Haohmaru

Haohmaru (覇王丸, Haōmaru) is the star character of the series and is one of the series' most known characters (the other being Nakoruru). He is introduced in Samurai Shodown and continues to appear in every title of the series. His character origin was originally based around the famed swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, a duelist who claimed to have never lost a match. Though he is a swordsman with no loyalties to any lord, Haohmaru has a "samurai spirit" which is often stressed in the series. He is also often accredited to defeating most of the series' villains.

In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Haohmaru was tied with Ukyo for their 29th (out of 50) for the staff's favorite character rank. He also makes regular appearances in the series' merchandise and has at least two action figures. According to the Q&A page for Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, developers admitted that no matter what the fans wanted, they wanted to include Samurai Shodown characters and made Haohmaru's inclusion one of their top priorities in development.

Story
At the age of fifteen, he challenged Jubei to a duel but lost due to lack of experience. Jubei, amused by the youth's bravado, brought Haohmaru to Nicotine so that he may gain proper training. Whilst living there, he also met and befriended Genjuro, fellow student and another orphan like himself. One day, Nicotine told them they would battle to determine who would learn the secrets in a magical scroll to increase their fighting ability. Genjuro wins, but almost kills Haohmaru; in response, Nicotine banishes Genjuro which begins the latter's grudge against Haohmaru and Nicotine. Encouraged by this defeat to further improve himself, Haohmaru travels the lands perfecting his sword skills, and searches for worthy challengers in the name of Shura.

During his many travels, Haohmaru also raises or inspires warriors younger than himself. Examples include Shizumaru and Takechiyo. As a mentor, he will follow his students to their intended location, only departing once he feels that they have matured enough. He will sometimes challenge them to a duel after a certain amount of time to test their resolve and skill.

In Warriors Rage, Haohmaru is a skilled and active swordsman at the age of forty-seven. He learns that his adopted niece, Mikoto, ran away from the temple (her childhood home) and follows her to the cursed island of Riten Kyo. There, he grows aware of the evil entities at work there, and departs on a journey to stop the Razor Trio, as well as duel worthy opponents along the way. In his ending, Haohmaru eventually reaches Mikoto at Riten Kyo and reveals her unspoken past to her.

Personality
Haohmaru lives to fight. His only wish is to fight stronger people every day. Haohmaru fights with his heart, because he seeks enlightment through the path of the sword.



Outside of battle, Haohmaru is a rude but easy-going man, caring only for sake and food. He has a romantic interest in a normal girl named O-Shizu ("O" is a honorific prefix for female name here).

Powers

 * Hurricane Attack: He can create a small hurricane with a slash of his sword. Upon contact, the hurricane sends the enemy flying.


 * Energy Slash: He can use ki energy to increase damage of his slashing attacks.

Fighting Style
While Haohmaru is based on famous Musashi Myamoto (storyline-wise and in terms of character), that goes not for his fighting style. While Musashi fought with two swords, Haohmaru fights with only one, holding it with two hands. He also uses his sake jug to hit the opponent or alternatively use it to reflect projectiles. His trademark moves are Kougetsu Zan (Crescent Moon Slash), a crescent shaped uppercut, and Senpuu Retsu Zan (Whirlwind-Tearing Slash), a whirlwind projectile. In Samurai Shodown II, he also gained a somersault attack, which could cause massive damage upon crouching foes. When his style splits in Samurai Shodown III, his Slash form retains several strategies used in previous games, being a balanced and easy-to-master mid-ranged combatant. By contrast, his Bust form alters several moves, granting him access to aggressive close-combat fighting. His appearance in Warriors Rage also combined some elements from Genjuro's fighting style such as his stance and crouching strikes.

Music

 * Time of the man - Sun  (男節 日, otoko setsu - hi) - Samurai Shodown
 * Path of the man (男道, otoko michi) - Samurai Shodown II
 * Sake of the man / Drunk man) (男酒, otoko sake) - Samurai Shodown III
 * Path of Shura* (修羅道, shurado) - Samurai Shodown IV
 * Zeal** (精進, shoujin) - Samurai Shodown 64
 * Champion (覇者, hasha) - Samurai Shodown 64-2
 * Meeting Haohmaru (覇王丸見参, haohmaru kenzan) - Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
 * Legend (伝説, densetsu) - Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
 * Sakura (櫻, sakura) - Samurai Shodown V
 * Imperial Sundance - Samurai Remix VA

Shurado is often used together with Bushido, as its counterpart of sorts. Whereas Bushido represents discipline and moral code, Shurado represents walking a road of war and carnage without regrets. Shoujin can be translated as either zeal, devotion or concentration, and it is often used as term for advancing in quest for enlightenment (which ties in with Haohmaru, who seeks it through swordsmanship as Musashi did). Sakura are also a common Japanese symbol used to describe the transience and beauty of life.

Game Appearances



 * Samurai Shodown
 * Samurai Shodown II
 * Samurai Shodown III
 * Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden
 * Samurai Shodown IV
 * Samurai Shodown 64
 * Samurai Shodown 64-2
 * Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
 * SNK vs Capcom: Match of the Millenium
 * Capcom vs SNK 2
 * Samurai Shodown V
 * Samurai Shodown V Special
 * Samurai Spirits: Tenkaichi Kenkakuden
 * Neo Geo Battle Coliseum
 * Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny

Anime Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture
 * Samurai Spirits 2: Asura-Zanmaden (OVA)

Similar Characters

 * Rasetsumaru