"In the fires of hell, we shall meet again." — Mitsurugi

Heishiro Mitsurugi (御剣 平四郎, Mitsurugi Heishirō) is a character in the Soul series of fighting games. He is a mainstay of the Soulcalibur series and one of most iconic characters in the franchise, having appeared in every installment.

What lies in his soul is Strength.

In Soulcalibur: Lost Swords he is referred to as He Who Lives for Battle.

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Biography

Heishiro was born the fourth son of a farmer in Bizen, Japan; but after many years of seeing his homeland ravaged by war, he decided to become a samurai. After his parents' death in his 14th year, he took a sword and the last name Mitsurugi. He went to train under the powerful warlord of the Murakami clan. At this time, Japan was in the middle of the Sengoku Jidai or "the age of the country at war" in which the feudal lords or "daimyos" attempted to claim the title of Shogun.

Mitsurugi was a powerful force on the battlefield, and rumors of him spread like wildfire, heralding him as the warrior that could mow down foes like fields of wheat, and he was noted by Uesugi Kenshin and Oda Nobunaga as a great warrior. He received numerous military commendations and eventually reached the rank of commissioned officer in the Japanese armed forces. But all along, his only true desire was a worthy opponent.

After leaving the Murakami clan, Mitsurugi continued to fight in every war in Japan as a hired mercenary. It was during this time that he had learned of a new weapon that was said to be changing the way wars would be fought: the rifle. He originally dismissed this weapon as a novelty, but he soon learned that it was capable of obliterating the Takeda cavalry at the Battle of Nagashino. He sensed that the arrival of the rifle in common warfare would put him out of business. He decided that the only way to combat with this was to find a stronger weapon: the enchanted sword of legend, Soul Edge.

Unfortunately, Mitsurugi was unable to find any trace of the legendary "Hero's Sword" on his quest and began taking tasks that were largely meaningless to him in order to pass the time. One of these involved guarding a nearby castle for the night; and another of which involved aiding the Spanish Marquis Andre's force in laying siege on Sir Stefan's Ostrheinsburg Castle. In his frustration of finding no signs of Soul Edge, he returned home and challenged a man wielding the rifle Tanegashima to a duel, trying to prove that he didn't need Soul Edge to beat the rifle. However, he suffered an embarrassing defeat in front of his lord, leaving him with a scar of a gunshot wound and forcing him to depart in shame on a second quest to perfect his swordsmanship so that he might eventually defeat the rifle. It was during this quest that he learned of the Azure Knight, Nightmare, who terrorized Europe with a sword deemed invincible. Nightmare's trail eventually disappeared, but Mitsurugi was unwilling to give up, after returning from his quest Mitsurugi challenged Teppou Hei again, but this time Mitsurugi managed to kill the man with a single strike with his katana.

Four years later, Mitsurugi stumbled upon the trail of Soul Edge while visiting a castle in Xiwei (present-day Xi'an), where a mysterious dying man, after being saved by him from a gang of assassins, handed him a shard of the cursed blade. Although skeptical at first, Mitsurugi accepted the gift. Soon afterward, an incident occurred in which a servant of the Emperor of Ming marched to the castle, demanding the "Hero's Sword," and was slain when he refused to leave without it; Mitsurugi sensed that war was coming, but Soul Edge meant nothing to him. He had crossed countless battlefields, defeating every conceivable enemy, even those with rifles. What had once been his greatest enemy was none of his concern, as it no longer proved to be a threat. His only concern was with finding an opponent stronger than himself.

It was at this time that he was suddenly attacked by unknown forces, but he fought off all of his attackers quite easily. They were after the fragment the man from Xiwei had given to him; and judging by their outfits, they appeared to be ninja, with a sword technique he found strangely familiar. They reminded him of his nemesis Taki, who had interfered every time he had drawn close to the Soul Edge. His thoughts drifted, wondering what was happening in Japan at that time, and whether or not he could have a final showdown with Taki. He decided to return to his homeland.

By this time, the powerful daimyo of Owari, Oda Nobunaga, was dead. Betrayed at Honnoji temple by his retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide, the other daimyo were now faced with the decision of whether or not to align with his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Murakami clan in particular, with whom Mitsurugi stayed upon his return, refused to join with mainland Japan, choosing instead to protect their existence as fierce pirates and rulers of the sea, but their resistance caught the attention of Hideyoshi, and a final stand was about to ensue.

Since Mitsurugi could find no trace of Taki, he decided to aid the Murakami in the battle. A nighttime raid commenced. The ships clustered together and rode the tide in to charge the enemy fleet - the traditional secret strategy of the Murakami. The battle began, and Mitsurugi stormed enemy ships like a hurricane. This combined with the Murakami's naval prowess allowed for swift victory, and Mitsurugi was decorated for his service, gaining an invitation to meet with the Murakami commander. The commander engaged him in long conversation, mentioning rumors of a warrior clad in azure armor appearing from the west and boasting the strength of a god. Mitsurugi looked up in surprise, realizing that this must be Nightmare, whom he had lost track of before.

Mitsurugi bade farewell to the Murakami and ran to a nearby port, giving all of his reward money to a boatman, demanding that he be taken west. He needed neither money nor fame, only the satisfaction of a fierce battle in which his very soul would clash against his opponent's; and that battle, he concluded, would be found in Nightmare.

Mitsurugi searched for many powerful warriors from all over the world. But no matter how many enemies he fought and how powerful he became, he still hungered for more. He gave up searching for the legendary sword because he figured that no matter how powerful a weapon, it's useless if one doesn't have the strength to match it.

However, after he defeated some assassins that were looking for information about Soul Edge, he remembered the fragment of the evil sword that he had. He was about to throw it away because he felt that he didn't need it, when suddenly, the fragment had an unholy glow, and then it flew into the sky, heading west.

With anticipation, Mitsurugi followed, hoping to find both Nightmare and Soul Edge. He also heard rumors that the land before him was filled with terror, and horrible monsters and insane warriors were gathering. These stories didn't scare Mitsurugi, however, in fact, it excited him. This was a challenge that seemed worthy for him.

Ever-searching for a worthy adversary to test his skills, Heishiro Mitsurugi journeyed to Ostrheinsburg; there he entered a chaotic alternate dimension and faced the Hero King, Algol, high atop a colossal tower. The two warriors clashed when suddenly Algol disappeared, along with the tower and all their surroundings—a dimensional convergence had warped Mitsurugi back to reality before the duel could be decided.

Some time later, rumors of a great conflict back in Japan reached the wandering swordsman—a power struggle that would determine who would rule the entire country. Mitsurugi raced back to his homeland, but it was too late. The battlefield at Sekigahara was deserted. The war was over.

While most of Japan would enjoy the ensuing era of peace, thousands of master less samurai found themselves out of favor and out of a job. With no money to continue his travels, Mitsurugi resigned himself to a quiet life as a farmer.

Then, one day, he happened to encounter a group of soldiers, freshly returned from a tour of duty abroad. The men spoke of a great sword, so mighty that even now they only dared whisper its name: Soul Calibur.

One mention of the Hero King's sword is all it took. Mitsurugi's lust for battle returned in an instant, stronger than ever.

"Algol! I'm coming for you..."

The samurai sold his entire harvest and secured transport on the first boat to the continent, seeking an end to the duel that had begun 17 years prior...

(Non-canon)

Mitsurugi comes across the player and Cassandra, having heard rumors that the former defeated Nightmare. Wanting to test his might, he challenges the player to a duel but loses. Mitsurugi acknowledges the strength of the player, but senses hesitation. He gives advice for them to rid of that hesitation and reach their highest peak of strength.

Physical Appearance

Mitsurugi appears as a well-built Japanese man with slightly long black hair and black eyes.

Personality

Mitsurugi has only one goal in mind: To seek out the strongest warrior and challenge them to a duel then become the strongest warrior in history. He is never satisfied at the opponents he defeated in battle. Aside from being cocky, Mitsurugi is the kind of a person who sticks to his words; he's not all show. Being a ronin, he fights with honor and kills his opponents in an honorable fashion, and several of his endings reveal that he has a moral side. As shown in one such ending, he is shown to believe that true strength lies within a person and not from the weapon. He is considered a neutral character.

Costumes

In Soul Edge, he wore a blue jacket accented with yellow and black with the sleeves torn off along with a pair of bright blue trousers, red shinguards and gauntlets. His black hair had a messy fringe and bangs to frame his face

In Soulcalibur, his color palette is overall much darker with black and shades of red, which would become his signature colors from this point on. He discarded the jacket in place of a red breast plate and wearing half of his robe on his body. He also wore metal armor and a plated shoulder guard covering the entirety of his left arm while keeping his dominant one completely bare, presumably to keep his arm as free and flexible as possible. His hair is now slicked back and his chest bears the scar of a bullet from his duel with the Tanegashima.

In Soulcalibur II, his outfit is fairly different with silver becoming more prominent in his color scheme and is slightly more armored, with both arms featuring matching red and silver pauldrons. It's also at this time that he has grown a mustache and stubble with his hair being slightly messy.

In Soulcalibur III, he returns to a style of clothing similar to his SCI appearance but with his upper body no longer covered by armor along with white flame patterns on his trousers.

In Soulcalibur IV and Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny, Mitsurugi retains the arm-sleeve armor with a piece of the handguard having been chipped, but his chest is completely bare, showing off his impressive built and the apparent lack of scars despite the many battlefields he's walked in.

In Soulcalibur V and Soulcalibur: Lost Swords, Mitsurugi is well into his mid-life years, having cut his hair which is now completely unkempt and having fully grown out his facial hair. No longer in wartime and having quit his mercenary days, Mitsurugi no longer wear any armor, opting for a simple black robe and tattered trousers with familiar white flame decals along with large prayer beads slung around his body. He still chooses to leave the right side of his upper torso bare, but now features visible scars on his body after his scuffle with Algol.

Endings

Soul Edge

Mitsurugi realizes that Soul Edge is evil and destroys both swords. He decides to challenge a rifleman to a duel... Unlike the other characters' endings, the player controls Mitsurugi in a first-person view. The goal is to evade shots from the rifleman and slash him down.

Bad Ending: If the player fails, Mitsurugi gets shot. He is seen standing in an open field and decides that if he's going to defeat rifles in battle, he's going to need a stronger weapon. He then sets off on his quest again.

Good Ending: If the player succeeds, Mitsurugi defeats the rifleman with a fatal strike of his blade and realizes that his weapon doesn't matter. He then decides to start training again, holding his katana to the sky.

Soulcalibur

After countless battles, the demonic blade Soul Edge was in Mitsurugi's hands. En route back to his homeland, pirates attacked him on the high seas. Mitsurugi was completely surrounded by the bloodthirsty pirates. He smiled without fear as he looked down the barrels of their guns and murmured...

Mitsurugi: I've had enough of duels... you're just what I need to try the blade of my new sword...

This was the last that anyone heard of the lone samurai known as the "Mercenary of Wartime Age."

Soulcalibur II

Soul Calibur 2 - Mitsurugi Ending HQ

After countless battles and a deadly duel, Mitsurugi finally possessed Soul Edge, the ultimate sword. But he soon realized that the weapon was inherently evil.

"Surely this can't be the sword I've been seeking!"

Mitsurugi shattered the demonic blade to pieces. Without a moment's rest, Mitsurugi embarked on another journey to find the true Soul Edge.

Soulcalibur III

Mitsurugi is seen slaughtering several soldiers in a town and then arrives at a bridge where a man grabs a woman.

Soul Calibur 3 - Mitsurugi - Ending B

Mitsurugi runs up to the man and kills him in anger, freeing the woman. Three more soldiers run up to Mitsurugi, and the camera focuses on the moon as sword strokes are heard in the background. When the camera pans down, the three samurai fall as Mitsurugi goes to leave, with Soul Calibur in his left hand. As he walks away, he says "If you're going to kill me, you'd better bring a whole army!"









Soul Calibur 3 - Mitsurugi - Ending A

No Input Ending: Mitsurugi runs up to the man and woman, but is stopped by a surprise attack from Taki. Mitsurugi ignores the man and woman, and now focuses on Taki. "That Soul Edge in your possession, it's time to hand it over." Taki commands. Mitsurugi replies by saying "If you want it that badly, come and take it by force!" He then jumps at her with his Soul Edge in his left hand, as the scene pauses and turns to sepia tone.





Soulcalibur IV

Soul Calibur IV Mitsurugi's Ending(JP)

Mitsurugi stabs Algol once more, destroying the power of the sword. Algol commands Mitsurugi to take his power as well, and use it however he'd like. "I don't need it." Mitsurugi says, as he puts his sword away. "Weapons are just tools. True strength lies within me." As he begins to walk away, Algol mutters his last words: "Well done."

The text-only epilogue reveals this: The date of death is unknown, and he won countless fights. He kept proving throughout his life that he was the best, and even now his name never fades.

Tower of Lost Souls Details & Skills

Mitsurugi appears in Tower of Lost Souls, appearing only once on the Ascend path but appearing a few times on the Descend path. He appears as a sub-ordinate in "Envoy of Destruction" as a difficult opponent to defeat, mostly because of the computer attempting to K.O. the player characters using multi-button presses mixed with combos.

TOLS Ascend Floor Challenge: Envoy of Destruction (Floor 58)

Partner(s): Setsuka and Cervantes

Skills: Soul Gauge Damage A

Shave Damage A

Soul Gauge Recovery A

Fighting Style

Mitsurugi's fighting style is one of the easiest, fastest, and the strongest fighting styles in the game. He displays incredible strength in most of his attacks. His low attacks are arguably the best in the game and some of them can be chained to make a combo. His kick attacks are mediocre in strength but they are speedy too. Mitsurugi can also switch stances that wait and counterattack an opponent. While in these stances, he can use several of the many Attack Throws that can easily catch his opponent if not expected. His weakness however, is that some of his attacks are predictable even though they are fast and damaging. Also, he is criticized for having few moves and his strong attacks are frequently used so the opponent has a chance to counter these attacks. However, Mitsurugi is placed between mid to high-tier by Soulcalibur fans.

Critical Finish

Demon Slayer - He says "Try this!" and performs four quick slashes that briefly ignites the opponent and kills them instantly as he asks them "See that?".

Critical Edge

Witching Hour - Mitsurugi primes his sword while saying "Your time is up!" He then does an uppercut and slashes downwards, shouting "You will submit!" as he knocks down his opponent.

Weapon Arts

Weapon Arts are special moves in Soulcalibur: Lost Swords which act very similar to the Critical Edge system from Soulcalibur V.

Ogre Smasher: This is his high attack from SCIV called Disembowel, but now it's accompanied with a light blue smoke resembling that of Hilde's charge attacks.

Demon Slayer: It seems to be his new attack. This vertical attack causes a Guard Burst otherwise it sends the opponent high in the air.

Gallant Feather: That's Mitsurugi's Wheel Slash which turns into Autumn Requiem if delivered successfully.

Harvest Dance: It's a slightly enhanced version of his Brave Edge attack.

Witching Hour: This is his Critical Edge, from Soulcalibur V.

Quotes

Soul Edge

" How pathetic. (Shoushi senban.) "

" " You amateur! (Mijuku mono ga!) "

" " Come back when you're ready! (Denaoshite koi!) "

" " Hahahahahaha! "

" " You're finished! "

" " This is Soul Edge... "

" " The one... The one I've been searching for can't be... "

" " ...Such a thing as this! "

" "Give me your best shot."

Soulcalibur

" No one can take Soul Edge from me! "

" " You'll be in hell... Before me! "

" " The name's Mitsurugi! Don't forget it! "

" " You fool! Don't make me laugh! "

" " This is it! Hiiiyah! "

" " Farewell! "

" " You're finished! "

" " What's the matter? "

" " Prepare yourself! "

" "May there be mercy for you!"

Soulcalibur II

" I'll show you what fighting with swords is all about. "

" " It's too late to beg for mercy! "

" " This victory is mine! "

" " You'll be in hell before me! "

" " Don't blame me when you get hurt. "

" " You will be a stain on my sword! "

" " There will be no mercy for you! "

" " Fine, be my guest if you want to die. "

" " Let's go! Come and try me. "

" " Ready? Prepare yourself! "

" " Fine, I accept your challenge! "

" " You'll regret this! "

" " Too easy! Come back when you are ready! "

" " Pathetic. Who do you think you are? "

" " Worthless. Come back when you are ready! "

" " Don't make me laugh! You're no match for me! "

" " Know your place! Cur! "

" " How did you like that? "

" " The name's Mitsurugi, remember it! "

" " Just as I thought! Know your place! "

" " Humph, what a waste of time. "

" " Split into pieces! "

" " Humph, bunch of cur. "

" " What? "

" " Huh? "

" " Can't be! "

" " Damn! "

" " Give up already! "

" " You again? I've had enough of you! "

" " Soul Edge is mine! "

" " This isn't what I've been searching for! "

" " Take... this! "

" " Lay down... and die! "

" " Come on! "

" " Ready? "

" " This is the end! "

" " You're mine! "

" " Go! "

" " Come on, come on! "

" " Die! "

" " No way! "

" " See that? "

" " No use! "

" " Surrender! "

" " Not enough! "

" " No mercy! "

" " This is no game! "

" " Don't make me laugh! "

" "Split into pieces!"

Soulcalibur III

" A worthy adversary... let's go! "

" " You won't make it through this fight! "

" " Don't let your guard down... or you'll die. "

" " If you're going to stand in my way, you're dead! "

" " I don't care who you are! I'll win! "

" " Time to meet your maker! "

" " Let me give you a taste of my steel. "

" " Let's end this... once and for all! "

" " I don't matter how many times you try! I'll win! "

" " I'll cut apart as many times as you like! "

" " No mercy! "

" " Fine, come on! "

" " Here I come!

" Come on! "

" " Let's go! "

" " Ready? "

" " You'll regret this. "

" " Don't blame me if you get hurt. "

" " Who are you? "

" " You're eager to die... very well then. "

" " Your chance to beg is over! "

" " You'll be a stain on my blade! "

" " I will give you a taste of true battle. "

" " You thought you could defeat me? How absurd! "

" " There is nothing I cannot cut through! "

" " That's what you get for showing off, you fool! "

" " Humph! I'm done with you! "

" " That was just a taste of hell. "

" " Is that the best you can do? "

" " It wasn't even worth drawing my sword... humph. "

" " We can do this as many times as you like. "

" " Not even the king of hell could stand against my blade. "

" " You really thought you could beat me with that thing? "

" " Your predictable moves are no match! "

" " Pathetic! Your tricks won't work! "

" " So you're that knight guy! Let's go! "

" " Your skills would never stand up on the battlefield. "

" " This is nothing compared to the real battlefield. "

" " You will be in hell... before me! "

" " Name's Mitsurugi... remember it! "

" " How pathetic! Don't make me laugh! "

" " Too easy! Don't waste my time! "

" " You're worthless! "

" " This victory is mine! "

" " Humph! A waste of time! "

" " You twit! Who do you think you are? "

" " I have no business with you! "

" " Just as I thought! "

" " Know your place, worthless cur! "

" " You're dead! "

" " Pitiful! "

" " Damn you! "

" " Take this! "

" " Die! "

" " KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATS! "

" " Time to... DIIIEE! "

" " Hissatsu! "

" " You're mine! "

" " Ora! Ora! "

" " No mercy! "

" " Play time's over! "

" " Time to die! "

" " Take... this! "

" " You coward! "

" " Not bad at all! "

" " What?! "

" " How?! "

" " No! "

" " DAMMIT! "

" " You fool... you actually think you can take me?! "

" " I guess you've never heard the name Mitsurugi. "

" " I don't know... what you're talking about. "

" " Your sword skills... now I remember. "

" " Is there no one stronger around? "

" " Damn! "

" " What?! "

" " If you want it that badly, come and take it by force! "

" " If you want to kill me, you'd better bring a whole army! "

" "Humph, you again!"

Soulcalibur IV

" It doesn't matter who you are. Just fight! " - to Darth Vader

" - to Darth Vader " Fine. Come on! "

" " You'll just be a stain on my blade! "

" " Victory will be mine in the end. "

" " You coward! "

" " Prepare to fight to the death! "

" " How pathetic! Don't make me laugh! "

" " Prepare to feel the wrath of my blade! "

" " Save the formalities! Let's fight! "

" " So you're eager to die. Very well. "

" " Time to die! "

" " Resentless! "

" " Alright! "

" " Die! "

" " Well said. Now show me your blade! "

" " Know your place, worthless cur! "

" " This should be entertaining. "

" " It's you. Then Soul Edge must be near. " - Spoken to Taki in her Story Mode

" - Spoken to Taki in her Story Mode " You have to bring the entire army just to kill me "

" " Well this should be fun. I'll take you all at once! "

" " You really thought you could defeat me? Fools. "

" " The name's Mitsurugi. Don't forget it. "

" " I don't need it. "

" " Weapons are just tools. "

" " True strength lies within me. "

" " Are you even trying? "

" " I'll see you in hell. "

" "Not even the king of hell could stand against my blade."

Soulcalibur V

" My blade is angry! Want a taste? "

" " You seem very eager... to die. "

" " In the fires of hell... we shall meet again. "

" " Your time is up! " — Spoken during Critical Edge.

" — Spoken during Critical Edge. " You will submit! " — Spoken after Critical Edge.

" — Spoken after Critical Edge. " Die... Algol ! " — Spoken during Critical Edge against Algol.

" — Spoken during Critical Edge against Algol. " Heishiro Mitsurugi. Do not forget this name. "

" " Your skill in battle is commendable. "

" " Hmpf! A pointless fight. How dare you waste my time! "

" " Do not challenge me again until you've brushed up on your skills! "

" " Ready? " — Spoken during entering of Mist stance.

" — Spoken during entering of Mist stance. " Too weak! "

" " No mercy! "

" " You're mine! "

" " Have a taste... of Hell! " — Spoken during throw

" — Spoken during throw " Patty cakes... This is war! " — Spoken during throw against α Patroklos.

" — Spoken during throw against α Patroklos. " Kid...this is war! " — Spoken during throw against Xiba.

" — Spoken during throw against Xiba. " Dammit! " — On the first Ring Out in a fight.

" — On the first Ring Out in a fight. " Not again! " - on a second Ring Out in a fight.

" - on a second Ring Out in a fight. " It's been a while... Algol. " — Spoken when engaging in battle against Algol.

" — Spoken when engaging in battle against Algol. " Another victory. " — Spoken after defeating Algol.

" — Spoken after defeating Algol. " Damn! I'm getting old. " — Spoken after a losing a battle, when time runs out.

" — Spoken after a losing a battle, when time runs out. " See that? "

" " Die! "

" " Your time! "

" " Your time...is over! "

" " How's this? "

" " Playtime's over! "

" " Forget it! "

" " Pathetic! "

" "Coward."

"That's it? Amateur!"

"Look, kid; This isn't some game." — Unknown/Unused.

Soulcalibur: Lost Swords

" My blade is angry... Want a taste ? "

" " So... No mercy! "

" " Your time is up! " - Spoken during Critical Edge

" - Spoken during Critical Edge " You will submit! — Spoken during Critical Edge.

— Spoken during Critical Edge. "In the fires of Hell, we shall meet again."

Relationships

Rival of Taki.

Hated by Li Long during most of Soul Edge .

. Defeated by Teppou Hei, and later killed him after the events of Soul Edge .

. Considered a rival to Siegfried.

Archenemy of Setsuka, who seeks revenge against him for the death of her master ever since Soulcalibur III . Shared a Destined Battle with her in Soulcalibur III and Soulcalibur IV . According to his Japanese profile, it is stated that he defeated her by stunning Setsuka with a punch, but lost his katana Shishi-Oh in the battle.

. Shared a Destined Battle with her in and . According to his Japanese profile, it is stated that he defeated her by stunning Setsuka with a punch, but lost his katana Shishi-Oh in the battle. Sought to defeat Nightmare in Soulcalibur III and Soulcalibur IV .

and . Defeated Miser and Greed at some point before the events of Soulcalibur IV according to an official relationship chart.

according to an official relationship chart. Yun-seong considers him an enemy of his country because he's a samurai.

Fought Darth Vader in his introduction in Soulcalibur IV. (non-canon)

(non-canon) Fought a non-conclusive battle with Algol during the events of Soulcalibur IV. Considers him to be his main rival in Soucalibur V.