslated as ''Rimnerel''.
** Also, her ice spirit is sometimes called ''Konril''.
** In some games, her name is mistranslated as ''Rimnerel''.
** Also, her ice spirit is sometimes called ''Konril''.
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* SpellMyNameWithAnS:
** In some games, her name is mistranslated as ''Rimnerel''.
** Also, her ice spirit is sometimes called ''Konril''.
** In some games, her name is mistranslated as ''Rimnerel''.
** Also, her ice spirit is sometimes called ''Konril''.
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* BadassNative: Like her sister, she is a member of Hokkaidō's indigenous [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Ainu people]], and her debut costume in ''III''' is a very realistic depiction of traditional Ainu women's national dress. Her ice-based powers reflect the Ainu's close relationship with the natural world, as well as her native Hokkaidō's bitingly cold polar winters.
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* BadassNative: Like her sister, she is a member of Hokkaidō's indigenous [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Ainu people]], and her debut costume in ''III''' ''III'' is a very realistic depiction of traditional Ainu women's national dress. Her ice-based powers reflect the Ainu's close relationship with the natural world, as well as her native Hokkaidō's bitingly cold polar winters.
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* BadassNative: Like her sister, she is a member of Hokkaidō's indigenous [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Ainu people]], and her debut costume was a very realistic depiction of traditional Ainu women's national dress. Her ice-based powers reflect the Ainu's close relationship with the natural world, as well as her native Hokkaidō's bitingly cold polar winters.
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* BadassNative: Like her sister, she is a member of Hokkaidō's indigenous [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Ainu people]], and her debut costume was in ''III''' is a very realistic depiction of traditional Ainu women's national dress. Her ice-based powers reflect the Ainu's close relationship with the natural world, as well as her native Hokkaidō's bitingly cold polar winters.
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After an Image Pickin' discussion in August, it was agreed that characters' flags are no longer permitted to be placed as separate images within character bios. Following this, a Short Terms Projects thread was launched, where it was agreed that character flags can be incorporated into existing main images and considered image upgrades, though transparent images should always still be used in cases where these exist. I have therefore updated the page accordingly.
%%After an Image Pickin' discussion, it was agreed that characters' flags are no longer permitted to be placed as separate images within character bios. Following this, a Short Terms Projects thread was launched, where it was agreed that character flags can be incorporated into existing main images and considered image upgrades, though transparent images should always still be used in cases where these exist.
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->[[quoteleft:75:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_3.png]]
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* DecoyBackstory: Basara is a [[VengefulGhost yurei]] who in the first games he appeared (''SSIII'' and ''SSIV''), he went after Zankuro Minazuki to get revenge for his death and his lover Kagaribi. [[spoiler:But in his [[{{Prequel}} SSV]] ending, it's revealed he went mad and killed Kagaribi and then was DrivenToSuicide.]] This is reaffirmed in the next games where, in his endings, [[spoiler:he made TimeTravel to avoid the deaths and save Kagaribi and they disappeared from this reality (''[[DreamMatchaGame SSVI]]''), and Kagaribi is revealed to be a VengefulGhost around him and after killing the BigBad she's getting closer to forgive him and resting in peace (''2019'').]]
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* RatedMForManly: Definitely!
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Does Not Like Shoes has been renamed and redefined to focus on characters that explicitly or implicitly state a preference for going barefoot. Removing misuse
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* DoesNotLikeShoes: Fights with his (gigantic) feet uncovered.
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-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[EpicFlail Togabitogoroshi]]'' [[note]](''"[[BadassBoast The Evil-Doer Killer]]"'')[[/note]], [[FuumaShuriken a Fuuma shuriken]] [[EpicFlail hooked to a chain]]
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-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[EpicFlail Togabitogoroshi]]'' ''Togabitogoroshi'' [[note]](''"[[BadassBoast The Evil-Doer Killer]]"'')[[/note]], [[FuumaShuriken a Fuuma shuriken]] [[EpicFlail [[BladeOnARope hooked to a chain]]
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* BladeOnARope: Basara's weapon is a FuumaShuriken attached to a chain.
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* TogetherInDeath: Averted and GoneHorriblyWrong. He and Kagaribi both certainly died together, but he remains a RevenantZombie and she a ghost surrounding the former.
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* TogetherInDeath: Averted and GoneHorriblyWrong. He and Kagaribi both certainly died together, but he remains a RevenantZombie and she a ghost surrounding the former.
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-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Hiroyuki Arita (III), Enma Itō (IV), Kazuhiro Nakata (V Special), Creator/AkioOhtsuka (VI)[[/note]]
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-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Hiroyuki Arita (III), Enma Itō (IV), Kazuhiro Nakata (V Special), Creator/AkioOhtsuka Creator/AkioOtsuka (VI)[[/note]]
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Sasayama, Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Sasayama, Tamba, Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Village, Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Village, Sasayama, Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba, Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba, Tamba Village, Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[WildWilderness Kamuikotan, the Ainu Lands, Ezo]] [[note]]The flag shown here is that of the Ainu people, of which Rimururu is a member. At the time, Hokkaidō (the modern-day name for Ezo) was a land apart, ungoverned by the Shogunate, and therefore represented a distinct culture and ethnic group from the mainland Japanese. It was only in 1868 that the region officially became incorporated into what constitutes modern Japan. Kamuikotan (literally "the dwelling place of the Gods") is a scenic area located in the valley of the Ishikari River.[[/note]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[WildWilderness Kamuikotan, the Ainu Lands, Ezo]] [[note]]The flag shown here is that of the Ainu people, of which whom Rimururu is a member. At the time, Hokkaidō (the modern-day name for Ezo) was a land apart, ungoverned by the Shogunate, and therefore represented a distinct culture and ethnic group from the mainland Japanese. It was only in 1868 that the region officially became incorporated into what constitutes modern Japan. Kamuikotan (literally "the dwelling place of the Gods") is a scenic area located in the valley of the Ishikari River.[[/note]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba, Tamba Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Hida Province, Japan]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Koka-in, Hida Province, Japan]]''
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->''I'm not a child! You really shouldn't underestimate me!''
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->''Are you enjoying this fear and pain? Heh... Kagaribi, let's join in on the fun!''
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->''I hate fighting, but... I don't want to die just yet, either. So... I apologize.''
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->''You no-hoper, f**k off!''
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->''Is there no one to challenge me in a world so large?!''
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Larger, clearer images (same as previous ones)
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[WildWilderness Kamuikotan, the Ainu Lands, Ezo]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagainu.png[[/labelnote]][[note]]The flag shown here is that of the Ainu people, of which Rimururu is a member. At the time, Hokkaidō (the modern-day name for Ezo) was a land apart, ungoverned by the Shogunate, and therefore represented a distinct culture and ethnic group from the mainland Japanese. It was only in 1868 that the region officially became incorporated into what constitutes modern Japan. Kamuikotan (literally "the dwelling place of the Gods") is a scenic area located in the valley of the Ishikari River.[[/note]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[WildWilderness Kamuikotan, the Ainu Lands, Ezo]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagainu.png[[/labelnote]][[note]]The [[note]]The flag shown here is that of the Ainu people, of which Rimururu is a member. At the time, Hokkaidō (the modern-day name for Ezo) was a land apart, ungoverned by the Shogunate, and therefore represented a distinct culture and ethnic group from the mainland Japanese. It was only in 1868 that the region officially became incorporated into what constitutes modern Japan. Kamuikotan (literally "the dwelling place of the Gods") is a scenic area located in the valley of the Ishikari River.[[/note]]''[[/note]]''
->[[quoteleft:75:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ainuflag.png]]
->[[quoteleft:75:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ainuflag.png]]
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_34.png[[/labelnote]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.Japan]]''
->[[quoteleft:75:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_34.png[[/labelnote]]''org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_3.png]]
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Japan (exact whereabouts unknown)]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_60.png[[/labelnote]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Japan (exact whereabouts unknown)]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.unknown)]]''
->[[quoteleft:75:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_60.png[[/labelnote]]''org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_3.png]]
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Hida Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_67.png[[/labelnote]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Hida Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.Japan]]''
->[[quoteleft:75:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_67.png[[/labelnote]]''org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_3.png]]
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Kyōto, Yamashiro Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_88.png[[/labelnote]]''
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-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Kyōto, Yamashiro Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.Japan]]''
->[[quoteleft:75:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_88.png[[/labelnote]]''org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_3.png]]
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[[Characters/SamuraiShodownOther Samurai Shodown Guests & Others]]-]]]]]
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[[Characters/SamuraiShodownOther Samurai Shodown Guests & Others]]-]]]]]
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[[center:[[WMG:''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' [[Characters/SamuraiShodown Characters Index]]\\
[-'''[[Characters/SamuraiShodown2DFightingGames 2D Games]]:''' ''Characters/SamuraiShodownI'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownII'' | '''''Samurai Shodown III''''' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownV'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownVI'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodown2019'' \\
'''[[Characters/SamuraiShodown3DFightingGames 3D Games]]''': ''Characters/SamuraiShodown64'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownWarriorsRage'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownEdgeOfDestiny''\\
[[Characters/SamuraiShodownOther Samurai Shodown Guests & Others]]-]]]]]
Characters introduced in ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodownIII''
----
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Rimururu]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/17_rimururu_0.png]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[WildWilderness Kamuikotan, the Ainu Lands, Ezo]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagainu.png[[/labelnote]][[note]]The flag shown here is that of the Ainu people, of which Rimururu is a member. At the time, Hokkaidō (the modern-day name for Ezo) was a land apart, ungoverned by the Shogunate, and therefore represented a distinct culture and ethnic group from the mainland Japanese. It was only in 1868 that the region officially became incorporated into what constitutes modern Japan. Kamuikotan (literally "the dwelling place of the Gods") is a scenic area located in the valley of the Ishikari River.[[/note]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[KatanasAreJustBetter Hahakuru]]'' [[note]](literally "to beat / thrash" in Ainu)[[/note]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter a kodachi]]
-> '''Helper:''' ''[[NatureSpirit Kon]][[AnIcePerson ru]]''
-> '''Voiced by:'''[[note]] Creator/TomoSakurai (III), Creator/MegumiMatsumoto (IV, RPG (live-action commercial included)), Creator/KyokoHikami (RPG Drama CD), Keiko Kamitani (64 series, DistantFinale, Nakoruru ADV), Creator/HitomiNabatame (V), Creator/RieKugimiya (VI), Creator/EmiriKatou (Oni), Creator/YuukoOono (2019).[[/note]]
->Nakoruru's [[NotBloodSiblings adoptive]] little sister. She is also a priestess of the Ainu tribe and fights using an ice spirit named Konru, as well as her ''kodachi''. At first, Nakoruru forbade her from fighting, but she managed to build up enough resolve to be acknowledged as capable enough by the time of the third game.
----
* AnIcePerson: Wields a kodachi, but also uses her companion ice-spirit in combat. This primarily manifests as spears of ice that pierce the opponent, as well as large chunks of ice used for crushing attacks.
* BadassNative: Like her sister, she is a member of Hokkaidō's indigenous [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Ainu people]], and her debut costume was a very realistic depiction of traditional Ainu women's national dress. Her ice-based powers reflect the Ainu's close relationship with the natural world, as well as her native Hokkaidō's bitingly cold polar winters.
* BigBrotherWorship: Rimururu idolizes her sister and wants to be like her every way possible.
* CheerfulChild: Jolly, smiley and full of beans!
* CloseRangeCombatant: She has probably the shortest range in the entire series due to her petite stature and short ''kodachi'', which is why using ''Konru'' effectively is an absolute must when playing her.
* DownloadableContent: She was the very first DLC character to drop for ''2019'', and like many of the other characters, she sports an updated look (including a [[PrettyInMink fur cape]] and longer hair) that still retains her classic silhouette.
* JustAKid: And she doesn't like being treated as such -- she lists her greatest dislike as being treated like a child.
* KillTheCutie: Her age and cute looks don't save her in the slightest from the life-and-death brutality of combat.
* LittleMissBadass: An adorable teenage girl whose cheerful facade belies her deadly combat skills.
* NatureSpirit: Her companion spirit Konru manifests as a prism of ice which spins in the air just behind her, and all of her special moves are ice-based. [[ADogNamedDog Konru literally means "ice" in the Ainu language]].
* NotBloodSiblings: She’s Nakoruru’s adopted sister, though their bond isn't any less strong.
* PluckyGirl: Despite the terrifying, bloody circumstances she finds herself confronted by, she maintains an admiral level of pluckiness.
* PromotedToPlayable: Rimururu appeared in the first two games as part of Nakoruru's story, stages, and endings, but it wasn't until ''III'' that she finally appeared as a playable character.
* SnowMeansCold: Rimururu's stages are all set in the village of Kamuikotan on Ezo during the winter. In ''2019'', her stage is the same village location as her sister's, but it's set in the absolute depths of winter and is a snow-covered, icy variation -- which is perfect for AnIcePerson like her.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS:
** In some games, her name is mistranslated as ''Rimnerel''.
** Also, her ice spirit is sometimes called ''Konril''.
* {{Tomboy}}: Much more energetic than her sister and sports a short, choppy hairdo and baggy shorts.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Basara]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/18_basara_5.png]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_34.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[EpicFlail Togabitogoroshi]]'' [[note]](''"[[BadassBoast The Evil-Doer Killer]]"'')[[/note]], [[FuumaShuriken a Fuuma shuriken]] [[EpicFlail hooked to a chain]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Masahiro Nonaka (III-V Special), Motoki Takagi (VI), Yuji Murai (2019)[[/note]]
->Fully titled Basara the Executioner (Kubikiri Basara). A restless spirit who was killed alongside his lover Kagaribi at the hands of the "demon" Zankuro Minazuki. He is brought back to the living world, remembering only his intense hate for "the demon". Convinced by an apparition of Kagaribi that he must "slay evil souls", he embarks on a vengeful killing spree. He is eventually sealed away in a stone pillar for eternity by Aku Amakusa.
----
* AxCrazy: He's a mindless, violently insane killer who doesn't discriminate among the victims he murders.
* BallOfLightTransformation: Basara can use his ghostly powers to transform into a [[HitodamaLight ball of spirit flame]] and back into humanoid form.
* ConfusionFu: One of the cornerstones of his play-style is to spawn shadow clones of himself to fake-out the opponent.
* DownloadableContent: He returns to the series in ''2019'' as part of the first season of DLC characters.
* DrivenToSuicide: His ending in ''2019'' sees him trying to do this in order to be with Kagaribi. [[ForegoneConclusion It doesn't work.]]
* FuumaShuriken: Wields a giant shuriken attached to a length of chain.
* {{Gorn}}: His fatality, where he drags the opponent into a hellish black pit before an enormous eruption of blood blasts their severed ''head'' back out.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Although Basara's powers are explained mainly through his ghost abilities, they also resemble powers usually identified with ninja. This is complemented by Basara's weaponry and costuming which are also associated with ninja -- respectively his shuriken weapon and baggy pants, for example.
* HeWhoFightsMonsters: His vengeful rampage has turned him into a bloodthirsty man-slayer.
* HitodamaLight: As a restless spirit, Basara can summon a hitodama called "Soul of Nue" that he uses as an attack, as well as [[BallOfLightTransformation to transform in and out of a hitodama]] himself.
* ImplausibleDeniability: In ''2019'', it's revealed that this is his reaction to the revelation that he killed Kagaribi in ''V''. Basara denies the horrible truth, convinces himself that it's all Zankuro's fault and that his death will finally reunite him with Kagaribi.
* KillTheOnesYouLove: In his previous life, Basara lived in peace with his lover, Kagaribi, until the monstrous demonic swordsman Zankuro appeared on the scene and began slaughtering everyone. He blames "the demon" for Kagaribi's demise but, in ''V'', it is revealed that Basara himself killed her.
* LaughingMad: Less so in earlier games, but exaggerated in the ''2019'' game, where half his dialogue consists of [[Characters/FatalFury3 Yamazaki-esque]] cackling.
* LoveMakesYouEvil: All he wants is to be with his beloved Kagaribi again, so he kills people indiscriminately under the belief that he will be able to see her again.
-->"Tell me, Kagaribi... How many more must I hunt before you forgive me? Because I will not stop hunting until you do!"
* MeaningfulName: The title of "Kubikiri" means "Executioner" and/or "Beheader". His name is written as "[[FloralThemeNaming Sal tree destroyer]]", but is pronounced as "[[AxCrazy unrestrained]]".
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: In a plot twist revealed in ''V'', it was Basara who killed Kagaribi in a delirium caused by Zankuro fatally wounding him.
* OnlyOneName: First assumed to be his last name, but "Kubikiri" is a title for Basara. His real last name is unknown.
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: The way his giant shuriken works -- it spins off its chain at some points but always returns.
* ShoutOut: Considered by many as the Japanese version of ''Franchise/TheCrow''.
* TogetherInDeath: Averted and GoneHorriblyWrong. He and Kagaribi both certainly died together, but he remains a RevenantZombie and she a ghost surrounding the former.
* TheUndead: The series’ resident zombie character.
* UndeathlyPallor: Depending on the game, Basara's skin can be pale or sickening rotting flesh color.
* UnknownRival: For Zankuro.
* UnwittingPawn: To Amakusa, who resurrected him for the purpose of harvesting souls in order to call forth Ambrosia. Basara is none too pleased when he finds out about this in ''IV''.
* VengefulGhost: Wants nothing more than to see the one who killed him and his lover dead. After finding out it was he himself who killed Kagaribi, he turns on Zankuro. After he finds Zankuro dead, he turns on Amakusa, who is behind his resurrection. It's revealed in Basara's ending in ''2019'' that Kagaribi is this to ''him'', holding a grudge against him for murdering her and forcing him into punishment by means of denying him death until she is appeased.
* WalkingShirtlessScene: Fights topless, combined with baggy ninja trousers.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Aku Amakusa cruelly disposes of him in ''IV'' by trapping him inside a stone pillar, never to be released again.
* {{Youkai}}: A ''Yurei'' (幽霊), which are figures in Japanese folklore, analogous to Western legends of ghosts.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shizumaru Hisame]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/21_shizumaru_3.png]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Japan (exact whereabouts unknown)]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_60.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapons:''' ''[[ParasolOfPain Kirisame ]]'' & ''[[KatanasAreJustBetter Oharae no Magagami Shizumaru]]'' [[note]](''"Drizzle" & "[[TheNamesake Shizumaru's]] heavenly wrath"'')[[/note]], [[ParasolOfPain an oil-paper umbrella]] & [[KatanasAreJustBetter wakizashi]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Miho Kaneta (main series), Motoki Takagi (VI), Makoto Koichi (2019)[[/note]]
->An amnesiac boy who was deemed a "demon" by fearful villagers. Following a traumatic past, he trains and seeks advice from Haohmaru, who he views as a big brother figure. After learning about the great "demon" Zankuro Minazuki, he travels with Haohmaru to defeat him.
----
* AdorablyPrecociousChild: He's a polite, well-meaning young boy with a keen sense of responsibility and exhibits a plucky, serious attitude towards his mission to warn others about the "demon" within him.
* AmbiguouslyRelated: His relation to Zankuro Minazuki, the boss of the third game. According to the developers of ''III'', they are not related but, by contrast, the staff working on the later fifth game state that Shizumaru's real name is Jin / Yaiba [[ConnectedAllAlong Minazuki.]][[note]]Both "Jin" and "Yaiba" are possible readings of "刃", but SNK never confirmed which one.[[/note]]
* AmnesiacDissonance: He can't remember his very early childhood, and was adopted by a monk in infancy.
* ApologeticAttacker: Some of his win-poses see him do a double-take, mutter an apology, and bow respectfully to his fallen opponent. Also, after performing his fatality in ''V Special'', the poor boy will be horrified to see his rival dead [[TenderTears and collapse in tears]].
* BadassAdorable: Just look at him. Would you believe this little guy can keep up with seasoned samurai and ninja masters?
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Because he was deemed to be a "demon" since childhood, he had to live and survive alone.
* DemonicPossession: His Super Special Move in ''2019'' confirms that he does have some sort of demonic power or entity within him, which drives him into a berserk frenzy complete with BlackEyesOfCrazy.
* DownloadableContent: He returns to the series in ''2019'' as a surprise bonus amongst the first season of DLC characters.
* KidHero: One of the youngest characters, if not ''the'' youngest and in most of the games he appears in, he’s a tender 12 years old.
* KidSamurai: Certainly in terms of his age, and his role as a “little brother” figure to some of the older samurai men in the cast.
* KillTheCutie: Despite his tender years, he's spared none of the series' legendarily graphic brutality and is subject to the same horrific fatalities as all of the other characters, which can be uncomfortable, all things considered.
* MeaningfulName: "Hisame" translates as "Scarlet Rain", although the developers made a pun with "RainOfBlood". "Shizu" translates as "[[TheQuietOne Quiet]]". If you take his alleged true name into account, "Jin / Yaiba" means "sword", while his surname "Minazuki" translates to "moonless sky on the 9th sign of the Chinese calendar". The latter in particular refers to the phenomenon of a crimson moon. Put them both together and you essentially get "sword of the blood-red moon", which not only ties into his theme regarding the color red but also denotes his latent thirst for violence.
* ParasolOfPain: He wields an oil-paper parasol with a bladed edge, which acts as his primary weapon. He can whap the opponent with the tip, send it spinning towards them in the manner of an arcing fireball attack, and deadliest of all, spin it round rapidly to suck the opponent in and deliver a horrific multi-hitting rotor-blade style attack. He [[DualWielding also wields]] a ''wakizashi''.
* RainOfBlood: His super in ''2019'' is amongst the most horrifically gory in the game. After hurling his parasol at the opponent, he lunges at them screaming and carves a huge gash up their middle, which sends a veritable ''shower'' of blood pouring all over the arena floor whilst he looks on horrified from beneath his blood-soaked parasol.
* RedIsViolent: In his main outfit and hair-highlights, the color red is predominant, and despite his tender look, he's [[GoodIsNotNice as dangerous as anyone else in the roster]].
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: His "seppuku" animation in ''IV'' causes him to bow to his opponent and run like hell.
* ShoutOut: Visually to [[Manga/RurouniKenshin Himura Kenshin]]. Most westerners saw him as one to ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'', having Ranma's hairstyle and female hair color as well as Ryouga's trademark weapon (an umbrella).
* ShrinesAndTemples: His stage in ''2019'' is set in the courtyard of the beautiful Tōshō-gū temple complex in Nikko, which has for centuries been a sacred site known for its architectural and decorative masterpieces.
* ShrinkingViolet: A relatively rare male example, he's very sweet-natured, if a little melancholic.
* SicklyGreenGlow: During his fatality in ''V Special'', Shizumaru becomes engulfed in a terrifying green aura, accompanied by a glowing hallucination of Zankuro, hinting at their connection. The aura returns in ''2019'', only this time it also makes his eyes glow green.
* SuperpoweredEvilSide: He was rumored to be a 'demon' by his fellow villagers, and eventually he finds out that he ''does'' indeed have a demon bloodlust within him, similarly to Zankuro. This is alluded to in Shizumaru's fatality in ''V Special'' -- as he prepares to finish off the opponent, a hallucination of Zankuro appears behind him. He misses the killing blow and blacks out from the mental stress, but the phantom Zankuro slices the opponent clean in half, leaving Shizumaru horrified when he regains consciousness. Eventually, he comes to [[BeYourself accept his "demon" as a natural part of himself and makes peace with his past]].
* TheyCallHimSword: The monk who adopted him in infancy named him 'Shizumaru' after the inscription on [[MementoMacGuffin the sword found with him]].
* TroubledButCute: Sweeter than the standard, but with a VERY DarkAndTroubledPast.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Gaira Caffeine (Kafūin)]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/23_gaira.jpg]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Hida Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_67.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nianfo Namu Amida Butsu]]'', [[ImprobableWeaponUser a giant ojuzu]] [[note]]buddhist prayer beads — analogous to the christian rosary[[/note]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Kōji Suidzu (III), Takeshi Watanabe (IV-V Special), Takumi Satō (VI)[[/note]]
->Nicotine's enormous, slow-witted grandson. After an argument with Nicotine, Gaira ran off from Koka-in temple to train, and witnessed Zankuro's killing spree, but was too afraid to stop him. After Amakusa and Zankuro are defeated for good, Gaira eventually returns in peace to the temple.
----
* BareFistedMonk: He's a ''giant'' monk of the Koka-in Temple in Hida, and fights with his huge fists and a Buddhist rosary.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: Fights with his (gigantic) feet uncovered.
* DumbMuscle: An incredibly strong guy who sports a ''very'' impressive musculature for someone as young as 18 years old, but he's certainly not the smartest of the series’ characters.
* GentleGiant: From ''III'' to ''IV'', he represented the "giant" character of the series, until the appearance of Kusaregedo in ''V'' and the return of other large-sprite characters in ''VI''.
* TheGiant: He's 7'5" -- ''enormous'' for a Japanese man in the 1700s and only really possible due to medical disorders of the pituitary gland.
* ImprobableWeaponUser: A huge Buddhist rosary which he smashes into the opponent with deadly force -- characters like Mina and Nakoruru can only take two or three heavy hits.
* IronicName: Gaira translates as "[[LightningBruiser lightweight body]]".
* MightyGlacier: He's positively enormous and very slow with it.
* TheSlacker: His blasé, carefree attitude contrasts strongly with the solemn nature of his profession, leading to several arguments with Nicotine over his behavior, and although he acts as though he doesn't care for the temple, in reality, he is hesitant to accept his responsibilities to the Buddhist faith at such a young age.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: As with his grandfather, his last name would usually be written as "Kafūin", but the pun on "caffeine" carried over with him too.
* TakenForGranite: His Fatality turns the enemy into stone. He then proceeds to shatter him/her.
* TransatlanticEquivalent: He's known as Kim Ung Che in ''Fighters Swords'', the Korean version of the third game, made for the South Korean market. The name is a direct Korean translation of “Gaira”. Said counterpart appears as a separate character in ''VI'' with the look of ''III-IV'' Gaira, but with a white outfit instead of Gaira's blue, and they can actually be pitched against each other in a MirrorMatch.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Zankuro Minazuki]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/24_zankura.jpg]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Kyōto, Yamashiro Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_88.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[{{BFS}} Akahagane Ongokumaru]]'' [[note]](''"[[BloodSplatteredWarrior The Crimson Steel]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters of Hell's Grudge]]"'')[[/note]], [[{{BFS}} a zanbatō]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Hiroyuki Arita (III), Enma Itō (IV), Kazuhiro Nakata (V Special), Creator/AkioOhtsuka (VI)[[/note]]
->The third game's final boss. Trying his hardest to perfect his swordsmanship, he became a brutal killer, likened to a demon. He slaughtered people indiscriminately until he came across a girl named Shiori and couldn't bring himself to kill her (she is actually revealed to be his daughter). [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Realizing what kind of man he has become]], he calls it quits and retires into his hermitage, swearing only to raise his sword to fight a WorthyOpponent. In later games, he's revived and killed a few times (once by a [[LightningCanDoAnything lightning bolt]] of all things), but is eventually KilledOffForReal by Sogetsu.
----
* AmbiguouslyRelated: Shizumaru (birth name Jin/Yaiba Minazuki) is either his son, nephew, or simply shares his surname -- it's never been clarified -- though the fact that Zankuro appears as a looming, ghostly presence in Shizumaru's fatality is telling.
* AntiVillain: He was once a cold-blooded killer but he has since retired and [[EvenEvilHasStandards won't kill people indiscriminately]] — yet he's still the BigBad.
* BadassNormal: Unlike [[EnergyBall Amakusa]] and [[BlackMage Mizuki]], Zankuro doesn't rely on sorcery or the dark powers of Ambrosia, being the first boss character to do so in the series. He wields a ''zanbatō'' which he uses to attack with amazing speed and strength. In his first boss appearance, he could easily defeat his foe in two to three strikes.
* {{BFS}}: His ''zanbatō'' (a giant katana) is absolutely massive, standing about as tall as he is when it's planted in the ground.
* BloodKnight: A brutal version -- he was once a kind man who lived happily with his family. He eventually went blind with blood lust and started to slay others to compensate, unintentionally killing his wife in the process.
* HijackedByGanon: ''IV'' (subtitled AMAKUSA'S REVENGE for crying out loud) revolves around a new plan formulated by a re-reawakened ClassicVillain, so you would think said classic villain would be the final boss. Nope, after defeating Aku Amakusa, the big stone obelisk in the background of the final stage explodes, Aku Amakusa gets sliced in half, and in walks, a newly resurrected Zankuro, who in the third game--it should be noted--was just a normal human who was killed by lightning!
* LargeAndInCharge: He's ''huge'', standing 7'11", with gigantic arms and an intimidating stance.
* MeaningfulName: Minazuki translates as "[[BadMoonRising Moonless sky on the ninth sign of the Chinese calendar]]". Zankuro as "[[BloodSplatteredWarrior Crimson beheader son]]".
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Calls time on his killing spree after coming across a girl named Shiori, who he discovers (thankfully just in time) is his daughter. This causes him to rethink his approach and only fight worthy opponents.
* RatedMForManly: Definitely!
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: His fearful reputation started when a Karō (high-ranking samurai) and his minions kidnapped his child, Kakunoshin. After Zankuro found out, they were soon all dead -- even his son.
* SealedEvilInACan: What he becomes after his death in the third game... which Amakusa tries to release.
* SNKBoss: By ''IV'', he had the greatest reach and base strength of all bosses, as well as great speed.
* SwordBeam: His fatality in ''V'' consists of a super-powered slash that fires a green wave of death at his foe, totally obliterating him/her except for the lower parts of their feet.
* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: In ''III'', where combos are restricted and doing them from behind is one of the few effective ways, he can't be combo-ed from behind, as he will magically block any second hit you might attempt to land on him, leading to some heavy retribution. From that same game, he has a TrueFinalBoss form, where you must knock him down a third time, the cheating part being that even if you have not been knocked out before, you'll lose if he wins the round, and if you win by time out, you also lose the game. Finally in ''IV'', his Desperation Attack is a one hit kill if it catches you in the air.
* TrueFinalBoss: In ''III'', as mentioned above.
[[/folder]]
[-'''[[Characters/SamuraiShodown2DFightingGames 2D Games]]:''' ''Characters/SamuraiShodownI'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownII'' | '''''Samurai Shodown III''''' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownV'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownVI'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodown2019'' \\
'''[[Characters/SamuraiShodown3DFightingGames 3D Games]]''': ''Characters/SamuraiShodown64'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownWarriorsRage'' | ''Characters/SamuraiShodownEdgeOfDestiny''\\
[[Characters/SamuraiShodownOther Samurai Shodown Guests & Others]]-]]]]]
Characters introduced in ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodownIII''
----
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Rimururu]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/17_rimururu_0.png]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[WildWilderness Kamuikotan, the Ainu Lands, Ezo]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagainu.png[[/labelnote]][[note]]The flag shown here is that of the Ainu people, of which Rimururu is a member. At the time, Hokkaidō (the modern-day name for Ezo) was a land apart, ungoverned by the Shogunate, and therefore represented a distinct culture and ethnic group from the mainland Japanese. It was only in 1868 that the region officially became incorporated into what constitutes modern Japan. Kamuikotan (literally "the dwelling place of the Gods") is a scenic area located in the valley of the Ishikari River.[[/note]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[KatanasAreJustBetter Hahakuru]]'' [[note]](literally "to beat / thrash" in Ainu)[[/note]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter a kodachi]]
-> '''Helper:''' ''[[NatureSpirit Kon]][[AnIcePerson ru]]''
-> '''Voiced by:'''[[note]] Creator/TomoSakurai (III), Creator/MegumiMatsumoto (IV, RPG (live-action commercial included)), Creator/KyokoHikami (RPG Drama CD), Keiko Kamitani (64 series, DistantFinale, Nakoruru ADV), Creator/HitomiNabatame (V), Creator/RieKugimiya (VI), Creator/EmiriKatou (Oni), Creator/YuukoOono (2019).[[/note]]
->Nakoruru's [[NotBloodSiblings adoptive]] little sister. She is also a priestess of the Ainu tribe and fights using an ice spirit named Konru, as well as her ''kodachi''. At first, Nakoruru forbade her from fighting, but she managed to build up enough resolve to be acknowledged as capable enough by the time of the third game.
----
* AnIcePerson: Wields a kodachi, but also uses her companion ice-spirit in combat. This primarily manifests as spears of ice that pierce the opponent, as well as large chunks of ice used for crushing attacks.
* BadassNative: Like her sister, she is a member of Hokkaidō's indigenous [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Ainu people]], and her debut costume was a very realistic depiction of traditional Ainu women's national dress. Her ice-based powers reflect the Ainu's close relationship with the natural world, as well as her native Hokkaidō's bitingly cold polar winters.
* BigBrotherWorship: Rimururu idolizes her sister and wants to be like her every way possible.
* CheerfulChild: Jolly, smiley and full of beans!
* CloseRangeCombatant: She has probably the shortest range in the entire series due to her petite stature and short ''kodachi'', which is why using ''Konru'' effectively is an absolute must when playing her.
* DownloadableContent: She was the very first DLC character to drop for ''2019'', and like many of the other characters, she sports an updated look (including a [[PrettyInMink fur cape]] and longer hair) that still retains her classic silhouette.
* JustAKid: And she doesn't like being treated as such -- she lists her greatest dislike as being treated like a child.
* KillTheCutie: Her age and cute looks don't save her in the slightest from the life-and-death brutality of combat.
* LittleMissBadass: An adorable teenage girl whose cheerful facade belies her deadly combat skills.
* NatureSpirit: Her companion spirit Konru manifests as a prism of ice which spins in the air just behind her, and all of her special moves are ice-based. [[ADogNamedDog Konru literally means "ice" in the Ainu language]].
* NotBloodSiblings: She’s Nakoruru’s adopted sister, though their bond isn't any less strong.
* PluckyGirl: Despite the terrifying, bloody circumstances she finds herself confronted by, she maintains an admiral level of pluckiness.
* PromotedToPlayable: Rimururu appeared in the first two games as part of Nakoruru's story, stages, and endings, but it wasn't until ''III'' that she finally appeared as a playable character.
* SnowMeansCold: Rimururu's stages are all set in the village of Kamuikotan on Ezo during the winter. In ''2019'', her stage is the same village location as her sister's, but it's set in the absolute depths of winter and is a snow-covered, icy variation -- which is perfect for AnIcePerson like her.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS:
** In some games, her name is mistranslated as ''Rimnerel''.
** Also, her ice spirit is sometimes called ''Konril''.
* {{Tomboy}}: Much more energetic than her sister and sports a short, choppy hairdo and baggy shorts.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Basara]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/18_basara_5.png]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Tamba Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_34.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[EpicFlail Togabitogoroshi]]'' [[note]](''"[[BadassBoast The Evil-Doer Killer]]"'')[[/note]], [[FuumaShuriken a Fuuma shuriken]] [[EpicFlail hooked to a chain]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Masahiro Nonaka (III-V Special), Motoki Takagi (VI), Yuji Murai (2019)[[/note]]
->Fully titled Basara the Executioner (Kubikiri Basara). A restless spirit who was killed alongside his lover Kagaribi at the hands of the "demon" Zankuro Minazuki. He is brought back to the living world, remembering only his intense hate for "the demon". Convinced by an apparition of Kagaribi that he must "slay evil souls", he embarks on a vengeful killing spree. He is eventually sealed away in a stone pillar for eternity by Aku Amakusa.
----
* AxCrazy: He's a mindless, violently insane killer who doesn't discriminate among the victims he murders.
* BallOfLightTransformation: Basara can use his ghostly powers to transform into a [[HitodamaLight ball of spirit flame]] and back into humanoid form.
* ConfusionFu: One of the cornerstones of his play-style is to spawn shadow clones of himself to fake-out the opponent.
* DownloadableContent: He returns to the series in ''2019'' as part of the first season of DLC characters.
* DrivenToSuicide: His ending in ''2019'' sees him trying to do this in order to be with Kagaribi. [[ForegoneConclusion It doesn't work.]]
* FuumaShuriken: Wields a giant shuriken attached to a length of chain.
* {{Gorn}}: His fatality, where he drags the opponent into a hellish black pit before an enormous eruption of blood blasts their severed ''head'' back out.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Although Basara's powers are explained mainly through his ghost abilities, they also resemble powers usually identified with ninja. This is complemented by Basara's weaponry and costuming which are also associated with ninja -- respectively his shuriken weapon and baggy pants, for example.
* HeWhoFightsMonsters: His vengeful rampage has turned him into a bloodthirsty man-slayer.
* HitodamaLight: As a restless spirit, Basara can summon a hitodama called "Soul of Nue" that he uses as an attack, as well as [[BallOfLightTransformation to transform in and out of a hitodama]] himself.
* ImplausibleDeniability: In ''2019'', it's revealed that this is his reaction to the revelation that he killed Kagaribi in ''V''. Basara denies the horrible truth, convinces himself that it's all Zankuro's fault and that his death will finally reunite him with Kagaribi.
* KillTheOnesYouLove: In his previous life, Basara lived in peace with his lover, Kagaribi, until the monstrous demonic swordsman Zankuro appeared on the scene and began slaughtering everyone. He blames "the demon" for Kagaribi's demise but, in ''V'', it is revealed that Basara himself killed her.
* LaughingMad: Less so in earlier games, but exaggerated in the ''2019'' game, where half his dialogue consists of [[Characters/FatalFury3 Yamazaki-esque]] cackling.
* LoveMakesYouEvil: All he wants is to be with his beloved Kagaribi again, so he kills people indiscriminately under the belief that he will be able to see her again.
-->"Tell me, Kagaribi... How many more must I hunt before you forgive me? Because I will not stop hunting until you do!"
* MeaningfulName: The title of "Kubikiri" means "Executioner" and/or "Beheader". His name is written as "[[FloralThemeNaming Sal tree destroyer]]", but is pronounced as "[[AxCrazy unrestrained]]".
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: In a plot twist revealed in ''V'', it was Basara who killed Kagaribi in a delirium caused by Zankuro fatally wounding him.
* OnlyOneName: First assumed to be his last name, but "Kubikiri" is a title for Basara. His real last name is unknown.
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: The way his giant shuriken works -- it spins off its chain at some points but always returns.
* ShoutOut: Considered by many as the Japanese version of ''Franchise/TheCrow''.
* TogetherInDeath: Averted and GoneHorriblyWrong. He and Kagaribi both certainly died together, but he remains a RevenantZombie and she a ghost surrounding the former.
* TheUndead: The series’ resident zombie character.
* UndeathlyPallor: Depending on the game, Basara's skin can be pale or sickening rotting flesh color.
* UnknownRival: For Zankuro.
* UnwittingPawn: To Amakusa, who resurrected him for the purpose of harvesting souls in order to call forth Ambrosia. Basara is none too pleased when he finds out about this in ''IV''.
* VengefulGhost: Wants nothing more than to see the one who killed him and his lover dead. After finding out it was he himself who killed Kagaribi, he turns on Zankuro. After he finds Zankuro dead, he turns on Amakusa, who is behind his resurrection. It's revealed in Basara's ending in ''2019'' that Kagaribi is this to ''him'', holding a grudge against him for murdering her and forcing him into punishment by means of denying him death until she is appeased.
* WalkingShirtlessScene: Fights topless, combined with baggy ninja trousers.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Aku Amakusa cruelly disposes of him in ''IV'' by trapping him inside a stone pillar, never to be released again.
* {{Youkai}}: A ''Yurei'' (幽霊), which are figures in Japanese folklore, analogous to Western legends of ghosts.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shizumaru Hisame]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/21_shizumaru_3.png]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Japan (exact whereabouts unknown)]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_60.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapons:''' ''[[ParasolOfPain Kirisame ]]'' & ''[[KatanasAreJustBetter Oharae no Magagami Shizumaru]]'' [[note]](''"Drizzle" & "[[TheNamesake Shizumaru's]] heavenly wrath"'')[[/note]], [[ParasolOfPain an oil-paper umbrella]] & [[KatanasAreJustBetter wakizashi]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Miho Kaneta (main series), Motoki Takagi (VI), Makoto Koichi (2019)[[/note]]
->An amnesiac boy who was deemed a "demon" by fearful villagers. Following a traumatic past, he trains and seeks advice from Haohmaru, who he views as a big brother figure. After learning about the great "demon" Zankuro Minazuki, he travels with Haohmaru to defeat him.
----
* AdorablyPrecociousChild: He's a polite, well-meaning young boy with a keen sense of responsibility and exhibits a plucky, serious attitude towards his mission to warn others about the "demon" within him.
* AmbiguouslyRelated: His relation to Zankuro Minazuki, the boss of the third game. According to the developers of ''III'', they are not related but, by contrast, the staff working on the later fifth game state that Shizumaru's real name is Jin / Yaiba [[ConnectedAllAlong Minazuki.]][[note]]Both "Jin" and "Yaiba" are possible readings of "刃", but SNK never confirmed which one.[[/note]]
* AmnesiacDissonance: He can't remember his very early childhood, and was adopted by a monk in infancy.
* ApologeticAttacker: Some of his win-poses see him do a double-take, mutter an apology, and bow respectfully to his fallen opponent. Also, after performing his fatality in ''V Special'', the poor boy will be horrified to see his rival dead [[TenderTears and collapse in tears]].
* BadassAdorable: Just look at him. Would you believe this little guy can keep up with seasoned samurai and ninja masters?
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Because he was deemed to be a "demon" since childhood, he had to live and survive alone.
* DemonicPossession: His Super Special Move in ''2019'' confirms that he does have some sort of demonic power or entity within him, which drives him into a berserk frenzy complete with BlackEyesOfCrazy.
* DownloadableContent: He returns to the series in ''2019'' as a surprise bonus amongst the first season of DLC characters.
* KidHero: One of the youngest characters, if not ''the'' youngest and in most of the games he appears in, he’s a tender 12 years old.
* KidSamurai: Certainly in terms of his age, and his role as a “little brother” figure to some of the older samurai men in the cast.
* KillTheCutie: Despite his tender years, he's spared none of the series' legendarily graphic brutality and is subject to the same horrific fatalities as all of the other characters, which can be uncomfortable, all things considered.
* MeaningfulName: "Hisame" translates as "Scarlet Rain", although the developers made a pun with "RainOfBlood". "Shizu" translates as "[[TheQuietOne Quiet]]". If you take his alleged true name into account, "Jin / Yaiba" means "sword", while his surname "Minazuki" translates to "moonless sky on the 9th sign of the Chinese calendar". The latter in particular refers to the phenomenon of a crimson moon. Put them both together and you essentially get "sword of the blood-red moon", which not only ties into his theme regarding the color red but also denotes his latent thirst for violence.
* ParasolOfPain: He wields an oil-paper parasol with a bladed edge, which acts as his primary weapon. He can whap the opponent with the tip, send it spinning towards them in the manner of an arcing fireball attack, and deadliest of all, spin it round rapidly to suck the opponent in and deliver a horrific multi-hitting rotor-blade style attack. He [[DualWielding also wields]] a ''wakizashi''.
* RainOfBlood: His super in ''2019'' is amongst the most horrifically gory in the game. After hurling his parasol at the opponent, he lunges at them screaming and carves a huge gash up their middle, which sends a veritable ''shower'' of blood pouring all over the arena floor whilst he looks on horrified from beneath his blood-soaked parasol.
* RedIsViolent: In his main outfit and hair-highlights, the color red is predominant, and despite his tender look, he's [[GoodIsNotNice as dangerous as anyone else in the roster]].
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: His "seppuku" animation in ''IV'' causes him to bow to his opponent and run like hell.
* ShoutOut: Visually to [[Manga/RurouniKenshin Himura Kenshin]]. Most westerners saw him as one to ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'', having Ranma's hairstyle and female hair color as well as Ryouga's trademark weapon (an umbrella).
* ShrinesAndTemples: His stage in ''2019'' is set in the courtyard of the beautiful Tōshō-gū temple complex in Nikko, which has for centuries been a sacred site known for its architectural and decorative masterpieces.
* ShrinkingViolet: A relatively rare male example, he's very sweet-natured, if a little melancholic.
* SicklyGreenGlow: During his fatality in ''V Special'', Shizumaru becomes engulfed in a terrifying green aura, accompanied by a glowing hallucination of Zankuro, hinting at their connection. The aura returns in ''2019'', only this time it also makes his eyes glow green.
* SuperpoweredEvilSide: He was rumored to be a 'demon' by his fellow villagers, and eventually he finds out that he ''does'' indeed have a demon bloodlust within him, similarly to Zankuro. This is alluded to in Shizumaru's fatality in ''V Special'' -- as he prepares to finish off the opponent, a hallucination of Zankuro appears behind him. He misses the killing blow and blacks out from the mental stress, but the phantom Zankuro slices the opponent clean in half, leaving Shizumaru horrified when he regains consciousness. Eventually, he comes to [[BeYourself accept his "demon" as a natural part of himself and makes peace with his past]].
* TheyCallHimSword: The monk who adopted him in infancy named him 'Shizumaru' after the inscription on [[MementoMacGuffin the sword found with him]].
* TroubledButCute: Sweeter than the standard, but with a VERY DarkAndTroubledPast.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Gaira Caffeine (Kafūin)]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/23_gaira.jpg]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Hida Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_67.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nianfo Namu Amida Butsu]]'', [[ImprobableWeaponUser a giant ojuzu]] [[note]]buddhist prayer beads — analogous to the christian rosary[[/note]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Kōji Suidzu (III), Takeshi Watanabe (IV-V Special), Takumi Satō (VI)[[/note]]
->Nicotine's enormous, slow-witted grandson. After an argument with Nicotine, Gaira ran off from Koka-in temple to train, and witnessed Zankuro's killing spree, but was too afraid to stop him. After Amakusa and Zankuro are defeated for good, Gaira eventually returns in peace to the temple.
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* BareFistedMonk: He's a ''giant'' monk of the Koka-in Temple in Hida, and fights with his huge fists and a Buddhist rosary.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: Fights with his (gigantic) feet uncovered.
* DumbMuscle: An incredibly strong guy who sports a ''very'' impressive musculature for someone as young as 18 years old, but he's certainly not the smartest of the series’ characters.
* GentleGiant: From ''III'' to ''IV'', he represented the "giant" character of the series, until the appearance of Kusaregedo in ''V'' and the return of other large-sprite characters in ''VI''.
* TheGiant: He's 7'5" -- ''enormous'' for a Japanese man in the 1700s and only really possible due to medical disorders of the pituitary gland.
* ImprobableWeaponUser: A huge Buddhist rosary which he smashes into the opponent with deadly force -- characters like Mina and Nakoruru can only take two or three heavy hits.
* IronicName: Gaira translates as "[[LightningBruiser lightweight body]]".
* MightyGlacier: He's positively enormous and very slow with it.
* TheSlacker: His blasé, carefree attitude contrasts strongly with the solemn nature of his profession, leading to several arguments with Nicotine over his behavior, and although he acts as though he doesn't care for the temple, in reality, he is hesitant to accept his responsibilities to the Buddhist faith at such a young age.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: As with his grandfather, his last name would usually be written as "Kafūin", but the pun on "caffeine" carried over with him too.
* TakenForGranite: His Fatality turns the enemy into stone. He then proceeds to shatter him/her.
* TransatlanticEquivalent: He's known as Kim Ung Che in ''Fighters Swords'', the Korean version of the third game, made for the South Korean market. The name is a direct Korean translation of “Gaira”. Said counterpart appears as a separate character in ''VI'' with the look of ''III-IV'' Gaira, but with a white outfit instead of Gaira's blue, and they can actually be pitched against each other in a MirrorMatch.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Zankuro Minazuki]]
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/24_zankura.jpg]]
-> '''Origin:''' ''[[FeudalJapan Kyōto, Yamashiro Province, Japan]] [[labelnote:flag]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flagjapan_88.png[[/labelnote]]''
-> '''Weapon:''' ''[[{{BFS}} Akahagane Ongokumaru]]'' [[note]](''"[[BloodSplatteredWarrior The Crimson Steel]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters of Hell's Grudge]]"'')[[/note]], [[{{BFS}} a zanbatō]]
-> '''Voiced by:''' [[note]]Hiroyuki Arita (III), Enma Itō (IV), Kazuhiro Nakata (V Special), Creator/AkioOhtsuka (VI)[[/note]]
->The third game's final boss. Trying his hardest to perfect his swordsmanship, he became a brutal killer, likened to a demon. He slaughtered people indiscriminately until he came across a girl named Shiori and couldn't bring himself to kill her (she is actually revealed to be his daughter). [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Realizing what kind of man he has become]], he calls it quits and retires into his hermitage, swearing only to raise his sword to fight a WorthyOpponent. In later games, he's revived and killed a few times (once by a [[LightningCanDoAnything lightning bolt]] of all things), but is eventually KilledOffForReal by Sogetsu.
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* AmbiguouslyRelated: Shizumaru (birth name Jin/Yaiba Minazuki) is either his son, nephew, or simply shares his surname -- it's never been clarified -- though the fact that Zankuro appears as a looming, ghostly presence in Shizumaru's fatality is telling.
* AntiVillain: He was once a cold-blooded killer but he has since retired and [[EvenEvilHasStandards won't kill people indiscriminately]] — yet he's still the BigBad.
* BadassNormal: Unlike [[EnergyBall Amakusa]] and [[BlackMage Mizuki]], Zankuro doesn't rely on sorcery or the dark powers of Ambrosia, being the first boss character to do so in the series. He wields a ''zanbatō'' which he uses to attack with amazing speed and strength. In his first boss appearance, he could easily defeat his foe in two to three strikes.
* {{BFS}}: His ''zanbatō'' (a giant katana) is absolutely massive, standing about as tall as he is when it's planted in the ground.
* BloodKnight: A brutal version -- he was once a kind man who lived happily with his family. He eventually went blind with blood lust and started to slay others to compensate, unintentionally killing his wife in the process.
* HijackedByGanon: ''IV'' (subtitled AMAKUSA'S REVENGE for crying out loud) revolves around a new plan formulated by a re-reawakened ClassicVillain, so you would think said classic villain would be the final boss. Nope, after defeating Aku Amakusa, the big stone obelisk in the background of the final stage explodes, Aku Amakusa gets sliced in half, and in walks, a newly resurrected Zankuro, who in the third game--it should be noted--was just a normal human who was killed by lightning!
* LargeAndInCharge: He's ''huge'', standing 7'11", with gigantic arms and an intimidating stance.
* MeaningfulName: Minazuki translates as "[[BadMoonRising Moonless sky on the ninth sign of the Chinese calendar]]". Zankuro as "[[BloodSplatteredWarrior Crimson beheader son]]".
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Calls time on his killing spree after coming across a girl named Shiori, who he discovers (thankfully just in time) is his daughter. This causes him to rethink his approach and only fight worthy opponents.
* RatedMForManly: Definitely!
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: His fearful reputation started when a Karō (high-ranking samurai) and his minions kidnapped his child, Kakunoshin. After Zankuro found out, they were soon all dead -- even his son.
* SealedEvilInACan: What he becomes after his death in the third game... which Amakusa tries to release.
* SNKBoss: By ''IV'', he had the greatest reach and base strength of all bosses, as well as great speed.
* SwordBeam: His fatality in ''V'' consists of a super-powered slash that fires a green wave of death at his foe, totally obliterating him/her except for the lower parts of their feet.
* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: In ''III'', where combos are restricted and doing them from behind is one of the few effective ways, he can't be combo-ed from behind, as he will magically block any second hit you might attempt to land on him, leading to some heavy retribution. From that same game, he has a TrueFinalBoss form, where you must knock him down a third time, the cheating part being that even if you have not been knocked out before, you'll lose if he wins the round, and if you win by time out, you also lose the game. Finally in ''IV'', his Desperation Attack is a one hit kill if it catches you in the air.
* TrueFinalBoss: In ''III'', as mentioned above.
[[/folder]]
