History Characters / TheLastBlade

* GutturalGrowler: Ryûzaburô Ôtomo gives Zantetsu a ''very'' deep, gravel tone to his voice, almost to BassoProfundo levels if it wasn't for Zantetsu's [[TheStoic stoicism]].

* ASinisterClue: He is conspicuously left-handed which used to be highly frowned upon in Japanese culture for swordsmen. In ''2'', this is averted since he no longer serves evil.

* ShoutOut: His hairstyle and mannerisms are based on that of Kenshin Himura from ''Manga/RurouniKenshin''. Many characters from this series are in fact homages to Kenshin characters.

* ShoutOut: Based on Hajime Saito of ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'', and the scar on his face is a nod to Kenshin himself.

* BladeOnAStick: Her weapon of choice.

* ShoutOut: She and her brother are based on the Shinsengumi's 1st Division captain Okita Souji and his sister Mitsu (despite having relatively short time in ''Manga/RurouniKenshin''), Kaori was that good as a swordswoman that she could pose as her brother no problem (Okita Souji was noted as a genius swordsman), and Kojiroh died way before the story started, although in his case, it wasn't because of [[IncurableCoughOfDeath tuberculosis]], but being murdered by Shikyoh/Mukuro.

* DarkSkinnedBlonde: The body he inhabits.

-> '''Origin''': [[FuedalJapan Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)]]

-> '''Weapon:''' ''Kyōtō: Hagewashi'' ("Lunatic Blade: Vulture"), [[DuelWielding a pair of twin-blades]]

-> '''Weapon:''' ''Tōrōjin: Kage'' ("Mantis Blade: Shadow") and ''Tōrōjin: Nagare'' ("Mantis Blade: Stream"), [[DuelWielding a pair of tantō]]

-> '''Origin''': [[FuedalJapan Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)]]

-> '''Weapon:''' ''Guren'' ("Crimson Lotus"), [[CombaHandFan a folding fan]]

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Hayate-Maru'' ("Hurricane Rounder"), a katana

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Tsuki no Katsura'' ("Cercidiphyllum of the Moon"), a katana

-> '''Origin''': Russian Empire
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Botan'' ("Peony"), a naginata

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Meian'' ("Light and Darkness"), a heihaku[[note]] an offering or talisman in the Shinto faith[[/note]]

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Kongō Rakan'' ("Adamantine Arhat"), a metal club

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Otokomae'' ("Handsome Man"), a shikomizue (hidden cane sword)

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Hihon'' ("Fire Purity"), a fishing rod and creel (which holds turtles)

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Fights with a ''fishing rod''.

-> '''Origin''': Qing Empire (China)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Guren'' ("Crimson Lotus"), a folding fan

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Hayabusa'' ("Peregrine Falcon"), a katana

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Kyōtō: Hagewashi'' ("Lunatic Blade: Vulture"), a pair of twin-blades

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Tōrōjin: Kage'' ("Mantis Blade: Shadow") and ''Tōrōjin: Nagare'' ("Mantis Blade: Stream"), a pair of tantō

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Byakko no Juzu'' ("Rosary of Byakko"), a rosary

* DishingOutDirt: As Byakko's representive on Earth, he uses this power.

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' an unnamed katana and wakizashi

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Zuihō'' ("Fortunate Phoenix"), a treasured chokutō[[note]] a straight, single-edged Japanese sword[[/note]]

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Kodama'' ("Echo"), an iaitō

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Mozu'' ("Shrike"), a katana

-> '''Origin''': Hell's Gate
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Yaso Magatsu Hi no Tachi'' ("Eighty Days Unwillingly Harbored Blade"), a katana

-> '''Origin''': Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan)
-> '''Weapon:''' ''Totsuka no Tsurugi'' ("Sword of Ten Hands"), a sabre

-> '''Fighting style:''' Kassatsu Ittō-ryū ("Life-or-Death Stray Blade Style")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Kasshin-chō Sōjutsu ("Lively Heart Spear Arts")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Ichijō-ryū Onmyōjutsu ("Ichijou-style Elemental Arts")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Magokoro-Ryū: "Ichi no Tachi" ("Sincere Style: One Longsword")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Tennen Rishin-Ryū: Hayabusa ("Style of the Natural Comprehension of the Spirit: Heavenly Peregrine Falcon")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Kisaragi-ryu Ninjitsu

-> '''Fighting style:''' Niten Ichi-Ryū Kai ("Two Heavens as One Style, revised")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Musō Shinden-Ryū ("Unparalleled Shinden Style")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Tennen Rishin-Ryū: Mozu ("Spontaneous True Spirit Style: Shrike")

-> '''Weapon:''' ''Mei-Kyō-Shi-Sui: Zansatsu no Shō'' ("Clear Conscience: Medal of Slaughter")
-> '''Fighting style:''' Kyōtō: Hagewashi ("Lunatic Blade: Vulture")

NaginatasAreFeminine: The sole female Gaisei apprentice and specifically chose a naginata to fight, instead of a katana like Kaede and Moriya.

* AnIcePerson: True to her name, Yuki utilizes icy shards as projectiles and a powerful frosty wind as her anti air.

** NaginatasAreFeminine: The sole female Gaisei apprentice and specifically chose a naginata to fight instead of katana like Kaede and Moriya.

* MeaningfulName: Yuki, the Japanese word for "snow."

* YamatoNadeshiko: Despite being born foreign, Yuki has embraced her Japanese name as her true identity. She's very softly-spoken ([[GoodIsNotSoft unless she's fighting]]), protective and extra materials and her Ending in [=LB1=] has her usually wear a kimono. [[spoiler:And because of this, she fully accepts her destiny as the Sealing Maiden with resolve rather than rebelling against it.]]

-> '''Fighting style:''' Ichijō-ryū Onmyōjutsu ("Ichijou-style Elemental Techniques")

-> '''Weapon:''' ''Hayate-Maru'' ("Squall Rounder"), a katana

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/13.gif]]

-> '''Fighting style:''' Kasshin Chōsō Jutsu ("Lively Heart Polearm Techniques")

-> '''Fighting style:''' Kasshin Chōsō Jutsu ("Living Heart Polearm Techniques")

He is available in the console ports of the 2nd game.

[[quoteright:154:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hibiki_3.jpg]]

The final boss of the Last Blade 2, Kouryu is fueled with the powers of the four guardians of Hell's Gate, making him a godly powerful divine being. He is actually Gaisei, the master of Kaede, Moriya and Yuki, forced back from the dead as the puppet for an evil entity, possibly Setsuna.

Tropes associated Kouryu:

A guardian of Hell's Gate, he was sealed away by Shinnosuke Kagami so that he would not interfere in his plans. When he broke free, he was blinded by fury to the point that he sought out Kagami for revenge. In the second game, he has significantly calmed down and reunited with his daughter, Kotetsu. As Hell's Gate reopens, Shigen accepts his duty and seeks to close it back.

Tropes associated with Shigen:

A legendary warrior who travelled the world seeking opponents and honing his skills. After his death in battle, he was resurrected by Shinnosuke Kagami and turned into a mindless puppet, existing solely to slaughter. However, he was slain in combat before he could fulfil his goal. Returning to his original personality, he graciously praises whoever defeated him before finally resting in peace.

Tropes associated with Musashi:

The main antagonist of the first game, Kagami is a guardian of the Hell's Gate gone rogue. He deems humanity corrupt and unworthy, and seeks to open Hell's Gate and create a new world order by erasing the unworthy. He is responsible for the slaughter of many people, including Gaisei. To help his plan go as smoothly as possible, Kagami sealed his friend and fellow guardian Shigen in a stone for many years. He was finally defeated by Kaede when he awoke to the power of the dragon Seiryu. Kagami was sealed in Hell's Gate as retribution for his vile acts, but reincarnates again as a guardian. Disgusted by his prior actions, he seeks to atone and fight for the good of humanity.

Tropes associated with Kagami:

[[quoteright:224:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hibiki_3.jpg]]
The daughter of a legendary swordmaker who becomes ill after spending a lengthy amount of time forging a powerful katana for a mysterious man. Rendered deathly ill by the effort, he tells Hibiki to go after the mysterious stranger. A quiet, shy girl, Hibiki dislikes fighting and becomes frightened at the sight of blood.

Tropes associated with Hibiki:

A member of the Shinsengumi and best friend to Washizuka. In actuality, this character is Kojiroh's sister Kaori posing as him after his murder at the hands of Mukuro, unbeknownst to all of her comrades except Washizuka himself. Kaori uses her cover to investigate the Hell's Gate and to finish her brother's killer for good.

Tropes associated with "Kojiroh"/Kaori:

A spiteful demon with an eternal bloodlust who escaped into the world when Kagami opened the Hell's Gate. Setsuna took the body of a newborn child and took it for his own, instantly maturing the vessel to adulthood with his power. With only his bare hands and whatever he could find, he killed as many people as he could before he came to Hibiki's father with orders to craft him a weapon, an endeavor which would ultimately cost the man his life. Setsuna's ultimate goal is to kill Yuki, leaving Hell's Gate permanently open and allowing his fellow demons to join him in the slaughter.

Tropes associated with Setsuna:

-> '''Weapon:''' ''Tsuki no Katsura'' ("Katsure of the Moon"), a katana

Tropes associated with Moriya:

Tropes associated with Yuki:

Tropes associated with Akari:

Tropes associated with Juzoh:

Tropes associated with Amano:

-> '''Fighting style:''' ''Magokoro-Ryū: "Ichi no Tachi"'' ("Sincere Style: One Longsword")

Tropes associated with Okina:
* ImprobableWeaponUser: Fights with a fishing rod.
* MakingASplash: He uses this elemtent, for he is Genbu himself.

A Chinese martial artist with an undying sense of justice who witnessed the opening of Hell's Gate.

Tropes associated with Lee:

A high-ranking member of the Shinsengumi, a group of warriors who uphold the law. A very solemn, stoic man, Washizuka takes his job extremely seriously.

Tropes associated with Washizuka:

Like Washizuka, Shikyoh was a member of the Shinsengumi. However, he did not share Washizuka's sense of honor and justice. Rather, he was a corrupt warrior who used his membership as an excuse to slaughter as many people as he could get away with. Washizuka was disgusted by his immoral conduct and expelled him from the group. This only sent him further off the deep end, as he sought out Hell's Gate to further his killing power. In the second game, he becomes trapped on the other side until he becomes the undead monstrosity known as Mukuro. It is revealed that he was responsible for Kojiroh's murder.

Tropes associated with Shikyoh and Mukuro:

After the amount of ninja in Japan drastically decreases, Zantetsu dedicates himself to re-validating the ninja's image by challenging all who will face him. After hearing of the Hell's Gate, he seeks it out to challenge the demons within and slay them, proving once and for all the superiority of the ninja. In the second game, he is a much calmer individual, teaching his offspring ninjitsu so that the legacy of his clan may continue. Now a dying man, he returns to Hell's Gate for one final battle before his passing. He is allegedly the ancestor of Eiji Kisaragi from SNK's VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters and VideoGame/ArtOfFighting games.

Tropes associated with Zantetsu:

The main character of the series, Kaede grew up with Moriya and Yuki under the tutelage of the warrior Gaisei. Unfortunately, Gaisei was murdered in his absence, with Moriya seemingly responsible. Kaede would later learn the truth behind his master's murder, but would be too weak in his normal state to defeat the man responsible. However, Kaede has the power of Seiryu, the legendary dragon, locked within him. It is only with this power that he is able to defeat his master's killer. In the second game, he perfects this ability and is permanently in his "awakened" state. Normally, Kaede is a very humble, modest warrior who doesn't like being flattered or boastful, but when he awakens he becomes exceedingly arrogant and has no shame in talking himself up.

Tropes associated with Kaede:

Kaede's adoptive brother, who also grew up under the swordsman Gaisei. He was the first to discover their master's slain body, and as such was deemed guilty when Kaede saw him standing over the corpse. He then set out to clear his name of the accusations, and in the process take revenge upon the true killer of his master.

Yuki's family were immigrants to Japan (from Russia, specifically), but they did not survive the trip. She was adopted by the swordsman Gaisei, under whom she learned to defend herself with Kaede and Moriya. After Gaisei's murder, Yuki joined Kaede on his journey to find the truth. In the second game, it is revealed that Yuki is the maiden chosen to seal away the evil present on the Earth.

Born to a family of exorcists, Akari was sent by her father to undo the opening of Hell's Gate. In the events of the second game, her older sister becomes ill, allegedly due to the Hell's Gate, causing Akari to return to investigate it.

* FightingClown: Acts incrdibly goofy during combat, and can summon bizarre creatures.

Akari's adoptive brother, Juzoh is a good spirited fellow whom Akari drags along with her to investigate the Hell's Gate. During the second game, his adoptive sister falls ill and he joins with Akari again to look into the cause.

A hedonistic warrior who travels Japan in search of thrills. During the events of the second game, he challenges the Hell's Gate to preserve the beauty of the natural world.

One of the guardians who watches over Hell's Gate. He enjoys fishing and relaxation, but is an extremely skilled warrior, mentoring Kaede after his master's murder. When Hell's Gate re-opens, he seeks out the maiden who was born to seal it forever. Allegedly, he was good friends with Gaisei when he was alive.