Shiki

Shiki (色, Shiki) is one of the new characters introduced into the Samurai Shodown series in Samurai Shodown 64. She remains mostly exclusive to the Samurai Shodown 64 series. She is a character who was made to appeal to the adult audience. Shiki is most likely modeled after Makie Otono-Tachibana from the Blade of the Immortal series. Her swords are modeled after "Shido" blades wielded by said series' protagonist, Manji. Developers admit that her personality and part of winquotes were based on Ayanami Rei from Evangelion. Her Bust form in 64 Warriors Rage is referred to as Han-in to Narishi Shiki (半陰となりし色).

She is voiced by Kaori Minami.

Story
She is a woman who was tailored to be Yuga's servant before her birth. Her identity and memory become fractured when she was brainwashed by Yuga in her adulthood and trained in the art of twin sword fighting. She is told to find a man fit to become the perfect body for the Dark Lord's resurrection. Finding Haohmaru to be that man, she follows him for a chance to take him away to her master. Her soul becomes freed after Haohmaru defeats Yuga.

During the year of Yuga's absence, she loses her memory of being Yuga's servant and lives on as a normal woman named Kanae. When Yuga resurrects itself a second time, it sends its new servant, Shadow Asura, to capture Shiki and regain her servitude. He succeeds in restoring her memories as Yuga's servant but the two unexpectedly fall in love. After the two Asuras defeat Yuga, she gives birth to Mikoto. She leaves her child with Nicotine Caffeine and Haohmaru as her servitude to Yuga made her feel unworthy of being a mother. It is unknown what occurred after this point, but it is strongly implied she died somewhere.

Her Bust form in Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage is another version of her. Her story is based on the possibility of Shiki remaining as Yuga's servant. She is more sarcastic and sensual than her other ego, yet she has no hope of salvation as she will always be her master's loyal puppet.

Personality
A sad woman in her heart, she never understood what it is like to be a normal woman. During her time with Yuga, she would give her body and soul to her master's wishes.

Powers

 * Super-speed - Shiki can move herself at amazing speeds.
 * Dark Poisoning - Shiki cast a spell that can leave her opponents confused or poisoned.
 * Life Drain - Shiki can drain her opponent's life to heal herself.
 * Teleportation - Shiki can disappear in a aura of light and reappear in another location.
 * Yuga-Influenced Powers - Rasetsu/Bust form of Shiki is infused with some of Yuga's power and gains access to some of its abilities.
 * Flight - Shiki can fly above her opponents.
 * Astral Blade - Shiki can form energy blades in place of her usual weapons.
 * Puppetry - Shiki can manipulate her opponents to mimic her movements.
 * Energy Blasts - Shiki can discharge various types of energy beams and projectiles.

Fighting Style
Her fighting style is focused in her twin katanas. She uses some unorthodox slashes and some kicks as well. Her Bust version in the second game appeared in fights unarmed and could summon a sword on the spot. Special moves from her Bust version are integrated into her Slash move set in her later, non-series appearances.

Her swords are said to be crafted by the heart of the demon world and given to her by Yuga. In the past, several demons -including Mizuki- tried to get their hands on it.

Music

 * Jet Black - Samurai Shodown 64
 * Perpetual Darkness - Samurai Shodown 64-2

Game Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown 64
 * Samurai Shodown 64-2 - players will only encounter her Bust form as a CPU opponent
 * SNK Gals' Fighters
 * SNK vs Capcom: SVC Chaos
 * Neo Geo Battle Coliseum

Mobile Appearances

 * Days of Memories (third title) - unplayable
 * SNK Beach Volley Gal's Attack

Cameo Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage - in Mikoto's ending

Anime Appearances

 * Samurai Spirits 2: Asura-Zanmaden (OVA)

Trivia

 * The tattoo that depicts a fetus (visually it can be mistaken for sun ecliplse) on her back is actually a mark that she has had since birth. It signifies that she is one of the babies manipulated by Yuga; this symbol is also present on her Samurai Shodown 64 stage.
 * Her snake tattoo was given to her by Yuga as means to control her, it controls her partially resulting in only one eye turning red. Because of that, in Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage she gains skeleton snake tattoo which controls her completely, turning both her eyes red. Her eyes are naturally blue.
 * Skeleton snake tattoo serves as her crest, appearing in Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage cave stage alongside with crests of Shadow Asura and Yuga.
 * On interesting note, her snake tattoo looks identical to the tattoo Vega has.

Sprites

 * Last sprite actually represents a Gandara, another character, but Shiki becomes it when affected by Red Arremer's Makai Spell