History Main / EverythingsBetterWithSamurai

* ''PowerRangers''
** The SixthRanger of ''PowerRangersNinjaStorm'' is called the Samurai Ranger (the ''NinpuuSentaiHurricanger'' version, however, is a ninja like the rest of the team).
** Samurai are, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin obviously]], the theme of ''SamuraiSentaiShinkenger'' and ''PowerRangersSamurai''.
** There was also the [[http://powerrangers.wikia.com/wiki/Samurai_Fan_Man Samurai Fan Man]].

* The Shredder. He and the TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles are analogues to the (alleged) viciousness between samurai and ninjas. In reality, more samurai hired ninja than they cared to admit, but that doesn't matter here, since the ninjas are already [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot human-sized mutant turtles]].

* In ''{{Pokemon}}'', [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite the starter Oshawott's]] entire evolutionary line is based around samurai--Oshawott is either a wannabe samurai or an inexperienced apprentice, Dewott is either a ronin, an apprentice, or a normal samurai, and Samurott not only has samurai in its name, but it is likely based on a ''daimyo'', or ''samurai warlord''. The best part? [[ImprobableWeaponUser THEY USE THEIR SHELLS AS SWORDS.]]

* Though Neal Stephenson's series ''TheBaroqueCycle'' takes place mostly in 17th century Europe, it features Gabriel Goto, a Japanese Jesuit who just happens to be deadly with a katana. In all fairness, the series features characters from just about everywhere and most of them are badasses.

[[caption-width-right:207:[-Man, wouldn't the movies have been even better with this?[[hottip:* :[[WhatCouldHaveBeen And it almost happened in the early drafts]].]]-] ]]

* Honda City Judges in ''JudgeDredd'' are deliberately modelled on samurai; their equivalent of the Chief Judge is even referred to as the Shogun.

* ''SixStringSamurai'' is an epic AfterTheEnd tale where the King, Elvis, has died, and samurai Buddy Holly travels to "Lost Vegas" to take his place. Standing in his way are Bowlers, Communists, and the GrimReaper aka Slash from Music/GunsNRoses.

* ''StarWars'': Darth Vader's character design was heavily based off samurai armor.

* ''AgeOfEmpires''
** In ''AgeOfEmpires III'' you can hire mercenary samurai to fight for you. Note that this game is set in the colonisation of the New World. As you would expect, they're ridiculously, hilariously powerful.
** Also, the unique unit of the Japanese in ''Age II''? Samurai!

* In ''{{Brazil}}'', Sam's later {{Dream Sequence}}s have him fighting a samurai. Apparently, "samurai" is supposed to be a StealthPun.

* ''{{Anime/Digimon}}'' has several notable examples, including the most well known one, Musyamon/Mushamon. Other examples include Yashamon, one of V-mon's armor evolutions, Zanbamon, a Ultimate/Mega level digimon whose lower body is a war horse, Tactimon from ''Anime/DigimonXrosWars'', and Gaioumon, who is a samurai ''Greymon.''

* Hodgy Beats of Music/OFWGKTA has a song titled "Samurai" on his Untitled EP

* The ''{{Wizardry}}'' games included samurai and [[InstantAwesomeJustAddNinja ninja]] both as enemies and available character classes. Both were considered "elite" classes with high requirements for changing to, and both were flat-out superior to plain old fighters. Interestingly, ''Wizardry'' was also [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff far more popular in Japan]] than similar game series.

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* Kamui of ''ArcanaHeart'', who fulfills the {{Moe}} samurai-girl quota of the WidgetSeries.

-->-- '''Odd Della Robbia''', ''CodeLyoko'' prequel "XANA Awakens"

* In ''{{Anime/Naruto}}'', the Land of Iron has samurai, instead of the {{ninja}} in Hidden Villages most other nations rely on. For added goodness, in relation to trope picture, the regular samurai of the Land of Iron wear armor similar to the [[StarWars Stormtroopers]].

* The French series ''Chroniques de la Lune Noire'' (''BlackMoonChronicles'') has the character of Murata, a samurai in an otherwise western fantasy setting. Since it is based on an old ''[[DungeonsAndDragons D&D]]'' campaign, you can blame the ''Oriental Adventures'' on this.

* Sanger (and Wodan?) in ''SuperRobotWars''. Also a very popular character. Even draws a katana during his attack animations, despite attacking with a {{BFS}} (he uses a MotionCaptureMecha).

* In ''MegaManX''6, the player has the option of assembling the [[http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s158/clarklana05/megamanxbladearmor.jpg?t=1241052973 Blade Armor]] which resembles a suit of Samurai armor, complete with Z-saber.

* In ''TheElderScrolls Oblivon'', the Blades (or rather, the ineffectual royal-guard sub-set) take their armor style from the continent of [[{{Wutai}} Akavir]], mimicking Remann Cyrodill's original Akavarii bodygaurd. Their lavishly decorated armor is highly reminiscent of samurai or ashigaru armor, they fight with katana, and their fortress is a "temple" high in the mountains that looks for all the world like a Japanese castle. Keep in mind that the rest of the province Cyrodiil is based off of medieval Europe and the Roman Empire.

* In ''{{Pokemon}}'', [[PokemonBlackAndWhite the starter Oshawott's]] entire evolutionary line is based around samurai--Oshawott is either a wannabe samurai or an inexperienced apprentice, Dewott is either a ronin, an apprentice, or a normal samurai, and Samurott not only has samurai in its name, but it is likely based on a ''daimyo'', or ''samurai warlord''. The best part? [[ImprobableWeaponUser THEY USE THEIR SHELLS AS SWORDS.]]

* Ulrich in ''CodeLyoko'' takes the form of a samurai when he's virtualized.

* Sam-R-I of the [[DextersLaboratory Justice Friends]].
* The Cheese Shogun in ''CodenameKidsNextDoor'', though he has ninja for minions.

* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' has a samurai for the Assassin class. And no, it doesn't suit him in the slightest. He does no sneak attacks, no dirty fighting, doesn't go for Masters like he is supposed to when he has the chance, and finally he is the only Japanese hero amongst all the Servants. The rest of them? Greeks, Celts and English make up over half the Servants and both (including FateZero) real Assassins are Arabs. Yes, both. He wasn't even supposed to be here at all. Also, he's a better swordsman than Saber and even [[BloodKnight Lancer]] doesn't want to fight him.

{{Rule of Cool}} may be responsible...

* Meta Knight in ''{{Kirby}}'s'' [[KirbyOfTheStars anime]] [[AnimeOfTheGame of the game]] would talk about Musou ("peerlessness"). One time he stands to fight for Kirby, declaring [[IAmYourOpponent I WILL BE YOUR OPPONENT]] as leaves blow by.
* Twilight Suzuka in ''OutlawStar''. Slightly less out-of-nowhere, at least in that it's no stranger than the Chinese Magic-using SpacePirates they already introduced.

* Elites in ''HaloLegends'' have samurai-ified armor, clothes and hairstyle(s). And buildings. Do buildings count?
* Toudoh in ''CodeGeass'' is another future samurai.
* The second arc of ''New GetterRobo'' which has the characters get stuck in an alternate-universe Heian Japan, just to fit armies of samurai into a HumongousMecha anime.
* Setsuna of ''MahouSenseiNegima'', a [[HalfHumanHybrid half]]-[[WingedHumanoid bird demon]], DemonSlaying, [[SchoolgirlLesbians lesbian-in-denial]] {{Samurai}} in an UrbanFantasy. Also one of the most popular characters in the series, whose prominence was [[EnsembleDarkhorse quickly raised after her introduction in the fourth volume]].

** [[LadyOfWar Signum]] from ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'' and onward obstinately calls herself a "knight", whereas her warrior code (not to mention her fighting style) is obviously based off the samurai. But then again, most Japanese writers confuse the two at least somewhat.
** Micaiah Chevelle of ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaVivid'' is an even straighter example. She's a Mid-Childan who's also a traditional samurai, complete with katana, dojo, Japanese attire, and an [[IaijutsuPractitioner Iaijutsu fighting style]]. [[FanNickname Fans were quick to dub her as Signum Mk II]]. A bit of a surprise, what with Mid-Childa being an alien world with a European-like society.
* In ''{{Naruto}}'', the Land of Iron has samurai, instead of the {{ninja}} in Hidden Villages most other nations rely on. For added goodness, in relation to trope picture, the regular samurai of the Land of Iron wear armor similar to the [[StarWars Stormtroopers]].

* ''LupinIII'' creator Monkey Punch wanted a more Japanese character for his ensemble. Enter Goemon Ishikawa XIII...
* ''{{Digimon}}'' has several notable examples, including the most well known one, Musyamon/Mushamon. Other examples include Yashamon, one of V-mon's armor evolutions, Zanbamon, a Ultimate/Mega level digimon whose lower body is a war horse, Tactimon from ''DigimonXrosWars'', and Gaioumon, who is a samurai ''Greymon.''

* Hondo City Judges in ''JudgeDredd'' are deliberately modelled on samurai; their equivalent of the Chief Judge is even referred to as the Shogun.
* ''Comicbook/TeenTitans'' introduced Bushido, a young warrior with... well, powers of the samurai, apparently. He was among the fatalities in InfiniteCrisis.
* Batman's original Outsiders team had fairly standard-issue superheroes... and [[LadyOfWar Katana]], a steely-eyed female samurai.

* BareNakedLadies. In their song "One Week", mention is made to this mentality. "Kay I don't make films, but if I did, they'd have a samurai."
* Gakupo from {{Vocaloids}} is a Dancing Samurai.

* Sanjuro in ''DotHack''. Despite having little bearing on the plot, a popular character who was added to the ''[=.hack//Twilight=]'' anime.

* The ShowWithinAShow ''The Steel Samurai'' in ''PhoenixWright AceAttorney''. Note that in the original version, ''Gyakuten Saiban'', the ShowWithinAShow was ''not'' about a samurai, but rather, a feudal lord-based superhero known as ''"Soldier of Oedo, Tonosaman"''.

** ''FinalFantasyV'' and ''FinalFantasyTactics'' both have Samurai jobs despite having no [[{{Wutai}} Japan-like area]]. ''FFT'''s Samurai has an [[GameBreaker absurdly broken ability called Blade Grasp, which pretty much makes you a]] PhysicalGod (FFV also has it, but it isn't as broken as the FFT version). ''FinalFantasyVI'' also has Cyan, who has a distinct samurai vibe (and [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]] in spite of his very European looks, armor, and ''nation''.
** ''FinalFantasyX'' mostly has a Pacific island feel for its characters, with a {{Goth}} and a tribal beastman thrown in. Then there's Auron, who's a walking gallery of ronin imagery to go along with all those BadAss tropes. And don't forget [[SummonMagic Yojimbo]].

* ''FateStayNight'' has a samurai for the Assassin class. And no, it doesn't suit him in the slightest. He does no sneak attacks, no dirty fighting, doesn't go for Masters like he is supposed to when he has the chance, and finally he is the only Japanese hero amongst all the Servants. The rest of them? Greeks, Celts and English make up over half the Servants and both (including FateZero) real Assassins are Arabs. Yes, both. He wasn't even supposed to be here at all. Also, he's a better swordsman than Saber and even [[BloodKnight Lancer]] doesn't want to fight him.

* ''[[{{Touhou}} Touhou Project]]''

* ''{{Fallout}} 3'' expansion "Mothership Zeta" has a Samurai abducted from ancient Japan and awakened from cryogenic suspended animation.

* The gratuitous [[RuleOfCool (but cool)]] "Blind Nigga Samurai" sequence in ''TheBoondocks''.

* Naturally enough, when an episode of ''{{Gargoyles}}'' was set in (modern day) Japan, what code would the gargoyle clan found protecting a village there follow but ''bushido''?

** ''FinalFantasyV'' and ''FinalFantasyTactics'' both have Samurai jobs despite having no [[{{Wutai}} Japan-like area]]. ''FFT'''s Samurai has an [[GameBreaker absurdly broken ability called Blade Grasp, which pretty much makes you a]] PhysicalGod. ''FinalFantasyVI'' also has Cyan, who has a distinct samurai vibe (and [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]] in spite of his very European looks, armor, and ''nation''.

* In ''{{Pokemon}}'', [[PokemonBlackAndWhite the starter Oshawott's]] entire evolutionary line is based around samurai (and [[EverythingsWetterWithOtters otters]])-Oshawott is either a wannabe samurai or an inexperienced apprentice, Dewott is either a ronin, an apprentice, or a normal samurai, and Samurott not only has samurai in its name, but it is likely based on a ''daimyo'', or ''samurai warlord''. The best part? [[ImprobableWeaponUser THEY USE THEIR SHELLS AS SWORDS.]]

** Before that, Silverbolt gained a samurai-like body in ''BeastMachines''.

* Sanger (and Wodan?) in ''SuperRobotWars''. Also a very popular character. Even draws a katana during his attack animations, despite attacking with a {{BFS}} (he uses a MoCapMecha).

* ''SixStringSamurai'' is an epic AfterTheEnd tale where the King, Elvis, has died, and samurai Buddy Holly travels to "Lost Vegas" to take his place. Standing in his way are Bowlers, Communists, and the GrimReaper aka Slash from [[{{Ptitlewiz5pz1p}} Guns N' Roses]].

[[caption-width-right:207:[-Man, [[MissedMomentOfAwesome wouldn't the movies have been even better]] with this?[[hottip:* :[[WhatCouldHaveBeen And it almost happened in the early drafts]].]]-] ]]

* Mr. Bushido in ''{{Gundam 00}}'' - who is actually American. Additional to it, a samurai mobile suit. 3, in fact.

* [[LadyOfWar Signum]] from ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'' and onward obstinately calls herself a "knight", whereas her warrior code (not to mention her fighting style) is obviously based off the samurai. But then again, most Japanese writers confuse the two at least somewhat.

* The ''{{Anime/Pokemon}}'' episode "Challenge of the Samurai".

[[folder:Comics]]
* The French series ''Chroniques de la Lune Noire'' (''BlackMoonChronicles'') has the character of Murata, a samurai in an otherwise western fantasy setting. Since it is based on an old ''[[DungeonsAndDragons D&D]]'' campaign, blame the ''Oriental Adventures'' on this.

* ''RedSun'' is a western with a samurai thrown in. Better than it sounds.
** Considering who plays the samurai (ToshiroMifune), it should be.

* [[StarWars Darth Vader]]'s character design was heavily based off samurai armor.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* Samurai are, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin obviously]], the theme of ''SamuraiSentaiShinkenger'' and ''PowerRangersSamurai''.
** And ''PowerRangers'' invoked this even earlier: the SixthRanger of ''PowerRangersNinjaStorm'' was called the Samurai Ranger (the ''NinpuuSentaiHurricanger'' version, however, was a ninja like the rest of the team).

* Kai in ''LuminousArc''. This is strange since the entire world is western, and he fights in a unit full of more convectional medieval soldiers. To increase his relationship values you have to answer his questions with stuff that corresponds to the Bushido.
** Mel, the Torrent Witch, is a big fan of samurai... to say the least.
* The ShowWithinAShow ''The Steel Samurai'' in ''PhoenixWright AceAttorney''.
** Note that in the original version, ''Gyakuten Saiban'', the ShowWithinAShow was ''not'' about a samurai, but rather, a feudal lord-based superhero known as ''"Soldier of Oedo, Tonosaman"''.
* ''FinalFantasyV'' and ''FinalFantasyTactics'' both have Samurai jobs despite having no [[{{Wutai}} Japan-like area]]. ''FFT'''s Samurai has an [[GameBreaker absurdly broken ability called Blade Grasp, which pretty much makes you a]] PhysicalGod. ''FinalFantasyVI'' also has Cyan, who has a distinct samurai vibe (and [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]] in spite of his very European looks, armor, and ''nation''.

* In ''{{Age of Empires}} III'' you can hire mercenary samurai to fight for you. Note that this game is set in the colonisation of the New World. As you would expect, they're ridiculously, hilariously powerful.

* In ''{{The Elder Scrolls}} Oblivon'', the Blades(or rather, the ineffectual royal-guard sub-set), take their armor style from the continent of {{Wutai Akavir}}, mimicking Remann Cyrodill's original Akavarii bodygaurd. Their lavishly decorated armor is highly reminiscent of samurai or ashigaru armor, they fight with katana, and their fortress is a "temple" high in the mountains that looks for all the world like a Japanese castle. Keep in mind that the rest of the province Cyrodiil is based off of medieval Europe and the Roman Empire.
** [[ExOttoyuhr This Troper]] took one look at them and burst out laughing; they look like they're dressed in miscellaneous equipment from the post-Sekigahara [[RummageSaleRejects rummage sale]]...
* Youmu from ''[[{{Touhou}} Touhou Project]]'' sports a pair of katanas despite ''Touhou Project'' being mostly a BulletHell genre. She projects a following of the Bushido code, essentially being Yuyuko's samurai.
** Must be mentioned that her sword is highly capable of spewing bullets and ''slowing time''.

** In ''{{Pokemon}}'', [[{{Ptitle2gli7wce}} the starter Oshawott's]] entire evolutionary line is based around samurai (and [[{{Ptitlehvb4enaj}} otters]])-Oshawott is either a wannabe samurai or an inexperienced apprentice, Dewott is either a ronin, an apprentice, or a normal samurai, and Samurott not only has samurai in its name, but it is likely based on a ''daimyo'', or ''samurai warlord''. The best part? [[ImprobableWeaponUser THEY USE THEIR SHELLS AS SWORDS.]]

* Prowl in ''TransformersAnimated'' is generally a {{ninja}}, but gets a samurai upgrade in the episode "A Fistful of Energon".

* [[LadyOfWar Signum]] from ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha A's'' and onward obstinately calls herself a "knight", whereas her warrior code (not to mention her fighting style) is obviously based off the samurai. But then again, most Japanese writers confuse the two at least somewhat.

* The 2009 ''SuperSentai'' series? ''SamuraiSentaiShinkenger''. (to be Americanized in 2011 as ''PowerRangersSamurai''.)
** And ''PowerRangers'' invoked this even earlier: the ''PowerRangersNinjaStorm'' SixthRanger was called the Samurai Ranger (the ''[[NinpuuSentaiHurricanger Sentai]]'' version, however, was a ninja like the rest of the team).

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