BlazBlue
Genre(s)Fighting
Developer(s)Arc System Works
Bandai Namco Studios
Publisher(s)Arc System Works
Aksys Games
PQube
Capcom
Zen United (formerly)
H2 Interactive (formerly)
Creator(s)Toshimichi Mori
Producer(s)Toshimichi Mori
Artist(s)Yūki Katō
Writer(s)Mako Komao
Composer(s)Daisuke Ishiwatari
Platform(s)Arcade, various home and handheld console systems
First releaseBlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
November 19, 2008[1]
Latest releaseBlazBlue Entropy Effect
August 16, 2023
Spin-offsXBlaze series, anime series, manga, and novels

BlazBlue is a fighting video game series developed and published in Japan by Arc System Works, and later localized in North America by Aksys Games and in Europe by Zen United. An anime adaptation aired in Autumn 2013. The series has sold 1.7 million copies since August 2012.[2]

Games

Main series

Title Details
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

Original release dates:
  • JP: November 19, 2008
  • NA: June 30, 2009
  • EU: April 2, 2010
 Release years by system:
2008 – Arcade[3]
2009 – PlayStation 3,[3] Xbox 360[3]
2010 – PlayStation Portable,[4] Microsoft Windows[3]
Notes:
  • An arcade port exclusive to the Windows Store was released on December 21, 2012[5]
  • The original PC release was stripped down from GFWL and released on Steam on 2014 by H2 Interactive without online play incorporated[6]
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift

Original release dates:
  • JP: November 20, 2009
  • NA: July 27, 2010
  • EU: December 3, 2010
 Release years by system:
2009 – Arcade[7]
2010 – PlayStation 3,[7] Xbox 360[7]
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma

Original release dates:
  • JP: November 21, 2012
  • NA: March 25, 2014
  • EU: April 23, 2014
 Release years by system:
2012 – Arcade[8]
2013 – PlayStation 3[8]
2014 – PlayStation Vita[8]
Notes:
  • The PlayStation 3 port was updated to version 1.1 on May 14, 2014 in North America, the Vita version released with version 1.1 patched in[9]
BlazBlue: Central Fiction

Original release dates:
  • JP: November 19, 2015
  • NA: November 1, 2016
  • EU: November 4, 2016
 Release years by system:
2015 – Arcade[10]
2016 – PlayStation 3,[11] PlayStation 4[11]
2017 – Microsoft Windows[3]
Notes:
  • The first BlazBlue game released in western markets without an English dub.[12]

Updated versions

Title Details
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II

Original release dates:
  • JP: December 9, 2010
  • NA: May 10, 2011
  • EU: May 10, 2011
 Release years by system:
2010 – Arcade[13]
2011 – PlayStation 3,[14] Xbox 360[14]
2011 – PlayStation Portable,[13] Nintendo 3DS[13]
Notes:
  • The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift were updated for free to Continuum Shift II via a downloadable patch[14]
  • The portable versions do not feature online play
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend

Original release dates:
  • JP: December 17, 2011
  • NA: February 14, 2012
  • EU: February 24, 2012
 Release years by system:
2011 – Arcade[15]
2011 – PlayStation 3,[15] Xbox 360,[15] PlayStation Vita[15]
2012 – PlayStation Portable[15]
2014 – Microsoft Windows[15]
Notes:
  • The PlayStation Portable port was only available in Japan, which does not feature online play[16]
  • The Steam version was initially not available for purchase in European countries,[17] the regional lockout was dropped on May 19, 2015[18]
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend

Original release dates:
  • JP: April 23, 2015
  • NA: June 30, 2015
  • EU: October 29, 2015
 Release years by system:
2014 – Arcade[19]
2015 – PlayStation 3,[19] PlayStation 4,[19] PlayStation Vita,[19] Xbox One[19]
2016 – Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Titled BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma 2.0 instead on arcade release
  • The PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 versions feature cross-platform online multiplayer[citation needed]
  • Unlike the original Chrono Phantasma release in North America, Extend features a localized Library Mode[citation needed]
BlazBlue: Central Fiction Special Edition

Original release dates:
  • JP: February 7, 2019
  • NA: February 7, 2019
  • EU: February 8, 2019
 Release years by system:
2019 – Nintendo Switch
Notes:
  • The Nintendo Switch version of the port includes all currently-released DLC
  • Digital-only release in North America.

Spin-offs

Title Details
BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale

Original release dates:
  • JP: January 27, 2010
  • NA: August 2, 2010
 Release years by system:
2010 – DSiWare[20]
Notes:
  • 3D arena fighting game
BlazBlue: Clone Phantasma

Original release dates:
  • JP: December 26, 2012
  • NA: August 21, 2014
 Release years by system:
2012 – Nintendo 3DS eShop[21]
Notes:
  • 3D arena fighting game
XBlaze Code: Embryo

Original release dates:
  • JP: July 23, 2013
  • NA: June 24, 2014
  • EU: September 18, 2015
 Release years by system:
2013 – PlayStation 3,[22] PlayStation Vita[22]
2016 – Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Visual novel set 150 years before Calamity Trigger
Eat Beat, Dead Spike-san

Original release date:
  • WW: February 25, 2015
 Release years by system:
2015 – iOS,[23] Android[23]
Notes:
  • Rhythm game starring Dead Spike, Ragna the Bloodedge's signature special move[23]
XBlaze Lost: Memories

Original release dates:
  • JP: April 9, 2015
  • NA: August 11, 2015
  • EU: June 21, 2016
 Release years by system:
2015 – PlayStation 3,[24] PlayStation Vita[24]
2016 – Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • The sequel to XBlaze Code: Embryo.
BlazBlue: Battle Cards

Original release date:
  • AU: April 30, 2015
  • CAN: May 6, 2015
  • NA: May 14, 2015
 Release years by system:
2015 – iOS[25]
Notes:
  • Card battle game starring characters from the BlazBlue franchise.[25]
BlazBlue Revolution Reburning

Original release date:[26][27][28]
  • HK/TW: July 7th, 2015
  • SG/MY: April 2nd, 2016
  • WW: June 8th, 2016
  • JP: October 20th, 2016
 Release years by system:
2016 – iOS, Android
Notes:
  • Developed and published by 91Act.
  • Ceased services in Japan on November 23, 2018.[28]
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

Original release date:
  • JP: May 31, 2018
  • WW: June 5, 2018
 Release years by system:
2018 – PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows[29]
2019 – Arcade
2023 – Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Notes:
BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War

Original release date:
  • JP: (2021-02-16) (2022-01-31)February 16, 2021 – January 31, 2022
    (11 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
 Release years by system:
2021 – iOS, Android[31]
Notes:
  • Announced in 2017,[32] the game resurfaced in early 2021.
  • Developed by Linked Brain.[33]
  • Mobile game that takes place in an alternate timeline.
  • Ceased services on January 31, 2022.[34]
BlazBlue Entropy Effect

Proposed release date:[35]
January 31, 2024 		Proposed system release:
2024 – iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Developed and published by 91Act.
  • Entered Steam Early Access on August 15, 2023

Other media

Novels

Title Details
BlazBlue: Phase 0

2010 – Light novel 		Notes:
  • Single volume written by Mako Komao, illustrated by Katō Yūki, and published by Fujimi Shobo.
  • The story takes place before the events of Calamity Trigger and stars Bloodedge, the Six Heroes, and Celica A. Mercury.
BlazBlue: Phase Shift

2011 – Light novel 		Notes:
  • Four volumes written by Mako Komao, illustrated by Katō Yūki, and published by Fujimi Shobo.
  • The novels chronicle the conflict between humanity, the magic guild of Ishana, and The Black Beast.
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

2013 – Light novel 		Notes:
  • Two volumes written by Mako Komao, illustrated by Yuki Sugiyama, and published by Fujimi Dragon Book.
  • Novelization of the events that occurred in Calamity Trigger.
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift

2013 – Light novel 		Notes:
  • Two volumes written by Mako Komao, illustrated by Yuki Sugiyama, and published by Fujimi Dragon Book.
  • Novelization of the events that occurred in Continuum Shift.
BlazBlue: Bloodedge Experience

2014 – Light novel 		Notes:
  • Two volumes written by Mako Komao, illustrated by Kyo Kuroichigo, and published by Fujimi Shobo.
  • The novels tell the story of Naoto Kurogane and Raquel Alucard.
BlazBlue: Spiral Shift

2016 – Light novel 		Notes:
  • Single volume written by Mako Komao.
  • The story focuses on Jin Kisaragi during the Ikaruga Civil War.

Manga

Title Details
BlazBlue: Chimelical Complex

2011 – Manga 		Notes:
  • Two-volume manga by Toshimichi Mori, illustrated by Haruyoshi Kobayakawa, and published by Famitsu Comic Clear.
  • The story is an adaptation of Calamity Trigger and focuses on Ragna the Bloodedge.
BlazBlue: Official Comics

2009 – Manga 		Notes:
  • Two-volume manga published to promote the releases of Calamity Trigger and Continuum Shift in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
  • Two collections of short scenarios written and illustrated by doujinshi artists.
BlazBlue: Remix Heart

2012 – Manga 		Notes:
  • Four-volume manga written by Deko Akao, illustrated by Sumeragi, and serialized on Age Premium until 2014.
  • It focuses on Mai Natsume and her life at the Military Academy with her friends Noel Vermillion, Makoto Nanaya, Tsubaki Yayoi, and Kajun Faycott.
BlazBlue

2013 – Manga 		Notes:
  • Two-volume manga written by Toshimichi Mori, illustrated by Sakaki Yoshioka, and published on Monthly Dragon Age.
  • A second manga adaptation of the Calamity Trigger story.
BlazBlue: Variable Heart

2016 – Manga 		Notes:
  • Three-volume manga written by Toshimichi Mori, illustrated by Sumeragi, and serialized on Monthly Dragon Age until 2017.
  • A sequel to Remix Heart that takes place after the Second War of Ars Magus.
  • Mai Natsume is hunted by the NOL's infamous Zero Squadron and needs to eliminate its leader.

Anime

Title Details
BlazBlue: Alter Memory

2013 – Anime series 		Notes:

Other

Title Details
BlazBlue Radio

2009 – Online radio show 		Notes:
  • Ongoing official radio show aired on Nico Nico Douga, featuring the antics of the game's voice actors through chibi versions of their characters in the same style as the Teach Me, Miss Litchi! game segments.
  • The show's nickname BuruRaji (ぶるらじ) is a contraction of "BlueRadio" in Japanese.
  • An official yonkoma gag manga series, BuruMan (ぶるまん, contraction of "BlueManga"), has been published infrequently on the official website.
  • Two comedic audio dramas have also been produced, titled BuruDora (ぶるどら, contraction of "BlueDrama"). A light novel based on the game and written by Mako Komao, titled BlazBlue: Phase 0, was published by Fujimi Shobo; it is set before the Calamity Trigger storyline.
  • Starting with season 8, BlazBlue Radio NEO, the show is also uploaded to YouTube with English subtitles.[36]

Characters

Main article: List of BlazBlue characters

The main BlazBlue series iterated its roster with each new game release, growing the playable cast from 10 characters from the arcade release of Calamity Trigger to 36 characters after development concluded with Central Fiction. Several BlazBlue characters have made appearances on game crossovers and other associated media.

Events and merchandise

Two official events were held in Japan in June 2009 and February 2010, called BuruFesu 2009: Riot Summer (ぶるふぇす 2009 -Riot Summer-) and BuruFesu: Spring Raid (ぶるふぇす -Spring Raid-) (contraction of "BlueFestival"), respectively. A variety of posters, artbooks, apparel, and figurines were produced. On February 11, 2017, Arc System Works announced a collaboration with Tecmo Koei's Team Ninja to release Arc System Works Costume Set consisting the costumes of some characters from BlazBlue and Guilty Gear series in March 2017 for Dead or Alive 5: Last Round.[37]

References

  1. ^ "BlazBlue Officially Coming to Consoles: News from 1UP.com". 1Up.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  2. ^ "BlazBlue hits 1.7 million copies sold worldwide". Joystiq. 2012-08-02. Archived from the original on 2014-05-24. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  3. ^ a b c d e "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger". GameSpot. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  4. ^ "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Portable". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  5. ^ "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Is On Windows 8 App Store For Like $7". Siliconera. December 21, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  6. ^ Hannley, Steve (February 13, 2014). "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Now Available on Steam". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  9. ^ "BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Version 1.1 Patch Out On May 14". Siliconera. May 12, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  10. ^ Barder, Ollie (July 15, 2015). "'BlazBlue Central Fiction' Announced Along With Location Test Details". Forbes. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Miscevich, Danny (May 27, 2016). "BlazBlue: Central Fiction Launches this Winter on PS4, PS3". PlayStation.Blog. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  12. ^ "BlazBlue: CentralFiction Game Will Not Have English Dub - News". Anime News Network. September 1, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  13. ^ a b c "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  14. ^ a b c "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Patch V1.03 Coming This May". Aksys Games. April 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  16. ^ "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend And BBQ Mode Comes To PSP In May". Siliconera. February 17, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  17. ^ "Fight! BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend On PC". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. December 12, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  18. ^ "Arc System Works Universe BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend Now Available in Europe on Steam". Arc System Works. May 19, 2015. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  19. ^ a b c d e "BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend Hits North America This Summer". IGN. 6 March 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  20. ^ "BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  21. ^ "BlazBlue: Clonephantasma". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  22. ^ a b "XBLAZE Code: Embryo". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  23. ^ a b c MacGregor, Kyle (February 25, 2015). "There's a new BlazBlue rhythm game and it's out now". Destructoid. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  24. ^ a b "XBLAZE: Lost Memories". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  25. ^ a b "BlazBlue: Battle Cards". Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  26. ^ @BlazBlueRR (April 2, 2016). "<BlazBlue RR - Fighting> ONLINE TODAY!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Casey (2016-05-29). "BlazBlue Revolution Reburning To Release June 8 On Mobile". Siliconera. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  28. ^ a b Ressler, Karen (2018-10-22). "BlazBlue Revolution Reburning Smartphone Game Ends Service in Japan". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2023-02-06. The game launched in Japan on October 20, 2016, but it had already launched in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan in July 2015; in Singapore and Malasia in April 2016; and in more than 140 countries in America, Europe, and Asia by June 8, 2016.
  29. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (17 July 2017). "BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle stars characters from Persona and Under Night In-Birth". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  30. ^ Gach, Ethan (16 July 2017). "Arc System Works Announces BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle At Evo 2017". kotaku.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  31. ^ "BLAZBLUE ALTERNATIVE DARKWAR公式サイト". Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  32. ^ Romano, Sal (2017-08-08). "BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War announced for iOS, Android". Gematsu. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  33. ^ Romano, Sal (2021-01-13). "BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War launches in February in Japan". Gematsu. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  34. ^ @BBDWSUPPORT (November 30, 2021). "本アプリは2022年01月31日をもってサービス終了とさせていただくことになりました" [This application will be discontinued as of January 31, 2022.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-11-30 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ Romano, Sal (December 21, 2023). "BlazBlue: Entropy Effect launches January 31, 2024". Gematsu. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  36. ^ @ArcSystemWorksU (June 1, 2018). "The return of #BBRadio is here, now with English subtitles! (make sure they're enabled). #BBTAG" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. ^ twitter.com/ARCSY_Event/status/830693429004816384

External links

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