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Wikipedia / Silver Samurai

Silver Samurai is the name of two different supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, both acquaintances of Wolverine.

The character has appeared in several X-Men–related animated series and video games before making its live-action debut in the 2013 film The Wolverine.

Fictional character biography

Kenuichio Harada

Kenuichio Harada is the original Silver Samurai. The character first appeared in Daredevil #111 (July 1974), and was created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Bob Brown. A Japanese mutant who uses his powers to charge his katana and wears a samurai-style armor made of a silvery metal, he is the illegitimate son of Lord Shingen, the half-brother of Mariko Yashida, a cousin of Sunfire and Sunpyre, and a nemesis of Wolverine. While he spent most of his existence as a villain, he eventually reformed into a more heroic figure.

Shingen "Shin" Harada

Shingen "Shin" Harada, the second Silver Samurai, is Kenuichio Harada's son and is named after Lord Shingen. Shin works with Mystique to track down newly awakened mutants to join a cause. He is recruited by Kade Kilgore to be a teacher at the Hellfire Club's Hellfire Academy, where he works as a designer. Silver Samurai later appears as a member of Mystique's fourth incarnation of the Brotherhood of Mutants.

Shingen Harada represents the Yashida Corporation during a meeting with fellow businesspeople Tiberius Stone, Wilson Fisk, Sebastian Shaw, Darren Cross, Zeke Stane, and Wilhelmina Kensington. The group discusses Dario Agger's plans to exploit the Ten Realms of Asgard. When the true motive of the meeting is revealed, Harada attacks Agger. Exterminatrix attacks the meeting and knocks out Agger.

Silver Samurai approaches Old Man Logan, wanting to ally in stopping the Hand's Regenix operation. He agrees in exchange for Mariko Yashida being spared. When Logan and Silver Samurai attack the Hand's Regenix operations, Silver Samurai battles Gorgon while Logan confronts Mariko. After Gorgon escapes, Silver Samurai injects nanites into Mariko to break the Hand's control over her. Logan and Mariko send Silver Samurai to destroy the Regenix shipments in Madripoor.

Reception

  • In 2020, CBR.com ranked Silver Samurai 1st in their "Marvel Comics: Ranking Every Member Of Big Hero 6 From Weakest To Most Powerful" list.

In other media

Television

The Kenuichio Harada incarnation of Silver Samurai appears in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "The Lotus and the Steel", voiced by Denis Akiyama.

Film

Variations of the Silver Samurai appear in The Wolverine (2013). The first is the Yashida clan's traditional samurai attire which is donned by Shingen Yashida (portrayed by Hiroyuki Sanada). The second is a giant powered exoskeleton made of adamantium operated by former soldier/billionaire Ichirō Yashida (portrayed by Haruhiko Yamanouchi as an old man and Ken Yamamura as a young man).

Video games

References