Blade & Soul

{{Infobox animanga/Header

| name = Blade & Soul

| image = Blade & Soul.jpg

| caption = Blade & Soul anime

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Game

| developer = Team Bloodlust (NCsoft Developer Division) {{small|(PC)}}
Netmarble Neo {{small|(Mobile)}}
NC Interactive {{small|(console)}}

| publisher = NCSoft, Garena

| genre = Action MMORPG

| engine = Unreal Engine 3 (original)
Unreal Engine 4 (revival)

| platforms = Microsoft Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android

| released = {{Video game release|KOR|June 30, 2012|JP|May 20, 2014|NA|January 19, 2016|EU|January 19, 2016}}

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Video

| type = TV series

| director = Hiroshi Takeuchi
Hiroshi Hamasaki

| producer = {{Plain list|

Gō Tanaka
Makoto Furukawa
Tetsuya Endō
Shigeaki Arima
Kiyotomo Sudō
Hidetada Soga
Gaku Nakagawa
Tadashi Hoshino
{{tooltip|Yoshito Mitsui|Unconfirmed Romanization: 三津井淑人}}

}}

| writer = Atsuhiro Tomioka

| music = Taro Iwashiro

| studio = Gonzo

| licensee = {{English anime licensee|AUS=Hanabee|NA=Sentai Filmworks|UK=Animatsu Entertainment}}

| network = TBS, HBC, RKB, MBS, CBC, TBS Channel 1, BS-TBS, Anime Network

| first = April 3, 2014

| last = June 26, 2014

| episodes = 13

| episode_list = #Episode list

}}

Blade & Soul ({{Korean|hangul=블레이드 앤 소울|rr=Beulleideu aen soul}}) is a Wuxia-themed{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2015 |title=Introduction to Wuxia - Blade & Soul {{!}} MMORPG |url=https://www.bladeandsoul.com/en-us/news/article/3918/introduction-to-wuxia |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Blade & Soul |language=en-US}} massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Korean NCSoft (Team Bloodlust). Blade & Soul was released in Western territories on January 19, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://us.bladeandsoul.com/en/news/press/press_release.php/|title=Announcing Blade & Soul|publisher=NCsoft|access-date=September 18, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917001939/http://us.bladeandsoul.com/en/news/press/press_release.php|archive-date=September 17, 2012|df=mdy-all}} A Japanese animated television adaptation aired in 2014 from April 3 to June 26 on TBS and other stations.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-14/blade-and-soul-fantasy-tv-anime-1st-promo-streamed|title= Blade & Soul Fantasy TV Anime's 1st Promo Streamed|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=April 3, 2014}}

The mobile game adaptation Blade & Soul Revolution was released on December 6, 2018.{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Iain |title=Netmarble's Blade and Soul Revolution tops iOS grossing charts in South Korea one day after launch |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/69628/netmarbles-blade-and-soul-revolution-tops-ios-grossing-charts-in-korea-a-day-after-launch/ |access-date=13 January 2021 |work=Pocket Gamer |date=December 12, 2018}}

Gameplay

Blade & Soul features Wuxia-style kung fu{{Cite web |title=Introduction to Wuxia - Blade & Soul {{!}} MMORPG |url=https://www.bladeandsoul.com/en-us/news/article/3918/introduction-to-wuxia |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Blade & Soul |language=en-US}} in an open-world environment. Players create playable characters that explore the world by completing quests assigned by various NPCs. The game uses a real-time battle system in the third-person camera view and requires players to "combo" a series of attacks, much like that of fighting games. The game also features an innovative "Downed" mechanic, allowing players to recover from the brink of death. Players begin with "player-versus environment" combat (PvE) but may participate in "player-versus-player" (PvP) combat later in the game.{{cite web|url=http://us.bladeandsoul.com/en/faq/|title=FAQ|publisher=NCsoft|access-date=September 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916201308/http://us.bladeandsoul.com/en/faq/|archive-date=September 16, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

=Character customization=

Blade & Soul features character customization system considered by the developers to be especially extensive at the time,{{cite web|url=http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization/|title=Massively|publisher=massively.joystiq.com|access-date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213031541/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/blade-and-soul-interview-talks-summoner-class-customization|archive-date=February 13, 2012|url-status=dead}} including body sliders for areas as specific as the pelvis and calves, as well as options for height, hairstyle, facial structure, facial markings, makeup, and eye color.{{cite AV media |type=video |via=YouTube |title=BLADE & SOUL | Character Creation, Races & Classes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGkIG95JXfA |date=October 14, 2019 |publisher=Cresyl Snapdragon |language=en |access-date=May 1, 2024}}

==Races==

Characters may be one of four playable races based on the Four Symbols of Chinese folklore: The Gon (based on the Azure Dragon), the Jin (based on the Black Tortoise), the Yun (based on the Vermillion Bird, also known as the Fenghuang), or the Lyn (based on the White Tiger).

Development

Weeks before NCmedia day, NCSoft announced a new Unreal Engine 3-based MMORPG only known by its codename Project [M]. For the next two weeks, a teaser website was updated revealing more information about the project.

During E3 2007, Sony entered into an exclusive deal with NCSoft to produce new titles exclusively for the PlayStation 3. This contract included titles from both existing intellectual properties owned by NCSoft. Blade & Soul, alongside Guild Wars 2, was initially developed for release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. There were no updates on the development of the titles for the consoles and the console versions were cancelled.

The first closed beta test was scheduled for April 27, 2011, while the open beta test and commercial release were to be determined within the year.

In July 2011, Tencent gained the publishing rights of Blade & Soul in China, and made its first appearance at ChinaJoy.{{cite web|url=http://news.mmosite.com/content/2011-07-21/tencent_games_blade_and_soul_is_sprinting_to_attend_chinajoy_2011,1.shtml|title=MMOsite|publisher=MMOsite.com|access-date=February 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101041934/http://news.mmosite.com/content/2011-07-21/tencent_games_blade_and_soul_is_sprinting_to_attend_chinajoy_2011,1.shtml|archive-date=November 1, 2016|url-status=dead}} Blade & Soul launched in China on November 23, 2013, with an open beta which seamlessly moved into official launch.

The second closed beta test took place from August 29 to September 10, 2011. During this event, the Assassin class was playable for the first time.

After an open beta test on June 21, 2012, with a record number of 150,000 players, the official Korean Blade & Soul launch commenced on June 30.{{cite web|url=http://www.bladeandsouldojo.com/topic/3662-fall-2011-recap-beyond/|title=Blade & Soul Dojo|publisher=bladeandsouldojo.com|access-date=February 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329233247/http://www.bladeandsouldojo.com/topic/3662-fall-2011-recap-beyond/|archive-date=March 29, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In 2013, HTK gained the rights for an English version, initially intended to be released sometime in 2014 after the Chinese commercial launch of the new Blade & Soul anime in Japan alongside Taiwan and Russia.{{cite web |url=http://cuteinkorea.com/hyung-tae-kim-interview/ |title=김형태 Hyung-Tae Kim Interview at NCSOFT "Blade & Soul" studio |publisher=Cuteinkorea.com |access-date=June 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116235113/http://cuteinkorea.com/hyung-tae-kim-interview |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |df=mdy-all}}

For NA and EU region closed beta of the game began on October 29, 2015. NA and EU beta testing occurred over the course of five weekends beginning on October 30 and concluding on December 21. The official launches of NA and EU servers occurred on January 19, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.bladeandsoul.com/en/news/blade-soul-launches-january-19-2016/|title=Blade & Soul|publisher=NCSoft|access-date=December 29, 2015}}

NCSoft developed "Blade & Soul Vision Update", the renovation project that aimed to upgrade the engine to Unreal Engine 4,{{cite web|url=http://mmoculture.com/2018/05/blade-soul-ncsoft-previews-upgrade-to-unreal-engine-4-for-asian-fantasy-mmorpg/|title=NCsoft previews upgrade to Unreal Engine 4 for Asian fantasy MMORPG|date=May 10, 2018|publisher=MMOCulture|access-date=May 11, 2018}} and launched as the Blade & Soul Revival expansion in June 2021 for South Korea servers, and in Q3 2021 for NA and EU servers.

Media

=Anime=

An anime adaptation of the game was produced and aired from April to June 2014, in which Hiroshi Hamasaki and Takeuchi Hiroshi directed the anime at the studio Gonzo from scripts by Atsuhiro Tomioka. Eri Nagata adapted Hyung-Tae Kim's game character designs for animation and served as chief animation director.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-07/blade-and-soul-fantasy-mmorpg-gets-anime-by-gonzo|title=Blade & Soul Fantasy MMORPG Gets Anime by GONZO|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 7, 2014|access-date=February 7, 2020}} The original storyline revolves around a swordswoman named Alka who travels to seek revenge for her murdered teacher. The opening theme of the anime is {{nihongo|"Sayonara Usotsuki"|サヨナラ嘘ツキ}} by MimimemeMIMI, and the ending theme is "RAINBOW" by LEGO BIG MORL. The series was streamed by Crunchyroll in the West.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-03/crunchyroll-adds-blade-and-soul-anime-for-spring-2014|title= Crunchyroll Adds Blade and Soul Anime for Spring 2014|publisher=Anime News Network|date=April 3, 2014}}

{{Episode table

|background=#8601AF

|overall=

|title=

|airdate=

|episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title = Path

| AltTitle = Michi

| NativeTitle = 道

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|4|3}}

| ShortSummary = Alka is hired by a group of villagers as a mercenary against the forces of the Param Empire. However, upon discovery of her true identity based on a butterfly marking under her arm, the Param Empire initiates a massacre of the village.

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title = Desires

| AltTitle = Yoku

| NativeTitle = 欲

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|4|10}}

| ShortSummary = Alka travels to a corrupt oasis city in search of information, where she is targeted by multiple mercenaries due to a bounty placed on her head by the Param Empire.

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = Revenge

| AltTitle = Kataki

| NativeTitle = 仇

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|4|17}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = Sword

| AltTitle = Ken

| NativeTitle = 剣

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|4|24}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title = Flower

| AltTitle = Hana

| NativeTitle = 花

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|5|1}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title = Dream

| AltTitle = Yume

| NativeTitle = 夢

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|5|8}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title = Time

| AltTitle = Jikan

| NativeTitle = 時

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|5|15}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title = Sky

| AltTitle = Sora

| NativeTitle = 空

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|5|22}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title = Moon

| AltTitle = Tsuki

| NativeTitle = 月

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|5|29}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title = Sin

| AltTitle = Tsumi

| NativeTitle = 罪

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|6|5}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| Title = Punishment

| AltTitle = Batsu

| NativeTitle = 罰

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|6|12}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 12

| Title = Soul

| AltTitle = Tamashī

| NativeTitle = 魂

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|6|19}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 13

| Title = God

| AltTitle = Kami

| NativeTitle = 神

| NativeTitleLangCode = ja

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2014|6|26}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = 8601AF

}}

Sequels

In NC Media Day 2018, NCSoft has announced three Blade & Soul IP games:

Blade & Soul S, a chibi-style open-world hero-collection game, is currently opening under the name Hoyeon.
Blade & Soul M, a mobile port version of Blade & Soul by Team Bloodlust
Blade & Soul 2, a direct sequel to Blade & Soul by Team B2.

Due to the lack of a development team and Team Bloodlust focusing on the Unreal Engine 4 upgrade of the PC version and the console port version, the development process of Blade & Soul M was halted and delayed, before it was canceled in 2020 and Blade & Soul M team was merged into Team B2. All developed elements have been integrated into Blade & Soul 2.

Blade & Soul 2 is focusing on the all-new PVE and PVP combat experiences designed for playing on the mobile platform and on the PCs, sharing a little connection to Blade & Soul. It is powered by Unreal Engine 4. The sequel was launched on August 26, 2021, for the Android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows, and is planned to be released for the console in the future. Cross-play function was applied for all versions of Blade & Soul 2.