The Last Blade - inspirations

[DrakeVagabond]

The design of the game was created as a homage to Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X series, featuring characters and techniques based on the series. (The strategy guide for "The Last Blade" contains an interview article with Rurouni Kenshin creator Nobuhiro Watsuki.) This choice was done out of appreciation for much of Watsuki's work being inspired by SNK's Samurai Shodown series.

Many of the characters are based on Rurouni Kenshin, as well as other media.

Kaeda is based on Kaoru Kamiya. His "Kasshin Ittō" style is based on her "Kamiya Kasshin" style. (confirmed)


Moriya Minakata was modeled after Kagehisa Anotsu from the Blade of the Immortal manga. His red hair is a tribute to Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin. (confirmed)




Lee Rekka is based on Jet-Li's portrayal of real-life Qing Dynasty martial artist, Wong Fei Hung, from the 1991 film "Once Upon a Time in China". His real name, Lee Cheng Long, is a reference to one of Jackie Chan's stage names. (confirmed)


Juzoh Kanzaki is based on Sanosuke from Rurouni Kenshin. (inference)


Hyo Amano is visually modeled on the manga character Kumo from Haguregumo. (confirmed)


Keiichiro Washizuka was based on Rurouni Kenshin's portrayal of the real-life samurai, Hajime Saitō. His distinctive x-shaped scar is actually a feature shared with the manga's protagonist, Himura Kenshin. (confirmed)


Zanetsu's design is based on Udo Jin-e, a villain in Rurouni Kenshin (inference)


Shikyoh's character also takes inspiration from Jin-e. (confirmed)


Mukuro's design is based on Shishio from Rurouni Kenshin. (inference)


Shigen Naoe is based on Fuji from Rurouni Kenshin. (inference)


Musashi Akatsuki is based on Raijuuta Isurugi from Rurouni Kenshin, as well as being inspired by Musashi Miyamoto. (inference)


Shinnosuke Kagami was modeled after the anime character Shinobu Sensui, one of the main antagonists in YuYu Hakusho and Hiko Seijuro from Rurouni Kenshin. (confirmed)


Setsuna is based on Aoshi from Rurouni Kenshin. (inference)


Kouryu is based on Uonuma Usui from Rurouni Kenshin. (inference)


https://kakuge.com/wiki/pages/%E5%92%8C%...8%E5%AE%8F
https://bushoojapan.com/historybook/hist...3/149958/3
https://goziline.com/archives/4196
http://bohyou.vis.ne.jp/neogeo/lastblade/kousatu03.htm
http://gameamax.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-238.html?sp
http://bohyou.vis.ne.jp/neogeo/lastblade/lastblade.htm
https://g16.hatenablog.com/entry/2021/07/05/092203