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1[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/qfwazgqauqkw_640x360.jpg]]
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3''Kendo Rage'' is a 1993 Platform/{{Super Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}} game by Creator/DatamPolystar (Japan) and Creator/{{Seta}} (U.S. localization). Its Japanese name is ''Makeruna! Makendou'' ("Do Not Lose! Kendo Magic").
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5The story depends on which version you play. In either, though, you end up playing as a MagicalGirl who whacks all sorts of wacky monsters with her kendo staff. The gameplay is somewhat similar to that of the ''VideoGame/{{Valis}}'' series, but [[QuirkyWork with a large serving of insanity]].
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7The Japanese version continues its story with [[Anime/MakerunaMakendo a one-episode OVA]], an [=SNES=]/Platform/PlayStation [[VideoGame/MakerunaMakendo2 fighting game]], and an RPG for the PC-FX. [[QuirkyWork Not surprisingly]], [[NoExportForYou none of them have been localized]].
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11!!Tropes represented in this game include:
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13!!!Gameplay tropes
14* BlackoutBasement: During the Dr. Who boss fight, this happens to the background, indicating the train going through a tunnel. This instance of Blackout Basement, unusually, has no gameplay significance. It reappears when the boss reappears, again serving only a cosmetic purpose.
15* BossRush: The last level. [[spoiler:Every boss makes a reappearance.]]
16* EnemyRollCall: All the enemies and bosses are listed in the ending credits
17* HyperactiveMetabolism: Shish kebabs and bowls of rice heal you.
18* AnIcePerson: The level 2 boss, who is also a MusicalAssassin.
19* ItsAWonderfulFailure: The player character turns back to normal and cries when [[GameOver her adventure ends]]. Complete with LosingHorns.
20* LosingHorns: Type B occurs. When the player [[GameOver runs out of lives and cannot continue]].
21* MercyInvincibility: You get the usual form of this, as well as an extra, unusual form of this trope which applies to bosses--hit them, and for the brief moment afterwards when they're flashing, you take no contact damage from them.
22* SteamVentObstacle: There are a few of these in the construction zone level.
23* TennisBoss: Almost literally. One of the bosses literally tries to play tennis with these spiky bug things. How do you defeat her? [[spoiler:Play tennis with her, by swinging your sword to bat them back.]]
24* TimedMission: You have to get to school on time, so the game features a time counter. You can stop time with clocks you can pick up, but that just stops time for your timed mission, rather than any enemies.
25* UnderTheSea: The third level. Well, it's in a lake, but close enough. UnderwaterBossBattle included.
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27!!!Script, art, story, and setting tropes
28* AdaptationDyeJob: While Mai's hair is depicted brown on the Japanese box art, and would revert back to that for all three sequels, it was changed to red in the actual one game.
29* EvilTwin: Not very evil and not particularly twin-like, but this is the first boss.
30* ExcusePlot: Comes with excuse justifications. Why do we have an American girl going to Japan to study Kendo? Because she likes Kendo! Why does she fight all these monsters? Because she has to get to school on time! Why does she have to fight all these monsters? Because that's her kendo training!
31* HurricaneOfPuns: At least in the U.S. version, ''every level'' is followed by a punny comment from either Bob or Jo. Additionally, the bosses crack puns before fighting you.
32* MinidressOfPower: The hero wears a very short skirt.
33* MusicalAssassin: The level 2 boss, who is also AnIcePerson.
34* OminousOwl: This cartoonish owl boss can detach its head and birth chicks from the top of its head. And makes stereotypical owl puns.
35* RunningGag: The end-of-level pun, and the bus. [[spoiler:The bus even appears underwater.]]
36* SeaMonster: Three giant fishes attack you.
37* SuperDeformed: The level 1 boss, who thinks of herself as the protagonist's EvilTwin, is actually this.
38* TakeThat: Jo issues one to Bob at the end of the game.
39* TransformingMecha: A human-sized one serves as a boss.
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41!!!Metacontext tropes
42* CoversAlwaysLie: Well, kinda. Yes, the game features a female protagonist. No, she's not the one who's prominently displayed on the left in the U.S. box art. That's actually the level 5 boss, who is an otherwise unimportant character.
43* DubInducedPlotlineChange: In the Japanese original version, the main character, named Mai, is asked by a spirit detective named Doro to help attack monsters. In the U.S. version, an American girl named Jo has gone to Japan to study kendo, and meets this weird green-skinned guy named Osaki "Bob" Yorimoto who is her kendo instructor, but she has to fight through the levels to get to school on time.
44* SexyPackaging: The U.S. box art featuring two attractive women about to swing weapons at each other is probably the result of the fact that the game features a female protagonist and that U.S. publishers at the time did not like using {{animesque}} art on covers, believing it to be marginalize their product to a niche audience.
45* ShoutOut:
46** The three boss fishes are named after Film/TheThreeStooges.
47** Some minor enemies in level 5 look like slimes from ''VideoGame/DragonQuest''.

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