- "Can you beat this old warrior?"
- — Edge Master
The Edge Master (エッジマスター Ejji Masutā) is a character in the Soul series of fighting games. Edge Master made his first playable appearance in Soulcalibur, but still makes actions in the background throughout most of the series. He returns as a playable boss character in Soulcalibur V.
His nickname in Soulcalibur is The Master of Blades.
What lies in his soul is: Experience
In Soulcalibur V's promotional material he is referred to as True Master of the Edge.
Abilities[]
The Edge Master is potentially the most skilled fighter in the series, he has mastered every fighting style in the Soul series perfectly. Edge Master also possess a seemingly eternal lifespan, and as such has been in countless battles.
Biography[]
Soulcalibur[]
Edge Master has a mysterious past; he is renowned for his skill with various weapons, and his past and real name are known only to himself. He served as adviser and teacher of Ling-Sheng Su martial arts at Ling-Sheng Su Temple (臨勝寺) -- who would descend from the mountain only to participate in the temple's holy artifacts succession ceremony and train their inheritors-- before he burned it down following the fateful night of the Evil Seed. Edge Master found Kilik, the cursed successor of the Kali-Yuga, in the temple and taught him to suppress the evil within himself over a three-year training session. Once Kilik had completed the training, Edge Master gave him the final test of destroying Soul Edge; but after Kilik left on his journey to purify himself and the Kali-Yuga, Edge Master began to feel uneasy. Although his motives are unknown, he broke his silence and departed on a quest of his own.
Soulcalibur II[]
Eventually he returned to his hermitage after his quest. He came across Xianghua and rewarded her the "No Name" jian after she defeated Nightmare and Soul Edge. He continued training Kilik until he left to his second quest to destroy Soul Edge.
Soulcalibur III[]
After Kilik was carried back by Xianghua from his quest, beaten by Zasalamel, he instructed him to train with him. He concentrated evil energy in his body and acted as if affected by the Evil Seed. Edge Master and Kilik trained for three months, until Kilik was able to connect a purifying blow in Edge Master, who purified him completely, but also wounded him. Although a real purifying blow would only hurt the evil energy and not the body, he acknowledged Kilik's advancement and, after giving him another fragment of Dvapara-Yuga and Xianghua's letter, he sees him leave while treating his wound.
Some time later, Seong Mi-na found him and challenged him. He accepted and easily overwhelmed her. He then agreed on training her for a while. Edge Master heard all of Seong Mi-na's adventures, but when he heard about her search for Soul Edge, he told her about the evil nature of the blade. Seong Mi-na left the hermit immediately to continue her search.
Soulcalibur IV[]
During the events of Soulcalibur IV, Edge Master and Olcadan felt Angol Fear's arrival on planet Earth and observed her actions. However, in the end, neither needed to oppose her[1].
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny[]
(Non-Canon)
He is mentioned in the Gauntlet mode, as he has the 1,000 year old beard that Hilde and Cassandra need for Professor Ivy's cure.
Soulcalibur V[]
In the events leading up to Soulcalibur V, Edge Master had encountered Maxi and taught him to control the power of the shard of Soul Edge that remained in his body. Sensing that the time had come, he told Maxi that Kilik's life was in danger, and the only way he could be saved was to bequeath the Kali-Yuga to Xiba.
Soulcalibur: Unbreakable Soul[]
(Non-Canon)
Edge Master found Cassandra wondering inside the Astral Chaos. After the two of them find the player, Edge Master fought him/her after sensing Soul Edge's power inside of him/her. After he is defeated, Edge Master had the player travel with Cassandra in searching for the fragments of the evil sword.
Soulcalibur VI[]
The game is in a reboot as it takes place during the events of the first game, where he trains Kilik. He travels with Mitsurugi in his Soul Chronicle.
Soulcalibur Ending[]
- Edge Master: It's been a long, hard trip, and it's good to be back at last. Seems like Kilik is ready to take the test. Kilik!
- Kilik: Yes, Master.
- Edge Master: Wait right here.
- Edge Master suddenly attacks Kilik while he is in his youth appearance. . .
- Kilik: Master. . . you've become. . .!!
- Edge Master: I shall teach you the art of mastering the evil within you by using evil itself! Prepare yourself Kilik, defeat me if you can. Are you ready?! KAAAAAAH!!!
Weapons[]
Soulcalibur[]
All Weapons[]
Although Edge Master could wield all weapons skillfully as if they were extensions of his own limbs, his philosophy was that they were mere tools, regardless of their power. This was due to his core belief that it was a strong soul, not a weapon that made a strong warrior.
Although Edge Master made all of his weapons, none of them bear names in accordance with his philosophy.
Soulcalibur V[]
All weapons (None)[]
"The Master of Blades" Edge Master has an innate connection with all manner of weaponry and can easily wield any weapon like it is one of his own limbs. The elderly legend treats any weapon, even a masterfully crafted one, as a "tool" like any other, and perpetually maintains a calm sense of peace in his soul.
The true strength of a warrior is determined by the strength of their soul. A powerful weapon often beguiles one's soul, twisting it from its true path. Edge Master knows better than anyone that a warrior who hopes to wield a powerful weapon must have the strength of soul to withstand its allure.
Edge Master fights using the ancient weapons he used before, which represents his oath to avoid repeating his past mistakes.
In Soulcalibur V, he uses many weapons, all with the same name.
Fighting Style[]
Soulcalibur V[]
All fighting styles[]
Countless warriors called the skilled elderly instructor at Ling-Sheng Su Temple "Edge Master" out of respect and admiration for his skill with every weapon. In order to face an ancient enemy, Edge Master came to the difficult decision to perform a forbidden ritual.
"Oṃ vajraratna, Oṃ trâh svâhâ..."
These words of power allowed Edge Master to link with Astral Chaos and gain fighting techniques that are well beyond the logic and laws of the mortal world. Even with this superhuman ability in his corner, however, the enemy he intended to face was so powerful that victory was not guaranteed...
Critical Edge[]
Just like his fighting style, Edge Master's Critical Edge is the Critical Edge of the character that he mimics; however he will always say the same quotes, saying "So be it, then..." when starting the Critical Edge and "Now watch!" before dealing the finishing blow.
Stages[]
- Proving Grounds - Twilight (SC) (Note: Known as The Pure Training Spot (Evening) in the Arcade and Japanese Dreamcast versions.)
- Tower of Glory: Spiral of Good and Evil (SCV)
Theme Music[]
Soulcalibur
Soul calibur 1 - the new legend
Edge Master's Theme from Soulcalibur
- "The New Legend"
Soulcalibur V
- "Master of Edges"
Quotes[]
- "Do you think you can beat this old man?"
- "This match is mine!"
- "You've come a thousand years too soon!"
- "Begone now!"
- "Heeyah!"
- "Idiot!"
- "Here I come!"
- "Take this!"
- "Soooryah!"
- "Twaaah!"
Trivia[]
General[]
- Edge Master is the first ever mimic character of the franchise.
- He is similar to Charade, Inferno, and Olcadan, as he copies the weapons and fighting styles of other characters.
- Though Edge Master is fully capable of wielding all weapons, he is seen wielding a longsword in most of his artworks and renders. This blade is never used in-game.
- Edge Master is the most popular mimic character in the Soul series. Due to his popularity, he has returned in Soulcalibur V, making him the only playable mimic character to return for a following installment in the franchise.
- Excluding his height, his alternate costume from Soulcalibur and Soulcalibur V is reminiscent of a stereotypical representative of a fantasy dwarven race.
- In the Nintendo DS version of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End's Wireless mode, one of the playable swords are named "Edgemaster". Whether a character based on Edge Master was going to wield this or not is currently unknown.
- Edge Master's 1P costume has a lion theme.
- While Soulcalibur was the first game he appeared in, Edge Master had first appeared in Soul Edge Official Guidebook.
- When Edge Master mimics Kilik and Seong Mi-na's moveset in Soulcalibur and Xiba's moveset in Soulcalibur V, he gains access to a unique move: Wind Divide Flare. Kilik, Seong Mi-na and Xiba cannot use Wind Divide Flare, although Kilik is able to use it in every other game since, aside from Soulcalibur VI.
- Kilik is also able to use Wind Divide Flare when mimicking Xiba's moveset in Soulcalibur V as well.
Soul Edge[]
- Edge Master shares his name with that of an RPG-like mode from the game.
Soulcalibur[]
- His 2P costume displays a sewn up vertical cut across his skull.
- He is the only character whose ending consists of only direct dialogue.
Soulcalibur II[]
- In the Weapon Master opening, there are three warriors facing off with an early wielder of Soul Edge. One of these warriors looks like a young Edge Master, wielding the Kali-Yuga, and his comrades are a male warrior wielding the Dvapara-Yuga and a female warrior wielding the Soul Calibur/Krita-Yuga.[2]
- Similarly, the character* who narrates Weapon Master's ending states that he has been rendered immortal by the clash between the player and the villain*, and uses Kilik's model when battled earlier in the campaign.
- (* These two character's names can be "Tristy" and "Veral" respectively, but it is not known if other names could be used.)
Soulcalibur III[]
- Many of Olcadan's 'The Ancient' weapons are similar to Edge Master's unnamed weapons.
- Edge Master can be re-created, but he can't use Soul of Olcadan, due to it not being a playable custom character fighting style. But he can be made a swordmaster.
Soulcalibur V[]
- Edge Master doesn't use the sword he has in his artwork, unlike Elysium and Kilik who respectively wield a sword and shield and a rod.
- His weapons share the same model as Kilik's weapons.
- In the English version, his weapons, like Kilik's, are called 'The Master'. However, they are listed as unnamed in his Japanese profile, just like Soulcalibur. This along with the shared weapon models seems to indicate that Edge Master's personal weapons were possibly meant to be included, but were left out due to time constraints.
- The only characters Edge Master cannot mimic are Ezio, Algol and Devil Jin.
- In the Story Mode, Edge Master encounters Patroklos in the Astral Chaos. How he came to reside there is never explained, though it is likely he ventured there to try to stop Algol.
- Edge Master's theme was listed as Mitsurugi's Theme in early demos.
Relationships[]
- Master of Kilik.
- Gave Xianghua her unnamed jian after leaving the Soul Calibur behind and reunited her with her father Kong Xiuqiang.
- Seems to dislike Olcadan (although Olcadan's dislike for Edge Master seems to be stronger).[3]
- Was challenged by Seong Mi-na whom he defeated easily and later trained her.
- Rescued and trained Maxi in the gap between Soulcalibur IV and Soulcalibur V
- Rivalry with Algol from when he was still human.
- Comrade of two unknown warriors before he became the master of weapons.
- Ally of Cassandra in Soulcalibur: Unbreakable Soul.
Soulcalibur Manga Comic[]
- In Volume 4 (Act.25), Edge Master once said that at the time, when he was young, he was the first person to wield Soul Calibur to defeat the one who wields Soul Edge.
Series' Appearances[]
- Soulcalibur (unlockable character)
- Soulcalibur II (as npc in cut-scenes)
- Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (cameo)
- Soulcalibur: Unbreakable Soul
- Soulcalibur V (unlocked in episode 17 in story mode)
- Soulcalibur VI (Seen in Chronicle of Soul and Libra of Soul)
Gallery[]
Soul Edge Official Guidebook[]
Soulcalibur[]
![A sketch of Edge Master.[4]](/wiki/File:Ed.jpg "Ed.jpg (54 KB)")
Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny[]
Soulcalibur V[]
.jpg "Edge Master (1P, SCV).jpg (113 KB)")
.jpg "Edge Master (2P, SCV).jpg (115 KB)")
Soulcalibur VI[]
References[]
- ^ Edge Master sensing Angol Fear is mentioned by an official relationship chart released alongside Soulcalibur Broken Destiny
- ^ Takahashi, Yoshinori [@masuooyama] (January 2, 2021) 「悠久を生きるエッジマスターの本当の名は、弟子のキリクすら知りません。SC2では昔?の姿を垣間見ることができますね。」 (Tweet). Retrieved September 9, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ SoulCalibur: New Legends of Project Soul. Richmond Hill: UDON Entertainment Corp. February 2014. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-926778-95-2.
- ^ "Soul Calibur -- Digital Calibur". soulcalibur. Namco Limited. Archived from the original on February 23, 2001. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
| Original Timeline Main Characters |
|---|
| Aeon (Lizardman) • Algol • Amy • Astaroth (Mass Produced) • Cassandra • Cervantes • Charade • Edge Master • Hilde • Hwang • Ivy • Kilik • Leixia • Li Long • Maxi • Mitsurugi • Natsu • Olcadan • Patroklos (α Patroklos) • Pyrrha (Pyrrha Ω) • Raphael • Rock • Seong Mi-na • Setsuka • Siegfried • Sophitia • Soul Calibur (Elysium) • Soul Edge (Inferno, Nightmare, Night Terror) • Taki • Talim • Tira • Viola • Voldo • Xianghua • Xiba • Yoshimitsu • Yun-seong • Zasalamel (Abyss) • Z.W.E.I. |
| Soulcalibur |
|---|
| Soulcalibur • Legend of Soulcalibur • Soulcalibur: Spirit Sword • Soulcalibur (Chinese Manhua) • Soulcalibur Original Soundtrack |
| Characters |
| Arthur • Astaroth • Cervantes • Edge Master • Hwang • Inferno • Ivy • Kilik • Lizardman • Maxi • Mitsurugi • Nightmare • Rock • Seong Mi-na • Siegfried • Sophitia • Taki • Voldo • Xianghua • Yoshimitsu |
| Stages |
| The Colosseum • Chaos • City of Water • Emperor's Garden • Harbor of Souls • Hoko Temple • Kunpaetku Shrine • Maze of the Dead • Money Pit • Ostrheinsburg Castle • Palgaea Shrine • Proving Grounds • Shrine of Eurydice • Silk Road Ruin • Takamatsu Castle • The Adrian and The Fortress • Valentine Mansion • Water Labyrinth |