Shizumaru Hisame

Shizumaru Hisame (緋雨 閑丸, Hisame Shizumaru) is the main protagonist and one of the new characters in Samurai Shodown III. He continues to appear in other titles of the series. Although he was initially believed to be based on Himura Kenshin, creators state that his visual model was Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho.

According to Gamest Mook, he was one of the potential candidates for the Samurai Shodown 64 lineup but was taken out due to time and modeling constraints concerning the low polygon count and difficulty of recreating his umbrella. In their 1997 Hero's Collection, Gamest staff voted him as their thirteenth favorite character (tied with King of Fighters character, Benimaru Nikaido, for the same spot).

He is voiced by Miho Kaneta and Motoki Takagi.

Story
He is a young amnesic boy who doesn't remember his real name (he named himself after his sword). Because he was deemed a "demon's child" since childhood, he lives and survives alone. He travels to find a "demon", hoping to figure out for himself what it means to be one.

During the events of Samurai Shodown V, he was taken in as a servant by a noble young couple. The husband leaves to fight in the war at Hinowa, leaving his wife, Hakana, under Shizumaru's protection. Pregnant, Hakana wants to return to her father (who Shizumaru doesn't know is Youkai Kusaregedo) for shelter. Shizumaru, assured she is safe, feels obligated to help in the war. When the battles are over, he is rewarded a hefty sum of gold for his efforts. He leaves for home but is stopped by a man who calls him Yaiba. Despite Shizumaru's denial, the man insists that he is Yaiba and that "his family" misses him. Shizumaru chooses to stay with his master and flees. Unfortunately, his master dies in the war and Hakana is eaten by her father. Due to the trauma he has suffered, he labels anything malicious, be it person or mannerisms, as a "demon".

He respects Haohmaru, who inspires him and teaches him the philosophy of the sword at an early age. Shizumaru seeks to defeat Zankuro and supposedly avenge his family's death. He and Haohmaru slay Zankuro. After the events of Samurai Shodown IV, he confuses the remaining blood lust within him as a "rampaging demon". However, he comes to accept his "demon" as a natural part of himself and makes peace with his past.

In the NeoGeo CD version of Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden, he stars in the bonus portion of the game with his own story. It is essentially a choose-your-own-adventure on how he should find Zankuro.

After his introduction in Samurai Shodown III, a controversy was created around his relationship with Zankuro (which was unclear because Shizumaru himself lost his memory but is haunted by visions of Zankuro). Although developers from Samurai Shodown III stated that they are not related, as Shiori (Zankuro's daughter) is the only one left alive from his family, part of fans believed it was Shizumaru who was Zankuro's son and the "child he couldnt kill" in the past. It seems later staff of Samurai Shodown V, being in need for new storyline ideas for the game, took advantage from this controversy. They stated that Shizumaru's real name is "Jin Minazuki" (in his ending, an samurai calls him "Jin", saying his family awaits him). In the next game, Samurai Shodown V Special, one of Zankuro's visions appears in his Death Ougi. In Samurai Shodown VI though, Zankuro-Shiori line is re-established, and there are no mentions of Shizumaru and Zankuro family ties.

Personality
For a boy his age, Shizumaru is quiet and timid. He is a polite, well-meaning child who tries to warn others about the "demon" within him. He tends to label things that are unknown or bad to him as evil demons, convinced that they are real.

Powers

 * Reflector - Shizumaru can reflect a projectile back to its sender.

Fighting Style
His fighting style is an unique combination between his umbrella and his sword. When he first premiered, he relies on his umbrella more, using his sword occasionally in special moves. His latter appearances, however, have him using more sword techniques, minimizing his umbrella attacks. His move set incorporates an uppercut move similar to Haohmaru's Kougetstuzan.

Music

 * Kazu Kaoru (Sweet-Smelling Breeze) - Samurai Shodown III

Game Appearances



 * Samurai Shodown III
 * Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden (Neo-Geo CD version only)
 * Samurai Shodown IV
 * Samurai Shodown V
 * Samurai Shodown V Special
 * Samurai Spirits: Tenkaichi Kenkakuden

Cameo Appearances

 * Samurai Spirits (pachinko)

Trivia

 * If the characters in his last name are broken down into basic components, his name becomes "rain of blood" (血の雨, chi no ame). Creators confirm that this was intentional. In the short drama found on the Samurai Shodown best CD, he says that he named himself after his weapons.