- "With the correct timing, higher and further jumps are possible while airborne. Kuuenzan may be activated while attacking in the air."
- ―In-game text, Mega Man X4
Kuuenzan or Kūenzan (空円斬 lit. "Air Circling Slash"), is one of the two special techniques that Zero learns after defeating Split Mushroom in Mega Man X4. This technique is based off Split Mushroom's ability to perform jumping somersault moves. By pressing the attack button while airborne, Zero preforms a circular slash with his Z-Saber. Once Zero learns Kūenzan, it permanently replaces his midair saber slash for the remainder of the game. Unlike his normal midair saber slash, Zero can famously change directions left and right for the duration of the slash, enabling some exploits for hits and damage.
Other appearances
In Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds and Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite this is the only command art to be a normal attack of Zero, with it being his jumping H (aerial heavy attack).
Zero also has a backward Kuuenzan as a midair command normal (down + Heavy during jump), where he will turn to face his opposite direction to do the slash. This is a nod to most players turning around during the attack for more skilled exploits of the attack's duration. The backwards version has more startup than the normal j.H version in TvC; even then either version does the same amount of damage and hits, but the hitboxes are the main differences to consider between the two versions.
It starts up much faster in MvC3; though in that game, either version of Kuuenzan cannot be chain-cancelled into any attacks other than his air combo/aerial rave finisher input. MvCI however, nerfs the attack to have it connect with its full three hits less often, unlike the backwards-facing version (now mapped to Back + HP in the air) which now has a small launch per hit unlike the jumping HP version and also has Zero yell out the attack's name.
Like the original Kuuenzan, Zero somersaults in one motion in TvC like in the original X games via 3 hits in a single flip, but instead somersaults rapidly three times in both MvC3 and MvCI making it 1 hit per slash (for 3 hits total).
This move also appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as one of Zero's attacks when called as an Assist Trophy.
Damage Data Chart
Damage values in units in Mega Man X4.
 Kuuenzan
| ||
| Boss | Damage | |
| Eregion | -- | |
| Web Spider | 3 | |
| Split Mushroom | 2 | |
| Cyber Peacock | 2 | |
| Storm Owl | 2 | |
| Magma Dragoon | 2 | |
| Frost Walrus | 3 | |
| Jet Stingray | 2 | |
| Slash Beast | 2 | |
| Tentoroid | 1 | |
| Generaid Core | 2 | |
| Eyezard | 2 | |
| DG-42L | 2 | |
| Colonel | 2 | |
| Iris | 2 | |
| General | 4 | |
| Reaper Sigma: 1st Phase | 0 | |
| Reaper Sigma: 2nd Phase | 3 | |
| Earth Sigma | 2 | |
| Gunner Sigma | 3 | |
- Minibosses such as Tentoroid and DG-42L do not have an invincibility period when struck, so Kuuenzan can deal a tremendous amount of damage as it can inflict multiple hits. Damages listed on this chart is damage dealt per hit, not the total amount of damage done.
- Once Kuuenzan and Kuuenbu have been learned, it will replace Zero's mid-air slash for the remainder of the game.
Similar techniques
While not named Kuuenzan, an aerial circular slash becomes a staple in Zero's list of skills, appearing in several games after Mega Man X4. The C-Sword (Mega Man X5), Ensuizan (Mega Man X6) and Rasetsusen (Mega Man X8) are alternative versions of this technique, and it is one of Zero's Action Trigger attacks in Mega Man X: Command Mission, Zero Skull Crush (零式兜割 Rei Shiki Kabutowari, "Zero Method Helmet Splitter").
It appears in all games from the Mega Man Zero series, where Zero either needs to relearn it, enable it via the Active Form, have the Cyber-elf Malthas, or equip a chip to make use of the technique. He can also perform a ground based version, which has him rolling forward after a dash while attacking. The move also appears as Zero's jumping HP (Heavy Punch) in SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos.
In Mega Man ZX and Mega Man ZX Advent, Mega Man Model ZX has the Rolling Slash (ローリングスラッシュ) skill available from the start.
Omega and Model OX also have a rolling slash technique, Arc Blade.
Gallery
See also
Counterpart to this Technique
Trivia
- Being Soul Body's counterpart, this technique should be Cyber Peacock's weakness and stun him, but it doesn't. The technique that does this is Ryuenjin.
| Mega Man X4 | |
|---|---|
| List of Mavericks | |
| Web Spider • Split Mushroom • Cyber Peacock • Storm Owl • Magma Dragoon • Frost Walrus • Jet Stingray • Slash Beast | |
| Other Bosses | |
| Eregion • Colonel • Double • Iris • General • Sigma | |
| X's Special Weapons | |
| Lightning Web • Soul Body • Aiming Laser • Double Cyclone • Rising Fire • Frost Tower • Ground Hunter • Twin Slasher | |
| Zero's Special Techniques | |
| Raijingeki • Kūenbu • Kūenzan • Rakuhouha • Tenkūha • Ryūenjin • Hyouretsuzan • Hienkyaku • Shippūga | |
| Armors | |
| - X - Fourth Armor • Ultimate Armor - Zero - Black Zero | |
| Stages | |
| Sky Lagoon • Jungle • Bio Laboratory • Cyber Space • Air Force • Volcano • Snow Base • Marine Base • Military Train • Memorial Hall • Space Port • Final Weapon | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Damage Data Chart (X) • Damage Data Chart (Zero) Mega Man X4 Script (X's story) • Mega Man X4 Script (Zero's story) | |