We finally know more about the mysterious swordsman who showed up at the end of the very first trailer for Guilty Gear Strive: his name is Nagoriyuki, and he’s a vampire.
During today’s Japan Fighting Game Publishers Roundtable, Arc System Works shared the latest character reveal trailer for Strive, confirming the return of Leo Whitefang and offering up the first look at Nagoriyuki in action. Leo looks more or less like his old self—unga aficionados will be pleased—with his stance dancing, counter shield, and mixups looking very much intact.
Nagoriyuki is a little reminiscent of Baiken, and not just because he wields a katana. In the trailer, you can see a jumping attack that looks a lot like Baiken’s jumping heavy slash, something that looks like a command dash a la Suzuran, and a flurry of slashes that ends with the same full moon effect as Youzansen. He doesn’t seem to have Baiken’s tatami mats and counter stance (or if he does, they weren’t shown), but he does have some sort of teleport move.
He’s also got his vampire side, which appears to come through in a bloodsucking command grab (real Slayer vibes there) and a powered-up state where his sword turns red and his mask comes off. I’d guess he has some sort of system where he charges his vampire transformation through command grabs (and maybe other moves), before unleashing that when he gets enough blood.
Nagoriyuki’s resemblance to Baiken might mean that she doesn’t make the cut for Strive herself. I’ll be sad to see her go, but if she must, anime Blade seems like a very good candidate to fill her shoes. He also has that sci-fi oni look going for him and a killer theme song.
Leo and Nagoriyuki bring Guilty Gear Strive‘s confirmed roster to twelve fighters, joining the previously announced Sol, Ky, May, Axl, Chipp, Potemkin, Faust, Millia, Eddie, and Ramlethal. The next character trailer is planned for early October.
Arc System Works also announced that Guilty Gear Strive will be coming to PlayStation 5 and Steam, as well as PlayStation 4 and arcade. It’s due out in early 2021.