J.

J. is an African samurai introduced in Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny.

Story
10 years prior to the events of the game, J. was an unfortunate sailor who washed up the shores of Japan. To survive, he learns to wield a blade and lovingly names his sword Elvis. He eventually meets and falls in love with a geisha and tries to buy her freedom without much success. Hearing of a reward for detailing the whereabouts of Suzuhime, he sets out in search of her.

His ending reveals that he had a rough time when he first landed in Japan. He was called the "black devil" and was feared by everyone who saw him. The only one who didn't run from him was a young girl who offered him food. Touched by her sincerity, J. swore to one day return the favor. The girl is the same geisha in his backstory. He buys her freedom with the gold he earned for defeating Golba and tells her to not love a man like him. She thanks him by choosing to live her life as she sees fit.

Personality
A laid-back romanticist who believes that love can conquer any obstacle. J. appreciates kindness and respect from the people he faces.

Fighting Style
J. has a battle pose that is similar to Claude and Takechiyo's. He uses several attacks with crescent shaped strikes. One of his moves, "Frog Upper" allows him to crouch down to avoid opponent's attacks, then jump upward retaliating with an uppercut.

He can also use an "Upper Side Hold" stance which can counter or torpedo his body head first towards his opponents for a lot of damage. J's "Upper Side Hold" stance is based on "Mumyo Sakanagare" (Lightless Reverse Flow) stance utilized by Seigen Irako in Shigurui manga. By fixing sword's tip into the ground or holding it between their toes and then applying force to sword's handle, the user stores potential energy in the blade. Once sword's tip is released, it results in powerful upward slash that also sends user's body flying to evade opponent's attack.

Game Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny