The Way of the Samurai

Musashi is a young swordsman who is summoned to a parallel world and tasked with defending an ancient kingdom from invading forces. He has no intention on saving the kingdom at first, but he begrudgingly agrees to help because he wants to find a way back home. Musashi is given a sleek katana to help him on his journey, and he later obtains a second sword that belonged to the eponymous Brave Fencer. He also seeks out ancient scrolls to further enhance the power of his weapons. One of his swords can be imbued with elemental properties while the other sword can absorb energy and be used in combo attacks. Each sword has distinct advantages, so it’s fortunate that Musashi is so versatile. When he’s not slicing through vampires and zombies, Musashi can learn new combat techniques from the townsfolk he’s trying to liberate.

Like many of the games mentioned on this list, Nioh takes place in an era where the clans of Japan were at war. The story is set within a dark fantasy version of the Sengoku period, however, and its blond-haired protagonist stands out from typical samurai characters. William is an Irish-born sailor who arrives in Japan in pursuit of a malevolent alchemist. He soon forms an alliance with the Tokugawa shogunate and crosses paths with numerous historical figures from the period. (William is based on a historical figure too, but his in-game counterpart is embellished with supernatural elements.) William displays a mastery over a variety of melee weapons, and his skills are further enhanced by guardian spirits. He’s opposed by yokai and other figures from Japanese folklore, so his otherworldly abilities are indispensable.

Momohime is a beautiful princess who stands out on this list for a few reasons. She’s a gentle soul with a fear of monsters, and her body can’t deal with the physical fatigue from constant battles. Although her bravery is apparent, she’s certainly no warrior. She’s eventually possessed by the spirit of a criminal rōnin named Jinkuro, however, so she’s able to wield swords with incredible efficiency. Momohime does not approve of Jinkuro’s actions, but she’s forced to go along for the ride as he travels westward in search of his demon blade. Ruthless, power-hungry, and exceedingly aggressive, Junkuro is everything that Momohime is not. Over time, Momohime’s influence inspires him to dial back his cruelty. The life of a samurai is often defined by inner conflict, and this concept is taken to its logical extreme with Momohime and Jinkuro.

Many of the games discussed on this list take place in fictional versions of historical Japan, but Guilty Gear is set far off in the future in the wake of a cataclysmic event. This event saw millions of Japanese people dying at the hands of bio-organic weapons, and Baiken’s parents were among them. Motivated by vengeance, Baiken trained herself to use a katana and became incredibly deadly. Her right arm was severed and her left eye was gouged out, but this only made her more determined. While most of her Guilty Gear contemporaries have pronounced supernatural abilities, Baiken mostly relies on her skills with a sword. To her credit, she always seems to find ways to surprise her opponents. She’s often brash and impulsive, but her anti-social tendencies are understandable given her traumatic past.

Capcom’s Onimusha games are set against the backdrop of Japan’s Sengoku period, but they have little regard for historical accuracy. When the series begins, Samanosuke Akechi is racing to a castle to rescue a princess. Shortly thereafter, we’re introduced to demons, a magical gauntlet, and a resurrected Nobunaga Oda. (At one point, Samanosuke travels through time and finds himself in 2004 Paris.) Samanosuke is a wandering samurai at the beginning of his adventure, but he’s later driven by a desire to protect the world from monsters. His weapons are charged with elemental energy and the aforementioned gauntlet allows Samanosuke to absorb the souls of fallen demons, but his fighting skills should not be overlooked. He demonstrates a mastery over swords of all sizes, and he often wields two swords at once!

Those of you who played Final Fantasy VI on the Super NES might be surprised to see Cyan Garamonde on this list. The noble soldier seems more in line with a European knight than a samurai, and he has a distinct speech pattern that relies heavily on archaic expressions like “thou” and “thy.” Cyan speaks more like an archetypal samurai in the Japanese version, however, and his job class explicitly defines him as such. In either regard, his fighting style rewards patience and encourages players to fill up a gauge before unleashing their power. Cyan fears technology and his magic abilities are limited, so it’s fortunate that he’s able to use his katanas in creative ways. Even though he’s driven by vengeance, Cyan carries himself with class and is easily the most dignified party member in the game. His survivor’s guilt only makes him more determined.

Samurai Warriors is a spinoff to Dynasty Warriors that takes place during Japan’s Sengoku period. There are many characters from the franchise that could have been mentioned here, but Musashi Miyamoto is the obvious choice. His real-world counterpart is regarded as one of Japan’s greatest swordsmen, after all, and he inspired many of the characters on this list. His twin-sword style has been romanticized in modern fiction, and it’s hard not to admire the theatrics of his Samurai Warriors iteration. Musashi can slash opponents from all angles and his elegant techniques allow him to cut through large crowds. He can also create powerful gusts of wind, and he can even cause tremors by slamming his weapons together! Musashi is on an unending journey of self-improvement, and he’s always looking for ways to hone his skills.

Far East of Eden made its debut on the PC Engine CD-ROM² System in 1989, but the franchise has little visibility outside of Japan. The series consists of over a dozen games, but Kabuki Klash (an over-the-top fighting game for the Neo Geo) is the only one that has been released in the west thus far. Danjuro Kabuki made his first appearance in the second Eden game, and he was entertaining enough to warrant his own spinoff. He’s a loud-mouthed and boisterous lady’s man who’s arrogant enough to describe himself as the strongest man in all of Japan Jipang. He serves as a source of comic relief and his facial expressions are downright goofy at times, but he also happens to be an excellent swordsman. His extravagant personality often overshadows his skills as a warrior, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

After his homeland was ravaged by war, Heishiro Mitsurugi decided to become a samurai. Japan was in the middle of the Sengoku period, so he had no trouble finding work as a hired mercenary. When firearms began appearing on the battlefield, Mitsurugi set out to find the legendary “Soul Edge” to help him turn the tide in battle. He was unable to locate the famed sword, but he discovered that true strength came from within. Mitsurugi seeks out worthy opponents in a bid to become the strongest warrior in the world, and his confidence is well informed. He has tremendous range, his strikes are remarkably quick, and he can catch his opponents off guard by switching his stance. The SoulCalibur cast includes everything from a gun-toting ghost pirate to a blind dude in a gimp suit, but Mitsurugi is arguably the most balanced character on the roster.

Most fighting games in the early ’90s revolved around hand-to-hand combat, but Samurai Shodown put an emphasis on weapons. A single attack could potentially deplete half of your energy, so players had to exercise patience instead of relying on flashy combos. The series was set in 18th-century Japan and fully embraced the spirit of the Edo period. (Like many of the characters on this list, Haohmaru draws inspiration from Miyamoto Musashi.) A number of Samurai Shodown characters were considered for this list, but Haohmaru is the de facto face of the franchise. The free-spirited warrior serves no master and fights for the thrill of battle. Although he’s powerful enough to create whirlwinds with a slash of his sword, he’s constantly looking for ways to improve himself and views each encounter as an opportunity for enlightenment.