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Description
This badass brotha right here is Yasuke, one of the Hidden Characters for my fantasy fighter Celestial Blade. Long before that, however, he will be an important side character in several stories including Jyukenshi and Golden Knight Noemie.

If you know anything about Japanese history, the name Yasuke...probably won't be familiar to you. And, to be fair, there is little known about the real Yasuke other than he was an African who became a retainer of Nobunaga Oda. Even where he's from in Africa is up for debate, though it's commonly believed to be Mozambique. However, as a Black man and a lover of all things Japan, Yasuke is an important figure to me and this is my little tribute to him. Hopefully, someday, we'll see more of Yasuke in video games and/or anime. Hey, they gave that frickin' Cracker Jack, William Adams, his own damn game (Nioh). Maybe put Yasuke (or an original version of him) in Warriors Orochi or have him as a hidden character in Samurai Warriors or Sengoku Basara? It'd only be fair.

Honorable mention goes to 's Yasuke, who is the protagonist for his fighter G-Dai Warrior. But don't you dare go thinking I'm copying him. I had learned about Yasuke before G-Dai Warrior and had actually planned to add him to Celestial Blade the first.

Anyway, since the real Yasuke was a samurai my version is one as well. The purple coat is his Haori (basically an overcoat) and the black cloak is just there to give him a little mystique. The Katana may remind you of Mugen's from Samurai Champloo, which is where it's based off of.

You may think he looks a little like my protagonist Antonio Holman and you'd be right. What could this mean...?

For his fully cloaked Sandogasa version go HERE

NOTE: Added link to Yasuke's British rival, William Adam's, pic. Click the link in the word "Zombified". If you're confused by Adams' appearance and the modern city background it's because this version is what he will look like in the stories he appears in, where he and Yasuke will have their fateful showdown. Adams, like his descendant, Sifty, will also be a thorn in the side of the Kenshi and Noemie and Noelle.

I hope you enjoy!

Yasuke

Age: Unknown

Height: 6’ 2”

Weight: 200 lbs

Birthday: Unknown, 14xx

Birthplace: Africa (thought to be Mozambique)

Occupation: Samurai, Oda Retainer (formerly)

Combat Specialty: Yami no Yaiba

Favorite Food(s): Japanese Cuisine (since bought to Japan), wild game

Likes: Japan, Japanese culture, Bushido, World Mythology, Magic

Dislikes: Pirates, untrustworthy people, traitors, William Adams

Short Bio: In Japanese history there are few tales of notable foreigners; specifically those of African descent. After all, the only exposure the early Japanese had of Africans were those the Europeans bought with them as slaves.

Enter Yasuke or, in his native language, Yasufe.

In 15th Century Japan this African was bought to Japan by the Portuguese as a slave. But Yasuke was different than the others and Nobunaga Oda, a man who would go down in infamy, could see that. In fact, so impressed was Nobunaga with Yasuke that he gave the African a job within his ranks carrying swords. Yasuke would eventually work his way up to full-blown retainer and, in doing so, fell in love with Japan. Nobunaga’s assassination at Honno-Ji by fellow retainer Mitsuhide Akechi broke Yasuke’s heart but not his spirit. The African would remain in Japan but in hiding, watching and waiting to see who would ultimately unify and control the land. Hideyoshi Toyotomi, another fellow retainer of the Oda like Yasuke and Mitsuhide, would eventually unify the land. But, unfortunately, Hideyoshi would turn out to be little more than a tyrant. Yasuke was greatly disappointed, especially since he personally knew Hideyoshi and thought the best of him. The death of Hideyoshi Toyotomi would be a turning point, not just in Japanese history, but Yasuke’s life.
Shortly after the tyrant’s passing, Yasuke got word that there was a “powerful Youkai” at Mount Ararat in the west. Suddenly, he got an idea. Perhaps this being could revive Nobunaga, the only man he felt was worthy of unifying Japan. Hopeful, Yasuke went on a journey to seek out this being. This “Youkai” turned out to be the High Demoness Mammon, the Princess of Greed . Yasuke ended up arriving at Mount Ararat just minutes after Mammon was “slain” by Afro-Arab warrior Aaliyah al-Ahdal . However, just as he was about to leave disappointed, Mammon revived herself and, having sensed his extraordinary powers, called out to the African. Yasuke explained his wish and Mammon mentioned that she certainly could revive Nobunaga. But, first, Yasuke would have to do something for her: help her defeat her brother Asmodeus, the Prince of Pride . Yasuke happily agreed and joined Mammon’s cadre along with the likes of Ming Warrior Feng Hu and Incan Inti Amaru. As luck would have it, one of his new teammates, Junko Mitarashi , had been a Kunoichi for the Hojo and the two knew of each other’s exploits. But it would be Aaliyah who would make the biggest impact on Yasuke and vice-versa. Some say that the two even engaged in a relationship. However, at journey’s end, Yasuke began to realize that perhaps Nobunaga’s death was fated and that the best way to carry on his legacy would be to be the best he can be. So, with Asmodeus no more, Yasuke bid Mammon, Feng Hu and Inti goodbye and returned to Japan with Junko.
But that’s not the end of Yasuke’s story, not by a longshot.
It’s known that shortly after returning to Japan, which was now under control of Ieyasu Tokugawa, Yasuke got into a dispute with the White Englishman and former pirate William Adams. Yasuke caught Adams trying to fondle a young Japanese girl and an epic battle ensued. It turns out that Adams had unlocked some kind of demonic powers during his pirate days, powers he kept hidden from Tokugawa. Yasuke managed to defeat Adams but since the White Englishman had befriended Tokugawa, Yasuke ended up being the one in trouble. Luckily, Mammon intervened as thanks for helping her defeat Asmodeus and, with help from Junko, helped Yasuke lie low until things cooled off. His time with Mammon allowed Yasuke access to tons of Occult and Magic information, all of which would serve him in the future.

How or why Yasuke is in the 21st Century is unclear but it appears the rivalry between him and William Adams is ongoing. Word from Mammon is that Adams has somehow returned from the grave as a Zombified menace. Yasuke has also been closely monitoring Adams’ family tree and his latest descendant, Huw “Sifty” Adams , is of concern. Sifty is a former English teacher and British ex-pat who once lived in Japan but is proving to be just as big a pain as Adams and may be working on the pirate’s behalf somehow. Yasuke actually confronted Sifty attempting to molest then-five-year-old Sachiko Hattori . Yasuke and Sachiko have since become good friends, much like Yasuke was with Hanzo Hattori, Sachiko's ancestor, despite Hanzo's closeness with Ieyasu. Also of concern to Yasuke is Aaliyah’s descendant , who is exactly like the Aaliyah he knows right down to the name. More important to Yasuke, however, is his own descendant: the budding Seijyukenshi of Qinglong, Antonio Holman . While he hasn’t spoken or made his presence known to Antonio yet, Yasuke is keeping a close eye on him—almost as if he knows something big is on the horizon…

More info coming soon!

NOTE: HeroMachine was merely the vehicle for my character's creation. All characters of Hyaku Seiken/Shinobi no Michi/Celestial Blade/Galaxy Clash, etc. belong to me.

Description
This badass brotha right here is Yasuke, one of the Hidden Characters for my fantasy fighter Celestial Blade. Long before that, however, he will be an important side character in several stories including Jyukenshi and Golden Knight Noemie.

If you know anything about Japanese history, the name Yasuke...probably won't be familiar to you. And, to be fair, there is little known about the real Yasuke other than he was an African who became a retainer of Nobunaga Oda. Even where he's from in Africa is up for debate, though it's commonly believed to be Mozambique. However, as a Black man and a lover of all things Japan, Yasuke is an important figure to me and this is my little tribute to him. Hopefully, someday, we'll see more of Yasuke in video games and/or anime. Hey, they gave that frickin' Cracker Jack, William Adams, his own damn game (Nioh). Maybe put Yasuke (or an original version of him) in Warriors Orochi or have him as a hidden character in Samurai Warriors or Sengoku Basara? It'd only be fair.

Honorable mention goes to 's Yasuke, who is the protagonist for his fighter G-Dai Warrior. But don't you dare go thinking I'm copying him. I had learned about Yasuke before G-Dai Warrior and had actually planned to add him to Celestial Blade the first.

Anyway, since the real Yasuke was a samurai my version is one as well. The purple coat is his Haori (basically an overcoat) and the black cloak is just there to give him a little mystique. The Katana may remind you of Mugen's from Samurai Champloo, which is where it's based off of.

You may think he looks a little like my protagonist Antonio Holman and you'd be right. What could this mean...?

For his fully cloaked Sandogasa version go HERE

NOTE: Added link to Yasuke's British rival, William Adam's, pic. Click the link in the word "Zombified". If you're confused by Adams' appearance and the modern city background it's because this version is what he will look like in the stories he appears in, where he and Yasuke will have their fateful showdown. Adams, like his descendant, Sifty, will also be a thorn in the side of the Kenshi and Noemie and Noelle.

I hope you enjoy!

Yasuke

Age: Unknown

Height: 6’ 2”

Weight: 200 lbs

Birthday: Unknown, 14xx

Birthplace: Africa (thought to be Mozambique)

Occupation: Samurai, Oda Retainer (formerly)

Combat Specialty: Yami no Yaiba

Favorite Food(s): Japanese Cuisine (since bought to Japan), wild game

Likes: Japan, Japanese culture, Bushido, World Mythology, Magic

Dislikes: Pirates, untrustworthy people, traitors, William Adams

Short Bio: In Japanese history there are few tales of notable foreigners; specifically those of African descent. After all, the only exposure the early Japanese had of Africans were those the Europeans bought with them as slaves.

Enter Yasuke or, in his native language, Yasufe.

In 15th Century Japan this African was bought to Japan by the Portuguese as a slave. But Yasuke was different than the others and Nobunaga Oda, a man who would go down in infamy, could see that. In fact, so impressed was Nobunaga with Yasuke that he gave the African a job within his ranks carrying swords. Yasuke would eventually work his way up to full-blown retainer and, in doing so, fell in love with Japan. Nobunaga’s assassination at Honno-Ji by fellow retainer Mitsuhide Akechi broke Yasuke’s heart but not his spirit. The African would remain in Japan but in hiding, watching and waiting to see who would ultimately unify and control the land. Hideyoshi Toyotomi, another fellow retainer of the Oda like Yasuke and Mitsuhide, would eventually unify the land. But, unfortunately, Hideyoshi would turn out to be little more than a tyrant. Yasuke was greatly disappointed, especially since he personally knew Hideyoshi and thought the best of him. The death of Hideyoshi Toyotomi would be a turning point, not just in Japanese history, but Yasuke’s life.
Shortly after the tyrant’s passing, Yasuke got word that there was a “powerful Youkai” at Mount Ararat in the west. Suddenly, he got an idea. Perhaps this being could revive Nobunaga, the only man he felt was worthy of unifying Japan. Hopeful, Yasuke went on a journey to seek out this being. This “Youkai” turned out to be the High Demoness Mammon, the Princess of Greed . Yasuke ended up arriving at Mount Ararat just minutes after Mammon was “slain” by Afro-Arab warrior Aaliyah al-Ahdal . However, just as he was about to leave disappointed, Mammon revived herself and, having sensed his extraordinary powers, called out to the African. Yasuke explained his wish and Mammon mentioned that she certainly could revive Nobunaga. But, first, Yasuke would have to do something for her: help her defeat her brother Asmodeus, the Prince of Pride . Yasuke happily agreed and joined Mammon’s cadre along with the likes of Ming Warrior Feng Hu and Incan Inti Amaru. As luck would have it, one of his new teammates, Junko Mitarashi , had been a Kunoichi for the Hojo and the two knew of each other’s exploits. But it would be Aaliyah who would make the biggest impact on Yasuke and vice-versa. Some say that the two even engaged in a relationship. However, at journey’s end, Yasuke began to realize that perhaps Nobunaga’s death was fated and that the best way to carry on his legacy would be to be the best he can be. So, with Asmodeus no more, Yasuke bid Mammon, Feng Hu and Inti goodbye and returned to Japan with Junko.
But that’s not the end of Yasuke’s story, not by a longshot.
It’s known that shortly after returning to Japan, which was now under control of Ieyasu Tokugawa, Yasuke got into a dispute with the White Englishman and former pirate William Adams. Yasuke caught Adams trying to fondle a young Japanese girl and an epic battle ensued. It turns out that Adams had unlocked some kind of demonic powers during his pirate days, powers he kept hidden from Tokugawa. Yasuke managed to defeat Adams but since the White Englishman had befriended Tokugawa, Yasuke ended up being the one in trouble. Luckily, Mammon intervened as thanks for helping her defeat Asmodeus and, with help from Junko, helped Yasuke lie low until things cooled off. His time with Mammon allowed Yasuke access to tons of Occult and Magic information, all of which would serve him in the future.

How or why Yasuke is in the 21st Century is unclear but it appears the rivalry between him and William Adams is ongoing. Word from Mammon is that Adams has somehow returned from the grave as a Zombified menace. Yasuke has also been closely monitoring Adams’ family tree and his latest descendant, Huw “Sifty” Adams , is of concern. Sifty is a former English teacher and British ex-pat who once lived in Japan but is proving to be just as big a pain as Adams and may be working on the pirate’s behalf somehow. Yasuke actually confronted Sifty attempting to molest then-five-year-old Sachiko Hattori . Yasuke and Sachiko have since become good friends, much like Yasuke was with Hanzo Hattori, Sachiko's ancestor, despite Hanzo's closeness with Ieyasu. Also of concern to Yasuke is Aaliyah’s descendant , who is exactly like the Aaliyah he knows right down to the name. More important to Yasuke, however, is his own descendant: the budding Seijyukenshi of Qinglong, Antonio Holman . While he hasn’t spoken or made his presence known to Antonio yet, Yasuke is keeping a close eye on him—almost as if he knows something big is on the horizon…

More info coming soon!

NOTE: HeroMachine was merely the vehicle for my character's creation. All characters of Hyaku Seiken/Shinobi no Michi/Celestial Blade/Galaxy Clash, etc. belong to me.