Guest characters, NPC characters, and characters debuting in other Samurai Shodown games. There will be unmarked spoilers.

open/close all folders

NPC Characters

Debuting in Samurai Shodown

Hikyaku

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/01_hikayaku.png

Origin: Iyo Province, Japan

Weapon(s): Bindle

A character who was first introduced as the delivery man that ran through the stages and threw items into fights.

He is based on the archaic Japanese courier, men who would need to run near marathons to and from places for the shogunate. They developed their sprinting system due to the possibility of being killed for the information they carried; many men also collapsed or died from exhaustion due to the strenuous ordeal of running non-stop for a day's time. He is playable only in the Game Boy version.

The Cameo: In the endings of several other characters and even in other games.
No Name Given: "Hikyaku" is just his profession's title. His real name is unknown.
Power-Up: He runs across the stages' background, throwing either food (which restore health), bombs (which damage the characters) or treasure (which gives additional points).
Promoted to Playable: In the Game Boy port.
Throw Down the Bomblet: As he does when running by in other versions, he can throw a bomb as one of his special attacks in the Game Boy port.

Ambrosia

Origin: Makai (the demon world)

Ambrosia is the Dark God of Makai (Demon World) Amakusa and Mizuki were trying to revive in the series. He needs both the energies from the Palenke Stone and Tangiers Stone to resurrect his body into the mortal realm. Developers state that there was no model in mind for either him or Mizuki. His name is derived from the Greek word ambrosios, which roughly means "the immortal one".

A Form You Are Comfortable With: Maju, Mizuki's pet, is implied to be a small manifestation of Ambrosia, although she keeps it in check. This would be retconned in different ways in the RPG and in Samurai Shodown 64.
Ambiguously Related: With 64's Yuga. When fans pointed out the similarities to developers, they replied that the two characters' relation to one another is unknown. Current speculation is that both of Yuga and Ambrosia are sides of the same evil force, with Ambrosia being something more abstract and global, while Yuga is a standalone individual "person" serving as a kind of avatar. 2019 makes this even more confusing, as in Shiki's ending she ends up defeating Shizuka Gozen, who is a puppet of Ambrosia. This causes Shiki's brainwashing to suddenly start wearing off, only for Yuga to appear and put her back into a dormant state.
Big Bad: Of the whole series.
Body Horror: As the RPG's final boss, he's fought as a grotesque mass of flesh and organs.
The Cameo:
- Apart of his mentions of the series and being in the background of the Final Boss of the first two games and RPG, Ambrosia and Mizuki make a cameo in a bonus stage for KOF: Maximum Impact 2. It reenacts Mizuki's stage in II.
- In anime, also makes appearances in The Movie and Asura's Zanmaden OVA.
Demon Lords and Archdevils: Ambrosia is the Dark God of Makai.
The Dragon: Amakusa and Mizuki were his representants on Earth who tried to revive him in the mortal land.
The Ghost: Widely mentioned in the series but it hasn't a defined form, just showing parts of him.
God of Evil: In the past, the god Ambrosia had its body destroyed and its spiritual form banished to the demon realm of Makai. This led to Ambrosia becoming the Dark God of Makai, ruling over demons and drawing strength from humans' negative energy.
Greater-Scope Villain: Ambrosia is still undefeated, only his heralds had suffered instead of him.
The Man Behind the Man: For Amakusa and Mizuki. And Shizuka Gozen in the 2019 game.
Meaningful Name: "Ambrosia" (ἀμβροσία) literally means "immortality" in Greek, and was used to describe the food and drink of the ancient Greek Gods.
Necromancer: Various of his heralds and mooks are usually Back from the Dead.
NPC: Ambrosia has been unplayable in any and every form to this day.
Powers That Be: An evil example. Like Orochi, Ambrosia is not a physical being, but rather a powerful immortal "spirit" which can't ever be slain by mortals, only sealed away.
Sealed Evil in a Can: Which both Amakusa and Mizuki tried to unseal. Fortunately, both of them were defeated before they could finish Ambrosia's evil plan.
Shout-Out: His main form from Samurai Shodown II onward is very similar to GeGeGe no Kitarō's Backbeard.
The Unpronounceable: According to Amakusa's back story, "Ambrosia" is only an alias for convenience.

Shizu

Origin: Musashi Province, Japan

Voiced by: ^note

Shizu Wakisaka, better known by her first name alone, is the lover of Haohmaru and is respectfully called, "O-Shizu", alternatively spelled "Oshizu", by him. In return, she addresses him as "Haohmaru-sama". He left her behind so that she wouldn't be faced with the dangers of his journey. Though left alone, she has faith in Haohmaru and prays for his safety. She is 16 years old in the first Samurai Shodown.

The Cameo: Shizu appears in the Edo title of Days of Memories asking you if you've interacted with Haohmaru.
Expy: Her overall character is similar to Otsū from Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi.
I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: She's in love with Haohmaru, but he left her behind to keep her safe from the dangers of ronin life. Since then, Shizu always prays for him and wishes him the best for his journeys. In Haohmaru's ending in II, she pleads for his life against a raging Genjuro, and he’s only spared thanks to her.
Japanese Politeness: Haohmaru calls her "Oshizu", and in return she calls him "Haohmaru-sama." Both terms denote polite respect, even amongst lovers.
Say My Name: In IV, Haohmaru says her name in his Death Cry Echo.
Yamato Nadeshiko

Kei Odagiri

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kei_ukyo_rpg_6.png

Origin: Ōmi Province, Japan

Voiced by: ^note

Kei Odagiri is the lover of Ukyo and is affectionately called, "O-kei-dono" or "Kei-dono" by him ("Lady Kei"). In return, she addresses him as "Ukyo-sama". Due to her status as a high-class noblewoman and his terminal illness, Ukyo keeps his distance from her. Regardless, they still hold deep feelings for each other.

The Cameo: In the Edo version of Days of Memories, Ukyo mentions her in their conversations.
Happy Marriage Charade: Kei became married to another man and bore his child, but deep inside, she never stopped loving Ukyo.
Interclass Romance: Kei is a high-class noblewoman and Ukyo is a samurai. That, and his terminal illness makes this romance sadly impossible.
Japanese Politeness: As with Shizu and Haohmaru, Ukyo calls her "Okei-dono" or "Kei-dono", and she calls him "Ukyo-sama" in return. Both terms (especially “dono” = Lord) denote extreme politeness and respect, even between lovers.
Say My Name: Ukyo usually references her often, as a Death Cry Echo, as well in some winposes.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Kei is in love with Ukyo, but their love is something they can’t pursue and they both know that.
Yamato Nadeshiko

Debuting in Samurai Shodown II

Bizuki

Origin: The Oki Islands, Oki Province, Japan

Bizuki is a Miko or shrine maiden who excels in exorcisms and purifications. She was named after her beautiful dances and flute playing. Her powers awakened when she was 16 and she became a respected healer. A century before Samurai Shodown II begins, Bizuki attempted to seal Mizuki when she was twenty-five. However, she was overwhelmed and soon possessed by the evil spirit. She continued to serve as its unwilling host until Mizuki was sealed for good in the demon world. While ashamed of her powerlessness to stop the demon, she chooses to continue to live in the mortal realm as Kyoshiro's assistant. Since then, she took the name Okuni as her alias.

Back from the Dead: After being the host-body of Mizuki, she got a new chance at life in II's Kyoshiro ending and also in the RPG.
Battle Couple: Implied in Kyoshiro's endings when he and Bizuki became partners (and maybe lovers).
Dance Battler: A priestess who can dance and play instruments as her secondary skills, later she’s taken under Kyoshiro's wing.
Demonic Possession: She had really bad luck trying to exorcise Mizuki.
Meaningful Name: Her name is written as "princess of the beautiful state". However, it's interesting to note that in some non-RPG sources it's written as "demon of the beautiful state".
Miko: She was one before Mizuki controlled her.
No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Hinted in Kyoshiro's story that called her as "Okuni" after being freed from Mizuki, she could be based on Izumo no Okuni, a former priest who was the originator of kabuki theater.
NPC: Only seen in Kyoshiro's endings in the series. Subverted in the RPG when she joins you as a temporary member.
White Mage: She took this role in the RPG.

Debuting in Samurai Shodown III

Kagaribi

Origin: Tamba Province, Japan

She was Basara's lover who was his childhood friend from the same village. She was a maternal figure for Basara and meant everything to him. They were only separated from each other when Zankuro slaughtered them. They were not together in their afterlife and he yearns to join her, often crying her name in battles. She only exists as a specter, most likely a yūrei like Basara, dressed in the same yukata she was wearing whilst she was living.

Fan Disservice: She appears completely naked in Basara's arms in his winposes in III and IV... just to rot into a skeleton and be Reduced to Dust.
Kill the Ones You Love: It was first suggested Zankuro killed her, but later in V (and confirmed in 2019) it was revealed Basara was the one who killed her under the evil influence of Zankuro.
Promoted to Playable: Kagaribi herself is playable in the Samurai Spirits OL mobile game.
Say My Name: Basara often says her name, in winposes and in one Death Cry Echo.
Stripperiffic: Kagaribi wears the same yukata she wore at the moment of her death, but it’s more revealing than other girls in the series. In some appearances like Basara's winposes in III and IV, she appears naked.
Vengeful Ghost: 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.
The Woman Behind The Man: Kagaribi is actually this to Basara, commanding him to "hunt" until she deems him worthy of forgiveness, meaning when she is finally able to pass on to the afterlife due to Amakusa's interference.
Yamato Nadeshiko
Youkai: Just as Basara, she's a Yurei, which are figures in Japanese folklore, analogous to Western legends of ghosts.

Debuting in Samurai Shodown IV

Hazuki Kazama

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/03_hazuki.png

Origin: Wataribashi-no-shita, Hizen Province, Japan

Weapon(s): Ninja sealing magic

The younger sister of Kazuki and Sogetsu, and a member of the Kazama ninjas. She seems to be a kind, sweet person without much fighting abilities; instead, she has great spiritual powers that allow her to use powerful sealing techniques. Unfortunately, Amakusa realizes the last point fast and captures Hazuki for his own purposes, which kicks off the subplot with Kazuki running off to save her and Sougetsu having to stop and kill him. In Zero, she also has to keep the peace between Kazuki and Sogetsu...

Barrier Maiden: Unlike her brothers, she doesn't seem to have any fighting skills. However, Hazuki is the one who "tamed" and then sealed Suija and Enja in their swords. We get to see her do so in Suija's Zero ending.
Butt-Monkey: The kid has been either kidnapped or threatened HOW many times by now?
Curtains Match the Window: Has green hair and green eyes.
Family Theme Naming: When looking at the Japanese characters of the Kazama siblings' names, they all have the kanji 月, which means moon. The first kanji of their names also matches their color scheme and elemental abilities, with Hazuki's being (葉), which means leaf.
Girl Next Door: Ninja version, sorta.
Go Through Me: In Sogetsu's Zero ending, she stops Sougetsu from killing the berserker Kazuki, then uses her powers to knock Kazuki out and help him "tame" Enja.
NPC: Shes a prevalent part of the Kazama brothers' backstories, and also appears in one of the Final Battle stages of IV and in their endings in IV and V Special.
Satellite Character: Always seen around Kazuki or Sogetsu.
Yamato Nadeshiko: At least in IV.

Debuting in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (PS1)

Kuki

Origin: Edo, Musashi Province, Japan

Weapons: "Seioh" and "Kouoh"

Kuki is a character introduced in Warriors Rage as the father of Seishiro and foster father of Tohma. He is also referred to as "the Legendary Kuki" or "Master of the Kunou Tenshoryu". He is dead by the time the game takes place but is mentioned by the characters who knew him.

Ancestral Weapon: Both of his swords are known as this, soon inherited by his children after his death.
Death by Origin Story: His death marks the beginning of the story of the game.
Dual Wielding: Kuki mastered both of his ancestral weapons, Seioh and Kouoh, inherited by Seishiro and Tohma respectively after his death.
Expy: Kuki could be based on Gaisei from The Last Blade series. As him, he raised two sons (Kaede and Moriya) and was murdered at the beginning of the game. Different to him, he also raised a daughter (Yuki), wasn't killed by one of his sons... and he Came Back Wrong as Kouryu.
The Ghost: After his death, Kuki is mentioned only by flashbacks, his former friends and in endings.
Heterosexual Life-Partners: With Jin-Emon Hanafusa and also developed a friendship with one of his pupils, Sakaki Jushiro.
Legacy Character: After defeating Tohma, Seishiro gets Kouoh and becomes "Kuno Seishiro", which is the closest we can get of Kuki - his techniques are partly demonstrated through him.
Master Swordsman: Kuki was known as this, being respected in his zone and admired between other warriors.
Meaningful Name: "Iron cavalry".
One Name Only: He's only known as Kuki, his family name. The "All-About SNK" appendix lists his full name as Tetsuki Kuki.
Red Baron: He is also referred to as "the Legendary Kuki" or "Master of the Kunou Tenshoryu".
Redemption Equals Death: Kind of. When he adopted Tohma, Kuki was more severe to him as a way to get him in the right path. Tohma instead took it as a disadvantage compared to Seishiro and developed a grudge on him. In the end, Tohma stoled the Kouoh sword and killed Kuki with it, the latter regreting for being too harsh on Tohma and wanted to raise better his sons, accepting his death as a punishment.

Jigen Taishi

Origin: Tengen Castle, Ritenkyo, Japan

A revered priest with heavy ties with the shogunate that at one point decided to overthrow the government for holding different points of view than his own. He planned the rebellion with Oboro for twenty years, but they were caught and escaped to Ritenkyo, where they hid and were protected by his followers. To avoid further social conflict, the shogunate sends only a few men in a secret operation to kill him.

Big Bad: Of Warriors Rage. Or used to be.
Dark Messiah: Is compared to Buddha himself.
Dead All Along
Evil Chancellor
The Ghost: Never actually seen.
No Historical Figures Were Harmed: Loosely based on high-ranking monk / shōgun consultant Tenkai (Whom he shares a title).
Non-Action Big Bad
The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized
Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves: Averted: Hanzo's squad find him dead before they can kill him.
Sinister Buddhist Priest
Villain with Good Publicity: Praised by people of all social classes. He uses this reputation to gather followers for his rebellion and to villify the government's assassination attempts.

Benten

Origin: Edo, Musashi Province, Japan

Benten is formerly one of Oboro's priestess. She joined his cause to rid of the weaklings in Ritenkyo. After she killed Saya's parents, she regretted her actions and found herself blinded by ochlocracy. She spared the infant Saya and her husband sacrificed himself to aid their escape. Benten passed onto Saya all that she knew, including her fighting style and how to be a "good woman". Additionally, Benten also made the girl her current weapons.

Action Mom: A powerful Ninja who passed all what she knew to Saya and made her weapons.
Kunoichi: A former Oboro's priestess/amazon who rebelled and escaped.
Luke, I Am Your Father: After the fall of the Razor Trio, she poses as a Ninja who is intent on finishing her mission of killing Saya's family. They fight one another with Saya emerging victorious. Saya sees through the guise and cannot complete her revenge because of it. Benten explains her conflicted past and urges Saya to kill her as repentance. Saya gently renounces their relationship with one another and leaves on a positive note. After she departs, Benten, very proud of Saya, bids farewell to her kind daughter.
My God, What Have I Done?: Benten got this revelation after killing Saya's parents and realizing she was in the wrong side.
You Killed My Father: Benten killed Saya's parents when she was an Oboro's amazon. She raised Saya as her daughter as a way to fix the damage done under Oboro's influence.

Namino

Origin: The Red Light District in Zegengai, Ritenkyo, Japan

Namino is Yaci's lover. The English Samurai Shodown Official Site also lists his name as "Tomomino". Yaci gives him the affectionate nickname, "Nami". Namino is a popular transvestite prostitute who eloped with Yaci. Since he met Yaci, he dreams of freedom in a peaceful new land. In Yaci's story mode, he is targeted by the Shibito, Yaci's gang.

Affectionate Nickname: Yaci gives him the nickname of "Nami."
Only Known By His Nickname: He's only known as Namino, his real name is unknown.
Star-Crossed Lovers: In Yaci's story mode, he is targeted by the Shibito, Yaci's gang. Though Yaci finds him, Namino is wounded by one of Yaci's men for "changing" his boss. He succumbs to the injury and dies while sailing off the shores of Ritenkyo.
Wholesome Crossdresser: He's a popular transvestite prostitute who eloped with Yaci.
Yamato Nadeshiko: A Male example: a very feminine and gentle soul who dedicates himself to Yaci. He seems blissfully unaware of Yaci's bloody reputation and his status in Ritenkyo.

Other Games