Anubis (Ronin Warriors)

Anubis, the Dark Warlord of Cruelty (known as nihongo|Oni Mashou Shutendouji|鬼魔将・朱天童子|Ogre Demon General Shutendouji in the original Japanese) is a fictional character in the TV anime/manga series "Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers" (鎧伝サムライトルーパー) (Ronin Warriors). He is voiced by Kiyoyuki Yanada (Paul Dobson in the English dub).

Anubis' Japanese name, Shutendōji, is a reference to a demon from Japanese folklore, notable for hating beans (as did the YST version of the character).

History and Series Involvement

Anubis is the former leader of the four Dark Warlords and was by far the most arrogant. His armor, which represents Spring, is infused with the virtue Chuu (Loyalty), and his weapon is a "kusari-gama" (sickle and chain). His surekill is "Quake With Fear" (called "Ko Rai Sen" (Red Lightning Flash) in the original Japanese). For the attack he sends his chain into the ground, which then bursts out in the form of several chains.

Before he was one of the Dark Warlords, Anubis--then called Koma Toshitada ("Toshitada Koma", to use the original Japanese order) --was a warrior in ancient Japan.He explained his reasons for joining with Talpa in Episode 30 ("Talpa Turns the Tide"):

"400 years ago, I was a warrior in my small village. During that time, I was a restless young man. I had great ambitions, though. I was going to be the greatest warrior the world had ever seen. I was determined to bring honor to myself and to my family, but my successes were never enough. I was impatient... greedy. The more power I won, the more power I wanted. Honor was no longer important to me... power was. Talpa came at a time when I was ripe for his dark promises. I was so wild, so easily seduced into Talpa's Dark Nether World."

In episode 15 ("The Ancient's Battle"), the Ancient One helped Anubis see that Talpa was merely using him as a tool; the Warlord subsequently tried to escape in episode 17 ("The Legend of the Armor"), but ultimately failed and was absorbed into Talpa during the showdown between the demon and Ronin Warriors.

After Talpa was first defeated by the hands of the Ronins, Anubis was presumed dead, but he reappeared in episode 29 ("Lady Kayura and the Dark Realm") wearing the Ancient One's clothing. Although no one trusted him at first, he continued to aid the Ronins in their fight against the revived Talpa, earning their confidence. He managed to send Ryo Sanada and Rowen Hashiba to the Nether Realm at their request at the close of episode 30 ("Anubis is Reborn"), and in episode 33 ("In Search of Secret Treasures") helped Mia Koji and Jun Yamano (Yuli) find the Jewel of Life

He, Mia, and Yuli ventured to the Nether Realm in Episode 34 ("Strata's Defiant Stand") to assist Ryo and Rowen in their rescue attempt for the others. It was then that first he came into contact with Lady Kayura. In the subsequent battle in Episode 35 ("The Warriors Return"), he broke the amulet that Talpa used to control her. It was later revealed that she was the last living member of the Ancient Clan, and had been under Talpa's control ever since being kidnapped by his forces. This led Anubis to think of her not as an enemy, but as an innocent soul in need of his help.

Later, struggling in a battle in Episode 38 ("Lady Evil Sees the Light"), Anubis called forth his armor at the Ancient One's will one last time to fight his fellow Warlords and a possessed Lady Kayura. It was during this final clash between Anubis and Kayura that Anubis absorbed Kayura's Star-Sword Scream attack and used all of his energy to drive the evil spirit Badamon from her body, also allowing her to inherit his armor and the Ancient's staff. Anubis, having fulfilled his duties, then collapsed into a river, dead.

ee also

*Ronin Warriors