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With everything explained, Hanzo put down a Sushi container filled with sushi rolls and nigari-sushi as it was for both Kurokage and the Gessen Elites. As they all dig in, Yumi thanks Kurokage for everything he did for her and the others. |
With everything explained, Hanzo put down a Sushi container filled with sushi rolls and nigari-sushi as it was for both Kurokage and the Gessen Elites. As they all dig in, Yumi thanks Kurokage for everything he did for her and the others. |
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==== '''Hanzo National Academy''' ==== |
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Revision as of 18:13, 20 October 2017
Yozakura (夜桜) is a playable character from the Senran Kagura video game series. She makes her debut in Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus.
A second-year student at Gessen Girls' Academy. Being the oldest of twelve brothers and sisters, she knows how to discipline her peers, which comes in handy in her work as Yumi's right-hand woman and chief enforcer.
She rarely allows her own discipline to slip, but she does know how to party, and when pushed far enough, she lets loose – not only with her huge gauntlets, but with the full verbal force of her hometown accent.
Profile
Appearance
Yozakura has short blue hair in a sort of bowl cut, with a cherry blossom in it, and she has blue eyes. She wears an outfit similar to a kimono, but exposes her midriff. The top parts of the outfit is white, which fades to a sea-foam green color, decorated with white, lavender and purple flower designs.
The bottom half of the outfit resembles the bottom half of a regular kimono, but is open down the middle. It's sea-foam green in color, and slowly fades to a dark teal color as it goes down. Like the top, it's decorated with small flower designs. She wears a pale blue sash around her waste, which is decorated with white flowers. She wears long white tabi, and wooden sandals. On her arms are large, ornate gauntlets, which have pistons.
Personality
“Kicking is for men and girls with no shame. A real lady knows how to use her fist, and look good in doing it.”
—Yozakura, taken from the Shinobi Syllabus.
Yozakura is considered a no nonense individual that takes a lot of things seriously while disciplining her peers when necessary. This is due to her harsh past where she was responsible of looking after her younger siblings while her father was at work. Yozakura also has a temper that causes her hometown accent to come out when pushed to the edge.
Despite her serious nature, Yozakura can be a kind, caring mother figure that is capable of knowing when to relax and take it easy, as seen when she is having fun interacting with her peers. On rare occassions, her childish side is shown either when she's frustrated or she wants to let loose. This is shown in Shinovi Versus when Yozakura was sparring with Yumi and she was getting frustrated at herself for not being able to approach Yumi and lay a hit, resulting in her complaining to Yumi on how she's not able to do so. In Estival Versus, while Shiki was out gathering information on the other teams, Yozakura was busy having fun as she was playing in the ocean, filled with excitement without a care in the world.
Yozakura also has a competitive side as seen in her story in Bon Appetit where she mocks her opponents, telling them to give up as they're no match for her cooking skills.
Relationships
Main Article: Yozakura/Relationships
Yozakura's best relationships are with her teammates as they hold a strong respect for her as a mother figure.
Background
Being the oldest of the family, Yozakura was responsible for looking after her younger siblings while her father was at work as a shinobi. Her mother died when she was eight years old on duty as a shinobi while a year later, her father died while on duty as well. This led to Yozakura being separated by her siblings as her other family relatives started to take each of them in, including herself. However, Yozakura rejected them as she stated that she wanted to be the one to look after her siblings. Sadly, she couldn't which caused her to run away.
With no food, water, and proper shelter, Yozakura had no idea on what she'll do from there on out while also feeling hopeless about not being able to protect her younger siblings. Suddenly, a man who called himself Kurokage approached her as he gave out his hand to her, telling her this; ""I'll give you the strength to protect what is important to you." With nowhere left to go and no other plan, Yozakura accepted the conditions in hopes that one day, she'll be able to reunite with her younger siblings. By living with Kurokage, Yozakura met four other people named Yumi, Murakumo, Shiki, and Minori, where she developed a strong bond with them, thus allowing Yozakura to be part of a new family as she continued to work hard in getting stronger so that she can reunite with her younger sibings one day.
Story
Shinovi Versus
Gessen Girls' Academy
Hanzo appearing before Gessen Elites.
Yozakura and the other Gessen Elites are on their way to the grave of Kurokage. As they’re getting closer, an old man appear before them who calls himself Hanzo. Recognizing the name, Yozakura and the others raises their guard. However, Hanzo disappears right before their eyes and begins to squeeze each of their breasts one by one. They all try to fight back but to no avail. Yozakura watches Yumi interact with Hanzo with Hanzo telling her that if she wants to fight him, she’ll have to defeat his granddaughter, Asuka, first. Afterwards, he disappears right before them. Feeling humiliated, Yumi tells Yozakura and the others that they’re heading back to their school for the day.
As they arrive, their teacher, Wang Pai, gives the Gessen Elites orders from the higher up to wage a Shinobi Battle Royale, with Hebijo Clandestine Girls’ Academy being their first opponent. However, Yumi asks Wang Pai if it was okay to wage one to Hanzo Academy, which Wang Pai approves, as it was a good opportunity to be able to fight and defeat Asuka and then be able to fight Hanzo. With their new motivation, Yozakura and the rest of the Gessen Elites prepare themselves for their next challenge.
1-02: Spartan Cleaning
As Minori was playing by herself, Yozakura approaches her and tells her that she should clean up the mess she made. However, Minori denies that it is, but Yozakura wasn't having any of it as she threatens to discipline her if she doesn’t do what she say, causing Minori to finally understand, but she then tells her that she’ll clean up later on. Yozakura reminds Minori that she never actually does it, but the reason for that is because Minori knows that Yozakura is kind enough to clean up after her. Having enough, Yozakura finally decides to teach Minori a lesson with stricter measures.
After a harsh session, Yozakura asks Minori if she understands what she must do now, which Minori nods to. Feeling glad, Yozakura comforts Minori, cheering her up. Minori then begins to clean up her mess, only to get side-tracked when she found her lost stuffed cow. Yozakura couldn’t help but sigh while watching her. Although, she then tells Minori to go outside and play while she stays and clean up her mess for her. Minori thanks Yozakura as she dashes off, but as soon as she left, Yozakura tells herself that she’ll make sure she straightens Minori out in regards to how she behaves in general.
1-04: Evil Eating Good
While Yozakura and Yumi are busy cooking dinner, Yozakura asks Yumi if she cut the tofu needed for the miso soup, but Yumi replies with a sigh. Feeling concerned, Yozakura asks her what’s wrong, but Yumi tells her that it was nothing, only to have Yozakura point out that she’s cutting a sponge instead of tofu just to confirm that something is bothering her. Finally coming clean, Yumi tells Yozakura that she is thinking about Kurokage as she reconfirms that their wish and Kurokage’s is to rid the world from evil in order to end the world’s suffering. While Yozakura agrees, Yumi knows that defeating evil isn’t all it takes to accomplish said wish. Yozakura wonders what Yumi is trying to say, with Yumi telling her how she did some research on Hanzo Academy and found out that they consort with evil shinobi, despite being good shinobi. This makes her think that evil can easily corrupt good and consume it. With that in mind, both Yozakura and Yumi decides that they have to get stronger to prevent evil from corrupting them, which leads to Yumi requesting Yozakura a sparring session, which Yozakura accepts.
2-04: Supreme Pleasure
When Yozakura and the other Gessen Elites arrive at Hanzo Academy, the Hanzo Elites greet them themselves. From that point, it was the start of the Shinobi Battle Royale. Yozakura’s opponent was Katsuragi. As the two interact with one another, Katsuragi prepares herself to grope Yozakura. Her action questions Yozakura as she asks her if she goes around sexually harassing people and if it’s her M.O.. Katsuragi confirms it but that confirmation causes Yozakura to get angry as she begins scolding her about when it’s a good time to feel someone up. She then decides that she’ll teach her a valuable lesson about it.
3-03: Is Evil Bad?
The Gessen Elites’ next target was Hebijo Clandestine Girls’ Academy. When they got there, Yozakura’s opponent was Ryōna. Ryōna greets Yozakura as if she was her mother while giving her masochistic tendencies. However, Yozakura denies all of that and asks Ryōna why she became an evil shinobi. Feeling confused, Ryōna asks Yozakura about why being an evil shinobi is considered a bad thing. Yozakura tries her best to explain exactly why but instead, she writes it off as evil being evil. She then decides that it was about time she disciplines Ryōna for switching sides.
Afterwards, Yozakura asks Ryōna to come back with her to Gessen, but Ryōna rejects the offer while explaining how she’s actually comfortable staying at Hebijo. Yozakura knows that Ryōna isn’t the type to lie, making her feel conflicted about how she’s feeling. Instead, Yozakura tells Ryōna to leave, making Ryōna question her about whether or not she’s going to finish her off, but Yozakura tells her again to leave before she changes her mind. After Ryōna left, Yozakura begins to wonder how exactly being part of Hebijo is considered “comfortable”.
3-05: The Path of Good
4-04: Free Spirit
The Gessen Elites decide to locate Homura’s Crimson Squad as they’ve decided to eliminate them. As they arrive at their location, Yozakura chooses to go up against Haruka. Despite being ready for battle, Haruka was liking the kimono Yozakura was wearing, but Yozakura decides to criticize the outfit Haruka was wearing. The two went back and forth in regards to their outfits, only to have Yozakura getting angry but Haruka was liking the interactions as she was thinking that the two make a good pair since there’s a saying that “opposites attracts.” The idea was only making Yozakura angrier as she decides to go after her.
Afterwards, Yozakura advises Haruka to use her energy for fighting instead of perverted antics. Although, Haruka points out to her that she was showing some concern towards her, which causes Yozakura to begin feeling conflicted about being nice to an evil shinobi. Haruka then advises Yozakura to stop being serious all the time and let loose every now and then in order to be able to see things clearly from every viewpoint. Yozakura agrees reluctantly but first, she wants to get rid of the world’s evil before doing such a thing. Haruka then asks her why she doesn’t finish her off despite what she said, but Yozakura explains that she can’t bring herself to hate her. As Haruka thanks her for that, Yozakura begins to wonder if she can really be free and if Kurokage would actually want that for her.
4-05: Light in the Dark
With Crimson Squad defeated, Yozakura regroups with the other Gessen Elites. However, all five of them were feeling conflicted about not being able to finish off Crimson Squad. Yumi then tells the group that through their battles between Hebijo and Crimson Squad, she notices a light within their evil, which they all agree to. Knowing that, Yumi wishes to know what light and dark, good and evil truly means, even if it means going against Kurokage’s teachings.
5-03: To Understand
The final showdown between Gessen Girl’s Academy and Hanzo Academy has arrived as Yozakura encounters Katsuragi once again. Katsuragi began using her sexual antics on Yozakura, but this time, she wasn’t fazed by it as she asks Katsuragi if she was free. At first, Katsuragi didn’t understand her question, but she then tries her best to explain why she sexually harass people, which is because it’s her way of communicating to people. Yozakura was able to understand it from Katsuragi’s perspective, which then allows her to fight her without feeling uptight.
Gessen Elites enjoying themselves after Shinobi Battle Royale
As Yozakura and the other Gessen Elites finish cleaning up Kurokage’s grave, they then start to give him their prayers while feeling proud about the lessons they’ve learned throughout the Shinobi Battle Royale. They all felt that Kurokage was happen for them and the decisions they’ve made. Suddenly, Hanzo shows up behind the Gessen Elites, which surprises them as they thought it was Wang Pai. Hanzo then explains to them that he was Wang Pai all along as he was fulfilling was a promise he made to Kurokage, which was to take care of them if something were to ever happen to him. While they all understand, Yozakura asks Hanzo why he ate all of their strawberry daifuku and groped them earlier, which Hanzo then tells them that he needed to find a way to provoke them in order to motivate them to go through the Shinobi Battle Royale in order for them to grow.
With everything explained, Hanzo put down a Sushi container filled with sushi rolls and nigari-sushi as it was for both Kurokage and the Gessen Elites. As they all dig in, Yumi thanks Kurokage for everything he did for her and the others.Hanzo National Academy
Hebijo Clandestine Girls Academy
Homura's Crimson Squad
Estival Versus
Combat Capabilities & Gameplay
Yozakura imbues every punch with all of her strength and tends to go for one-hit KOs. The gunpowder hidden in her gauntlets adds even more power to her explosive punches - enough to shake the very heavens and earth.
Other Appearances
Games
- Senran Kagura: New Wave as a playable character.
- Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit as a playable character.
- Shinobi Master: Senran Kagura -New Link- as a playable character.
Books
Shinovi Versus: Comic Anthology Vol.1
Shinovi Versus: Comic Anthology Vol.2
Non-Senran Kagura Appearances
Musical Themes
Audio samples do not work on iPad, or any medium that does not support the .ogg audio format.
| Name | Game | Description | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floral Freedom | Shinovi Versus | Yozakura's theme. It plays after she transforms and also when fighting against her. Yozakura's theme is based on the Classical Music Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata, 1st Movement"[1] | |
| My Ultimate Feast | Bon Appétit | Yozakura's theme. It plays when going against her in a cooking battle. | |
| Sending Determination | Estival Versus | Yozakura's theme. It plays after she transforms and also when fighting against her. |
Merchandise
.jpg "SK 5th Anniversary Tin Badge (Yozakura).jpg (18 KB)"){kind=icon}
.jpg "Yozakura Character Sleeve (SK EV).jpg (42 KB)")
.jpg "Yozakura Character Sleeve (SK SV).jpg (36 KB)")
.jpg "Yozakura Chibi Figure (SK EV).jpg (77 KB)")
.jpg "Yozakura Dakimakura (SK EV).jpg (30 KB)")
.jpg "Yozakura Keychain (SK EV).jpg (36 KB)")
_1.jpg "Yozakura Postcard Set (SK NW) 1.jpg (51 KB)")
_2.jpg "Yozakura Postcard Set (SK NW) 2.jpg (105 KB)")
_2.jpg "Yozakura Tapestry (SK NW) 2.jpg (36 KB)")
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
Creation & Development
“As a foil Katsuragi, our kicker, I felt we needed a punching character. That wasn't the original plan, but Yozakura just sort of naturally evolved that way during the design process. Her special feature is her Okayama dialect, so when Kitajima-san wrote the script in regular Japanese, I had to change it myself. But I kept thinking, if I completely changed her lines into full-on Okayama dialect, people would be like "What? I can't understand a word she's saying!" I had to really struggle to keep a good balance between comprehensible and regional with her.”
—Producer Commentary from the Shinovi Versus Shinobi Syllabus
Trivia
- Yozakura's name means "Cherry Trees in the Evening".
- Her fighting gauntlets looks similar to The Big O hands.
- Yozakura's character theme, Floral Freedom, is an arrangement of Piano Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight Sonata) (Beethoven). A play on the "Evening" part of her name.
- In the Gessen Ninja Room after completing Gessen's story, speaking to Yozakura will trigger a conversation that reveals where her gauntlets came from. She explains that they were given to her by Kurokage shortly after joining Gessen, who had retrieved them from a couple who made iron weapons. She also states that the couple also made a pair of gleaves(metal boots) and she wonders where they are now.
- This implies that Yozakura's gauntlets and Katsuragi's boots were made by the same people, thus explaining their similar color scheme and overall design.
- Yozakura shares the same birthday with Seimei.
Quotes
Main Article: Yozakura/Quotes
Gallery
Main Article: Yozakura/Gallery
- For videos: Yozakura (videos)
References
- ↑ Info by Kitsune Hawk from http://www.vgfacts.com/game/senrankagurashinoviversus/