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The Yamato is Vergil's trademark dark-forged katana appearing in Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 3, Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5. It is a legendary sword 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[]

Image00134

Yamato's concept in Devil May Cry 5.

The Yamato is a katana, arguably of ōkatana-esque length; not long enough to be considered a nōdachi, nor curved enough to be considered a tachi. The exact details of how it looks change throughout the series.

In the first Devil May Cry, the tsuka (柄, tsuka? lit. "handle/grip") has the traditional gold wrapping, with black ornaments, and the tsuba (鍔, tsuba? 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[]

That sword was used to separate our world from the demons.
—Dante, Devil May Cry 4
DMC5 cloaked figure opens a portal with Yamato

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 far away opponents. Dante and Vergil demonstrate Yamato's ability to cut far away 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 as the hands of Agnus' 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, remained 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. 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 both Dante and 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 most of 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[]

Main article: 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 the Iaido technique, 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 both the scabbard and the blade in the Iaido style. When the Force Edge is equipped, Vergil fights with the Force Edge in place of the Yamato's scabbard. For Vergil's "Corrupt Vergil" or "Super Corrupt Vergil" costumes, Yamato transforms into Nelo Angelo's zweihänder when in Devil Trigger.

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 the Iaido technique, 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.

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 several new attacks lifted from his DmC counterpart into his moveset, including Crosscut becoming his primary combo with Yamato, though the full animation can only be seen in Devil Trigger, replacing the original Aerial Rave from DMC3SE for his counterpart's while gaining Orbit as his second version of the technique and Rising Star as a launcher stringed from his Rapid Slash. He also gains "Judgement Cut End" as a super move accessible when his Concentration Gauge is maxed out and he's in Devil Trigger.

Devil May Cry 5[]

Vergil returns wielding Yamato again in Special Edition of Devil May Cry 5. The gameplay is largely similar to its Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition incarnation, but Vergil also gains two new moves with it: Aerial Cleave, an equivalent of Helm Breaker, and Void Slash, a large circular attack that briefly suspends foes in time and slows them down, leaving them open for attacks. Yamato also gains increased attack range as concentration gauge increases.

Moveset[]

Devil May Cry – Sparda
Action Cost Command Description
Yamato Combo I N/A Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle A quick 3-hit combo.
Yamato Combo II N/A Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle,-,Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle 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 Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle,—,Button ps4 circle (rapid) Quickly stab the enemy with blinding speed creating enough momentum to blast them backward.
High Time N//A Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+Button ps4 circle Swing the sword in an upward rising motion, bashing up enemies into the air. Continue holding Button ps4 circle to jump, and Button ps4 circle again to slash down.
Air Hike DMC1 Red Orb4,000 Button ps4 triangle (mid-air) Double jump in the air.
Round Trip DMC1 Red Orb1,550 Button ps4 circle (hold and release) Throw the sword like a boomerang.
Round Trip Combo N/A Button ps4 circle, Button ps4 circle, Button ps4 circle Button ps4 circle (Round Trip) A right-left punch followed by a torso kick and kick 13.
Stinger Level 1: DMC1 Red Orb350; Level 2: DMC1 Red Orb1400 Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 circle 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: DMC1 Red Orb1,150; Level 2: DMC1 Red Orb2,400 Button ps4 circle (Air Raid) Damage enemies with an intense spinning body attack. Level 2 keeps attacking as long as DT gauges last.
Air Raid DMC1 Red Orb750 Button ps4 r1 (mid-air, Devil Trigger) Become airborne and be capable of performing aerial electrocution attacks. Press Button ps4 cross/Button ps4 square to strike electrocution.

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition – Vergil
Action Command Description
Yamato Combo Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle A slick three hit combo. Vergil sheaths his sword after the combo is finished.
Aerial Rave Button ps4 triangle (mid-air) An aerial attack, that can be used continuously in rapid succession.
Rapid Slash Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 triangle DMC3 Red Orb5000
Quickly charge towards an enemy, thrusting your sword deep into them.
Level 2 (DMC3 Red Orb15000) is an even more destructive version.
Upper Slash Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+Button ps4 triangle Unsheathe your sword then quickly slash an enemy, launching them into the air. Press Button ps4 triangle again to follow up with a downward slice.
Judgement Cut Button ps4 triangle (hold),Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle DMC3 Red Orb10000
Unsheathe your sword with blinding speed to cut through far away enemies.
Level 2 (DMC3 Red Orb20000) repeatedly skewers an enemy up to three times, with proper timing.

It is worth noting, that after executing Yamato Combo, Upper Slash or Force Edge Combo, if Vergil is able to successfully complete the sheathing animation, he will gain a Devil Trigger Orb 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.

Devil May Cry 4 – Nero
Action Command Description
Devil Trigger Button ps4 l1/Button xbone lb Summon the power of Yamato to unleash the devil within Nero. Depletes the D.T. Gauge.
Summoned Swords Button ps4 square/Button xbone x (Devil Trigger) Summon a magical blade and fling it towards a foe, piercing the enemy through sheer force of will.
Maximum Bet Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+Button ps4 triangle+Button ps4 circle/Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down+Button xbone y+Button xbone b (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 Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 triangle+Button ps4 circle/Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-up+Button xbone y+Button xbone b (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.

Devil May Cry 4 – Dante
Action Command Description
Yamato Combo S Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle/Button xbone b,Button xbone b,Button xbone b Execute the standard 3-hit combo used by Vergil.
Aerial Rave V Button ps4 circle,Button ps4 circle/Button xbone b,Button xbone b (midair) Execute aerial 2-hit combo used by Vergil.
Slash Dimension F (Far) Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 circle/Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-up+Button xbone b 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) Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+Button ps4 circle/Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down+Button xbone b Dante will slash at a blinding speed while pillars of light will come out and break, damaging anything caught within the radius (Short ranged)

Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition – Vergil
Action Command Description
Yamato Combo A Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y Four hit Yamato combo used by Vergil
Yamato Combo B Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle, — ,Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y,Button xbone y, — ,Button xbone y Send an enemy flying, then follow-up a Summoned Sword attack.
Yamato Combo C Button ps4 triangleButton ps4 triangleButton ps4 triangle, — rapidly Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y, — rapidly Button xbone y Annihilate your enemy with a countless number of slashes.
Aerial Rave A Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y (mid-air) A multiple sword strike combo that deals devastating damage to airborne enemies.
Aerial Rave B Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,—,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y,Button xbone y,—,Button xbone y,Button xbone y (mid-air) Carve up an enemy with a spinning slash, then send them crashing down.
Judgement Cut Hold and release Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y 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 Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y when the scabbard sparkles.
Upper Slash Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down+Button xbone y Launch enemies into the air with an upward strike from Yamato.
Upper Slash 2 Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+ hold Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down+ hold Button xbone y After launching the enemy, hold down Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y to follow them up into the air.
Rapid Slash Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-up+Button xbone y Dash forward, relentlessly slashing everything in your path.
Rising Star Hold Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y after Rapid Slash, A spiral cut that lifts both you and your opponent into the air.
Judgement Cut End Button ps4 circle+Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone b+Button xbone y Slash your enemies to shreds with super speed. Can only be done while in Devil Trigger with maximum concentration.

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition – Vergil
Action Command Description
Yamato Combo A On ground,
PS: Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y
PC: Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1
A flurry of blows with the scabbard and a cleaving blow with the blade.
In SDT, press Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y/Pc lclick1 to follow up with a devastating finishing blow.
Yamato Combo B On ground,
PS: Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,—,Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone y,Button xbone y,—,Button xbone y
PC: Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1,—,Pc lclick1
DMC5 Red Orb6000
Send an enemy flying, then fire a Mirage Blade that explodes when the blade is sheathed.
In SDT, you will fire more blades and can press Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y/Pc lclick1 to follow up with an additional strike.
Yamato Combo C On ground,
PS: Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,—,Button ps4 triangle repeatedly
Xbox: Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y,—,Button xbone y repeatedly
PC: Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1,—,Pc lclick1 repeatedly
DMC5 Red Orb9000
Unleash countless strikes before cleaving your target in twain.
In SDT, the finishing blow will strike an even larger area.
Aerial Rave A In mid-air,
PS: Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone y,Button xbone y,Button xbone y
PC: Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1
Plummel your enemy with a relentless flurry of strikes performed in mid-air.
Aerial Rave B In mid-air,
PS: Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle,—,Button ps4 triangle,Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone y,Button xbone y,—,Button xbone y,Button xbone y
PC: Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1,—,Pc lclick1,Pc lclick1
DMC5 Red Orb7500
Carve up an enemy with a spinning aerial combo, then send them crashing down with a mighty blow.
Judgement Cut PS: Hold and release Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Hold and release Button xbone y
PC: Hold and release Pc lclick1
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 Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y/Pc lclick1 when the scabbard sparkles.
In SDT, this attack can hit up to 3 enemies at once.
Rapid Slash On ground,
PS: Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-up+Button xbone y
PC: Pc shift1+Pc up1+Pc lclick1
DMC5 Red Orb1200
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 After Rapid Slash,
PS: Hold Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Hold Button xbone y
PC: Hold Pc lclick1
until attack connects
DMC5 Red Orb9000
Ascend while attacking enemies around you, lifting them off the ground.
Upper Slash On ground,
PS: Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down+Button xbone y
PC: Pc shift1+Pc down1+Pc lclick1
Launch enemies into the air with an upwards strike from Yamato.
In SDT, his sword hits twice and for more damage.
Upper Slash 2 On ground,
PS: Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+ hold Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down+ hold Button xbone y
PC: Pc shift1+Pc down1+ hold Pc lclick1
DMC5 Red Orb4000
Press and hold Button ps4 triangle/Button xbone y/Pc lclick1 to launch, and then follow, an enemy skyward.
Aerial Cleave In mid-air,
PS: Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down+Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down+Button xbone y
PC: Pc shift1+Pc down1+Pc lclick1
DMC5 Red Orb5500
Gather your strength before descending on your target in a merciless falling attack.
Void Slash On ground,
PS: Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-down to Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 triangle
Xbox: Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-down to Button xbone ls-up+Button xbone y
PC: Pc shift1+Pc down1 to Pc up1+Pc lclick1
DMC5 Red Orb25000
Slash at the area before you with tremendous speed, cleaving the air itself and drawing enemies toward you.
Judgement Cut End In SDT or while SDT Gauge is MAX,
with Concentration at level 2,
PS: Button ps4 r1+Button ps4 ls-up+Button ps4 triangle+Button ps4 circle
Xbox: Button xbone rb+Button xbone ls-up+Button xbone y+Button xbone b
PC: Pc shift1+Pc up1+Pc lclick1+Pc mclick1
DMC5 Red Orb35000
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 read as "Yamatō".

“Yama” is the IAST of Sanskrit “ यम ”, the name of a Buddhist and Hindu god whose existence dates can be traced to around 2000 BC. He is the ruler of the dead, believed to have the function of death, also in charge of justice and law. He gives judgment and punishment to sinners in hell, and it is also said that He represents time and fate. In addition to this, Yama also means twin or a pair in Sanskrit. Also "to" (tō) is the Japanese word for knife (刀) and it is synonymous with "Katana". Yamato can therefore be seen as "a Katana in the name of Yama".

The term "Yamato" (大和, "Yamato"?) 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.

  1. Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Combat Adjudicator — Yamato: "I am the combat adjudicator. Only a dark-forged blade can move me."
  2. 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."
  3. 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.'"
  4. 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."
  5. 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?"
  6. 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."
  7. Devil May Cry 4, Nero's Arms File — Yamato: "A sword imbued with tremendous magic, it unleashes the latent power within Nero."
  8. 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."
  9. 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."
  10. 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."
  11. Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Customize — Style: "Allows player to avoid enemy attacks using special evasive movements."
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