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Haohmaru

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Haohmaru
'Samurai Shodown' character
Haohmaru from Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny (2008)

Haohmaru (覇王丸, Haōmaru) is the protagonist character of the Samurai Shodown series video games and is 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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] 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.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5][6] 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.[5][6] Samurai Shodown V character Rasetsumaru is a monstrous doppleganger of Haohmaru.[7]

Other appearances

Haohmaru also made appearances in several other video games by SNK and other developers, including fighting games Capcom vs. SNK 2,[8] SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium,[9] Neo Geo Battle Coliseum,[10] mobile game Neo Geo Tennis Coliseum,[11][12] dating sim Days of Memories: Oedo Love Scroll,[13][14] and battle arena game Lost Saga.[15] 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.[16] He also makes regular appearances in the series' merchandise, including at least two action figures.[17][18]

Design and gameplay

Haohmaru's creation was inspired by the famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi.[19] 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[20][21][22] or an "old favourite".[23][24] 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.[16][25] Greg Kasavin from GameSpot listed his "Crescent Moon Slash" move as one of the best special attacks in fighting games' history.[26] Complex cited Haohmaru while including Samurai Shodown V on their list of top games with Fatality-like special moves,[27] and included him among the fighters with most humiliating quotes.[28] GamesRadar included him in a potential roster of their dream fighting game "Vertigo Vs. SNK"[29] and Sony Online Entertainment art director Timothy Heydelaar took Haohmaru as his nickname.[30] In 2013, WatchMojo.com ranked this "memorable series regular" as the tenth most iconic fighting game character.[31]

References

  1. ^ Shiroi, Eiji. "Fated? Rivals Column". Samurai Shodown Official Website. Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  2. ^ SNK Playmore. "Samurai Spirits Genealogy". Samurai Shodown V Official Website. Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  3. ^ a b Rey. "Ending for Samurai Shodown III-Haohmaru(Neo Geo)". The Video Game Museum. Retrieved December 12, 2007. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  4. ^ "Fight-A-Base : Haohmaru Dialogue". Fenixware.net. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  5. ^ a b "Fight-A-Base : Charlotte Christine Colde Dialogue". Fenixware.net. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  6. ^ a b "Fight-A-Base : Charlotte Christine Colde Storyline". Fenixware.net. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  7. ^ Albiges, Luke (2006-03-16). "Samurai Shodown V •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  8. ^ Speer, Justin (2001-06-12). "Capcom vs. SNK 2 Preview". GameSpot. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  9. ^ Kasavin, Greg (2001-10-09). "Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  10. ^ SNK Playmore. "Neo Geo Battle Stadium Character Profiles". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  11. ^ 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 Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  12. ^ SNK Playmore. "NEOGEO TENNIS COLISEUM". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  13. ^ SNK Playmore. "Days of Memories ~ Edo Lovers Edition Official Website". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  14. ^ "SnkPlaymore, Samurai Spirits, Simulation in imode Days of Memories ~ Oedo Love Scroll". Game Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  15. ^ "Samurai Shodown's Haohmaru Found In Battle Arena Game". Siliconera. 2014-05-25. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  16. ^ a b SNK Playmore. "Neo Geo Battle Coliseum Q&A Station". SNK Playmore Official Homepage (in Japanese). Retrieved August 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |work= (help)
  17. ^ Crawford, Michael. "Michael's Review for the Week". Captain Toy. Retrieved 2013-08-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  18. ^ 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}}: External link in |work= (help)
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ Edwards, Matt (2010-04-12). "Samurai Shodown Sen Review • Page 1 •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  21. ^ "Samurai Shodown Sen Set to Slash Systems This Spring". Gamezone.com. 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  22. ^ "Rising Star Picks Up Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny". Siliconera. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  23. ^ "Samurai Shodown V Review". Gamerevolution.com. 2006-01-30. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  24. ^ Orry, James (2010-01-21). "Samurai Showdown Sen given PAL release - Samurai Showdown Sen for Xbox 360 News". Videogamer.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  25. ^ Gamest, ed. (1997). Gamset Game Hero Collection 1997; issue 208 (in Japanese). p. 240.
  26. ^ Kasavin, Greg. "The 10 Best Ways to Beat a Dead Horse". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 3, 2002. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ Anyanwu, Obi (2012-11-14). "Haohmaru - The 100 Most Humiliating Video Game Victory Quotes". Complex. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  29. ^ "Page 2 - Comic/fighting-game mashups that need to happen". GamesRadar. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  30. ^ Reahard, Jef (2011-11-01). "SOE talks Everquest II's Freeport revamp". Engadget.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  31. ^ "Top 10 Fighting Game Characters". WatchMojo.com. September 24, 2012. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
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