Masaki Usui (Samurai Shodown ~ Samurai Shodown IV, Sen, Samurai Shodown VI (re-dub voice), Neo Geo Battle Coliseum) Dorio Takaya (Samurai Shodown V) Daiki Nakamura (64 series, Warriors Rage, Samurai Shodown (2019); Capcom vs SNK 2, The King of Fighters All Star, Soulcalibur VI (Japanese voice)) Hiroyoki Koga (Samurai Shodown VI) Toshiyuki Morikawa Shingo Katori (Samurai Shodown: Motion Picture) Milton Lawrence (SS: Motion Picture English)
Status:
Alive
Media of origin:
Samurai Shodown
Haohmaru is the main protagonist of the Samurai Shodown series and of the game's most known characters, the other being Nakoruru. At the age of fifteen, he challenged Jubei Yagyu to a duel but lost due to lack of experience. Jubei, amused by the youth's bravado, brought Haohmaru to Nicotine Caffeine so that he may gain proper training. Whilst living there, he also met and befriended Genjuro Kibagami, fellow student and another orphan like himself. Both students were close friends, yet Genjuro's hunger for power worried Nicotine. To test his students, he tempted them to fight over the treasured sword, Fugudoku. They were tested by facing off with a group of other fighters. In contrast to his friend, Haohmaru fought only until his opponent lost the will to fight and didn't give chase. After Genjuro left Nicotine's home, Haohmaru was rewarded with the sword. Encouraged by his master to further improve himself, Haohmaru travels the lands perfecting his sword skills, and searches for worthy challengers in the name of Shura.
Being the main protagonist, he's often accredited to defeating most of the series villains like Amakusa in Samurai Shodown V or Mizuki in Samurai Shodown II. As you can tell, he's fairly confident with his abilities and enjoys the thrill of fighting against strong opponents.
Seeking enlightenment with each encounter, he constantly journeys in order to improve himself while also taking it upon himself to fight against typical villains. In other words, the more you learn.
His backstory is inspiring because he was challenged to duel against Jubei Yagyu, but lost. What did he do? He went to Nicotine Caffeine in order to literally get some proper training. While that happen, Nicotine tested his students and it just so happens that Haohmaru fought only until his opponent looses the will to fight which rewarded him the Fugudoku which is a treasured sword.
In Samurai Shodown V, he is implied to be a help. The reason behind this is that he does challenges Yoshitora in a duel and asks Haohmaru to help him build a new country thus lead to Haohmaru to respond that if he loses, he'll join Yoshitora. To be fair however, they dueled each other, but it's uncertain who won.
He is shown to inspire some characters like Shizumaru Hisame. You see, Haohmaru teaches him the philosophy of the sword at an early age. So you could say that he does have some solid teaching skills.
Outside of battle, he may be crude yet does feature an easy-going attitude inside.
Haohmaru does have a crush on Shizu as noticed in Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown IV, and Samurai Shodown VI. So with that said, Haohmaru does have a heart for his love interest.
Does have some witty comebacks like "Oooh, goody! A challenger. Who is stronger? Hint. Me!" or ""How weak you are! I might kill you as well as 'tofu' with my sword!"
His fighting style consists of him being the archetype that is mainly more power-based compared to most beginner-type characters, with his infamous standing Hard Slash, the Zantetsusen (Slashing Iron Flash) being one of the series' longer-reaching and strongest attack.
Bad Qualities
As he gets older, he feels less inclined to fight and will try to avoid it if possible.
As mentioned before, he can be crude outside of battle
Trivia
He's based on the famed swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, a duelist who claimed to have never lost a match. He's also modeled after Hyakkimaru from Dororo.
A "Samurai Spirits Team" was originally scheduled to participate in The King of Fighters '95 and The King of Fighters '96. This idea was eventually dropped due to time constraints. The developer notes that Haohmaru would've been on the team alongside Nakoruru and Galford.
Among all characters in the Samurai Shodown series, only Haohmaru has been ever voiced in English, from his appearance in Soul Calibur VI.
His favorite type of mate is a Yamato nadeshiko.
His name comes from two things. Haoh translates as "supreme ruler". The suffix "-maru" was common for Japanese samurai boys
