Sengoku Basara

	I should have been the one to fill your dark soul with liiiiiiiiiiight!
	This article is a stub and is missing information. You can help the Devil May Cry wiki by expanding it.

Sengoku Basara (known in English as Devil Kings for the first title only) is a hack-and-slash game series developed by Capcom, being a radical alternate take on the Sengoku/Warring States period of Japan with their own portrayals of the various historical figures involved.

The 2 primary main characters across the series are the rivals Date Masamune and Sanada "Genjūrō" Yukimura (or historically known as Sanada Nobushige), with various other characters involved as mainstays and/or new additions per installment.

In an interview with series' director/producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi by IGN, Kobayashi stated that Devil Kings/Sengoku Basara is actually a mix-up of Devil May Cry and Street Fighter, where some of the moves of the characters are based on Devil May Cry itself.

References to Devil May Cry series

• The font used on the cover of Devil Kings is the font style used in the Devil May Cry series.
  • The first 2 Sengoku Basara installments also features the ability to swap between 2 chosen Inherent Arts on the fly, which are essentially special attacks mapped to the Triangle button by default. Battle preparation menus require the player to load their character with 2 Inherent Arts out of a varied number before setting off, with each character having their own amount (some may have 2 or just 1). This essentially references the weapon switching introduced in the first Devil May Cry game which was expanded to be more on-the-fly as of Devil May Cry 3.
    • The 3rd installment onwards however, allows for multiple Inherent Arts to be accessed in neutral (up to 5 total) with the new control scheme introduced leading to a more fleshed-out base kit for all characters, and instead assigns the ability to have 3 Inherent Secret Skills/Ōgi to be the swap-able moves in the characters' moveset (up to 3 total, can be arranged in any swapping order and can at least access all 3 skills in battle). The Inherent Ōgi/Secret Skill system likely references Dante able to have access to all of his weapons and styles on the fly as of Devil May Cry 4, but also Vergil's entire swap-able kit with no need to go into battle preparation to equip a portion of said kit.
    • Starting from the first installment but becoming more universal for everyone as of the fourth, it is possible to hold down the basic attack button to perform certain Inherent Arts. This likely is a reference to how certain moves in DMC can be performed by holding down either the Melee, Shoot or Style buttons for completely different moves that may or may not be chargeable.
    • The third installment onwards enables characters to dash faster via double tapping a direction or after moving in a direction after a set period of time, referencing the Speed mechanic introduced in Devil May Cry 4.
    • The series' portrayal of Shima Sakon (AKA Shima Kiyo'oki) introduced in the 4th installment as a full nod to Style switching, has the mechanic to switch between two different fighting styles; a dual kodachi-based stance called Chō (丁) and a kick-based stance called Han (半).
      • Like Nero, Sakon's motif fully nods to gambling terms and also has a gambling-based Inherent Secret Skill, and his aforementioned two stances are named after the dice game of Chōhan.
• The series' portrayal of Sanada Yukimura (named in the North American version as "Scorpio") uses the Ifrit as his arm guards.
  • His Rekka (烈火, Raging Fire) Inherent Art, which can be extended to become Dai Rekka (大烈火, Big Raging Fire), and its enhanced variant in Sanada Yukimura-den for his alternate version known as Rekkaen (烈火炎, Raging Fire Flame), are rapid-thrusting attacks that likely reference Million Stabs.
  • A spear-pole spinning kick followup to his Gurenkyaku (紅蓮脚, Crimson Lotus Leg) Inherent Art (also can be done with his Yukimura-den version) references the Rebellion's Crazy Dance finisher in Devil May Cry 3.
• The series' portrayal of Oda Nobunaga (named in North America initially as "Devil King") makes use of a shotgun as one of his weapons for a number of his attacks, which can also be charged up.
  • During one of his Inherent Arts using said shotgun, the Enrai Haruka (遠雷遥, Far Thunder Distance), he walks as it's being charged up in the same way Dante does so (mainly as of Basara 3).
  • Also in Basara 4, the Sai'un Haruka (彩雲遥, Coloring Cloud Distance) is Nobunaga's ability to cancel any of his normal attack string inputs into a shotgun blast, akin to the original option to cancel melee moves into gunshots in Devil May Cry.
    • One of his Inherent Arts in also in Basara 3, the Suikaku suru Rikuma (睡覚スル六魔, Drowsy Memorizing Six Demons) puts him in a toggle-able mode where he can summon a phantom image of himself to attack with his moves in tandem, and replaces his aforementioned Sai'un Haruka with the Rikuma no Uta (六魔の詠, Six Demons' Recital). This likely nods to Nero's Devil Trigger.
• A number of characters in the first title have unlockable weapons from Devil May Cry.
  • Date Masamune can wield the Alastor as his joke weapon, or rather multiple Alastors.
  • Sanada Yukimura can wield a spear version of the Sword of Sparda as his joke weapon.
• Likewise, Date Masamune himself across the series (initially named "Azure Dragon" in North America) as the main protagonist has several references to Dante's overall kit:
  • One of his Inherent Arts, DEATH FANG, references Rebellion's High Time attack and functions the same way (launcher slash that can be held down to rise in the air). Unlike High Time however, the grounded-version of DEATH FANG has its own unique normal attack string followup.
    • As of the 3rd installment however, several other characters have their own launcher-type Inherent Arts modeled after the standard launcher across the Devil May Cry games.
  • Another one his Inherent Arts named MAGNUM STEP is a reference to the Stinger (lunging-dash-sword-thrust attack). Unlike Stinger however, its distance cannot be extended as far as the Stinger and it only has a possible extra single thrust followup attack that does not exactly mirror Million Stabs (and said followup must be accessed in a special state first). Also unlike the Stinger, Masamune when using it in midair as of the 3rd title falls to the ground while still dashing forward (unlike midair Stinger normally going straight forward but at a much smaller distance than on ground).
    • In a similar vein, Masamune's retainer, Katakura Kojūrō (introduced as playable in the Heroes expansion for the second installment), has his own similar rush-thrusting technique akin to the Stinger, the Ugachi Tsuki (穿月, Drilling Moon). Though if used in midair as of the 3rd installment, Kojūrō dive thrusts with it instead.
    • Likewise, his Gekkō (月煌, Moon Gleam) has its first input also act similar to High Time, but the followup is instead a downwards reap.
    • Basara 3 Utage onwards has one of Kojūrō's recurring Inherent Arts-turned-Inherent Ōgi, Narukami (鳴神, Crying God) have a new followup dual-slash that unleashes a horizontal lightning sword beam, akin to charged up versions of Drive.
      • The Basara portrayal of Kojūrō also shares Dante's Japanese voice actor, Toshiyuki Morikawa.
  • Another Inherent Art named CRAZY STORM is likely themed after Agni & Rudra's neutral combo III and their Million Slashes Crazy Combo.
  • Masamune's universal jumping strong/heavy attack, alongside several other characters', is a reference to the Helm Breaker (falling-sword-slamming-slash). His own Inherent Art PHANTOM DIVE is also rather similar in concept.
  • His Inherent Secret Skill TESTAMENT, introduced in the third title, is a reference to the Just Charge mechanic certain weapons/character movesets have as of Devil May Cry 4 (properly just-charge/releasing TESTAMENT results in a difficult-to-land instant kill upon any victims caught by it).
    • The Sanada Yukimura-Den version of Masamune with his new moveset different from his base-installment version of Basara 4, has an Inherent Art named KILL SHAKE where he spins upside down in midair generating a shredding tornado, mimicking the animation of Rain Storm despite not involving any guns.
• The series' portrayal of Takenaka Hanbē introduced as of the second title, instead has a similar launcher move akin to High Time named as "Karoyaka ni" (軽やかに, "Rather lightly") introduced in the fourth title, but holding down the input for it triggers a downwards pull-slamming whip attack named as "Kimagure ni" (気まぐれに, "Capriciously") instead of the jump-rising variant.
  • A similar forward thrusting-dash move which also emulates the Stinger is also introduced for him in Sengoku Basara 4, called "Isamashiku" (勇ましく, "Galiant"), only it ends in a quick double high-to-low fencing thrust combo. Holding it down instead triggers another one of his older skills.
  • Another one of Hanbē's Inherent Arts, which becomes a Secret Skill in Basara 4, is "Yami ni Tsutsumarete" (闇に包まれて, "Enveloped in Darkness"), where he unleashes a downpour of dark energy that can also be charged up. This is likely based off of the Acid Rain technique, and predates Heavy Rain Swords.
• The series' portrayal of Ishida Mitsunari as of the 3rd title, fights with an iaijutsu style similar to Vergil, on top of having a similar technique to his Judgement Cut via his Zankai (慙悔, Shame Repent) Inherent Art.
  • Also via nodding to Vergil, Mitsunari's initial Inherent Art, Danzai (断罪, Conviction) is meant to directly parallel Masamune's aforementioned DEATH FANG as a universal launcher move. Unlike Vergil's Upper Slash however, Danzai is done as a somersaulting slash with no upwards-rising variant.
  • Mitsunari is also able to inflict damage with an extra hit when he's allowed to re-sheath his blade on certain connected attacks, likely influencing Vergil's eventual Yamato Combo B where he is able to plant a Summoned Sword in an enemy, and can eventually detonate it with any Yamato-sheathing-animation of his choosing.
  • Furthermore, Mitsunari's Kshana/Chana/Setsuna (刹那) mechanic, which is the ability to lock-on teleport to any victims hit by any of his attacks would pave way for both the classic and reboot version Vergil's ability to teleport to enemies with his Summoned Swords + Trick.
  • His ability to cancel his dodges/steps into any of his Inherent Arts is a likely nod to being able to cancel lock-on side rolls into most offensive actions in the Devil May Cry games.
• As another inverse for Vergil, the series' take on Uesugi Kenshin (named initially as "Frost" in North America) has two aspects that likely eventually make their way to later DMC games for him:
  • One of his Inherent Arts named Shinretsu (神烈, God Fury), a rapid-slashing attack, makes its way into becoming classic-Vergil's Yamato Combo C in Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition-onwards.
  • Likewise, his recurring unnamed Basara Attack/Art likely has paved way for the creation of Judgement Cut End.
  • His fictional retainer, Kasuga (who is an original character to the series), has an attack named Mitsugi: Getsurin (密儀・月輪, Secret Rite: Moon Ring), an upside-down forwards spinning kick attack (finishing into an upwards vault) that eventually is used for Trish's Bare Knuckle Combo C in Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition.
• The third title Sengoku Basara 3 (Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes) stars Johnny Yong Bosch and Reuben Langdon as the primary and secondary protagonists' English voice actors, just as in Devil May Cry 4.
  • Though coincidentally, Johnny Yong Bosch had already voiced a portrayal of Sanada Yukimura via Koei Tecmo/Omega Force's Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi series, also in the 3rd installment for the former series.
  • In an exact similiar unrelated vein, the Koei Warriors portrayal of Akechi Mitsuhide (AKA Tenkai) also shared a 3rd installment English voice actor with the Basara series' take on Mitsuhide/Tenkai as well (being Vic Mignogna).
• The series' portrayal of Nōhime (named in the North American version as "Lady Butterfly") has two handguns modeled after the Ebony & Ivory for her sixth weapon, and even then likely references a few of the firearm-based techniques originating from DMC in many of her Inherent Arts.
  • Nōhime's design also resembles the title character from Bayonetta.
  • Nōhime's normal attack string has her fire both of her guns, much like the default firing style for dual pistols used by Dante, Lady and Trish on both ground and midair. Likewise, she can also walk as she fires, and can also charge up her shots by holding down the button. The charged version also essentially enhances the incoming series of shots the same way.
    • However, it should be noted that none of her shots have any auto-targetting as the main series Basara games lacks a universal lock-on mechanic (with the PSP games' lock-on working differently).
  • One of her Inherent Arts, Kōgyo no Chō (香魚の跳, Fragrant Fish's Leap) has Nōhime swing a rifle upwards to launch nearby enemies, akin to High Time, but can also choose to follow-up normal pistol shots upwards on any possible airborne targets (similar to the High Time-to-pistol shots juggle combo).
  • Nōhime's Akizu no Watari (秋津の渡り, Dragonfly's/Autumn Port's Crossing) puts her in a camera-based rear-view aiming mode in her current forward direction which can also be cancelled, loosely following the lock-on mechanics of the Devil May Cry series (albeit not truly locked-on to a single target).
  • Her Kōtenshi no Mai (叫天子の舞, Shouting Ruler's Dance) is a likely combination of both Twosome Time and Fireworks.
• Likewise, the portrayal of the figure Saika Mago'ichi (who is a female) introduced in the third title, also wields firearms akin to Nōhime, but in a different fashion while also referencing other firearm-based techniques within the Devil May Cry.
  • Mago'ichi's Shōdan Kurotsugumi (衝弾 クロツグミ, Pierce Bullet Black Thrush) Inherent Art has her equip a shotgun, allowing her to fire it much like Dante and Lady would theirs while also able to walk mid-firing, and can also charge up her shots in the same vein.
    • However, her midair default pistol shots resemble the shotgun blasts Dante fires whenever he's in midair (one-handed).
  • The normal version of Mago'ichi's Sōdan Jōbitaki (双弾 ジョウビタキ, Twin Bullet Daurian Redstart) acts similar to the Gun Stinger technique (a forward rushing move into a gun shot).
  • Mago'ichi's Kadan Hirenjaku (火弾 ヒレンジャク, Fire Bullet Waxwing Sparrow) has her throw grenades forward, which predates Lady's Scatter technique from Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition.
  • When Mago'ichi equips her (sub)machine gun via her Rendan Sankōchō (連弾 サンコウチョウ, Chain Bullet Flycatcher) Inherent Art, her normal midair attack instead emulates Rain Storm, even down to similar physics.
  • Her Inherent Ōgi/Secret Skill, Sodan Kawasemi (狙弾 カワセミ, Aim Bullet Kingfisher), has her take out an RPG which not only nods to the Rocket Launcher from the Resident Evil/BIOHAZARD series, but is performed in a very similar fashion to the Kalina Ann's Hysteria technique.
• The series' portrayal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, with his new playable form shown as of Sengoku Basara 3, essentially has his overall fighting style be a direct nod to the hand-to-hand-based Devil Arms Dante and Vergil have wielded, even with similar charge mechanics both for any of his independent moves and for each of his normal attack string's inputs. However, he only references the punching-based techniques, and not the kick-based ones.
  • Ironically, Ieyasu's English voice in Samurai Heroes (the third title's localization) in a similar case to Masamune and Yukimura's cases, is Sanctus' (Liam O'Brien).
  • As an inverse, the aforementioned Shima Sakon's Tekka (鉄火, Iron Fire) Inherent Art done in his Han stance resembles the rapid-fire kicks used with said hand-to-hand Devil Arms.
• Both the series' portrayals of Nagamasa Azai and the aforementioned Sakon have diving midair kicks as their universal jumping heavy attacks, playing nod to the hand-to-hand Devil Arms' dive kick moves (the latter only has it in Han stance).
  • Sakon's Han stance Inherent Art named Kachikachi (カチカチ, Ticktock/Clatter Clatter) is a somersault kick combo sends upwards sword-beam-esque waves, likely resembling the Drive and Overdrive attacks.
    • His Chō stance's Koagari (子あがり, Child Lifting) and Han stance's Oyaotoshi (親おとし, Parents Dropper) Inherent Arts would pave way for some of the Balrog's animations in Devil May Cry 5.
      • Likewise, Sakon's aforementioned stance switch mechanic also likely influenced the mode-switching for the Balrog in the same vein.
• The series' portrayal of the figure Tsuruhime introduced in the 3rd title, has an Inherent Art named Shibari no Ya (糸貼りの矢, Arrow of Thread-Sticking), an overhead arrow rain attack which likely references both the Artemis' Acid Rain and the Summoned Swords' Heavy Rain Swords techniques.
  • One of her Inherent Secret Skills, Muryō no Ya (無量の矢, Immeasurable-Arrow), directly copies the Spiral Swords technique, only with arrows in the place of sword images.
• The original character Itsuki (in the first and second titles only) has an Inherent Art named Matsuribayashi (まつりばやし, Festival Music Band) which likely predated Nero's Streak in Devil May Cry 4. Meanwhile, Yukimura's Hibashiri (火走, Fire Running) Inherent Art introduced in the third title somewhat emulates Streak as well.
  • Similarly, one of the Inherent Ōgi/Secret Skills of the series' portrayal of Shimazu Yoshihiro is the Jigen-Ryū: Kijin (示現流 鬼迅, Jigen-Style: Ogre Swift) introduced in the third installment, a charge-able move that can unleash 2 sword-beam projectiles in a fashion similar to Nero's Maximum Bet.
  • Yoshihiro's Jigen-Ryū: Rengoku (示現流 連獄, Jigen-Style: Chain Prison) Inherent Art also introduced in 3 acts similar to Nero's Red Queen Combo B, as a continuous slam-slashing attack that also impacts the ground.
• The series' portrayal of Kuroda Kanbē (AKA Kuroda Yoshitaka) introduced in Sengoku Basara 3 also has a few notable references to Nero:
  • His Yakudama Tosshin (厄玉突進, Bad Luck Ball Charge-Rush) has him perform a drop kick on his iron ball akin to Nero's drop kick taunt, albeit it can be extended.
  • His Anagura Otoshi (穴倉落とし, Hole Cellar Dropper) Inherent Secret Skill when it connects in close range of a victim, has him perform suplexes both similar to the (Devil) Buster grapples Nero performs on the Alto Angelo and similar to Zangief's Final Atomic Buster from the Street Fighter games.
  • Later on in 4: Special Edition, Kanbē's Japanese voice actor, Rikiya Koyama, would eventually voice Credo.
• The fourth title has Dante and Vergil as DLC costumes for Masamune and Mitsunari, respectively. Masamune wields six Alastors while Mitsunari wields the Yamato.
• The fourth title also introduces the series' portrayal of Gotō Matabē (historically known as Gotō Mototsugu), who is able to throw his unique boomerang-saw-blade weapon in a manner akin to the Round Trip for several of his Inherent Arts; Matabē's attacks also change up whenever he is unarmed in the same vein.
• Solely introduced in Yukimura-den, the portrayal of Sanada Masayuki has an Inherent Art named Itatsuki (板つき, On the Wooden Stage), where he throws wands forward at enemies to then teleport to their spots for a possible attack; this is a likely nod to the Grim/Style Trick or reboot Vergil's Angel Lift.

• The Android/iOS mobile game Sengoku Basara Battle Party had collaboration event with Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition between January 15 and February 13, 2020. Dante and Lady was added as UR and SR characters, respectively. Character art was done by Shunsuke Akagi (赤木俊介, Akagi Shunsuke^?).

Gallery

Masamune Date dressed up as Dante from Devil May Cry. His six swords replaced with six Alastors.

Mitsunari Ishida dressed up as Vergil from Devil May Cry 3. His sword replaced with the Yamato.

Sengoku Basara Battle Party

Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition collaboration key visual.

『戦国BASARA バトルパーティー』×『DEVIL MAY CRY 4』コラボPV

Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition collaboration promo video.

UR Devil Hunter Dante by Shunsuke Akagi.

SR Armed Hunter Lady by Shunsuke Akagi.

External links

• The Sengoku Basara Wiki