History VideoGame / AkaiKatana

** [[spoiler: Kikyou is mortally wounded, telling Botan to live on in his place, and kills himself with the Blood Katana. He gives her the ability to see, and she says that she can feel him next to her.]]
** [[spoiler: Tsubaki kills herself with the Blood Katana in order to bring Sumire back to life, but then Sumire decides to kill herself because she doesn't want to live without Tsubaki.]]
** [[spoiler: Suzuran crushes Shion to death so that she can have the Blood Katana all to herself, but she ends up losing her youth to it just like Shion had.]]
** [[spoiler: In the [[GoldenEnding True Ending]], all six of them destroy the Blood Katana together, [[EverybodyDiesEnding and they all die for a better world]].]]

* DownerEnding:
** [[spoiler: Kikyou is mortally wounded, telling Botan to live on in his place, and kills himself with the Blood Katana. He gives her the ability to see, and she says that she can feel him next to her.]]
** [[spoiler: Tsubaki kills herself with the Blood Katana in order to bring Sumire back to life, but then Sumire decides to kill herself because she doesn't want to live without Tsubaki.]]
** [[spoiler: Suzuran crushes Shion to death so that she can have the Blood Katana all to herself, but she ends up losing her youth to it just like Shion had.]]
** [[spoiler: In the [[GoldenEnding True Ending]], all six of them destroy the Blood Katana together, [[EverybodyDiesEnding and they all die]] [[BittersweetEnding for a better world]].]]

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}, originally released for arcades on the CAVE CV1000-D hardware. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'' (or ''Crimson Katana EXA LABEL'' when the game is set to English), was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' was released for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne in Japan on December 15, 2022, and globally on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} for Windows PC on the same day; the Western console versions are to be released at a future unknown date. This version is handled by Creator/{{City Connection|Developer}}'s TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms); aside from being a straight port of the Xbox 360 version, it also features a brand new arrange soundtrack.

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'' (or ''Crimson Katana EXA LABEL'' when the game is set to English), was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' was released for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne in Japan on December 15, 2022, and globally on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} for Windows PC on the same day; the Western console versions are to be released at a future unknown date. This version is handled by Creator/{{City Connection|Developer}}'s TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms); aside from being a straight port of the Xbox 360 version, it also features a brand new arrange soundtrack.

** ''Akai Katana Shin'' contains three modes: Origin, which is the original arcade version, Climax (''Zetsu'' in the JP version), which is a modified version of Origin with widescreen compatibility, and Slash (''Shin'' in the JP version), which is the designated arrange mode. Climax mode removes the on-screen score item {{Cap}}, as well as increases the number of suicide bullets fired. Slash Mode also removes the score item {{Cap}}, and disables the Phantom's invincibility when in Defense mode, but allows the collection of Steel Orbs and Katanas. Both can cancel bullets, and anything Katanas pierce create huge score items.

* VersionExclusiveContent: The ''EXA LABEL'' version features a unique ArrangeMode not available in any other version of the game, not even the later console and PC release by City Connection.

* GuideDangIt: Played with. Many a player have expressed their frustration online about being unable to figure how to play the game, only to be told that pressing B will give them a tutorial.

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'' (or ''Crimson Katana EXA LABEL'' when the game is set to English), was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' was released for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne in Japan on December 15, 2022, and globally on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} for Windows PC on the same day; the Western console versions are to be released at a future unknown date. This version is handled by Creator/{{City Connection|Developer}}'s TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

** [[spoiler: In the [[GoldenEnding True Ending]], all six of them destroy the Blood Katana together, [[KillEmAll and they all die]] [[BittersweetEnding for a better world]].]]

%%* KillEmAll: [[spoiler: The True Ending.]]

** The Western Xbox 360 version is simply called ''Akai Katana'', rather than ''Akai Katana Shin'' like for the Japanese version or the City Connection ports.
** ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL''[='=]s title changes to ''Crimson Katana EXA LABEL'' if the game is set to English.

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' was released for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne in Japan on December 15, 2022, and globally on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} for Windows PC on the same day; the Western console versions are to be released at a future unknown date. This version is handled by Creator/{{City Connection|Developer}}'s TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

** ''Akai Katana Shin'' contains three modes: Origin, which is the original arcade version, Climax, which is a modified version of Origin with widescreen compatibility, and Slash, which is the designated arrange mode. Climax mode removes the on-screen score item {{Cap}}, as well as increases the number of suicide bullets fired. Slash Mode also removes the score item {{Cap}}, and disables the Phantom's invincibility when in Defense mode, but allows the collection of Steel Orbs and Katanas. Both can cancel bullets, and anything Katanas pierce create huge score items.

* CastFromLifespan:
** Shion Kobayakawa, the pilot of the third set of characters, bonded with a Blood Katana but lost her youth in the process.
** Also part of the game system. Having fewer lives will increase the length of the spirit bar, i.e. let you stay in Ninja mode for longer.

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne in Japan on December 15, 2022, and globally on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} for Windows PC on the same day; the Western console versions are to be released at a future unknown date. This version is handled by Creator/{{City Connection|Developer}}'s TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and Microsoft Windows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}) was released on December 15, 2022, handled by Creator/{{City Connection|Developer}}'s TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and Microsoft Windows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}) was released on December 15, 2022, handled by Creator/{{CityConnection|Developer}}'s TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', was released in 2021. An additional consumer release of ''Shin'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and Microsoft Windows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}) is [[https://city-connection.co.jp/akaikatana/ scheduled for a December 15, 2022 release]], handled by Creator/CityConnection's TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', was released in 2021. An additional console release of ''Shin'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and Microsoft Windows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}) is [[https://city-connection.co.jp/akaikatana/ scheduled for a December 15, 2022 release]], handled by Creator/CityConnection's TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', was released in 2021. An additional console release of ''Shin'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne is [[https://city-connection.co.jp/akaikatana/ scheduled for a December 15, 2022 release]], handled by Creator/CityConnection's TAKE×OFF division (the same team that worked on the ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}} I・II'' release for the same platforms).

* AbsoluteCleavage: Nazuna, the boss of stage 5 (''Akai Katana Shin'' only), wears an outfit with this.

* HitboxDissonance:

* KillEmAll: [[spoiler: The True Ending.]]

* RebelliousPrincess: Botan

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live'' in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', is in the works.

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin''). This version was ported back to arcades as ''Akai Katana Shin for [=NESiCA=]×Live''. was released in 2012. Another arcade release, ''Akai Katana EXA LABEL'', is in the works.

''Akai Katana'' (2010) is a BulletHell ShootEmUp by Creator/{{Cave}}. It is Cave's third HorizontalScrollingShooter and revisits the concept of the pilot and gunner being different characters, such as in ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''. Programming was done by S. Yagawa of Creator/EightingRaizing fame. Music was composed by the late Ryu Umemoto. There is an UsefulNotes/Xbox360 port, titled ''Akai Katana Shin''. Those with a Japanese Xbox 360 can download a free trial of the first two stages. It has been localized for Europe and the US by Rising Star Games as simply ''Akai Katana'' (although having the same content as ''Akai Katana Shin'').

** ''Akai Katana Shin'' contains three modes: Origin, which is the original arcade version, Climax, which is a modified version of Origin with widescreen compatibility, and Slash, which is the designated arrange mode. Climax mode removes the on-screen score item {{Cap}}, as well as increases the number of suicide bullets fired. Slash Mode also removes the score item {{Cap}, and disables the Phantom's invincibility when in Defense mode, but allows the collection of Steel Orbs and Katanas. Both can cancel bullets, and anything Katanas pierce create huge score items.

-->Nazuna: I don't care about the past! It's I who takes revenge for my master!

->Ran: I wonder what your faith is at all ...

* AllThereInTheManual -- The majority of the storyline or even how to play the game (properly) isn't shown in game. Rather, you have to look at the 29-page instruction manual, the tutorial videos, the official websites, and/or the artbook for information. In fact, most of the information regarding the characters on this page is taken from websites or manuals.
* ArchnemesisDad -- Emperor Basho Saionji is this to Kikyou and Botan