Line #53 Videogame/AkatsukiBlitzkampf


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3	''Akatsuki [[GratuitousGerman Blitzkampf]]'' (アカツキ電光戦記 ''Akatsuki Denkō Senki''), or ''Akatsuki EN-Eins'' (アカツキエンアイン, ''Akatsuki EN-Ain'') is a [[{{Doujinshi}} doujinshi]] [[FightingGame fighting game]] developed by doujin developer SUBTLE STYLE. Released in April 2007 as a full version of SUBTLE STYLE's 2003 game ''Akatsuki Shisei Ichigou'', ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf'' got a lot of attention in Japan and elsewhere for its high-resolution sprites and older style of gameplay that was more reminiscent of Creator/{{Capcom}} fighters like Franchise/StreetFighter over its fast-paced, combo heavy doujin contemporaries like VideoGame/MeltyBlood. In-game visuals convey a specific militaristic theme and environment, portrayed by the flat and somewhat cubist character portraits and story cutscenes. Also, the gratuitous amount of extra modes the game provides (such as Survival[[note]]endurance matches [[/note]], Time Attack, or SUGOROKU[[note]]A sort-of Snakes and Ladders-like 'board game'[[/note]]) and the ways that they are unlocked is largely reminiscent of a console release of an arcade fighting game, further reinforcing the semi-retro feel.
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5	The game itself is set in an [[AlternateHistory alternate present]][[note]]The game is set in the Japanese imperial year [[YearX 266X]], equivalent to 200X AD[[/note]], and involves characters that more or less resemble the German and Japanese soldiers of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII. The protagonist is a top officer of this alternate universe's equivalent of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the titular Akatsuki, who was believed to have died 50 years ago during a ''very'' important weapon transporting mission in the Arctic Pole. Now that he has "returned" to life ''and'' has adquired several new powers, Akatsuki wants to finish what he started... but since he's stuck in a strange land that he doesn't really recognize anymore and there are many people going after the power he holds, which can potentially change ''history'' depending on which country gets his hands on it, this goal will NOT be easy to fulfill.
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7	In 2007, Monthly Arcadia magazine confirmed that the game would receive an arcade release published by SUBTLE STYLE themselves. This version was known as ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf Ausf. Achse'' and it was released in 2008 for the Sega NAOMI system. ''Ausf. Achse'' featured a brand new character, updated graphics, some new voicework, and a balance update. ''Blitzkampf'' would receive a proper sequel in 2010 with the LighterAndSofter ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt''[[note]]also known as ''EN-Eins Kanzen Sekai''[[/note]], which introduced three new characters and changed the game into something faster and combo heavy due to double jumps, autocombos, and wallsplats. In June 2022, more than twelve years after the release of ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'', SUBTLE STYLE announced a crowdfunding campaign to develop an updated version of the game known as ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt Anastasis'', featuring new characters, a training mode, updated graphics, and balance changes, and it was released on February 21, 2023 on Creator/{{Taito}}'s [=NESiCAxLIVE=] arcade service. Although the crowdfunding campaign did not reach all of its goals, it succeeded enough to guarantee at least three new characters and new story content, with the first of these new characters (Inazuma) launching alongside the game and the rest coming in later updates.
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9	Despite its relatively niche status, ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf'' maintains a [[CultClassic cult]] status more than 16 years after the game's PC release thanks to its strong simple, yet deep gameplay. Akatsuki would later appear to represent the series in ''VideoGame/UnderNightInBirth'' becoming a popular character in his own right as a GuestFighter. Akatsuki and Blitztank also rep the game in Arc System Works' ''VideoGame/BlazBlueCrossTagBattle'', increasing the series' exposure further.
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11	----
12	!!Provides Examples Of:
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14	* AlternateHistory: It looks like the post-war Earth has become a ''heavily'' {{dystopia}}n and militarised CrapsackWorld. [[spoiler: And there's a Nazi-inspired Secret Society, ''Gesellschaft'', that is looking to get ''even more'' power...]]
15	* AutoRevive: Anonym's Super, complete with a shaft of light shining down from the Heavens [[LightTheWay which also hits the opponent]].
16	* TheBadGuyWins: A pretty possible outcome, if the player chooses a villain's Story Mode [[spoiler: or Anonym Merel's]]. [[spoiler: Mycale the Perfecti and Murakumo attain [[TakeOverTheWorld world domination]] and/or [[OmnicidalManiac destroy all or some life on Earth]] (surely at the expense of [[LivingMacGuffin Akatsuki's life]], plus in Mycale's case she almost surely ''keeps'' [[AndIMustScream poor Kati's body for herself until the girl's physical death]]), Anonym Merel is subjected to a GrandTheftMe from Mycale [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished right after defeating Murakumo]]... [[SubvertedTrope And Adler]] ends up OutGambitted but that doesn't deter him.]]
17	* BackStab: Attacks against an opponent facing away from you deals an additional 50% damage compared to a counter-hit's usual 25% bonus.
18	* BattleInTheRain: It's played straight in Sai's UsefulNotes/HongKong stage, but when it's time to fight Elektrosoldat [[spoiler:and Adler]] in Tibet's [[http://wikitravel.org/en/Yarlung_Tsangpo_Grand_Canyon Tsangpo]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarlung_Tsangpo_Grand_Canyon Grand Canyon]], what takes place is two Battles In The ''Snow''.
19	* BigBad: Murakumo in Akatsuki Blitzkampf. Valkyria in EN-Eins Perfektewelt. Despite being a MiniBoss in both games, [[GreaterScopeVillain Mycale/Perfecti]] can be this.
20	* BloodStainedGlassWindows: Anonym's HomeStage is a church in UsefulNotes/HongKong.
21	* {{Bowdlerize}}: ''Ausf. Achse'' removes quite a bit of the blood and Elektrosoldat's "Sieg Heil" victory phrase.
22	* CherryBlossoms:
23	** Murakumo's Super in ''[[UpdatedReRelease Ausf. Achse]]'' has him slashing the foe upwards several times and then stabbing them back to the ground while some cherry blossom petals fall on them. This is a {{bowdlerise}}d version of the original super, which is pretty similar save for the lack of petals [[OverdrawnAtTheBloodBank and the borderline]] RainOfBlood...
24	** Also, the original PC version's pre-fight screens had cherry blossom petals raining down on the rivals's portraits.
25	* ChurchMilitant: Anonym-Guard and her other Anonyms.
26	* CombatPragmatist: Murakumo is a pretty dirty fighter who not only [[ConfusionFu uses]] [[MasterOfIllusion illusions]] and his katana, but also [[LandmineGoesClick sets traps/Blitz Landmines on the ground]].
27	* ConfusionFu: Murakumo and his illusions.
28	* DarkerAndEdgier: In contrast to most doujin fighters, the first game had a darker art style and the atmosphere was a lot less anime-like, instead opting for a "used future" style more seen in Western media. ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'' averts this with a more colorful diamond-studded aesthetic but the lore is still dark.
29	* DeadlyGaze: Other than snake-style martial arts, this is Sai's primary means of assassination: evil eyes that can cause ailments or death on whoever looks into them. [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Or makes fish drop on them every time they jump.]]
30	* DramaticWind: Most everyone wearing a cape or other long, billowy garment benefits from this.
31	* EarlyBirdCameo: Valkyria, the FinalBoss of ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'', shows up during Mycale's parry in ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf'' and ''Ausf. Achse''.
32	* EasyModeMockery: In ''[[UpdatedReRelease Ausf. Achse]]'', choosing the Easy Mode locks the player out of the chosen character's Story Path after the fifth match. Instead of anything similar to an ending, it ends with a picture of [[spoiler: Mycale's Perfecti form, Murakumo and Blitztank]], a "Ninmu kanryou!" ("Mission finished!") from the announcer and a message that urges the player to play in Normal Mode instead.
33	* EnemyCivilWar: All over ''Gessellschaft''. Murakumo's AGodAmI mentality clashes with Mycale's own intentions [[spoiler: (or Perfecti's for that matter)]], whereas [[spoiler: Adler]] seems to have his own ideas about what should be done...
34	* {{Expy}}: Elektrosoldat plays pretty much like Guile from Franchise/StreetFighter. Players refer to his projectiles as Sonic Booms and to his somersault kicks as Flash Kicks.
35	** Given his [[AnimeHair choice of]] [[FashionableAsymmetry hairstyle]], [[WrestlerInAllOfUs usage of wrestling moves]], and [[RedIsViolent the significance of red in his clothes]], it is very clear that Wei is effectively a more buff version of [[Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura Shinsuke Nakamura]].
36	* {{Fanservice}}: Kanae, Marilyn, Valkyria and her Tempelritter clones, all of whom have large busts and show off their legs. For a male example: Wei/Dawei (who is constantly shirtless).
37	* [[SailorFuku Gakuran]]: Subverted. At some point, [[http://i.imgur.com/f2f9YLM.png a young man]] [[FaceFramedInShadow in a shadowed environment]] is seen dressed in what seems to be a Japanese schoolboy outfit aka ''gakuran''... but since this happens in [[spoiler: Murakumo]]'s prologue, it's obvious (at last within context) that this "young man" is ''NOT'' a middle school/highschool student but an adult wearing a military uniform. [[note]](Then again, the SailorFuku and the ''Gakuran'' '''did''' start as military clothing...)[[/note]] In the game proper, [[spoiler: '''no one''']] wears a school uniform to fight.
38	* GrandTheftMe: [[spoiler: Mycale, being the spirit of a WickedWitch, has this skill and uses it to snatch the bodies of women with magic/fighting potential. In game/story she uses the body of a 14-year-old German girl named Kati, and in Anonym's ending she steals Anonym's body for herself.]]
39	* GratuitousGerman: Japan's fascination with German culture and history is really nothing new, but as noted under NoSwastikas, they're not always clear on which parts of it aren't cool to emulate.
40	* GuestFighter: Akatsuki shows up in ''VideoGame/UnderNightInBirth'' and he also appears in ''VideoGame/BlazBlueCrossTagBattle'' along with Blitztank.
41	* GunsAkimbo: The Anonyms use a pair of chrome-plated Webley revolvers.
42	* GunKata: Anonym, again. Her super is named [[Film/{{Equilibrium}} Tetragrammaton]].
43	* HeyYou: Characters like [[spoiler: Kanae]], [[spoiler: Fritz]], [[spoiler: Adler]] and [[spoiler: Murakumo]] refer to [[spoiler: Akatsuki]] ''not'' by his name, but as [[spoiler: "[[YouareNumberSix Prototyp 1]]"]].
44	* KatanasAreJustBetter: Fritz uses a katana to fight, and while he can't go for long combos, every hit causes massive damage. Murakumo also uses a katana, but only for one special move and his super.
45	* LadyOfWar: Both Anonym-Guard & her subordinates (especially Anonym Merel) and Marilyn Sue qualify in one way or another. Anonym is calm and collected and fights with revolvers, Marilyn has a very physical but also very elegant fighting style.
46	* LighterAndSofter:
47	** ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'', at least visually. Sure, Nazis are still involved, but it suddenly became a lot flashier and more colorful compared to [[RealIsBrown the previous versions]].
48	** ''Ausf. Achse'' ''might'' be another example, since it removes most of [[OverdrawnAtTheBloodBank the blood]] and has a brighter, also more colorful visual interface. Here's a comparison between [[http://i.imgur.com/k1TPCLT.jpg a shot of Elektrosoldat's prologue in the original]] to [[http://i.imgur.com/NumEFVq.jpg a shot from its Ausf. Achse rendition]].
49	* LightningBruiser: Fritz is at first sight a MightyGlacier, but some of his moves make him dash through the screen rather fast so a player with good timing and nimble fingers will make him this instead.
50	* LimitBreak: In ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'', there's a burst move called ''Kanzen Sekai'' (lit. Perfektewelt/Perfect World), which can be done anytime (by pressing A+B+D), even while getting hit or performing an attack. Activating Kanzen Sekai knocks the opponent away, temporarily changes the background and music, gives the player regenerating health [[note]] up to the pink line in their health bar [[/note]], freezes the game timer, and provides an attack and defense buff depending on how much meter they had when they activated Kanzen Sekai. Pressing A+B+D again before the time limit ends will initiate a ''Kanzen Shinsatsu'', a very powerful super move that can be cancelled into from normal attacks and immediately ends Kanzen Sekai upon use. However, activating Kanzen Sekai disables your meter and you won't get it back until the next round, and you're wide open if the opponent blocks or parries the activation, so use it wisely.
51	* LivingMacGuffin: [[TheProtagonist Akatsuki]] is one of these, thanks to his possession of the Blitz Engine, which is heavily implied to be either in his uniform or in his body.
52	* MagicSkirt: Mycale probably has the most magical skirt of all, considering the hemline ends just below the crotch and it somehow still doesn't show anything. Pretty much the only time she gets a panty shot is when she gets knocked out.
53	** However, in ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'', as Kati, she is more susceptible to this.
54	* MeaningfulName: [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_destroyer_Akatsuki Akatsuki]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murakumo Murakumo]], hmmmm?
55	* MechaMooks: Elektrosoldats are robotic soldiers [[spoiler: equipped with Blitz Engines]].
56	* MightyGlacier: Blitztank is incredibly slow, not to mention HUGE, but it can deal ''massive'' damage.
57	* MundaneMadeAwesome: Who would say that blocking ''fish'' falling on one's head would be fun?
58	* NintendoHard: The first version had a [[SNKBoss brutally hard]] Murakumo. Later versions toned down his AI heavily, but he still manages to be pretty cheap depending on what difficulty you're playing on.
59	* NoSwastikas: Subverted. The "Nazi" characters aren't actually called Nazis, nor do they have any of the Nazi regalia other than the general layout of their uniforms. The subversion comes when you see Elektrosoldat win a match, salute, and yell "Sieg Heil!". ''[[UpdatedReRelease Ausf. Achse]]'' and ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'' removed this winpose.
60	* OverdrawnAtTheBloodBank: Whenever Fritz or Murakumo hit someone with their katanas, each hit draws large quantities of blood. Same goes to anyone unlucky enough to be caught in [[DeadlyGaze Sai's Super]]. ''[[{{Bowdlerise}} Ausf. Achse]]'' and ''EN-Eins'' removed almost all of the blood.
61	* PaletteSwap: Adler in the first versions of the game, and Perfecti before the ''Ausf. Achse'' arcade version of the game. The same goes for Tempelritter and Valkyria in ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt''. (Although Tempelritter is the normal version and Valkyira is the Boss version.)
62	* PuttingOnTheReich: Elektrosoldat and Adler, who actually ''are'' Nazis [[note]] They're never outright referred to as Nazis, but it's obvious what they're supposed to be [[/note]]. Later on, Perfecti joins in on the fun in ''Ausf Achse''.
63	** Arguably, EN-Eins can also count in Perfektewelt, but it's debatable considering his mild case of [[{{PrettyInMink}} Pretty In Mink.]] Let's not forget Tempelritter, who looks like a cross between a Nazi and a {{valkyrie\|s}}.
64	* PunchParry: Subverted by the "Reflector" mechanic, where the effects are the same but the visuals are personalized: i.e, Sai just [[RuleofCool ups a hand and takes as indifferent a pose as one can get]] ([[LeaningOntheFourthWall and stares at the screen too]]), Mycale covers herself with her cape while [[SummonMagic summoning]] [[EarlyBirdCameo Valkyria]] wielding [[LuckilyMyshieldWillProtectMe a protective shield]].
65	* RapidFireFisticuffs: Marilyn's Super. 100 hits in 5 seconds. ''Damn.''
66	* RealIsBrown: The colors were unusually drab for a fighting game. [[DefiedTrope That is until]] ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ANjltTJkY EN-Eins Perfektewelt]]'' [[LighterAndSofter was announced]].
67	* RevolversAreJustBetter: Anonym and Anonym-Guard use two of them.
68	* ShockAndAwe: Both Akatsuki and Elektrosoldat's schtick [[spoiler: due to the Blitz Engines they wield]].
69	** Also Adler and Murakamo, but less emphasized compared to Akatsuki and E-Soldat.
70	* {{Shotoclone}}: Akatsuki, who is more in the mold of [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Kyo]] than [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu]]. Elektrosoldat's resemblance to [[VideoGame/StreetFighterII Guile]] is also important to note.
71	* ShoutOut: Anonym uses GunKata and her super is named [[Film/{{Equilibrium}} Tetragrammaton]].
72	** Her resurrection super combines both [[VideoGame/StreetFighterIII Gill's]] own resurrection and his Seraphic Wing super.
73	** Sai's theme samples [[VideoGame/StreetFighterII Chun-Li's laugh]] for its record scratches.
74	* SinisterShades: Sai. He uses them to cover up his freakish-looking [[MagicalEye eyes]] that [[DeadlyGaze can cause painful diseases and afflictions in whoever he looks at.]]
75	* StupidJetpackHitler: Elektrosoldat is a Nazi robot [[spoiler: and a clone]].
76	* SuperMode: Wei's various powerups. They last for six seconds [[note]] seven during the EX version]]. Depending on the button used, one is a strength increase, one is a defense increase, and one is a speed increase, and Wei cannot use them if he already has one of them active [[note]] unless he uses the powerup that's already active, in which case the timer resets [[/note]]. The EX version gives him all three at once. His level three super ''also'' gives him all three buffs and makes them even stronger than the EX version to boot.
77	* TacticalRockPaperScissors: The game operates on this system for the most basic options: Strikes beat Throws which beat Reflectors which loop back to beating Strikes.
78	* TankGoodness: Blitztank. Probably the first literal tank playable in a fighting game.
79	* TokyoIsTheCenterOfTheUniverse: Massively averted since the game takes place in a {{dystopia}}n East Asia. There are three stages located in Japan, but they are NOT in Tokyo, rather they are in the [[http://wikitravel.org/en/Mount_Fuji Mount Fuji]] area which is shared by the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures: Kanae's stage is supposed to feature the ruins of an old military base near Fuji (probably based on the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Fuji_Maneuver_Area East Fuji Maneuver Area]]), Akatsuki's is at the entry to the infamous [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aokigahara Aokigahara forest]], and Fritz's is the top of Mount Fuji itself.
80	* TheTriadsAndTheTongs: Marilyn and Wei are associated with a Shanghai-based Triad group known as ''The Black Hand'', led by a man named Yin Hu [[spoiler: who was a clone of Murakumo.]] Their Story Modes begin with [[SacrificialLamb Yin Hu]]'s murder [[spoiler: almost surely done by Marilyn, later revealed to have been ordered to do so by [[ManipulativeBastard Mycale]].]]
81	* UpdatedReRelease: The series has had three so far:
82	** ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf'' itself can qualify as one for 2003's ''Akatsuki Shisei Ichigou'', more or less a proof of concept that launched with just ''three'' characters [[note]]Akatsuki, Mycale, and Sai[[/note]] before reaching a grand total of five after updates[[note]]adding Fritz and Kanae to the game[[/note]]. ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf'' as we know it released on PC in 2007 with twelve characters, a wide variety of game modes, online play, and an actual plot.
83	** ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf Ausf. Achse'' is the arcade version of ''Akatsuki Blitzkampf'', released a year after the original doujinsoft release in 2008. It features gameplay balance adjustments, updated graphics and voicework, and a new character in the form of Perfecti.
84	** ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt Anastasis'' is an updated version of ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'', released a staggering ''thirteen years'' after the original 2010 arcade release. It features new sprites, gameplay balance adjustments[[note]]Akatsuki and Blitztank even get brand-new moves based on Akatsuki's appearance in VideoGame/UnderNightInBirth and Akatsuki and Blitztank's appearance in VideoGame/BlazBlueCrossTagBattle[[/note]], new stages and music [[note]]including Tempelritter her own theme, whereas she previously shared a theme with her PaletteSwap Valkyria[[/note]], story updates, a training mode, and at least three new characters: Inazuma[[note]]who was unfinished and still left in the code of the original version[[/note]], a playable version of Valkyria, and [[spoiler: the original Anonym after she was possessed by Mycale, known as "Mycale-A"]]. As of now only Inazuma is playable, with Valkyria and [[spoiler: Mycale-A]] to be released in the future via updates, along with new stages and music.
85	* VocalEvolution: When ''Ausf. Achse'' was released, some of the characters got updated voice tracks that followed this trope. i.e., [[TheHero Akatsuki]] still possessed a deeper than usual voice but the delivery was more intense compared with the calmer-sounding original one, whereas [[BigBad Murakumo's]] initial TenorBoy voice became somewhat higher-pitched and quite louder.
86	* TheUnfought: [[spoiler: Mycale]] is a playable character, but one couldn't fight ''against'' [[spoiler: her]] in the arcade mode until ''Ausf. Achse''. Instead you fought [[spoiler: Perfecti]], who was [[spoiler: just a PaletteSwap of Mycale but treated as a separate character in story.]] ''Ausf. Achse'' changes it so that [[spoiler: Mycale]] is fought for the first round of the fight before [[spoiler: she transforms into Perfecti, now as her own fully realized character instead of a PaletteSwap]].
87	** Also, [[spoiler: Elektrosoldat and Adler's Story Modes will ''not'' feature one of the Hong Kong characters. In the original, it's Sai; in ''Ausf. Achse'', it's Anonym instead.]]
88	*** Ditto for [[spoiler: Tempelritter]] in ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'', though you do fight [[spoiler: her PaletteSwap boss form, Valkyria.]] [[AvertedTrope Averted]] in ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt Anastasis'', where [[spoiler: she]] is fought normally in a few characters' arcade modes.
89	* YearX: The game takes place in Imperial Year 266X, equivalent to 200X on the Gregorian calendar.

Context Videogame / AkatsukiBlitzkampf