Izoku Kaga

Izoku Kaga is one of the characters of the game Ari no Tsurugi and protagonist of the game Ari no Tsurugi II

Izoku-1-.jpgal Information
Appearances: Ari no Tsurugi (Extra character), Ari no Tsurugi II (Main character)

Occupation: Monk/Savior of the World/Mentor

Weapon: Claws

Party Role: Main damage dealer

Izoku is one of the more important characters to the series, having major roles in both games, a position only matched by the witch Masako. In the first game he saves the party from an unwinnable battle, and later acts as a fourth party member when the fight is taken to The Red Queen.

In the second game he is the main character, who at first stands against the Microverse but later faces the much larger threat of the Macroverse. In either game his strength and will are unparalleled, having great self control and sense of justice. Also important is his relationship with Ayuka, that drives him to survive a shrunken state for 12 years and push his limits to contact her.

Ari no Tsurugi
Izoku has long dark brown hair and a beard, caused by his near constant need to seek shelter against the larger threats of the world. His brown eyes are full of both determination and weariness. The 12 long years have not only honed his strength and muscles to massive proportions, they have also worn down his confidence at ever being found. Now his life is dedicated to helping victims of Masako and finding a way to put an end to the Red Queen and the Microverse. His clothing is cobbled together from what ever materials he can find, his old clothing long since outgrown and worn away.

Ari no Tsurugi II
Back when he was younger, Izoku's hair was a much lighter shade of brown, caused by his near constant outdoor training. His eyes are still brown, but now lack the dullness caused by 12 years of little success. He goes shirtless, both to keep his movements unimpeded in battle and as a suggestion from fellow student and girlfriend Ayuka. While not as physically large as his future self (when shrunken that is), Izoku still ripples with muscles, and his entire form is brimming with energy and rightful confidence.



Ari no Tsurugi
Jigoku Raijin (Medium damage, All targets)

Meditation (Recover MP, Self)

Dynamo Punch (Medium damage and stun, One target)

Body Slam (Medium damage and paralysis, One target)

Chakra (Cures darkness and confusion, One target)

Finisher (Heavy damage, One target)

Supreme Focus (Raises all stats, Self)

Limit Break: Chou Jigoku Raijin (Heavy damage, All targets)

Combo: Gamma Buster (700% Damage, One target, Requires all party members)

Ari no Tsurugi II
Sweep Kick (Medium damage and stun, One target)

Wolf Attack (Medium wind damage, One target)

Puma Attack (Medium earth damage, One target)

Ravens Claw (Medium darkness damage, All targets)

White Serpent (Medium holy damage, All targets)

Dynamo Punch (Medium damage and stun, One target)

Body Slam (Medium damage and paralysis, One target)

Finisher (Heavy damage, One target)

Meditation (Restores MP, Self)

Chakra (Cures darkness and confusion, One target)

Limit Break: Jigoku Raijin (High damage, All targets, later at will attack)

Limit Break: Chou Jigoku Raijin (Heavy Damage, All targets)

Limit Break: Supreme Focus (Raises all stats, immunity to stat-downs, Persists through death, Self)

In-Game Analysis
In Ari no Tsurugi, Izoku is a solid character, dealing fairly high straight damage and great against bosses when fully leveled/upgraded. Of note is that Izoku first joins you at lvl 32 when the party is lvl 12-14. This alongside Izoku's abilities to hit all enemies (Jigoku Raijin), and recovering his own MP for free (Meditation) make Izoku perfect for grinding up the party for the under leveled or power gamer. Later on he falls from grace as the party matches/surpasses him in lvl but he never becomes useless, mearly average. Izoku is better at boss fights after level 40, when he learns Finisher. This move only hits one target, but does so for very high damage.

In Ari no Tsurugi II Izoku is simply the best character in the party by far. He has the highest AGI, highest damage potential, highest HP, single target nukes, multi-target attacks, huge status inflicting potential and the best self-buff in the game. The only thing he is missing is healing capabilities. The single target nukes are great for boss fights, the multi-target attacks are viable for grinding, and then there are his weapons. Izoku not only dual wields his claws, meaning his best single damage option for the early to mid game is his regular attack, but most of his weapons have chances to inflict status aliments. Since the chance to pop occurs on either hit, it is very common for regular enemies to be hit by one or both statuses. As for his limit breaks, Jigoku Raijin and Chou Jigoku Raijin are great at helping clear random encounters, while Supreme Focus is one of the best abilities in the game. It not only raises every stat, it makes Izoku immune to any stat-down effects and remains even after death. This means Izoku goes first every turn, takes less damage and hits the hardest out of anyone outside Limit Breaks.