Silver Samurai: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Marvel Comics character}}

{{Cleanup|date=August 2006}}

{{Lead too short|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

| character_name = Silver Samurai

| image = [[File:Silversumor.jpg|250px]]

| caption = [[Kenuichio Harada]] as Silver Samurai as seen in ''[[New Avengers]]'' #12 (December 2005).<br>Art by [[David Finch (comics)|David Finch]].

| real_name = [[Kenuichio Harada]]<br>Shingen "Shin" Harada

| species =

| publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]

| debut = '''Kenuichio Harada''' <br> ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' #111 (July 1974)<ref>{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |authorlink=Jeff Rovin |title =[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |___location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |pages=316–317}}[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/316/mode/2up]</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Misiroglu |first1=Gina Renée |last2=Eury |first2=Michael |title=The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood |date=2006 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9780780809772 |url=https://archive.org/details/supervillainbook0000gina/page/324/mode/2up |language=en}}</ref> <br> '''Shingen Yashida''' <br>''[[Wolverine (comic book)|Wolverine]]'' #1 (Sept. 1982)

| creators = [[Steve Gerber]] <br />[[Bob Brown (comics)|Bob Brown]]

| alliances =

| partners =

| aliases =

| powers = * Master samurai and martial artist

* Teleportation ring

* Wears a lightweight steel alloy body armor

* Extensive knowledge of criminal organizations

* Wields katana, shuriken and other weapons

* Ability to generate a [[tachyon]] field

}}

'''Silver Samurai''' is the name of two different <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->[[supervillains]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]], both acquaintances of [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]].

The character has appeared in several [[X-Men]]-related [[animation|animated series]] and [[video game]]s before making its live-action debut in the 2013 film ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]''.

{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

image=[[Image:Silversumor.jpg|250px]]

|caption=The Silver Samurai from ''New Avengers'' #12.<br>Art by [[David Finch]].

|comic_color=background:#ff8080

|character_name=Silver Samurai

|real_name=Kenuichio Harada

|species=[[Mutant (Marvel comics)|Human Mutant]]

|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]

|debut=''Daredevil'' #111 (July, [[1974]])

|creators=[[Steve Gerber]]<br>[[Bob Brown]]

|alliance_color=background:#cccccc

|alliances=Clan Yashida<br>[[Hydra (comics)|HYDRA]], [[Big Hero 6]], ally of [[Viper (comics)|Viper]], former ally of the [[Mandrill (comics)|Mandrill]] and [[Black Spectre]]

|aliases=

|powers=Channel mutant energy into anything, most commonly a sword, to create a tachyon field capable of cutting anything except [[adamantium (comics)|adamantium]]. Has superhuman strength{{Fact|date=March 2007}}.<br>-[[Teleportation]] ring

|}}

'''The Silver Samurai''' ('''Kenuichio Harada''') is a [[fictional character]] in [[Marvel Comics]]' [[Marvel Universe|universe]]. His first appearance was in ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics)|Daredevil]] #111'' (July, [[1974]]).

==Fictional character biography==

===Kenuichio Harada===

{{main|Kenuichio Harada}}

'''Kenuichio Harada''' is the original Silver Samurai.<ref>''Daredevil'' #111. Marvel Comics.</ref> The character first appeared in ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' #111 (July 1974), and was created by writer [[Steve Gerber]] and artist [[Bob Brown (comics)|Bob Brown]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=330}}</ref> A [[Japan]]ese [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutant]] who uses his powers to charge his [[katana]] and wears a [[samurai]]-style armor made of a silvery metal, he is the illegitimate son of [[Shingen Yashida|Lord Shingen]], the half-brother of [[Mariko Yashida]], a cousin of [[Sunfire (comics)|Sunfire]] and [[Sunpyre]], and a nemesis of Wolverine. While he spent most of his existence as a villain, he eventually reformed into a more heroic figure.

===Shin Harada===

Silver Samurai, the illegitimate son of [[Shingen Yashida]], is a [[Japan]]ese [[Mutant (Marvel comics)|mutant]] with the power to charge his [[katana]] with mutant energy (described as a [[tachyon]] field) that enables it to slice through any known substance excluding [[adamantium (comics)|adamantium]]. He also sports a suit of traditional [[samurai]] armour. It is made of a silver metal, hence his professional name.

'''Shingen''' "'''Shin'''" '''Harada''', otherwise known as the second Silver Samurai, is Kenuichio Harada's son who is named after Lord Shingen. He had been committing larceny with [[Amiko Kobayashi]].<ref>''Wolverine'' vol. 4 #300. Marvel Comics.</ref> Shin later worked with [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]] to track down newly awakened mutants to join a cause. He was later recruited by Kade Killgore to be a teacher at the [[Hellfire Club (comics)|Hellfire Club]]'s Hellfire Academy where he worked as a designer.<ref name="WatX-M #20">''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #20. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #31. Marvel Comics.</ref> Silver Samurai later appeared as a member of Mystique's fourth incarnation of the [[Brotherhood of Mutants]].<ref>''All-New X-Men'' #9. Marvel Comics.</ref> During [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]]'s fight with the Brotherhood of Mutants on [[Madripoor]], Magneto controlled Silver Samurai into wounding Mystique.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' vol. 3 #16. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Shingen Harada represented the Yashida Corporation when he attended a meeting at the Universal Bank with [[Tiberius Stone]] of [[Alchemax]], [[Kingpin (character)|Wilson Fisk]] of Fisk Industries, [[Sebastian Shaw (character)|Sebastian Shaw]] of Shaw Industries, [[Darren Cross]] of [[Cross Technological Enterprises]], [[Zeke Stane]] of Stane International, Frr'dox of [[Shi'ar]] Solutions Consolidated, and Wilhelmina Kensington of Kilgore Arms where they discussed with [[Minotaur (comics)|Dario Agger]] about [[Roxxon Energy Corporation]]'s plans to exploit the Ten Realms of Asgard. When the true motive of the meeting was revealed, Harada attacked Agger and they almost fought, interrupted by the arrival of [[Exterminatrix]] of the Midas Foundation, resulting in Agger getting knocked out when declaring herself a new member of their assembly.<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' vol. 5 #8. Marvel Comics.</ref> He then went to an underwater station in the Southern Ocean, where he attacked the employees until encountering [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] who defeated him by smacking him repeatedly with [[Mjolnir (comics)|Mjolnir]]. He then escaped and joined Exterminatrix in an aerial battle against soldiers attempting to rescue Agger. They later entered Roxxon Corporation HQ, where they encountered the B.E.R.S.E.R.K.E.R.S., a group of Hulk-like superhumans. While the Mindless Ones fought the B.E.R.S.E.R.K.E.R.S., Silver Samurai and Exterminatrix went to Agger's vault, attempting to take the money until Agent Solomon arrived, forcing Exterminatrix to fight the woman while Silver Samurai opened the vault. When the vault was opened, Agger transformed into Minotaur and knocked out Silver Samurai. Then, the floating island the building was located on fell down due to the activation of the Agger Imperative. While [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] evacuated the building, Thor destroyed the island. The villains were later arrested and taken into custody.<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' vol. 5 #9–11. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Harada was once the bodyguard for the international terrorist known as the [[Viper (comics)|Viper]] and was subsequently an occasional [[mercenary]], but he became the head of Clan Yashida after his half-sister [[Mariko Yashida]]'s death. He attempted to pay off his clan's debts to the [[Yakuza]] and restore its honor. Though once one of [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]]'s greatest enemies, he had apparently impressed Wolverine so greatly that Wolverine entrusted him with the care of his adopted daughter, Amiko. The Samurai even once helped Wolverine destroy the monster known as "Doombringer", and later helped Logan rescue Amiko and Yukio from their kidnappers. During his time as hero, the Silver Samurai became the leader of the first Japanese [[superhero]] team, [[Big Hero 6]].

Silver Samurai approached [[Old Man Logan]] wanting to ally in stopping the Hand's Regenix operation. He agreed in exchange that Mariko doesn't get killed and that Touku and Asami's child is taken care of. When Logan and Silver Samurai attack the Hand's Regenix operations, Silver Samurai fought [[Gorgon (Tomi Shishido)|Gorgon]] while Logan fought the Hand Ninjas to confront Mariko. After Gorgon got away, Silver Samurai injected nanites into Mariko to break the Hand's control. Afterwards, Logan and Mariko sent Silver Samurai to destroy the Regenix shipments in Madripoor.<ref>''Old Man Logan'' #33. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Silver Samurai was recently [[brainwash]]ed by the mutant [[Blindspot (comics)|Blindspot]] into forgetting his time as a hero, believing his redemption was just a result of [[Professor X]]'s brainwashing. As a result, he had returned to his previous criminal activities. However, it now seems that Harada is currently operating as the chief security officer for the Prime Minister of Japan. For a time, for unclear reasons, the Samurai was incarcerated in [[The Raft (comics)|the Raft]] prison in America, but was freed by Viper and [[Hand (comics)|the Hand]], who transported him back to Japan. The Hand wanted the Samurai to lead them, but he wasn't interested in a war and even helped the Avengers defeat them. Afterward, he decided to try to earn his good name back by serving the people of Japan once again.

== Reception ==

Recently, he lost a hand in another confrontation with Wolverine.

* In 2020, ''[[CBR.com]]'' ranked Silver Samurai 1st in their "Marvel Comics: Ranking Every Member Of Big Hero 6 From Weakest To Most Powerful" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=2020-01-26 |title=Marvel Comics: Ranking Every Member Of Big Hero 6 From Weakest To Most Powerful |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-ranked-big-hero-6-powerful/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>

==PowersIn andother Abilitiesmedia==

{{See also|Kenuichio Harada#In other media}}

The Silver Samurai is a mutant with the ability to channel energy into anything, commonly using his power with his sword to create a tachyon field around the blade enabling it to cut through nearly anything. He possesses a teleportation ring, which allows him to teleport from one ___location to another, granting him great mobility and stealth. As a self-styled samurai, he is a martial arts master specializing in edged weapons, hand to hand combat, and tactics. He usually wears a suit of armor, modeled after traditional samurai armor, but made of modern protective materials. Due to his shady past Keniuchio has extensive knowledge of the operations of criminal organizations, which he now uses in the service of his government to combat such organizations.

===Television===

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears in the ''[[X-Men: The Animated Series]]'' episode "The Lotus and the Steel", voiced by [[Denis Akiyama]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |date= |title=Silver Samurai Voices (X-Men) |url=https://behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/X-Men/Silver-Samurai/ |access-date=December 19, 2019 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.}}</ref>

** Silver Samurai makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ''[[X-Men '97]]'' three-part episode "Tolerance Is Extinction".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Collier |date=May 2, 2024 |title=Each of Those Cameo Appearances in 'X-Men '97's Latest Episode, Explained |url=https://collider.com/x-men-97-episode-8-cameo-characters/ |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears in the ''[[Wolverine and the X-Men (TV series)|Wolverine and the X-Men]]'' episode "Code of Conduct", voiced by [[Keone Young]].<ref name="btva" />

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears in ''[[Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers]]'', voiced by [[Takanori Nishikawa]] in Japanese and [[Andrew Kishino]] in English.<ref name="btva" />

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears in ''[[Hit-Monkey (TV series)|Marvel's Hit-Monkey]]'', voiced by Noshir Dalal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chaudhry |first=Anubhav |date=October 17, 2023 |title=Marvel's Hit-Monkey Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via Hulu |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1367681-marvels-hit-monkey-streaming-watch-stream-online-via-hulu |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=ComingSoon.net |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Trivia=Film===

[[File:Silver Samurai VS Wolverine.png|thumb|Silver Samurai fighting [[Logan (film character)|Logan]] in ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]''.]]

The Silver Samurai is a fan of Lindsay Lohan, and is seen watching [[Freaky Friday (2003 film)|Freaky Friday]] when the [[New Avengers]] come to ask for his help with [[Echo (comics)|Echo]].<ref>''New Avengers'' #28</ref>

Variations of the Silver Samurai appears in ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]'' (2013).<ref name="ComingSoon.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=80099 |title=SDCC: Hugh Jackman Confirms The Wolverine Villain |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=2011-07-21 |access-date=2016-02-18 |archive-date=2014-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105142320/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=80099 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first is the Yashida clan's traditional samurai attire which is donned by [[Shingen Yashida]] (portrayed by [[Hiroyuki Sanada]]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Hoare|first=James|title=THE WOLVERINE'S HIROYUKI SANADA ON SHINGEN AND SAMURAI|url=http://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/the-wolverines-hiroyuki-sanada-on-shingen-and-samurai-films/|work=Movies| date=12 July 2013 |publisher=SciFiNow UK|access-date=12 July 2013}}</ref> The second is a giant [[powered exoskeleton]] made of adamantium operated by former soldier/billionaire '''[[Ichiro Yashida|Ichirō Yashida]]''' (portrayed by [[Haruhiko Yamanouchi]] as an old man<ref name="ComingSoon.net"/> and [[Ken Yamamura]] as a young man).<ref>{{cite web |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |url=https://collider.com/wolverine-cast/ |title=WOLVERINE Adds Japanese Actors |publisher=Collider |access-date=2016-02-17 |archive-date=2013-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103052425/http://collider.com/wolverine-cast/178330/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Alternate Versions==

===Age of Apocalypse===

In the most recent "[[Age of Apocalypse]]" story, published in 2005 to Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Age of Apocalypse storyline, the Silver Samurai was a key member of the X-men. He wore no helmet, and had a red upside down Omega symbol tattooed on his forehead. Because he wears no helmet, it is probably a ''maedate'', the crest of a Samurai [[kabuto]]. He was one of the team's more visible members, rash yet strong, filling a Colossus/Wolverine type niche in the group. It was revealed that the Samurai and Wolverine met each other in Japan, some time before Logan rescued Amiko from thugs. He was also aware of the existence of Psylocke, a rare telepath in the Age of Apocalypse, but how the Samurai was convinced to join Magneto's X-Men in the first place has yet to be revealed.

===Exiles===

In Exiles #83 (''August, 2006''), another alternate version of the Silver Samurai was revealed. Originating from Earth-172, the Samurai appeared to have a good relationship between [[Mariko Yashida]] and that Earth's Wolverine, who was a briefly seen member of the reality-hopping counterpart team of the Exiles called [[Weapon X (Exiles)|Weapon X]]. As Wolverine had vanished out of their sight for months to join said team, he later on got killed in action and returned by the Exiles to his home-world. The Samurai and Mariko still don't fully know what happened to their Wolverine, but at least honored his death with a proper funeral by burning Logan's ashes.

===House of M===

In the [[House of M]], Kenuicho Harada was a powerful businessman and, secretly, the head of Clan Yashida, a powerful crime family. His daughter, Mariko Harada, was kidnapped by [[Madame Hydra]], who wanted to blackmail Harada into revealing his illegal businesses.

==Appearances in other media==

===Video games===

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears as a playable character in ''[[X-Men: Children of the Atom (video game)|X-Men: Children of the Atom]]'', voiced by Yasushi Ikeda.

[[Image:Silver Sam.gif|thumb|right|Silver Samurai in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 2]]''.]]

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes]]'', voiced again by Yasushi Ikeda.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

{{wikibooks|Fighting Game Moves/Capcom/Silver Samurai}}

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears as a [[boss (gaming)|boss]] in ''[[X-Men: The Official Game]]'', voiced by Keone Young.<ref name="btva" />

*Silver Samurai is a [[playable character]] in the [[Capcom]] fighting games ''[[X-Men: Children of the Atom (arcade game)|X-Men: Children of the Atom]]'' and ''[[Marvel vs Capcom 2]]''. His mutant tachyon powers are not evident here however, as he is seen throwing giant shurikens and his supers involve empowering his katana with elemental properties and attacks revolving around lightning, fire, and ice. He is one of the 2 Marvel characters that doesn't speak English during gameplay, because he speaks [[Japanese language|Japanese]] ([[Colossus (comics)|Colossus]], who speaks [[Russian language|Russian]] during gameplay is the other).

* The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears as an unlockable playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller |first=Greg |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/20/lego-marvel-super-heroes-characters-and-cast-revealed |title=LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Characters and Cast Revealed |publisher=IGN |date=2013-07-20 |access-date=2016-02-17}}</ref> voiced by [[Andrew Kishino]].{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

==References==

*Silver Samurai appears in the game ''[[X-Men: The Official Game]]'', which fills in the gap between ''[[X2: X-Men United]]'' and ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]''. In the game, Silver Samurai is the head of [[Hydra (comics)|HYDRA]], and mentor of [[Lady Deathstrike]]. Years before Weapon X, Silver Samurai and Hydra collaborated with [[William Stryker]] in building the [[Master Mold]] and [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinels]] robots. After Stryker's death, HYDRA was sent back in to remove all Sentinel equipment and files, and accidentally activated the Master Mold. Wolverine infiltrated HYDRA's headquarters and duels with Silver Samurai over how to shut down the Master Mold and the Sentinels. Conquering Samurai in combat, Wolverine emerges the winner, gains the information, and tells the team how to defeat Master Mold.

{{Reflist|2}}

===Television=External links==

* {{Marvelwiki|silver-samurai|Silver Samurai}}

[[Image:Silver Samurai.jpg|thumb|right|Silver Samurai from ''[[X-Men (TV series)|X-Men animated series]]'']]

* {{Marvelwiki|silver-samurai-age-of-apocalypse|Silver Samurai (Age of Apocalypse)}}

*Silver Samurai has appeared in the ''[[X-Men (TV series)|X-Men animated series]]'' in the episode ''"The Lotus and the Steel"''. He is portrayed as a gang leader whose thugs terrorise a village where Wolverine has been living. The villagers stand their ground and Wolverine bests the Samurai in single combat by taking advantage of Samurai's habit of teleporting in behind him: Wolverine anticipates the move and disables the teleportation device, humiliating Samurai.

{{Wolverine}}

===Others===

{{X-Men characters}}

*In the comic prequels to the first X-Men film, Wolverine was revealed to have fought a Yakuza enforcer just prior to the film. This man, with an obsession with honor and the mutant ability to generate electricity, was referred as the Silver Samurai. He was killed at the end of the story. That story has been revealed to be out of the regular movie-continuity, because the Samurai was revealed alive in the game X-Men: The Official Movie Game, which is a lot closer to the movies than the movie prequels were.

{{Big Hero 6}}

{{Avengers characters}}

{{Steve Gerber}}

[[Category:Groups of fictional characters]]

* In the film ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]'', his name appears on a list of names [[Mystique]] scrolls through on Stryker's computer while looking for Magneto's file.

[[Category:Big Hero 6 characters]]

[[Category:Characters created by Bob Brown]]

*There are heavy rumors that Silver Samurai will appear in the X-Men movie spin-off ''[[Wolverine (film)|Wolverine]]'' and will be played by [[Ken Watanabe]].[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458525/]

[[Category:Characters created by Steve Gerber]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics supervillainscharacters introduced in 1974]]

[[Category:MarvelFictional Comics superheroesamputees]]

[[Category:AsianFictional superheroesgangsters]]

[[Category:Fictional henchmen]]

[[Category:Fictional samurai]]

[[Category:Fictional Japaneseswordfighters in comics]]

[[Category:FictionalJapanese Shintoistscomics characters]]

[[Category:MarvelJapanese Comics mutantssuperheroes]]

[[Category:FictionalMarvel charactersComics who can teleportbusinesspeople]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who can teleport]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics male superheroes]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains]]

[[Category:Marvel Comics martial artists]]

[[Category:AsianMarvel supervillainsComics mutants]]

[[Category:Set index articles on comics]]

[[Category:Villains in animated television series]]

[[Category:Wolverine (comics) characters]]

[[Category:X-Men supporting characters]]