Adagumo no Yaorochi
Adagumo no Yaorochi a̠da̠ɡ̃ɯᵝmo̞ no̞ ja̠o̞ɺ̠o̞t͡ɕi | |
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Yaorochi in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle | |
Character Titles | |
Descendant of Orochi | |
Information | |
Species | Orochi |
Abilities | Mowing down clouds |
Location |
Sukune's Home (Location unknown); Ritual Site in the Unlost Woods |
Music Themes | |
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Appearances | |
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Adagumo no Yaorochi (徒雲 八尾呂智) is an aloof expressionless person who is a youkai born from Orochi's arm. They have an obsession with the sword Tasouken, the legendary Sword of Kusanagi. They're the final boss of Earthen Miraculous Sword and a playable character in Reactivate Majestical Imperial, the second and third game of the Len'en Project respectively.
General Information[edit | edit source]
Personality[edit | edit source]
At first glance, Yaorochi is aloof, composed, and dignified. But to those who know them better, Yaorochi is actually simpleminded, violent, quick to anger and pathologically obsessed with the Tasouken. Their personality is indifferent to others, and because they ostracized themselves for so long, Yaorochi is a loner by nature and chooses not to socialize. They're hostile towards humans and look down on them, but if they have to cooperate with them, they acquiesce. In speech, they speak with an archaic Japanese language, all the while using a belligerent and haughty tone.
Because they were born from Orochi's arm, they have an attachment to the Tasouken. They love the sword more than anything else, even to the point of idealizing for its return to splendour. They want it to be as magnificent as it was in the ancient times. When they were born, they executed those who killed Orochi's clan in vengeance, as they felt they had an obligation for it. After they found what was left of the Tasouken, they understood that they never wanted the sword in order to exact revenge or to revive the old clan. It was simply because they were attached to it. They're shown to be manipulative and cunning (such as manipulating Sukune Katano to restore the sword) and will attack any person who gets in the way of themselves and the Tasouken. For instance, cutting down a fellow orochi in the past and attacking the heroes in Earthen Miraculous Sword, because restoring the Tasouken brought cloudy weather to Mugenri.
Abilities[edit | edit source]
- Mowing down clouds
Yaorochi's main ability is to cut down clouds. If one notices closely in the stage 6 of Earthen Miraculous Sword, during the last half of the fight Yaorochi and the heroes are seen floating in the sky away from the Ritual Site and the clouds around the orochi are seen moving past them. They also have spell cards based around cutting clouds (Suppressing Force "Formation of the Cloud Mowing Sword", "Cloud Mowing Sword")
- Natural swordsmanship
Being born from the arm of Orochi gives them natural swordsmanship. Because of their connection to the Tasouken and its ability to sever relationships, Yaorochi's sword's ability is defined in such a broad manner.
Backstory[edit | edit source]
The leader of a powerful clan was betrayed and killed by other enemy clans and his arm severed. Yaorochi was born from his severed arm, and because of it, they have an attachment to the clan's legendary sword, Tasouken. Yaorochi and their six other siblings decided to get revenge on Orochi's murderers, but most of them died before achieving their goal. Yaorochi was very cold and distant to their younger siblings, even escalated to violence on one occasion.
Yaorochi looked for centuries for the lost Tasouken and was very disappointed when they found that it was all old and rusted. They were so disappointed and heartbroken that they isolated themselves for years. One day, they travelled to Mugenri and saw a clay sword that greatly resembled the Tasouken. They tricked the creator of the clay sword, Sukune Katano, into giving it to Yaorochi such that they could transfer the essence of the Tasouken into it. They also had Sukune build a ritual site at which the ceremony would take place.
Preparations complete, Yaorochi pulled the sword out from storage and thrust the sword along with the clay sword into the ground, beginning the ritual. As they began the power transference, the rusted sword crumbled into dust in an instant. Outside, a gathering of clouds formed in the sky above the ritual site, leading to the events of Earthen Miraculous Sword. As the ceremony was completed, the clay sword's exterior crumbled away to reveal a magnificent metal blade within, the Tasouken was reborn.
Background Information[edit | edit source]
Origin[edit | edit source]
Yaorochi is largely based on the legendary youkai Yamata-no-Orochi and the historical figures Emperor Antoku, and in part Emperor Go-Toba.
Yamata-no-Orochi was a giant eight-headed serpent youkai in Japanese mythology, he was slain by the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto who found the sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, in other words the Tasouken, in the youkai's tail. This would explain Yaorochi's race as well as their connection to the Tasouken.
Emperor Antoku was a key figure in the conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans at the end of the Heian period. The young Emperor Antoku was born to a Taira mother and was controlled by the Taira clan, when cornered by the Minamimoto at the sea Battle of Dan-no-ura, Antoku's grandmother took him and jumped overboard into the sea, drowning the child emperor. She also took the three Imperial Regalia with them, of which the sword is said to have never been recovered. This tale is referenced in Yaorochi's plunge into the sea after the Tasouken. Antoku being born to a Taira mother is also referenced in Yaorochi's claim that they are distantly related to Taira no Masakado.
Emperor Go-Toba was Emperor Antoku's younger half-brother and successor, famous for having ascended to the throne without all three of the Imperial Regalia. It is said that he later developed a psychological complex regarding the missing sword, which lead to his later enthusiasm for swordsmanship and swordsmithing. Being a great lover of swords, he made great contributions to Japanese swordsmithing and his patronage was even said to have given birth to Japan's "Golden Age" of bladesmithing. This obsession with swords, specifically the Tasouken, is also seen in Yaorochi's character.
Name[edit | edit source]
Their full name is Adagumo no Yaorochi (徒雲 八尾呂智). Their given name Yaorochi (八尾呂智), spelt to mean "eight tail bone knowledge", is based on the name of Yamata no Orochi (八俣遠呂智). Their surname, Adagumo (徒雲), means "vanishing cloud". It refers to the concept of ephemerality, giving the impression of a cloud that disappears as soon as you reach out to touch it. The hiragana character no (の) used here indicates a "belonging", thus the English equivalent of their name would be "Yaorochi of the Adagumo". In ancient Japan times, it was common for aristocrats with a clan's name to have no between their clan's name and first name.
Design[edit | edit source]
Yaorochi is of moderate height. They have long black hair tied in a side ponytail. They wear a green scarf with snake designs, a black and purple hakama with floral patterns and a pair of black detached sleeves. As an orochi, they have seven tails.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Earthen Miraculous Sword
Sukune Katano was tricked by Yaorochi into transferring the essence of the Tasouken into a clay sword, but said process made the weather in Mugenri very cloudy. Still resenting humans for murdering Orochi's clan and separating them from their sword, they attack the heroes when they arrive to stop Yaorochi. However, after Yaorochi is defeated, the Tasouken attacks on its own, wanting the protagonists to "prove their power".
After everything was cleared, Sukune reveals to them that the back of the sword acts as a bottle opener. The orochi was devastated at first, but they decided in the end that they didn't mind at all because they had the sword in their possession after centuries and it was all that mattered to them.
- Reactivate Majestical Imperial
There's a long out of season winter due to a sudden flow of spirits. This bothers Yaorochi, who wants to find out who's responsible for it. They bring Sukune along to the Senri Shrine for answers, but after finding nothing, they decide to head out themself to resolve the incident.
Following the flow of spirits, they reached a frozen cavern along the river, where they encounter Kuroji Shitodo and Adagumo no Saragimaru. The latter doesn't want Yaorochi to recognize them, so Kuroji helps conceal their identity. Offended after Sukune casually mentions their money problem, Kuroji attacks them and forces Saragimaru as well. After defeating them, they continue their way along the river, where they find Taira no Fumikado, who was trying to collect spirits in order to resurrect the vengeful spirit Taira no Masakado and store him in their homunculus body. After defeating them, they find out that all the spirits are attracted to a certain location. Finally, they end up in the Withered Grove, where they find the chimera soul Shion, who is the avatar of the soul-eater flower Harujion. Threatened by Shion's attempt to eat their soul, the duo retaliates.
In the end, Yaorochi and Sukune arrive at the Senri Shrine, bringing Shion with them. Shion indicated that they were attracted by the essence of the shrine and stays there.
It's revealed that the spirits came to Mugenri because of a hole in the Mugenri Barrier that separates the land from the Outside World. The hole was caused by Lumen, during the Clouds Incident and Tenkai Zuifeng was tasked to repair the hole, but is taking too long. Angry for putting Mugenri at risk, Yaorochi and Sukune go to chastise Tenkai. After finding out that Tenkai is actually an apprentice, Yaorochi mocks them, only for Tenkai to remind them about the failed Tasouken ritual. On the way back home, they are ambushed by Sese Kitsugai, a youkai they had defeated at the beginning of the story. Sese absorbs the spirits the heroes had been recollecting. After Sese is defeated, the spirits leave Sese's body. Sese still hasn't given up on their dreams to become stronger, so Yaorochi offers to be their sparring partner anytime.
- Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle
Now living at Sukune's house, Yaorochi isn't interested about the upcoming war and decides to stay out of it, hiding at the Ritual Site in the Unlost Woods. Both the Imperial Military and the Dragonfly Army have heard about the Tasouken's immense power and want to recruit Yaorochi because of it. Meanwhile, Yaorochi is paranoid that everyone will try to take their sword away from them, so they're attacking intruders that come across the location.
Relationships[edit | edit source]
- Sukune Katano
During the events of Earthen Miraculous Sword, Yaorochi manipulated Sukune Katano into transferring the essence of the Tasouken into a clay sword (requested by Saragimaru to make Yaorochi happy) by posing as a holy servant. Despite caring about nothing but the sword and being willing to hurt and manipulate people for its sake, Yaorochi did feel guilty about using Sukune. Even after discovering that Sukune revealed that said clay sword was actually a bottle opener, the two became good friends and Yaorochi forgave Sukune for the misunderstanding.
Yaorochi is a loner by nature who despises humans and weak youkai, but is friends with Sukune and after the clouds incident, both live together at Sukune's house. Despite Yaorochi's immense power, dialogue with Yabusame implies that Sukune is the more dominant in their relationship and Yaorochi acts mild towards the haniwa.
- Adagumo no Saragimaru
Adagumo no Saragimaru is Yaorochi's little sibling. In the past, they had a fickle relationship and they distanced when Yaorochi abandoned their siblings in order to find the lost Tasouken. Saragimaru has not forgotten their older sibling and secretly watches them from afar. Yaorochi is too fixated on the Tasouken and has already forgotten about them and the rest of their (now deceased) siblings.
According to JynX, Yaorochi sometimes wonders what happened with their remaining siblings and they have started to notice that someone frequently looks after them.
- Tsubakura Enraku and Yabusame Houlen
Like many other, Yaorochi doesn't really think Tsubakura and Yabusame are doing their job as Senri Shrine priests, by being inclined towards doing things as they please instead of doing it the traditional way. Despite antagonizing them a few times, Yaorochi is still on cordial terms with Tsubakura and Yabusame and visits them at the Senri Shrine. Even so, Yaorochi is constantly annoyed at their carefree attitude and lack of discipline.
- Suzumi Kuzu
Yaorochi does not know of Suzumi Kuzu, due to the latter either having overwritten Yaorochi's memory or rewinding time after their every encounter. However, whenever the two meet, Yaorochi displays a limited perception of the multiple souls within Suzumi, perhaps due to being able to hear both Hamee and Ardey.
In their first time meeting in Reactivate Majestical Imperial stage 4, Yaorochi refers to Suzumi as multiple people, but gets confused when Sukune refers to Suzumi as a single person instead; Next in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle stage 6, Yaorochi starts out referring to Suzumi as multiple people but turns to refer to them as a single person later on in the conversation; Finally, in Earthen Miraculous Sword stage 6, they refer to Suzumi exclusively as a single person.
- Other Mugenri natives
Yaorochi is on bad terms with other Mugenri-natives, having been isolating themself until meeting Sukune and the events of Earthen Miraculous Sword. Yaorochi chooses not to socialize with them and looks down on humans.
Additional Information[edit | edit source]
- Yaorochi's and Saragimaru's color schemes are inverted in Reactivate Majestical Imperial.
- According to JynX, they're only powerful when they're using the Tasouken. They're also not so aloof and dignified as they pretend to be.
- Yaorochi's seven tails can change their thickness and length at will, though this hasn't been written in anything.[1]
- Yaorochi is sensitive to the cold. This is possibly a reference to their species being based on snakes, which are cold-blooded animals.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
2018 Christmas Illustration used at the end of the video Androids' Christmas, also posted to Twitter.
Spell Cards[edit | edit source]
Name | Translated | Comments | Games | Stage | ||
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Total: 25 | ||||||
毒牙「歯軋りする刃」 | Poison Fang "The Sword that Grinds its Teeth" | EMS | St. 6: E/N | |||
「牙噛むは雄叫び天仰ぎ」 | "To Gnaw with Fangs is to Wail at the Skies" | EMS | St. 6: H/U | |||
護牌「七堂伽藍の胎動」 | Protection Card "Seven-Structured Temple's Fetal Movement" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: E/N St. 6: E/N | |||
「七つの尾」 | "Seven Tails" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: H/U St. 6: H/U | |||
降誕「割り裂かれる尾」 | Birth "The Split Tail"[a] | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: E/N St. 6: E/N | |||
「天羽々斬剣」 | "Ame-no-Habakiri Sword"[b] | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: H/U St. 6: H/U | |||
斬整「土偶剪定」 | Trimming "Dogū Shearing" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: E/N St. 6: E/N | |||
「斬切舞」 | "Frantic Cutting Dance"[c] | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: H/U St. 6: H/U | |||
込力「天の構え」 | Inward Force "Sky Posture" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: E St. 6: E | |||
溜力「蒼天の構え」 | Gathered Force "Blue Sky Posture" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: N St. 6: N | |||
抑力「雲薙ぎの構え」 | Suppressed Force "Cloud-Mowing Posture" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: H St. 6: H | |||
「色即是空」 | "Form is Emptiness" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: U St. 6: U | |||
「空薙ぎ」 | "Sky Mowing Sword" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: E St. 6: E | |||
「草薙ぎ」 | "Grass Mowing Sword"[d] | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: N St. 6: N | |||
「雲薙ぎ」 | "Cloud Mowing Sword" | Bomb; The Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle upgrade lacks quotation marks. | EMS RMI BPoHC BPoHC |
St. 6: H Use St. 6: H Upgrade | ||
「天薙ぎ」 | "Heaven Mowing Sword" | EMS BPoHC |
St. 6: U St. 6: U | |||
「黒朽縄」 | "Black Rotted Ropes" | Flash bomb | RMI | Use | ||
『塵薙ぎ』 | "Dust-Mowing Sword" | RMI | Standby Skill | |||
酔剣「蛇殺酒」 | Drunken Swordplay "Serpent-Killing Saké"[e][f] | RMI | St. 4: E/N | |||
泥酔剣「酔いどれ眼」 | Stuporous Swordplay "Drunkard's Eyes"[e] | RMI | St. 4: H/U | |||
「雲薙ぎ【鳥落】」 | "Cloud-Mowing Sword [Plunging Bird]"[g] | RMI | St. 4: E/N | |||
「天薙ぎ【空墜】」 | "Heaven-Mowing Sword [Falling Sky]"[g] | RMI | St. 4: H/U | |||
斬調「土偶剪定・グロウ」 | Pruning "Dogū Shearing -Grow-"[h] | Co-owner with Sukune | RMI | St. 4: E/N | ||
掘削「ハニーワ・カッター」 | Excavation "Haniwa Cutter""[h] | 〃 | RMI | St. 4: H/U | ||
「二つの煌き」 | "Two Glimmers" | BPoHC | St. 6: E/N/H/U |
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ This is referencing the origin of the Kusanagi sword, which was found inside one of Orochi's tails.
- ↑ This is a reference to Ame no Habakiri, a sword which Susanoo used to kill Orochi.
- ↑ Potentially a pun on きりきり舞い (kirikirimai), which means "to toss about in a panic".
- ↑ Kusanagi, or "grass mowing", short for Kusanagi no Tsurugi, or "grass mowing sword". The other versions of this card are variations on this name.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 A play on "drunken boxing" (酔拳 Lit. "drunken fist"), a style of Chinese martial arts that imitate the movements of a drunk person.
- ↑ A reference to the Yashiori no Sake (八塩折の酒), used by Susanoo-no-Mikoto to intoxicate Yamata no Orochi, who he killed after the serpent fell asleep.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A variation on Yaorochi's final spell card in Earthen Miraculous Sword.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A variation on Yaorochi's fourth spell card in Earthen Miraculous Sword.
Official Profiles[edit | edit source]
〇6面ボス 大蛇の末裔 徒雲 八尾呂智(あだぐものやおろち) |
◯ Stage 6 Boss — Descendant of Orochi Adagumo no Yaorochi |
〇大蛇の末裔 徒雲 八尾呂智(あだぐものやおろち) |
〇 Descendant of Orochi Adagumo no Yaorochi |
大蛇の末裔 徒雲 八尾呂智 |
Descendant of Orochi Adagumo no Yaorochi |
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ This likely refers to the old provinces of Japan.
- ↑ That is, the Tasouken, a.k.a. the Sword of Kusanagi. The story about the clan is based on the legend of the Yamata no Orochi.
- ↑ This is a reference to the Kusanagi being thrown into the ocean during the Battle of Dan no Ura.
Official Sources[edit | edit source]
- 2013/11/18 Earthen Miraculous Sword - Official Profiles, Final Boss
- 2014/10/09 Reactivate Majestical Imperial - Official Profiles, Prologue, Main Scenario, Possible Stage 4 Boss, Extra Scenario
- 2016/12/01 Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle - Official Profiles, Possible Final Boss
References[edit | edit source]
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