Adagumo no Saragimaru
Adagumo no Saragimaru da̠ɡ̃ɯᵝmo̞ no̞ sa̠ɾ̠a̠ɡ̃ima̠ɾ̠ɯᵝ | |
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Saragimaru in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle | |
Character Titles | |
Final Eye | |
Information | |
Species | Orochi |
Abilities | Manipulating cloudy weather |
Occupation | Self-proclaimed protector of Yaorochi |
Location | Shitodo House |
Music Themes | |
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Appearances | |
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Adagumo no Saragimaru (徒雲 蛇穴丸) is Adagumo no Yaorochi's younger sibling and a youkai born from Yamata no Orochi's eye. Straightforward and diligent, they secretly look after their elder sibling. They are the Extra stage boss of Earthen Miraculous Sword, as well as a playable character in Reactivate Majestical Imperial.
General Information[edit | edit source]
Personality[edit | edit source]
Saragimaru has a straightforward diligent personality, and because of it, they're often manipulated by those around them, such as Kuroji. For this reason, they often fail at whatever they are doing, but they particularly excel at instantaneous speed and concentration power. As pointed out by Shion, they have a self-sacrificing personality, fitting for a subordinate.
They are devoted to serving their older sibling Yaorochi. Saragimaru loves them very much because they're their only living relative, but due to Tasouken's curse (to sever relationships), Yaorochi doesn't care about them. Saragimaru even threatens to kill the heroes in Earthen Miraculous Sword for stopping the ritual that'd restore the Tasouken and thus interfering with Yaorochi's happiness.
Perhaps due to being isolated for so long, Saragimaru is a loner by nature and chooses not to socialize with humans or youkai. When they do associate with someone, they act rather awkwardly. Like their sibling, they look down on humans. Nevertheless, to those whom they're acquainted with, Saragimaru speaks bluntly and has a snarky personality. They're presented as the most no-nonsense character out of all the Len'en Project, and having lived for over centuries, they don't mince words when noting they have to deal with the equivalent of kids from their perspective.
Abilities[edit | edit source]
- Manipulating cloudy weather
Saragimaru is able to control clouds and create cloudy weather. In the Extra Stage of Earthen Miraculous Sword, they used their power to make it snow despite it being a clear sky.
Backstory[edit | edit source]
The leader of a powerful clan (implied to be Yamata no Orochi) was betrayed and killed by other enemy clans and his body was dispersed in several fragments. Saragimaru was born from his eye, and because of it, they're very knowledgeable. Yaorochi and their seven 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 and for some reason never got along particularly well with the youngest, Saragimaru, which even eventually escalated to violence. Shortly, Yaorochi abandoned them in order to look for the sword. They searched for it for several years and was very disappointed when they found it all rusted.
Saragimaru, who had silently looked after Yaorochi all those years, requested Sukune Katano to make a clay sword for Yaorochi, making magical inscriptions on its underside so that the sword's power would be subdued, preventing it from carrying out its normal function. However, afraid of their sibling's rejection, they never went to pick it up.
Background Information[edit | edit source]
Origin[edit | edit source]
Saragimaru is loosely based on the legendary youkai Yamata-no-Orochi and the historical figure 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 Saragimaru's race as well as their connection to the Tasouken.
Emperor Go-Toba was the younger half-brother and successor of Emperor Antoku, who Yaorochi is based on, famous for being the first emperor to ascend to the throne without all three Imperial Regalia, which are referenced in Saragimaru's spell cards. Go-Toba was also renowned for his 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. Go-Toba and Antoku's relationship as siblings is reflected in Saragimaru and Yaorochi's relationship, Go-Toba's patronage to and love for bladesmithing may also be referenced by Saragimaru requesting a replica Tasouken from Sukune Katano, as well as their seemingly extensive knowledge regarding the sword.
Name[edit | edit source]
Their full name is Adagumo no Saragimaru (徒雲 蛇穴丸). Their given name Saragimaru (蛇穴丸) is spelled with the kanji for "snake", "hole", and "circle". The maru (circle) suffix was historically added to names of swords and sailing ships. Yabusame Houlen can't remember this and calls them "Salami" (サラミ sarami). 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 "Saragimaru 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]
Saragimaru has red eyes and short green hair tied in a short side ponytail. They dress in black and green clothing with a green capelet. As an orochi, they have one tail.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Earthen Miraculous Sword
It's revealed that they soon regretted requesting the Tasouken, as they knew it was dangerous for it to be restored.
A few days after Yaorochi's defeat, the cloudy weather returns. Drunkenly, the heroes go to investigate and they found that this time the culprit is Yaorochi's younger sibling, Saragimaru. They wanted revenge for the sabotaging of the Tasouken's ritual and thus ruining of Yaorochi's happiness, so they lured the heroes into a trap to murder them. They are defeated and the heroes attempt to befriend them by inviting Saragimaru to their sake party.
- Reactivate Majestical Imperial
Saragimaru is once again stalking Yaorochi at the Senri Shrine. Kuroji catches them in the act and blackmails them into cooperation. The orochi agrees, and they begrudgingly form an alliance. Also, Saragimaru decided that they won't tell Yaorochi of their parentage, preferring to protect them from the shadows.
On the way, the group keeps bumping into weird youkai, while Kuroji attacking them in order to steal their valuable things, much to Saragimaru's displeasure. After dealing with the person who the signboard was directed to, Fujiwara no Iyozane, they reveal that they're working to resurrect someone important and will receive something valuable from it. Kuroji believes it's money, only to attack them in frustration when Iyozane reveals they're penniless and they'll actually gain a position as a chief advisor. On the Frost Cavern, they bump into Yabusame and Tsubakura, who are curious about their partnership. Kuroji wants to prove once again that they're stronger than Tsubakura and settles on a fight. Angry at the person who wrote the signboard for making them waste their time, Kuroji goes with the orochi to ruin said ritual. They find Taira no Fumikado, who was trying to collect spirits for their resurrection ceremony, since they want to resucitate 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 and was absorbing spirits, causing a long winter. Saragimaru senses that Shion's spirit is composed of evil spirits and is unsure about fighting someone so dangerous, but obeys Kuroji when the latter decides to steal and sell the flower. Shion fights them in order to protect the Harujion.
In the end, Kuroji and Saragimaru arrive at the Senri Shrine, bringing Shion with them. Shion indicated that they were attracted by the essence of the shrine. Kuroji wants to sell the remaining spirits to collect money while Saragimaru is worried about the amoral things Kuroji does to get profit and decides to keep an eye on them.
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. Saragimaru is revealed to know Tenkai, but being hostile to most humans, they're not on good terms with them. 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, much to Kuroji's chagrin, who wanted to sell them. After Sese is defeated, the spirits leave Sese's body and Kuroji orders Saragimaru to retrieve them.
- Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle
Apparently now Saragimaru works for the Shitodo household as a servant and lives with them. Worried that Yaorochi is receiving constant invitations from both sides of the war to be their ally, Saragimaru escapes from the Shitodo house to protect Yaorochi from the shadows as usual.
Relationships[edit | edit source]
- Adagumo no Yaorochi
Saragimaru is devoted to serve and protect their eldest sibling Adagumo no Yaorochi. In the past, they had a fickle relationship and they distanced when Yaorochi slashed them. They love and respect their older sibling very much (calling them "Yaorochi-sama") and wish to be close with them, but Yaorochi doesn't notice or care about them anymore, as they are too obsessed with the Tasouken. In order to make them happy, Saragimaru was the one who commissioned Sukune Katano's Tasouken replica, despite knowing it was dangerous.
Even if they're aware that Yaorochi cares very little about other people, much less them, Saragimaru doesn't mind and they're happy as long as they can continue passively protecting their older sibling.
- Sukune Katano
Saragimaru was the one who instructed Sukune to build a replica Tasouken, along with inscribing a magical incantation onto it so that the reborn sword could not display its full power. Despite this, Sukune does not have a clear memory of Saragimaru.
- Kuroji Shitodo
Since Reactivate Majestical Imperial, Saragimaru works as Kuroji's unwilling servant, something the orochi is not happy about. Saragimaru considers Kuroji a contradictory and vicious scoundrel who gets away with everything. Kuroji doesn't mind to such things, but when angered enough, they will not hesitate to remind Saragimaru of their blackmail. Kuroji likes Saragimaru because of their strength and straightforward down-to-earth personality. However, Kuroji is willing to blackmail the orochi into cooperation or sell their identity. Despite Kuroji's terrible treatment of Saragimaru, it would seem that, on some level, the orochi enjoyed the company of Kuroji, thinking it a good way of passing the time.[1]
- Aoji and Hooaka Shitodo
Since Saragimaru became Kuroji's unwilling servant, they live at the Shitodo's house. Hooaka does not have respect for Saragimaru and treats them like a slave, while Aoji is terrified of them. Saragimaru dislikes them because they're humans and related to Kuroji.
- Tenkai Zuifeng
Prior to the events of Earthen Miraculous Sword, Saragimaru bought information on how to seal the Tasouken's power from Tenkai. Despite so, Tenkai is not exempt from Saragimaru's broad contempt for humans.
Additional Information[edit | edit source]
- Saragimaru's musical theme, "Mono Eye ~ Ironic FATE", may also read as "Mono Ai". According to JynX, it could refer to their "single eye", or maybe it's more like their one-sided love towards Adagumo no Yaorochi.
- According to Jynx, Saragimaru is the most mature and the only one with common sense in Mugenri.
- Yaorochi's and Saragimaru's color schemes are inverted since Reactivate Majestical Imperial.
- Saragimaru 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: 18 | ||||||
雨雪「奇し雲」 | Rain and Snow "Mysterious Cloud" | EMS | St. Ex | |||
受難「ギャザリングクラウド」 | Suffering "Gathering Cloud"[a] | EMS | St. Ex | |||
去思「鋒に残る面影」 | Fleeting Thought "Traces Left on the Blade's Tip" | EMS | St. Ex | |||
虚栄「雲に架ける梯---【ヒト】」 | Vanity "Ladder Built Between Clouds---[Human]" | EMS BPoHC |
St. Ex St 4: E/N | |||
神器「天を映す鏡」 | Regalia "The Mirror that Reflects the Heavens"[b] | EMS BPoHC |
St. Ex St 4: E/N | |||
神器「魂を司る勾玉」 | Regalia "The Magatama that Controls Spirits"[c] | EMS | St. Ex | |||
神器「縁すら絶てぬ劔」 | Regalia "The Sword that Severs Not Even Relations"[d] | EMS | St. Ex | |||
天孫「雲に架ける梯---【霓】」 | Divine Grandson "Ladder Built Between Clouds---[Rainbow]"[e] | EMS RMI BPoHC |
St. Ex St. 4: H/U St 4: H/U | |||
輪廻「樋速日神の瞳」 | Transmigration "Eye of Hihayahi"[f] | Bomb Despite sharing the same name, the spell's Reactivate Majestical Imperial iteration features a rather different pattern. |
EMS RMI RMI BPoHC |
St. Ex Use St 4: H/U St 4: H/U | ||
「決して消えることなき徒雲」 | "The Never-Disappearing Vanishing Cloud"[g] | EMS BPoHC |
St. Ex St. 4 E/N/H/U | |||
「雲に架ける梯 --- 【偽】」 | "Ladder Built Between Clouds---[Fake]" | Flash bomb | RMI | Use | ||
儀式「雲に架ける梯---【残光】」 | Ritual "Ladder Built Between Clouds---[Afterglow]"[h] | RMI | St. 4: E/N | |||
献身 | Self-Sacrificial Devotion | RMI BPoHC |
Standby Skill Upgrade | |||
閃光「ジャノメの点」 | Flashing Light "Snake Eye's Dot"[i] | RMI | St. 4: E/N | |||
逆刃「逆燕返し」 | Inverse Blade "Inverted Swallow Reversal"[j] | Co-owner with Kuroji | RMI | St. 4: E/N | ||
反斬「鵐の爪」 | Reverse Slash "Bunting's Claws"[k] | 〃 | RMI | St. 4: H/U | ||
「天を照らす瞳」 | "The Eye that Illuminates the Heavens" | BPoHC | St. 4: H/U | |||
「神の血から産まれし蛇」 | "Snake Born From the Blood of a God" | BPoHC | St. 4: E/N |
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ A reference to the original name of Sword of Kusanagi, Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (天叢雲剣, lit. "Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven").
- ↑ "Sacred Treasure" refers to the Imperial Regalia of Japan. This card references the Yata no Kagami.
- ↑ This card references the Yasakani no Magatama.
- ↑ This card references the Sword of Kusanagi. It also contrasts with Tasouken's ability, "Ability to sever relations".
- ↑ A reference to Ame-no-ukihashi, a bridge in Shinto mythology that connects the celestial realm of Takamagahara to earth. As well as the Descent of the Divine Grandson, where Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the grandson of the chief goddess of Takamagahara, Amaterasu, was sent to rule over earth on behalf of the heavenly gods.
- ↑ According to the Kojiki, Hihayahi-no-Kami is one of the gods born from the blood of the fire god Kagutsuchi dripping to the guard of the sword used by his father Izanagi to kill him.
The Nihon Shoki instead lists him as one of the gods born from the Ukehi divination ritual undertaken by Amaterasu and Susanoo-no-Mikoto, specifically one of the eight gods spewed out by Suzanoo from chewing magatama beads that Amaterasu handed to him. - ↑ "Vanishing Cloud" (徒雲 Adagumo) is Saragimaru's family name. It refers to the concept of ephemerality, giving the impression of a cloud that disappears as soon as you reach out to touch it.
- ↑ A variation on Saragimaru's eighth card in Earthen Miraculous Sword.
- ↑ A janome (蛇の目 janome, lit. "snake's eye") (ʘ) is a circular symbol with a dot in its centre, called so as it looks similar to a snake's eye.
- ↑ The "Swallow Reversal" (燕返し) is a sword technique famously used by samurai Kojirō Sasaki.
- ↑ The kanji mu (鵐, "bunting") is part of Kuroji's name.
Official Profiles[edit | edit source]
〇EX面ボス 最後の瞳 徒雲 蛇穴丸(あだぐものさらぎまる) |
◯ Extra Stage Boss — Final Eye Adagumo no Saragimaru |
〇最後の瞳 徒雲 蛇穴丸(あだぐものさらぎまる) |
◯ Final Eye Adagumo no Saragimaru |
最後の瞳 徒雲 蛇穴丸 |
Final Eye Adagumo no Saragimaru |
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The wording used in the original Japanese, 手を翻す, refers to a sudden change in attitude, often completely contrary to what it was previously, and is often used in cases of betrayal. Since all it describes is a sudden change, it remains unclear what the specifics of this betrayal could be, whether it's a betrayal to the Adagumo's shared goal, a personal betrayal, or a betrayal of allegiance, etc.
- ↑ Literally "parent-child pot", referring to the chicken and its eggs.
Official Sources[edit | edit source]
- 2013/11/18 Earthen Miraculous Sword - Official Profiles, Extra Stage 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 Stage 4 Boss
References[edit | edit source]
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