The Otaku Armoury puts the spotlight on Japanese weapons in pop culture and a katana that should be recognised for its deadliness is Soultaker. Wielded by the DC comic heroine, Katana, Soultaker is a sword with a mystical origin and tragic circumstances.
The Otaku Armoury showcases intriguing Japan-inspired weapons that are found throughout popular culture. Many weapons can trace their roots back to legends and mythical figures, such as Sengo Muramasa. An infamous Japanese sword maker, Muramasa’s blades were said to be cursed and caused their wielders to go mad with blood lust. It’s the kind of reputation that makes an engrossing story.
So, it’s no wonder that Muramasa swords have found their way into mediums like comics. For example, the Marvel superhero Wolverine has wielded a sword that Muramasa created especially for him. Continue reading “The Otaku Armoury: Wolverine’s Muramasa Blade”
The Otaku Armoury highlights Japanese weaponry that has been used throughout popular culture. Games like Mortal Kombat and Devil May Cry have incorporated singular weapons such as a katana, whereas games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have offered multi-purpose tools. The game’s protagonist, Sekiro, wields a prosthetic arm that houses all kinds of traditional Japanese weaponry. Continue reading “The Otaku Armoury: Sekiro’s Shinobi Prosthetic Arm”
Ninjas are synonymous with Japan and they are traditionally depicted as stealthy warriors who can defeat their foes in a matter of seconds. This same level of mystique is attached to ninja weaponry such as shurikens and mariki-gusari. Another ninja weapon, the kunai, has developed a reputation in pop culture, due to it being wielded by the likes of Scorpion in Mortal Kombat.
The Otaku Armoury puts the spotlight on Japanese-inspired weaponry and Scorpion’s kunai is certainly a famous example. But how did Scorpion come to wield it and how does his fabled weapon compare to a real kunai? Continue reading “The Otaku Armoury: Scorpion’s Kunai”
The Otaku Armoury is a series that profiles Japanese-inspired weapons from popular culture. A variety of Japanese armaments have been utilised in mainstream media, ranging from katanas to shuriken. One of Japan’s most versatile weapons is the war fan and perhaps the most famous character to wield one is Kitana from the Mortal Kombat series. Continue reading “The Otaku Armoury: Kitana’s War Fans”
The Otaku Armoury focuses on pop culture weapons that have been inspired by Japanese culture. Perhaps the most famous Japanese weapon is the katana, and it’s been used in various films, comics, cartoons and games. One of the most powerful Japanese swords in the history of pop culture is Samurai Jack’s katana. Continue reading “The Otaku Armoury: Samurai Jack’s Katana”
For centuries, Japan has been associated with a warrior culture, due to the influence of the samurai and their code of bushido. Japanese weaponry is known all over the world, and weapons like the katana and shuriken have been immortalised in popular culture.
The Otaku Armoury is a segment that puts the spotlight on pop culture weapons inspired by Japanese culture. For the first edition of the Otaku Armoury, I’m investigating Vergil’s Yamato from the Devil May Cry franchise. Sleek, deadly and elegant, Vergil’s signature blade is one of the most powerful weapons in the gaming universe. Continue reading “The Otaku Armoury: Yamato”
Yamato Magazine 