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Embrace death, and no one can stop you.

The way of the Samurai is to know death.
The way of Shura is to know victory.
I am the ultimate fighter, and all those who stand in my way shall...

FALL!
—Intro (2019 translation)

Known as Samurai Spirits in Japan, this SNK one-on-one Fighting Game series is set during the closing years of the Edo period. The first game, Samurai Shodown, was the debut of the Weapon Fighter subgenre, and the one of the first fighting games to introduce a super meter, the Rage Gauge. Once filled, this gauge increases the strength of attacks; starting with the second game, Samurai Shodown II, each character also has a super move that empties the gauge after successfully connecting. Samurai Shodown II is also credited with introducing the first "parry" system.

Overall compared to its numerous fighting game brethren, Samurai Shodown stood out from the crowd namely by being more about finesse and less about chaining super combos. Specifically, thanks to the high damage output of singular moves, the battles here would run either incredibly quick or maddeningly slow. It leads to a more chess-like experience with a focus on hit-an-run tactics that makes play quite unlike most other 2-D fighters. However, for this very reason, its remained mostly in the cult favorite realm as high-speed super-combo-chaining fighters have taken nearly complete prominence. Also, on another note, it's a very bloody fighting game. While it doesn't focus on gore like Mortal Kombat, it can fill almost as many buckets.

A total of six games were made for the original Neo-Geo (MVS and AES) system, with Samurai Shodown V Special being the last game to be released for the system. An update for that game called Samurai Shodown V Perfect was in development, but was never actually released until years later as part of a collection, then finally getting an official arcade release a full 18 years after the release of Special. Other two games, Samurai Shodown 64 and Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage, were released for the ill-fated Hyper Neo-Geo 64 in the late nineties, while a Distant Finale game, sharing the title (losing only the "64") Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage was later released for the Playstation, much to the confusion of the players; in Japan the games are known as Samurai Spirits 2 Asura Zanmaden and Kenkaku Ibunroku - Yomigaerishi Soukou no Yaiba - Samurai Supirittsu Shinshou respectively. Samurai Shodown VI was released for the Atomiswave arcade board and Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny was released for the Taito Type X2.

Ports of most games existed — including two for the Neo-Geo Pocket — but were not numerous. A few Spin Offs were made, like Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushido Retsuden for the Neo-Geo CD, Nakoruru: Ano Hito kara no Okurimono for the PC and Dreamcast, as well as a pachislot game. A few characters have appeared in crossover games like the SNK vs. Capcom series, and the third Days of Memories game features only Samurai Shodown characters.

While perhaps not entirely historically authentic — the period between Sengoku and Bakumatsu was awfully short on fire-breathing kabuki actors, green cavemen, and clockwork robot onmyoji, and none of the Tokugawas was a Handsome Lech who wielded eight swords at once — the game is notable for its atmosphere, which enthusiastically recalls the Edo period's music, style of dress, etc.

Incidentally, the title is deliberately misspelled, a sort of portmanteau of "showdown" and "shodo" (calligraphy). That doesn't mean that the games' English translations aren't full of accidental misspellings and "Blind Idiot" Translation, though...

It is in its own way, a sort of spiritual predecessor and inspiration for the current dominant weapons fighter - Soulcalibur. It even gets some small nods in various outfits for the characters that echo those found in Samurai Shodown. The circle was completed when Haohmaru was announced as a DLC character for the Soul Calibur VI Season 2 pass.

The franchise went onto a hiatus after Edge of Destiny, seeing that the game was very much reviled, relegating Samurai Shodown into either mobile/pachislot titles. SNK didn't give up on the franchise, however. They expressed the desire to bring the franchise back from the grave and made steps for it when they came back to the mainline gaming scene, by including the franchise heroine and company co-mascot Nakoruru into The King of Fighters XIV and SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, this way, it brought back the attention of the mainstream to the series.

And bring the franchise back they did with a new game simply titled Samurai Shodown again, a 2.5D game running on Unreal Engine 4 which harkens back to the classic gameplay. Released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC in 2019, it took the Fighting Game Community by storm and it quickly earned a spot in Evolution Championship Series 2019, thus completing the resurgence of SNK. The launch was also accompanied by a quartet of special edition Neo Geo Minis, each themed around a character of the franchise (Kuroko, Ukyo Tachibana, Nakoruru and Haohmaru).

The debut trailer can be seen here, this is the trailer they prepared for PAX East 2019 and here's the official gameplay trailer.

List of the Samurai Shodown media:

    open/close all folders 

    Main Games 
  • Samurai Shodown (1993)
  • Samurai Shodown II (1994)
  • Samurai Shodown III (1995)
  • Samurai Shodown IV (1996)
  • Samurai Shodown 64 (1997)
  • Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage (1998)
  • Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (2003)
  • Samurai Shodown V (2003)
    • Samurai Shodown V Special (2004)
  • Samurai Shodown VI (2005)
  • Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny / Samurai Shodown Sen (2008)
  • Samurai Shodown (2019)

    Other Games 
Spin-offs

Compilations

  • Samurai Shodown Anthology (2009)
  • Samurai Shodown Neo Geo Collection (2020)

    Other Media 
Anime
  • Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture‎ (1994)
  • Samurai Spirits 2: Asura Zanmaden (1999)
  • Nakoruru: Ano Hito kara no Okurimono (2002)

Manga

  • Samurai Shodown (1994)


Fair And Square! Battle 1 - ENGAGE!

  • 2.5D: The 2019 game uses Unreal Engine 4, but while the characters and environments are 3D, the gameplay remains 2D as was on the NeoGeo.
  • Absurdly Sharp Blade:
    • Cham Cham's boomerang. SNK explains that the boomerang was carved from an "iron tree" that grows in Green Hell (Cham Cham's village).
    • Even more absurd are Gaira's giant prayer beads, Wan-fu's stone pillar and Nicotine's monk staff.
    • Also of note is the intro to the first game in the series (see the quote underneath the page image). Haohmaru meditates, then suddenly draws his sword and makes a Diagonal Cut through two stone lamp posts and a two-foot thick tree.
  • The Ace: Seishiro Kuki.
  • Acrofatic: Earthquake fits the bill for this as he can Wall Jump just as fine as the others who can wall jump despite topping out at over 500 pounds.
  • Affably Evil: Gen-an, who boasts of becoming the Demon King (King of Evil in SNK translation). Yet at the end of the day, he's just a disfigured oni-like creature with a glove inspired by Freddy Krueger, with a loving wife and kids he even brings with to work. See his ending in Samurai Shodown VI.
  • A.I. Is a Crapshoot: Karakuri Hanma, since it runs amok some time after being created.
  • Alien Blood:
    • Deku and Yuga have teal blood.
    • Subverted by Karakuri Hanma who (being a robot) bleeds oil.
  • All Love Is Unrequited: Galford's feelings towards Nakoruru will mostly get unanswered due to her complete devotion to nature. Then in Samurai Shodown 2, in his ending, he witnessed her DIE (or at least turn herself into the spirit of nature) protecting nature. They still got to talk one last time before she left his life forever. Maybe his love of justice would get requited instead...
    • And about Nakoruru, the story repeats itself with Yantamu in Nakoruru: Ano Hito kara no Okurimono who made an Heroic Sacrifice to save Nakoruru.
    • Another example is that of Charlotte-Oshizu-Haohmaru. Charlotte and O-Shizu were both in love with Haohmaru, but he is a Celibate Hero, dedicated entirely to fighting. While O-Shizu is depicted as being permanently interested in him and Haohmaru returning her feelings to a degree (he even kisses her in his SS 2 ending, though he also tells her she's better off without him), Charlotte eventually renounces her feelings (Important Haircut and all) once she finds Haohmaru and O-Shizu together at the end of the second game.
  • All There in the Manual: The series shines when it comes to backstory, and the bios for almost all characters are incredibly detailed, listing the usual elements like height, weapon etc, but also interesting additional facts like family relations, what they look for in a partner and even what gives them a complex. When it comes to the characters’ origins, Parts Unknown is sparingly avoided and detail is typically thorough, with many of the Japanese characters ascribed a village/town, district and province — Ukyo even has all three. This lends the characterisation a feeling of richness and depth.
  • Already Done for You: Happens in Samurai Shodown IV - your rival kills the boss first if you don't reach the boss in time and you get the bad ending.
  • Alternate Continuity: Samurai Shodown VI.
  • Amazing Technicolor Battlefield: Amakusa's stage in the first game (and to an extent in the third, but he's not the boss). Mizuki's stage qualifies as well, seeing how its located in the Mt.Osore entrance to Demon World (Osore Zan Hell in SNK translation), and is filled with bizarre visuals.
    • in SSIV, either combatant reaching low health transforms the background into muted colors emblazoned with an image, symbolizing desperation.
  • Ambidextrous Sprite: Genjuro has a diagonal scar on his back. Yagyu Jubei has an eyepatch. They flip when the characters turn around.
    • That's not the worst of it. Haohmaru doesn't look as bad as some others (two-handed grip can just shift). One-handed weapon wielders (Charlotte, Cham Cham, Ukyo) can be handwaved by saying they're holding it in their other hand. Some two-handed wielders can get away with this too. Then there's Gen'an and Neinhalt Sieger, with their huge GLOVE weapons. Those..don't switch that easily...
      • The worst offender is Youkai Kusaregedo. He has presumably eaten off his own right forearm, leaving only a big, sharp bone as his weapon. This arm, of course, switches sides when he turns around.
    • Even with 3D graphics this continues. Baiken's missing arm and eye in the 2019 game flip depending on which side she stands on, same as in Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR-. The eye is especially noteworthy since it serves no functional purpose to flip sides but does anyway to maintain a 2D sprite-like effect (compare this to someone like Sagat from Street Fighter IV, which no longer had his aesthetic asymmetries flip once the series moved to 3D graphics).
  • Ambiguous Gender: Yumeji's - which was done intentionally. Amakusa (although male), often gets confused for a woman. Yuga's first form uses male body, while second and third use female body.
  • Ambiguously Brown: What are Tam Tam and Cham Cham, anyway? Their village appears to be in Venezuela. Their worship of Quetzalcoatl and use of the Nahuatl language suggests that they're Mexican Aztecs, although Tam Tam's fighting style is supposedly Mayan, and the Palenke Stone presumably refers to the Mayan city Palenque. There are a few hints that they're African (the Tangiers Stone, chimpanzees, Cham Cham's tiger-skin outfit), and Cham Cham's boomerang suggests that she's Indigenous Australian. The 2019 game at last provides clarity, with the game's world map presenting Green Hell as being in the Maya territory of Mesoamerica.
  • Amnesiac Dissonance: Yuda's ending in Warriors Rage.
  • Amnesia Danger: Yuda. With time, he gets better.
  • Anachronism Stew: The games are set in 1788-1811. Texas and San Francisco are part of the United States (Texas joined in 1845, California in 1850, and San Francisco was just a Spanish missionary church, not a city, at the time of the games' setting); Amakusa Shiro (1621-1638), Yagyu Jubei (1607-1650) and Hattori Hanzō (1542-1596) are all alive; Prussia is a feudal kingdom with castles, armored knights, and an Arthurian king; the White House has its modern appearance; and there are robots (well, "mechanical dolls"). So we have French knights, American ninja, and pseudo-Mexican warriors fighting against fictionalized figures from Japanese history. In SS RPG, Sieger marries Queen Victoria, who wasn't even born until 1819.
    • Edge of Destiny ups the ante with, among others, a Western Knight, a Native American, a Toreador, a Cow Boy, a clone of Afro Samurai and a Viking.
      • And don't forget VI, which featured a Crane disguised as a maid, and someone who may be Andrew Jackson (as in "7th President of the United States" Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)).
    • Also Earthquake's neon-colored punk-ish clothing is soooo 1980-1990.
  • Animal Lover: Nakoruru loves and defends animals, along with nature in general, and has two mascots as pets: Mamahaha the hawk and Shikuru the wolf.
  • Anime Hair: most of the cast has it.
  • The Anime of the Game: Series had 3 OVAs: SS1-based (known as The Movie), SS Asura Zanmaden-based, and Nakoruru game-based (which was left unfinished).
  • Annoying Younger Sibling: Rimururu to Nakoruru
  • The Antichrist: The way Mizuki and Yuga act.
  • Anti-Magic: Yuga's energy shield that automatically forms in front of her against any attacks and dissipates when attacks end. It was so prominent that it got own card in Card Fighters' series, being the only ability of Yuga to ever get outside of Samurai Shodown series.
  • Anti Anti Christ: Hanmen no Asura. Also Amakusa after Heel–Face Turn.
  • Anti-Villain: Hanmen no Asura.
  • Arch-Enemy: Asura and Yuga to each other. Asura and Hanmen no Asura too, until it turned that they are similar.
    • Also Hanzo to Oboro.
  • Arm Cannon: Hanma Yagyu and his mechanical counterpart Karakuri Hanma are armed with these. Sieger's gauntlet has limited shooting capabilities as well (mostly used for close-range fire blasts).
  • Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Genjuro Kibagami, who is always angry, has an intense rivalry with Haohmaru, and is just a sociopath in general. The only time he ever seems to enjoy himself at all is when he's cutting someone to shreds.
    • Also, Wan-fu, a gigantic Chinese royal who believes the path of the sword is "Possessing absolute power to crush his enemies." His character bio states he can kill a tiger in under three seconds, and that he insists he has no flaws and idolizes no one.
  • The Artful Dodger: Ran Po and Minto.
  • Artifact of Doom: The sacred Palenke and Tangil stones.
  • Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence: Nakoruru
  • As Long as There Is Evil: Ambrosia and its servants are subjects of this trope. In RPG, it's revealed that Ambrosia draws strength from the negative emotions of humanity.
  • Ass Kicks You: Earthquake (a ton of fun), whether from above or his Fart of Death grapple; Wan Fu (still a big guy), from above, just sticking it out at the enemy on land, or sitting on the enemy in a grapple; Hanma (another big guy) sticking it out; Brutes and Kusaregedo by diving at opponent with their butt forward. And, for some reason, Cham Cham (the Cat Girl) does this too from above.
  • Bare-Fisted Monk: Enja Kazuki fights exclusively with punches, and Suija Sogetsu with kicks.
  • Barehanded Blade Block: A gameplay element implemented since the first game and used in several (if not all) of the rest. It is a very difficult move to pull off, however.
  • Bastard Understudy: Members of Earthquake's and Sankuro's gangs.
  • Beam Spam: Hanmen no Asura, and to far bigger degree - Yuga.
  • The Beastmaster: Nakoruru (with Mamahaha), Purple Nakoruru/Rera (with Shikuru), Galford (with Poppy), Cham Cham (with Paku Paku), Genjuro and Kyoshiro (with unnamed frogs), Mizuki (with Maju/Haon in RPG), Bizuki (with Haon in RPG), Rimururu (with Konru), Rinka (with Tetsunosuke), Mina (with Champuru).
  • Beauty Is Never Tarnished:
    • All of the male characters, even the very young Shizumaru, can be cut into pieces in Samurai Shodown 3 but all of the female characters are immune.
    • In the first Samurai Shodown 64 game, female fighters do not have a cinematic for being cleaved in two. In Warriors Rage, gender has no bearing on who can be bisected.
  • Berserk Button: Enja Kazuki's Insanity Awakening (if you thought he couldnt get any more insane). Rasetsumaru's Death Curse move (he cuts himself to increase own rage).
  • The Berserker: Zankuro, Gandara, Sword Demon Haohmaru (Haohmaru's Rasetsu form), Enja.Kazuki, Mugenji, Enja, Rasetsumaru.
  • Beta Test Baddie: Deku in Samurai Shodown 64, Rasetsumaru in Samurai Shodown V.
  • Better to Die than Be Killed: The "suicide" (some of them aren't actual suicides) moves from Samurai Shodown 4. Worth only one KO, though, and can be used to enter a "Raged" condition at the beginning of the next round.
  • Big Bad: Ambrosia, Yuga and Dark Emperor (each has a separate story arc). There’s also Oboro and Golba, who aren’t connected to the other previous villains.
  • Big Bad Wannabe: Sankuro is the embodiment of this trope. Also Gen-An, to lesser degree.
  • The Big Guy: Sieger and Wan-fu, Gaira, Hanma, Garyo, Walter and Garros. Those are the "powerhouse" class characters with "good" aligment.
  • Big "NO!": Galford's defeat cry, EVERYTIME. He also said it when he saw Nakoruru Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence
  • BFS: Suzuhime. Asura, Hanmen no Asura and Yuda also carry very long swords in Sephiroth fashion. In fact, developers mentioned that Asura's sword was initially so long that its attacks had fullscreen range, so they were forced to shorten it for the sake of balance. Asura also has the giant Beelzebub battle axe, the impact of which can cause landslides.
  • Black Knight: Asura is a variation of this trope.
  • Blade Below the Shoulder: Genans and Tashonmao's claw gauntlets. Kusaregedo's too, sort of (it's a bone sticking out of his arm).
    • Subverted by Sieger's, Hanma's and Karakuri Hanma's gauntlet weapons that lack blades
  • Blade Lock: Sword Clash Competition gameplay element in all the games in the series — which triggers a button-mashing contest to overpower and disarm your opponent. Though it's a little silly when the claws disarm the giant beads.
  • Blatant Burglar: Earthquake.
  • "Blind Idiot" Translation: All of the games in the series are full of this. One rather unusual example in the second game looks like an exception, when Cham Cham is regarding the SNK Boss right after she's declared her intent to 'eat, eat you all': 'Shit! You really make me mad!'
    • Samurai Shodown IV is always happy to declare "victoly!"... which is counterweighted with a "fatarity!!".
    • The referee's statement after anyone's second fight in 2 is "ki ga warui" (meaning, roughly, "something's not right" or "something strange is happening"). It was translated into "Horrible atmosphere."
  • Bloodier and Gorier: From the third game onwards, blood became much more abundant and kills were more detailed and frequent. Fatalities could be used by the fourth installment, and the very gory "Zetsumei Ougi / Overkill" was added to Samurai Shodown V Special. Then Samurai Shodown VI left out blood and death entirely, but by Edge of Destiny, they added some very graphic death scenes.
  • Blood Knight: Haohmaru, who is on the scene just looking for a good fight. Almost everyone he encounters, especially bosses, will get this kind of response from him: "Hey, you gotta be strong, huh? All right, this is gonna be a good fight!"
  • Blood-Splattered Warrior: In the 2019 game, fighters' clothes will get bloodier the more of it they shed.
  • Blue Blood: A few of the characters would be counted as nobility in both the Eastern and Western senses —
    • Asian characters: Yoshitora is the scion of the governing Tokugawa Shogunate and is therefore the highest-ranking Japanese character. Next in rank would be Gaoh, who as a regional governor or daimyo is analogous to an English Duke or Earl. Next come samurai like Jubei Yagyu and Yashamaru, who are analogous to the English knightly class. Of the Chinese characters, Wu-Ruixiang is the noted descendant of the venerable Wu family, was born in Beijing's Palace (the Forbidden City) and works directly for the Emperor himself. Wan-fu is noted as being a descendant of ancient Han the Imperial family, and is therefore almost royalty.
    • Western characters: Charlotte is noted as a minor French noble, and is likely therefore titled Chevaleresse de Colde (Lady de Colde). Neinhalt Sieger is a member of the Prussian Red Knights and is therefore titled Ritter, which is analogous to a baron, baronet or knight.
  • Boisterous Bruiser: Haohmaru. He fights, he loves it, he likes boozing off with his sake, he tends to inspire a lot of the younger generations (like Shizumaru) with his stern advice about battle. In fact, if there is trouble on the land, he's usually wandering around looking for good fights here and there, and either the Big Bads have to hunt him down themselves for their purposes, or he just approaches them demanding to know whether they're strong. Saving the world is for the heroine Nakoruru.
  • Boring, but Practical: Few things are better for punishing an opponet's mistake than a simple fierce slash; given the high damage levels used in the series, this often becomes an extreme case of the use of this trope. Oh, and while it's true that landing a disarming desperation attack tends to make the fight easier, there are still several cases when merely causing a good amount of raw damage is much better.
  • Bowdlerise: The overseas home releases were infamously censored by changing the blood color to white; sometimes it could be seen even in the arcades. The worst example was Samurai Shodown V Special, which got deaths and the fatalities removed/censored (even in Japan), reportedly causing bugs in the game. This led to a massive recall of games, but players were refunded with new copies that added the fatalities back in, but as modified Issens that caused a massive spray of blood and nothing else. There are currently 3 emulated versions of the game: one with the original fatalities and gore intact, another with completely white blood, no gore, but the fatalities still intact, and the last being the one with very little blood, no gore, and the Issen fatalities.
  • Break Meter: Samurai Shodown 1 is probably the Trope Codifier. Blocking too much or trading hits with a counter swing may lead up to weapon loss.
  • Breakout Character: Nakoruru, Iroha and Cham-Cham, who are the only Samurai Shodown characters to get their own spinoff games. Nakoruru deserves a special mention that since the beginning, she broke out so well that she's considered a nation-wide top Moe character. Not only that, she's also the first character to enter The King of Fighters storyline proper in XIV.
  • Breath Weapon: Kyoshiro and Karakuri Hanma can breathe fire, and those are some of their signature moves. Tam-Tam can also shoot fire from his mouth. Gen-An has a slow-moving poison cloud.
  • Broken Bird: Angelica.
  • The Brute: Gandara and Sankuro. There are also characters named Brutes in Warriors Rage (PS)
    • To the lesser degree, Earthquake and Karakuri Hanma (although they too are "evil powerhouse" class characters, the big strength isn't their main gimmick).
  • Buddy Cop Show: Jubei and Hanzo work together for the Tokugawa shogunate. Next comes the team of Seishiro, Jin-Emon and Hanzo the Second in Warriors Rage (PS).
  • The Bully: Brutes from Warriors Rage (PS).
  • The Bus Came Back: Yoshitora and Shiki have passed up many mainline Samurai Shodown games after their debut, and they return in the 2019 game along with a lot of the mainline cast.
  • Butt-Monkey: Genan and Tashonmao. In game-related mangas, Genan also had a running gag when nearly everyone called him "nukesaku" (a derogatory term for a low-class person).
  • Byronic Hero: Genjuro Kibagami.
  • Cain and Abel: Tohma and Seishiro, sorta. Seishiro was wronged by Tohma killing his father.
  • Calling Your Attacks: Nearly everyone. Nakoruru and Rimururu call their attacks in Ainu, Galford in English, Sieger in Deutch, etc.
  • The Cameo: Mai Shiranui in Haohmaru's and Gen-An's endings in the first game (the latter was retconned as Ayame, Galford's and Earthquake's mentor).
    • Also Sho Hayate in Kyoshiro's endings in V and VI, hinted as his ancestor and creator of the Fu'un style.
    • Ryuhaku Todoh from Art of Fighting series (also hinted as an ancestor of the actual era Ryuhaku) appears as cameo in diverse endings of the series and in one stage of first 64 game.
  • Canine Companion: Poppy to Galford, Maju to Mizuki, and Shikuru to Rera.
  • Canon Discontinuity: Series' titles produced by SNK Playmore:
    • Samurai Shodown V retconned several things just for the sake of making at least some events to fill game's story mode with.
    • Samurai Shodown V Special had no storyline, and VI was an uncanon dream-match.
    • Edge of Destiny looks like alternative universe too, or either it is one big retcon.
  • Can't Take Anything with You: While Asura traveled 20 years forward (as Yuda), he apparently left his memories behind, together with mastery of Seven Ancient Weapons.
  • The Care Taker: Ukyo to Kei Odagiri. Hanmen no Asura to Shiki. Jushiro to Saya and Rinka.
  • Catgirl: Cham Cham's got ears, mannerisms, a tail, walks on all fours, and scratches herself. Coincidentally, she's quite similar to Felicia from Darkstalkers...
  • Celibate Hero: Though Haohmaru has a girlfriend, his priority is fighting and O-Shizu knows that very well. Nakoruru is well aware of Galford's love for her, but she's too Married to the Job of being the priestess/spirit of Nature. The Nakoruru-centric OAV also hints that, if Nakoruru ever got married, much misfortune would follow. It happened to Nakoruru's parents, after all. But we don't know if said OAV is 100% canon or not...
  • Chainmail Bikini: Charlotte has the breastplate, what may be gloves, and what once looked like armored (if heeled) boots that seem to turn a bit sexier in later games. Neinhalt Sieger is a more masculine example, bearing one (HUGE) gauntlet and greaves and kneepads. Torso protection? His big bare Teutonic chest.
  • A Chat with Satan: Happens several times in the series, in Samurai Shodown 1 and RPG, Amakusa fills the role of devil for this trope. Also at the end of RPG, character must face himself.
  • Child Soldiers: Mina, defending her village from demons despite her young age.
  • Church Militant: Amakusa, who was a leader of christian rebellion.
  • Circus of Fear: Yuga's puppet show which either turns victims into loyal puppets or drives them mad.
  • Classic Villain: Amakusa, being the first boss in series, and afterwards a recurring character.
  • Clifftop Caterwauling: Galford's and Sieger's Samurai Shodown II endings.
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Jushiro. His main hobbies are dreaming and watching the clouds.
  • Les Collaborateurs: Gen-An, Earthquake and Genjuro to Mizuki in Samurai Shodown 2; Gen-An and Earthquake to Amakusa in first OVA.
  • Combat Pragmatist: Hanzo, Jushiro and Sankuro.
  • Comeback Mechanic: Probably the "OG" of the genre. The POW/Rage meter fills up by taking damage as opposed to dealing it and once it's full you can let it drain out and do more damage or cash it out to perform a Limit Break.
  • Compilation Rerelease: Samurai Shodown Anthology (Wii, PSP, PS2), which includes parts one through six in the series - but does not include Samurai Shodown V Special. Incidentally, this is the only way US and European players can play Samurai Shodown VI without resorting to importing the game from Japan. Luckily for them, Samurai Shodown VI has all Unlockable Content available from the start.
  • The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard
  • Cool Old Guy: Yunfei. Also old Haohmaru in Warriors Rage.
  • The Corrupter: Ambrosia and Yuga.
  • The Corruption: Rasetsu modes of characters. Particularly Haohmaru becomes a cold-blooded killer known as "Sword Demon Haohmaru", while Kazuki and Sogetsu become possessed by the gods.
  • Counter-Attack: Jubei is famous for those, being able to catch opponent's weapon with one sword and counterattack with other, starting from Samurai Shodown 2. In later games, more characters gained reversal moves.
  • Creepy Child: This trope sometimes applies to Shizumaru and to Mikoto (especially in her childhood).
  • Creepy Doll: Karakuri Hanma. Especially with that BIG smile.
  • Creepy Monotone: Mugenji is the master of those. Basara takes the second place.
  • Criminal Amnesiac: Yuda.
  • Criss-Cross Attack:
    • Iaijutsu Practitioner Ukyo Tachibana has a hyper move since IV in which he moves at lightning speed to the enemy between him and passing front and behind him as a shadow to get after the opponent and then he sheathes his sword. Next to that, the character get sliced by various slashes and goes to the ground.
    • Being the child of Ukyo's mentor and having the same school that him (as well being a semi-Head Swap in-game), V's Sub-Boss Yumeji Kurokouchi can also performs this lethal Meteor Move as Ukyo.
  • Crossover: Versus series, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, King of Fighters Maximum Impact 2 and Card Fighters series featured (among others) characters from Samurai Shodown.
  • Cursed with Awesome: Basara, first appearing in Samurai Shodown 3, is a ghost. In the living world, Basara can teleport through shadow, transform into a shadowy bat, and control his chain blade with his mind. He wants his "accursed" existence to end so he can stay with his beloved Kagaribi in the afterlife. After Samurai Shodown V storyline retcon, in his Samurai Shodown V ending, he recovers a repressed memory: he, not Zankuro, had killed Kagaribi.
  • Cute Bruiser: Nakoruru and Rimururu. Rinka and Suzuhime also count.
  • Cute Monster Girl / Cat Girl: Cham-Cham, Tam-Tam's little sister. How much is her outfit and how much is real is hard to tell. What doesn't help is she tends to scratch for fleas at times. And asks the Kuroko referee 'Is it OK in this direction?' when doing so. Also expanded to her "cat friends" in some of the spin-offs.
  • Darker and Edgier: The whole series can get dark in tone, but it varies from game to game. III and IV in particular have a bit of a mournful tone and a dark color palette: IV is especially notable in this considering that basically none of the levels take place during daytime, the ones that do are in middle of Scenery Gorn, the only upbeat song in the entire game is Galford's theme and if the time is about to run out, Amakusa will turn the entire arena into a surrealistic hellscape. Finally, IV was the one that brought dedicated Finishing Moves to the series to begin with. VI is the exception: it has a matsuri (festival) setting, and notably, no blood.
  • Dark Messiah: Amakusa is the embodiment of this. If not enough, there is Aku Amakusa who is even more fanatical and evil.
  • The Dark Side Will Make You Forget: Amakusa's story.
  • Deal with the Devil:
    • Amakusa and Mizuki made such pacts with Ambrosia. Yunfei and Gaoh too - with Dark Emperor.
    • Zankuro refused to make this with Aku Amakusa, so he was sealed in a stone statue in IV.
    • Gen-An made one with Mizuki in exchange of going Back from the Dead in II (he was killed by Ayame, Galford's mentor, at the end of I).
  • Death as Game Mechanic: In IV, you've got the secret move called "Honorable Death", in which the player can commit a Heroic Suicide (being a "Samurai" game, it's usually a Seppuku) and depletes all its energy bar to start the next round with its power bar full.
  • Death Dealer: Genjuro Kibagami can fling cards as projectiles. These (as well as most of his theme) are from hanafuda, rather than the Western tarot-derivative deck.
  • Death Equals Redemption: Amakusa and Zankuro.
  • Death Seeker: Basara, who wants to finally rest in peace and reunite with Kagaribi in afterworld. Zankuro too seeks an opponent strong enough to kill him.
  • Deceptive Disciple: Genjuro to Nicotine. Enja and Suija to Yunfei.
  • Delinquents: Yaci, Haito, their Shibito gang, Brutes, Ran Po, Minto.
    • Earthquake, Sankuro and their gangs rise above being mere delinquents by having more experience and ambitions.
  • Demonic Possession: Amakusa over Shinzo Hattori's body. Mizuki over Bizuki's body. Enja and Suija over random ninja bodies and then over Kazuki and Sogetsu's bodies to form Enja.Kazuki and Suija.Sogetsu. Dark Emperor over Yunfei and then over Gaoh. Yuga partially over Shiki, and then over Mikoto.
  • Demon Lords and Archdevils: They serve Asura by turning into his weapons.
  • Demon Slaying: Basara and Mina are professional demon hunters.
  • Demoted to Extra: Several characters in the Samurai Shodown series, including Earthquake, Wan-Fu, Genan, Sieger, Jubei and Cham Cham (although a few of them returned as playable characters in later games, and Jubei was included in certain ports of Samurai Shodown III).
  • Depraved Bisexual: Genjuro, because he doesn't care.
  • Desperation Attack: Samurai Shodown 5 introduced a mechanic called Mu no Kyouchi ("State of Nothingness"), which caused the opponent to slow down and allowed the use of a damaging Issen attack - but could only be accessed after the user had already lost a round and had also lost a certain level of health. Also inverted with the game's Death Ougi finishing attacks, which only worked if the opponent had already lost a round and a certain amount of health.
  • Determinator: Enja.Kazuki and Suija.Sogetsu in Fire Emperor and Water Emperor modes respectively (they gain constant superarmor). Garyo and Tashon Mao too, since they can cast 1-hit superarmor on themselves.
    • Gandara takes the cake, being in superarmor at all times, being unable to get thrown or knocked down, having higher than average defense and LOTS of unblockable attacks. He can literally chew you, spit you out and squash you afterwards.
  • Devil, but No God: Reoccurring theme in series, since the heroes play the part of devil's counterpart instead.
  • Diabolical Mastermind: Oboro.
  • Diagonal Cut: Happens if the last blow is a strong slash with both characters standing.
  • Difficult, but Awesome: The 2019 game's Super Move (forward, circle motion back to forward + Strong Slash + Kick) can only be used once and extremely predictable, requiring you to properly set it up (as a punish for a really long whiff, or after a successful weapon deflect). If you actually manage to land that, behold the spectacle of said move as it eats up the health of the enemy bar, nearing to three quarters of it.
  • Dirty Coward: Sankuro.
  • The Ditz: Minto.
  • Dogged Nice Guy: Galford. He's really in love with Nakoruru, but the girl is too Married to the Job, though she did recognize his feelings to her. Coincidentally, turns out Galford is also Married to the Job (being a defender of justice)
  • Double Jump: Aerial - Iroha in Samurai Shodown VI, and Yunfei too - with help of special move. If wall jump is counted - then most light characters in series AND Earthquake.
  • Double Knockout: Samurai Shodown games count this as a win for both fighters (and go into a 30-second sudden death mode if it happens both times). In the 3D titles, Issen Competititon activates instead to decide the winner.
    • In the earlier games, a double knockout was called a Double Fatality, even though the characters would stand up after the end of the fight. In SS 5 Special, characters could actually be cut in half during a double knockout, but would continue to fight in the next round.
  • Downer Ending: The ending of the Nakoruru ADV game: Yantamu dies trying to save Nakoruru, then she dies as well, and it's implied they are happily reunited in the afterlife. Many of the characters have downer endings in several games, ending in the demise of themselves or a loved one. Mina's SS 5 ending is possibly the worst, as she has to kill her adorable pet, after which it is heavily implied that she kills herself.
  • The Dragon: Gandara, Deku, Hanmen no Asura, Yumeji, and the coincidentally named Draco.
  • Dragon Ascendant: Zankuro in Samurai Shodown IV.
  • Dragon with an Agenda: Sankuro.
  • Dramatic Red Samurai Background: In old Samurai Shodown games, when a Zetsumei Ougi move is performed, a Black Screen of Death with a white line that slashed the screen appears when the enemy is finished with this move. In 2019 when performing an Issen, the black screen is followed by a red one and the character performing the move is in black and white in a samurai movie-like fashion.
  • Dramatic Wind: One of Ukyo's win poses.
  • Driven to Suicide: Mina, in her Samurai Shodown V ending.
  • Driven to Villainy: Shiki and Mikoto.
  • Dual Wielding: Jubei, Shiki, Kuno Seishiro, Yoshitora (although he has 7 swords, he has only 2 hands), Iroha and Black Hawk
  • Dude Looks Like a Lady: The definition of Amakusa.
  • Dumb Muscle: Gaira is a dumb, muscled and rather violent buddhist monk, being a parody of the Martial Pacifist mold.
  • Eldritch Abomination: Ambrosia and its stage in Samurai Shodown RPG; then Hanmen no Asura's stage in Samurai Spirits Asura Zanmaden (which apparently was influenced by aforementioned Ambrosia setting).
  • Elemental Punch: Samurai Shodown 2 had Wan-fu channel flame through his weapon. Which might be a bit of overkill, since the weapon involved is a huge stone pillar. Galford, Enja and Suija are all subjects of this trope as well.
  • Elemental Powers: Out the yin-yang. Galford uses electricity, Hanzo, Kyoshiro, Kazuki and Enja use fire, Yunfei (and to some) degree) Haohmaru use wind, Sogetsu and Suija use water, Rimururu uses ice. Hanmen no Asura uses light, shadows and dark electricity at once.
    • Based on his special move names, Jubei's projectiles and super are composed out of "reflected moonlight"
    • Notably, fire is pretty prevalent in 2. Hanzo, Ukyo, Kyoshiro, Sieger, Charlotte, Wan Fu, Earthquake, Nakoruru, Cham Cham, Caffeine Nicotine, and final boss Mizuki ALL have at least one manoeuvre that leaves you engulfed in flame. That's ELEVEN out of seventeen fighters. And the guy who runs by in the background? He tosses firebombs at the fight every so often, too.
  • Emotionless Girl: Shiki.
  • Empathic Weapon: Asura's Seven Ancient Weapons.
  • The Emperor: Suija Sogetsu and Enja Kazuki could enter Fire and Water Emperor modes that fused them with their elements. Yuga's full name is Kaitei Yuga (lit. "Emperor of Destruction Yuga"). Then we got Dark Emperor (Kuraki Sumeragi in Japanese) as the last boss of Samurai Shodown V (fused with Gaoh).
    • Golba made a few moves that affected countries across the world, so he is partially a subject of this trope.
  • Enemy to All Living Things: Mizuki and Rasetsumaru. Kusaregedo — when he is hungry (almost constantly). Also, Asura/Yuda — to all things that happen to stand in his way.
  • Enemy Mine: Haohmaru and Genjuro, Asura and Hanmen no Asura.
    • Kazuki and Sogetsu are subjects of this trope as well, but only formally (as Sogetsu actually has no intention of executing his renegade brother).
  • Enemy Within: Enja, Suija, Yuga and Dark Emperor to Kazuki, Sogetsu, Shiki/Mikoto, and Yunfei/Gaoh respectively.
  • Enemy Without: Aku Amakusa and Hanmen no Asura.
  • Engrish: VICTOLY!
  • Enigmatic Minion: Draco, although it may be explained by Golba simply hiring him.
  • Epic Flail: If we're going to count kusarigama, then Earthquake should be here. With a justified reason why the blunt head at the end of the chain is as big as a normal person's head — so are his fists.
  • Episode Zero: The Beginning: Samurai Spirits Zero
  • Evil Army: Oboro's Amazons.
  • Evil Counterpart: Kibagami Genjuro to Haohmaru. Also a Deceptive Disciple to Kafuin Nikochin.
  • Evil Duo: Enja and Suija, Yaci and Haito, Draco and Golba.
    • For fans, Earthquake and Gen-An are considered as this, being compared to Chang and Choi.
  • Eviler than Thou: Asura and Yuga, in a way.
  • Evil Is Not a Toy: Dark Emperor to Yunfei.
  • Evil Knockoff: Rasetsumaru.
    • Hanmen no Asura subverts the trope by being a Good Knockoff - a kind of Psycho Prototype.
  • Evil Laugh: Yuga, Enja, Rasetsumaru. Genan tries to do this, but fails due to his high pitched voice.
  • Evil Mentor: Yuga to Hanmen no Asura and Han-In to nari shi Shiki (both of them have fighting techniques based on Yuga's).
  • Evil Old Folks: Oboro.
  • The Evil Prince: Asura.
  • Evil Sorcerer: Amakusa, Mizuki, Han-In to nari shi Shiki, Yuga, Aku Mikoto and Oboro.
  • Evil Twin: Rasetsumaru (Haohmaru), Enja (Kazama Kazuki), Suija (Kazama Sogetsu), and Rera (Nakoruru)
    • In III, IV, 64 and its sequel playable characters have "Shura" (Asura, localized as Slash) and "Rasetsu" (Rakshasa, localized as Bust) modes. The "rasetsu" modes are the "heel" versions (either more evil, bloodthirsty, or using forbidden techniques), while "shura" modes are basically everyday "face" versions of characters. This was done to add more variety to gameplay and increase number of characters without need to draw new sprites. Warriors Rage (PS), V and later do not have these modes, but Rasetsumaru (based on Rasetsu Haohmaru) and Rera (based on Rasetsu Nakoruru) became separate characters instead.
      • Subverted by Hanmen no Asura who is a (standalone character) Good Twin to Asura, while serving as his "Rasetsu" version in game's roster.
  • Evil Uncle: Golba to Suzuhime.
  • Evil Versus Evil: Asura versus Yuga.
  • Evil Weapon: Can't get more evil than Asura's Seven Ancient Weapons, which are forms taken by demon lords that rule over seven deadly sins.
    • Also backstory of Genjuro's weapon reveals that his sword drove its wielder into killing frenzy and could make him insane (the swordsmith being the first victim), and it traveled from person to person causing various accidents, and was feared as cursed blade.
    • Oboro's weapons are said to be inhabited by evil spirits. Mikoto's and Rasetsumaru's weapons are classified as cursed weapons as well. Mikoto's was given to her by Oboro, and Rasetsumaru (as demon) probably brought his sword from Hell
    • Both male and female Deku have swords similar in style to Asura's and Oboro's weapons (same ornaments and eye inscriptions), most likely being of hellish origin as well.
  • Expy: Kim Hae-Ryeong shares the family name (Kim) and the same general look of a certain The King of Fighters character, but it is a very common Korean family name and the look seems fairly basic... until he confronts Draco with "Aku wa yurusan!"
  • Eyes Do Not Belong There: Asura's Seven Ancient Weapons have eyes all around them, the eyes actually move and watch the opponent.
  • Eyepatch of Power: Since Jubei is supposed to be the one from real life, he wears an eyepatch.
  • Face: Shura/Slash version of a character in series.
  • Disc-One Final Boss: Yuga's male form. In Samurai Shodown 64 after Yuga's defeat, its body just falls down like broken doll as another entity emerges from it and flies away only to disappear with characteristic laugh. In the sequel, we are introduced to Yuga's female form which is the true boss.
  • Face of an Angel, Mind of a Demon: Not exactly a handsome example, but Oboro has the heart of a Social Darwinist despite looking like a wise old man.
  • Fake Interactivity: at least in the first game, the "sword clash" mechanic is a complete lie. The winner is always chosen randomly.[1]
  • Fallen Angel: Asura.
  • Fallen Hero: Amakusa, after his historical death. Because he made Deal with the Devil.
  • Fanservice: Almost entirely avoided in the first, third and fourth games (the second game had Cham Cham). Then came Mina, who comes dressed in a bikini top and a wraparound skirt, and flashes her panties everytime she does almost anything, and especially when she is killed. And let's not even talk about Iroha, whose special attack involves her getting her opponent behind two shoji doors, stripping naked and then beating up the enemy. Yeah...
  • Fartillery: One of Earthquake's grapples. Literally. Slashing wrong image in his dublication technique also leaves a gas bomb, as opposed to Hanzo's fire bomb or Galford's electric bomb.
  • Fat Bastard: Earthquake, the 1,380-pound ninja. From Texas. One hundred years before Texas existed. In his profile, it's stated that he likes people fatter than he is, and dislikes "skinny people".
  • Femme Fatale: Shiki and Saya.
  • Fetus Terrible: An embryo appearing in the center of eye on giant sphere in Mizuki's stage (Yuga's fetus symbol may be related to it too) - it symbolizes the rebirth of Dark God in the realm of humans.
    • Unborn children that were changed by Yuga's magic are the subject of this trope as well.
    • Also Yuga's spirit escaping into Shiki's daughter (Mikoto) before she was born.
  • Field Trip to the Past: Hero and his party going 200 years back at one point the second chapter in Samurai Shodown RPG (where Mizuki is the main antagonist), to participate in the past battle against Mizuki.
  • Fighting Game: Obviously.
  • Finishing Move: Under special circumstances, Samurai Shodown IV and V Special allow the winning player to perform an unique fatality-like move on the opponent (those are often gory) - while conditions were never mentioned anywhere in-game). Most of games also allow generic finishers, where some slashes can actually bisect or cause High-Pressure Blood to erupt. - although characters with blunt weapons have no access to dismembering generic finishers, and only can do a "wall slam" finish. Also, suicide motion allows characters to perform a fatality on themselves - in IV, V and V Special.
  • Fireballs: Nearly everyone has them, and Kazuki can used them as powerups (aside of using them as projectiles).
  • Fish out of Temporal Water: Yuda in Warriors Rage (PS), then Rimururu in the same game (after she de-hibernates).
  • Five-Finger Discount: How Ran Po got his weapon.
  • Flaming Sword: Kazuki in Samurai Shodown wields a flaming sword. Enja has flaming fistcuffs, Sieger and Wan-fu can set their weapons on fire during special moves.
  • Flash Step: Incorporated in the techniques of Ukyo, Seishiro, Tohma, Haito and Daruma.
  • Flight: Hanmen no Asura, Han-In to nari shi Shiki, Ran Po, Minto, Yunfei.
    • Also Nakoruru when carried by her hawk, Shizumaru when gliding on his umbrella. Suija's special move are executed exlusively from air, and his gameplay consists from jumping and diving through air, although he actually flies only in his intro/win poses. Suija.Sogetsu shows ability to fly only during his super.
  • Forced into Evil: Hanmen no Asura, after he stops being an Anti-Villain.
  • Forgot the Call: Yuda. He remembers with time.
  • For the Evulz: Mizuki's motive.
  • Freak Out: Basara and Mugenji. Kazuki once possessed by Enja.
  • Free-Range Children: Shizumaru who wanders the country in all the games. Apparently Haohmaru started to do this being 15-years old. Next we have 14-years old Suzuhime doing this in Samurai Shodown Sen.
    • Dont forget Nakoruru, Rimururu and Mina who are pretty young as well.
  • Friendly Enemy: Haohmaru and Genjuro, somewhat. Haohmaru wont even recognize him as an enemy, only as a rival.
  • Friend to All Living Things: Nakoruru... on a good day.
  • Frozen Face: Hanma Yagyu. In childhood one of his experiments exploded in his face, permanently leaving him with a smiling expression.
  • Fuuma Shuriken: Basara has this on a chain as his weapon.
  • Gadgeteer Genius: Hanma Yagyu.
    • Honorable mention for Mario from Warriors Rage (PS)
  • The Gambler: Genjuro is an avid player of hanafuda, and cards from it figure heavily (though perhaps figuratively) into nearly all of his special moves. Gambling also seems to one of sources of his income (aside of being a hitokiri - a killer for hire).
  • Gangbangers: Yaci, Haito, and their Shibito gang. Also Brutes.
  • General Ripper: Golba.
  • Genki Girl: Cham Cham and Rimururu.
  • Gentleman Thief: Garyo the Whirlwind.
  • Giant Mook: Gandara.
  • Giant Space Flea from Nowhere: Ma Gaoh. There's no lead up to his appearance, he doesn't quite fit the lighthearted festival atmosphere of SSVI, and he's never spoken of again up on his defeat. He fits all the requirements for this trope to a tee.
  • The Glasses Come Off: Andrew of Samurai Shodown removes his glasses before fighting. This is not the case for other three glasses-wearing characters (Taizan, Samurai and Jinbei).
  • Glorious Leader: Gaoh, since in the end he is possessed by Dark Emperor.
  • Glory Seeker: Galford.
  • A God Am I: Suija.
  • God of Evil: Ambrosia.
  • God Save Us from the Queen!: Queen Victoria in Samurai Shodown RPG, she eventually turns into a demon.
    • Also the queen in Charlotte's Samurai Shodown 1 intro (exclusive to portable version of game) - who was possessed by the demon.
  • Good Wings, Evil Wings: Asura is an anti-hero, who is shown having 8 black feathered wings (although he only had 2 in OVA). Hanmen no Asura is an anti-villain with 4 white feathered wings. Yuga is a villain with 2 small demon wings that can grow to form bigger, insect-like wings. Mikoto is shown having one white and one black wing, which represent good & evil halves of her personality (the latter being a result of Yuga possession). Yuda is an anti-hero who is show having single black feathered wing - that happened after he lost 7 Ancient Weapons (and 7 out of 8 wings) as Asura. Also, his weapons happen to be the seven demon lords, that show in humanoid forms in his ending, each having single black feathered wing as well.
  • Gone to the Future: Asura (as Yuda).
  • Gonk: Gen-An Shiranui is so terrifically ugly that it is impossible to even tell his species. (He's not a tengu, and he's not an oni, but he definitely isn't human...), who somehow managed to get a hot wife. There's also obese Texan ninja Earthquake, and then there's Kusaregedo, who's uglier than Gen-An and Earthquake combined (thats while his design was based on aforementioned two characters).
    • Mai Shiranui sometimes is named as Gen-An's descendant, but according to SNK, they just share family name and are not related. Additionally, Mai kills Gen-An in his Samurai Shodown 1 ending (retconned to Ayame, Galford and Earthquake's mentor).
  • Gory Discretion Shot: A couple of characters use this for particularly gruesome finishing moves. Kusaregedo for example, hauls the enemy offscreen before devouring them. He then lumbers back onscreen and coughs up their skull. Suija lifts his enemy offscreen, crushes and liquefies him/her and let their blood rain down on him!
  • Guest Fighter: 2019 saw the first crossover fighter in the series: the Warden from Ubisoft's For Honor. Another character, this time from Tencent's Honor of Kings universe, was added as post-Season 2 free DLC. Season 3 features the addition of Hibiki Takane as a playable character, which is the first guest from SNK's own character library. She's joined by Baiken from Guilty Gear as the last character of Season 3.
    • And it goes the other way around as well. Haohmaru is a Season 2 fighter for Soul Calibur VI while Ukyo and Nakoruru joined the roster of AFK Arena.
  • Guide Dang It!:
    • In 2, several characters have super secret moves, some of them would ascend as their official Rage Desperation Attack in latter games (Haohmaru's Tenha Fuujinzan and Nakoruru's Ererushi Kamui Rise are the examples of those, whereas Galford and Hanzo can inflict Invisibility on them). You don't need the full Rage meters to do them, but good luck doing those, not only they're not revealed in anywhere except guides (official Rage Desperation Attack for that game is put on screen when the Rage meter is full), they need even MORE dexterity required...
    • Also starting with 2 was the "intrusion character" mechanic, where an Optional Boss may occur depending on various play conditions. The most infamous is Kuroko, who will hint that you have the potential to do his fight by commenting personally in matches afterwards, but his conditions are both doable (defeat certain later opponents without losing a round and with a super move in under 20 seconds), and random (he can pop out after any opponent if he really feels like it). And he can be a playthrough stopper by sheer nature of being an SNK Boss. Actually playing as Kuroko also required a secret cheat code on a very specific regional release of the Neo Geo CD version.
  • The Gunslinger: Jushiro, Andrew and Draco.
  • Half-Human Hybrid: Mikoto.
  • Half the Man He Used to Be: A longtime feature of the Samurai Shodown series is being able to slice your opponent in half if you hit them hard enough. This is usually either at the waist or a Diagonal Cut. Vertical cut is present in Samurai Shodown IV fatalities and in Samurai Shodown V Special as one of generic finishers.
  • Handsome Lech: Yoshitora Tokugawa ... who can actually run away from the middle of a fight if a girl calls his name. Oh, and he's also the heir to the friggin' Tokugawa shogunate. Also subverted by Ukyo, who has the 'handsome' part, but not the 'lech'.
  • Haunted Heroine: Shiki and Mikoto are haunted by Yuga.
  • Have a Nice Death: It's not uncommon to see fighters' bodies carried off on stretchers covered with sheets in post-fight cut scenes.
  • Having a Heart: Samurai Shodown IV has a variation of this in a post-battle-quote for Jubei: "You've got guts. Now pick them up!"
  • Headless Horseman: Decapitated Rasetsumaru remains alive and well, and still can talk.
  • Healing Factor: Yuga and Hanmen no Asura can heal on their own.
    • In Samurai Shodown IV and Asura Zanmaden, all characters can recover a part of life while they delay their get up from ground. Samurai Shodown VI offers this only for console-version exclusive "Animal Spirit" groove.
  • Heartbeat Soundtrack: The first round against Amakusa, in the first game.
  • The Heartless: Ambrosia (according to Samurai Shodown RPG).
  • Heartwarming Orphan: Shizumaru and Rinka.
  • Heel: Rasetsu/Bust version of a character in series.
  • Heel–Face Turn: Shiro Amakusa Tokisada from Samurai Shodown turns into a good spirit, since evil half of his soul got separated from him (Samurai Shodown IV). He then sacrifices himself to protect the heroes in Samurai Shodown II.
  • Hell-Bent for Leather: Asura.
  • Hell Has New Management: Samurai Shodown VI boss Ma Gaoh (Ma stands for Makai no Suberubeshi - oppressor of demon world). A demon-possessed version of Gaoh, who managed to take over Hell by abusing power of Dark Emperor (who possessed him in first place), and riding him like own horse (!). And if thats not enough, the first picture that greets you before fighting Ma Gaoh is him stomping the head of Lucifer.
  • Hellish Pupils: Asura has unhuman, snake-like pupils.
  • Helpful Mook: Mario (NPC, one of Mikoto's servants) in Warriors Rage (PS).
  • Henchmen Race: Deku and Gandaras produced en masse during Asura Zanmaden (you can even see a Gandara plant in one of game's stages). They were a kind of Elite Mooks in previous game.
  • Hero Antagonist: Haohmaru in Warriors Rage (PS). He wants to save Mikoto, but at that moment she is technically one of the villains, and good guys want to kill the villains, so Haohmaru clashes swords with the main hero Seishiro (in drama CD) and Hanzo (in game itself).
  • Heroes Love Dogs: Galford, the All-American hero from Samurai Shodown has his loyal pet dog as a combat gimmick.
  • He Who Fights Monsters: Basara.
  • Hide Your Children: A literal use comes into play with one of the installments: a couple of kids attempt to play in the streets of a largely abandoned village complete with the SS3/4 Empathic Environment right before a match. A lady (presumably their mother) quickly comes in and gets them to run off. Good move.
  • Highly-Visible Ninja: Galford (doesn't cover his head, he wears blue, and he fights with his dog who follows him even when he is invisible) and Earthquake. Good god Earthquake.
  • High-Pressure Blood: Kill any opponent with a blade attack while they are on the ground and you might see them eject their entire circulatory system before they slump to the ground, obviously dead from exsanguination. Occasionally sprayed all over the winner in some of the games.
  • Hijacked by Ganon: Zankuro in Samurai Shodown IV.
    • Demon Gaoh in Samurai Shodown VI, since he technically isn't a new character as well.
  • Hime Cut: Nakoruru, Suzuhime, and several NPC (such as Yukihime) from Samurai Shodown have such haircut.
  • Historical Domain Character: Plenty. Haohmaru is basically Miyamoto Musashi Musashi, Ukyo is basically Sasaki Kojiro, and Jubei is basically... well, Jubei; and so is Hanzo. Andrew is a bit of a cross between George Washington (Virginian, cherry trees, bayonet) and Andrew Jackson (glasses, hair, gaunt-but-imposing physique), and certainly is portrayed as a bishonen version of the latter (he's named after him, duh). Andrew's level is even in front of the White House, still under construction. Amakusa is based on Christian samurai Masuda Shiro Tokisada aka Amakusa Shirou. There's also Gaoh, who is based on Oda Nobunaga. And Yumeji possibly being based on his page Mori Ranmaru (right down to the confusing gender).
  • Hitbox Dissonance: Hattori Hanzo's super in Samurai Shodown III had a hitbox that stuck around nearly a second after the actual explosion. Worse, it did not combo with the rest of the attack, meaning that a person who blocked the attack could let off the block a moment too early, and end up taking the full brunt of it anyway. Most of hitboxes in that game heavily suffered from lack of testing.
    • Another case would be Bust Galford in the same game, who possesses a move that can be performed either with or without his weapon. When he has his weapon its a moderately damaging attack, but when he's unarmed, it becomes the second strongest move in the game that isn't a Rage super as not only does it do massive damage but it also has a ridiculous amount of hitstun that allows you to chain the move into itself until you win or stun the other fighter if it's not blocked.
  • Hitman with a Heart: Hanzo and Saya.
  • Hobos: Daruma is one.
  • Hoist by His Own Petard: In Samurai Shodown V Special, demon characters have unique effects if subjected to Basara's decapitating fatality. Enja's (fire demon) head will explode, Suija's (water demon) head will collapse into puddle of water, and Kusaregedo's (flesh-eating demon) head will melt into a fleshy mess.
  • Homicide Machines: Karakuri Hanma.
  • Horny Vikings: Garros from Edge of Destiny.
  • Hot-Blooded: Haohmaru; then, to bigger degree, Kazuki. And Enja - to max degree, as he has fastest Raging rate in games he appeared in.
  • Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Sieger and Princess Elisabeth. Haohmaru and Oshizu. Takechiyo and Suzu.
  • Humans Are Bastards: This is what led Mizuki to The Dark Side.
  • Howl of Sorrow: Galford's dog Poppy does this when he's defeated.
  • An Ice Person: Rimururu
  • Image Song: Some image songs for Samurai Shodown exist, at least for Nakoruru and Rimururu (like Egao de Iru for the latter).
  • I'm a Humanitarian: Kusaregedo is a huge, deformed, demonic creature who got to be that way by eating people, and his goal in entering the tournament is to track down and eat one of the other fighters. In his ending, he eats his daughter instead.
  • Implacable Man: Gandara. He is in full-fledge superarmor mode all the time.
  • Important Haircut: Charlotte Christine Colde grew her blond hair long in SS 2. When she saw her crush (Haohmaru) was already spoken for (by Oshizu), she decides to not pine away for him and cuts her hair short with her rapier.
    • In his Samurai Shodown V ending, instead of killing Yumeji, Ukyo just cuts off the ponytail.
  • Impossibly Cool Weapon: Azure and Crimson Flash swords (wielded by Seishiro and Tohma) have transparent, crystallic blades. Asura's and Hanmen no Asura's weapons are also subjects of this trope.
  • Improbable Weapon User: Wan Fu (stone pillar, but only in the second game - in the first he used a broadsword), Neinhalt Sieger (giant gauntlet with built-in cannon), Kafuin Gaira (prayer beads), Hanma and Karakuri Hanma (gauntlets with built-in cannons), Morozumi Taizan (giant calligraphy brush), Hisame Shizumaru (umbrella). One of Asura's Seven Ancient Weapons is a shield, that attacks opponent with spikes. Honourable mention for Cham Cham, who uses a sharpened boomerang as a melee weapon.
    • Storyline-wise, Hanma created his weapon based on Sieger's.
    • Giant prayer beads like Gaira's were developed specifically for use as weapons when carrying conventional ones like swords was made illegal in ancient China.
    • SS 2019 gets the tendency back with Ruxiang, who wields a magic shield as her weapon, and Wan-Fu is back with his stone pillas as in SS2.
  • Incurable Cough of Death: Subverted by Ukyo Tachibana, who was designed with the apparent intention of being killed off by illness, but (with the exception of an obscure and unpopular side game) never has been, due to his popularity among the gamers.
  • In Love with Your Carnage: Amakusa to Haohmaru (even mentioned in his Samurai Shodown 1 info tab)...later led to Amakusa's creation of Rasetsumaru.
  • Inherited Illiteracy Title (though it might just be the fault of the "Blind Idiot" Translation)
    • Supposedly, this is because its originally planned title was Shogun Shodown, with "Shogun" changed to "Samurai" at the last minute.
  • Innocent Inaccurate: Shizumaru's memories of "the Demon".
  • Instant Ice: Just Add Cold!: Rimururu can produce large amounts of ice instantly and out of pretty much nowhere.
  • Instant Runes: Amakusa (from the 3rd game onwards) and Mizuki can make rune-like images to attack. Asura also has own rune-like font, which is used for inscriptions on his weapons, as well as in game's intro and in OVA when he names his attacks.
  • Interface Screw: Caffeine Nicotine had a move like this in Samurai Shodown 2; so did unplayable boss Mizuki. In Mizuki's case, being hit by the attack while suffering from it reverses the reversal. Shiki and Taizan also possess such powers.
  • Invasion of the Baby Snatchers: Was the part of Yuga's grand scheme. Children were returned later, after being properly adjusted.
  • Immune to Fate: Basara in SNK Playmore timeline (they gave him Time Travel abilities).
  • It's Not You, It's Me / It's Not You, It's My Enemies: Haohmaru tells any of these phrases to Oshizu in some of his endings.
  • Japanese Ranguage: Samurai Shodown IV congratulated the battle winner with a message of "VICTOLY!"
    • Don't forget FATARITY.
  • Jeanne d'Archétype: Charlotte
  • Jerk Jock: Brutes in Warriors Rage (PS)
  • Joke Character: Kuroko, the fight referee, is playable in some games. Poppy, Galford's dog companion, is playable in Samurai Shodown V. VI adds Sugoroku;
    • Characters like Genan, Earthquake, Hanma, Karakuri Hanma, Minto, Tashonmao and Kusaregedo are clearly series' fun factor fodder.
      • In SS2 and possibly some others, Kuroko is in fact a Game-Breaker (playable in the home versions), just as strong or maybe stronger than the final boss: partly because of his large arsenal of attack Shout Outs to other SNK fighters and weird attacks other characters have trouble countering, including a ranged attack that pulls in the opponent and stuns them which can be repeated for an infinite combo, the ability to split in 2 horizonally when hit by the opponent's attack and have one half of him blow up, and an extremely powerful and quick Desperation Attack that takes out roughly 90% of the opponent's health if it connects.
  • Jungle Princess: Azami (Gen-an's wife) looks like one. Actually this is subverted since she only has the looks and is a House Wife for Gen-an. Cham-Cham is actually the closest we can get of this trope in the series.
  • Kabuki Theatre: Kyoshiro Senryo is the Kabuki dancer of the series, present since the first game and using a naginata as his weapon. His movements are Kabuki dances, speaks in Kabuki Sounds, throws flamming fans and even uses a giant frog in a theatrical way. Also his stages are usually Kabuki theatres.
  • Kill and Replace: Rasetsumaru planned to kill Haohmaru and take his place.
  • Ki Manipulation: An explanation to a number of special moves, as probably in every fighting game. Particularly, Yunfei specializes in channeling his ki through the air to create a cutting wind, and also can drain ki from opponent's body.
  • Kick Them While They Are Down: Ground Pursuit (of a downed opponent) is a gameplay element starting from Samurai Shodown IV. In Asura Zanmaden, some special moves get this function too. And if you were knocked down during boss fight vs Yuga, she would spam so much spells that you probably wont get up alive.
  • Kid Hero: Out of series' main heroes: Shizumaru is experienced (in killing people) 14-years old swordsman; Seishiro is basically a 17 years old Master Swordsman, and Suzuhime is a 14-years old princess that wields a giant sword, can lift a person with it and spin them overhead.
  • Kid Sidekick: Shizumaru and Takechiyo to Haohmaru, somewhat. They were his disciples for short periods of time.
  • Kill It with Fire: Abundance of fire-based attacks in series. ESPECIALLY in Samurai Shodown 2.
  • Knight in Shining Armor: Sieger and Walter.
  • Knight of Cerebus: Hanmen no Asura. Tohma fits this trope as well.
  • Knight Templar: Gaoh, he even has a winquote "A greater good my evil serves".
  • Lack of Empathy: Asura and Yuda lack emotions. Curiously, all of Yuda's attacks are named after various emotions instead.
  • Lady of War: Charlotte Christine Colde. She was a hero of the Revolution, after all...
  • Large Ham: Kyoshiro's acting is frequently hinted to be very over the top, making him a perfect fit for the kabuki stage.
  • Laser Blade: Asura's sword uses lightsaber sound effects.
    • Han-In to nari shi Shiki is barehanded but not unarmed, since she can summon Psychic Power-fueled energy blades from her hands.
  • Laser-Guided Amnesia: Shizumaru and Yuda have it.
  • Laser-Guided Tyke-Bomb: Hanmen no Asura.
  • Laughing Mad: Basara, all the time.
  • Laughably Evil: Genan, Earthquake and Sankuro.
  • Leatherman: Asura wears exclusively leather. And chains.
  • Legacy Character: Hanzo
  • Lighter and Softer: Samurai Shodown VI. There is no blood at all and none of the Zetsumei Ougis return from V Special. The whole thing has a "festival" theme and you have goofy combatants like Ocha-Maro (a gigantic clockwork automaton), Iroha (a Ms. Fanservice Ninja Maid), a caricature of Andrew Jackson who fights with a bayonetted rifle, and Suguroku (a jolly man whose weapon is basically a handheld cannon).
  • Little Miss Con Artist: Minto.
  • Living Shadow: Basara; also Hanmen no Asura during his super.
  • Living Weapon: Asura's Seven Ancient Weapons are the forms taken by seven demon lords under his command. They show living traits in weapon forms too, such as moving the eyes inscribed on weapons to look at the opponent, and turning red when they become raged.
  • Loony Fan: Fuyo to Sankuro. He also expressed desire to sell her into a brothel, should he become short on money.
  • Louis Cypher: Asura fullfills the role of Devil in Samurai Shodown universe. His struggle with Yuga is a play on Satan Is Good and God Is Evil tropes.
  • Loveable Rogue: Garyo the Whirlwind.
  • Love Makes You Evil: The only reason Basara's still "alive" is because of his love for his wife Kagaribi.
  • Made of Iron: Characters hit each other with swords and big blunt objects but cause no visible wounds. Somewhat needed, though, otherwise these games could be very, very short (as was seen in case of Samurai Shodown 3 where matches could end in 3 hits).
  • Made of Plasticine: A single sword strike, at the very end of the match, can split a character in half.
  • Magic Realism: The series' setting. The games are set in a heightened version of the late 1700s. Realistic weaponry, real-world historical characters, nations in their historic forms etc are depicted pretty much as they were in life, though this is combined with a good deal of supernatural elements — Youkai, magic powers/weapons, animal transformations, fictional countries.....and Chample, are also present.
  • Magnet Hands: Characters can drop their weapons only after being hit by certain moves, although they are just stuck in the ground and can be picked up quickly. however the fast paced, high-damage nature of the game means that if this happens, only a skilled player will be able to escape painful. In most of 3D titles, characters cant drop their weapons at all.
  • Making a Splash: Sogetsu, Suija and their fusion Suija.Sogetsu
  • The Man Behind the Man: Ambrosia behind Amakusa and Mizuki, Jigen Taishi behind Oboro, Dark Emperor behind Gaoh.
  • Manipulative Bastard: Golba, succeeded to manipulate several countries into waging a war, and caused all kinds of political turmoil around the world, so his own country would come out stronger compared to others.
  • Market-Based Title: Samurai Spirits is known as Samurai Shodown outside Japan: an odd case considering the international title actually misspells the replacement word ("Showdown").
  • Mask Power: Tam-Tam, to the point that he was brought back to life by having his mask returned to him.
  • Massive Multiplayer Crossover: NeoGeo Battle Coliseum and Card Fighters series. To lesser degree, SvC and CvS games.
  • Master of Illusion: Basara Kubikiri, with his huge variety of shadow illusions that confuse opponent.
  • Master of the Levitating Blades: The Final Boss of Warriors Rage is Oboro, the mastermind of The Three Blades of Dominion (aka The Razor Trio). He's an old weak man but has mastered the telekinesis and instead to fight him, Oboro controls two magical and cursed swords the player has to defeat, being one of the most hardest bosses to defeat in the franchise.
  • Master Swordsman: Haohmaru, Daruma, Kuki (Seishiro's father).
    • Also Zankuro, Ukyo and Kuno Seishiro.
  • McNinja: Galford, the ninja who's Californian before California existed. Same for the Texan Earthquake, who, like Galford, would actually be Mexican.
  • Meaningful Name: Neinhalt Sieger means "Endless Victory".
  • Meganekko: Ruixiang from the 2019 game. As well as being - at least in her finisher - terrified of the colossal fire-breathing Chinese dragon contained within her shield, she's also Blind Without 'Em as, whenever she drops her shield, her glasses go with it. This has her pawing the air as she slowly looks for them, saying "megane..." to herself.
  • Meido: Iroha. Just look at her fighting attire.
  • Meteor Move: Hanzo Hattori and Galford from Samurai Shodown also have a "grab your opponent, leap up and slam his head into the ground" move. Unusual because, at least in the first game, the Mighty Glacier types didn't have any throws or grabs outside the basic ones, but these two lightweight Ninja did. And could leap into the air with all but the biggest one of them.
    • Kusaregedo has own version of such grab, where he jumps with opponent in air, and then falls knee pressing their head against the ground. This is the most damaging command grab amongst 2D titles, and deals 40% damage.
  • Garyo the Whirlwind would be fitting for this trope (at least visually), had he not earned the "Whirlwind" nickname based on his movement speed.
  • Miko: Nakoruru, Rimururu, Bizuki, Mikato, Mina.
    • Mizuki is a rare villainous version. But her host body Bizuki plays this straight.
  • Miles Gloriosus: Sankuro.
  • Mind over Matter: All of Yuga's melee attacks directly attack the opponent by transcending space, similarly to telekinesis. Mikoto (who is possessed by Yuga) can telekinetically toss her weapon in various trajectories across the stage. Suija seemingly uses telekinesis in his fatality, although this can be explained by his water powers used to manipulate opponent's body water.
  • Mirror Match: In different games of series, some characters have special pre-battle dialogue when entered in a Mirror Match; for example, Ukyo Tachibana remarks "Cutting same face...feels bad..."
  • Misanthrope Supreme: Oboro
  • Modern AU Fic: The series have an unofficial one on Yagyu Life Theatre made by some of SNK creators of the series, with Jubei as a salaryman and the rest of the cast as co-workers and with other modern works, like Haohmaru as a delivery boy and Cham-Cham as a maid.
  • Mooks: Oboro's Amazons.
  • More Dakka: Jushiro's ''machine gun sword'. Karakuri Hanma's "Machine Gun" super move.
  • Motor Mouth: Garyo - who is both fast and loud talker.
  • Mouthy Kid: Ran Po and Minto.
    • This also the main occupation of Champuru, subverted by the fact that he isn't human.
  • Moveset Clone: Heavily Played With through the whole series:
    • Headswapped characters are common through the earlier games, but they usually fall to Divergent Character Evolution: Hanzo / Galford in the first game, Nakoruru / Rimururu in III and Kazuki / Sogetsu in IV note .
    • The Shura / Rasetsu mechanic introduced in III inverts this, as it gives every character (except the bosses) two different movesets note .
    • The 3D 64 duology further reinforces Divergent Character Evolution: most headswaps now are completely different characters, and some Shura / Rasetsu modes are so different that they count as new characters both in gameplay and story. This trope is played straight with Kuroko and the two Deku, though.
    • Every Warriors Rage (Playstation) hidden character is a clone of the 11 initial ones, although they all have new storylines, voices and basic moves. There are three caregories: Boss characters that are mostly unique note , standard clones that share the exact same special moves note , and Player Mooks that lack all special attacks note .
    • V / Zero and VI / Tenkaichi Kenkakuden end with the Shura / Rasetsu mechanic. While most characters lose moves or get them all, some Rasetsu modes are turned into new characters based on side characters: Suija, Enjanote , Reranote , Rasetsumarunote , and Kim Ung Chenote . Old Rasetsu Nakoruru and Galford are hidden characters in Samurai Shodown VI.
    • V / Zero's midbosses are head swaps of Genjuro and Ukyo with original gameplay, but in VI they're given movesets to be more similar to their III / IV Rasetsu equivalents - especially Yumeji, whose moveset is completely changed.
    • VI / Tenkaichi Kenkakuden's final boss, Makai Gaoh, acts as Gaoh's Super Mode. The home port has EX modes for SSV's four new characters that gives them movesets closer to their first appearance.
    • In Edge of Destiny / Sen, clone characters are similar to early Soul Calibur's ones in that they share a large part of their moveset but mingle it. Takechiyo, Suzuhime, Angelica and Draco note  are the only true new characters, every other new character is a clone of them or of returning characters - the first three headswaps of the franchise still are clones of each other.
  • Mr. Fanservice: Ukyo. Ukyo, Ukyo, Ukyo, Ukyo, UKYO.
    • Word of God says Genjuro and Sieger were designed to leave a lasting impression on female players.
  • The Muse: Kei Odagiri to Ukyo.
  • My Master, Right or Wrong: Hanmen no Asura and his master, Yuga.
  • My Name Is ???: Kuroko's name card in the non-continue game credits for Samurai Shodown 2 is obscured and "????" is read below, regardless if you fought him or not. Suppossedly what's obscured is his real name (Kuroko is an alias).
  • Named Weapons: Everyone has them....except Sen characters.
  • Narcissist: Amakusa and Suija.
    • Tohma (who only thinks how his swordsmanship has no equal and only cares about himself) may be a subject of this trope as well.
  • Nature Hero: Nakoruru and her sister Rimururu in Samurai Shodown. Subverted that although they are very much aware that they fight for the preservation of nature, they are much more intelligent and aware of the outside world.
  • Nature Spirit: Any game after Samurai Shodown 2 chronologically, Nakoruru.
    • Probably her adoptive (post-Samurai Shodown 5 retcon) sister Rimururu, too. (weird she dosn't age in the 20 years between SS64-2 and Warrior's Rage (the PS game))
      • She haven't aged because she was sealed by Oboro and surrounded by protective ice for those years. This is evident by the fact that she acts very surpirsed seeing Haohmaru being old and wearing a beard.
  • Near-Villain Victory: In only one year after being defeated in Samurai Shodown 64, Yuga comes back, successfully enslaves Haohmaru and Shiki, plunges world in darkness and nearly merges it with Demon World. Then Asura unexpectedly comes and deals with Yuga for good.
  • Necessarily Evil: Gaoh. Other cases may include Amakusa and Golba.
  • Never the Selves Shall Meet: Asura and Hanmen no Asura. Yuga ignored it and got screwed.
  • The Nicknamer: Minto. She even affected names of Mugenji's special moves.
  • Nietzsche Wannabe: Mugenji is an Ax-Crazy example of this.
  • Ninja: Hanzo and his relatives and clan, Galford, Earthquake, Kazuki & Sogetsu and their relatives and clan.
  • Ninja Log: Hanzo and Galford use the classic log to avoid the enemy attack and counter from unexpected directions. Kazuki uses explosive teleport for this, leaving his burning pants behind.
  • Ninja Maid: Iroha is the embodiment of this.
  • Noble Demon: Look Genan's Samurai Shodown VI ending.
  • Noblewoman's Laugh: Charlotte, Yuga, Aku Mikoto, and, disturbingly to a greater extent, Amakusa.
  • Non-Action Guy: Samurai from Warriors Rage (PS).
  • Non-Human Sidekick: Mamahaha to Nakoruru, Shikuru to Purple Nakoruru/Rera, Poppy to Galford, Paku Paku to Cham Cham, unnamed frog to Genjuro, Maju to Mizuki, Haon to Mizuki & Bizuki, Konru to Rimururu, Tetsunosuke to Rinka, Champuru to Mina. Most of those animals are even playable separately, in latter games.
    • Kagaribi to Basara, in a way (since she is a ghost that accompanies him).
  • Non-Indicative Name: While several characters have the right aesthetics, hardly anyone one in the playable cast is actually a samurai in the real sense of the term. Jubei did used to be a proper samurai who served the Tokugawa shogunate, but he's since given the title up and become a ronin. The only true playable samurai who still does work as one is Jinbei.
  • Non-Linear Sequel: Every 2D Samurai Shodown has been a non-linear sequel since Samurai Shodown II. III and IV are set after the original game but before II, while V and the 2019 reboot are prequels to the first game. Oddly enough, the 3D games are all true sequels to Samurai Shodown II, although the PS version of Warriors' Edge (which is a different game from the arcade version) takes place in the distant future of the other games.
  • Not Blood Siblings: Nakoruru and Rimururu (post-Samurai Shodown V retcon).
  • "Not So Different" Remark: Walter realizes that Golba was just as patriotic to the nation of Lesphia after defeating him in his story mode.
  • Not So Invincible After All: Ukyo Tachibana was set up for this with his tuberculosis, but due to his popularity, SNK has never followed through, except in the (canonically happening near end of series) Samurai Spirits Asura Zanmaden (Samurai Shodown 64 Warriors Rage). This was retconned seeing how he is alive and well in Edge of Destiny which happens few years after Asura Zanmaden.
  • Numbered Sequels: All seven of the 2D Samurai Shodown games received consecutive numbers from II to VI (plus V Special) for their English-language releases. The original Japanese releases of each game had a variation of the original Samurai Spirits title and some were prequels. Still, Samurai Shodown V is known in Japan as Samurai Spirits Zero. The fictional chronology of the 2D titles goes like this: V, I, III, IV, and II; with VI being set in an alternate universe with all the characters from the previous games. Thus, all the numbered sequels after II were really prequels in terms of plot.
  • Obliviously Evil: Tashonmao's way of "protecting" Nakoruru.
  • Obviously Evil: Ambrosia in Samurai Shodown RPG.
  • Oddly Named Sequel: In Japan, Samurai Spirits Shinsho (PS game) is a sequel to Samurai Spirits: Asura Zanmaden (arcade game). English titles of both versions named them Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, fooling many people into believing that the PS game was a port of said arcade game.
  • Older and Wiser: Haohmaru becomes this in Warriors Rage (PS).
  • Older Than They Look: Enja, Suija, Nicotine and Yunfei (the first two show their actual age during their suicide moves - they turn into skeletons and then into dust). Shockingly, Nicotine is the youngest of four.
    • Amakusa is quite old as well, but it doesnt counts since he is an undead. Asura is ancient but he doesnt looks quite human, too.
  • Old Master: Haohmaru's master, Caffeine Nicotine (Yes, that's his name). Also Yunfei (master of Enja and Suija) is a Very Old Master, being more that 1000 years old. Old Haohmaru and Daruma from Warriors Rage (PS) are variations of this trope, as well.
  • 1-Dimensional Thinking: Samurai Shodown II is the first and probably only Fighting Game in which you can just lie down on the floor in order to dodge a horizontal swipe or a projectile.
    • This maneuver is also available in Samurai Shodown V, V Special and VI
  • The One Guy: Yoshitora.
  • One-Hit Kill: Zankuro's Desperation Attack in the fourth game, but only if he hits you mid-air, for some reason. Samurai Shodown V Special had the "Zetsumei Ougi or Overkill", which would kill the opponent (if a round had been already won, though), ending the match in a very gory fatality.
  • One-Winged Angel: Literally - Yuda's design. Like Sephiroth, he has single black wing over his shoulder (when its not visible, he has black wing tattoo there isntead), has similar design of shoulder pads on straps, he also has very long sword, and in his ending he grows a number of white wings aside of single black wing - akin to Safer Sephiroth. Also, inscription on his official artwork reads "Angel of Death - One-Winged Death God - Yuda" (?????????????, Shi no Tenshi ? Katayoku no Shinigami ? Yuda), which is a throwback to Sephiroth's music theme "One-Winged Angel (?????, Katayoku no Tenshi), which is a trope namer.
    • Each of the seven demon lords that serve him (as Seven Ancient Weapons) also has a single black wing.
    • Asura's design also shares few throwbacks to Sephiroth, being tall, long-haired man in a black leather outfit, wielding very long sword, and although his hair is black, it turns white in rage.
    • Regarding actual application of this trope (final forms of bosses), Yuga has 2nd and 3rd form in Asura Zanmaden, while Gaoh can transform into Dark Emperor in Samurai Shodown V.
  • The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: Genjuro to Haohmaru.
  • Organic Technology: Yuga has a preference for it while creating various monstrosities.
  • Our Elves Are Different: Most characters in series that originate from Makai (Demon World) seem to have pointy ears - that includes Asura, Hanmen no Asura, Yuga, Yuda, and, in some depictions, Enja and Suija. Hanmen no Asura and Han-In to nari shi Shiki have alternative palettes which make them look like High Elves. Moreso in their primary palettes their (as well as Asura's, Yuga's and Yuda's) skin is grey and also Han-In to nari shi Shiki's hair is white, similarly to Dark Elves.
  • Our Vampires Are Different: Shiki and Mikoto can drain opponent's life energy to heal themselves.
  • Ouroboros: One of Yuga's symbols depicts an Alien-based serpent eating his own tail (actually one of two tails) to form 8-like shape. Warriors Rage (PS) has another throwback to this, with characters referring to Yuga as to "Serpent of Time".
  • Outlaw: There are lots of those, including but not limited to: Earthquake, Genjuro, Zankuro, Sankuro, and many members of Samurai Spirits Shinsho.
  • Out of Focus: Cham Cham, although popular, has only appeared in a few games. Also. Earthquake and Gen-an, followed by other "lost after SS 2" characters such as Wan-fu, Sieger and Nicotine.
    • Asura appeared in only one game of series, and got a cult following - the demand for him was so high thar developers were forced to include him to Neo Geo Battle Coliseum. Also true for Shiki, but she managed to appear in several more games before that.
  • Palette Swap: Used in 2D games of series as a way to gradually change skin color as characters Rage more.
    • Another famous example of the skin-color aspect of this trope is Nakoruru. Her 2nd player palette made her look like her own Evil Twin. The idea was developed on with subsequent games, and evolved into body-sharing character Purple Nakoruru/Evil Nakoruru, and later in separate character, Rera
    • In same fashion Kim Ung Che was created as "separate" character from Gaira in Samurai Shodown VI.
  • Paper Fan of Doom: In the first two games, Kyoshiro's projectile is a burning folding fan; he also uses fans to hit his opponents at close range.
    • Also, Ochamaro's weapon of choice is a pair of fans, albeit metal ones.
  • Parasol of Pain: Shizumaru Hisame. He does have a concealed sword, but the umbrella is his primary weapon.
  • Path of Inspiration: Yuga's puppet show is a variation of this.
  • People Puppets: Yuga turns many people (including Shiki) into these. Han-In to nari shi Shiki later gains a move that forces the opponent to act like her puppet.
  • Perpetual Frowner: Sieger claims he can't smile to save his life.
    • Subverted by Hanma Yagyu, who always smiles since his facial nerves were damaged.
  • Perverse Puppet: It seems the actions of Karakuri Hanma are limited to running around and/or mindlessly attacking everyone in sight.
  • Pintsized Powerhouse: Nicotine Caffeine, Daruma, Ran Po.
  • Pirate: Garros from Edge of Destiny. There also was a pirate stage in Samurai Shodown VI.
  • Pistol-Whipping: Draco from Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny takes this to its logical extreme, using a shotgun primarily as a melee weapon. Actually makes a certain amount of sense, considering all the playable characters use standard melee weapons...and while he does actually shoot with his gun, it doesn't kill or incapacitate instantly, and he has to reload after two shots.
    • Andrew is much the same, primarily using a bayonet on the end of his rifle.
    • Jushiro subverts the trope by having gun built inside his sword's hilt, with sheathing resulting in machine gun mode
  • Planet Eater: Figuratively - one of Mizuki's famous catchphrases is that she will "eat the world whole".
  • Playing with Fire: Kazuki, Enja and their fusion Enja.Kazuki. Miscellaneous fire users include Kyoshiro, Tam Tam, Wan-fu, Sieger, Nicotine and Karakuri Hanma.
  • Portal to the Past: The one in Samurai Shodown RPG.
  • Power Fist: Sieger's really big gauntlet weapon.
    • Less prominent examples include Genan, Hanma, Karakuri Hanma and Tashonmao
  • Power Limiter: Asura's bondage gear which is infused with Yuga's power, and so he cant take it off while Yuga is alive. Also the whole deal of Ambrosia and Yuga being very powerful yet unable to get out of Makai (Demon World) unless they come into possession of certain artifact. And when Yuga later possesses Mikoto, she is unable to fully overpower her and use body as her own.
  • Power Tattoo: Shiki, Deku, Gandara, Yuga, Asura, Han-In to nari shi Shiki, Enja.Kazuki, Suija.Sogetsu, Yuda, Enja, Suija. All those are interwined with various magical powers. Enja displays those only during fatality and Suija only during winpose though.
    • Earthquake too possesses a tattoo (over his face), but it was done solely to improve his looks. Tashonmao's facial tattoo is a ceremonial one, apparently done according to his temple's traditions.
  • Precision F-Strike: Cham Cham drops the S-word before the battle with Mizuki in the second game. An arcade game. And it's not even censored for Samurai Shodown Anthology.
  • Precision-Guided Boomerang: Cham Cham has one of these as her primary melee weapon (her heavy slash is basically to toss it about a metre in front of her). This actually makes it one of the best projectiles in the game, since it will plow through and disrupt all but a few other projectiles in the game: it can't destroy other melee weapons, and some projectiles escape just by not being where the boomerang goes. And it always returns, even while she's being grappled and pummelled. "Oh! How dangerous a boomerang is!"
    • Shizumaru can do the same with his umbrella, and such "physical" projectile destroys other projectiles it encounters in same fashion as Cham Cham's. Mikoto can do the same with her pudao-like weapon.
    • Magic sphere which appears in Mizuki's super move, moves in a boomerang fashion as well.
  • Press X to Die: The Seppuku attacks, which instantly cost you the round. These aren't completely useless — using them lets you start the next round with a full POW meter.
  • Professional Killer: Genjuro, Yaci and Haito.
  • Prophecies Are Always Right: Jigen Taishi's rebellion scheme was postponed to the moment when "two misfortune dragons appear" (according to his prophecy) and so Oboro was left waiting for the two strangers who would be his future companions (Tohma and Mikoto). They eventually appeared, starting the events of Warriors Rage (PS).
  • Proud Warrior Race Guy: Tam-Tam.
  • Psycho for Hire: Genjuro, Yaci, Haito and Draco.
  • Public Domain Soundtrack: Samurai Shodown VI uses Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" as a background theme for the USA stage, rearranged as a military march.
    • And the arranged version adds the National Anthem (Star-Spangled Banner) in the beginning, then goes into a rock version of Stars and Stripes Forever.
  • The Punishment: In the past, god Ambrosia had its body destroyed and its spiritual form banished to demon realm of Makai. Led to Ambrosia becoming the Dark God of Makai, ruling over demons and drawing strength from humans' negative enrgy. Also its body could be resurrected with the help of Palenke and Tangil stones, serving as source of Ambrosia's evil plots.
  • Punch-Kick Layout: Played With; characters primarily fight with their weapons (ordered light, medium, and heavy) but also have a kick button. Should you be disarmed, all of your weapon buttons are replaced by a single punch attack that is way less effective for dealing harm.
  • Put Them All Out of My Misery: Amakusa, who wants to avenge his slain comrades and is often seen carrying skull of woman he loved.
  • Quest for Identity: Shizumaru and Yuda happen to be in such situation. Its not like Yuda cares much about this, since he seems to lack emotions.
  • Rage Against the Heavens: Sorta, since Ambrosia and Yuga call themselves gods.
  • Rain of Arrows: Mina and her endless arrow supply. Thats while Asura can shoot max 3 arrows at once.
  • Rain of Blood: During Suija's Impartial and Divine Judgement fatality in the non-violent Samurai Shodown V Special. In the non-violent Samurai Shodown VI, same animation was reused in his ending only to summon the water rain. Then, image of him summoning water rain became his card in Card Fighters DS. Talk about Badass Decay (Even more so if you consider that in censored version of game, the rain was white)
    • Asura stands under rain of blood in one of the official Asura Zanmaden artworks.
  • Razor Wind: Yunfei is a master of this. Also is used in projectiles of Ukyo, Yumeji and Zankuro.
  • Really 700 Years Old: Asura, Yuga and Ambrosia are all ancient beings.
    • Although Enja, Suija and Yunfei all are over 1000 years old as well, part of those years was passed in suspended animation, so they may or may not qualify for this trope. By the way, Enja and Suija show their actual age during their suicide moves - they turn into skeletons and then to dust.
  • Recruiting the Criminal: Sometimes shogunate uses services of Genjuro - a famous hitokiri (killer for hire) with the love for dirty work (because it allows him to kill more people) - just because he is effective. Yet technically, he is still an Outlaw.
  • Recycled In Space: Samurai Shodown: Sen is basically Soulcalibur at SNK in terms of gameplay.
  • Recycled Title: "Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage" was used as the overseas title for both Samurai Spirits Asura Zanmaden, and its sequel Samurai Spirits Shinsho. This led to big confusion among non-Japanese fans.
    • In addition, there were two Samurai Shodown games for Neo Geo Pocket called "Samurai Shodown!" and "Samurai Shodown! 2". The first two arcade games were also called that, minus the exclamation marks.
  • Red Eyes, Take Warning: Asura's eyes become red when he is raged. One of Shiki's eyes becomes red when she is partially under Yuga's control, and when she becomes Han-In to nari shi Shiki (full Yuga's control) both of her eyes become red. Yuda, Mikoto, Tohma and Oboro are permanently red-eyed.
  • Red Is Violent:
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni: In order of appearance - Kazuki and Sogetsu, Enja.Kazuki and Suija.Sogetsu, Seishiro and Tohma, Enja and Suija.
  • Red Right Hand: Asura's demon-controlling gauntlet, which becomes red should he get raged.
  • Regularly Scheduled Evil: Zankuro's killing spree.
    • Also Mugenji, who apparently kills people in Ritenkyo every night.
  • Religion is Magic: Amakusa is the living (or should we say undead?) proof.
  • Religion of Evil: The religion Amakusa was preaching after his death and resurrection as Ambrosia servant. Ironically, the classic christianity he preached before death was regarded in same fashion by the government.
  • Retired Badass: Daruma.
  • Reverse Grip: Nakoruru/Rimururu/Rera use this often. Also Cham Cham and her boomerang. Shiki also holds one of her two swords in reverse grip.
  • Rewriting Reality: Words written with Taizan's brush, come to reality moments later. For example, should he write kanji for "thunder", opponent will be struck by lightning moments after.
  • The Right Hand of Doom: Neinhalt Sieger's giant gauntlet with a glowing hand. Also, Asura's demon-controlling gauntlet (albeit normal-sized) is considered dramatically powerful.
  • Ripple-Effect-Proof Memory: Happens after the Time Travel in Samurai Shodown RPG.
  • Rocket Punch: Karakuri Hanma can shoot one or both of its fists at opponent, afterwards returning fists back via a rope connecting each fist/arm pair.
  • Royal Rapier: Charlotte's weapon of choice.
  • Rival Turned Evil: Genjuro to Haohmaru. In RPG it was because his candidature as servant of evil was rejected by Amakusa in Haohmaru's favor. Haohmaru refused, of course.
  • The Runaway: Mikoto and Suzuhime.
  • Rule of Two: Played in Oboro's dialogue with Kuno Seishiro in Shinsho/Warriors Rage, and later in Sankuro's dialogue with Genjuro in Samurai Shodown V.
  • Samurai: Yagyu Jubei is technically the only actual samurai in the game, until Samurai Warriors Rage for the PS, which featured members of Oniwabanshu.
    • Since the PS game is the last in series storyline-wise, it could be said that was until Edge of Destiny's Sugamata Jinbei.
      • Said PS game also had generic characters named "Samurai".
  • Samurai Shinobi:
  • Samus Is a Girl: Shippu no Reon.
    • Yuga is also a subject of this trope, using remotely-controlled male body first, then appearing in her own body later.
  • Scarf of Asskicking: Both Hanzo and Galford of Samurai Shodown wear scarves. The scarves were short in the first two games, but when SNK redrew their sprites for Samurai Shodown III, they became long tripping hazards. In 3D games Galford's normal model lacks scarf though, and in Samurai Spirits Asura Zanmaden, Rasetsu Galford has short scarf again (possibly to show that Hanzo is the more experienced ninja). In same fashion, Hanzo's sons wear short scarves in his Samurai Shodown VI ending, while he wears a long one. Talking about scarf hierarchy right here.
  • Scary Shiny Glasses: Taizan, Samurai (from PS game), Andrew and Jinbei wear glasses.
  • Screaming Warrior: Enja.Kazuki, Enja and Gandara. Also, most characters have Rage scream while activating Rage Explosion (for example Suija screams that his opponent will suffer a thousand deaths)
    • Garyo gets honorable mention as series' loudest talker, who likes to end his sentences with loud "Ooooww!"
  • Screw Destiny: Basara's Samurai Shodown VI ending.
  • Sdrawkcab Name: Names of all the attacks of Asura and Hanmen no Asura. This is because their powers bear names of demons and angels, and reading those in reverse to summon their powers is a common occult practice. This backwards writing is also true for all words in the intro of game those two characters appear in.
  • Sealed Badass in a Can: (Ma)Gaoh in Demon World. Until he decided to take over.
  • Sealed Good in a Can: Rimururu for about 20 years and Yunfei for 1000 years.
  • Sealed Inside a Person-Shaped Can: Dark Emperor inside Yunfei.
  • Sealed Evil in a Can: At least at some point in storyline: Ambrosia, Amakusa, Mizuki, Zankuro, Yuga, Asura, Dark Emperor, Enja, Suija.
  • Secret Circle of Secrets: servants of Ambrosia and Yuga fall into this category.
  • Seeker Archetype: Ukyo, whose objective in most games is to find the Ultimate Flower to present to his beloved Kei.
  • Self-Made Man: Its written on the back of old Haohmaru in Warriors Rage (PS). Aside of Haohmaru, Genjuro is another character fitting this trope.
  • Self-Made Orphan: Genjuro. It was self-defense though.
  • Serial Killer: Zankuro, Mugenji and Rasetsumaru.
  • Serious Business: Kyoshiro takes acting so seriously he will kill you and act like it's a play. He literally describes his work as "a method of acting that is a matter of life or death."
  • Set Right What Once Went Wrong: Basara's Samurai Shodown VI ending.
  • Seven Deadly Sins: Personified in Asura's Seven Ancient Weapons. Each weapon is a form taken by demon lord who rules over particular sin: Asmodeus (lust) - bow, Belphegor (sloth) - pike, Leviathan (envy) - scythe, Lucifier (pride) - sword, Mammon (greed) - shield, Beelzebub (gluttony) - battle axe, Satanas (wrath) - staff.
  • Sexy Backless Outfit: Shiki wears a backless tight dress and her back sports a massive snake tattoo and a Yuga symbol.
  • Shapeshifter: Yumeji in Samurai Shodown V can morph into other characters to perform their signature moves.
  • Shapeshifter Weapon: Yuga's female form can form various weapons (axes, spears, swords, bows, etc) by shapeshifting own arms. Also, swords of Deku and Hanmen no Asura too have ability to grow in size and length.
  • Shapeshifting Lover: The basis of Iroha's Back Story in Samurai Shodown VI. During one of her super moves, during which she disrobes and attacks the opponent behind a screen, her silhouette briefly flickers into that of a crane's.
  • Shaping Your Attacks: Many characters, including Amakusa (ghost-shaped blast), Ukyo (swallow-shaped slash) and Gaira (Asura-shaped flash).
  • Shock and Awe: Galford can access lightning powers via ninjutsu, while Nicotine, Taizan and Yuga do this via spells. Since Hanmen no Asura is more badass, he calls on powers of anger of thunder Ramiel instead.
  • Shoo Out the Clowns: When Samurai Shodown III came around, SNK decided they wanted a "darker" atmosphere. This resulted in drastic redesigns for most of the characters (Large Ham Kabuki actor Senryo Kyoshiro apparently Took a Level in Badass), and the removal of the more light-hearted characters, including Genan, Cham Cham and her brother Tam Tam, Caffeine Nicotine, Yagyu Jubei (?!) and Charlotte. Samurai Shodown IV came around and added some of them back in, and by Samurai Shodown VI, the entire cast of 2D games has been reunited.
  • Shoryuken: Part of characters has such anti-air moves, for example Ryu and Ken style Haohmaru's and Genjuro's anti air moves - while Wan-fu had one that set opponent on fire.
  • Shotoclone: Haohmaru's Senpuuretsuzan and Kougetsuzan moves.
    • Although its Charlotte whose moveset allows for classic "slow hadouken, fast hadouken" trap
  • Shout-Out:
    • The alien of the Alien franchise can be found being cooked in a pot in Gen-An's Samurai Shodown 2 stage. Apparently creators thought it was not enough, and used him as main mascot of Yuga - who has some alien-based symbolics (can be found on her 1st boss form clothes and on some arenas), and in her 2nd and 3rd boss forms she has an Alien growing out of her back (with his head growing from the back of Yuga's humanoid head and their mouth movements being synchronized).
    • Earthquake bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Heart from Fist of the North Star.
    • Basara the Executioner's appearance is very similar to that of Eric Draven, as is his backstory.
    • The King of Prussia in Sieger's stage watches the fight while being flanked by a pair of Imperial Royal Guards.
    • Ukyo is based off Sasaki Kojiro, but details from his fashion sense to weapon of choice seem more inspired by Ishikawa Goemon XIII.
    • The opening line for a few of the games (“Bushido to wa shinu koto to mitsuketari”) originates from The Hagakure. What follows appears to be pseudophilosophy or something about shura and rasetsu (oh, and it’s a little different between some of the games).
    • Amakusa's in game appearance is directly based off his looks in Samurai Reincarnation.
    • Some of the character designers from Ninja Scroll worked on Samurai Shodown, and it shows:
      • Dakuan could be easily confused for Caffeine Nicotine.
      • Kibagami Jubei's name comes from Kibagami Genjuro and Yagyu Jubei.
      • Mujuro is reminiscient of Tachibana Ukyo and of course has the same gimmick as Zatoichi.
      • Benisato shares similarities with Shiki from Samurai Shodown 64.
      • Yurimaru is sorta similar to Amakusa in a way.
      • Shijima = Basara, although he didn't appear until 2 years later in Samurai Shodown 3.
      • Genma, whose mechanical arm makes him a clear predecessor to Sieger.
    • Kazuki, Enja Kazuki, and Enja are all considered nods to Dragon Ball, based on immediately recognizable looks, haircut and powers (giant fireballs anyone?). In most of his appearances, Kazuki even had a Goku-like alternative palette (black hair, orange outfit), and his upgrade to Enja Kazuki (later the separate character Enja) featured a color change to blonde — a nod to the Super Saiyan change.
      • Interestingly, Suija's third palette (black hair, brown pants) in Samurai Shodown V Special became widely known as the "Raditz palette" among Japanese fans, again due to certain similarities with that character.
  • Shrinking Violet: Shizumaru Hisame.
  • Shrouded in Myth: Ambrosia, Asura and Yuga.
  • Sickening "Crunch!": Hanzou's fatality consists of him swiftly breaking the arm, leg, ribs and then skull of his victim, all with audible cracks and shots of the broken bones inside.
  • Sickly Green Glow: Zankuro glows green when first introduced in the third game; also, several of his attacks have a green glow or make him glow green.
    • Also, green-flamed Dark Emperor in Samurai Shodown V (complete with his background)
  • Signature Sound Effect: When Asura swings his sword, it uses "Zzzzmmm" lightsaber sound effects.
  • Single-Stroke Battle: Zankuro (raged) versus Mina in Samurai Shodown V Special. She dies in one stroke.
    • Every character can do this in the 2019 game by triggering their Rage Burst. It's a Death or Glory Attack, however, as doing so will remove the Rage meter for the rest of the match. It's not an instant-kill either, just a heavily damaging attack.
  • Sinister Minister: Jigen Taishi, who (aside of being Big Bad) is a respectable priest with ties to shogunate.
  • Sinister Scythe: One of Asura's weapons is giant Leviathan scythe, which makes him look like The Grim Reaper.
    • If we're letting kusari-gama in, then Earthquake's rig belongs here too. Of course, a sickle for him is about scythe-sized for the rest of the cast. Even doubly odd, his seems to be sharpened on the outside of the curve, given the animation of his heavy slashes.
  • Sissy Villain: Amakusa's appearance, although he isnt gay.
  • The Slacker: Normal behaviour of Jushiro and Yoshitora.
  • Slasher Smile: Rasetsumaru has this.
  • Slave Mooks: Yuga's brainwashed puppets.
  • Slice-and-Dice Swordsmanship: Charlotte would often stab with her rapier, but her heavy slashes featured her swinging it... sort of. It's generally shown as slashing in a very distinct triangle pattern which is still a lethal hit if the enemy walks into the bit she drew.
  • Smoke Out: Used in teleports of Hanzo, Galford, Earthquake ...and Kuroko (during staff roll).
  • Smug Snake: Yaci and Sankuro.
  • SNK Boss: Most bosses, specifically Zankuro Minazuki, Gaoh and Yuga.
  • Some Dexterity Required: Some nearly-impossible super move motions in Samurai Shodown 2, 3, Warriors Rage (PS), and then for secret moves in V, V Special and VI.
  • Soft Reboot: The new 2019 game, despite being called a reboot, still takes place in the same timeline, and is explicitly stated to be a sequel to V and a prequel to 1.
  • Something about a Rose: Charlotte design is borrowed from the Rose of Versailles series. She is quite fond of roses, even catching them after winning when someone drops one from above for it, and mentioning how she is "A rose with thorns" in her winquotes. Coincidentally, she tends to stab people a lot in the games.
  • The Soulless: Asura and Yuda seem to lack emotions and act like this. Curiously, Hanmen no Asura seems to play the role of "soul" for both of them.
    • Also, Karakuri Hanma (obviously).
  • Spam Attack: In close quarters, multi-hitting moves like Ukyo's "Snowfall", Jubei's "Eight Aspects Blast", Charlotte's "Splash Fount", Rimururu's "Blizzard Spear", Haito's "Rending Wind Blade" and Daruma's "Blowing Sakura of Pontocho" - the latter two do like a hundred of hits. Amakusa and Mizuki also had multi-hitting slaps (later they gained multi-slap and multi-claw swipe moves respectively). Kyoshiro's "Eight-Headed Serpent" move bombards opponent with multiple fiery projectiles range of which generally expands with each next projectile. Regarding long-range spam, we should mention Jushiro with his machine gun sword, and Mina with her endless arrows supply. And lets dont even get started on Yuga's 2nd and 3rd forms which are the walking embodiment of this trope.
  • Spell My Name With An S: Genjuro as "Genjyuro" in SVC and NGBC. Other materials also have Rimururu as "Rimnerel", Haohmaru as "Haohmal", Konru as "Konril" and Champuru as "Chample" or "Ceasar".
  • Spirit Advisor: Kagaribi to Basara. Tenhime to Amakusa in the end of Samurai Spirits RPG. Hanmen no Asura to Yuda, and Nakoruru to most of cast in Warriors Rage (PS).
  • Spirited Competitor: Haohmaru qualifies to this when he gets older. Before, he was a Blood Knight.
  • Split Personality / Superpowered Evil Side: The whole Shura/Rasetsu (Slash/Bust) split character concept present in series. Also, Enja.Kazuki to Kazuki. Suija.Sogetsu to Sogetsu. Aku Mikoto (Yuga) to Mikoto. Rera is basically Nakoruru's long-time repressed angsty side created partly by her father's dissapearance and her lack of will to fight. Not evil per se, but really pissed off.
    • Somewhat subverted by Rasetsumaru. While he is based on concept of evil Haohmaru, he is a separate entity, rather than part of Haohmaru's sub-consciousness. Storyline-wise he was Amakusa's attempt to create his version of Haohmaru, but since Amakusa wields demonic powers we all know how it ended.
      • Amakusa has this as well in part 4. The evil side, dubbed "Aku Amakusa" by fans, is the first of 3 bosses you face. His Shura/Rasetsu (Slash/Bust) mode always opposes the mode of player's character. He has different, darker move graphics, his voice is more evil and warped, and his skin is purple. He also has some slightly different winposes. Storyline-wise he is a lost evil half of Amakusa, which got separated after his defeat in original Samurai Shodown.
  • Spoiler Opening: The Samurai Shodown II intro briefly shows the secret character Kuroko.
  • Stalker with a Crush: Shiki subverts this trope by stalking Haohmaru due to Yuga's bidding. Nevertheless according to plan they should have sexual intercourse just because theoretically body of their child would be a perfect vessel for Dark God's incarnation - at least according to Samurai Shodown 64 storyline
  • Stock Ninja Weaponry: Both Hanzo and Galford wield Ninjato and can throw shuriken or kunai, while Earthquake uses a massive Kusarigama.
  • The Stoic: Sieger, who never smiles.
  • Stout Strength: Earthquake; if he were real, he would have troubles even standing up, let alone doing a triangle jump.
  • Stringy-Haired Ghost Girl: Both Kagaribi and Basara are variations of this trope (its Basara who is string haired).
  • Stripperiffic: Mina, who fights in a bikini top (yet her intro pose shows her in the full-body priestess dress and large hat, which she tosses away before battle). Iroha and Shiki also wear revealing clothes.
  • Stronger Sibling: Sogetsu to Kazuki (although it was mentioned that Kazuki has hidden potential); and undeniably, Seishiro to Tohma.
  • Super-Deformed: A special move (unique for each character) lets you turn your fighter into one of these in Samurai Shodown II and VI. Also, all characters look like this in portable versions of games (Gameboy and Neo-Geo Pocket Color titles).
  • Super Move Portrait Attack: Big character portraits appear during several attacks in Samurai Shodown 64. Samurai Shodown V and V special had a variation too, although portraits appeared when they activated State of Nothingness mode instead of appearing during some kind of super attack.
  • Supernatural Martial Arts: Enja.Kazuki and Suija.Sogetsu have elemental-enhanced barehanded fighting styles.
    • Partially true for Galford and Yunfei too, but those two mostly rely on their bladed weapons though.
  • Super-Persistent Predator: Rasetsumaru, even when he is in decapitated condition. Also Kusaregedo, although he failed to eat Rimururu in any of his endings, he later made up for it by hunting all the game's cast in his Samurai Shodown VI ending.
  • Superpowered Evil Side: Enja.Kazuki, Suija.Sogetsu, Aku Amakusa, Aku Mikoto (Yuga), Rera to Nakoruru, and Dark Emperor to Yunfei and later to Gaoh.
  • Super Title 64 Advance: The Hyper Neo Geo 64 was an attempt to update the Neo Geo, but it didn't work. They still got Samurai Shodown 64, though.
  • Sweet Polly Oliver: Shippu no Reon
    • Yuga is also a subject of this trope, using remotely-controlled male body first, then appearing in her own body later.
  • Swiss-Army Weapon: Technically, Asura gauntlet's ability to summon different weapons, which looks as decomposing and recomposing them from dark energy wielded by gauntlet. Also, Jushiro's katana has a gun hidden in its hilt, and additionally can enter machine gun mode - upon sheathing.
  • Sword Drag: Jubei and Zankuro both have dash-while-dragging-sword-along-ground special moves. Those consist from shoulder charge chained into sword attack.
  • Sword and Fist: Although it’s absolutely a weapons-based fighter, everyone of the (non-boss) characters in the cast can be disarmed and fight bare-handed. Some fighters are better than others — Haohmaru, Darli and Yoshitora have specific punch-based attacks — but other characters (like Ruixiang) merely slap and flail helplessly at the opponent.
  • Sword Lines: Slash trails in games remain on screen (and sometimes remain lethal) even well past when they were 'drawn' by the tip of her sword.
  • Synchronization: Of movements of both of Yuga's "faces". Yes, I talk about the one growing from the back of her head. Hanmen no Asura is also a subject of this trope, as his life energy is based on Yuga's and once Yuga dies, his life will vanish as well.
  • Takashi Nishiyama: executive producer of Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
  • Take a Third Option: The most obvious options involved when fighting Mizuki at the end of the second game are Kill or Be Killed. However if Kyoshiro fights her and wins, instead of killing Mizuki he exorcises her spirit from Bizuki's body and rescues the Miko from over a thousand years of Demonic Possession.
  • Tall, Dark, and Handsome: Asura and Yuda.
  • Tattooed Crook: Since tattoos are associated with criminals in Japanese culture, they were used to give some characters a certain flavor. Examples include: Shiki, Haito, Brutes and Mugenji.
  • The Tease: Shiki's moveset, Saya's behaviour, and Iroha's whole character point.
  • Technical Pacifist: Nakoruru really dislikes fighting. This pisses Rera off.
  • Temporal Paradox: Yuda, who crossed 20-years gap between games via temporal rift.
  • Terrible Trio: Laura, Bobon and Gororo (antagonists in Cham Cham pachinko game) are the classic application of this trope.
  • There Is No Kill Like Overkill: Defeating the foe with the right move (usually the strongest slash a character has but there are some exceptions) will cause them to be bisected and golden charms to fall out, leaving only their weapon in the ground.
    • Then Samurai Shodown IV introduced "Agony Ougi" which were effectively character-specific fatalities which left opponents sliced in pieces with blood graphically spurting out.
    • Asura Zanmaden game also added ability to cut off opponent's arm.
    • In the original version of Samurai Shodown V Special, you could, under certain conditions, perform a (very violent and graphic) move called the "Death Ougi" which would actually kill your opponent (thus ending the match); the relevant part is that, for a number of characters it went beyond just cutting the opponent up: some of them would literally destroy the opponent's body leaving nothing behind, save perhaps a head, a skull or a rain of blood. Thats aside of plethora of generic "cut / stab / smash" finishers initiated at the end of the match if opponent was killed by normal attack
    • Samurai Shodown Sen/Edge of Destiny features ability to cut opponents in half; stab them for the fountain of blood, cut their arm off; decapitate them; or impale them and leave the weapon in their body.
  • Timed Mission: The arcade mode of Samurai Shodown IV has a time limit, and the ending of any given character can only be seen if the game is completed within the limit.
  • Time Master: Yuga and Mikoto.
    • State of Nothingness (time slow mode) in Samurai Shodown V, V Special and VI resembles this, although its meant to show fastened reaction/reflexes of the character who activated it.
  • Time Stands Still: Yuga's ability in Samurai Shodown 64. Mikoto has such one as well, but hers only stops the game's timer and not the opponent.
  • Time Travel: Hero and his party going 200 years back at one point the second chapter in Samurai Shodown RPG. Also, Yuda crossing 20 years arriving to times of Warriors Rage (PS).
    • Basara also got time-travelling abilities that allowed him to appear in Samurai Shodown V, and also serve as basis of his endings in V and VI.
    • Nakoruru's appearance in The King of Fighters XIV is stated as Canon. She travels to actual era to stop Verse, a being created from eternal negative energy and thrives from the darkness of people's wishes. Within its being, it traps numerous fighters' souls from many ages, including Mizuki Rashoujin.
  • Token Mini-Moe: Rimururu, Suzuhime and probably Minto (although she's not nearly as popular as previous two).
  • Token Motivational Nemesis: Draco may very well be this to Galford, since he killed his father which served one of Galford's main motivators in his quest for justice.
    • Also Seishiro to Tohma; Hanzo Hattori to Oboro; Oboro to Jushiro and Saya.
  • Tomboy: Cham Cham, Rimururu, Rinka, Minto.
  • Too Powerful to Live: Ambrosia, Yuga, Asura and Dark Emperor. Subverted by each of them having some form of Power Limiter (unability to leave demon world, sealed powers, or in Dark Emperor's case, limited screentime).
  • Tragic Hero: Shizumaru is a seriously depressing character.
  • Tragic Villain: Amakusa and Gaoh.
  • The Tramp: Daruma.
  • Transforming Mecha: Ochamaro, can mechanically transform his body into dragon-faced monster during his super move.
  • Trigger-Happy: Draco and his winchester rifle.
    • Mina is a subversion of this trope since she uses bow and arrows.
  • Tsundere: Rinka, Suzuhime.
  • Tunnel King: Karakuri Hanma is able to burrow underground.
  • Turned Against Their Masters: Karakuri Hanma against Hanma, and Hanmen no Asura against Yuga.
  • Ugly Guy, Hot Wife: Gen-an Shiranui is one of the ugliest Fighting Game characters in history. His wife resembles a Jungle Princess. One of his win quotes is even "No one calls me a freak and lives! ...except my wife, that is."
  • The Undead: Amakusa, Mizuki, Basara, Kagaribi, Kusaregedo.
    • Storyline-wise, Gen-an was killed in the first game and resurrected by evil forces in the second, but he gained no undead attributes whatsoever.
  • Unhand Them, Villain!: Hazuki Kazama was taken hostage by Aku Amakusa in Samurai Shodown IV, then by Yuga in Asura Zanmaden, then by Enja and Suija in Samurai Shodown VI.
  • Universal Poison: Shiki, Yuda, Yaci and Mugenji all can poison their opponent.
    • Although Gen-An has poison breath and Earthquake had poison gas bomb in Samurai Shodown 2, those dont activate poison status which deals damage over time.
  • Unstoppable Rage: Rage System is the central gameplay element. Damage taken by characters adds energy to their Rage Gauge, and when its filled they enter Raged state - which grants stronger attacks, ability to use super moves (like Weapon Flipper) and enhanced special moves. Later games also add Rage Explosion, which removes character's Rage Gauge but for the short period of time grants character a big power boost and ability to use few devastating attacks.
    • Kazuki and Enja are the subjects of this trope. Enja also sports the fastest Raging rate in all games he appeared in.
  • Unusual Eyebrows: Asura lacks eyebrows. This is compensated by black eye shadow and few tattoos under his eyes.
  • Updated Re-release: Samurai Shodown V Special introduces new backdrops, a new interface, various character and mechanic rebalances, a different roster, re-added death scenes and introduced the infamous Zetsumei Ougi to counterbalance a certain game-breaking mechanic in the original V.
    • V Special had its own updated rerelease called Samurai Shodown V Perfect, which added new endings and fixed some of the previous game's bugs. Developed by Yuki, this actually made it as far as one arcade location test before SNK pulled the plug. Luckily, the director kept a copy of the ROM allowing SNK to release it years later as part of the Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection.
  • The Usual Adversaries: Behaviour of Rasetsumaru and Gen-an.
  • Utopia Justifies the Means: Amakusa's and Yuga's motto.
  • The Vamp: Mizuki, Han-In to nari shi Shiki, Aku Mikoto.
  • Vengeful Ghost: Basara. An undead case of Love Makes You Evil, Basara and Kagaribi were lovers slaughted by Zankuro, but the hate Basara has about this makes him come Back from the Dead in the form of a yurei. In a plot twist revealed in V, in reality Basara was the one who killed Kagaribi and then he committed suicide.
  • Video Game Cruelty Potential: In all the games in the series, it's possible to "accidentally" kill an enemy by using the right attack on the right part of their sprite as a finisher, usually cutting them cleanly in half. Samurai Shodown IV introduced actual fatalities which were messier. In most games in the series, Nakoruru (the Nature-Loving Girl) and Rimururu (her younger sister) were immune to any death effects. In V Special onward, however, the girls can now be killed. They have been given their own death animations and screams, and they can be sliced in half or into even smaller pieces. All the female characters in future versions of the game can also be killed, and frequently expose their undergarments or body parts as they die.
  • Video Game Historical Revisionism: The games are set in 1788-1811. Texas and San Francisco are part of the United States, Amakusa Shiro (1621-1638) and Hattori Hanzo (1542-1596) are both alive, Prussia is a feudal kingdom with castles, armored knights, and an Arthurian king, the White House has its modern appearance, and there are robots.
    • Because of the time frame, those are explained as mechanical puppet constructs, so-called Karakuri. Karakuri Hanma has no personality, and Karakuri Ochamaro has personality infused by the means of magic, since this puppet was created by a sorcerer.
    • Don't forget Yagyu Jubei (1607-1650). Don't understand why SNK didn't invent some equivalents; didn't seem to have a problem with this for Axel Hawk or Terry Rogers. (Amakusa, at least, has an in-game explanation, that he made a deal with Ambrosia to return from the dead.) As for the seaport and southern wilderness locations needed for Galford and Earthquake's stages, any Northeaster port town (like Boston) and Atlanta would've worked fine. Puzzling.
  • Villain Protagonist: Asura, who is basically an emotionless killing machine and Hell's strongest warrior, and just happens to oppose the same villain that heroes do - Yuga - to avenge his past defeat and apparently to wrestle back the control over Hell.
    • In the sequel, where he stars as Yuda, demon lords that serve him eventually state his position as "The Demon King".
  • Villain Opening Scene: Prefaces of all the games (published on official sites) often go into details describing the plot of Big Bad.
  • Villainous Crossdresser: Mainstream perception of Amakusa (although he wears elongated sorcerer robe which isnt exactly feminine, and makeup is just his hobby, an he just happens to have somewhat high pitched voice... although at this point no one cares about that).
  • Villainous Glutton: Earthquake from Samurai Shodown is a tremendously large and fat ninja, who is actually rather agile. Kusaregedo is even bigger and fatter Youkai.
  • Villains Out Shopping: Shiki and Mikoto when not under Yuga's controls. Between Samurai Shodown 64 and Asura Zanmaden, Shiki lost memories of being Yuga's servant and lived on as a normal woman named Kanae.
  • Villain Team-Up: Three Blades of Domination (Oboro, Tohma and Mikoto).
  • Villain with Good Publicity: Jigen Taishi. Being a celebrated priest, his presence in Ritenkyo made it difficult for the shogun to take direct action since it would cause civil dispute with one's faith. It was eventually decided that the government would send a handful of their most loyal retainers in the secret service to deal with the threat.
  • Visionary Villain: Amakusa, Mizuki and Yuga all wanted to resurrect the Dark God, while Oboro wants to create a martial society in the place of current one.
  • Voluntary Shapeshifting: Basara can turn into shadow and into one or several bats; Hanmen no Asura can turn into shadow sphere and Han-In to nari shi Shiki into energy sphere. Asura's Seven Ancient Weapons are demon lords that shapeshifted into weapon forms. Finally, Yuga can shapeshift own body from male form into female form.
  • Wall Jump: Many characters are capable of a 'triangle jump', bouncing off the edge of the screen. This includes the ninjas. Even the ones who weigh over 500 pounds.
  • Warrior Poet: Ukyo Tachibana, who composes haiku and frequently uses them as winquotes. He also recites haiku poem during one of his supers.
  • Weak, but Skilled: Nicotine Caffeine and Daruma.
  • Weaponized Headgear:
    • Caffeine Nicotine. When armed, he swings it as his weak slash/punch. When unarmed, he just swings it for all side moves. And if he does a dive roll, the hat itself is what's seen as rolling along its brim.
    • Ushiwakahime from SS RPG uses her hat as her main weapon.
  • Weapons Kitchen Sink: Unless you can tell me how a rapier is going to parry a longsword, bastard sword, greatsword, kusarigama, naginata, and HUGE STONE PILLAR, it fits. Or perhaps you'd like to watch Andrew Jackson block a shot from a sledgehammer with his rifle? Or maybe a Cat Girl using a boomerang to block a polearm is more your flavor. Run (your opponent through with) what you brung.
  • "Well Done, Son" Guy: Kyoshiro hopes to one day surpass his own father in Kabuki acting. Despite his success, he doesn't think he's even close.
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist: Rera, A.K.A. Nakoruru on a bad day.
  • Western Samurai: Claude from Sen is a European blond guy that is a samurai, in this case from France. An amnesiac guy that adopted Japan's culture and became a samurai trained by monks and eventually he became one, defending his temple form various menaces. And from the same game, there's "J", an obvious expy of Afro Samurai.
  • What a Senseless Waste of Human Life: This is Rinka's prefight quote.
  • Wholesome Crossdresser: Namino.
  • Who Wants to Live Forever?: Yunfei, whose longevity revolves around his wife, a demon called Dark Emperor (looks like a piece of evil armor), being possessed by said demon and killing his wife. An epic battle with his mentor and his pupils sealed him and the demon to stop him.
  • Wild Card: Genjuro. Even though he can be hired, but ends up killing anyone who "pisses him off", which may or may not include his employer. He is known as "Wild Blade" because of this.
  • Wild Man: Tam-Tam, again. Cham-Cham fits in as well, as a rare Cat Girl who worries about fleas..and deals with them..
  • Winged Humanoid: Asura, Hanmen no Asura, Yuga, Mikoto and Yuda.
  • Womb Level: Ambrosia's stage in Samurai Shodown RPG. Hanmen no Asura's stage in Asura Zanmaden.
  • Worthy Opponent: Genjuro to Haohmaru, Kazuki to Sogetsu, Jushiro to Jin-Emon, Gaoh to Yoshitora.
  • Wrecked Weapon: Samurai Shodown II and VI have Weapon Breaker moves that break opponent's weapon as opposed to simply flipping it out of hands. And is Samurai Shodown 1, weapons could break if they stroke each other (but not the characters) several times.
  • X-Ray of Pain: Since SSIII and beyond, the character of Hanzo has a special grab when he takes the opponent, breaks some bones and ends with an Izuna Drop. All these moves are seen with X-Rays in the parts the bones are broken (first the arms and later the head in the case of Izuna Drop).
  • Yamato Nadeshiko: Galford's preference for these (and, conversely, Kyoshiro's desire for Gorgeous Gaijins) is All There in the Manual (Haohmaru and Ukyo like these too! Haohmaru's girlfriend Oshizu and Ukyou's lady of liege Kei Odagiri hit every single part of the trope). Among the female characters, the closest to a Yamato Nadeshiko would be Nakoruru, in a Cute Bruiser / The Beast Master way (and guess what, she's the girl Galford REALLY fell for).
    • Despite of their Stripperific attires, Iroha and her rival Tsunami are also this. Namino is also a male example.
  • You Can't Fight Fate: Ukyo's and Genjuro's endings in Asura Zanmaden; Tohma's ending in Warriors Rage (PS)
    • This trope is subverted by Basara's and Zankuro's Samurai Shodown VI endings.
  • Youkai: Youkai Kusaregedo obviously. Gen-an, Basara and Champuru seem to be too. Basara is a yurei (vengeful ghost, which is a subclass of youkai). Also Kagaribi, Iroha and Yashamaru (the latter is a Half-Human Hybrid of a tengu).
  • You Killed My Father: The reason Galford and Black Hawk seek vengeance against Edge of Destiny's sub-boss Draco.
  • Your Soul Is Mine!: "Your soul is my power" is of Amakusa's winquotes. Mizuki also frequently expresses her desire to consume opponent's soul. In Asura Zanmaden game, Yuga has ability to snatch opponent's soul out of his body, and Yunfei does the same in his Samurai Shodown V Special fatality, then proceeding to cut the soul in two, killing the opponent.
  • You Shall Not Pass!: Subverted by Sword Demon Haohmaru who is guarding the entrance to Yuga's lair. His catchphrase there is "You had nowhere to go but here...".
  • Zigzag Paper Tassel: Is found on Mizuki's weapon, as well as on Nicotine's Samurai Shodown 2 stage and Haohmaru's Asura Zanmaden stage

CONCLUSION!
Troper

 
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Alternative Title(s): Samurai Spirits

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Samurai Shodown

In the Samurai Shodown series, ending a match with a particularly hard attack on one's opponent may result in them being cleaved in twain.

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