Motonari Mōri

Motonari Mōri is a new character introduced in Samurai Warriors 3. In Samurai Warriors 2: Empires, he is one of the rival warlords the player can control to conquer the land. He is the 52nd clan head of the Mōri family and Terumoto Mōri's grandfather. He is famous for a legendary tale regarding his sons and three arrows, saying that three together are much harder to break than one alone.

He is symbolized by the characters "harmony" (和) and "perceive" (識).

Role in Games
In Samurai Warriors 3, Motonari is a respected daimyo who was content to retire and disappear from the world. However, Nobunaga soon gained control of Kyoto, and the shogun's retreat made the Mōri vulnerable to attack. His family is threatened by the Tachibana on the west, the Saika Renegades in the south, and by the Oda army lead by Hideyoshi in the east. To prevent his land's invasion and at his family's insistence, Motonari joins the war front once more. Since he predicts that the Saika Renegades will be their likely ally against Nobunaga, he decides to confront the Tachibana family first and earn their trust in Chūgoku. After he defeats Ginchiyo, Motonari talks to them personally and uses his three arrows analogy to gain their assistance, saying that hundreds joining as one are stronger than alone. While he tries to keep his "revival" as a momentary effort, Motonari agrees to continue leadership due to Terumoto's insistence.

As he predicted, Magoichi defies Nobunaga and aids the Mōri's cause. Faced with the unexpected resistance, Hideyoshi's army retreats and the Oda army confronts Motonari at Kizugawaguchi. Muneshige's troops interrupt Mitsuhide's army and Motonari is asked to deal with Kanbei, who is considered to be the biggest threat on the field. Once they are dealt with, Motonari uses his navy to rush for Nobunaga's ship. Driving back Nobuanga's main army, Hideyoshi resumes his attacks in Chūgoku and Motonari confronts them at Kōzuki Castle. After dealing with Hideyoshi, the Tachibana are under attack from Yoshihiro in Kyushu so Motonari departs to rescue them.

Meanwhile, Nobunaga's conquests resume and he suppresses an enormous amount of land in the east. While Motonari knows that it is possible to take the land from Nobunaga by defeating the daimyo, he also realizes that it could also trigger a negative reaction and throw it into further chaos. Although he ponders the conundrum, he confronts Nobunaga in their final conflict at Yamazaki and slays his adversary. Knowing that Nobunaga's retainers will no doubt try to avenge their lord, Motonari momentarily has doubts that his dream of unity will succeed. Nobunaga's spirit taunts him to become a tyrant to put an end to his enemies, but his Tachibana friends press for their trust in Motonari's vision. Thanking them for their support, Motonari regains the confidence he needs to continue forward.

Personality
Usually a calm and an intelligent person, Motonari has the unique ability to drastically change his countenance once he steps on the battlefield. He turns into an indomitable commander and excels at leading his troops. His relaxed countenance doesn't change, even when he is facing people who he dislikes. An old-fashioned and educated man, he hopes that his efforts -or his death- can earn him a notable footprint in history.

Motonari respects his Tachibana friends and treats them as though they are family. Humble and friendly to the maidens in the battlefield, he addresses Ginchiyo and other women with adoring nicknames.

Voice Actors

 * Shinichi Yamada - Samurai Warriors 2: Empires (Japanese)
 * Hideo Ishikawa - Samurai Warriors 3 (Japanese)
 * Hideyuki Tanaka - Motonari Mōri: Chikai no Sanya

Quotes

 * "Listen well, my sons. One arrow may break, but three have many hundred times the strength. Together, there is nothing you cannot accomplish."
 * Samurai Warriors 2: Empires

Fighting Style
Motonari is a long distance fighter who is able to fire several arrows at once, at least up to one hundred in his Musou Kaiden. He possesses few moves to hit his opponents at close range, so players need to carefully judge distances with him.

Weapons
Stage to clear for Unique Weapon - Showdown at Yamazaki