Kuuenzan

"With the correct timing, higher and further jumps are possible while airborne. Kuuenzan may be activated while attacking in the air."

- In-game text

Kuuenzan or Kūenzan (空円斬), is one of the two special techniques that Zero learns after defeating Split Mushroom in Mega Man X4. 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.

From Mega Man X6 onward, Kuuenzan becomes a staple in Zero's list of initial skills, which can be performed in a Double Jump.

In the Mega Man Zero Series, Zero either needs to relearn it, enable it via the Speed Form or a Cyber Elf to make use of it. He can also perform a ground based version, which allows him to move while attacking.

In Mega Man ZX and ZXA, Megaman Model ZX has the Kuuenzan skill available from the start.

Damage Data Chart
Damage values in units in Mega Man X4.


 * 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.

Trivia

 * In Tatsunoko vs. Capcom and Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, this is the only command art to be a normal attack of his, with it being his jumping H (aerial heavy attack). Zero also has a backward Kuuenzan (still referred to as "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, while it starts up much faster in MvC3.
 * A similar move also appears as Zero jumping HP in SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos. It is unknown if it is actually the Kuuenzan or not, though a rolling somersault slash is present in all four games from the Mega Man Zero series.

Similar Weapons

 * C-Sword from Mega Man X5
 * Ensuizan from Mega Man X6
 * Rasetsusen from Mega Man X8

Counterpart to this Technique

 * Soul Body