“ | The way of the Samurai is to know death. The way of the Samurai is to know victory. I am the ultimate fighter, and all who stand in my way shall... FALL!" | „ |
~ Haohmaru[1] |
“ | Tohma, you're like another I know... Genjuro. This path of Bushido we walk... Just where will it take us? | „ |
~ Haohmaru musing about his future[2] |
Summary
Haohmaru is the main protagonist of the Samurai Shodown franchise. He is the archetypical warrior who travels the land in search of new opponents and exterminates evil whenever it is found. He embodies the concepts of honor and humility, never drawing back from a duel but also never killing pointlessly.
Formed in the art of swordsmanship since a young age, Haohmaru always faced head-first every prospect of a thrilling battle, whether it was to slay a demon or save a dear one. In his life, Haohmaru crossed swords with countless opponents, put an end to great evils and his fame spread to every corner of the globe. His rivalry with Genjuro Kibagami became a matter of legend, as well as his many exploits. To this day, Haohmaru keeps honing his skills despite the advanced age, always following the way of a true samurai.
Haohmaru is 5 shaku, 7 sun (173 cm) tall, weights 17 kanme (64 kg) and his blood type is A. He likes duels and sake, dislikes cowards and cockroaches, his flaw is his short temper and his idol is his master Nicotine Caffeine. He feels at peace when the sake tastes particularly fine and his favorite type of mate is a Yamato Nadeshiko (a traditionally humble Japanese women). To him the path of the sword is "The path on which you must gamble your life and walk to the end."[3]
Powers and Stats
Tier: 7-B | 7-B
Key: SSV to Sen | SS Warriors Rage
Name: Haohmaru, epithets The Burly, Untrustworthy Swordsman, The Demon-like Swordsman and The Legendary Master Swordsman
Origin: Samurai Shodown
Gender: Male
Age: 23 to 28 (SSV to Sen), 47 (Warriors Rage). Born on September 5 in the 13th years of Horeki (1763), at the hour of the Bull (2 a.m.)
Classification: Human, Ronin
Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Genius Intelligence, Master Swordsman, Martial Arts (His fighting style integrates many types of punches and kicks, to use either in conjunction with the sword or whenever he loses it), Acrobatics (Can perform many acrobatic techniques, somersault jumps, aerial attacks, standard and recovery rolls and sliding kicks. Can do hand hops and backflips to keep or regain his balance when hit in mid-air), Air Manipulation (Via Ougi Senpu Retsuzan), Attack Reflection (Can reflect projectiles via Sake Kougeki), Chi Manipulation (Via Tenha Seikouzan), Fire Manipulation (Via Tenha Fuujinzan), Rage Power (A recurrent trope of the series is the ability of a warrior to increase their strength the more wounds and damage the sustain, with this power up being connected to rage), Enhanced Senses and Information Analysis (Could recognize Yoshitora's strength and skill at first sight, his intuition telling him he was no ordinary man and his body being struck by a feeling similar to the one he felt when he confronted Jubei many years prior[4])
Attack Potency: City level (Defeated Amakusa, Mizuki and[5] Yuga.[6] Comparable to Shiki, Shadow Asura and Asura, with the latter being able to generate and withstand a massive explosion. Is one of the warriors who could have defeated Shizuka Gozen. Able to cut stone lanterns, trees[7] and towers[8][9]) | City level (Stronger than before)
Speed: Supersonic (Able to keep up with the likes of Asura, who could descend from the sky at high speed, and Amakusa, who could cut an entire castle at blinding speed. At the very least comparable to Earthquake's minions, who can run faster[10] than the eye) | Supersonic (Faster than before)
Lifting Strength: Class 50 (Can launch his sword several meters into the air. Able to clash swords and catch the weapons of characters such as Hattori Hanzo, who can carry characters as heavy as Earthquake high into the sky, and Wan-Fu, who is strong enough to swing a large iron ball) | Class 50 (Stronger than before)
Striking Strength: City level | City level
Durability: City level (Comparable to Asura) | City level (More durable than before)
Stamina: At least Peak Human (A tough warrior trained since a young age, who constantly travels the world and launches himself in battles whenever given the occasion. Can endure severe wounds and blood loss before going down. Used to sustain attacks based on fire, ice, electricity and more) | At least Peak Human (Better than before)
Range: Standard Melee Range physically; Extended Melee Range with Fugudoku; Several Meters with projectiles
- Fugudoku (Blowfish Poison): A katana forged in a distant past. It is said that only Haohmaru can wield it.[11]
- Tokkuri: A jug filled with Haomaru's beloved sake, he never separates from it and always takes a sip before and after a battle. It also works as a bludgeoning weapon from time to time, and can somehow reflect projectiles.
Intelligence: Average overall, Genius in combat
(At age 15, Haohmaru was already an invincible swordsman[12] and only one such as Jubei Yagyu was able to defeat him. Haohmaru has then trained for years under the tutelage Nicotine Caffeine and together with Genjuro Kigami, before embarking on his personal journey in his early 20's. Despite the teachings received, his sword style is ultimately his own unique creation. In his quest towards perfection, Haohmaru travels the world, and occasionally the demon realm, in search of mighty and new opponents against whom testing and improving his skill, whether it be a friendly match or a bloody death battle in the name of the true samurai spirit. Has a life-long rivalry with Genjuro and Ukyo, and is acquaintanced with most of the characters of the series. Defeated Amakusa, Mizuki and Yuga. Is an excellent teacher, having tutored promising warriors such as Shizumaru, Takechiyo and Mikoto. Is among those Golba considers worthy to be[13] general of his army. His special skill is doing street performances, although he insinsts on them being a serious display of swordsmanship.[3] Is also versed in hand-to-hand combat, can disarm armed opponents with his bare hands and pull of tricks such as tossing his sword into the air and make it land into its sheat without looking)
Kept training and fighting relentlessly for all the years that separate this title from the previous ones. During this time, Haohmaru became an actual legend, his name known to everyone in the world of swordsmanship, and his many anedoctes and exploits[14] having become famous.[11] Fought his way through the convict island Riten-kyo, facing many warriors and ultimately battling and slaying Oboro, the leader of the rebellion.
Weaknesses: None notable.
Fighting Style: Haohmaru follows the school of thought of the Garyu,[15] a humble warrior conscious of his own strength and skill, who doesn't brag about his capabilities and abides to the virtue of humility. His swordsmanship was forget through countless battles, resulting in a unique fighting style that belongs only to him. Although he doesn't kill unnecessarily, Haohmaru is all but afraid to draw blood or even take his opponent's life, were this to rid the world of a great evil or to honor a worthy opponent who was also ready to give their all in a battle to the death. This is especially displayed in his ability to alternate between the "Shura" and "Rasetsu" styles, the former being a more traditional approach to combat, while the latter is all about throwing away any form of chivalry and destroy the opponent no matter what. Aging made him an ever better swordsman, bold and subtle, daring and prudent, quite different from his past self, but no less capable.[11]
Note: Every technique and ability belonging to Haohmaru's Shura mode in Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage isn't featured in this profile, as in that game, Haohmaru was temporarily turned into an evil version of himself by Yuga.[6]
Notable Attacks/Techniques:
- Senpuu Retsuzan ("Whirlwind Rending Slash"): Haohmaru launches a small tornado forward, which turns into a bigger one upon contact and sends the opponent flying.
- Kogetsuzan ("Arc Moon Slash"): Haohmaru rotates his sword upward thrice, in an uppercut-like fashion.
- Shippuu Kogetsuzan (Strong Wind Arc Moon Slash"): A stronger Kogetsuzan performed while running forward.
- Resshinzan ("Disastrous Earthquake Slash): Haohmaru flips forward and delivers with a downward slash.
- Sake Kougeki ("Rice Wine Attack"): Haohmaru bashes the opponent with his Tokkuri. This attack can somehow reflect projectiles. Haohmaru occasionally throws the jug itself.
- Gou Ha: Haohmaru dashes forward with a shoulder bash.
- Senpuu Ha: Hahomaru scrapes the ground with his sword, projecting a short-ranged air wave.
- Nagi Yaiba: Haohmaru enters a defensive position and counters incoming attacks with a Kogetsuzan.
- Standard Throw: Haohmaru grabs the opponent and pushes them sideways, throwing them off balance.
- Side Throw: Haohmaru grabs the opponent, lifts them up and slams them onto the floor.
- Tomoe Nage: Haohmaru grips the opponent by the collar, plants his foot in their midsection and flips them over while falling backwards.
- Tenha Seikouzan ("Heavenly Domination: Threatening Gleam Slice"): Haohmaru charges his sword with chi and delivers an extremely powerful slash. Such technique can also be combined with the Gou Ha and on top of causing great damage, it is usually employed to disarm the opponent, destroy their weapon or straight up kill them.
- Tenha Fuujinzan ("Heavenly Domination: God-Sealing Slash"): A Kogetsuzan performed multiple times in a row. Such attack can occasionally be empowered by flames.
- Lightning Blade: By taking advantage of an opponent's opening, Haohmaru dashes forward at great speed and slashes their entire body.
- Tenha Danku Retsu Zan: Haohmaru launches the opponent high into the air with a close-range Senpuu Retsuzan, follows them up and performs a double Resshinzan. Alternative versions of this technique are used in tandem with the side throw or as a killer move.
- Sword Clash: When clashing swords with the opponent, Haohmaru will try to overpower and disarm them.
- Sword Catch: Haohmaru catches the opponent's weapon with his bare hands, tosses it away and finishes with a kick in the abdomen.
- Counter: A defensive technique meant to either stagger or disarm the opponent.
- Honorable Death: A way for Haohmaru to go out on his own terms through a classic seppuku.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Samurai Shodown (2019) - Haohmaru's Story Epilogue Quote
- ↑ Samurai Shodown: Warrior's Rage - Haohmaru's Ending
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Samurai Shodown Anniversary Website
- ↑ Samurai Shodown V - Official Website (Haohmaru's Profile)
- ↑ Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage - Seishiro Kuno's Story Mode
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Samurai Shodown Geneaology
- ↑ Samurai Shodown (2019) - Opening
- ↑ Samurai Shodown II - Artwork
- ↑ Soul Calibur VI - Fugudoku - Weapon Compendium
- ↑ Samurai Shodown - Earthquake's Ending
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage Official Website - Haohmaru's Profile
- ↑ Samurai Shodown III - Haohmaru's Ending
- ↑ Samurai Shodown Sen - Haohmaru's Story Mode
- ↑ Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage - Haohmaru's Story Mode
- ↑ Samurai Shodown Sen Official Website - Haohmaru's Profile
- ↑ Clips taken from:CLIPAMAZE
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Clips taken from:Love of the Fight
- ↑ Clip taken from:LegendaryWolf Shirou
- ↑ Clips taken from:Ectoplasmus
- ↑ Clips taken from:UltraChenTV
- ↑ Clip taken from: ENM Gaming
- ↑ Clip taken from:King Lagarto
Notable Matchups
Victories:
Losses:
Inconclusive:
Discussions
Discussion threads involving Haohmaru |