* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Devil May Cry
デビルメイクライ
A Capcom action game series debuting in 2001, iconic for protagonist Dante's greatsword Rebellion contrasted with his rival Vergil's katana, Yamato.
Description
Overview
Devil May Cry is an action game series from Capcom, whose first installment was released in 2001. Hideki Kamiya served as director. The series became popular for its stylish action, in which Dante, a protagonist who is half demon and half human, hunts demons. Numerous sequels and spin-offs have since been released, and the series has recorded worldwide cumulative sales, making it one of Capcom's flagship titles.
Story Overview and Connection to Swords
Dante is the protagonist, a half-demon, half-human whose father is the demon knight Sparda, and he makes his living hunting demons. Throughout the story, his rivalry with his twin brother Vergil forms the central thread, and the contrast between their weapons is depicted symbolically. The greatsword Rebellion, wielded by Dante, is given the meaning of a sword that resolves conflict through force, "fusing" humans and demons. The katana Yamato, wielded by Vergil, is given the opposite meaning as a sword that cuts open dimensions and "separates" humans from demons.
Swords Appearing in the Series
Rebellion, Yamato, and "Sparda," the demon sword of Dante's father Sparda, are all fictional weapons original to the game and not real swords. Yamato's name and design were adopted with a strong awareness of the Japanese sword (uchigatana). Although it is not modeled on any real swordsmith or famous blade, within the series' world it functions as a reference to Japanese sword culture.
Cultural Influence and Reception
The series is highly regarded as a work that established the stylish action genre and influenced many subsequent action games. Due to the popularity of Vergil, who wields Yamato, it is also widely known among overseas fans as a character who uses a Japanese sword.
Media Expansion
In addition to sequels and a reboot, the series has expanded across multiple media, including the Netflix original anime Devil May Cry, which was released in 2025.
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Film七人の侍
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Game信長の野望
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This page is intended to introduce Japanese sword culture and is not affiliated with any of the works mentioned.