| Kureha | |
|---|---|
| |
| Race | Dragon Lineage |
| Nationality |  |
| Gender | Female |
| Relatives | Momiji (younger sister) |
| Professional Status | |
| Affiliation | Hayabusa Ninja Clan (formerly) |
| Occupation | Guardian Spirit |
| Previous Occupation | Dragon Shrine Maiden (formerly) |
| First Appearance | |
| Debut | Ninja Gaiden |
| Voices | |
Kureha (呉葉?) was the first Dragon Shrine Maiden of the Hayabusa Ninja Clan, sworn to protect the Eye of the Dragon. She was Momiji's elder sister and a childhood friend to Ryu Hayabusa. She was murdered by Doku in the burning Hayabusa village.
History[]
Kureha shortly before her demise.
As children, Kureha and Ryu were almost inseparable. When they grew to adulthood, though, Ryu walked the path of the shinobi while Kureha became a shrine guardian. As guardian of the Dragon Lineage Shrine, she was charged with the protection of the Eye of the Dragon. Doku was the one responsible for her demise and burned the Hayabusa village.
Plot[]
Ninja Gaiden Sigma[]
When Doku attacked the village, she was killed trying to prevent the theft of the Dark Dragon Blade. This help spur on Ryu's quest for vengeance. It was at her grave that Ryu obtained the Eye of the Dragon, and where he later returned it to.
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword[]
Six months later, Kureha would return to the world as a benevolent spirit, lending her assistance to Ryu and her sister Momiji in the second battle against the fiends of Hell and the reborn Dark Dragon.
Personality[]
In life Kureha was a benevolent and gentle Dragon Maiden and a dear friend to Ryu, and was greatly loved by everyone in the village, an affection she returned. Kureha was also faithful to her duties as Guardian of the Dragon's Eye Gem, and knew of the secret of the Dragon Sword even more so than Ryu; as demonstrated when she tried to give it to him during the tragic Dark Dragon Blade Incident that claimed her life, trying to save the Dragon Bloodline from extinction. Even in death, her will was done when Muramasa revealed the secret to Ryu in her place.
Six months after she'd make an appearance in Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, saving Ryu's life when he was overwhelmed by Ishtaros's power by summoning the Eye of the Dragon from within her beloved little sister. Kureha continues to protect the Dragon Clan even as a disembodied spirit, her gentle and powerful soul being elevated to sainthood by the Dragon Clan.
Etymology[]
- The name Kureha means "give, do something for" (呉) (kure) and "leaf, plane, lobe, needle, blade, spear, counter for flat things, fragment, piece" (葉) (ha).
Trivia[]
Kureha in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
- In Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black, Kureha does not appear in-game, but rather is only seen in a pre-rendered movie. In Ninja Gaiden Sigma, this pre-rendered movie is not used and she has an in-game model depicting her death.
- At the end of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, during the ending credits, there is a small clip of Kureha sweeping a bridge, and smiling at a bird landing on her finger.
- In Ninja Gaiden the Eye of the Dragon was placed on her grave, and Ryu took it to be able to defeat The Vigoor Emperor when he revisited the Hayabusa Village.
- At the end of Ninja Gaiden, there is a small quiet movie of Ryu returning the Eye of the Dragon back to her grave.
- In Ninja Gaiden II and 3, Kureha's grave is moved roughly one metre, but her gravestone has become much more extravagant.
- In Ninja Gaiden 3, it is Kureha's grave that Ryu is praying at when he returns to the village.
Gallery[]
