- "Do not challenge me again until you've brushed up on your skills!"
- — Mitsurugi
Heishiro Mitsurugi (御剣 平四郎, Mitsurugi Heishirō) is a character in the Soul series of fighting games. He is a mainstay of the Soulcalibur series and one of most iconic characters in the franchise, having appeared in every installment.
What lies in his soul is Strength.
In Soulcalibur: Lost Swords he is referred to as He Who Lives for Battle.
Biography[]
Soul Edge[]
Heishiro was born the fourth son of a farmer in Bizen, Japan; but after many years of seeing his homeland ravaged by war, he decided to become a samurai. After his parents' death in his 14th year, he took a sword and the last name Mitsurugi. He went to train under the powerful warlord of the Murakami clan. At this time, Japan was in the middle of the Sengoku Jidai or "the age of the country at war" in which the feudal lords or "daimyos" attempted to claim the title of Shogun.
Mitsurugi was a powerful force on the battlefield, and rumors of him spread like wildfire, heralding him as the warrior that could mow down foes like fields of wheat, and he was noted by Uesugi Kenshin and Oda Nobunaga as a great warrior. He received numerous military commendations and eventually reached the rank of commissioned officer in the Japanese armed forces. But all along, his only true desire was a worthy opponent.
After leaving the Murakami clan, Mitsurugi continued to fight in every war in Japan as a hired mercenary. It was during this time that he had learned of a new weapon that was said to be changing the way wars would be fought: the rifle. He originally dismissed this weapon as a novelty, but he soon learned that it was capable of obliterating the Takeda cavalry at the Battle of Nagashino. He sensed that the arrival of the rifle in common warfare would put him out of business. He decided that the only way to combat with this was to find a stronger weapon: the enchanted sword of legend, Soul Edge.
Soulcalibur[]
Unfortunately, Mitsurugi was unable to find any trace of the legendary "Hero's Sword" on his quest and began taking tasks that were largely meaningless to him in order to pass the time. One of these involved guarding a nearby castle for the night; and another of which involved aiding the Spanish Marquis Andre's force in laying siege on Sir Stefan's Ostrheinsburg Castle. In his frustration of finding no signs of Soul Edge, he returned home and challenged a man wielding the rifle Tanegashima to a duel, trying to prove that he didn't need Soul Edge to beat the rifle. However, he suffered an embarrassing defeat in front of his lord, leaving him with a scar of a gunshot wound and forcing him to depart in shame on a second quest to perfect his swordsmanship so that he might eventually defeat the rifle. It was during this quest that he learned of the Azure Knight, Nightmare, who terrorized Europe with a sword deemed invincible. Nightmare's trail eventually disappeared, but Mitsurugi was unwilling to give up, after returning from his quest Mitsurugi challenged Teppou Hei again, but this time Mitsurugi managed to kill the man with a single strike with his katana.
Soulcalibur II[]
Four years later, Mitsurugi stumbled upon the trail of Soul Edge while visiting a castle in Xiwei (present-day Xi'an), where a mysterious dying man, after being saved by him from a gang of assassins, handed him a shard of the cursed blade. Although skeptical at first, Mitsurugi accepted the gift. Soon afterward, an incident occurred in which a servant of the Emperor of Ming marched to the castle, demanding the "Hero's Sword," and was slain when he refused to leave without it; Mitsurugi sensed that war was coming, but Soul Edge meant nothing to him. He had crossed countless battlefields, defeating every conceivable enemy, even those with rifles. What had once been his greatest enemy was none of his concern, as it no longer proved to be a threat. His only concern was with finding an opponent stronger than himself.
It was at this time that he was suddenly attacked by unknown forces, but he fought off all of his attackers quite easily. They were after the fragment the man from Xiwei had given to him; and judging by their outfits, they appeared to be ninja, with a sword technique he found strangely familiar. They reminded him of his nemesis Taki, who had interfered every time he had drawn close to the Soul Edge. His thoughts drifted, wondering what was happening in Japan at that time, and whether or not he could have a final showdown with Taki. He decided to return to his homeland.
Soulcalibur III[]
By this time, the powerful daimyo of Owari, Oda Nobunaga, was dead. Betrayed at Honnoji temple by his retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide, the other daimyo were now faced with the decision of whether or not to align with his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Murakami clan in particular, with whom Mitsurugi stayed upon his return, refused to join with mainland Japan, choosing instead to protect their existence as fierce pirates and rulers of the sea, but their resistance caught the attention of Hideyoshi, and a final stand was about to ensue.
Since Mitsurugi could find no trace of Taki, he decided to aid the Murakami in the battle. A nighttime raid commenced. The ships clustered together and rode the tide in to charge the enemy fleet - the traditional secret strategy of the Murakami. The battle began, and Mitsurugi stormed enemy ships like a hurricane. This combined with the Murakami's naval prowess allowed for swift victory, and Mitsurugi was decorated for his service, gaining an invitation to meet with the Murakami commander. The commander engaged him in long conversation, mentioning rumors of a warrior clad in azure armor appearing from the west and boasting the strength of a god. Mitsurugi looked up in surprise, realizing that this must be Nightmare, whom he had lost track of before.
Mitsurugi bade farewell to the Murakami and ran to a nearby port, giving all of his reward money to a boatman, demanding that he be taken west. He needed neither money nor fame, only the satisfaction of a fierce battle in which his very soul would clash against his opponent's; and that battle, he concluded, would be found in Nightmare.
Soulcalibur IV[]
Mitsurugi searched for many powerful warriors from all over the world. But no matter how many enemies he fought and how powerful he became, he still hungered for more. He gave up searching for the legendary sword because he figured that no matter how powerful a weapon, it's useless if one doesn't have the strength to match it.
However, after he defeated some assassins that were looking for information about Soul Edge, he remembered the fragment of the evil sword that he had. He was about to throw it away because he felt that he didn't need it, when suddenly, the fragment had an unholy glow, and then it flew into the sky, heading west.
With anticipation, Mitsurugi followed, hoping to find both Nightmare and Soul Edge. He also heard rumors that the land before him was filled with terror, and horrible monsters and insane warriors were gathering. These stories didn't scare Mitsurugi, however, in fact, it excited him. This was a challenge that seemed worthy for him.
Soulcalibur V[]
Ever-searching for a worthy adversary to test his skills, Heishiro Mitsurugi journeyed to Ostrheinsburg; there he entered a chaotic alternate dimension and faced the Hero King, Algol, high atop a colossal tower. The two warriors clashed when suddenly Algol disappeared, along with the tower and all their surroundings—a dimensional convergence had warped Mitsurugi back to reality before the duel could be decided.
Some time later, rumors of a great conflict back in Japan reached the wandering swordsman—a power struggle that would determine who would rule the entire country. Mitsurugi raced back to his homeland, but it was too late. The battlefield at Sekigahara was deserted. The war was over.
While most of Japan would enjoy the ensuing era of peace, thousands of masterless samurai found themselves out of favor and out of a job. With no money to continue his travels, Mitsurugi resigned himself to a quiet life as a farmer.
Then, one day, he happened to encounter a group of soldiers, freshly returned from a tour of duty abroad. The men spoke of a great sword, so mighty that even now they only dared whisper its name: Soul Calibur.
One mention of the Hero King's sword is all it took. Mitsurugi's lust for battle returned in an instant, stronger than ever.
"Algol! I'm coming for you..."
The samurai sold his entire harvest and secured transport on the first boat to the continent, seeking an end to the duel that had begun 17 years prior...
Soulcalibur: Unbreakable Soul[]
(Non-canon)
Mitsurugi comes across the player and Cassandra, having heard rumors that the former defeated Nightmare. Wanting to test his might, he challenges the player to a duel but loses. Mitsurugi acknowledges the strength of the player, but senses hesitation. He gives advice for them to rid of that hesitation and reach their highest peak of strength.
Profile[]
Soul Edge[]
This young Samurai known as "The Guardian in this age of civil war." He is also called "The Great Swordsman." Although he is feared for his fierce fighting, he was born a farmer's son in Bizen.
The strong young boy enjoyed farming, however after many years of seeing his beloved farm ravaged by war, he became angered and discouraged. "It's better to raid than to be raided." He said.
In the winter of his 14th year, He threw down the hoe and took up the sword. Studying swordsmanship under a powerful clan-lord, he was eventually hried as a "mercenary for the advent of war." It was then he took the name "Mitsurugi."
His original fighting style and tremendously powerful attacks during battle made him quite feared, "He has been known to mow through foes as if they were like a field of wheat." Some say.
He has a spectacular battlefield record with several commendations to the rank of officer.
Having rejected his military commissions, Mitsurugi's only desire is that of a worthy adversary.
Mitsurugi eventually leaves the Urakami Clan, much to their regret, to pursue a career as a freelance mercenary. He fights in every war in the land, thus earning his nickname "The Guardian in an age of civil war."
It is during this time that he hears of a new weapon "Tanegashima" - a matchlock rifle.
"What is this? A firearm? It cannot be so powerful. It looks like a pipe!" Mitsurugi stared in disbelief.
However, even the mighty Takeda cavalry was wiped out by this weapon.
For Mitsurugi, who has fought with a single sword, this was an urgent matter. "If this weapon is allowed in the world, wars will not be won by the strong and I will lose my job as a mercenary!"
"I must find a weapon stronger than that rifle!"
A rumor about the legendary sword "SoulEdge" reaches his ears.
"That's it. This weapon can overpower the firearm."
Without a second thought, Mitsurugi starts his search to find the blade. "Somewhere in the world, this "SoulEdge" exists!"
A young warrior who has proved himself in countless battles, obtaining the respect of those who know him, and earing such titles as 'mercenary of the war era' and 'lone Samurai'. Both military commanders and master swordsmen who have met him also describe him as a "fury god". In a dim and distant past Heishiro began his path of life as a farmer in the western province of Bizen; his lithe and powerful physique making him ideal in this task. From a young age, Heishiro enjoyed this labor, but soon became uninterested in farming after spying on cavalry and soldiers on secret military maneuvers. "It is easier to ruin than to be ruined", he thought.
One winter's morn when aged 14, he took a katana blade instead of his usual gardening hoe and began to learn warrior arts. A regional clan family placed him under strict sword training; he now belonged to the feudal Lord Urakami of Okayama. He became a mercenary, and named himself Mitsurugi. Although his fighting style was all self-taught, he battled like a furious god using his gifted strength. His strong legs and girth, previously honed in the fields of the farm, made him a devastating opponent. This was demonstrated time and again when he lead soldiers in attacks against mountain fortresses.
Of course, he was always successful in these endeavors, and was approached by several lords to serve them as a real Samurai. Mitsurugi declined their offers; he simply wished to fight. He soon parted company with a sorrowful Lord Urakami, and began business as a highly sought-after mercenary (this may have lead to one of his nick-names), growing in stature and confidence as he trampled his opponents in a flurry of blades.
Then, one stormy day, Mitsurugi found a flint-lock rifle of the sort he had heard many recent tales about. Now the shocked swordsman found himself up against an all-powerful new enemy; a musket known by the name 'Tanegashima'. "Tanegashima? Is that so great... this iron barrel? It looks like a pipe!" Mitsurugi muttered to himself, before even he took hold of this gunpowder weapon, unable to believe the power it commanded. This musket even destroyed the once-invicible Takeda clan cavalry, and Mitsurugi thought seriously about halting his Tenpu-Shinsai style fighting, sheathing his beloved sword, and wielding this fiery musket. In the end however, pride and honor triumphed, and he sought to find a tactical advantage over the rifle. Should the musket be stronger than the sword, his way of life would be lost.
One magnificent day, Mitsurugi happened to hear a rumor about legendary [sic] sword called Soul Edge, and he leaped for joy at the news. Heading for the Setouchi region, he decided to travel in search for the fabled Soul Edge by boat. "I can board a ship if I plead with the Setonia [sic] pirates of the Mouri Seas" he thought. After travelling though Honshu, he reached Shikoku, and gazed across the crystal blue seas, nodding with determination. "There is Soul Edge. Over the ocean..."[3]Soulcalibur[]
The advent of firearms was a grave matter for a mercenary who made his living by the sword. Yet Mitsurugi was unable to find a trace of the legendary sword, Soul Edge, claimed to be superior to firearms.
In his frustration, he challenged a rifleman to a duel in front of nobility, but suffered an ignominious defeat before the eyes of his lord. This forced Mitsurugi to embark on a quest to perfect his swordsmanship so that he could defeat the rifle. It was during this quest that he learned of a knight named Nightmare, who terrorized Europe with an invincible sword.
"Prepare for my arrival, whoever you are! I'll soon relieve you of your sword!"
Chapter IV: Mercenary in a Warlike Age[4]
Mitsurugi lost all traces of Soul Edge and remained unaware of its true form. Without a weapon superior to the Tanegashima rifle he felt he could never return home. But his irritation drove him mad and he chose to duel against the Tanegashima in front of lords. Despite his skill the Tanegashima bested him and Mitsurugi took a bullet in the chest.
Completely defeated, Mitsurugi realized he needed to study additional arts of the sword to match the Tanegashima rifle. After learning new styles he heard the story of a knight named Nightmare and his invincible sword roaming Europe in a trail of blood.
"Prepare for my arrival, ‘Naito-whatever’! I'll be there to take your sword!"
Mitsurugi once again prepared for his journey.Soulcalibur II[]
Although Mitsurugi was born into a peasant family, this did not stop him from becoming a renowned mercenary with nicknames such as "One Man Army" and "Demon."
One day, Mitsurugi, beaten by a rifle called Tanegashima, happened upon a story of a massive sword called Soul Edge.
Mitsurugi crossed the ocean in search of Soul Edge. During his journey, he heard rumors that Soul Edge's wielder, Nightmare, had disappeared, but Mitsurugi was unwilling to give up.
Four years after his quest had begun, Mitsurugi stumbled upon the trail of Soul Edge while visiting a castle near the Ming frontier. A mysterious man handed him a piece of Soul Edge. Mitsurugi had his doubts, but ultimately decided to believe the man.
Soon afterwards, an incident occurred where a servant of the Ming Emperor arrived at the castle, demanding for the "Sword of Heroes." The lord slew the servant when he refused to leave without the sword.
"War is coming," thought Mitsurugi.
He sensed the same storm brewing that he had felt before on countless battlefields.
"Carnivores never become corpulent."
-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, La Physiologie du Gout
Mitsurugi was born in Japan to a peasant family during a time of war. Nevertheless, this did not stop him from becoming a renowned mercenary. His reputation earned him nicknames such as "The Mercenary of War," "One Man Army," and "Demon."
As a mercenary, Mitsurugi fought in and triumphed over countless battles. Every enemy who faced him in combat feared his invincible blade. That was until a new breed of weapon was introduced. Rifles known as Tanegashima were brought in for practical use by the famous shogun Nobunaga Oda.
For Mitsurugi, who relied purely on his strength and skill, the Tanegashima was a serious threat. Simply by holding this "pipe," even the lowliest foot soldier could become a powerful force on the battlefield. Unable to accept such a preposterous notion, Mitsurugi looked for ways to defeat the rifle. Unfortunately, he could not find a good way to overcome the new weapon. Frustrated, Mitsurugi challenged Tanegashima to a duel, but lost when he was shot through the right shoulder.
But this did not deter Mitsurugi's spirit. He resolved to defeat the rifle by finding a powerful weapon that would enable him to achieve this goal. It was then that he heard a rumor from overseas about Soul Edge. At the time, a man known as Nightmare wielded the giant, grotesquely shaped blade. Hearing stories of its immense powers, Mitsurugi set off across the ocean in pursuit of the sword without a moment's hesitation.
He headed west towards Europe, where Nightmare supposedly roamed. Travels through foreign countries were difficult for Mitsurugi, who was unable to understand the languages of the places he visited. Nonetheless, he continued his travel, making ends meet by fighting battles as a mercenary. The added benefit of his mercenary lifestyle was that he was able to maintain his fighting form.
But time was callous and unforgiving. Eventually, rumors that Nightmare had disappeared reached Mitsurugi, and Soul Edge's trail ran cold. Mitsurugi was still unwilling to give up, and continued his search around the world's battlefields for signs of the ultimate blade.
Four years after his quest had begun, while visiting a castle near the Ming frontier, Mitsurugi stumbled upon the trail of Soul Edge. It was a metal fragment of Soul Edge that he came across by accident.
Walking past one of the back alleys of the city, Mitsurugi came to a halt when he witnessed several assassins surrounding a gravely wounded man. When the assassins saw Mitsurugi, they pounced upon him, intending to leave no eyewitnesses behind. A vicious melee ensued, and Mitsurugi drove back the assailants, saving the man's life as a result.
The badly injured man handed Mitsurugi a piece of metal-perhaps he thought that he would be unable to accomplish his mission with his wounds. He asked Mitsurugi to keep it safe. He seemed afraid to let it fall into someone else's hands, but he would not explain any further. Without another word, the man vanished into a dark alley.
Looking at the metal fragment in his hand, Mitsurugi pondered, "If Soul Edge was so powerful, why would it shatter?"
Mitsurugi had a difficult time believing the man who gave him the fragment, but there was no denying the sincerity in the man's eyes. "Besides," Mitsurugi reasoned, "why would a man on the verge of death lie to a complete stranger?"
Soon after, a grave story circulated through the castle. Apparently, a servant of the Ming Emperor arrived at the castle, demanding the "Sword of Heroes." When the servant steadfastly refused to leave without the sword, the lord of the castle slew him, exclaiming that he could not turn over something he did not have. "War is coming," thought Mitsurugi.
He sensed the same storm brewing that he had felt before in countless battlefields.[5]Soulcalibur III[]
In-game Profile[]
Mitsurugi thirsted. Thirsted for an opponent stronger than himself. Even what he had once considered his greatest enemy, the Tanegashima rifles, no longer concerned him. Even Soul Edge, the ultimate weapon which he had sought, had become meaningless to him.
It was at this time that he was suddenly attacked by those seeking fragments of the evil sword. Looking at the outfits worn by his attackers, they reminded Mitsurugi of the the female ninja that interfered every time he drew close to Soul Edge. Mitsurugi's thoughts drifted, wondering what was happening in Japan. Mitsurugi decided to return to his homeland.
It was the end of the warring states era. Upon returning, Mitsurugi stayed with the Noujima Murakami clan, who resisted the rule of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. The Murakami Navy chose to make a last stand to protect their existence as proud men of the sea. Mitsurugi agreed to join the Murakami's fight.
Centered around their large imposing warship, the "floating castle," the Murakami Navy commenced their nighttime raid. The battle began. Mitsurugi stormed onto the enemy ships like a hurricane and began swinging his sword like a savage beast freed from its chains.
It was not enough. After the battle was over, he was decorated for his service and invited to see the Murakami commander, but he still could not get rid of the emptiness in his heart. The white-haired commander took notice of Mitsurugi's urge for battles. "Have you heard this rumor? In a land far to the west, a warrior clad in azure armor has appeared." At those words, Mitsurugi looked up in surprise. A warrior in azure armor? It could be none other than the knight who wields Soul Edge!
Mitsurugi quickly ran to the port.
"Take me west! Now!"
Giving his entire reward money to the boatman, Mitsurugi fixed his eyes on the horizon. He had but one desire--a fierce duel! His heart beat rapidly in his chest. It was a reckless impulse similar to what he had felt in his youth.
Soulcalibur IV[]
Once, Mitsurugi traveled the world so that he might learn how to defeat the rifle. When at last he no longer feared that dreadful weapon, he continued his journey, seeking ever-stronger enemies to challenge. Yet no matter how powerful he became, he hungered for more. Though he desperately cut down foe after foe, they never lit a fire in his cold heart, Mitsurugi was a man turned ogre.
The old stories about Soul Edge and the Azure Knight began to fade from people's memories. Even Mitsurugi lost interest in the legendary sword that was rumored to be the most powerful weapon of all, for he learned that no matter how powerful the weapon a man bears, it is meaningless if he does not have the strength to match it. Then one day, after dispatching some assassins looking for information about Soul Edge, Mitsurugi recalled the fragment of Soul Edge in his possession. Convinced he had no further use for it, he tried to throw it away, but before he could, the metal shard shone with an unholy brilliance, and flew westward in the sky.
Mitsurugi followed it with anticipation of a confrontation with the Azure Knight and Soul Edge. The rumors Mitsurugi heard were more terrible than he could have imagined. The lands ahead of him were gripped in terror, and hordes of grotesque monsters and mad warriors were gathering. But Mitsurugi was not afraid. On the contrary...
Light gleamed from the metal of his blade and Mitsurugi trembled with joy. No human adversary had been worthy of his skills, but this time, it would be different!
Mitsurugi could feel the fire burning deep within his heart. The enemy he had long sought was close at last. Now everywhere he went, he heard the tales of tragedy and horror. The closer he drew to that place, the more the scars of violence lay upon the land. Unconsciously, his pace began to quicken.
Once, Mitsurugi had traveled the world so that he might learn how to defeat the rifle. But when at last he no longer feared that dreadful weapon, he continued his journey, seeking ever-stronger enemies to challenge. Yet no matter how powerful he became, no matter how polished his skills, he hungered for more. He thirsted for those moments when a mere flick of the wrist, a glint of light on a blade, separated life from death. At no other time did life's flame burn so brightly. But few opponents could give him what he sought, and the hollow, empty days stretched out before him.
In battle after battle, Mitsurugi learned that no matter how powerful the weapon a man bears, it is meaningless if he does not have the strength to match it. As time passed, and the old stories about Soul Edge and the Azure Knight began to fade from people's memories, even Mitsurugi lost interest in the legendary sword that was rumored to be the most powerful weapon of all.
More than ever before, Mitsurugi hungered for that ultimate moment in combat when life hung in the balance. But it was harder and harder to find, and though he desperately cut down foe after foe, they never lit a fire in his cold heart. Mitsurugi was a man turned an ogre, lusting only for the power of battle. It was then that he heard whispered voices, speaking among the shadows.
"Number Four. This must be the man who carries a fragment of Soul Edge," said the voice of a young woman.
"Indeed it is, Number Five," said another voice. It was an older man, standing deeper in the shadows. "You, there. You're going to tell us everything you know about your power and its connection to Soul Edge."
Mitsurugi answered by swinging his sword in a shining arc. In the heavy air, the two sides fought a deadly dance. The katana flashed once, twice, thrice and two assassins lay dead at his feat.
"Bah. They were too weak."
Mitsurugi produced a bundle from within his tunic. He had almost forgotten about it, it was a metal shard, a fragment of Soul Edge.
"Useless junk."
So muttering, Mitsurugi was about to throw the bundle away, but then a strange sensation swept over him and the metal shard shone with an unholy brilliance. Unthinkingly, Mitsurugi let go of the fragment, and before his eyes, the unbelievable happened. The metal shard shone brighter still, leapt into the air, and flew toward the sky in the west.
Suddenly, Mitsurugi saw a vision of the Azure Knight with Soul Edge held in his gauntleted fist.
So Mitsurugi went west, following the rumors and tales. If the knight had indeed returned, perhaps he could at last slake his thirst, if only for a while. The shadow of the Azure Knight stretched deep and dark across his path, and the rumors he heard were more terrible than he could have imagined. The lands ahead of him were gripped in terror, and hordes of grotesque monsters and mad warriors were gathering there. But Mitsurugi was not afraid. On the contrary, the more he heard, the more his heart beat in excitement and anticipation.
At last he arrived at the cursed city that rose like a dagger from the flat plains, shrouded in a foreboding aura. Light gleamed from the metal of his blade and Mitsurugi trembled with joy. Oh, he knew whence this excitement came. No human adversary had been worthy of his skills. But this time, it was different![6]Soulcalibur V[]
Heishiro Mitsurugi made his way to Ostrheinsburg in search of a worthy battle. He climbed the massive tower that stood within Astral Chaos and finally stood before the Hero King Algol. Unfortunately, their fight ended in a forced draw as the chaotic world around them vanished suddenly, taking the tower and Algol with it.
Mitsurugi hurried back to Japan upon hearing rumors of a battle that would decide the fate of his home country, but by the time he arrived at Sekigahara, the battle was already over and the entire area had been reduced to a barren wasteland. To make matters worse, old-school warriors like Mitsurugi had been rendered obsolete by the new age of peace that had begun in Japan. Unable to afford the cost of travel to foreign lands, Mitsurugi had no choice but to return to his roots as a farmer just to feed himself.
Then one day, Mitsurugi crossed paths with a swordsman returning from a foreign country. The swordsman told Mitsurugi of a sword called "Soul Calibur", and Mitsurugi recalled that being the name of the sword Algol had been wielding. Instantly invigorated by the implications of this news, Mitsurugi's eyes burned with a renewed lust for battle.
"Algol! I'm coming for you..."
Selling his entire harvest of rice, Mitsurugi paid his way onto a ship headed for the new continent, hoping to finally settle the duel that had started 17 years ago.[7]
Physical Appearance[]
Mitsurugi appears as a well-built Japanese man with slightly long black hair and black eyes.
Personality[]
Mitsurugi has only one goal in mind: To seek out the strongest warrior and challenge them to a duel then become the strongest warrior in history. He is never satisfied at the opponents he defeated in battle. Aside from being cocky, Mitsurugi is the kind of a person who sticks to his words; he's not all show. Being a ronin, he fights with honor and kills his opponents in an honorable fashion, and several of his endings reveal that he has a moral side. As shown in one such ending, he is shown to believe that true strength lies within a person and not from the weapon. He is considered a neutral character.
Costumes[]
Soul Edge[]
In Soul Edge, he wore a blue jacket accented with yellow and black with the sleeves torn off along with a pair of bright blue trousers, red shinguards and gauntlets. His black hair had a messy fringe and bangs to frame his face
Soulcalibur[]
In Soulcalibur, his color palette is overall much darker with black and shades of red, which would become his signature colors from this point on. He discarded the jacket in place of a red breast plate and wearing half of his robe on his body. He also wore metal armor and a plated shoulder guard covering the entirety of his left arm while keeping his dominant one completely bare, presumably to keep his arm as free and flexible as possible. His hair is now slicked back and his chest bears the scar of a bullet from his duel with the Tanegashima.
Soulcalibur II[]
In Soulcalibur II, his outfit is fairly different with silver becoming more prominent in his color scheme and is slightly more armored, with both arms featuring matching red and silver pauldrons. It's also at this time that he has grown a mustache and stubble with his hair being slightly messy.
Soulcalibur III/Legends[]
In Soulcalibur III, he returns to a style of clothing similar to his SCI appearance but with his upper body no longer covered by armor along with white flame patterns on his trousers.
Soulcalibur IV/Broken Destiny[]
In Soulcalibur IV and Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny, Mitsurugi retains the arm-sleeve armor with a piece of the handguard having been chipped, but his chest is completely bare, showing off his impressive built and the apparent lack of scars despite the many battlefields he's walked in.
Soulcalibur V/Lost Swords[]
In Soulcalibur V and Soulcalibur: Lost Swords, Mitsurugi is well into his mid-life years, having cut his hair which is now completely unkempt and having fully grown out his facial hair. No longer in wartime and having quit his mercenary days, Mitsurugi no longer wear any armor, opting for a simple black robe and tattered trousers with familiar white flame decals along with large prayer beads slung around his body. He still chooses to leave the right side of his upper torso bare, but now features visible scars on his body after his scuffle with Algol.
Endings[]
Soul Edge[]
Arcade/Edge Master Mode Ending[]
With great wrath and anger, Mitsurugi slayed the great power.
Thus ended his journey... or it ought to have.
Though with SoulEdge in hand there was disappointment in his eyes.
For surely this must be a strong & worthy sword... but something is not right.
He looked to the bright blade for an answer.
Pointing the blade to the heavens he brought it down with one slash.
In disgust he turned his back away.
"This could not be the sword I seek! It is not the sword of legends! This sword is evil! For this I cannot take this sword!"
In the last years of the Warring States Period, Mitsurugi found new determination to continue his search.
The people are full of stories about a weapon more powerful than the rifle.
PlayStation Endings[]
Mitsurugi realizes that Soul Edge is evil and destroys both swords. He decides to challenge a rifleman to a duel... Unlike the other characters' endings, the player controls Mitsurugi in a first-person view. The goal is to evade shots from the rifleman and slash him down.
Bad Ending: If the player fails, Mitsurugi gets shot. He is seen standing in an open field and decides that if he's going to defeat rifles in battle, he's going to need a stronger weapon. He then sets off on his quest again.
Good Ending: If the player succeeds, Mitsurugi defeats the rifleman with a fatal strike of his blade and realizes that his weapon doesn't matter. He then decides to start training again, holding his katana to the sky.
Soulcalibur[]
After countless battles, the demonic blade Soul Edge was in Mitsurugi's hands.
En route back to his homeland, pirates attacked him on the high seas.
Mitsurugi was completely surrounded by the bloodthirsty pirates.
He smiled without fear as he looked down the barrels of their guns and murmured...
"I've had enough of duels ...You're just what I need to try the blade of my new sword..."
This was the last anyone heard of the lone samurai known as the "Mercenary of Wartime Age."
Soulcalibur II[]
After countless battles and deadly duels, Mitsurugi finally possessed Soul Edge, the ultimate sword.
But he soon realized that the weapon was inherently evil.
Soul Calibur 2 - Mitsurugi Ending HQ
Soulcalibur II Mitsurugi's Ending
"Surely this can't be the sword I've been seeking!"
Mitsurugi shattered the demonic blade to pieces.
Without a moment's rest, Mitsurugi embarked on another journey to find the true Soul Edge.
Soulcalibur III[]
Mitsurugi is seen slaughtering several soldiers in a town and then arrives at a bridge where a man grabs a woman.
Soul Calibur 3 - Mitsurugi - Ending B
Soulcalibur III Mitsurugi's Ending B
Input Ending
Mitsurugi runs up to the man and kills him in anger, freeing the woman. Three more soldiers run up to Mitsurugi, and the camera focuses on the moon as sword strokes are heard in the background. When the camera pans down, the three samurai fall as Mitsurugi goes to leave, with Soul Calibur in his left hand. As he walks away, he says "If you're going to kill me, you'd better bring a whole army!"
Soul Calibur 3 - Mitsurugi - Ending A
Soulcalibur III Mitsurugi's Ending A
No Input Ending
Mitsurugi runs up to the man and woman, but is stopped by a surprise attack from Taki. Mitsurugi ignores the man and woman, and now focuses on Taki. "That Soul Edge in your possession, it's time to hand it over." Taki commands. Mitsurugi replies by saying "If you want it that badly, come and take it by force!" He then jumps at her with his Soul Edge in his left hand, as the scene pauses and turns to sepia tone.
Soulcalibur IV[]
Soul Calibur IV Mitsurugi's Ending(JP)
Soulcalibur IV Mitsurugi's Ending
Mitsurugi stabs Algol once more, destroying the power of the sword. Algol commands Mitsurugi to take his power as well, and use it however he'd like. "I don't need it." Mitsurugi says, as he puts his sword away. "Weapons are just tools. True strength lies within me." As he begins to walk away, Algol mutters his last words: "Well done."
The text-only epilogue reveals this: The date of death is unknown, and he won countless fights. He kept proving throughout his life that he was the best, and even now his name never fades.
Gameplay[]
Soulcalibur IV[]
Tower of Lost Souls[]
Mitsurugi appears in Tower of Lost Souls, appearing only once on the Ascend path but appearing a few times on the Descend path. He appears as a sub-ordinate in "Envoy of Destruction" as a difficult opponent to defeat, mostly because of the computer attempting to K.O. the player characters using multi-button presses mixed with combos.
TOLS Ascend Floor Challenge[]
- Envoy of Destruction (Floor 58)
Weapon[]
Soulcalibur[]
Shishi-oh[]
Shishi-oh is the name of Mitsurugi's katana.
Mitsurugi was soundly defeated and disgraced in front of his lord by a rifleman bearing the Tanegashima rifle during an exhibition duel. This defeat was the catalyst that forced him to perfect his swordsmanship and seek a weapon strong enough to defeat the rifle.
During his intensive training, he became dissatisfied with his old sword Korefuji and replaced it with Shishi-oh, a katana with a longer and wider blade. Mitsurugi perfected many new sword fighting moves to defeat the rifle with Shishi-oh, the Relic being one of them.
Soulcalibur IV[]
Shishi-Oh[]
Mitsurugi had a voracious appetite for learning sword fighting arts that would enable him to defeat the rifle, such as "iai", the simultaneous drawing and striking of the sword. He also sought a sword that was a match for his skills. After fighting many duels and battles with many different blades, he finally chose Shishi-Oh as his weapon.
Shishi-Oh has never since left Mitsurugi's side. The day he finally proved that he could defeat a rifle with only a sword, it was Shishi-Oh that he held in his hand.
A Japanese katana called "Shishi-Oh" is known to exist today, but it is not believed to be the same Shishi-Oh that Mitsurugi himself wielded.
Soulcalibur V[]
Muichimonji[]
Mitsurugi lost his former katana, Shishi-Oh, 17 years ago when a female warrior came seeking him in order to avenge her father. After fighting his way through countless battles since, Mitsurugi came to the realization that the strength of one's weapon is nothing more than a decorative element, as a warrior's true strength is found within himself.
It was while he was pondering this new revelation that Mitsurugi returned home to Bizen and encountered Muichimonji for the first time. The sorry excuse of a kata sat unassumingly beind a tag that identified it as "Ichimonji". Looking at this kata that no respectable blacksmith would ever admit to creating reminded Mitsurugi of himself, a hopelessly ambitious boy who as born to a simple farmer yet gave himself the impressive name "Heishiro Mitsurugi" as the mark of his conviction to become an elite samurai.
"It's a worthless katana, but it suits my style..."
Mitsurugi haggled with the shopkeeper and purchased the katana for next to nothing, renaming it "Muichimonji". Mitsurugi has cherished the pathetic blade ever since.
Fighting Style[]
Mitsurugi's fighting style is one of the easiest, fastest, and the strongest fighting styles in the game. He displays incredible strength in most of his attacks. His low attacks are arguably the best in the game and some of them can be chained to make a combo. His kick attacks are mediocre in strength but they are speedy too. Mitsurugi can also switch stances that wait and counterattack an opponent. While in these stances, he can use several of the many Attack Throws that can easily catch his opponent if not expected. His weakness however, is that some of his attacks are predictable even though they are fast and damaging. Also, he is criticized for having few moves and his strong attacks are frequently used so the opponent has a chance to counter these attacks. However, Mitsurugi is placed between mid to high-tier by Soulcalibur fans.
Soulcalibur IV[]
Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu Kai[]
Though born a simple farmer, the young Mitsurugi soon exchanged his plowshare for a sword. His natural reflexes and physical gifts helped him survive while he honed his sword fighting skills on the countless battlefields that served as his training ground. He did not fight with the refined polish and smooth movements of the dojo sensei; his technique was crude, but deadly practical.
To cultivate a sophisticated facade and sell himself as a mercenary, he gave his rough fencing skills a name: Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu. But as time passed. Mitsurugi came to fear the power of the rifle and devoted himself to overcoming that threat. He crossed swords with every dueling master he could find, greedily absorbing their knowledge. Ultimately, he developed his techniques enough to add the suffix "Kai" ("improved") to the name of his school.
In the many years since, he has learned to move and fight like no other warrior, and Mitsurugi can boast he fears no weapon—not even the rifle.
Soulcalibur V[]
Shin Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu[]
Shin Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu is a rousing sword-fighting style unlike any other that takes advantage of Mitsurugi's naturally quick reflexes and the stamina he built through years of farm work, though many would rightfully question whether his way of fighting could truly be considered a proper "style" or not. Still, none could deny that his style — which he originally named Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu — constantly evolved as Mitsurugi eagerly adapted various other fighting styles into his own. Even the battoujutsu known as iai was something he learned from a warrior he once defeated.
However, upon witnessing a certain swordswoman's masterful battou move, Mitsurugi realized that mimicking the techniques of others would only take him so far. Mitsurugi was also troubled by rumors of an impostor who was falsely claiming his name.
"I suppose I should show them once and for all who the real Mitsurugi is."
Renaming his fighting style "Shin Tenpu-Kosai-Ryu", Mitsurugi stopped to re-examine his relationship with the sword in hopes of discovering his true style.
Critical Finish[]
Demon Slayer - He says "Try this!" and performs four quick slashes that briefly ignites the opponent. And then instantly as they drop to the floor, defeated, he asks them "See that?".
Critical Edge[]
Witching Hour - Mitsurugi primes his sword while saying "Your time is up!" He then does an uppercut and slashes downwards, shouting "You will submit!" as he knocks down his opponent.
Weapon Arts[]
Weapon Arts are special moves in Soulcalibur: Lost Swords which act very similar to the Critical Edge system from Soulcalibur V.
- Ogre Smasher: This is his high attack from SCIV called Disembowel, but now it's accompanied with a light blue smoke resembling that of Hilde's charge attacks.
- Demon Slayer: It seems to be his new attack. This vertical attack causes a Guard Burst otherwise it sends the opponent high in the air.
- Gallant Feather: That's Mitsurugi's Wheel Slash which turns into Autumn Requiem if delivered successfully.
- Harvest Dance: It's a slightly enhanced version of his Brave Edge attack.
- Witching Hour: This is his Critical Edge, from Soulcalibur V.
Quotes[]
- "How pathetic. (Shoushi senban.)"
- "You amateur! (Mijuku mono ga!)"
- "Come back when you're ready! (Denaoshite koi!)"
- "Hahahahahaha!"
- "You're finished!"
- "This is Soul Edge..."
- "The one... The one I've been searching for can't be..."
- "...Such a thing as this!"
- "Give me your best shot."
Relationships[]
- Rival of Taki.
- Hated by Li Long during most of Soul Edge.
- Defeated by Teppou Hei, and later killed him after the events of Soul Edge.
- Fought Hwang during an encounter along the Silk Road, though the encounter ends in a draw.
- Considered a rival to Siegfried.
- Rescued an injured Zhang Wu from assassins, who would give him a shard of Soul Edge for safekeeping.[5][7]
- Archenemy of Setsuka, who seeks revenge against him for the death of her master ever since Soulcalibur III. Shared a Destined Battle with her in Soulcalibur III and Soulcalibur IV. According to his Japanese profile, it is stated that he defeated her by stunning Setsuka with a punch, but lost his katana Shishi-Oh in the battle.
- Sought to defeat Nightmare in Soulcalibur III and Soulcalibur IV.
- Defeated Miser and Greed at some point before the events of Soulcalibur IV according to an official relationship chart.[8]
- Yun-seong considers him an enemy of his country because he's a samurai.
- Fought Darth Vader in his introduction in Soulcalibur IV. (non-canon)
- Fought a non-conclusive battle with Algol during the events of Soulcalibur IV. Considers him to be his main rival in Soucalibur V.
Soulcalibur (Chinese Manhua)[]
- In Volume 2 (Act.11), Mitsurugi makes his first appearance in the sake shop. He comes in and is rewarded with free drinks after he settles a disagreement between some other samurai customers and the shops' proprietor, the latter of which couldn't afford to pay for their drinks. Since Mitsurugi appears in front of them, they began to attack but were countered by Mitsurugi's "Reverse Edge".
- In Volume 4 (Act.24), Mitsurugi defeats Nightmare.
References[]
- ^ 御剣 プロフィール [Mitsurugi's Profile]. Soul Archive (in Japanese). Namco Ltd. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ ソウルエッジ ver.2 [Soul Edge ver.2] (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Amusement Inc. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ GAMEFAN'S SOULBLADE STRATEGY GUIDE. Los Angeles, California: Metropolis Publications. 1997. p. 15.
- ^ "Soul Calibur -- Heishiro Mitsurugi". Soulcalibur. Namco Limited. Archived from the original on December 6, 2000. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ a b "Soul Calibur 2 - History - Mitsurugi". Soulcalibur. Namco Limited. Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved on February 24, 2024.
- ^ Deats, Adam; Epstein, Joe (July 17, 2008). SOULCALIBUR IV Signature Series Fighter's Guide. BradyGames. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-7440-1006-0.
- ^ a b SoulCalibur: New Legends of Project Soul. Richmond Hill: UDON Entertainment Corp. February 2014. pp. 56-59. ISBN 978-1-926778-95-2.
- ^ "soulchain.pdf" (PDF). Soul Archive. Bandai Namco Entertainment. Archived from the original (pdf) on January 7, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 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. |