Style Select: Iaido In Fighting Games 

I know Boxing isn't gonna stand up next to Ryu and fucking Ninjas, but I'm gonna hope it pulls through

Fun fact: the og "cut then massive blood fountain" was actually a malfunctioning blood Squib. The director thought it looked cool, and that's how we got possibly one of the (in my opinion) funniest visual motifs in media.

sorry babe i can’t talk rn, new style select just dropped

that’s why Johnny from guilty gear is a cowboy. make sense now

i believe that the pause before blood geyser that is so iconic for this is actually a result of a prop misfire. the first time it happened in a film, the pump for the blood spray effect was over-primed, which caused a delay before it started, then the iconic geyser of blood. it was kept in because of how it looked, and the rest was history

I’ve had this thought forever of the "samurai slashes enemy, but enemy only explodes after sword is sheathed" bit, but enemy stops them from sheathing katana, negating the damage.

Johnny got the spotlight here, but I always liked Baiken's version of iaido for how it isn't perfect. Not only is her sword on the wrong side, forcing her to quickdraw it with an awkward reverse grip, but she'll draw into this huge wild-animal swing that she throws all her weight into. And because her swordsmanship is unrefined, she supplements it with the hidden weapons and sometimes just straight up slugging you or kicking you in the gut. It conveys the idea that she taught herself to fight and doesn't really have any formal training, and it's a great contrast to the super-polished iaido that Johnny bases his entire fighting style around.

With the practical applications- it’s worth noting that a samurai's primary armament on the battlefield was generally (aiui) either a spear, a bow, or (during certain periods) a gun. The katana was a backup weapon. Iaijutsu was applied when the enemy got in close or knocked the spear out of your hands. It also- and this is true for swords in many cultures- was a weapon appropriate to carry when not on the battlefield. To make an analogy with Wild West media (incidentally, this is your reminder the end of the samurai and the Wild West were contemporary with each other), the katana was a revolver, while a spear was a long rifle.

Iado is probably why I picked up fighting games in the first place, when I first saw Johnny. The want, the NEED to feel like you’re prepared when simply you’re just mashing. Sincerely though, the concept of Iai is always such an intriguing idea to me that cemented how much I love learning about historical Japanese culture and Japan itself as a country. These concepts rather than style become more like mindsets- with applicable design in combat but translated into periods of peace. Many traditions that we know today were developed during a war period so it’s awesome you’re covering both sides of it.

My favourite example of this might have to be Jetstream Sam in Metal Gear Rising, who has a magazine-loaded, trigger-activated sheath that uses ballistics to launch the sword out of the sheath for a quicker draw. Very stupid, but also a fun justification for actually returning the sword to the sheath mid-battle, since it's powered up by something beyond his own strength.

It's kind of ironic that a style focused on always being ready to defend at a moment's notice from a vulnerable position turned into a powerful offense with a significant wind-up in a fighting-ready stance. It really highlights the difference between conflict as seen in fighting games (one-on-one tournament style bouts) and the reality that necessitated these techniques in the first place.

Small note at 10:45 The moves shown by Ed and Yamazaki are more reminiscent of a real life boxing style by Thomas "Hitman" Hearns called a flicker jab, and exaggerated through the manga Hajime No Ippo. Just wanted to mention that.

Just happy to see The Last Blade getting some love on the thumbnail

PLEASE the way they do boxing in fighting games is so unique, especially Dudley! The way that kicks are treated as punches make for something so incredibly cool

The coolest single iaido attack in a game is Jetstream Sam's finisher in MGR revengeance. Sheathing the sword in the middle of battle to launch it out of the scabbard as a startup for the draw.

I LOVE Draw characters in fighting games...but I suck at playing them, because they require such precise timing, and almost always ZERO mashing.

In Maho Sensei Negima there is a character that uses Iaiken, he uses his pants pockets as sheathes and punches so fast that you don't even see the punch before his hand is back in his pocket as if he never moved. Hell of a thing and I'd love to see that in a fighting game...Yamazaki doesn't count cause he's using his off hand and not the one in his pocket for that. Also fun fact about Sanjuro: That is where the iconic huge gout of blood trope comes from in anime, games, movies and TV shows. Kurosawa-san was a notorious perfectionist but in this case the guys behind the air pressure for the hose full of blood put TOO MUCH pressure behind it so that's why there's such a huge spray, and the actor is said to have stated he had to fight to stay standing. Kurosawa LOVED it and thought it made the scene even better instead of getting mad and so it stayed in and has since become an icon of Chanbara films that made it's way to other media.

Glad to have this series back. Not to be a nuisance nancy, but there's some weird reverb sound when you speak, not sure if that's my headphones or not - but might be something to check for?

Glad to see you back! Also, my favorite version of Iaido in games is in ff14, simply by how nonsense it goes. Once you approach an enemy, your character automatically draws the weapon, no fuss, like every other class. Then, you fight with your weapon drawn, until you fill your bar, in which point you do your big move by sheathing, THEN draw slashing, just to go back to wielding it like normal. It's the opposite of what makes any sense, you keep it unsheathed until you need to be cool, so you sheath just to draw. I love it.

Glad to see y'all posting again! I always wanted to see an Iaido character be a Stance Fighter instead of Rushdown or Setplay. A "Weapon Sheathed" stance for what makes Iaido what it is, and a "Weapon Drawn" stance for realism. I hope Ninjutsu wins the Poll because it's so detached from real life Ninjutsu, but still has a style all to its own (also, saw a Ninja Analysis video recently, so the topic stays in the mind).

Much like the subject of this video, ABI took his sweet ass time to charge up and deliver a devastating blow to our boredom. Cant wait for the next one

11:42 That edit was slick.

My favorite characters who use Iaido are Kenshin Himura, Ukyo Tachibana, & Setsuka. RK's Hiten Mitsurugi techniques really made the style even cooler. Samurai Shodown 2 is where I first saw the style and thought it was so unique that a fighting game character faces away from the opponent (not to mention all the apple slicing). While the Soulcalibur games were inventive in turning the scabbard into a parasol, making for a more versatile weapon.

If karate wins and Kazuya isn't even mentioned, I'll be kinda mad.

I've always liked Iai characters in fighting games. Ever since the Samurai Shodown with Ukyo, I tended to pick them. Whether in games or cinema, characters using some form of Iaido/Iaijitsu are always cool, and I love seeing how the fictional interpretations of their art keeps evolving. Great to see you back. Looking forward to the next one.

I've been waiting eagerly for Style Select to come back, because goddamn there is nothing better than rewatching these videos 1000 times to absolve every morsel of information

These videos are just so truly TRULY magnificent. The way you marry a meaningful but not overbearing amount of cultural and/or historical context as a tone-setter with narrative+gameplay storytelling elements with how that might be executed in various games or hell even genres of works. AUCKGH they make for these incredibly satisfying to watch, not too short and about as long as can be expected(I usually enjoy longer vids but that’s personal taste hehe), medium-sized masterpieces. I always get quite giddy whenever I see a new one come out. Keep up the great work.

As a student of a very very old iaijutsu/kenjutsu ryuha, I can't help but point out all the exaggerative flaws in films or video games. BUT I absolutely agree that it is SO MUCH FUN both in it's visual artistic appearance & in the unique ways games have it function in combat. This was a rather great explanation of how it's seen in media vs the real art; great stuff!

I love that you took time to explain the difference between "do" and "jutsu." Few people ever ask the question, and it can be hard to explain to non-martial artists.

Did not expect FGO's Yagyu's Noble Phantasm in a Style Select opening. Quite a grand opening I must say.

"You have likely seen it; a thousand times." I seriously expected the Nero meme after that intro.

Did the audio sound weird for anyone else?

Probably my favorite anime trope. Actually kind of disappointed you didn't clip Jetsteam Sam's gun-assisted scabbard from Metal Gear Rising.

iaido and boxing are the two dopest fighting styles ever so those back to back in vids would be raw

Been waiting for this for awhile, hope you’re doing well.

I'm so happy to see you uploading again! Your content always makes me enjoy fighting games even more through knowledge. Can't wait to see more and you've got my support as always!

I popped off when I saw this in my sub box! Not because it's Iaido, but because it was a Sugarpunch video! I'm also glad you're back ABI. (also yeah the video was sweet too)

DMC Vergil has to be one of the more interesting iaido mechanics in video games. Judgement cut is pretty sick and tying its mechanics to the sheathing animation of your attacks is cool. They even affect your style meter and concentration meter if you let the sheathing animation play out.

I think youtube messed up the audio. It's VERY distorted at certain parts.

This isn’t technically a fighting game but my favourite instance of Iaido is just jetstream Sam’s freaking gun sheath where if he puts his sword back into his sheath and then PULLS A TRIGGER SO THAT IT COMES OUT FASTER, HE CAN ALMOST INSTANTLY CUT DOWN HIS OPPONENT. ITS SO STUPID AND I LOVE IT.

I love seeing this style whenever it shows up, both in practice and in fiction. In terms of the latter, I've been interested in seeing if there are characters out there who have a reason for sheathing their weapon again mid-combat to prepare for another attack. The Rule of Cool is a valid reason, and some in the comments have mention Jetstream Sam's sheathe having a trigger mechanism that can launch his sword out faster. Besides him, I can only think of one character in Bleach, though it's been so long since I watched it that I can't remember who it was. All I do recall is that he was initially battling with quick draw slashes, until someone managed to grab his sword and prevent it from entering its scabbard, nullifying whatever trick he was using up to that point.

Welcome back!! Super excited to see new episodes!

It’s been so long!!!! Love to see you back man!!!

It's not a fighting game, but I think it's cool to share that in DMC5 and DMC4, Vergil got a Concentration Gauge that rewards calm and precise play. The gauge decrease if you run, miss an attack, or get hit. So you have to act like Vergil to increase the gauge.

So glad you made this!!

I’m super happy style select is back. I’ve rewatched stuff from this channel a lot while drawing, and it gives me a new level of appreciation for fighting games👍

So glad to have you back my guy!!!

Glad to finally see this series continue.

12:12 I'm so glad you put in the best representation of Ninjustsu in fighting games. 🦅

The candidates for next video are the big guns huh

Just happy to see SugarPunch post another goated style select video

Since you're already talking about Sword Fighters in fighting games, can you also analyze the Rapier Fencers using both Modern Olympic Fencing and Historical European Fencing please? For example: - Charlotte - SamSho - Amy & Raphael - SoulCal - Mitsuru - P4A - Katalina - GBVS - Orie - Under Night In Birth - Weiss - BB Cross Tag - Marie & Marta - Hellish Quart And many more...

It's so nice for you Sugar Punch to come back. And while on topic with Iaido, one notable fighting game character that emphasizes Iaido in so many unique ways would have to be none other than Kamui Tokinomiya from Arcana Heart. She could literally freeze time with her default Arcana Anutpada (Arcana of Time) which is sort of like practicing Iaido (by standing still before unsheathing very quickly) except that she could fight even when the time around her is frozen in place.

Glad to see you back!

Damn, glad to see you back

Great video buddy. keep up the good work

So glad to see Style Select is back! Love the series

Im so happy you guys are back!!

I have been waiting for this for a long time, I will be joining your Patreon when i can

As a practitioner of Iaido and a long term lover of video games, it was inevitable for a video like this one to show on my feed eventually. Cheers.

This is how you make 10/10 youtube content! What an amazing analysis and video.

very fascinating history, and a great video! I also hope you fix those audio issues 👍

balrog/bison, dudley, vanessa, rick strowd, heavy d, kaori (efz), akihiko sanada, steve fox, roger? (tekken), ed, tiffany & boman (rival schools), jet (yatagarasu), Sebastian McClane (pocket bravery), TJ combo, yugo (bloody roar), mickey rogers, axel hawk, nelson (kof), little mac (if we count smash), makoto (bbcf) ...just to name a few lol. fingers crossed for Boxing SS in future! 🤞 second favorite depiction/dramatization of martial arts in FGs after Bajiquan *honorable mention to Full Moon Ciel in MBAACC because Ryo Mashiba-style flicker punches are cool

Good to have you back!

Waiting for the Vergil comments, but ill also make one myself to attract the DMC fandom. Vergil: *laughs in chain perfect judgement cut*

One of my absolute favorite martial arts tropes! Great coverage, ABI.

I'm gonna vote for Boxing as the next fighting style. There's a reason why it's called the Sweet Science, and I'd love to see how fighting games interpret what can be a very subtle and complicated fight style.

It took you a while to bring out Setsuka, but it was a patiently well-placed clip, after clip at the culmination of the video and never shown again. Poetic

Love the effort put into this. I’m an editor and I have to say that this is such a fun channel. You 100% deserve my subscription. Can’t wait to see what comes next.

I love the font you use, it’s an old-time JRPg font, very pretty

Welcome Back Sugar Punch.😎👍🏾

Iaido is one of the most iconic fictional fighting styles in my mind. Especially the trope of delayed blood geysers/damage. It's just something i always love seeing alongside more traditional fighting styles and tropes. Just like boxing. If only a RU-vid channel had the knowledge to make a video on boxing in fighting games. Personally, I think that's an amazing idea.

He's Back!

Amazing! Really interesting to learn about iado's history, I gotta watch some of those Kurosawa movies sometime

"im glad to be back" HELL YEAH

Not one mention of Bushido Blade 2. Kaun & Gengoro alone make iaido so iconic yet challenging enough to be fit for experienced wielders only - someone not as "good" at the good will die due to the defensive drawbacks of having no drawn weapon to block, whereas a master of iaido stance will be sending the opponent's crimson arcing across the screen so quick it gives whiplash. And all in real-time, no cinematic "freeze time" meta-gimmicks (as fun as that is).

Glad to have you back, ABI.

Love style select, great series!

Im so happy this series returned.

I love this series so much!

This samurai = cowboy in regards to duels and portrayal in media is quite the eye-opener

woot! Style Select is back. I've been missing it.

This is one of your best videos. Congratz.

Good to see you again!

Finally a martial arts nerd who can appreciate both realistic and fantasy nonsense in an action film. Yes the martial art itself is intended purely for the practice of drawing as quickly as possible so you can get it out when you need it out. And once it's out it should stay out until no longer needed BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, a guy whipping out a pistol or a sword and taking down five targets in literal seconds is just fucking bad ass and we want to see more of it

Man, I love this series!

New Sugar Punch Style Select video! Let's goooooo!

Another great video

i've missed you, you are my favourite youtube channel

Damn you really had to pick three of the biggest and most core fighting game styles to go heads-up, huh? Fun fact, a lot of the visual flair we associate with Iaido comes from the Sanjuro clip at 6:00 in this video... Which was an *accident*. Some error or miscommunication between the effects team and the actors led to the entire blood supply for what should have been an extended shot getting blown at once! It looked good enough in its own way, and everybody was so stoic and on-point for the take, that Kurosawa kept it. And now we've got the absolutely ubiquitous delayed blood-spray in everything from anime to Western superhero media!

I love the soul calibur battle theme in your video, great choice! Great video to!🔥

Thank you for a great video! Learning the history, both with the style itself and the earlier fictional usage of it is always fascinating! Also, great seeing one of my all time favourites in Johnny being represented! My vote is for Boxing for the next Style Select!

Thank your for having a footage of Kaz the samurai perform his move, he is a great teacher.

Hot damn dude, I'm glad you're back.

Man really showed everyone using Virgil's moves except Virgil

We are going back to basics with the next video, looking forward to it.

Not a fighting game, but in Devil May Cry 5 they went a step further in Vergil’s iado technique by penalizing players who would miss with their attacks, and reward players (with the “concentration” mechanic) who played with precision and composure. The game even rewards players (with increases in the “devil trigger” meter) who don't cancel or interrupt the sheathing animation after his sword attacks.

Ayo where you been? Missed these vids, welcome back

Ahh it’s always good to see sugar punch posting again

knowing that the iconic quick draw blood splash was born from sfx error is so glorious