Katsuie Shibata

Katsuie Shibata is one of Nobunaga's loyal generals who is historically recognized as one of his lord's closest generals. He famously opposed Hideyoshi's rise to power after Nobunaga's death, a rebellion which caused a rift with the remaining Oda family and retainers. He historically became Oichi's husband to forge a marital alliance with his Oda supporters. After his death, Edo period folklore attributed Katsuie with the name "Devil Shibata" (鬼柴田) in ode of his supposed fearlessness in battle.

His first appearances in the Samurai Warriors series were regulated to NPC roles, being a generic in the starting entry and a unique NPC and bodyguard in its sequel. Like Kojirō, he became a playable character with a mixed moveset in the series's first Empires title. Katsuie gains a new moveset, weapons, and personal story in Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends.

Gamecity's Sengoku Musou 3: Empires character popularity poll lists him as thirty-fourth place. For the Samurai Warriors 4 poll, he placed forty-first.

His Nobunaga's Ambition counterpart is eightieth place in Gamecity's character popularity ranking for 2015. The Nobunaga no Yabou 201X poll for 4-star officers puts him in sixth place.

Role in Games
"You wield those axes with true skill, I see."
 * Zhang Liao; Warriors Orochi 2

Samurai Warriors
In the first Samurai Warriors game, Katsuie appears as little more than a frontline generic in most of Nobunaga's campaigns. He is noticable in a few instances, such as Nagashino where he has the largest uni and three sub officers, at Gifu Castle where he can be lured out by Kenshin Uesugi in a reference to his famous defeat at Tedorigawa, this prompts Hideyoshi to fire on Katsuie from Sunomata for Katsuie's own foolishness. He also tries to intercept Masamune Date at a hypothetical Anegawa where Nobunaga survives Honnōji, the player as Ranmaru Mori is encouraged to save him to keep the Oda's west flank secure.

During his Samurai Warriors 2 and Empires appearance, Katsuie receives a unique brutish design, where he is Nobunaga's rough talking, spear wielding warrior. He appears as one of the guards for the Oda main camp at Anegawa and needs to be defeated to unlock the doors to their camp. Stubbornly, he will not allow anyone to pass even after his defeat. Katsuie also makes a bold charge for the Kingo ward during the Siege of Odani Castle, rushing past any Azai general in the lower part of the map. With Hideyoshi, he is also one of the starting Oda generals at Tedorigawa. However, his all-out assault drags his allies into Kenshin's flood attack and causes several casualties before Nobunaga arrives. Ashamed, he tries to redeem his reputation by taking Kenshin's head. In Mitsuhide's dream stage, he is one of the members of the coalition who oppose Mitsuhide. He can also be obtained as a bodyguard by defeating Oichi on one of the survival floors.

Samurai Warriors: Katana re-enacts Katsuie's feud with Hideyoshi during the Savior scenario. When his enemy is too preoccupied by an angry Nene to fight back, he directs his hostility to Magoichi and the protagonist instead. Unable to best them, the warrior retreats while lamenting the end of his lord's clan. In Trial Mode, he appears in the Plum Room awaiting the player as their final opponent.

In Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends, Katsuie continues to faithfully serve in his lord's campaigns and becomes Toshiie's mentor. Both he and Toshiie fight as comrades to defend their lord at Okehazama. Staying by Nobunaga's side and parting ways with his young admirer, Katsuie assists the offensive at Nagashino and Odani Castle. Katsuie is sympathetic to Oichi's plight during the latter conflict and the player may choose to rescue her in a special mission. Following the Azai clan's fall, he participates in the end of the Takeda clan. During an evening drinking session with his lord, Katsuie admits his awareness of Toshiie's diverging interest and future. When an intrigued Nobunaga presses him, Katsuie's answers his lingering desire for Toshiie is to show his protege a true warrior's death. An amused Nobunaga decides to leave Katsuie in guard of Echizen, which hampers the vassal from hurrying to his lord's rescue at Honnōji.

Feeling that his era is coming to an end, Katsuie leads a resistance against his former comrade, Hideyoshi. Although Toshiie came rushing to his home to aid him, Katsuie denies his request with strained reluctance. Making a brave stand at Shizugatake, he and Oichi fend off Hideyoshi's army. However, they are unable to match their opponent's reinforcements. Katsuie retreats to his castle and burns his home. He stays within the smoking ruins, leaving the new age to be lead by his "son". Whilst inside, Katsuie toasts to his lord.

His dream stage is a "what-if?" scenario of Katsuie saving Nobunaga from Honnōji. The fire has started and Nobunaga's remaining warriors, Nō and Ranmaru, are heavily surrounded by Mitsuhide's troops. Katsuie must force his way through the enemy and carve out an escape route for Nobunaga.

Though he has no personal story within the third title, Katsuie continues to act as a steadfast general within Nobunaga's ranks. He assists the Oda army at Okehazama, Inabayama Castle and Odani Castle throughout various characters' Story Modes. Katsuie is again the main target at Tedorigawa and falls at Shizugatake, challenging his opposition and Hideyoshi's "children" to best him in combat. When Toshiie betrays him, Katsuie harbors no ill will towards the youth.

Katsuie's scenario in Sengoku Musou 3: Moushouden mentions his past history with Toshiie with a bit more detail. Toshiie performed a reckless stint that had him kicked out of the Oda's service. Abandoned by all others, Katsuie was the only one who didn't turn his back on him. Eternally thankful for Katsuie's kindness when he enters the Oda's service again, he follows Katsuie to Okehazama. Whilst there, the elder remains calm and scolds Hideyoshi and Toshiie when they act with conduct not befitting a warrior. Still at his lord's service, Katsuie joins the front at Inabayama Castle. During these two conflicts, Katsuie keeps a protective eye on Oichi, even though she is enamored by Nagamasa.

However, when Nagamasa betrays the Oda family, he sends Oichi back to the Oda. Katsuie is aware of the maiden being heartbroken but, since he is one born to stay true to his duty above all else, feels incapable of comforting her through gentle means. Therefore, he helps pave a path through the Azai troops to join Nagamasa's side during the siege of Odani Castle. Although Katsuie meant well, Hideyoshi takes advantage of the gesture of kindness, aware that Oichi's sudden presence would just cause confusion amongst the Azai forces. Facing Nagamasa in the castle, the lord of Odani refuses reconciliation with his wife and asks Katsuie to take care of her before he dies. With Nagamasa fallen by his hand, Oichi attempts to keep a respectful composure as she congratulates Katsuie. He bluntly tells her to be honest with her feelings before him, as a "demon lacking tears" can bear them for her. Giving in to his offer, Oichi finally breaks down and cries.

After the conflict, Katsuie becomes the main commander to deal with the still impending threat of Kenshin's forces marching against Nobunaga at Tedorigawa. Falling victim to Kenshin's tactical water attack, Katsuie is soon reinforced by Nobunaga's forces. Among them is Oichi, who after losing Nagamasa, searches for her new path in life. Though isolated, Katsuie fights his way through the field to protect his lord, comrades, and Oichi from danger. After the water level drops, Nobunaga orders a fire attack to engulf both his enemies and allies. Although other Oda vassals voice their confusion and disillusions, Katsuie remains focused on his duty and drives the Uesugi back. Not too soon afterwards, Nobunaga dies at Honnōji and is avenged by Hideyoshi. As Hideyoshi and Katsuie encounter difficulties accepting one another's ideologies, Hideyoshi attempts peace by initiating a political marriage between Katsuie and Oichi.

Even so, the gap of their hostilities is too deep to mend, and Katsuie stubbornly believes that his path is the only one he can take. He doesn't expect his war-bound path to conform well with Hideyoshi's peaceful intentions and can't guarantee his own survival in the new age. Therefore, before their showdown at Shizugatake, Katsuie asks his wife to escape for her safety and opposes Hideyoshi with Toshiie's support. All appears to be going according to plan until Mitsunari convinces Toshiie to join Hideyoshi's dream and defects. When this occurs, Oichi appears to protect Katsuie, stating that she fights to no longer lose anyone else dear to her. Expecting himself to die in a blaze of glory, Katsuie dares Toshiie and Hideyoshi to overpower him for their dreams. What he didn't foresee was them mortally falling by his own hand. Finding his own path of life meaningless in the new age, he sheds tears for their deaths. Oichi comforts him by quoting Hideyoshi's line of several opportunities being available in life, thinking that there must be a philosophy fit for Katsuie.

During Nobunaga's scenario in Sengoku Musou 3: Empires, his relationship with Toshiie is toned down in favor of the latter's growing empathy for Ranmaru, though he does acknowledge the youth's disposition to question orders if it helps their lord. Hideyoshi's story has Katsuie join the Toyotomi after his defeat at Shizugatake. Still unsure of his place in the new era, the veteran's doubts are assuaged by Nene who holds a feast to cheer him up.

Samurai Warriors 4 Katsuie is considered a hardened veteran even at the start of the main narrative. Realizing the potential within the youth, he forces Toshiie to join the Oda ranks and pleads for his return at Okehazama. He fights in nearly every one of Nobunaga's campaigns and is publicly recognized by his lord for his efforts. Throughout these battles, Katsuie watches over Toshiie's progress, reaffirming the youth's focus when and if it wavers.

Oichi remains a great if secondary concern for him, ever since her first battle at Okehazama. Katsuie continues to worry for her safety even when she marries Nagamasa. He voices his protests when Nagamasa appears doomed at Odani Castle, asking her to leave him at once. Since he feels inept to help her overcome her husband's death, Katsuie made an oath to act as her guardian to at least protect her from external injuries. He believes that doing so respects Nagamasa's true wish for her: to treasure her life and keep living. Katsuie announces his self-made pledge to a saddened Oichi at Nagashino, worried that she is forcing herself on the Oda war front. He understands that Oichi is still mourning Nagamasa and keeps a respectful distance from her at all times.

Hideyoshi becomes the leading head of power after he avenges Nobunaga's death. Katsuie and other Oda veterans dispute his decision to name Nobunaga's grandson, Sanbōshi, as the Oda's successor. They believe his third son, Nobutaka, would be a better match due to his maturity. Katsuie is particularly sensitive to Oichi's reaction over the matter, feeling he should protect her from the political dispute. Hideyoshi attempts to remove discord by uniting Katsuie and Oichi in a political marriage, but his ploy falls apart by the next year. When Katsuie stands at Shizugatake, he fights to die for what he believes is the last facet of Nobunaga's era. Defeated by Hideyoshi's army, Katsuie leaves the battlefield and sets fire to Kitanosho Castle. As he prepares his final resting place, Katsuie believes Oichi is beside him solely due to obligation and implores her to save herself. The general is touched to learn her real reason for staying, apologizing to her before they perish in the flames.

Moments before his death in 4-II, Katsuie is confronted by a furious Takatora who blames him for causing Oichi's demise. He calmly relays his wife's wishes for the warrior to live on, causing Takatora to break down in tears. The Blossom Shower Story interrupts the married couple's final goodbyes to one another with Gracia and company's intrusion. Gracia believes Katsuie meets the wild card request made by her mentor and hypnotizes him with her magic to become the only male idol of their group. Katsuie acts uncharacteristically social under the effects of her spell, but he and his wife survive Shizugatake to dance on stage with the rest of the idols.

In Samurai Warriors 5, Katsuie acts as the guardian of Nobunaga's younger siblings, Nobuyuki and Oichi. He faithfully accompanies Nobuyuki during the Oda's battles against the Tokugawa and the Saito during the lead-up to Okehazama, but, when Nobuyuki launches a rebellion at Ino, Katsuie joins Nobuyuki and Oichi's side. After Nobuyuki's death, he and Oichi are pardoned and return back to Nobunaga's forces, and Katsuie is assigned to be Oichi's bodyguard.

When Oichi marries Nagamasa Azai as part of the the Azai's alliance with the Oda, Katsuie accompanies Oichi to the domain of her new spouse. He then ends up crossing blades with Nobunaga once more as a member of the Azai at Kanegasaki, Anegawa and Odani Castle before subsequently returning to the Oda following Nagamasa's demise. He fights at Nagashino in the Oda ranks and is last seen with Toshiie at Tedorigawa during a battle against the Uesugi.

Warriors Orochi
In Warriors Orochi 2, Katsuie appears with his lord at Tong Gate. In one of the game's dream modes, he teams up with Sun Jian and Cao Ren to rescue Oichi in Jing Province. During their struggle, Sun Jian will suggest to call for reinforcements and she suggests to send a messenger for Nagamasa. Once the messenger safely leaves the field, he arrives and charges to defend the main keep. Katsuie scornfully greets him and his team quells the castle's attackers.

Katsuie began as a member of the Oda army in Warriors Orochi 3's original timeline. When their forces are scattered Oichi is held prisoner by Dong Zhuo. To ensure her safety, Katsuie reluctantly serves in the serpent army and guards the gates of Xuchang. When Nagamasa and his party declare their intents to save the hostages, Katsuie blocks their path and demands they prove their will to him in combat. After his defeat, he sees Oichi is safe and volunteers his services to the coalition. Should Oichi or Nagamasa be on the attack team, there is a chance he will defect after listening to their pleas. In Oichi's case, it's because a handmaiden is imprisoned in her place instead. He later supports the rescue efforts for Diaochan at Tong Gate and Guan Ping at Jieting.

During Ultimate, Katsuie participates in the Oda's clash against the Wei army at Nanjun. During that battle, he rushes to Oichi's side when the latter faces difficulty in defending their main camp. He also joins Xiahou Ba and Cao Ren in reminiscing their possession at Chibi.

He remains with the Oda in Warriors Orochi 4, where he constantly defies Liu Bei and Kenshin's rebel army. Eventually, he and his lord are defeated at Honnoji, and Nuwa reveals their true intentions to find Zeus and question him for distorting the realm. Once the misunderstandings are cleared, he and the rest of the Oda merge with the rebel army in order to form a coalition.

Katsuie later joins Sakon in fighting Mitsunari's invasion force at Odawara-Wan Castle. After the battle, they receive Toshiie and Yoshitsugu's secret letter which detailed Mitsunari and the rest of the Toyotomi's discontent and fear of Ares.

He later joins Lu Meng, Diaochan and Zhenji in rescuing a mysterious maiden at Jing Province.

For one of the DLC scenarios, Katsuie acts as the final challenge for Daqiao's wife challenge at Guangling, where he is jokingly treated as a man's most ideal wife, being not only strong, but also very capable with household chores.

Kessen
Katsuie first appears as one of Nobunaga's rogue units in Kessen III. He leads a small civil rebellion against the youth as he felt Nobunaga would never be an adequate leader for the Oda clan. Once he is captured, he spends a night reconsidering the young lord's worth before he joins Nobunaga. He is a rough man who refuses to follow anyone who he thinks is weaker than him. However, he is very loyal once recruited and is a strong unit to have in the front line. Like Hideyoshi, he pines for Oichi but would never admit it aloud. Prior to the game's extra battle, he can be seen walking alongside Oichi in a Christian church.

Katsuie will perform better in battle if he is paired with Oichi. He can alternatively become stronger if he is in an army with Kazumasu Takigawa and Narimasa Sassa.

Nobunaga's Ambition
Nobunaga no Yabou 201X Katsuie is traveling with his lord's forces between both eras. He barks for Hideyoshi to return to his post as soon as possible.

Geten no Hana
He doesn't make an on-screen appearance in Geten no Hana, but Katsuie is an influential background character mentioned in Nobuyuki and Momoji's personal routes. Six years before the main story, Nobunaga and Nobuyuki's father passed away and the Oda retainers were divided on whether they should support his wild heir. Katsuie and his party of cohorts desired to support Nobuyuki, a youth they thought had the potential to lead the Oda. Katsuie especially was adamant in his loyalties to the younger brother.

Yet the veteran changed his mind once he became acquainted with Nobuyuki's personality and deemed him an inadequate clan head. He then chose to follow Nobunaga and blamed Nobuyuki as the reason for his earlier rejection, even leading troops to attack his former lord. Katsuie continues to serve the Oda during the main story, likely absent due to his campaigns in the east.

Mōri Motonari: Chikai no Sanshi
Still loyal to Nobunaga, Katsuie is a steadfast vassal of the Oda clan in Mouri Motonari: Chikai no Sanshi. A loud braggart who doesn't question his lord's orders, Katsuie believes he can defeat anyone in battle. After massacring the Ishigami-Honganji rebels and hundreds of innocent people, he attempts to finish the job at Kizugawaguchi. However, he is beaten back by Terumoto's army and reports his failure back at Kyoto. Nobunaga scolds him for coming back empty handed, causing Katsuie to grovel with regret.

After Nobunaga and Mitsuhide's deaths, he joins forces with Kazumasu Takigawa, Nobukatsu Oda, and Ieyasu in Mikawa. He desires to not only overthrow the Mōri but to additionally avenge the humiliation he suffered from Kizugawaguchi. He and other Oda remnants try to ambush the Mōri camp during the battle at Nōbi Plain. Once defeated, Katsuie escapes to swear vengeance but doesn't appear again in the game.

Oda Nobunaga Den
Katsuie is a solemn if stubborn general in Oda Nobunaga Den. Having heard the rumors and seen the unruly Nobunaga himself, he believes the Oda's future is doomed in the youth's hands and joins the circle of conspirators against him. Nobuyuki, their ideal candidate for leadership, trusts Katsuie's advice the most, and it is his words which ultimately sway the younger brother to defy Nobunaga.

During the battle at Inou, Nobunaga can pose a challenge to Katsuie. He wonders how long his warrior spirit can last under his brother, insisting that Nobuyuki is not what he seems. Impressed by Nobunaga's skills and charisma, he becomes disillusioned with Nobuyuki after their defeat; the younger brother's once proud dignity crumbles into petty depravity. Katsuie comes to Nobunaga to offer his allegiance in tears, apologizing for his ignorance and despairing the loss of Nobuyuki's integrity. Katsuie may then play a hand in Nobuyuki's assassination if the player so desires. He remains a strong retainer for the Oda throughout the game.

When Nobunaga divides his forces, he sends Katsuie to Echigo to quell the Uesugi forces. His front struggles against Kenshin's tactics; Nobunaga can provide personal assistance if the player has triggered the fictional route.

Personality
In Samurai Warriors 2, Katsuie is a hotheaded warrior who is easily flustered when someone suspects his love for Oichi. He believes that honest actions say more than words and seldom plans in advance. Toshiie, though a generic daimyo at this time, briefly mentions his ties with Katsuie by calling him "Oyaji-dono" in the Japanese script.

Katsuie's personality changes to a grim and old-fashioned warrior in his second playable appearance. He has a tighter lip than before and is strongly concerned with the changing times. Thoroughly aware of his status to only serve his lord, Katsuie has long hardened his heart for war and considers himself a demon. His duty to battle is his life and, though he is aware of its faults, he feels he doesn't have the need nor innovation to change it. Katsuie unquestionably follows Nobunaga's orders, which grants him his lord's trust and amusement. Although stubborn to a fault, he is capable of kindness and will stand for those he feels need it. He at first displays his private frustrations through silent actions and acts with a great deal of restraint on his emotions. In his newer appearance, Katsuie is prone to vocalizing his thoughts with assertive clarity.

As Toshiie's mentor and idol, Katsuie frequently encourages the boy to leave the nest by shoving him to Hideyoshi's forces. Katsuie feels the path of the "devil" is his alone and doesn't feel it should be enforced onto Toshiie, who has an open mind to see a new age be made a reality. He does appreciate Toshiie's enthusiasm for his dated ways, but he wants the youth to take pride in his own role in life. Though his rugged ways may confuse him, Toshiie ultimately agrees to follow Katsuie's wishes. In their newest appearances, Toshiie's mentor-like ties to Katsuie are slightly downplayed to be admiration and gratitude from the youth. Katsuie is never angry or upset when Toshiie turns against him at Shizugatake in the series, instead insisting the youth to prove his new drive against him in combat.

Though he would never openly admit it, he holds romantic affections for Oichi. When she encounters danger, Katsuie often feels obligated to ride to her rescue. Due to his staunch belief in status, however, he tries hard to avoid stating his love for her aloud. Instead, he formally omits any words of his devotion for her to be a duty of sorts to guard her. When the other Oda vassals act apathetic to her losing Nagamasa, Katsuie is the only one who stands for her defense and protests the emotional strain it causes her. Oichi is touched by his concern and protection, even if it sometimes surprises her. In her newer appearance during his story, his genuine kindness is the reason why she is able to find a new conviction for her life after Nagamasa's death. He addresses her by status, calling her Lady Oichi (お市様, Oichi-sama) at all times.

His conserved feelings for Oichi is one of the driving causes for his many disagreements with Hideyoshi and Nagamasa. For the monkey, he feels to be too unreliable and untrustworthy to be worthy of her. For the knight, he thinks the youth lacks the confidence to faithfully live up to his declarations of love for the maiden. His begrudging remarks are heavily implied to be fueled by sheer jealousy in his first appearance, but Katsuie's judgment towards the two men aren't as petty in his following appearances. His newest appearance has him instead share a degree of respect towards them, even if they both conflict with his own view on living. They can provide for her in ways he feels he can't. Within the Warriors Orochi series, his Three Kingdoms era rivals are Dian Wei and Pang De.

Character Symbolism
In the Samurai Warriors series, he's symbolized by the words "fierce" (猛) and "divide" (割).

Katsuie's titles in Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends are "Veteran Warrior", "Loyal Servant", "Devil Shibata", "Man of Principle", "Striker of Fear", "Stoic Legend", and "History's Exemplar".

The original name for his fourth spear found in Samurai Warriors 2: Empires is Hinomoto-gō, a spear that is famously mentioned in the Kuroda Bushi. It is one of the Three Great Spears of Japan, an ōmiyari with a blade over one shaku long (approximately over 30.3 cm or over a foot). According to legend, it was passed down from the emperor to the shogun, from the shogun to Nobunaga and then Hideyoshi. It was then given to Masanori. As per the song, the spear was presented as a present to the Kuroda retainer, Tomonobu Mori. Tomonobu was said to have then presented it to his friend and ally from the Korean campaigns, Mototsugu Gotō, as a sign of gratitude. The original spear's presence in Fukuoka is a mythical reason for the Kuroda clan's prominent influences or contributions for the area.

Both in English and Japanese, the namesake for Katsuie's second pair of axes is Li Kui's nickname. Li Kui is a character in the Water Margin, a rough and violent man who proudly fought in war with his dual axes. An expert of melee, he actually is a simple-minded fellow in spite of his ferocity and has several comical moments within the story.

His third weapon or Normal weapon is literally named "Heaven & Earth Twin Stars". The twin stars are a likely reference to the stars, Vega and Altair. These stars are made famous in the tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi, which has its roots from the Chinese folktale, Niulang Zhinu. Orihime weaved beautiful clothes at Amanokawa to please her father, Tentei. When her father realized she desired a lover, he united her with Hikoboshi, a cow herder from the other side of the river. The two lovers instantly fell in love with one another and neglected their responsibilities when together. As punishment, an enraged Tentei forbade the lovers from seeing one another. Seeing his heartbroken daughter, however, he conceded to let the lovers meet once on the seventh day of the seventh month if they remained faithful to their respective crafts. Although the bridge for the river was broken on their promised meeting, a flock of magpies formed a bridge for Orihime to cross. The variants of the weapon found in the third title instead have him wield the "dual blades" (Power) or "ryōgi" (Speed) of the universe. Ryōgi is a term used to describe one of the formations of the heaven and earth -or yin-yang- found within I Ching.

Katsuie's fourth weapon and Unique weapon are named after the Japanese term for adamantine/diamond AKA the vajra; which directly references its wielder Shugongōshin, a Japanese name for the bodhisattva, Vajrapani. The entity is known as a wrathful and muscled guardian of Buddha in Japan. Vajrapani is said to have been the influence for Niō (benevolent kings), twin dharmapalas or devas who guard the left and right entrances to temples. Niō are said to represent strength as well as the passages of life and death.

His fifth weapon is named after either Leigong/Raikō (lit. Thunder Duke) or Yakusa-no-Ikazuchi, a frightful and disastrous looking corpse that was formed to pursue Izanagi within Yomi-no-Kuni. According to the Yamato Bumi, it was a grotesque creation filled of pus boiling maggots and grew by continuing to pile corpses on itself. A frightened Izanagi was able to flee from the monstrosity by hiding underneath a giant peach tree. The weapon also contains the term "bushin" (lit. martial god), a term for a god of military arts.

His heirloom in the fourth Samurai Warriors title is a priceless tea kettle famed for its pump structure. It was so named because it resembled the round cheeks of a beautiful maiden. Nobunaga possessed it and shared it with Katsuie as they would share morning poetry and delights together.

Voice Actors

 * Edouard Fontaine - Samurai Warriors 2 (English)
 * Ralph Prosper - Samurai Warriors 2: Empires (English)
 * Paul Kannaspuro - Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends (English)
 * David Lodge - Warriors Orochi 2, Samurai Warriors 3 (English-uncredited)
 * Doug Stone - Kessen III (English-uncredited)
 * Eiji Takemoto - Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi series (Japanese)
 * Fumihiko Tachiki - Kessen III (Japanese)
 * Kazuya Nakai - CR Sengoku no Arashi ~Nobunaga no Shou~
 * Yasuhiko Kawazu - Sengoku Pachislot Nobunaga no Yabou ~Tenka Sousei~
 * Tsutomu Isobe - Nioh 2 (Japanese)

Live Action Performers

 * Jinsei Shinzaki - Sengoku Bushou Matsuri
 * Kenta Nitta - as Shibata Kyaatsuie in Butai Nobunyaga no Yabou
 * Daisuke Sekimoto - Shibusawa Kou 35-Shuunen Kinen "Nobunaga no Yabou Oretachi no Sengoku" Sengoku Bushou Match
 * Ryota Takizawa, Mashū Kumano - Nobunaga no Yabou -Enbu-
 * Mondo Ukai - Butai Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi Haru no Jin Tenka Fubu ~Kindei no Kubi Hen~, Butai Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi Fuyu no Jin Oudou Shikkou ~Kiko no Shiroshio Hen~, Butai Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi Mugen ~Honnoji no Hen~, Butai Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi -Rei- Okehazama Zenya ~Kyoudai Soukoku Hen~, Butai Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi ~Saishuu Hen~ Gunyuukakkyo Sekigahara

Quotes

 * See also: Katsuie Shibata/Quotes


 * "Curse you, Nagamasa! Oichi deserves better!"
 * "Quit your clowning around, Monkey!"
 * "Always concentrate on the enemy in front of you, that is war!"
 * "Tremble before Mayano Top Gun and the Devil Shibata!"
 * "Katsuie Shibata, 62 years old. My interests include fighting, cooking, and a little sewing."
 * "Do not hate the Oda for this. Such is the world in which we live!"
 * "Master Katsuie, there is no need to hold back. Come!"
 * "Katsuie, come and let me alleviate your worries through battle."
 * Katsuie, Nagamasa, and Oichi; Samurai Warriors 2


 * "We have the advantage of numbers! Overrun them!"
 * "Tact may be the key when dealing with such a celebrated strategist."
 * "Keep your condescending comments to yourself, Mitsuhide!"
 * Katsuie and Mitsuhide; Samurai Warriors 2


 * "Katsuie, you are strong and skillful... But there are better ways of tackling problems than full-frontal assault..."
 * "Honest and straightforward is the way of the Shibata! So why don't you take your meddling somewhere else, Mitsuhide!"
 * Mitsuhide and Katsuie; Samurai Warriors 2: Empires


 * "You must look past me, Toshiie, to the future. I am as good as dead."
 * "Don't say that! I don't want any future without you..."
 * "Fool! This is your time. Have the courage to accept that responsibility."
 * Katsuie and Toshiie; Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends


 * "Greetings, Lady Nō."
 * "Hello, Katsuie. Disappointed that I'm not Oichi?"
 * "Please... cease your jests."
 * "(laughs) Your face is beet red. So you do have your charms after all."
 * Katsuie and Nō‎; Sengoku Musou 3: Empires


 * "It is my duty to prepare a path for our allies. Forgive me, but would you be willing to watch my back?"
 * "Master Dian Wei, that is very kind of you... However, if anybody is going to cut a path into hell, it should be the one known as the Devil."
 * "Hah! What are you saying?! Even if we do carry the same weapon, there's no way I'm letting you take the vanguard."
 * Dian Wei and Katsuie; Warriors Orochi 3


 * "I hear they call you the Devil Shibata."
 * "I would never presume to call myself such a name in the presence of a real devil like yourself. Ah, come to think of it, you're not a devil either. Indeed, I think you said you didn't know what a devil was."
 * "I heard from one of you humans. They kidnap or attack people, and one theory says that they are heretics."
 * "For us, a devil or a demon is one who looks like you-- powerful in physique, with horns. They are monsters with almost limitless strength. As a result, the terms are also used to describe the very strong. I am honored to be referred to as the Devil Shibata."
 * "Human beings are hard to understand. They fear and loathe something, yet they use it as a compliment..."
 * "That is why my lord always says that there is nothing as fascinating as humanity."
 * Shuten Dōji and Katsuie; Warriors Orochi 4


 * "Hahaha, turning coward, Monkey? If you're scared, you should hide behind some woman's skirts!"
 * "Is that so? I guess it is so. Lord Shibata can only wish to get so close to a girl!"
 * Katsuie and Hideyoshi, Kessen III

Gameplay

 * See also: Katsuie Shibata/Movesets‎‎

Ground Moveset

 * undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Tosses his right axe forward, then left, then ends with both axes thrown in a cross arm position, all in boomerang fashion. Breaks guards easily.
 * , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Crosses axes together as he lifts both of them up to launch his targets, then as they fall down, he smacks them away with a dual axe strike to the right, then to the left. The second and third inputs will not come out if the first does not connect.
 * ,, undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Leans forward with a stunning headbutt, then does two upward-diagonally single axe swings inward to the right, then left.
 * ,, , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Twirls his axes left-then-right while interchanging with both hands as both axes are attached together dual-ended pole-arm style, and then takes them apart for a finishing dual outward slash, with that attack sending out a cross wave of energy that inflicts crashing knockback.
 * ,, , , undefined: Charges forward with bare hands. If an enemy is within his reach, he grabs them and lifts them over his shoulders. He bends them to snap their back via a lifting back-breaker on his shoulders before throwing them off to the front. The thrown target is inflicted with crashing knockback.
 * ,, , , , , , : All while stepping forward each time, Katsuie swings inward diagonally-downward with a single axe to the left then right, then to the left with both axes, then one wide swing to the right one-handed, then the next three swings become broad and alternating with both axes, followed by one two-axed left reap.


 * , : Does a dual outward slash downward.
 * , undefined: Falls with both axes slammed down in front of him. Hits the ground with a minor quake.
 * Dashing : Dual horizontal slash inwards.


 * Katsuie goes on a rampage slamming his axes interchangeably while running forward, causing minor eruptions on each slamming slash. He then poses for the usual shockwave finish. The Level 2 version involves falling boulders with his C2 used before the finish, while the Level 3 makes him perform his C3 chain before the finish.
 * R1 + : Runs forward trying to grab an enemy. If he connects, he then jumps into the air with them for a forward spinning piledriver, Izuna Drop style.
 * R1 + undefined: Does a war cry into the sky to power up, and make any of his attacks to cause explosions central of Katsuie himself, giving him an area-of-effect boost as well as making his attacks break guards sooner.
 * Personal Skill : Absorb: Blocking enemy attacks refills Musou gauge.

Mounted Moveset

 * , undefined: Swings axes forward and upward on both sides of his horse to launch enemies.
 * ,, undefined: A downwards dual chopping slash to the left that stuns.
 * ,, , undefined: Tosses both axes forward in circles in front of his horse.
 * ,, , , , , : Slashes interchangeably inward with both axes to his right.

Loses his C5 and Level 3 Musou. Gains a new ability:
 * Warriors Orochi 2
 * R1: An improved and alternate version of his C1. Katsuie tosses his left axe then right axe in that succession, only he throws forward five spinning yellow energy razors in a fanning spread at once per toss. Uses Musou.
 * Triple Attack 1: Hurls both weapons momentarily, causing them to slice at varying angles.
 * Triple Attack 2: Launches a mid-range gust by swiping weapon fiercely.
 * Triple Attack 3: Slashes weapons with enough power to generate strong gusts of wind.
 * Triple Attack 3: Slashes weapons with enough power to generate strong gusts of wind.

Samurai Warriors 3

 * ,, , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Same as before, only a single large cutting wave is sent out on the final input instead.
 * R1: Same as his R1 + undefined, only the explosions occur upon contact with Katsuie's attacks, turning it into a foil to Toshiie's R1.
 * (Ultimate/Kaiden): Cross-slams his axes into the ground which makes two paths reach out from the axes. The paths then rise with fire and damage any enemy caught in them. Used as his True Musou Attack in Warriors Orochi 3.


 * Spirit Cancel:

Character type changed from Power to Technique. Loses the ability to use Spirit Charge, but keeps the ability to sidestep; gains the ability to sidestep-dash attack and to critically hit, along with a new Type Action. Also regains his C5.
 * Warriors Orochi 3
 * R1: Charges at the enemy with arms outward via a wind-resistance aura, then upon stopping he swings inward with both of his axe-heads to clap them together which triggers a launching explosion. The beginning portion can drag enemies into the finisher, but only knocks back once (thus requiring some precision and positioning).
 * , R1 (Ultimate only): Tosses down his axes as two fiery wind tunnel projectiles upon enemies below one after another with each axe throw. Each throw causes a small quake on the ground upon contact. Can be cancelled into from his jump charge landing, C3 final input and C4 final input.

Samurai Warriors 4
Mighty strike is the same as Deadlock attack. Moveset remains relatively the same with the following changes.


 * ,, , , undefined, (undefined), (undefined): Slams both axes in front and behind him while he faces to his left, then roars out to let loose a forward fire geyser wave. The final input then involves a flurry of ground smashes in a wild-yet-controlled fashion, ending with a trench-based blasting slam.
 * Finisher changes to two interchanging vertical orange waves being sent with one inward axe swing each, then ending with two waves at once from slamming down both axes at the same time. The rampaging motion before the finisher no longer keeps foes pinned to the ground when hitting them on the ground and will always slightly launch them forward per axe slam.
 * (Rage Attack/Musou Gokui):
 * (Ultimate/Kaidan): Same as before.
 * Awakened Skill effect (4-II only):
 * R1: Same as before, only the explosions are much smaller and will occur in bunches around where Katsuie connects his attacks as opposed to using the original explosion graphic.

Hyper Moveset

 * undefined: Quickly slides forward with an inward axe boomerang toss per input. Each odd-numbered input involves the left axe, while the even-numbered inputs involve the right axe.
 * undefined, : Slashes with both axes to his left, then stomps the ground for a spirit quake. Can be interrupted into normal attacks.
 * undefined, undefined, : Dual-chops both axes into the ground for a crater-based quake.
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, : Same as his Hyper S2.
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, : Same as his Hyper S3.
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, : Swings both axes in a dual-armed spinning attack.
 * undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined: Ends his Hyper attack string by tossing both axes forward.

Samurai Warriors
As of Xtreme Legends, much of Katsuie's moveset involves both simple brute force and skillful wielding of his axes, and his attacks tend to be basic and slow. He also has throw/grapple attacks that can be meant for one-on-one happy blockers, and his attacks all have wide range for crowd clearing, making Katsuie a solid powerhouse character with the right equipment, especially with the lightning element.

His buffing special skill in particular, also allows either powerful area-of-effect damage on top of the lightning element, but also in the second installment's Xtreme Legends game to easily apply enough force to break guards in just a few normal attack inputs if needed.

Weapons

 * See also: Katsuie Shibata/Weapons

Rare Weapon Acquisition

 * Stage: Shingen's March to the Capital - Battle of Hitokotozaka

Historical Information
Katsuie was born in the Shibata family, a cadet branch of the Shiba clan who descended from the Ashikaga clan, and were the former suzerains of the Oda. He initially supported Nobunaga's younger brother, Oda Nobukatsu, as he his retainer. In 1556, he launched a coup d'état against Nobunaga but after a loss at the Battle of Ino, he withdrew his support and served under Nobunaga. This change of heart, brought on by Nobunaga executing his brother and sparing him, would earn praise from Nobunaga. Katsuie was not present at Anegawa, as he had been besieged at Chokoji Castle by 4000 Rokkakku soldiers. He eventually won via an all-out attack that inspired the Rokkakku to retreat; this, along with a series of brilliant victories, gained him renown as "Oni Shibata".

In 1575, after gaining control of Echizen, he gained the castle of Kitanosho Castle (Hokujō) and was commanded to conquer the Hokuriku region. After controlling Kaga and Noto, he began a campaign against Etchu Province in 1581. In 1582, Nobunaga was assassinated at Honnō-ji but in a Siege of Matsukura and facing Uesugi's army, Katsuie was unable to return.

In a meeting in Kiyosu to determine the successor to Nobunaga, he supported Oda Nobutaka, the third son, for whom Katsuie had performed the genpuku ritual. He allied with Oda Nobutaka and Takigawa Kazumasu to battle Hashiba Hideyoshi. However, his domain was sealed off in the winter by snowfalls and this limited his ability. Both of his allies were defeated while Katsuie battled snowfalls and Uesugi. His forces, under the leadership of Sakuma Morimasa, besieged Nakagawa Kiyohide at Shizugatake in a move to turn the tide launching the Shizugatake. Sakuma ignored Shibata's orders to merely test the enemy's defense and was destroyed by Hideyoshi's returning forces. He retreated to Kitanoshō castle but with the army destroyed, Katsuie had no option but to surrender. Katsuie committed seppuku and set the fire to the castle. He implored Oichi to take their daughters and leave, but she decided to follow his death, while letting her daughters escape.

Trivia

 * In the Sengoku Angelique skit performed at Neoromance Starlight ♥ Christmas 2010, Richard Keigo Quantz from LoveφSummit stood in as the Katsuie for the cast. His name was "Shibata Richard Katsuie".

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