BlazBlue

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 release	BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger November 19, 2008[1]
Latest release	BlazBlue Entropy Effect August 16, 2023
Spin-offs	XBlaze series, anime series, manga, and novels

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

Games[edit]

Main series[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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: Crossover tag-team fighting game featuring characters from BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena, Under Night In-Birth, RWBY, Arcana Heart, Senran Kagura and Akatsuki Blitzkampf.[30]
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 set in an alternate timeline. Ceased services on January 31, 2022.[34]
BlazBlue Entropy Effect Original release date:[35] January 31, 2024	Release years by system: 2024 – iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows
	Notes: Developed and published by 91Act. iOS and Android versions are only available in China. Entered Steam Early Access on August 15, 2023.

Other media[edit]

Novels[edit]

Title	Details
BlazBlue: Phase 0 2010 – Light novel	Notes: Single volume written by Mako Komao, illustrated by Yūki Katō, and published by Fujimi Shobo. The story takes place before the events of Calamity Trigger, and features 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[edit]

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 follows Ragna the Bloodedge in the adaptation of Calamity Trigger.
BlazBlue: Official Comics 2009 – Manga	Notes: Two-volume manga published to promote the releases of Calamity Trigger and Continuum Shift. 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 follows Mai Natsume attending the Military Academy, alongside 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 taking place after the Second War of Ars Magus. Mai Natsume sets out to defeat the infamous leader from the NOL's Zero Squadron.

Anime[edit]

Title	Details
BlazBlue: Alter Memory 2013 – Anime series	Notes: One cour series by teamKG and Hoods Entertainment. Recap of the story of Calamity Trigger and Continuum Shift. Licensed by Funimation in North America.

Other[edit]

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 was uploaded to YouTube with English subtitles.[36]

Characters[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]