The Yamato is Vergil's trademark dark-forged katana. It is introduced in Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 3, Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5. It is one of the three legendary swords that was once wielded by his father Sparda,[2] who originally created it alongside the Sparda and Rebellion when the Dark Knight split his power into three pieces, and was named by him to embody a "god of death".[3] It was later left to Vergil as a keepsake.
While the Rebellion can unify the human and demon halves of an individual, the Yamato can instead separate the two forces.[4][5]
Description[]
Yamato's concept in Devil May Cry 5.
The Yamato is a katana or a general nihontō (日本刀? lit. "Japanese blade"), with the exact details of how it looks changing throughout the series.
In the first Devil May Cry, the tsuka (柄? lit. "handle/grip") has the traditional gold wrapping, with black ornaments, and the tsuba (鍔? lit. "(hand) guard") is octagonal. In later installments, the guard is an oval, and the tsuka string seems to be braided from white and dark blue material. The blade features several intricate ornaments, most notable is a relief of a dragon at the endpoint of the hilt and with an ornate bronze guard with dragon motifs. The inside and back of Nero's Devil Bringer mimic the design of the blade's hilt.
In Devil May Cry 5, the Yamato has been given a renovation. The tsukamaki (handle/grip coiling) has a pattern closer to a real katana, giving it the traditional diamond shape in the negative space. There is no longer a dragon on the pommel/tsukagashira, and the rim fittings from throughout the sword no longer have flowing line patterns in gold on shakudo like black metal; rather, gold dragon styled menuki are inserted underneath the tsukamaki to allow for the fingers to grip. The tsuba/hand guard is now gold and a deep navy blue, shaped like an octagon with two trapezoidal halves, each with gold dot pattern patches and in a grove like motif with gold rings, inside of which are various circles in clusters of three, arranged in triangular patterns, and the gold habaki/fuller is also with a similar embossed pattern. The hamon (wave crest) pattern featured is a kawazuko chōji or tadpole head clove flower-styled hamon as similar to those found on blades historically made by Osafune Nagamitsu. The blade has also been given prominent temper lines.
The scabbard is black, made of traditional lacquered wood, and features several metallic ornaments on its far end. In Devil May Cry 3 and Devil May Cry 4 it has a gold kurigata (absent in the manga). In Devil May Cry 5, the color of kurigata is black. It also features a yellow sageo, the cord used to tie the katana to the waist. In Devil May Cry 5, the sageo is blue, with gold dot accents.
In Devil Trigger, Vergil and Nero have different, but similar designs for the scabbard. For Vergil, it alters to appear similar to the sheath of a Kris, an Indonesian traditional dagger and is colored dark blue. It attaches to an additional appendage on his left arm, and it can adjust the position to allow Vergil to draw or sheathe his sword quicker and thus leaves Vergil's left hand free to wield the blade or other weapons. For Nero, the sheath appears to be more segmented, but it is otherwise identical.
In Sin Devil Trigger, Vergil absorbs the Yamato into his body, and it can be manifested from one of his two blue arm-mounted energy blades.
Despite having a scabbard, Yamato is only occasionally worn on the waist also in spite of its length; Vergil and Dante carry it with their hands during battle (though Vergil has been shown to wear it on his waist when not in use), Nero absorbs the Yamato within his Devil Bringer, and Sparda used to strap it to his back when he was alive. In Devil May Cry 5 there are several instances during which the scabbard seems to be absent from Vergil's person, only for it to unceremoniously reappear when Vergil is next seen.
Powers[]
A cloaked Vergil using Yamato to open a portal.
Yamato is far sharper than ordinary blades,[6] and is imbued with tremendous demonic power.[7] The sword is said to be able to cut through anything,[8] even the very fabric of space itself. This ability is shown primarily through the sword's ability to create portals for its wielder to travel through.
Vergil utilizes an ability called Judgement Cut in which he draws and swings so fast that Yamato doesn't appear to even leave its sheath (similar to iaijutsu/iaidou, a style of sword techniques). It creates a distortion in space that engulfs his target, which is sliced multiple times by the blade in very rapid succession. This ability is capable of hitting any enemies that are within the rather large distortion radius.
Dante attempts to imitate this move in Devil May Cry 4 and the result is a similar ability called Slash Dimension, but it lacks the precision and potency of Judgement Cut due to Dante's inexperience with wielding Yamato, unlike Vergil. Both abilities are able to strike faraway opponents. Dante and Vergil demonstrate Yamato's ability to cut faraway enemies with normal swings as well. Vergil, during Dante's battle with Arkham where Vergil appears and slices Arkham's hand off from atop a pillar a good distance away, and Dante, when he uses it to destroy the Hellgate with a single swing from a great distance away in Devil May Cry 4.
Similar to Dante's Rebellion, the Yamato is able (to an extent) to bring out its wielder's true potential. This is shown in Devil May Cry 4 during Mission 7. As Nero was about to die at the hands of Agnus's Bianco Angelos, his Devil Bringer resonated with the broken Yamato and restored it, which was something not even Agnus could do. The sword awakened Nero's power, allowing him to access a Devil Trigger of his own.
Yamato was used to seal a pathway to the Demon World—the Hell Gate on Fortuna. The gate is reopened by the Order of the Sword using Yamato, but was later destroyed by Dante, who was using the same blade.[9]
In Devil May Cry 5, Vergil was able to use Yamato in a manner similar to what his father did to separate the Human World from the Demon World; but instead of cutting away the two worlds from each other, he used it to separate his physical body and memories in a desperate decision to gain more demonic power, heal the destructive damage inflicted on him from the countless battles he had endured over the decades that were breaking down his body, and rid himself of his lingering traumas from his time as Nelo Angelo.
Two halves were born from this separation, the Demon-half resulting in the birth of Urizen and Human-half resulting in the birth of V, as well as creating several 'Nightmare' demons that based their forms on Mundus' servants on Mallet Island. In order to defeat Dante, Urizen used the Yamato to open a massive portal in Red Grave City to summon forth the Qliphoth, so that it would feed on the human citizens' blood and create a fruit of concentrated divine demonic power. While too small to be used by Urizen as a conventional weapon, Yamato was instead transformed into a large human-sized crystalline structure that served as his shield, creating barriers to defend the usurper from physical attacks while also flying around to block attacks from any side.
Story[]
Yamato once belonged to Vergil's father, Sparda who split his immense power into it as well as Force Edge and Rebellion, and according to the Order of the Sword, it was used to seal the "true Hell Gate" of Fortuna. It was eventually given to Vergil as a memento, and he used it as his primary weapon. Devil May Cry 4
Vergil wields the Yamato during his attempt to reactivate the Temen-ni-gru alongside Arkham, to unlock the sealed gate of the Demon World and claim his father's power and sword, the Force Edge, for himself. When he is ultimately defeated by Dante, Vergil falls into the Demon World with Yamato, where he is found by Mundus. Vergil attempts to defeat the demon king like his father, but is defeated and reborn as Nelo Angelo. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
Yamato was badly damaged and shattered by Mundus during or after his battle with Vergil. Before turning Vergil into his servant, the elder Son of Sparda lost his grip on Yamato's hilt and the sword was lost to him afterwards. Devil May Cry 5: Visions of V
At some later point, Yamato was found by the Order of the Sword - albeit in its shattered state. It was kept in Agnus's Containment Room within Fortuna Castle but is restored and taken by Nero when his dormant powers as an heir to Sparda emerge. From then on, Nero is able to use the sword while in Devil Trigger. Dante attempts to reclaim the Yamato from Nero, stating that such a powerful weapon had to "stay in the family", but let Nero hold onto it as he went off to save his beloved Kyrie. However, it is taken back from him by Sanctus when he is absorbed into the Savior and is then used by Agnus to reopen the Hell Gate. After slaying Agnus, Dante retrieves Yamato from the gate seal and uses it to destroy the gate, after which he wields it while in his Dark Slayer Style. While fighting the Savior, Dante uses the blade to free Nero and sends it back to him so that the youth can finish the fight against Sanctus. After the battle, Dante charges Nero with keeping it, having realized the boy to be his brother's son after seeing its reaction to him in their second fight, though he would not reveal this to Nero until sometime later. Devil May Cry 4
One of Yamato's shards was found by the fire demon Balrog, who used it to escape the Fire Hell realm of the Demon World, with this shard being destroyed during Balrog's battle with Dante. Devil May Cry 5: Before the Nightmare
Yamato would remain in Nero's possession for an untold period, absorbed inside of his Devil Bringer arm as the young hunter continued his career in slaying demons. Unfortunately, Nero would lose possession of Yamato after getting ambushed by Vergil, who effortlessly tore the Devil Bringer off from Nero and reclaimed his lost sword, destroying the Devil Bringer in the process. Vergil would then use the sword to return to his childhood home in Red Grave City, where he then used the Yamato's ability to separate man and devil on himself in a bid to heal his decaying body and increase his demonic power, while also ridding himself of his human heart and the painful memories of his time as Nelo Angelo.
This created the powerful full demon who would come to be called Urizen, while Vergil's humanity would inhabit his cast off crumbling flesh, which came to call himself V. V would allow the discarded Nightmare demons to inhabit his body so they would not fade away, keeping them and himself alive for a short time, as separated from Urizen who now wielded the bulk of their once shared demonic power, V's own body was slowly crumbling away with every move he made as what little demonic power he had left was not enough to sustain it.
When he became Urizen, the Demon King used the Yamato to open a massive portal to the Demon World in Red Grave City so that he could summon the demonic tree Qliphoth. In battles with Urizen, the Yamato took on the form of a reddish-orange crystal that prevented any attacks from reaching him. When the Qliphoth fully revealed itself, he calls the shield away, briefly reverting back into its original form for only a second before vanishing into his hand. After reforming, Vergil would then use the Yamato to battle Dante, who demanded Vergil to hand the sword over. Vergil tells Dante if he wants it, he'll have to take it through their battle. Vergil would use the Yamato to duel with Nero before descending into Hell to cut the roots of the Qliphoth tree and seal the portal to the Underworld opened by Urizen. Devil May Cry 5
Gameplay[]
Although Yamato is said to be able to cut through anything,[8] this aspect does not carry through to gameplay for obvious reasons. Enemies with shields, such as Dullahans, are still invulnerable, and background objects are not affected.
Dark Slayer Style[]
Yamato is intimately linked to Vergil's signature Dark Slayer Style, which he uses in Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition and which Dante homages in Devil May Cry 4. As a warrior fallen from grace, Vergil can use the power of darkness to obtain new weapons and skills by leveling the style,[10] and it interacts with his Yamato, Summoned Swords, Beowulf, and Force Edge. The style itself performs much like Dante's Trickster Style.[11] In Devil May Cry 4, Dante obtains this style after receiving Yamato, but instead of being based on teleportation, it allows Dante to imitate Vergil's skills with Yamato.
Devil May Cry[]
In Devil May Cry, Yamato is only used for Dante's "Legendary Dark Knight" costume. It behaves exactly the same as the Alastor, even to the point that Sparda carries it on his back when not in use and wields it as a broadsword rather than using iaidou, but has a slightly shorter reach. When Sparda enters Devil Trigger, Yamato transforms into the Sparda sword.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening[]
Vergil is the only character to use Yamato in Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition. When Vergil fights with Yamato, he uses the scabbard as a blunt weapon in conjunctions with iaidou strikes. Vergil uses Yamato during Force Edge Combo and will default to Yamato during Round Trip without having to manually switch weapons. Since the game doesn't recognize this as a weapon switch, Force Edge is automatically "equipped" upon its return.
For Vergil's "Corrupt Vergil" or "Super Corrupt Vergil" costumes, Yamato transforms into Nelo Angelo's zweihänder when in Devil Trigger.
Furthermore, Vergil when having the Yamato equipped or at least with anything involving the Yamato, has 2 special ways to build up the Devil Trigger gauge only whenever he is in combat:
- First is to allow him to go through with sheathing the Yamato at the end of his Yamato Combo, either of Upper Slash's inputs or the final input of his Force Edge Combo. This fills at least one rune normally.
- Second is to leave him completely idle during a certain point of his taunt where he'll emit a dark smoky aura (charges his gauge by chunks during the animation). The latter likely requires some protection from firing Summoned Swords or making use of Spiral Swords to properly cover Vergil while this happens.
- These again, can only happen during combat. Aerial Rave likely does not provide enough air time to have Vergil sheathe Yamato without touching the ground too soon.
Devil May Cry 4[]
Both Dante and Nero wield Yamato in Devil May Cry 4. Nero's use of Yamato is limited to when he is in Devil Trigger, and even then he only has a few attacks with it, which are called Showdown and Maximum Bet. While in Devil Trigger, Yamato also grants Nero the ability to use a slightly different version of Summoned Swords. In contrast to Vergil and Dante's use of iaido, Nero wields Yamato without its scabbard.
When Dante obtains Yamato, he gains access to Vergil's signature Dark Slayer Style, but Dante doesn't have that many attacks with it and most of them are replications of Vergil's moves. Though just like Vergil in DMC3SE, if Dante is allowed to sheath the Yamato during his Yamato Combo S, he can regain some DT energy back. However, Aerial Rave V, where Dante replicates Vergil's old Aerial Rave, has Dante fall to the ground too quickly to allow him to sheathe on time unless he gains sufficient height. Dante's sole unique technique with Yamato is Slash Dimension, which is his interpretation of Judgement Cut, which after slashing very quickly causes slashes in space to appear at distances either directly in front of or further away from Dante, which then appear to be cut through by one final slash dispersing and subsequently shattering the rest, potentially catching any demons that happen to be within its distortions off balance.
Vergil[]
In the Special Edition of Devil May Cry 4, Vergil wields Yamato once more, and has by far the most extensive and relentless arsenal of moves in comparison to Nero and Dante, incorporating both sword and scabbard in a refinement of the Dark Slayer Style, including his infamous Judgement Cut. He also incorporates Million Slash, titled Combo C, originally available for Dante's Agni & Rudra devil arm in the 3rd game. Additionally, several new attacks are lifted from his DmC counterpart into his moveset:
- Crosscut's finishing slash animation becoming Yamato's primary combo's ender via Yamato Combo A (turning downwards swat-away slash), all while Yamato Combo A's third input now has Vergil perform a drawing slash-to-reverse-grip reap along the same slashing line.
- His original Yamato Combo, or Slasher for his counterpart, is regulated as Yamato Combo B instead, albeit now embedding Summoned Swords within any victims hit by the draw slash akin to the Embed versions of his counterpart's Yamato attacks. The sheathing animation now also allows the said embedded swords to be detonated, launching any of the said victims.
- While the sheathing animation is hard to interrupt manually (in case Vergil does not want to detonate any embedded swords just yet), it can be cancelled into an Air Trick where the embedded swords also work as a catalyst for such, just like his counterpart's version of the Angel Lift.
- His counterpart's Aerial Rave animation also replaces the original Aerial Rave from DMC3SE as a new Aerial Rave A (along with a different Japanese name).
- Yamato's new Aerial Rave B finishing slash is similar to Orbit.
- Rapid Slash becomes similar to his counterpart's where he fully turns around 180° while ending up crouching on his left knee after braking from the dash, but his sheathing animation is somewhat altered and slower.
- Rising Star is performed as an extended held-button input launcher from Rapid Slash, though he does not gain access to either Flare or Solar Flare.
- Upper Slash has been changed to also function like his counterpart's with a new animation, no longer having the second slash followup from DMC3SE, and by proxy functions just like High Time (the held-down input, referred to as Upper Slash 2, has Vergil jump-rise upwards in tandem with the slash).
- Judgement Cut now has a Just Frame/Charge/Perfect version based on Perfect Slice. However, it no longer has its consecutive version in exchange for now being able to be performed in the air with slightly less strict timing.
As a result, Yamato's moveset has greatly expanded in general with less of a barebones kit. He also gains "Judgement Cut End" as a super move accessible when his Concentration Gauge is maxed out and he's in Devil Trigger. Yamato is also used in tandem with Force Edge during Force Edge Combo B via dual-wielding the weapons directly.
When Vergil's Concentration Levels are high enough, Yamato's unsheathed slashes gain extra reach via increased hitbox ranges on said attacks (even if the hitbox increases are visually invisible), while Judgement Cut itself also becomes buffed in vortex size and damage.
Likewise, akin to the prior game and just like when Dante uses the Dark Slayer Style, Vergil can refill levels of his Devil Trigger gauge whenever he's allowed to sheath the Yamato during any animations that involve it (with either the Yamato or Force Edge equipped) while in combat, though landing attacks can fill the DT gauge up by 2 runes instead of 1. The refill even occurs if Vergil whiffs an attack that also would by proxy expend Concentration. Rising Star despite having Vergil land on the ground rather soon, has its animation re-sheathe the Yamato just as Vergil lands.
When Devil Trigger/DT is active, Yamato has two moves specifically become enhanced, aside from access to the aforementioned Judgement Cut End:
- Yamato Combo A's fourth input now has Vergil follow-up the Crosscut animation finisher with a two-handed lifting slash somewhat to the left (with Yamato's sheath being holstered onto his left hip only when transformed back midway or with his Nelo Angelo DT), with a new fifth input having him delay for a powerful spatial two-handed reap a bit to the right (which can also bypass blocking). While it is possible to transform back midway, doing so too soon on the fourth input prevents the new fifth input from coming out.
- Rapid Slash is able to implant/embed a Summoned Sword into its victims just like with Yamato Combo B and have both its and Yamato Combo B's sheathing animations detonate it. Rapid Slash can also be continuously performed over and over again, and its sheathing animation is also significantly sped up (Rising Star is unaffected).
- However, Rapid Slash's sheathing animation outside of DT will not detonate any embedded swords otherwise, but Yamato Combo B's animation can in both human form and in DT.
- Also with rapidly chaining Rapid Slash under DT, it is also possible to stack multiple embedded Summoned Swords into a target or more, causing Vergil sheathing the Yamato afterwards to inflict continuous launches per sword detonation.
Devil May Cry 5[]
Vergil returns wielding Yamato again in the Special Edition of Devil May Cry 5. The gameplay is largely similar to its Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition incarnation, but Judgement Cut can now be performed sequentially once more not only on the ground but the air as well, although the additional cuts must be timed similarly to the Perfect cut version; and Vergil also gains two new moves with it: Aerial Cleave, an equivalent of Helm Breaker, and Void Slash, a large circular slash attack that briefly utilizes Vergil's tremendous speed, slowing enemies down before Vergil re-sheathes the Yamato which draws any nearby victims with a crumpling vacuum effect, leaving them open for attacks (the effect even occurs towards enemies not hit by the initial slash so long as they are within the proper hitbox range of the re-sheath). Void Slash's initial strike on its own also counts as a guard break.
Aerial Cleave in particular, has an initial hitbox when performed near airborne foes, which enables them to be properly caught by the fall-down-slash period more cleanly. Also unlike Helm Breaker, Aerial Cleave's plummeting hit effect ends in a ground bounce upon the victim, enabling Vergil enough time to safely sheathe the Yamato afterwards if the player decides not to interrupt the animation.
Like in 4SE, Yamato's unsheathed attacks also gain increased attack range as the Concentration Gauge level increases, but this time the slash trail visuals are increased in range and distance to properly judge the hitbox ranges.
Once more while in combat, Vergil can refill his Devil Trigger gauge by a single tier minimum if he's allowed to re-sheath the Yamato during any recovery animations. Rising Star has also been changed to have more airtime upon Vergil reaching the peak of his jump while also rising slightly higher, giving him more time to sheath the Yamato while still airborne compared to in DMC4SE. However, the sole exception to this seems to be executing Deep Stinger, as his Yamato sheathing after the attack is performed does not seem to affect the DT gauge.
On the other hand, the Yamato's Aerial Rave B seems to require a longer period of waiting to execute, as well as having the spin be animated through afterimages instead of a clear animation blur of Vergil spinning; the attack also seems to gain less height, but also negates downward aerial momentum much more in trade. Yamato Combo B's sheathing animation can also be interrupted at more points than before, allowing Vergil to deliberately interrupt the detonation if need be.
Via his new Sin Devil Trigger/SDT replacing his classic Devil Trigger, the Yamato's DT perks from 4SE are carried over to this new form, albeit with some alterations + new additions:
- Yamato Combo A's new additional attack is the same as before, albeit with the flame-jet-element coming from Vergil's outer-forearms acting as a hyperspace-stand-in for Yamato's scabbard, as a result any of the animations involving the said scabbard do not have it present. As before, transforming back to human form mid-animation too soon on the fourth input prevents Vergil from using the additional fifth input finisher; transforming midway during either of those animations also has Yamato's scabbard suddenly reappear on Vergil's left hip. Like before, the final slash can breal through guards of enemies.
- Yamato Combo B now has an additional frontward somersaulting 2-handed chop as a fourth input finisher, but must be input just as the draw slash occurs and will thus interrupt the Summoned Sword embed. This interruption allows Vergil to make use of Air Trick at any chosen moment much easier with an embedded sword.
- Rapid Slash like before, can be done continuously and also implants an embedded sword onto the victim with the sheathing animation from either it or Yamato Combo B able to detonate said sword (but only while in SDT, as Yamato Combo B can still do so in human form or SDT form). Rapid Slash's sheathing animation is also sped up somewhat and remains the same speed in SDT. Once more however, Rising Star has no additional altercations.
- Upper Slash and its rising version are both able to hit twice instead of once.
- Both normal and Perfect Judgment Cut cause 3 rifts to appear at once, allowing it to target up to 3 enemies.
- Judgment Cut End can now be performed in human form, but requires the SDT gauge to be full or have Vergil be in SDT state with Level 2 Concentration like his other 2 super attacks. Judgment Cut End in general also now covers more area around Vergil, allowing it to hit enemies behind his starting position easier.
- The Yamato can also be used to execute World of V at the cost of current Concentration level, even if Vergil is currently wielding a different weapon as he'll automatically switch to the Yamato upon executing it and after it finishes.
Even though Vergil forcefully reclaims the Yamato from Nero, the latter still gains access to his Devil Trigger during Mission 20, and with it, Showdown, Maximum Bet, and his version of Summoned Swords. In addition, Showdown has Nero manifest a spectral version of the Yamato (similar to the Mirage Edge) and uses it alongside the Red Queen. He also manifests the spectral Yamato when performing Devil Busters against Empusa Queens and King Cerberus where his Bringer Claws stab it into the enemy.
Moveset[]
| Action | Cost | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamato Combo I | N/A |  ,, |
A quick 3-hit combo. |
| Yamato Combo II | N/A | ,,-,, |
Quickly slash the enemies in front of you 4 times before you slash down with great power. When using Devil Trigger, this replaces Yamato Combo I (in other words the need to pause between the second and third inputs is negated). |
| Million Stab | N/A | ,,—, (rapid) |
Quickly stab the enemy with blinding speed creating enough momentum to blast them backward. |
| High Time | N//A |  + + |
Swing the sword in an upward rising motion, bashing up enemies into the air. Continue holding to jump, and again to slash down.
|
| Air Hike |  4,000 |
 (mid-air) |
Double jump in the air. |
| Round Trip | 1,550 |
(hold and release) |
Throw the sword like a boomerang. |
| Round Trip Combo | N/A | , , (Round Trip) |
A right-left punch followed by a torso kick and kick 13. |
| Stinger | Level 1: 350; Level 2: 1400 |
+ + |
With lightning speed, plunge the sword into enemies. Level 2 plunges the sword from an even further distance. If performed near an edge, the Stinger will continue into the air and become a long jump. |
| Vortex | Level 1: 1,150; Level 2: 2,400 |
(Air Raid) |
Damage enemies with an intense spinning body attack. Level 2 keeps attacking as long as DT gauges last. |
| Air Raid | 750 |
(mid-air, Devil Trigger) |
Become airborne and be capable of performing aerial electrocution attacks. Press  / to strike electrocution.
|
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yamato Combo (閻魔刀コンボ Yamatō Konbo?, lit. "Yama Blade Combo") | ,, |
A slick three hit combo, via 2 sheath swings and a single drawing-blade slash. Vergil sheathes his sword after the combo is finished, and refills a portion of his Devil Trigger gauge if left alone as he sheathes it. |
| Aerial Rave (空中連斬 Kūchū Renzan?, lit. "Midair Chain Slash") | , (mid-air) |
An aerial attack, that can be used continuously in rapid succession. |
| Rapid Slash (疾走居合 Shissō Iai?, lit. "Dashing Quick-Draw") | ++ |
 5000Quickly charge towards an enemy, unleashing a series of iai slashes as a trail behind you along with some invincibility frames. Level 2 ( 15000) is an even more destructive version.
|
| Upper Slash (抜刀斬り上げ Battō Kiriage?, lit. "Drawing Blade Slashing Lift") | ++ |
Unsheathe your sword upwards to quickly slash an enemy, launching them into the air. Press again to follow up with a downward slice. Vergil sheathes his sword after either input, and refills a portion of his Devil Trigger gauge if left alone as he sheathes it.
|
| Judgement Cut (次元斬 Jigenzan?, lit. "Dimension Slash") | (hold),, |
10000 Unsheathe your sword with blinding speed to cut through far away enemies via a distortion of slashes. Level 2 ( 20000) repeatedly skewers an enemy up to three times, with proper timing tapping in succession per slash.
|
It is worth noting, that after executing Yamato Combo, either Upper Slash input or Force Edge Combo, if Vergil is able to successfully complete the sheathing animation, he will refill a Devil Trigger rune and a small increase to Style points as well.
Also, performing a taunt with Yamato equipped, while there are enemies around, will cause Vergil to emit a black aura after a few seconds, that will replenish his Devil Trigger gauge on its own, as long as he is unharmed and stays in the taunting stance.
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Devil Trigger |  / |
Summon the power of Yamato to unleash the devil within Nero. Depletes the D.T. Gauge. |
| Summoned Swords | / (Devil Trigger) |
Summon a magical blade and fling it towards a foe, piercing the enemy through sheer force of will. |
| Maximum Bet | +++/ + + + (Devil Trigger) |
Yamato and the Red Queen combine to blow through enemies like a powerful wind. Holding, then releasing the buttons will dramatically increase attack strength. |
| Showdown | +++/+ ++ (Devil Trigger) |
Nero himself unleashes Yamato with an omnipotent barrage of slashes. |
| Trigger Heart | Passive | While Devil Trigger is active, the depletion of the D.T. Gauge will be reduced. |
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yamato Combo S | ,,/,, |
Execute the standard 3-hit combo used by Vergil. Refills some DT energy if Dante is left alone to sheath Yamato at the end. |
| Aerial Rave V | ,/, (midair) |
Execute aerial 2-hit combo used by Vergil. |
| Slash Dimension F (Far) | ++/++ |
Dante will slash at a blinding speed while pillars of light will come out and break, damaging anything caught within the radius (long ranged) |
| Slash Dimension C (Close) | ++/++ |
Dante will slash at a blinding speed while pillars of light will come out and break, damaging anything caught within the radius (Short ranged) |
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yamato Combo A (閻魔刀連斬・壱; Yamatō Renzan: Ichi, lit. "Yama Blade Chain Slash: One") | ,,,/,,, |
Five hit Yamato combo used by Vergil the third input having 2 slashes; having Devil Trigger active adds an extra upper slash to the fourth input, and a final fifth input that unleashes a space-rending slash that breaks guards. |
| Yamato Combo B (閻魔刀連斬・弐; Yamatō Renzan: Ni, lit. "Yama Blade Chain Slash: Two") | ,, — ,/,, — , |
Send an enemy flying, then follow-up with a Summoned Sword attack via embedding one into any launched away victims; embedded Summoned Swords can explode if Vergil is left alone to sheath his blade, launching any victims. |
| Yamato Combo C (閻魔刀連斬・参; Yamatō Renzan: San, lit. "Yama Blade Chain Slash: Three") (Called Million Bolts or Renzan 3/連斬3/Chain Slash 3 in DMC: PoC) |
, — rapidly /,,, — rapidly |
Annihilate your enemy with a countless number of slashes. |
| Aerial Rave A (閻魔刀飛翔斬・壱; Yamatō Hishōzan: Ichi, lit. "Yama Blade Flying Soar Slash: One") | ,,/,, (mid-air)
|
A multiple three sword strike combo that deals devastating damage to airborne enemies. |
| Aerial Rave B (閻魔刀飛翔斬・弐; Yamatō Hishōzan: Ni, lit. "Yama Blade Flying Soar Slash: Two") | ,,—,,/,,—,, (mid-air) |
Carve up an enemy with an upwards spinning slash, then send them crashing down. |
| Judgement Cut (次元斬; Jigenzan, lit. "Dimension Slash") | Hold and release / |
Unsheathe your sword with blinding speed and unleash a whirlwind of slashes. This can be used after most Yamato skills. Increase the attack power by releasing / when the scabbard sparkles.
|
| Upper Slash (抜刀斬り上げ; Battō Kiriage, lit. "Drawing Blade Slashing Lift") | ++/++
|
Launch enemies into the air with an upward strike from Yamato. |
| Upper Slash 2 (抜刀斬り上げ2; Battō Kiriage 2, lit. "Drawing Blade Slashing Lift 2") | ++ hold /++ hold |
After launching the enemy, hold down / to follow them up into the air.
|
| Rapid Slash (疾走居合; Shissō Iai, lit. "Dashing Quick-Draw") | ++/++ |
Dash forward, relentlessly slashing everything in your path. Devil Trigger allows this move to implant a Summoned Sword into any victims hit and detonate them if left to sheath the blade like Yamato Combo B; can also be done continuously over and over while in Devil Trigger. |
| Rising Star (羅閃天翔, Rasen Tenshō, lit. "Gauze Flash Heaven Soar") | Hold / after Rapid Slash, |
A spiral cut that lifts both you and your opponent into the air. |
| Judgement Cut End (次元斬・絶; Jigenzan: Zetsu, lit. "Dimension Slash: Absolute") | +/+ |
Slash your enemies to shreds with super speed. Can only be done while in Devil Trigger with maximum concentration. |
| Action | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yamato Combo A (閻魔刀連斬・壱 Yamatō Renzan: Ichi?, lit. "Yama Blade Chain Slash: One") | On ground, PS: ,,,Xbox: ,,,PC:  ,,, |
A flurry of blows with the scabbard and a few cleaving blows with the blade. In SDT, press // to follow up with an extra devastating finishing blow that breaks guards.
|
| Yamato Combo B (閻魔刀連斬・弐 Yamatō Renzan: Ni?, lit. "Yama Blade Chain Slash: Two") | On ground, PS: ,,—,Xbox: ,,—,PC: ,,—, |
 6000Send an enemy flying, then fire a Mirage Blade that explodes when the blade is allowed to be sheathed. In SDT, you will fire more blades and can press // to follow up with an additional strike.
|
| Yamato Combo C (閻魔刀連斬・参 Yamatō Renzan: San?, lit. "Yama Blade Chain Slash: Three") (Called Million Bolts in DMC: PoC) | On ground, PS: ,,,—, repeatedlyXbox: ,,,—, repeatedlyPC: ,,,—, repeatedly |
9000 Unleash countless strikes before cleaving your target in twain. In SDT, the finishing blow will strike an even larger area. |
| Aerial Rave A (閻魔刀飛翔斬・壱 Yamatō Hishōzan: Ichi?, lit. "Yama Blade Flying Soar Slash: One") | In mid-air, PS: ,,Xbox: ,,PC: ,, |
Plummel your enemy with a relentless flurry of strikes performed in mid-air. |
| Aerial Rave B (閻魔刀飛翔斬・弐 Yamatō Hishōzan: Ni?, lit. "Yama Blade Flying Soar Slash: Two") | In mid-air, PS: ,,—,,Xbox: ,,—,,PC: ,,—,, |
7500 Carve up an enemy with a spinning aerial combo, then send them crashing down with a mighty blow. |
| Judgement Cut (次元斬 Jigenzan?, lit. "Dimension Slash") | PS: Hold and release Xbox: Hold and release PC: Hold and release |
Unsheathe your sword with blinding speed and unleash a whirlwind of slashes. This can be used after most Yamato skills. Increase the attack power by releasing // when the scabbard sparkles. In SDT, this attack can hit up to 3 enemies at once. |
| Rapid Slash (疾走居合 Shissō Iai?, lit. "Dashing Quick-Draw") | On ground, PS: ++Xbox: ++PC:  + + |
1200 Dash forward, relentlessly slashing everything in your path. In SDT, finish the attack with a single Mirage Blade that explodes for additional damage when the sword is sheathed. This move can be performed multiple times in succession. |
| Rising Star (羅閃天翔 Rasen Tenshō?, lit. "Gauze Flash Heaven Soar") | After Rapid Slash, PS: Hold Xbox: Hold PC: Hold until attack connects |
9000 Ascend while attacking enemies around you, lifting them off the ground. |
| Upper Slash (抜刀斬り上げ Battō Kiriage?, lit. "Drawing Blade Slashing Lift") | On ground, PS: ++Xbox: ++PC: + + |
Launch enemies into the air with an upwards strike from Yamato. In SDT, his sword hits twice and for more damage. |
| Upper Slash (抜刀斬り上げ2 Battō Kiriage 2?, lit. "Drawing Blade Slashing Lift 2") | On ground, PS: ++ hold Xbox: ++ hold PC: ++ hold |
4000 Press and hold // to launch, and then follow, an enemy skyward.
|
| Aerial Cleave (閻魔刀墜撃斬 Yamatō Tsuigekizan?, lit. "Yama Blade Crash Attack Slash") | In mid-air, PS: ++Xbox: ++PC: ++ |
5500 Gather your strength before descending on your target in a merciless falling attack, bouncing them off the ground when it connects. When done near an airborne enemy, the initial portion inflicts initial hitstun upon an enemy before the falling slash starts. |
| Void Slash (時空裂閃 Jikū Ressen?, lit. "Time-Space Rending Flash") | On ground, PS: + to +Xbox: + to +PC: + to + |
25000 Slash at the area before you with tremendous speed, cleaving the air itself and drawing enemies toward you. Can also break guards. |
| Judgement Cut End (次元斬・絶 Jigenzan: Zetsu?, lit. "Dimension Slash: Absolute") | In SDT or while SDT Gauge is MAX, with Concentration at level 2, PS: +++Xbox: +++PC: +++ |
35000 Slash your foes with such speed that you appear at multiple places at once. Consumes SDT Gauge when performed. |
Background[]
The Yamato's Japanese name is written as "Enma Katana" (閻魔刀 Enmatō?), referring to the Japanese name for the Hindu and Buddhist judge of the afterlife, "Yama". This means that the Devil Arm's name can be idiomatically formatted as "Yamatō/Yamatou"; though solely in Devil May Cry 5's Japanese script however, the name's furigana is rendered as ヤマト (Yamato) in katakana.
The term "Yamato" (大和?) itself is a Japanese term originally used to refer to the Yamato Province of Japan. It was eventually extended to the entire nation of Japan, and is now used to refer to the unified people and traditional nationalistic spirit of Japan. As such, it symbolizes Vergil's aesthetic and commitment to tradition and his supernatural heritage, to complement Dante's retaliatory attitude symbolized by the Rebellion.
In keeping with Nero's theme of attacks being named with gambling terminology, his Devil Trigger attacks performed with the Yamato, "Maximum Bet" and "Showdown", are also gambling terms.
Despite the series having characters pronouncing the name as "Yamah-doh", the correct pronunciation would be closer to "Yah-mah-toe".
Appearances in Other Media[]
Last Cloudia[]
The Yamato appears in Last Cloudia, and can only be wielded by Vergil.
Trivia[]
- In some cutscenes, the damage caused by Yamato generally does not become apparent until the sword is sheathed, in reference to a Kamaitachi. Sheathing the sword is not a requirement to deal damage during gameplay, though doing so does fill the Devil Trigger, and in Devil May Cry 4 onwards, detonate any Summoned Swords that are latched into enemies such as from Yamato Combo B, damaging and launching them.
- In Devil May Cry 4, Dante is shown with both Yamato and its scabbard as he destroys the Hell Gate, despite the scabbard being previously absent. When Dante returns Yamato to Nero, the scabbard is absent until Nero offers to return it. The scabbard in this game also lacks the sageo present in other appearances.
See also[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Combat Adjudicator — Yamato: "I am the combat adjudicator. Only a dark-forged blade can move me."
- ↑ Devil May Cry, Devil Arms — 閻魔刀: Yamato: "It's the legendary sword wielded by Sparda. It is said that it has the will and the power to divide and wipe out the darkness."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 5, Documents — The Legend of Sparda: "'The Dark Knight Sparda split his power in three parts. One blade bore his own name; the second blade was named to embody retaliation; the final blade was named to embody a god of death.'"
- ↑ Devil May Cry 5, Weapon Reports — Rebellion: "The sword left to Dante by his legendary demon daddy, the Dark Knight Sparda. I've been slacking off on my devil sword studies, so I can't say much, but it ain't no normal weapon, that's for sure. I mean, that Yamato sword you had ganked from you has the power to separate man from demon, right? I bet this sword has some crazy powers of its own, too. But as things stand, I can't quite figure out what they might be."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 5, Dante: "The demonic power was activated in me once when Vergil lovingly jammed this through my chest. I always wondered...Why did my father give me the Rebellion?" / "Over the years, I've been stabbed and jabbed by a number of things. But who would've ever guessed..." / "If the Yamato can separate man from devil...Then what about the Rebellion?"
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3 Code: 1 — Dante, Vergil's Weapons File — Yamato: "Sharper than a Japanese sword. It is his aesthetic that compels him to never use guns."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 4, Nero's Arms File — Yamato: "A sword imbued with tremendous magic, it unleashes the latent power within Nero."
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Devil Arms File — Yamato: "A memento from Vergil’s father. This samurai-esque sword’s blade is said to cut through anything."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 4, Dante's Arms File — Yamato: "A katana used by Dante’s brother, it is both the key to opening the Hell Gates, and to their very destruction."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Style File — Dark Slayer: "A warrior fallen from grace. The power of darkness gives birth to new weapons and skills."
- ↑ Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Customize — Style: "Allows player to avoid enemy attacks using special evasive movements."