Gaoh

Rebellious Earl of Hinowa, Gaoh (兇國 日輪守 我旺, Kyōgoku Hinowa no kami Gaō), better known just as Gaoh, is the final boss in Samurai Shodown V. Though he was meant to be fashioned as a character to concisely reflect the times of the era that the game takes place, his design eventually took inspiration from Oda Nobunaga.

He was designed by Nobuhiro Watsuki, a mangaka best known for creating the manga series Rurouni Kenshin. He is voiced by Kenji Utsumi in V and the re-dub of VI and Akio Ohtsuka in the original version of VI.

Story
He was once a loyal general to the Tokugawa clan and lord to the land of Hinowa. He is one of the previous mentors to the clan's heir, Yoshitora. However, Yoshitora and his father became indifferent to the land during the Tenmei famine and the country was thrown into more chaos as a result. Concerned about the well being of his countrymen, he decides to rebel against his lord with an army of powerful warriors until he is defeated by Yoshitora. He begs for his pupil to become shogun for the sake of the people, which Yoshitora finally accepts as his responsibility.

Personality
Gaoh is the common example of villainous daimyo found in fiction. He is imposing and unchangeable, rigid in his beliefs and no one else's.

Powers

 * Reflect Projectiles - Gaoh can deflect opponent's projectiles with his fist.
 * Column of Light - Gaoh can surround himself in a column of light that blows opponents away.
 * Demon Possession - Gaoh can let the Dark Emperor posses him, materializing in the form of cursed armor and a green flame that envelopes Gaoh.

Fighting Style
When his Rage (POW) Gauge is full, he can transform into Kuraki-sumeragi, an evil entity that once possessed Yunfei. This form is killed by Gaoh with Yunfei's help. In Samurai Shodown V Special, when he becomes first playable, he retains this transformation during a special technique that can only be used when his opponent is low on life. In Samurai Shodown VI, this ability is removed altogether.

Aside from being able to transform, his jumonji spear gives him one of the longest reaches in the games - both on ground and in the air. He is also one of the more stronger characters dealing greater damage even if his hits are blocked.

Music

 * Gaoh Enters - Samurai Shodown V
 * Hero - Samurai Shodown V
 * Gaoh's Last Moments - Samurai Shodown V

Game Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown V - final boss
 * Samurai Shodown V Special
 * Samurai Shodown VI

Similar Characters

 * Demon Gaoh