Masamune (Final Fantasy VII)

The Masamune (正宗 Masamune, マサムネ Masamune, True Principle) is the weapon of choice for the villain Sephiroth in his various appearances in the Final Fantasy series and the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.

An iconic weapon in the series, the Masamune is easily recognizable due to its massive length as a Japanese Nodachi blade. The design and colour of the Tsuba (guard) and Tsuka (hilt) have varied from appearance to appearance, alternating between being blue and gold and entirely black. The exact length of the blade also varies; usually measuring at least as long as Sephiroth is tall or slightly longer, which would make it approximately six-to-eight feet long.

Final Fantasy VII
Said to be the only one capable of effectively using it, Sephiroth wields the Masamune sword as his personal weapon in Final Fantasy VII, however its exact origins are never stated. During the Nibelheim Incident Tifa Lockhart momentarily, and unsuccessfully, wields Sephiroth's Masamune against him.

While initially a physical blade, after his transferance into the Lifestream with Jenova, Sephiroth is shown to be able to manifest multiple copies of the blade at will as he leaves the sword impaled in several victims throughout the game and yet still has it whenever he is encountered.

During the brief time Sephiroth is in the player's party, the Masamune is shown to possess six Materia slots in three linked pairs, zero Materia growth, a 255 Hit rate and 99 Attack power. It also has a 100% critical hit rate.

A replica of the Masamune can be acquired as an item in the Speed Square of the Gold Saucer, however it simply serves as a bonus item and is unequipable by any member in the party.

Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII
Note that this rendition of the blade possesses a gold tsuba and blue tsuka.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
In Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Sephiroth manifests the Masamune into his hand apon his transformation from Kadaj. Wielding the blade once again against Cloud Strife and the hero's new Fusion Swords, he demonstrates the blade's power by easily slicing through several metal structures, pillars and concrete wreckage before impaling Cloud and holding him in the air, mimicking how he did the same during the Nibelheim Inciden. Sephiroth is eventually bested by the new Omnislash Version 5 Limit Break, which utilized the multiple Fusion Swords in one successive attack.

Dissidia Final Fantasy
The Masamune appears again as Sephiroth's weapon of choice. The Masamune also appears as an equippable weapon exclusive to him. The Masamune gives 64 ATK, increases all damage by 10%, and can be equipped at Level 95.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
The Masamune is still used by Sephiroth as his primary weapon and is also one of the eight weapons used by Gilgamesh, albeit with a slightly shorter blade.

Non-specific appearances
Since the Masamune is Sephiroth's icon weapon, the non-specific appearance of this blade is directly related with the appearance of Sephiroth in other games, like Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special and the Final Fantasy Anthology.

Kingdom Hearts Series
In Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II, the One-Winged Angel Keyblade is modeled after Sephiroth's Masamune.

Creation and Development
The Masamune is named after the legendary Japanese blacksmith,. According to legend, Masamune's weapons posses marks of an internally peaceful and calm warrior, while those of his rival, Muramasa, posses the traits of a restless and destructive warrior.

Gallery

 * File:Dissidia012-Masamune.png|The Masamune in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy

Merchandise/Replicas

 * Sephiroth's Play Arts Action Figures each come with a Masamune.