Gandara


 * Not to be confused with the 3 Count Bout character The Gandhara.



Gandara (巖陀羅) is the name given to a monstrous creature created by Yuga the Destroyer in the Samurai Shodown series. It is voiced by Masago Katasumi.

Story
Gandara is a monster comprised of thousands of corpses stitched and held together through Yuga's use of forbidden magic. Yuga uses it as a bodyguard, but despite its overwhelming strength, Gandara was defeated by Kazuki and Sogetsu Kazama.

When Yuga revives himself in Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, a new Gandara was made, and serial production of Gandara's started. One of arenas in game is a Gandara plant of sorts, where uncomplete Gandaras hang here and there. One of those (most probably the one player fights ingame) is defeated by Hanzo in his ending.

Curiously, SNK left a complete guide with illustrations of "how to make Gandara" on Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage official site. It describes several stages needed to pass to create a full-fledge Gandara, as well ingredients needed (many of which are essentially human parts). Japanese fans found in this parallels to creating an homunculus (artificial life form) by means of alchemy, which in turn led to further speculations about nature of its creator, Yuga the Destroyer.

Personality
This is another puppet of Yuga, but it seems to be in pain somehow. It's a berserk creature, but it will always obey its master. During the events of Samurai Shodown: Warrior's Rage, with Yuga's army consisting of multiple Deku's and Gandaras, the role of Gandara is like that of a slow powerful tank, while Deku are the common foot soldiers.

Powers

 * Superhuman Strength - Gandara is exceptionally strong. It is able to rip a gigantic boulder off the ground and throw it at the enemy.

Fighting Style
Gandara is a clumsy fighter. It is very strong, but it will often lose its balance and fall while fighting. It is unable to block opponent's attacks, but instead has big defence, almost constant superarmor condition, and most of own attacks are unblockable. The way to defeat Gandara is to make use of its slow movements: to constantly dodge & attack, or to spam with fireballs from long range.

Music

 * Gandara - Samurai Shodown 64

Game Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown 64
 * Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage

Cameo Appearances

 * Neo Geo Battle Coliseum - during Akari's super

Anime Appearances

 * Samurai Spirits 2: Asura-Zanmaden (OVA)

Sprites


The sprite above is actually Shiki transformed into a Gandara in SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom by Red Arremer.