Basara

From SNK Wiki

Basara
Basara in Samurai Shodown 4.
Profile
Full name	Basara
Birthdate	January 18, 1765 (day of death: April 1, 1788); Unknown (Samurai Shodown III)
Birthplace	Japan, Tamba
Height	179 cm (5'9")
Weight	49 kg (108 lbs.)
Blood type	A (while living)
Family/Relatives	Kagaribi (lover, deceased)
Job/Occupation	None; he's a yurei
Likes	"I love you...my little Kagaribi..."
Dislikes	"...I hate him...and I think you know who 'him' is..."
Special skill	Slaying demons
Most unpleasant	"I want to be dead along with my little Kagaribi...."
Weapon	The Evil-Doer Destroyer (罪人殺, Togabitogoroshi), a giant triple-bladed shuriken hooked to a chain
Fighting style	Instinct

Basara, who is also known as "Basara the Executioner" (首切り破沙羅, Kubikiri Basara), is a character who was first introduced in Samurai Shodown III. He continues to appear in other titles of the series. He is voiced by Masahiro Nonaka and Motoki Takagi.

[edit] Story

He is a type of yūrei "reborn" due to an extreme hatred he harbored before his death. In his previous life, Basara lived in peace with his lover, Kagaribi, until the monstrous demonic swordsman Zankuro came through and slaughtered everyone. He blames "the demon" for Kagaribi's demise but, in Samurai Shodown V, it is revealed that Basara himself killed her.

In Samurai Shodown III, he remembers how he died and thus aimlessly seeks to take revenge on Zankuro. In Samurai Shodown IV, he discovers that his "rebirth" is caused by Amakusa, so he heads for Shimabara to kill him. In his ending, Amakusa seals him away by using a vision of Kagaribi lure him into a pillar. He is not expected to be released anytime in the future.

[edit] Personality

Basara was a man happy with his life of peace. All that remained from his previous life, however, was his love for his lover and his hatred for Zankuro. Aside from these attributes, he is a mindless killer who doesn't discriminate the murders of his victims.

[edit] Powers

Soul of Nue - Basara can release a Will-o'-the-wisp (a ghost light) from his chest that tracks his opponents. Nue is a Japanese chimera that causes nightmares.
Shadow Powers - Basara can disappear and reappear into his own shadow, using this ability for transportation and unexpected attacks. He also can drag others with him.
Illusions - Basara can emit a mirror image of himself for a short time, which eventually dissipates into a swarm of bats.

Although Basara's powers are explained mainly through his ghost abilities, they also resemble powers usually identified with ninja. This is complimented by Basara's weaponry and design which are also associated with ninja.

[edit] Fighting Style

Some of his powers are based in the use of his shuriken, as well as demonic powers like moving and disappearing into the shadows or release balls of energy. His normal attacks are adaptable to execute, easily ranging from close to mid-screen and often hitting for several hits upon impact. His distinguishing features are his shrill laugh and claiming life to be "a beautiful nightmare".