Masamune (weapon)

The Masamune is a weapon that appears in various games in the Final Fantasy series. It is usually one of the most powerful Katanas in the games it appears in. The Masamune is named after the most famous Japanese swordsmith, Masamune Okazaki, the infamous greatest swordsmith of Japan. It is often related to the Murasame, though always the better of the two. According to legend, Masamunes are marks of an internal peaceful and calm warrior, the exact opposite of Murasames.

Final Fantasy
The Masamune is the mightiest sword in the original version of the game, and it is the only weapon that can be used by all classes. It is found on the air floor of the last dungeon.

Final Fantasy II
Found in a secret room in the last dungeon, Pandemonium, the Masamune is the most powerful sword in the game.

Final Fantasy III
The Masamune appeared in Eureka in FFIII, wherein it was the strongest regular dark-elemental sword.

Final Fantasy IV
The Masamune is Edge's ultimate weapon in this game. It is acquired by defeating the Ogopogo in the Lunar Subterrane. It has a sister sword named the Murasame. However, in the Game Boy Advance port, stronger swords can be obtained.

Final Fantasy V
The Masamune is one of the legendary Sealed Weapons that is acquired in Kuza Castle. It is the sealed katana, and its user always goes first in battle.

Final Fantasy VI
Due to the creative translations of Ted Woolsey, the Masamune was renamed the Aura in this game. Although it is used by Cyan Garamonde, it is not his ultimate weapon, and several Masamunes can be obtained. It is automatically equipped on him after defeating Wrexsoul in Cyan's Soul.

Final Fantasy VII
The Masamune cannot be equipped in this game. It is the sword wielded by Sephiroth. A fake can be acquired as an item in the Speed Square of the Gold Saucer although it does nothing. In this game, it is a Nodachi, a longer version of the Japanese Katana.

Final Fantasy VIII
The Masamune cannot be equipped in this game. It is one of the weapons used by Gilgamesh when he is summoned into battle.

Final Fantasy IX
The Masamune is a Polearm that can be equipped by Zidane. It is Synthesized in the Black Mage Village after returning from Terra. However, it is not his ultimate weapon.

Final Fantasy X
The Masamune is Auron's Celestial Weapon. It is found in Mushroom Rock, and requires the Mars Crest and Mars Sigil to activate.

Final Fantasy X-2
Auron's Celestial Weapon reappears in FFX-2 as the weapon wielded by Rikku when she is wearing the Dark Knight Dressphere.

Final Fantasy XII
The Masamune is the ultimate Katana. It is found by defeating Gilgamesh, then talking to Montblanc. He'll give you the Masamune as a reward. However, to equip it, a character must have obtained the "Masamune" license. Another Masamune can be obtained via the Bazaar.

Final Fantasy Tactics
The Masamune is once again wielded by one of the game's antagonists, this time Marquis Messam Elmdore. It may also be thrown by high-level Ninjas.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
The Masamune is a standard weapon wielded by Ninjas and Assassins. It teaches Oblivion to both classes. A more powerful version of the Masamune called a Masamune 100 is available after completion of the storyline. It does not teach any skill.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
The Masamune is an artifact that raises Strength by 5, making it one of the most powerful Strength-boosting artifacts. It can be obtained by defeating the Iron Giant in cycle 3 or later.

Non-Final Fantasy Appearances
Although the Masamune is a weapon in the Final Fantasy series, it is arguably more notable as a broadsword in the Chrono series, in which it contributes a major part to the story. Ironically, the Masamune in Chrono Trigger was not intended to be the Masamune, and was called the Grandleon in the Japanese version.

Chrono Trigger
The Masamune is a sword used by Frog, and it is said to be a legendary weapon capable of defeating Magus. It was forged in 12,000 BC by the swordsmith Melchior out of Dreamstone, and was dubbed the Ruby Knife. However, after the Ocean Palace disaster, it was transformed into the Masamune, and was named after its caretakers, Masa and Mune. However, the sword was broken. Crono, Marle, and Lucca came across the broken sword, and had it repaired. Frog wielded it and used it to defeat Magus. The sword's power grew more powerful after Frog visited his mentor, Cyrus' grave.

Chrono Cross
After the events in Chrono Trigger, the sword was stolen and became possessed by an evil spirit. Those who wielded it became possessed as well. Radius used the sword to kill his mentor Garai, and Karsh used it to kill Dario. It was later seen at the entrance to the Dead Sea. Only the Einlanzer could break its seal temporarily, but only when a new master, Serge, overpowered it could it be free of evil forever. It was reborn as the Mastermune, and became a weapon for Serge.

Final Fantasy Legend II (SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu)
The Masamune is a MAGI. When used in battle, it hits for roughly 500 damage and ignores Defense.

Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2)
The Masamune is the Level Six incarnation of the Mana Sword.