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Let him go for now. We can follow him and learn...However, it doesn't really matter until the lord comes. Now, let's move on...
(「少し泳がせておいてもいいだろう。 奴の背後関係が知りたい。 いずれにせよ、あの方が戻られるまでのことだ。 では次の議題・・・」)
—The Chairman, discussing Hiryu's interference
LSC

Strider 2 enemy coalition.

Light Sword Cypher (official name unknown) is a term used in fandom to refer to an enemy coalition within Strider 2, taken from a common title given to the Cypher, Hiryu's weapon of choice.

This "shadow organization" is formed by the unknown powers that rule over the world[1] in the name of Grandmaster Meio. Its members includes heads of world governments[2], executives from corrupt corporations and even large-scale criminal organizations[2]. Influencing the world from the shadows, the group is at the vanguard of technology and science, with creations such as the Flying Battleship Balrog and the "Superhuman Army Project", as well as the funding of the top secret supranational Antarctica Research Lab[1] and their genetic research.

The organization is deeply loyal to Grandmaster Meio, considering him their God and eagerly awaiting the day he returns.[3]

Members[]

The Round Table[]

Taken from the name of the music theme playing during their cutscene[4], the Round Table (円卓) refers to the most important members of the organization, who gather together in secret meetings to discuss important issues in Light Sword Cypher's agenda. They are seen discussing, among other matters, Hiryu's threat to the group after he brings down the Antarctica Lab.

There are seven known members attending the meeting:

  • Chairman (議長) - The leader at the front of the table, an old dark-skinned man with graying hair in a curtained style and a big, bushy moustache covering the upper half of his mouth. He seemingly underestimates Hiryu, dismissing Hien's words and taking no immediate actions against him. After Hiryu destroys the Balrog, he's seen musing about Grandmaster Meio's complete hold over the world.
  • Strider Hien - Grandmaster Meio's right-hand man, he seems to be his direct representative in the group, and advises them about Hiryu.
  • Executives (幹部達) - High ranking members of Light Sword Cypher, possibly including the heads of large corrupt corporations allied with them. There are five members visible at the meeting, with two speaking and showing concern over Hiryu's destruction of the Antarctica lab. From foreground to background, left-to-right:
    • A man with short, reddish hair.
    • A dark-skinned man with dark red hair and puffy sideburns.
    • A thin-eyed man with long black hair and a moustache, wearing a blue military uniform.
    • A stocky man with blue hair, a goatee and large, round glasses. He's wearing red clothes. He is the one speaking up about Hiryu's attack on the Antarctica lab.
    • A man sitting far back opposite Hien, sporting short hair and with his eyes closed.

Note that, according to the Visual Chronicle artbook, all members of the Round Table (save Hien) are identified as Princes (諸侯)[5], implying they are nobility from several world nations.

Army[]

Str2 lsc logo

Uniform emblems

The only parts of the organization's army that are seen during Hiryu's adventure are the crew of the Balrog and the Space Infatrymen protecting The Third Moon. Both units are seen wearing similar uniforms with an emblem on their shoulder that's likely representative of the organization: a circular logo that appears to be foremd by an oval center with yellow wings spread at both sides.

Other Members and Allies[]

Name Origin[]

The Japanese phrase "light sword cypher" (光剣サイファー) is often used in promotional material for the Strider series[6]. During the lead-up to the release of Strider 2, Bueno, owner of fansite Strider Island Moralos, understood it as the name of the game's primary villains[7]. This erroneous misunderstanding was uncritically accepted and perpetuated at length by the owner of another well-known Strider fansite, who had incorporated the phrase into his site's name.[8]

Due to this mistake, fanon continues to use the phrase in reference to the enemy coalition opposing Hiryu throughout Strider 2

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Capcom (September 1999). JAMMA AM Show Game Flyer (English).
  2. 2.0 2.1 Capcom (February 2000, PlayStation). Strider Hiryû 1&2 (Japanese). Instruction Manual, Pg. 1
  3. Capcom (February 2000, PlayStation). Strider 2. Stage 03: Iinfiltrate The Research Facility, Epilogue
  4. Yamamoto, Setsuo; Yoneda, Etsuko (January 21, 2000). Strider Hiryû 2 Official Soundtrack. [CD]. Suleputer, CPCA-1035. Track 16: "Round Table Conference"
  5. Capcom (February 22, 2014). Strider Hiryu Visual Chronicle (Japanese). Pg. 28
  6. Capcom (October, 2006, PlayStation). Gamebook: Strider Hiryu (Japanese). Pg. 42. ISBN 4-86233-076-2.
  7. Bueno (November 15, 1999). "Strider 2". Strider Island Moralos. Waybacked.
    "It looks like Hiryu's going to be fighting more than just Light Sword Cypher in his upcoming action adventure!"
  8. Scion (February 01, 2002). The Light Sword Cypher Mainframe. Accessed December 16, 2010.
Strider 2
Hiryu
Equipment: CypherClimb SickleGlider
Moves: SlideCypher AttackDouble JumpHassou JumpBackward SomersaultSavage SlashBoost
Hien Mode: Geometrical CypherCypher Boomerang
Stage Enemies
Flying TurretSuperhuman ArmySolo Mass Produced ModelAnimal-shaped Mechanisms
Commando TroopMutant AnimalsMushroomsTianhou TroopGoblinFortress GuardT-54Spike Bomb Machine
Modified GuillotineThe AlchemistFloating MineArmored GuardSearch LanternRascalAntarctic Guard
Penguin BombIce GearBalrog InfantryFighter aircraftTurretLaser TurretThe ProfessorAssistants
GraveleoArdoravisFulmenorca
Bosses
Drill CruiserTransportHonghuoSpider FormTiger FormEmperor DragonSkewer Cannon
Metall HengstSturmgeschutz VDullahanHerzog Schlange (Aluminium Hydra) • Missile MobileBeluga F
Frozen MammothResearchersGravity CoreKrakenSquad LeaderMinelayerScarabeeGoliathReactor Core
Admiral WilhelmKuniang (Tong Pooh) • SoloStrider HienGrandmaster MeioCaduceus
Locations
El DoradoNeo Hong Kong CityFortress WahnenAntarctica Research Lab
Flying Battleship BalrogThe Third Moon
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