The Last Blade Story Explained

[@adnanasif9538]

The sprite art and animation in this game is masterclass.

[@ClumsyTrout]

Snk and Capcom have never compromised the animation in their games. (Using sprites in other games is a different story *cough* capcom) I wish other fighting games put as much thought into their animations as SNK and Capcom.

[@WanArk86]

@@ClumsyTrout Don't forget the best soundtrack from the SNK Sound Team

[@MrTheil]

SNK’s spritework in general is a work of art

[@Mattos77]

Its a shame that 2 of the best snk series got started just as they were going thru bankruptcy. Maybe one day we will get garou 2 and last blade 3

[@theflame45]

yessss two of my most anticipated snk games.

[@alexvasquez537]

Both are masterpieces

[@neonthunder3261]

well, recently we got news about the cancelled garou 2

[@joshuataylor7443]

What can you really do with a last blade 3 , the story has already finished.

[@Mattos77]

@@joshuataylor7443 since im not too familiar with the last blade story im not sure what they could do to continue it. More than likely they could go the samsho route and make interquels/prequels. Or start a new storyline that focuses on other characters.

[@ElliotAltland]

THE DEVIL WORKS HARD BUT OUR SHORYUGAME WITH DEEP ACCENT WORKS HARDER

[@ElliotAltland]

GODDAMN WHY GREAT FIGHTING GAMES WITH COOL STORIES GOT CANCELLED ALL THE TIME? First Mark of the wolves now this????

[@chronology556]

Because the general mainstream public hates fighting games. 1vs1, you have no one to blame for your mistakes.

[@SaikyoKoutei]

But TLB2 wasnt? They completed the plot in two games, thats it. They could have done a "TLB2 Special" but SNK was on their last legs.

[@ElliotAltland]

@@SaikyoKoutei basically the fandom did not accept the fact that Yuki has sacrificed herself so we have hoped for a new game with better plots

[@SaikyoKoutei]

Let it go your waifu lol

[@ElliotAltland]

@@SaikyoKoutei IMPOSSIBLEEEEEW

[@therm0alfred448]

Also, the aftermath of the Last Blade 2 story, that you forgot to include. With Yuki and Shigen confirmed died, Zantetsu also died off-screen (somewhere around Last Blade 2). Despite his death, his grandson, Santa Kisaragi, will carry the legacy of Kisaragi clan.

[@DestinyZX1]

And then Eiji would continue that

[@marche800]

Wait, Lee fights barehanded and with one hand behind his back against opponents that are all armed with swords? What a badass.

[@therm0alfred448]

He has a fan with him. Despite barehanded, he has flames

[@madil2259]

@@therm0alfred448 yup

[@ShoryuGame]

The hand behind his back is holding a fan.

[@marche800]

@@ShoryuGame ah I see, it's impressive nonetheless

[@ahtong1014]

I do remember when I use Lee and then taunt. You may regen HP by taunt. Fun fact about him.

[@joseurbina3835]

I think "The Last Blade" series has one of the best Stories in the History of Fighting Games, that's very Rare these Days. Awesome Lore Video, this is probably the Best one yet.

[@audiovisual51]

The game was written by SWERY of Deadly Premonition fame. The more ya know

[@ShoryuGame]

Thank you very much!

[@123arskas]

Indeed. The story even exceeds Orochi's lore or the Amakusa's or Mizuki's lore since the four gods were there long before that.

[@CombatSportsNerd]

A fighting game where the story is actually coherent, has a clear ending, no infinite time lines, *and* has solid quality? *Wait that’s illegal!*

[@deafmelonex6983]

The Last Blade series, is literally a work of art as a fighting game.

[@KOFKYO2012]

I have always loved SNK lore they are probably the best fighting game story tellers and all the world building that each game has is simply amazing. Great job as per usual Shoryu

[@ShoryuGame]

Thanks a lot!

[@anthonyrios2311]

Last Blade brings back Miyamoto Musashi way before Baki did.

[@VOAN]

The fact that Jet Li is in these games is enough reason for me to play em. Got both games on Switch and they are fantastic.

[@KhukuriGod]

Maybe Aunt 13 got sucked into the portal so Wong Fei-Hong had to travel to Japan to rescue her lol.

[@silverdragoon27]

Wait Last Blade is on the Switch?? How did you get it?

[@EdmondDantes224]

I do love how people keep saying "both" Last Blade games. Am I the only one who remembers the existence of this little device called the Neo-Geo Pocket? (and yes the NGP Last Blade game is, IIRC, on the Switch as well. It's called Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny).

[@WanArk86]

I don't mind not having the 3rd game, I've would rather having a reboot of the game cause The Last Blade 2 tied it up pretty nicely

[@chronology556]

I think SNK wants to revive Fatal Fury, and Last Blade. It all depends on the success of KOF XV, because they really need to implement Rollback netcode in their new KOF XV. Samsho 7 is an atrocity online.

[@Partinaire]

I wish you earned credit for sales too cuz i definitely just bought this game based solely on this video.

[@ShoryuGame]

Wow! Thanks!

[@Partinaire]

@@ShoryuGame Keep up the amazing work, also maybe youll consider Aggressors of Dark Kombat or Neo Geo Battle Coliseum (which is basically a fighting game based on all your videos rolled into one lol)?

[@edgelord8337]

I know nothing of the story but I know that the games Sprite art is absolutely beautiful.

[@Nightroadtube]

"This story, has not yet ended..." Thank you for this, great such a great game and narrative.

[@ShoryuGame]

My pleasure!

[@SuperBart1989]

I think this game is way better than samsho and totally deserve to come back

[@madil2259]

Me too 😊

[@chronology556]

SNK is planning on it.

[@wmcroy3306]

@@chronology556 Any links to that statement?

[@hbright2021]

FINALLY SHORYUGAME COVERING MY FAVORITE FIGHTING GAME FRANCHISE

[@saikyoDRAGON]

In terms of people's appreciation I always felt like this was to Samurai Shodown to what Garou Mark of the Wolves is to Fatal Fury

[@JT-nd6qp]

I used to think so too until I learned about Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage for PS1. It takes place about 10-15 years after the main series and almost all the characters are new. So I would say that is the "true" Garou of Samsho.

[@jaderabbit898]

If anything, Last Blade is the Fatal Fury to Art of Fighting.

[@carlazuz3985]

God, the waterfall stage is so pretty

[@AWMonopolyMan]

There’s one other Last Blade game in the series of note, Beyond the Destiny for the NeoGeo Pocket Color, basically a remixed kinda variant of the main 2 games

[@taylorbee4010]

Also I am pretty sure the producer for Guilty Gear worked on both of this and a lot of the last of the samurai showdown games and it shows you can see Sol and Ky in Moriya and Kaede.

[@rouju]

This game more accessible than Shamso and very fast paced. I was surprised when playing this on PS1 and dethroned Alpha 3 as my favorite 2D game

[@chronology556]

Yeah, I found it easier than Samsho, why is that?

[@rouju]

@@chronology556 to make it accessible for new fan probably. Samsho is, as my sister once said, boring and slow ha ha

[@ragenstorm6464]

I never realized this but Moriya, Iori, Genjuro, Vice, Fiona, Vanessa, Kazuki ect...SNK has a history of making some badazz red headed characters lol. I know it's random, but that's the first thing I thought when I saw this video and Moriya. That being said, this was a great video. I'm surprised KOF let this story die since they were just beginning laying out the lore. Perhaps with more videos like this they will decide to one day bring it back? Thanks Shoryu!

[@ShoryuGame]

Thank you too!

[@LygaMartell]

I've played hours after hours with the SNK games in the 90's and yet I've known The Last Blade only six months ago, playing at the mobile game "SNK Allstar". It's a pity, because I like so much the story, the characters and the graphics of these two games.

[@MALRaziel]

I feel satisfied after all these years of waiting for an explanation about this game's story. Thanx man for an another amazing lore video.

[@ShoryuGame]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

In my opinion this game and the sequel are SNK's best games in terms of over all presentation, budget, and quality. I think it's better then Garou Mark Of The Wolves.

[@madil2259]

Hi slade. 😊😊😊

[@areeb9751]

@@madil2259 Hey Adil I have seen you in Neogeonow Channel !

[@madil2259]

@@areeb9751 i know. We have both met like 2 times before

[@areeb9751]

@@madil2259 Yeah

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

@@madil2259 how's it going

[@Skazike007]

Who remembers GameTap? This is where I found out about SNK games. Also, why do I keep rewinding this video? Well.. this is how much I love this series, and this video as well, that I don't want to stop hearing about this. This series needs a proper reboot, like please... this will already make my year if this is executed right - very slept on series.

[@SwordsmanOrion]

This is one of my favorite games from SNK. I fell in love with the beautiful sprite art and detailed backgrounds, as well as the great soundtrack and the amazing characters. The one thing I never really knew about was the story. Thank you for making these videos for us. These games all had such great stories it was just so hard to figure out what they were all about, especially back in the 90s when all we had were the arcade games.

[@ShoryuGame]

Glad I could help!

[@iqielokie6649]

Like it bro! ☺️☺️☺️👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️ My video idea : The Story of Whip - KOF Lore

[@justsomerandomostrich1906]

I grew up loving capcom and snk games. But damn! Snk's stages are far beautiful than capcom's and watching this video reminded me of the fact

[@thekinggamer488]

You perfectly explained it Shoryugame!!

[@ShoryuGame]

Thanks a lot!

[@mushfiqurrahman2515]

Thanks a lot man, really its awesome that someone is actually looking into these stuffs

[@ShoryuGame]

You're welcome!

[@Rhabanaarum]

BEAUTIFUL

[@ShoryuGame]

Thank you! 😊

[@popgas3821]

Yeah during my elementary days LB2 was one of my staple games to burn my pocket. Good o’l days.

[@madil2259]

You're a man of culture

[@callthesaunter]

Thank you for making this! Already sent it to the LB discord, your work deserves more attention!

[@ShoryuGame]

Much appreciated!

[@madil2259]

Can you send me a link to that discord?

[@callthesaunter]

@@madil2259 I don't know if KZbin allows links, but here it is discord.gg/5hPnBAs

[@madil2259]

@@callthesaunter thanks i joined the discord.

[@yaukong]

Last Blade 2 is the best sword fighting game ever and sad there is no Last Blade 3. Thx for making this video, support u!

[@theflame45]

SNK will do us a big favour if they release new sequal to two of it most anticipated games , -Garou mark of the wolves 2 -The last blade 3.

[@joshen6010]

The end of the story of LB2 is so sad. Yuki sacrificed herself as a Witch to seal the gate.She realized who she really is when she sees the shine of the Gouyu on her neck.The story is about love,hate and fate.Everyone is connected because of the event of the Gate. Moriya loves Yuki but he never says a word about it. At the end of the story of LB1,Yuki and Moriya met on the bridge but they just passed by without saying anything.There are only regrets left in Moriya's lonely heart.

[@mainscape6619]

yeah, if Moriya had taken her maidenhood, she would not have died in LB2. Fukkin rites and their virgins.

[@SomeDayDreamer]

Also a fun fact that the dev's got wrong historically. Shinsengumi rarely "Fired' anyone. Their way was a strict code of bushido based on honour. If shikyo didn't run away on his own he'd probably have been forced to commit seppuku which was the Shinsengumi's custom. So I figure they sent Kojiro and Washizuka to assassinate him. Cos that's what they did with other people who ran off. Even the one time they did let some leave peacefully, they ended up having to assassinate them in the streets of Kyoto. They were very very very strict.

[@ShoryuGame]

Thanks for the useful insights!

[@dannysimion]

Wow, hard to believe majority of us never heard of this game as the spiritual successor to Samurai Showdown. Its a pretty game and an engaging storyline that would work well as a nice little anime series. It'd be nice if they bring a third episode but I guess its okay with the way it is now. Good video - I enjoyed it.

[@connor8198]

The stages of Last Blade are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

[@ShoryuGame]

I agree!

[@liliencalvel6151]

This is a game that I completely missed when it was out back in the late nineties. I only learned about it when I went out and bought SNK games for my dream cast back in the early 2000's. During that time I also learned about garou mark of the wolves and I bought it too. Last blade, garou and samurai showdown could probably be considered the greatest classics for SNK fighting games and maybe even better than some of the other games outside SNK.

[@BaronMorte]

Last Blade is far superior to Samurai Showdown IMO. Both in terms of gameplay and storyline.

[@allnostalgia7192]

The Last Blade Character Reference: Lee Reck Er-wong fei hung(he also has same fighting style with wong fei hung) Kaede-Super saiyan(Dragon Ball) Moriya-Tsukioka Tsunan(Rurouni Kenshin) Kagami Shiro-Aoshi shinomori(Rurouni Kenshin) Akari-Makimachi Misao(Rurouni Kenshin) Washizuka-Hajime Saito/GoroFujita (Rurouni Kenshin)

[@lowidex7803]

well the last blade was good fighting game series and we gonna see them again on SamSho

[@nicojohncanada2]

Who’s here That Hibiki’s in SamSho? Eiji’s actually the Grandson (?) of Zantetsu since he is a Kisaragi himself (although he’s been in KOF and we dont know if it’s canon for both of them).

[@Zerohour2k12]

I love the Last Blade! Here's Hoping SNK will dust this series off and make a long overdue sequel!

[@maikol4128]

Between this lore video, and your recent playthrough video, I am now convinced I MUST give this game a go with some friends, its so very interesting

[@ibatum]

Thanks a lot for this vid. What I like the most is how the story is so poignant. The pervasive melancholy was so unusual for a fighting game.

[@ShoryuGame]

Couldn't agree more!

[@handless7677]

Finally someone giving this franchise some love, great vid man.

[@preplocc]

SNK has richer storylines than CAPCOM. both are good though. Good for the gaming culture

[@meganova7600]

So cool to find out swery got his first game credit with this game. Who would’ve thought he’d start here and create things like deadly premonition and D4. The gaming world is sick

[@Sin606]

I'm late, but you did a wonderful job covering The Last Blade series. I'm very happy you covered it and thanks again.

[@ShoryuGame]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@condescending28]

The Last Blade is sooo damn good. I wish they would make #3 or just reboot the Franchise. I had to get a Japanese import of both the games on my PS2 just to say I have a physical copy of the first game since I already had a physical copy of The Last Blade 2 for PS4.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

I wonder, with the success of SNK's new Samurai Showdown title, will they bring back the Last Blade series or even have characters as DLCs?

[@MrMastaPlanna]

The Last Blade was originally what SamSho Sen or more accurately Warrior's Rage was supposed to be

[@TrillyThough]

I played the hell out of Last Blade 2 on Dreamcast! I actually prefer this series to Samurai Showdown.

[@ridge_9580]

Hey Shoryu, I have a question. Your channel is focused on SNK content, so why are you named after a capcom move?

[@saiken811]

I have never been good at fighters but I remember playing this game and instantly falling in love with it. Thank you so much for this vid now I understand the whole lore behind it. Keep up the good work. By the way, do you only do SNK games?

[@ShoryuGame]

For now.

[@saiken811]

@@ShoryuGame Damn that's a shame. Would love to hear you explain the lore behind Guilty Gear and Blazblue.

[@RicardoPetinga]

Summons the power of the Blue Dragon... Blue hair turns blond.

[@taylorbee4010]

To be honest this is one of the first weapon base 2D games I ever played. also one of the first fighting game just not the first fighting game I played online and I played on keyboard as Morya lol.

[@nivlheim09c97]

I love the animation of this game so much that I forgot that this has a lore and never considered checking it out.

[@DanJackson1977]

SNK should hire you to do narration for their games. Your voice is now tied to these characters in my head.

[@kaom4713]

They should give this series the samsho treatment. People life fast fighting games and I wouldn’t say this is fast but it’s more enjoyable than samsho to me and my cousins. I used to play the game as a kid but since it came out on switch we’ve been having a lot of fun with the first game

[@safruddinaly5822]

Thank you for shedding light of this gane lore, searching for this game lore in internet is pretty hard

[@ktrnvz]

i believe in kaede supremacy

[@maestradebobobo767]

I wished SNK made a The Last Blade DLC for Samurai Spirits ;_;

[@waterdog737]

Can you do a character profile on Hibiki? Sense she is going to be the samsho guest character an more in depth profile is in order.

[@madil2259]

Nice video. Can you also make a video about it's gameplay and soundtracks? Thank you. 😊

[@thebloodedge284]

At least hibiki is coming to samsho soon . Which can give the franchise some reconization .

[@masanggar]

hi, new subscriber here, keep up the good work.

[@ShoryuGame]

Thanks for subbing!

[@MrFreE3D]

I played the games, but never knew the lore. Fantastic video.

[@ShoryuGame]

Thank you!

[@saadhasan2518]

I loved the Last Blade series it's story was well thought and thanks for the video for clarifying things in the lore plus I remember playing LB2 with my friends at the arcade and it was a great time and the gameplay of the serues was really fun to play around with the characters and music are also well designed

[@Kulodemandril]

last blade is better than samurai shodown, change my mind.

[@fahimhridoy6552]

Tnx for dis channel. U r videos very much special for me. It reminds me my childhood n those golden days. Specially tnx for KOF.. best of luck.

[@ShoryuGame]

So nice of you

[@ionelrasinariu5331]

Is Kagami based on Kyo from KoF? He has the same face and his anti air and the fire grab moves look familiar. Also Muasashi's face looks like Haohmaru.

[@ElToland]

I was hoping to see a Last Blade lore video in your channel sooner or later! This made me so happy, LB is one of my favorite videogame series, not just from SNK, but all games overall. Thank you!

[@ShoryuGame]

You're welcome!

[@mikeg4490]

I want a soul calibur vs snk game with samsho and last blade characters

[@duncan3998]

These ppl deserve XV

[@mhstylesmugen]

The last blade, a new series to give it a try, I am sure I won't be disappointed.

[@joshen6010]

I love the characters and the background of LB.The series are influenced by Rurounin Kenshin. So pity there maybe will no be LB3 any more.

[@aramondehasashi3324]

I found this game last year and it has become one of my favorite fighters. Thank you so much for making this video!

[@ShoryuGame]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Hondunu]

Out of all of the SNK Games, I want this one to return the most.

[@JT-nd6qp]

What a great story. And you told it well. For a moment though, I thought you were implying that B Jenet is the reincarnation of Yuki. XD

[@openinginawe5518]

Last blade character in kof XV when?

[@envythehomunculusmardgeer8922]

I wonder those from the past is involved in this story

[@AbulKalamAzadShahin]

I dreamt about this game once and tried out the combo next day... I was so Excited! Loved this game!!

[@unknownninja1]

I have this game on the neo geo pocket color, and my favourite part of the game is the baseball mini game with Akari and Juzoh lol.

[@AgMak]

I love this story. Obscure stories of this kind are the best kind

[@ireaperslegend7426]

For me the last blade two is way more fun to play than samsho

[@bigbiggie3642]

I remember when you defeating the last boss you will be asked to visit their website.. Maybe it's a reward.. But the site is down

[@bigbiggie3642]

And mushashi may be the weakest sub-boss in snk games lol

[@pfunk6945]

Thanks for sharing. I love SNK lore

[@Direk_Carla]

ah finally! the lore of the Last Blade game explained! Along with the Samurai Shodown line of games, Last Blade is one of my most loved arcade games, for its overall design, characters, lore and the general beauty of the appreciation of the history itself. During those times that I have played this game, I was able to appreciate the history of Japan and its mythology. Who could ever gotten good about the always looming presence of Hell / Hades among humans, and how the Gods are there protecting us. Despite of that, humanity forgets its past, and the rage and violence will always make sure to help us remember to honor our past and the Gods along with it. Much thanks to your video, i relieved my love with these games once more!

[@ShoryuGame]

You're very welcome!

[@kuroshinko427]

Thanks to Capcom vs SNK for repping Hibiki in the game!

[@VOAN]

Yeap and now she's going to be in the new Samurai Shodown as a guest DLC fighter.

[@norwingmartinez4683]

Love to see a last blade 3 a dream come for all SNK fan

[@thatguywesmaranan]

one of the best sprite fighters i have ever had the pleasure of playing...

[@tanthientruong1029]

The most underrated game in game's history, if not all! However, I can explain the reason why SNK did not have any intention of making LB3 or at least a sequence of the series no matter how much the fan urged them. It's true that LB is indeed one of SNK managers' favorite games: For KOF, it's SNK most famous game, the main source of income of the company; For Samurai Shodown, there are too many characters that fans are in favor of that SNK would have to make cross - over characters all the time. But for Last Blade series, they admit that although they favored the series enormously, which is proven by many references and cross-over showing times of the LB characters, they did not intend to make another episode of the series. The main reason is because this game is abnormally difficult. Except for pro gamers, very few people could win this game with all characters. And during our era, this game is nearly impossible to master, here are the reasons: - First, this game followed the old-fashioned combo style, as it is one of the old-styled games, which means that you would have to follow a serie of commanding buttons in order to perform a movement. Even the simplest combo requires like down, down left, left + B. Nevertheless, most of our current games now have very simple ways to perform a skill, making this game really obsolete and hard to play. Second, this game is the only game that follows the counter-based system, meaning that you will have to counter enemies' attack before you perform your own. However, no one in the world would want to be put in passive circumstance: Everyone wants to gain the first - hand advantage, which will fall right into their traps. Since the game follows the counter-based system, you will be countered and defeated. To newcomers of this game, so as to win it, you will have to make use of all lessons about zen: Staying focused, cool, and be patient, or you will stand no chance to win. Third, which is the most upset part, is "combo": To newcomers, again, you will have to download it and play to understand, it's complicated to explain. To put it simply, the foes' combos are beyond our ability to counter: We hardly launch any noteworthy attack, but the enemy meets no struggle in doing so (it's a CPU, after all!). Each time after we are countered, the enemy will averagely perform a serie of movements including from 5 to 8 punches (!) Each time like that, at least 1/4 of your health will decrease. In other words, they only need to counter 4 times. Just like Battletoad or Dark Soul, you will see very little different among the stages of the game, since all stages are equally difficult. Furthermore, you will be dragged into an unfair match because your enemies keep performing their combos while you can slightly attack them. You stand correctly: You cannot push your buttons fast enough, and the enemies keep performing their attack. This is really a pain in the ass, the fact that as this is the old-styled game, some of the attacking movements are usually mis-touched, making us cannot keep up with the enemies' attack. Of course there are several tricks for amateurs to use: First, you should choose a series of movement and keep performing it until you have slashed your enemies. However, it's not that simple: Most of the easy-to-make combo must begin with air-strike, however, all of the characters are masters of counter on-air-strike, so you are most likely be countered before you can launch your attack. Another choice for you is that you can perform "shield" until they nearly finish their movement, however, as they have counter low-land-strike, making your shield be useless (which is also another annoying part as in most of other games, as long as you are shielding, you will not be affected much by opponents' attack). To put it simply, there are two main reasons why SNK did not want to continue this serie: It is too hard and too annoying. The fact that gamers give up before finishing the game is quite common. Unpromising circumstance is the biggest reason why SNK decided to cancel Last Blade 3 project in an unlimited time. Bluntly speaking, they did not believe they could gain much success with LB3. Nevertheless, the main reason why I said they "did" is that to me, in recent years, it seems that fans' requests have finally made SNK producers feel touching. The fact that they added Hibiki Takane, even as a DLC character, in Samurai Shodown 2019, and remember this: Even DLC characters in SamSho 2019 receive their own story, as well as making a manga related to Last blade could be a hint that SNK have finally decided to make Last Blade 3. As fans, there is no reason why we should not have our hope that Last Blade will finally return after a long time of cancellation and will receive a much more deserved position in the world gaming system, a rank worths its difficulties and excellency in graphic designs, story building and music composition.

[@joshen6010]

Very professional.I think you are a devoted fan of The Last Blade (Zukika no kenshi).Although the hope seems slim，I still think one day I will witness the release of LB3 even though I am 50 that day. SNK putting Kibiki dlc into Shodown is a good sign. At least they will let many new young ftg fans know the background and the glory of The Last Blade(月華の剣士）.Greetings from LB fan from Shanghai.Thanks for the comment and I learn a lot from it.

[@tanthientruong1029]

@@joshen6010 You're welcome

[@SuperMrSaber]

Thank you for making this video. I was lucky enough to have played these two games and I hope one day we can see a good sequel to it

[@jngu14]

I love this game. I wish they made more games in the series.

[@Prime-R9]

One of my favourite games, the music, the art, the fighting engine, the story it's just a masterpiece