Art - AaronGCProg/SamuraiShodown-XMatStudio GitHub Wiki
The art style in Samurai Shodown is inspired by the 1700s world, as the game is set in 1788, so the scenery fits in the traditional/historical category. This sets the game in the Edo period (江戸時代). This period is characterized by economic mostly by acultural, economic and social growth and also by how Japan isolated itself from the rest of the world (鎖国, sakoku). This is why most of the characters are from Japan and why the ones that are foreign make such a huge deal travelling to it.
Despite all of that, the game has a lot of variety, especially in the levels because they are set in completely different locations around the world, which means that not only the Japanese culture is represented but others as well. Although, it is mandatory to say that they are all stereotypes. The colours used are intense in most cases resembling a more cartoony look but that can also happen as a consequence of the limitations of consoles in that period.
The main characters are heavily based in the traditional Japanese illustration techniques: in one hand, we can see the influence in the traditional way of the Japanese art (the lines that seem to never end and the general flow and movement of the characters), which raised in the 18th century. And, on the other hand, we can see a huge influence of manga in the general character design. used in manga. The characters are stylized and they represent various stereotypes and icons of different cultures. Every character has its own level which goes accordingly to each one’s personality and culture.
Wearing a traditional white and black Hakama (traditional samurai clothing from the Edo period), we are introduced to Haohmaru, the series' mascot. The white resembles his pure heart but it contrasts with the black and his angular shape, which resembles his reflection of his personality: confident, enjoys combat. Judging by its position, it transmits dynamism and energy. It would be an easy character to empathize with, and in fact, considered the protagonist of Samurai Shodown.
In Jubei's concept, we can understand that he is an older man, with that Hakama coloured with shapes and colours that can only be found in experienced samurais and aristocracy and also with a more serious gesture and a calmer posture that does not transmit the same energy as the previous one. However, the use of the two swords and the patch gives us to understand that it is an experienced swordsman.
In this concept we can appreciate Hanzo, his clothes, which are feudal ninja clothing and accessories, as well as his posture, indicate that he is a prestigious Ninja, the scarf and the leaves raised by the wind enhance his speed and dynamism. The darkness of the character itself resembles the shadows giving it adark and effective personality.
In Charlotte's concept, we can observe a woman who tries to highlight her beauty. She wears 18th-century french armour, which was originally designed for men, but she enhances his feminity by wearing a scarf. It is a thin character with a very fine weapon, a rapier, that excels her French origins and explains that precision and speed will be his strengths, in addition to a style far removed from the oriental, put his proud position as a fencer.
This concept would resemble in some aspects to the concept of Hanzo; he also wears the same clothes, but with lesser accessories, by the meshes of his arms, the scarf and other aspects of his clothing is understood that he is a Ninja, however it is not a conventional ninja. He does not cover his face, and this is used to draw a jovial and smiling face that conveys very different things than Hanzo. You could say that it transmits "light" instead of "darkness". In addition, you can see a dog that judging by its posture and sharp shapes, will also be used for combat.
Wearing a more conservative hakama, we see Ukyo that represents the stereotype of the calm and deadly samurai. In Ukyo's concept, we can observe a very calm, serious and elegant gesture. It is understood by his straight and well-placed hair that cares for his appearance, as well as his plain clothes, without spots or irregularities. In addition to posing with the sword without drawing completely, we can understand that it is a character with a more defensive concept.
Nakoruru hamaka's colours represent the same we found in the traditional Japanese priestess Miko (巫女), showing her connection with nature, which we can see in both her fighting style and stage. Nakoruru is also a jovial and dynamic character. In the concept, you can see wide clothes and a tie in the hair which highlights his early age. In addition, we can see that it is accompanied by a hawk that seems to obey the position of his arm.
Kyoshiro's whole design is inspired in the art of Kamui (歌舞伎), which is traditional Japanese theatre. Therefore he stands out of great aggression and dynamism. It also stands out for an overly crouched posture and for the rarity of holding both strands of hair with both hands. His expression conveys aggressiveness and that it is someone surly, in addition to traditional paintings as well as clothing.
Gen'an design screams danger and madness in every direction possible. He is, after all, inspired in the Japanese mythical monsters called yokais. He is a character clearly disturbed and that is not a human being, unlike the others. He also uses an unconventional weapon and can draw it as a more purist character.
In the concept of Earthquake we can observe first its volume, being a character that could be considered gigantic next to the others. In addition to a sharp weapon makes use of a chain with a club at the end. We can observe several tattoos of flames by the body as well as some cuts, which suggests that it is problematic and aggressive. Although all of this resembles the fat American stereotype, Earthquake shows his ninja training by wearing traditional Japanese clothing of the Edo period usually worn by bandits and low-class warriors.
Standing for the South American culture, we have Tam Tam. In the case of Tam Tam we can observe a character who, for his posture as well as his appearance, is different from the rest. Clearly, it is a character that belongs to an isolated tribe or small tribe with very marked customs; we can see all these traits in his exotic fighting style and movements. Also, his clothing is radically different from the rest of the cast, both in shape and colours- Which, in Tam Tam's case, scream danger and oddness.
In the concept of Wan Fu we can observe a great man, unlike Earthquake more muscular than bulky for other reasons. Carries a gigantic sword and is in a rush towards someone which highlights aggressiveness. However, the expression on his face does not seem as badly intentioned as Earthquake's. All of this is because Wan-Fu is inspired in Sanada Yukimura (真田 幸村), one of the Ten Heroes of Sanada (真田十勇士) which are a group of legendary Japanese ninjas. To complete his design, he also has some accessories related to Buddhism, reinforcing his superior moral and social position.
ATTENTION: Some of these character spritesheets have been provided by other development groups that are doing a project of Samurai Shodown on Github, returning the favor with other material that would also facilitate their documentation.
All sprites of Haohmaru - Main Spritesheet - Auxiliar Spritesheet
All sprites of Jubei - Main Spritesheet 1 - Main Spritesheet 2
All sprites of Galford - Main Spritesheet 1 - Main Spritesheet 2
All sprites of Hanzo - Main Spritesheet 1 - Main Spritesheet 2
All sprites of Nakoruru - Main Spritesheet 1
All sprites of Amakusa - Main Spritesheet 1 - Main Spritesheet 2 - Main Spritesheet 3
All sprites of Gen'an - Main Spritesheet 1
All sprites of Wan Fu - Main Spritesheet 1 - Main Spritesheet 2 - Main Spritesheet 3
All sprites of Tam Tam - Main Spritesheet 1
All sprites of Ukyo - Main Spritesheet 1
All sprites of Earthquake - Main Spritesheet 1
All sprites of Charlotte - Main Spritesheet 1 - Auxiliar Spritesheet
All sprites of Kyoshiro - Main Spritesheet 1 - Main Spritesheet 2
All sprites of Charlotte Ending - Main Charlotte Ending
All sprites of Earthquake/Kyoshiro Ending - Main EQU/KYO Ending
All sprites of Galford Ending - Main Galford Ending
All sprites of Hanzo Ending - Main Hanzo Ending
All sprites of Haohmaru/Jubei/Ukyo Ending - Main HAO/JUB/UKY Ending
All sprites of Tam Tam/Nakoruru/Genan/Wan Fu - Main TAM/NAK/GEN/WAN Ending
All destroyable items from stages - Destroyable Items Spritesheet
All sprites of Referee - Main Referee Spritesheets
Folder with All Stages Animations - All Stages Content
All sprites of User Interface - Main UI Spritesheet
This subsection of the art page is an enlargement of the Analysis of Each Level section which you can find in the Design section linked here
This stage has two different versions: one for Haohmaru and one for Ukyo being the first one the day version and the second one the night version of the stage. It is set on the seaside and features an arid and rocky landscape being the nature itself without man-made objects, resembling the classic samurai fight scene that the film industry popularized.
Click here to see the stages.
Click here to see the stages.
This level is related to Tam Tam. The landscape features man-made objects with an Inca’s theme and is set in the Amazon rainforest. The color scheme is diverse featuring a set of blues, pinks, and browns along with bright yellows and oranges on the floor. Click here to see the stages.
This stage is associated with Nakoruru. Hokkaido is the second largest island in Japan and it has some of the most beautiful snowy landscape of Japan. The level is set in a snowy location on Hokkaido and it consists of a cottage with Japanese designs and some animals around it due to her eagerness to protect nature. Click here to see the stage.
This place is related to Jubei. Kochi is the name of a region located in the main Japan island. The scenery is set in a bamboo forest with a traditional Japanese house in the middle similar to that of the Hokkaido level. Click here to see the stage.
Serves as a stage for Gen’an. Onigami is an imaginary remote island located in the Pacific. The level is spooky, the setting is a kind of sanctuary with candles illuminating skulls placed in holes on the wall of a cave. Click here to see the stage.
This place serves as a stage for Galford. It is located in an 18th-century version of the San Francisco dock with some ships on the background. In the animation, a crowd watching the fight can be seen. The setting of the level fits nicely with Galford’s background history as a young lone wolf. Click here to see the stage.
This stage is related to Wan-Fu. Seian is the romanization of the word Xi’an an actual region of China. The stage consists of a foreground featuring a palace with statues and background with traditional Chinese buildings. Click here to see the stage.
This stage is related to Charlotte. Versailles is a palace located near Paris where the treaty of Versailles was signed one year before the game history was set. The level is filled with bright ornaments making an opulent scenery. It recreates very well the essence of the palace and the life of the nobility living there. Click here to see the stage.
This stage is related to Hanzo. Yamagata is a small region of the main island in Japan. The scenery of the level is set in the afternoon with a cloudy red sky and a lot of wind. We can see the effects of the wind in the plants of the foreground which move from side to side and in the clouds which are rolling fast. The scene is kind of zry and destroyed. Click here to see the stage.
This stage is related to Earthquake. The level is set in the mid-west in North America. In the background, we can see the typical rock formations originated in that place. We can also see some tumbleweed as a wink to western movies. Click here to see the stage.
This stage is related to Kyoshiro. The stage is located inside a Kabuki Theater in the capital of Japan. Kabuki is a Japanese traditional theatre form originated in the seventeenth century. Its plays are about the moral conflict in relationships and historical events. The actors usually paint their faces and have characteristic poses as Kyoshiro does when he is on stage. Click here to see the stage.
This stage is related to Amakusa. Shimbara was a Japanese peninsula where an armed uprising of Catholic peasants happened in 1638. In the level background, we can see a tall building which is indeed a castle. That castle is named Hara and was used as a base for the peasants of the rebellion. This level has two different backgrounds depending on the round of the match you are playing. A normal one for the first round and a destroyed one for the second round. If the character you are playing is Haohmaru some man playing instruments appear in the normal background. Click here to see the stage.
Click here to see the stage.
Click here to see the stage.
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