Yagyū (柳生, sometimes spelled "Yagyuu") is a playable character in the second timeline of Senran Kagura.
A first-year student at Hanzō National Academy. She’s only just begun her training this year, yet she knows that the shinobi world is ruthless and is fully prepared to accept that way of life.
This resolution is born from the considerable power she wields, but it’s approval she seeks above all else; she exists to be acknowledged by her fellow shinobi class members. Although she’s rather taciturn most days, her need for acceptance occasionally causes her to come across as lonely.
Being the same age as Hibari, the two of them have formed something of a sisterly bond, making Hibari one of the few people with whom she’ll willingly open up.
Yagyū is a young girl with long white hair pulled into twin-tails held with shuriken. She has red eyes and wears a patch over the one; however, the eye it covers is functional. She is normally depicted with an indifferent expression.
In turnover, she wears a pale brown jacket over a white school shirt, red plaid skirt, brown loafers, and calf-high black stockings. Around her shoulders is a black mantle with a triangle design along the trim and two extended tails.
Personality[]
Yagyū has a stoic and quiet demeanor, usually modest of her own ability, yet still very aware and in tune with it. She is also a very distant person, preferring to keep things to herself and relying on no one. However, she sees Hibari as a little sister figure, the two are always capable of making the other smile. She is extremely protective of Hibari, often rushing to her aid without delay and without question. Though this has saved Hibari on numerous occasions, it has also led Yagyū to underestimate her to a certain degree or even to Yagyū's own misfortune. She also has a habit of eating whole dried squid without chopsticks or her hands.
Yagyū is running across the mountain terrain calling out to Hibari at the top of her lungs. She shouts out an apology and pleads with her to come back to her. But there was no response. We then cut back to earlier when she and Hibari were practicing alone. Yagyū had wanted to see her grow stronger and harshly told her to quit slacking off. Hurt by her words Hibari’s eyes widened and her lips trembled, she told Yagyū she hated her and immediately ran away crying. Yagyū tried to chase after her but Hibari was already gone. Yagyū kept shouting out she was sorry but she thought if even she heard her it was already too late and began punching herself in the head. She questions what she did, she made Hibari cry on her birthday. Yagyū reveals she had spent so long planning how they would spend Hibari’s happiest birthday ever. Yagyū says to herself that she has to find her while there’s still time to salvage the party. She swears to find Hibari and make amends with her and if anyone got in her way they’ll face her wrath.
Her search takes her back to school where she runs into Katsuragi who questions her about her panicky behavior. Yagyū doesn’t respond but repeats Hibari’s name multiple times, Katsuragi then tells her she saw Hibari nearby and thinking about it she looked down, but she perked up when she groped her. This gets Yagyū’s attention. Katsuragi mentions Hibari was soft they felt a lot different when you touched her boobs. Yagyū only responds with “When you…touch them…” this causes her nose to bleed, something Katsuragi notices and asks her if she was all right. Yagyū tells her she was fine but she won’t be once she makes her pay for what she did to Hibari. And so Yagyū attacks Katsuragi and despite being a first year going up against a third year she beats Katsuragi. Yagyū says she’s avenged Hibari’s honor and she was coming for her.
As she continues her search, she comes across Hibari’s favorite Mr. Bunny candy. It wasn’t just the one there were several in the area she questions if Hibari dropped them. Ryōbi approaches her thinking she was the one who stole her Mr. Bunny candy. Yagyū tells her, she had no interest in her and she had to find Hibari right now. Ryōbi hearing her name thinks about it before remembering Hibari also likes the candy and thinks she may be the culprit. Yagyū tells her she was no thief and asks if she dared accuse Hibari. Ryōbi tells her she doesn’t know and thinks maybe Hibari saw her candy collection in her room and couldn’t resist. Yagyū thinks about a room full of candy with Hibari inside. Ryōbi notices Yagyū’s nose bleeding and questions it. Yagyū tells her it wasn’t her business and tells her to allow her to convince her of Hibari’s innocence by how else fighting each other with Yagyū beating Ryōbi. After letting her off the hook Yagyū repeats how she’s coming for Hibari.
Later during her search Yagyū talks to herself about how she should go pick up the cake soon and some sweets to go with it. Nearby Yozakura is also talking to herself about how she should take it easy on the sweet food as she had been feeling thick recently. Yagyū says to herself that the cake was already sweet so perhaps something salty on the side. She then sees a Mr. Bunny Cracker and it was the last one. Yozakura also sees it and also comments on it being the last one. Both girls reach for it and take notice of each other. Yagyū tells her she picked it up first and asks her kindly to let it go. Yozakura says to her she spotted it first and tells her to let it go. Yagyū says Hibari’s name twice and that she was waiting for her she tells Yozakura to have some chocolate instead. Yozakura tells Yagyū to not order her around and tells her to take the chocolate. And so the two fight each other for the cracker with Yagyū emerging the victor. Yagyū says to Hibari she got her a gift and once again says she’s coming for her.
After she sets up the cake she says to herself that all that was left was to find Hibari. Minori appears out of nowhere and asks who she was waiting for and smelt something good. Yagyū tells her it wasn’t any of her business. Minori then smells the cake and says she wanted some. Yagyū refused to let her. Minori tells her not to be selfish and she was supposed so share. Yagyū tells her she was going to share. With Hibari it would just be the two of them and warns her about getting in the way. This causes her nose bleed again, something that Minori comments that made her scary. An agitated Yagyū says to herself she didn’t have time for this. And a fight breaks out between the two because shut up which ends with Yagyū winning, she then says no more playtime and once again says she’s coming for Hibari.
She eventually runs into Haruka who asks her if she enjoyed barging in between herself and Hibari. Yagyū tells her, she was the one who was getting in between. Haruka responds by telling her she was misinformed; they were about to hold a birthday party and she didn’t see her name on the guest list. Yagyū tells her Hibari was going to have her birthday with her and tells her to stay out of it. Haruka seeing she won’t back off tells her she could never take a hint and decides she’ll have to be a less subtle moving forward. Yagyū tells her to shut up and tells her she never liked her. Haruka replies by telling her the feeling was more than mutual. Yagyū tells her that was perfect and that they should find out right now. Who was more than worthy enough to celebrate Hibari’s birthday. And so the two fight with Yagyū winning. Yagyū says she did it and for them to make her best birthday ever, together.
After sending Haruka rolling like the third wheel she was, Yagyū gives Hibari the present she got her. Which was every kind of Mr. Bunny candy which Hibari thanks her for. Yagyū tells her it wasn’t a problem and tells her happy birthday. Hibari tells her she loved her. Yagyū mentions it was wonderful to see Hibary happy again and there she was with her on her happiest day of the year. Hibari then asks her to not fight anymore on her birthday. Every battle Yagyū had done today was for love and justice, she almost told her this but held back instead as she’d do anything to make her happy on her special day. Then suddenly Haruka shows up telling Hibari happy birthday Yagyū thinks she must’ve gone to easy on her. Hibari thanks Haruka for her words. Yagyū sees this horrid woman was insisting on driving a wedge between her and Hibari. She thinks about what she should do and thinks of fighting her again but decides against it and chooses to settle this without force but with words. She then asks her why was she still here, they didn’t need her and tells her to go home. Haruka asks her to go home and that Hibari would be safe with her. Saying this she flung her arms around Hibari. Seeing this she asks Haruka how dare she and Hibari was her’s. Yagyu was growing angrier but had to calm down as Hibari didn’t want another fight. So Yagyū took a deep breath and walked up to Haruka with a big forced smile. She then secretly stomped on Haruka’s foot who promptly did the same to Yagyū and began whispering insults to Yagyū just low enough to keep Hibari from noticing. Yagyū insults her by telling her "...Go home. Go home, milk cow. Go back to your farm." Haruka insults her back by saying "...You are the cow, Yagyū. Why not help yourself to that grass over there?" Hibari then speaks up saying to get the party started. Something Yagyū and Haruka agree with. What Hibari doesn’t notice is that the two girls continue to stomp on each other’s foot harder, and which each harder stomp the wider their smiles got.
Yagyū is suffering from hay fever. She's having trouble seeing through her watering eyes and so she can't find Hibari. In her miserable state she needs Hibari's comforting presence more than ever. Imagination doesn't suffice. Despite her blurred vision and blocked ears she begins looking around for her friend.
"I can't see... Can't hear... Where's Hibari...?" -Yagyū
"I have found you, Hibari." declares Yagyū... to a confused Hanabi. Yagyū has wandered into the Festival Grounds fighting cages and mistaken the middle Mikaruga sister for Hibari. Hanabi tries to explain that she's not Hibari but Yagyū calmly insists that she is. Hanabi says she looks completely different to Hibari. Paying no attention, Yagyū tells 'Hibari' to come to her. Hanabi again tries to explain but Yagyū is beyond reason. Hanabi does reflect that she and Hibari are both sporty girls so maybe they're a bit similar in that respect. Yagyū says that she can feel Hanabi has an energetic vibe, and that means there's no doubt she's Hibari. Hanabi still denies this and a battle begins. Yagyū defeats her and realizes she wasn't Hibari after all. Offering no apology or even comment, she cries out for Hibari.
"It's okay... I can tell... Hibari's right here..." -Yagyū
Yagyū next runs into Mirai and Mursaki at the Sensōji Temple grounds. Again, Yagyū mistakes another person for Hibari, and won't listen to Mirai's protestations. Mirai is upset that Yagyū can't even recognize her greatest rival. Yagyū says she has Hibari's temper and so she must be Hibari. Mirai angrily tells Yagyū there must be something wrong with her and to get it together. Murasaki smugly asks Mirai how it feels to not be remembered by your supposed great rival and Mirai tells her to shut her mouth. Mirai notes that Yagyū is really devoted to Hibari and it makes her a little jealous. Murasaki suggests that Mirai must be jealous of Hibari for lots of reasons, a reference to Mirai's flat chest. The usual brawl breaks out with Yagyū emerging as the victor.
"I can smell sweets... Hibari... Are you there?" -Yagyū
Yagyū encounters Minori next. Again she mistakes her for Hibari, though Minori doesn't notice at first and just wants to play. Only when Yagyū calls her 'Hibari' does she get confused. Yagyū says it must be Hibari because she smells like sweets. Minori realizes there's some mistake but decides to play along anyway. Yagyū starts to sneeze from the hay fever and Minori is disgusted at all the snot and suddenly doesn't want to play any more. They duel, Yagyū wins.
"Th-there's so many Hibaris... Am I okay?" -Yagyū
Yagyū wanders into Mt. Orochi village and finds Imu, Kafuru and Shiki. Shiki greets her and notes that Yagyū seems unsteady on her feet. Of course Yagyū immediately assumes Shiki is Hibari. Imu asks Yagyū if she's OK, and Yagyū thinks she's another Hibari too. Kafuru becomes a third Hibari when she comments that Yagyū is really not looking OK. Yagyū tells all the Hibaris to play with her. Kafuru asks Yagyū why she isn't weirded out by so many 'Hibaris' but Yagyū replies that the more Hibaris, the happier she is. They could all join together in the Hibari Kingdom, ruled over by Queen Hibari and King Yagyū. The delusional Yagyū fights against the other three girls, prevailing despite her fever. She continues to babble feverishly about the Hibari Kingdom.
"One Hibari... Two Hibaris... More Hibaris?" -Yagyū
Yagyū finally finds Hibari on the roof of their school. Hibari is very concerned that Yagyū doesn't look well. Yagyū starts babbling and Hibari tells her not to worry because she'll help her. Yagyū continues to gabble about there being lots of Hibaris, confusing the real Hibari. They battle on the rooftop for no real reason, unless perhaps Hibari plans to beat some sense back into Yagyū. Yagyū wins but passes out right after.
Yagyū is asleep, dreaming of Queen Hibari and her kingdom. She wakes up to find Hibari spoonfeeding her some porridge. It turns out Yagyū wasn't just suffering from hay fever but a severe cold as well. She recalls all the damage she caused while blundering around feverishly and is embarrassed, but feels better when she concentrates on Hibari nursing her back to health. She says that maybe she should get sick more often, but Hibari tells her not to say such silly things. Yagyū reluctantly agrees to get well.
My eyes itch terribly. My nose is stuffy as usual.
This is definitely hay fever.
Because of that, my vision in my one uncovered eye is blurry.
I can't see anything... In other words, I don't know where Hibari is.
Yagyū : "This is quite a problem."
Where's Hibari?
Where is she?
I've been away from her for several hours already.
And I need her warmth more than anything right now...
In order to calm my need for Hibari, I close my eyes and see her in my mind.
I imagine her laughing.
I imagine her eating her sweets.
I imagine her taking a bath...
Yagyū : "H-H-H-HIBARIIIII!"
My imagination only makes it worse.
My need for Hibari is even greater now.
My vision is still terrible.
And I've blown my nose so much that my hearing isn't great either.
But I still have to go out there.
Even without my eyes or ears, I should still be able to find Hibari.
The two of us are bound together by fate.
Minori : "Y-you're scaring me, Yagyū! I'm gonna go home!"
After defeating Minori:
Yagyū : "H-Hibari? HIBARIII!"
Shiki : "Huh? Oh, hey Yaggie. How come you're all wobbly and stuff?"
Yagyū : "Ah, there you are... Hibari..."
Imu : "Are... You okay?"
Yagyū : "Wh-what?! Two Hibaris...?"
Kafuru : "... She is NOT okay."
Yagyū : "Oh, I see... Hehehe... Another Hibari come to play too!"
When facing Shiki, Imu and Kafuru:
Yagyū : "Let's all play together, Hibari... and Hibari."
Shiki : "Is she, like, going through Hibari withdrawal or something?"
Imu : "I know, it's hard to be away from your loved ones, but THIS..."
Yagyū : "I love each and every Hibari equally..."
Kafuru : "What do you mean 'each and every Hibari'? Woundn't that freak you out if there were that many?"
Yagyū : "No, more Hibaris would mean more happiness... We could all join together and found a new Hibariland... Queen Hibari and I would rule together, over our loyal Hibarians... Hehehe..."
Shiki : "Diiid she just make up her own kingdom?"
Imu : "Looks like the only one who can save her is the real Hibari."
After defeating Shiki, Imu and Kafuru:
Yagyū : "The Hibarians and I will throw a grand parade in honor of Hibari..."
Hibari : "Y-Yagyū?! Are you okay? You don't look well at all."
Yagyū : "Oh, look, another one! Hehehe..."
Hibari : "Another one? Another... What?"
Yagyū : "How many Hibaris are we up to now, I wonder...?"
Hibari : "Don't worry, Yagyū! I'll... Make sure to save you!"
When facing Hibari:
Hibari : "Yagyū! I'm right here! Do you recognize me?!"
Yagyū : "Of course I do. You're Hibari, just like all the others."
Hibari : "There aren't any 'others'! It's just me!"
Yagyū : "But I've met so many... And they were all so cute..."
After defeating Hibari:
Yagyū : "U-ugh... My consciousness is fading..."
I behold a dream.
A dream where I ruled Hibariland alongside Queen Hibari. Life there was happy and pleasant, surrounded by all the loyal Hibarians.
It is a wonderful dream.
But when I wake up, my reality is suddenly happier than the dream ever could be.
Hibari : "Here you go. Some porridge, Yagyū. Say aah."
Yagyū : "Aah... *Munch* *munch*... Delicious."
Hibari : "Thank goodness. You seem like you're getting better, finally."
It seems I wasn't just suffering from hay fever. I had caught a cold as well.
But because I ignored it and walked about, I collapsed just after I found the real Hibari.
As Hibari nurses me back to health, I begin to think of all the damage I've caused.
It's embarassing...
I truly did trouble everyone.
I should give them all dried cuttlefish as a token of apology.
"Don't push yourself anymore, Yagyū."
Even when I've made so many mistakes, Hibari is unconditionally kind.
My eyes well up with tears from all my happiness and gratitude.
The tears blur my visions, so much so that I start to see multiple Hibaris.
"...Again."
But this time, all the Hibaris are real.
There's no problem seeing them this way.
In fact, I want more of them.
I want a whole team of Hibaris taking care of me.
Yagyū : "...Come to think of it, maybe I should start getting sick more often..."
As I mutter those words, all the Hibaris poke me in the forehead at once.
"Don't say that. It's dumb. Hurry up and get better."
"O-okay."
Sleep is a waste of time when there's so much happiness around, but at her words, I close my eyes closed.
Dual Shinobi Hearts[]
Dangerous Concoction[]
Hibari and Minori drink a concoction from Haruka's collection that will make them more mature by deepening their voices. Yagyū and Yozakura are in denial for them to drink anything that's been made by Haruka, however.
She is shown alongside the other Hanzō girls attending a barbeque. During this their invitation to the Peach Beach Splash tournament suddenly strikes the grill Asuka was using.
Hanzō Arc[]
Paradise Episodes[]
Ghost Hunt[]
Yagyū appeared in the first scene of Ghost Hunt, where the four shinobi leaders heard the sound of crackling, thinking that it was the ghost they had heard of and were looking for. As it turns out, it was Yagyū who was making the crackling noise as she was cooking some squid to eat.
In battle, Yagyū constantly uses her bladed oilpaper umbrella to whack her opponents with it, while opening it and exposing blades at the paper rims occasionally. What makes her as a formidable foe to her opponents is her high advantage of ranged attacks. Yagyū's charged Heavy Attack and Aerial Light Attack allows her to unleash several shots of black squid ink forwards. The ink shots can travel far and fast at the same time, and can also home in on the nearest opponents as well. Not only that, but they also have freezing capabilities, which puts Yagyū into the category of Ice Wielding shinobis, right next to Yumi and Ryōna.
"Yagyū has low endurance, but great attack speed and range. She can control crowds without even trying. The only caveat is that some of her moves leave her open. In such situations, use Short Dash to cover openings. She can also perform Jumping Heavy Attacks to bring down flying enemies. Her best choices for Secret Ninja Arts are Sweeping Tentacles and Demon Slice. They both damage everything around her, making them easy to use. Watch both the Ninja Art gauge and your timing." -Estival Versus: Yagyū's Battle Card
When Yagyū is in her Yin state (aka Frantic Mode), her attacks consist more of a tentacle coming out of her umbrella to whack her opponents.
In Burst Re:Newal, Yagyū's Aerial Light Attack is a three-hit combo that also launches homing ink shots as well. Her Breach Art remains sort of the same, only that the max ink shots are charged up into a horizontal line than a hexagonal shape.
