Galford D. Weller

Galford D. Weller (ガルフォード＝Ｄ＝ウェラー, Garufōdo Dī Werā), better known as Galford, is a character in the Samurai Shodown series. He has been consistently been in the roster since his introduction in Samurai Shodown with the exception of Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage. He fights alongside his pet husky, Poppy, and is accompanied by her puppies. His "Rasetsu/Bust" form appears as a separate character from him in Samurai Shodown VI.

In the 1997 Gamest Hero collection, Galford was tied at fifteenth place as the staff's favorite character (along with Street Fighter Ken and Fatal Fury character, Ryuji Yamazaki). In the character popularity poll on Neo Geo Freak's website, he was voted as the twentieth favorite character with a total of 568 votes.

Story
His father was a kind and just sheriff. An iron hand against evil and injustice, many outlaws sought to end his life. He was shot and killed by a criminal while covering a young Galford with his body. His father's dying words were to "become strong", and he swore to fulfill his father's last wish. Galford took the bullet that killed his father and carried it with him.

After the murder of his father, Galford left his home to become a sailor, where he learned about the ninja of Japan. Fascinated by their stories of heroics and mysticism, he decided to learn from them. He completes his training in the Koga style under Ayame, the wife of Hanzo's master (Earthquake trained with him too but quit early). In the process of making his ninjato, Justice Blade, he fused the aforementioned bullet into the metal, and later carved names of rest of his family on the blade. Throughout the series, Galford seeks to uphold justice throughout the land eventually as a superhero of justice.

In Edge of Destiny, he learns the location of his father's murderer and goes to seek revenge. In his ending, Galford feels homesick and spies on his home. He sees his mother talking to a man he doesn't recognize and smiling, a sight Galford hasn't seen in years. Assured of her happiness, Galford leaves to continue his life as a ninja.

Personality
Contrary to the seriousness of his fighting style, Galford is an optimistic and cheerful person. Like Terry, he fits many Japanese stereotypes for an American character in appearance, personality and speech. He exhibits good sportsmanship though there are times when he won't hesitate to take someone's life for the greater good. He also regrets leaving his mother and sisters, aware that he was supposed to help the family's income, but knows that he cannot rest until justice has been served.

He has unrequited feelings for Nakoruru. This is somewhat debatable after his ending in Samurai Shodown VI, where he states that he gives up on her.

Powers
Aside from these powers, he also has all the skills perceived to be had by ninja (stealth, swimming, climbing, ect.)


 * Use of Kunai - Galford is only character in series to use kunai.
 * Electrokinesis - Galford can infuse his attacks with electricity.
 * Teleport - Galford can teleport short distances above his opponent.
 * Bushin - With Poppy, Galford can create a mirror image of himself and attack his opponent from both sides.

Fighting Style
When first introduced, he and Hanzo nearly mirrored each other in several aspects such as confusing foes with teleportation, illusions, and surprise piledriving. His main deviation from Hanzo is the addition of his dog, Poppy. In Samurai Shodown III, his "Shura/Slash" form integrates a heavier reliance on Poppy, creating a quick, hit-and-run style of fighting. His "Rasetsu/Bust" form, however, relies on grappling and aggressive up-close combat. As the series progresses, Galford becomes faster but slightly less powerful than Hanzo. His lightening projectile, or "plasma" as it is dubbed by the creators, differentiates from Hanzo's fire as it only flies horizontally straight rather than traveling along the ground in a slinky-like motion. In the later games this projectile is changed to a quick execute but long recovery move and Hanzo's to be the opposite.

With a special input, the player can order Poppy to headbutt, bite, or drop from above on their opponents. She may also piledrive her foes during Galford's desparation move -which relies entirely on her- in Samurai Shodown II. In Samurai Shodown III, Galford's Slash form relies on Poppy for a vast majority of his special moves. She retains her attacks from before but can also be kicked as a projectile and replicate Galford's movements in his desperation move. When utilized strategically, she can distract opponents whilst the player moves Galford into a more favorable position or act as a counter against most projectiles. In Samurai Shodown VI, Galford can also order Poppy to teleport or change her attacks during her initial charge.

However, she is not invulnerable to attacks as opponents can strike her down to diffuse her advances, leaving her unusable by the player until she recovers. Players also have to be aware of which direction she is facing when summoned as she may charge in a direction opposite than intended. This problem is minimized in Edge of Destiny as she teleports in battle to attack where Galford is pointing.

Music

 * Maguro (Tuna) - Samurai Shodown
 * Kuro Maguro (Bluefin Tuna) - Samurai Shodown II
 * Shoujin no Ryuu (Purifying Waterfall) - Samurai Shodown III
 * Incarnation of the Tuna - Samurai Shodown IV
 * Kuro Maguro (Bluefin Tuna) - Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden
 * Reunion - Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushidou Retsuden
 * Hi Tension - Samurai Shodown 64
 * Shin Maguro (True Tuna) - Samurai Shodown 64-2
 * Melt - Samurai Remix VA

Voice Actors

 * Kay Inage - Samurai Shodown ~ Samurai Shodown III, Edge of Destiny, Samurai Shodown VI (re-dub voice)
 * Mantarō Koichi - Samurai Shodown IV~V, 64 series, RPG
 * Junji Majima - Samurai Shodown VI
 * Wataru Takagi - Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture
 * Kurt Stoll - Samurai Shodown: The Motion Picture (English voice)
 * Toshihiko Seki - Samurai Shodown Dengeki drama CD series

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 V
 * Samurai Shodown V Special
 * Samurai Shodown VI
 * Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny

Mobile Appearances

 * Days of Memories (third title) - in-text cameo; participates in Nakoruru's story

Cameo Appearances

 * Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage - in Tashon Mao's ending; passing mention
 * Samurai Spirits (pachinko)
 * Samurai Spirits Gaiden: Cham Cham

Anime Appearances

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

Similar Characters

 * Galford (Rasetsu)

Trivia

 * His nickname amongst the Samurai Shodown II staff is "Galuzo" (ガル蔵).
 * When he first came to Japan, his primary objective was to separate the facts and myths about ninja. He also wanted to try eating octopus.