| Haohmaru | |
|---|---|
| Samurai Shodown character | |
 Haohmaru in Soulcalibur VI | |
| First Episode Appearance | Samurai Shodown (1993) |
| Final Episode Appearance | Soulcalibur VI (2020) |
| Character played by | Hiroshi Fujioka (KOF All Star promo trailer)[1] |
| Character played by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Rōnin vagabond |
| Fighting style | His own |
| Weapon | Katana and sake jug Fugudoku (Blowfish Poison) |
| Origin | Musashi-koku castle town |
| Nationality | Japanese |
Haohmaru (覇王丸, Haōmaru) is the protagonist of the Samurai Shodown series of video games, as well as one of its most known characters alongside Nakoruru. He was introduced in the original Samurai Shodown in 1993 and has since appeared in every title in the series.
The character was based on the famed swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, a duelist who claimed to have never lost a match.[2] Though he is a swordsman with no loyalties to any lord, Haohmaru has a "samurai spirit" which is often stressed in the series. He is also often accredited to defeating most of the series' villains.[3]
Appearances[]
Samurai Shodown[]
Haohmaru appears in all Samurai Shodown games and their other-media adaptations. According to his backstory, at the age of fifteen he challenged the series' version of Jubei Yagyu to a duel but lost due to lack of experience.[4] Jubei, amused by the youth's bravado, brought Haohmaru to Nicotine Caffeine so that he may gain proper training. Whilst living there, Haohmaru also met and befriended Kibagami Genjuro, fellow student and another orphan like himself. One day, Nicotine told them they would battle to determine who would learn the secrets in a magical scroll to increase their fighting ability. Genjuro won but almost killed Haohmaru; in response, Nicotine banished Genjuro which began the latter's grudge against Haohmaru and Nicotine. Encouraged by this defeat to further improve himself, Haohmaru travelled the lands, perfecting his sword skills and searching for worthy challengers in the name of Ashura. During his many travels, Haohmaru also raised Shizumaru Hisame and trained him to be a fighter.[4]
Haohmaru fell in love with a girl named Oshizu, but he eventually leaves her for his travels in Samurai Shodown VI even as she begs him to stay with her.[5] In the same game, it is shown that Haohmaru shares a close relationship with Charlotte Christine de Colde, even travelling all the way to France in order to visit her.[6][7] In Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, Haohmaru is a skilled and active swordsman at the age of forty-seven. At this time, he is trying to find his adopted niece, Mikoto and bring her back home.[6][7] Samurai Shodown V character Rasetsumaru is a monstrous doppelganger of Haohmaru.[8]
Other appearances[]
Haohmaru also made appearances in several other video games by SNK and other developers, including fighting games Capcom vs. SNK 2,[9] SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium,[10] Neo Geo Battle Coliseum,[11] mobile game Neo Geo Tennis Coliseum,[12][13] dating sim Days of Memories: Oedo Love Scroll,[14][15] The King of Fighters All Star,[16] multiplayer online battle arena Honor of Kings, and battle arena game Lost Saga.[17] Neo Geo Battle Coliseum developers stated that no matter what the fans wanted, they wanted to include Samurai Shodown characters and made Haohmaru's inclusion one of their top priorities in development.[18] He also makes regular appearances in the series' merchandise, including at least two action figures.[19][20]
He is also a part of Soulcalibur VI season pass 2. This news was announced during EVO 2019 on August 4 in the season 2 trailer after the Cassandra Alexandra release date trailer shows that she is a part of season pass 1. It has been made apparent that Haohmaru is always been the SNK counterpart to the Soulcalibur series veteran Heishiro Mitsurugi prior to his gameplay trailer at EVO Japan 2020. He was released at the end of March 2020. His pack is also comes with Nakoruru and Kuroko Costume sets. Soulcalibur series marks the first time he use his sake-jug as a sub-weapon. If the fighters fights at Haohmaru’s DLC home stage, Gairyu Isle, Samurai Shodown main announcer Kuroko will be that stage’s announcer, rather than a regular announcer.
Haohmaru appears as a spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Design and gameplay[]
Haohmaru's creation was inspired by the famous historical samurai Miyamoto Musashi.[21] He was actually called 'Musashi' during the development of the first Samurai Shodown game.[22] The series' creator Yasushi Adachi chose "the two flagship characters" Haohmaru and Nakoruru as the ones that best sum up the series: "With his use of powerful and damaging attacks as well as the Ikari gauge that increases attack power, Haohmaru does a great job representing the myriad of concepts game systems in these games."[22]
His trademark moves are "Kogetsuzan," a crescent-shaped uppercut, and "Senpuretsuzan," a whirlwind projectile which lifts opponents into the air (like a hurricane) before dropping them on their heads. He also has a sake jug, which he uses to 'bless' his blade with liquor before he fights. In Samurai Shodown II, he may swing his jug in battle for a multi-hit short-range attack or alternatively use it to reflect projectiles. He also gained a somersault attack, which could cause massive damage upon crouching foes. When his style splits in Samurai Shodown III, his "Slash" form retains several strategies used in previous games, being a balanced and easy-to-master mid-range combatant. By contrast, his "Bust" form alters several moves, granting him access to aggressive close-combat fighting. His appearance in Warriors Rage for the PlayStation also combined some elements from Genjuro's fighting style such as his stance and crouching strikes.
Reception[]
Haohmaru was well received, often regarded as a classic character[23][24][25] or an "old favorite."[26][27] In the Japanese Gamest magazine's 1997 Heroes Collection, Haohmaru was tied with Ukyo for their 29th spot (out of 50) in the staff's list of favorite arcade gaming characters.[18][28] Greg Kasavin from GameSpot listed his "Crescent Moon Slash" move as one of the best special attacks in fighting games' history.[29] Complex cited Haohmaru while including Samurai Shodown V on their list of top games with Fatality-like special moves,[30] and included him among the fighters with most humiliating quotes.[31] GamesRadar included him in a potential roster of their dream fighting game "Vertigo Vs. SNK"[32] and Sony Online Entertainment art director Timothy Heydelaar took Haohmaru as his nickname.[33]
References[]
- ↑ https://twitter.com/NvKknpbmkIbDg6m/status/1130772776644517888
- ↑ Shiroi, Eiji. "Fated? Rivals Column". Samurai Shodown. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ SNK Playmore. "Samurai Spirits Genealogy". Samurai Shodown V. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rey. "Ending for Samurai Shodown III-Haohmaru(Neo Geo)". The Video Game Museum. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Fight-A-Base : Haohmaru Dialogue". Fenixware.net. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Fight-A-Base : Charlotte Christine Colde Dialogue". Fenixware.net. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Fight-A-Base : Charlotte Christine Colde Storyline". Fenixware.net. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Albiges, Luke (2006-03-16). "Samurai Shodown V •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Speer, Justin (2001-06-12). "Capcom vs. SNK 2 Preview". GameSpot. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Kasavin, Greg (2001-10-09). "Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ SNK Playmore. "Neo Geo Battle Stadium Character Profiles". SNK Playmore Official Homepage . Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Famitsu. ネオジオキャラが大暴れ! ｢ネオジオ テニス コロシアム｣. Famitsu . Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ SNK Playmore. "NEOGEO TENNIS COLISEUM". SNK Playmore . Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Days of Memories ~ Edo Lovers Edition Official Website". SNK Playmore . Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "SnkPlaymore, Samurai Spirits, Simulation in imode Days of Memories ~ Oedo Love Scroll". Game Watch . Archived from the original on 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "KOF ALLSTAR×サムライスピリッツ 天草降臨 コラボ特設サイト | THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR". kofallstar.netmarble.jp . Archived from the original on 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Samurai Shodown's Haohmaru Found In Battle Arena Game". Siliconera. 2014-05-25. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 18.0 18.1 SNK Playmore. "Neo Geo Battle Coliseum Q&A Station". SNK Playmore . Retrieved 15 September 2016.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Crawford, Michael. "Michael's Review for the Week". Captain Toy. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Forbidden Planet. "Capcom Vs SNK: Series 2 Action Figures: Haohmaru". Forbidden Planet. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "GameSetWatch Missus Raroo Says: Falling in Love with Samurai Shodown II For All the Right Reasons". Gamesetwatch.com. 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 22.0 22.1 "The Mini SNK Companion". Retro Gamer 187.
- ↑ Edwards, Matt (2010-04-12). "Samurai Shodown Sen Review • Page 1 •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Samurai Shodown Sen Set to Slash Systems This Spring". Gamezone.com. 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Rising Star Picks Up Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny". Siliconera. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Samurai Shodown V Review". Gamerevolution.com. 2006-01-30. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Orry, James (2010-01-21). "Samurai Showdown Sen given PAL release - Samurai Showdown Sen for Xbox 360 News". Videogamer.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Gamest, ed. (1997) (in ja). Gamset Game Hero Collection 1997; issue 208. p. 240.
- ↑ Kasavin, Greg. "The 10 Best Ways to Beat a Dead Horse". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 3, 2002. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Knight, Rich (2013-06-13). "Haohmaru's Goes 50/50 - Bring the Gore! The 50 Craziest Video Game Fatalities Ever". Complex. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Anyanwu, Obi (2012-11-14). "Haohmaru - The 100 Most Humiliating Video Game Victory Quotes". Complex. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Page 2 - Comic/fighting-game mashups that need to happen". GamesRadar. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Reahard, Jef (2011-11-01). "SOE talks Everquest II's Freeport revamp". Engadget.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
{{cite web}}:
External links[]
| Samurai Shodown (Samurai Spirits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Video games | Main series | Samurai Shodown (1993) • II • III • IV • 64 • 64: Warriors Rage • Warriors Rage • V • V Special • VI • Sen • Samurai Shodown (2019) |
| Spin-off | Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushidō Retsuden | |
| Compilation | Anthology | |
| Film and television | The Motion Picture • Nakoruru: Ano Hito kara no Okurimono | |
| Characters | Haohmaru • Nakoruru | |
| See also | SNK Gals' Fighters • SNK vs. Capcom • Neo Geo Battle Coliseum • The King of Fighters • SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy • The Last Blade • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate • Soulcalibur VI | |
| The King of Fighters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Video games | Main series | The King of Fighters '94 • '95 • '96 • '97 • '98 • '99 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • XI • XII • XIII • XIV • XV |
| Spin-offs | Maximum Impact • Maximum Impact 2 • Neowave • R-1 • R-2 • All Star | |
| Other media | The King of Fighters 2003 (manhua) • Another Day (ONA) • The King of Fighters (film) • Destiny (webseries) • A New Beginning (manga) | |
| Characters | Ash Crimson • Athena Asamiya • Billy Kane • Blue Mary • Geese Howard • Haohmaru • Iori Yagami • Joe Higashi • K' • Kim Kaphwan • Kula Diamond • Kyo Kusanagi • Leona Heidern • Mai Shiranui • Nakoruru • Ralf Jones • Robert Garcia • Rock Howard • Ryo Sakazaki • Ryuji Yamazaki • Terry Bogard • Yuri Sakazaki • Maximum Impact characters | |
| Related | SNK | Fatal Fury • Art of Fighting • Psycho Soldier • Ikari Warriors • Buriki One • Fu'un series (Savage Reign • Kizuna Encounter) • Samurai Shodown • Metal Slug • World Heroes • SNK vs. Capcom • Neo Geo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting • NeoGeo Battle Coliseum • SNK Gals' Fighters • The Rhythm of Fighters • SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy |
| Misc. | Xuan Dou Zhi Wang • Dead or Alive (5: Last Round • 6) • Tekken 7 • Million Arthur: Arcana Blood • Fighting EX Layer • Soulcalibur VI • Shinobi Masters Senran Kagura: New Link • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | |
| Soulcalibur | ||
|---|---|---|
| Games | Main series | Soul Edge • Soulcalibur • II • III • IV • V • VI |
| Other games | Legends • Broken Destiny • Lost Swords | |
| Characters | Original | Astaroth • Cassandra • Cervantes • Hilde • Ivy • Li Long • Mitsurugi • Necrid • Siegfried and Nightmare • Sophitia • Taki • Talim • Tira • Voldo • Xianghua • Yoshimitsu |
| Guest | Link • Heihachi • Spawn • KOS-MOS • The Apprentice • Darth Vader • Yoda • Kratos • Ezio • Geralt of Rivia • 2B • Haohmaru | |
| Universe | Malfested • Soul Calibur • Soul Edge • Evil Seed • Astral Chaos | |
| Related articles | Music • Tekken • Dance, Voldo, Dance • Namco × Capcom • Project X Zone 2 • Warriors Orochi 3 • Sgt. Frog | |