Plasma Sword (weapon)

Introduction[]

The Plasma Sword is the signature weapon of Hayato Kanzaki. It is unknown where he acquired this weapon, but he uses it via an unknown school of Kenjutsu, in addition to being able to utilize Plasma Power, which he manifests into a special weapon not unlike the lightsaber of Star Wars fame. Powered solely by his presence as a Plasma Power user, Hayato is said to be able to channel his Power focused and capable enough to slice and cut through any known substance. Hayato is known to utilize Plasma Power to influence the size of his Plasma Blade, including shrinking and enlarging its entire form, as well as concentrating Plasma Power into his Plasma Blade for its output powerful enough to emanate blade beams. The blade's aura can be used to stun and shock opponents, which is handy for keeping opponents alive.

Techniques[]

Ashura/Shurado: The plasma blade expands into a large form and allows Hayato to toss out slicing waves with every attack.
- Note: Ashura are said to be one form of reincarnation within Buddhism and its beliefs of the Six Paths, said to be powerful and semi-divine but fearsome, jealous, violent, and carnage fanatical beings. In turn, their kind are feared as one of the Four Unhappy Births, as it is believed that their world finds no resolution or peace and is of constant conflict and war, and as such, ashura do not find solace or solitude in their lives. However, there are said to exist both good and bad ashuras, with those of good being one of the eight forces that protect the dharma. Being associated with growing and enlarging Hayato's Plasma Blade is also relevant, as within the context of Japanese spirituality in how all things bear spirits and souls, his Plasma Blade; ie a sword, may also count as a kind of ashura, and as an ashura that can grow and adapt infinitely in power.

Command Normals[]

Hien (飛燕, Flying Swallow^?): A leaping spin slash command normal that can go over low attacks. Based on one of his moves from the first Star Gladiator.
Dokuryū (独龍, Single Dragon^?): Running command normal where Hayato slashes outward. Has some lag that makes it unsafe. Can slash past the foe in order to follow up with Souryuu. Based on one of his dash attacks from his home series.
- Sōryū (双龍, Twin Dragon^?): Followup to Dokuryuu, Hayato swipes down on the foe from behind.
Dai Oiuchi Kōgeki (大追い打ち攻撃, Big Pursuit Strike Attack^?): Hayato dive stabs downward in midair with a sword-plant. Bounces off the foe if it hits, where Hayato can still perform midair attacks. Can chain into a Guren or Plasma Field if it hits.

Special Attacks[]

Shiden (紫電, Violet-Volt^?): An outward slash followed by a downward cut in a forward moving motion, similar to his st.MP and st.HK attacks or his Dokuryuu. Can OTG and covers a large forward area, making it great in combos.
Guren (紅蓮, Crimson Lotus^?): Hayato slashes upward in the air vertically with his plasma sword. Can be used in midair. The LP version makes him slash upward with small height. The HP version makes him dash forward a bit and rises higher. In the Balance assist version, when used as a Variable/Crossover Counter Hayato peforms the Guren briefly in his Black Hayato form instead.
- Note: Guren is that of the red lotus; within the context of Buddhism, lotuses are cherished as a symbol of spiritual growth, overcoming adversity and attaining enlightenment, while its color also symbolizes its fruit of result. Red lotuses are said to be representative of unstoppable compassion and undying love.
Byakkohō (白虎砲, White Tiger Cannon^?): A command grab where Hayato does a hooking arm motion to grab the foe, then smashes them upward with an upward-angled elbow if it connects. Has the same range as a regular throw (not much). Launches opponent a good distance.
- Note: Byakko is a central figure within the Taoist inspired Four Beasts, being that of the White Tiger, who is said to represent the west, the season of autumn, the element of metal, the virtue of justice, and is both feared and respected as a bringer of peace and harbringer of war. In Buddhism, Byakko is said to represent the element of wind and is depicted as an entity along with its three other associates as a ward against evil.
Plasma Combos: Taken straight from his original series (the first game to be precise). Hayato can attack the opponent with several combos depending on the buttons pressed. Five different combos are available to him. Different button presses will initate different attacks. All this requires you to hold back. This is Hayato's main combo tool, and many combo possibilities can stem from these moves.
- The kick portions of the combos hit low, and both the Kegon combos have finishing overhead strikes on their final inputs, which must be timed properly or they will not execute. However, Hayato can drop a Kegon combo to start link combos right afterwards.
  - Suzaku Ranbu (朱雀乱舞, Vermilion Sparrow Wild Dance^?): (LP) x4
    - Note: Suzaku is another central figure within the Taoist inspired Four Beasts, being that of the Vermillion Bird, who is said to represent the south, the season of summer, the element of fire, the virtue of propriety, and is considered a symbol of harmony and unity.
  - Kegon 1 (紅蓮, Avatamsa/Luster Stern^?): (LP) x2, HP, HK, (LP) x2
    - Note: Kegon refers to that of the avatamsa or a garland of flowers, which is symbolic of one attaining Buddhahood. Within the context of sects, the Kegon sect is the Japanese adoption of the Chinese Huanyin School of Buddhism, and are eponymous with that of the avatamsa in their respective languages. The school's teachings are based primarily on that of the Avatamsaka Sutra, which emphasizes the Buddhist cosmology and metaphysics of the universe, including teachings on its infinite vastness of otherworldly realms through the metaphor of Indra's net in context to its creeds of sunyata and the release from that of the illusive material world, and to that of the journey of achieving Buddhahood, making most relevant to the intergalactic spacefaring world of Star Gladiator.
  - Kegon 2: (LP) x3, HK, (LP) x2
  - Guren 1: HP, LP, (HP) x3
  - Guren 2: HP, LP, HP, LK, HP

Hyper Combos[]

Rasetsuzan (羅刹斬, Rakshasa Slash^?) (Level 1): A Hyper version of Shiden. Hayato gets ready for an assault then proceeds to do a series of seven slashes. The final hit will knock back the opponent. Both start-up and recover is long therefore unsafe if guarded.
- Note: Rasetsu are the Japanese interpretations of the Indian demons known as rakshasa. Much like them, they are depicted as powerful and ferocious magical entities, being either good, as protectors of nature and peace, or evil, being horrific man eating demons and atrocious warmongers. Within Buddhism, rakshasas are further depicted as wayward but neutral dwellers of the wild, a kind of ashura, and to even the forces of Yama, the Buddhist Judge of the Dead, to bring back those who have escaped judgment of the underworld; most importantly, Buddhism also stresses the capability to be enlightened is possible for all beings and being able to repent and do better, even for demons, whom even Buddha helped and reformed.
Engetsu (円月, Circling Moon^?) (Level 1): Hayato raises his blade above his head and quickly slashes down on the ground creating pillars of shockwaves in front of him. This attack can hit the opponent OTG.
- Note: Engetsu refers to that of the full moon. Within Buddhist art and symbolism, there is a famous painting of that of Yama, the Judge of the Dead, who is show holding a wheel containing all of existence and reincarnation, symbolizing the futility and endlessness of samsara, while Buddha is shown on the moon, having transcended the material world and the Desire Realm, where human existence is believed to be located.
Plasma Field (Level 1): Hayato gathers energy and releases a spherical energy field around him. If this move connects with a unguarded opponent he will enter in a state of unlimited hyper combo gauge. For roughly ten seconds Hayato can use any of his hyper combos without depleting his hyper combo gauge. Can also be done in midair.
Black Hayato: Ura Rasetsuzan (裏羅刹斬, Reverse Rakshasa Slash^?) (Level 3): Hayato will proceed to grab his opponent with a deep stab, if he suceeds the entire screen turns black and he will slash the opponent multiple times. Once the screen turns back to normal with Hayato in his Black Hayato form as the final blow. Despite the looks, the attack is blockable.
- His Black Hayato form is Hayato's inner dark side from Plasma Sword, created from a genotype microchip implanted in his head by Bilstein. B. Hayato is shown to be a near complete opposite of Hayato in that he is emotionless and ruthless, but still dislikes Bilstein for what he did.