Katana (New 52)

*"You are curious about my blade, the Soultaker. Some of its secrets I have yet to discern, others I will never reveal... but one of its secrets I will allow you to know - that its name is not hyperbole."*

## **Summary**

In DC Comics' New 52 continuity, **Tatsu Yamashiro**, known as **Katana**, is reimagined with an enriched backstory and depth, while maintaining the essence of her character as a skilled swordswoman and warrior. A Japanese martial artist, Tatsu wields the mystical sword Soultaker, which is said to capture the souls of those it kills, including her husband's. Her character is defined by her quest for justice and her struggle with personal tragedies, making her a complex and intriguing figure in the DC Universe. Katana's primary ability lies in her exceptional skills in martial arts and swordsmanship. Her mastery of the Soultaker sword, which houses the souls of its victims, adds a supernatural element to her combat abilities. She communicates with these captured souls, particularly her late husband, which often guides her actions and decisions. Tatsu's training also includes proficiency in other traditional Japanese weapons and tactics, making her a formidable opponent in battle. In the New 52, Katana's relationships are predominantly shaped by her quest for vengeance and justice. Her connection with her late husband, whose soul resides in her sword, drives much of her narrative. She also forms significant alliances, particularly as a member of the Birds of Prey and the Justice League of America. Her interactions with other team members, such as Black Canary and Green Arrow, are marked by mutual respect, though her intense focus on her missions sometimes leads to clashes. Katana's storyline in the New 52 includes significant development through various arcs. She is featured prominently in the "Birds of Prey" series, where her mission intertwines with the team's broader goals. Her own series, "Katana," delves deeper into her backstory, exploring her origins, her training, and her journey with the Soultaker sword. These narratives deal with themes of loss, vengeance, and honor, showcasing Tatsu's growth from a revenge-driven warrior to a hero in her own right. The New 52 portrays Katana as a multi-dimensional character, balancing the line between personal vendettas and the greater good, adding a rich layer to the tapestry of DC's characters.

## **Base**

### **Output:**

#### Physical Strength

* Fights off a bunch of mind controlled office workers.
* Fights back a goon in a suit, then tackling him through an elevator.
* Fights off a Talon strangling Starling.
* Kicks the Talon into one of the cars of a train used for refrigeration. Black Canary, Starling, and Katana try to wrestle Talon before Poison Ivy comes in and drags it into the refrigeration unit of a train.

#### Soultaker

* Kills off some invisible assassins with ease.
* Cuts up some of Poison Ivy's vines that grab her blade.
* Decapitates a man with a swing.
* Fights back a meta that is resistant to cuts, making him fall into a hole in the ground.
* Fights back a goon in a suit, then tackling him through an elevator.
* Slices up the chest of a Talon, although this does little to deter him.
* Slices clean through some plant elementals.
* Continues to cut down plant elementals as the BoP try to revive Poison Ivy.
* Slices through industrial piping.
* Incapacitates Poison Ivy with a slash to her back.
* Takes on an army of ninja, taking many of them out but eventually collapsing from the throwing knives and hits.

### **Defense:**

#### Blunt

* Takes getting thrown back by a meta slamming through the wall behind her, then being punched and kicked in the face had enough to shatter her mask.
* Tanks getting clotheslined by a Talon, then tanking hits from it in CQC.

#### Piercing

* Takes on an army of ninja, taking many of them out but eventually collapsing from the throwing knives and hits.

#### Explosive

* Seemingly just fine after igniting a gas canister on fire and causing it to explode.

### **Speed:**

#### Combat

* Kills off some invisible assassins with ease.
* Fights a meta who surprises the Birds in CQC.
* Fights back a meta that is resistant to cuts, making him fall into a hole in the ground.
* Fights back a goon in a suit, then tackling him through an elevator. Katana, Black Canary, and Batgirl escape the building they are in as it is exploding and burning down.
* Black Canary and Katana take on a Talon together, although it is clearly doing better so they flee.
* Black Canary, Starling, and Katana try to wrestle Talon before Poison Ivy comes in and drags it into the refrigeration unit of a train.
* Takes on an army of ninja, taking many of them out but eventually collapsing from the throwing knives and hits.

### **Misc:**

#### Soultaker

* Her husband can reveal information to her from the blade even if she was mentally manipulated.

#### Martial Arts Skills

* Appears slightly better than Black Canary in a spar.

### **Weaknesses:**

#### Soultaker

* Rendered useless against a meta that has a substance all over his body that renders him resistance to bullets and blades.