Massive, impractical, and – somehow – incredibly cool swords are a staple of the JRPG genre. And, keeping this in mind, there’s no other series that truly personifies this than Final Fantasy, perhaps the most popular JRPG series of all time. The sheer level of awesomeness when it comes to the weapons that these protagonists sport is nothing to scoff at, and this can be perfectly demonstrated by two of the most iconic gaming weapons of all time, owned by the hero and villain of what might just be the greatest game in the series due to the sheer level of impact it had on the industry as a whole – Final Fantasy VII.

It doesn’t take an expert to tell you that the people in question are Cloud and Sephiroth, who wield the Buster Sword and the Masamune respectively. These swords have etched their name into gaming history due to their – quite frankly – ridiculous nature. However, one can’t imagine any other weapon that might befit the arms of these two iconic characters. Even after you buy a multitude of weapons for Cloud during his adventure, his battle model seems fairly empty without the Buster Sword in his hand. The same can’t be said for Sephiroth, who has the weapon at all times and never changes it around for anything else.

But the facts surrounding these two legendary video gaming weapons are honestly quite amazing. We’ll list down 25 such facts that will enlighten you regarding the amazing nature of both the Buster Sword and the Masamune.

30 Cloud Used A Successor Of The Buster Sword As His Weapon In Advent Children

In Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Cloud uses a different sword — or in this case, swords — that looks weirdly similar to the Buster Sword that he was known for. In fact, you might be forgiven for making the wrong assumption that this sword was just an upgraded version of the Buster Sword.

However, this version of the blade is actually called the Fusion Swords and is a completely different blade altogether. It's not like the designers should get any awards for innovation though, since the difference in design when it comes to this blade and the Buster Sword is minimal.

29 Sephiroth’s Strength Allowed Him To Wield The Masamune Effortlessly In One Hand

The Masamune seems like a very unwieldy sword due to the impractically large length of the blade. Only the most skilled swordsmen might be able to wield the blade properly, but even that's quite a stretch.

However, for Sephiroth, the Masamune is an extension of his arm. The fact that his strength is incredible means that he can wield the blade effortlessly, balancing it in expert fashion.

Basically, we're just listing down another reason why Sephiroth is so awesome.

28 The Fusion Blades Allowed For An Upgraded Version Of The Omnislash

The Omnislash is one of the best limit breaks in the main game. Even if you don't manage to unlock by normal means, the fact of the matter is that the final showdown with Sephiroth will allow you to perform this limit break with the greatest of ease.

In Advent Children, after being pushed to the brink by Sephiroth, Cloud finally lets out in rage in an incredibly flashy attack as he uses all the blades of the Fusion Sword in an all-out attack that has been dubbed as the "Omnislash Version 5."

27 After Being Engulfed In The Lifestream, Sephiroth Could Conjure Multiple Images Of The Blade

The Lifestream was one of the most mysterious constructs present in the main game, and served as a way for the plot to weave a thread so complex that it was hard to digest at times. In fact, it allowed the main villain of the series to utilize his sword in a rather creative fashion.

Sephiroth left a line of victims in the wake of his rage. In fact, the player can even find the infamous Masamune embedded in the body of his victims at times — a reality that is only made possible due to the fact that Sephiroth's connection with the Lifestream allowed him to conjure multiple images of the iconic blade.

26 Cloud Embedded The Buster Sword On The Cliff Where Zack Made His Last Stand

The Buster Sword actually has quite a rich history — something that we will get into detail later in this list. However, don't let that take away from the fact that it's a sword steeped in tragedy, and the story of Zack Fair is perhaps the best way to illustrate this point.

After the events of the main game, Cloud decides to place this sword where it belongs — on the cliff where Zack made his last stand. The blade gets covered in rust and grime over time, but don't let that take away from the legendary status of this blade.

25 The Ōdachi's Blade Is Curved For A Reason

Going back to the true nature of Sephiroth's sword, the curve of the blade is actually not just for show. While it's true that this unique design has contributed to the iconic nature of this weapon, this curve actually serves a purpose that most people have no clue about.

The ōdachi is actually curved to increase the durability of the blade, allowing it to serve the user for a greater length of time. This was actually quite important, especially since the samurai weren't a big fan of shields, preferring instead to deflect and parry strikes with the sword itself.

24 In Final Fantasy X, The Buster Sword Is A Dummied-Out Weapon

Final Fantasy X is one of the best games in the franchise, and undoubtedly the best double-digit Final Fantasy game out there. But we're not here to talk about the quality of the game — that would take ages. Instead, we're here to talk about a weapon that was dummied out of the final product.

Deep in the game files, hackers actually uncovered the model for a Buster Sword that Tidus could use. It seems that the creators wanted to place the sword as a sort of remembrance to Final Fantasy VII, but decided against it late into development.

23 A Replica Of The Masamune Can Be Obtained In The Gold Saucer

The segment of the game where you get to travel the Gold Saucer is pretty memorable, to say the least. Unlocking this place allows you to attain a ton of goodies further down the line, including the opportunity to unlock the famed Omnislash.

You can also choose to go for a replica of the Masamune as well, if you wish. However, keep in mind that this isn't a weapon you can equip — rather, it's just an item that you can store in your inventory for bragging purposes.

22 Tetsuya Nomura Called The Buster Sword A "Massive Kitchen Knife"

The design process of the Buster Sword must've been quite an amazing affair. Tetsuya Nomura was given the honor of being the principal character designer for the game, and it certainly paid off in dividends. From inventing the concepts of "Limit Breaks" to playing a huge part in Aerith's demise, his contribution was palpable in every sense of the word.

One of his major contributions was designing the Buster Sword. Funnily enough, during his plan to design the sword, Tetsuya's vision for the weapon was "an oversized kitchen knife."

Ain't that something.

21 Although Ōdachi Are Designed To Slash, Sephiroth Impaled

We've already talked about the ōdachi at length, and it must be said that the sword is definitely a legendary weapon, and a stalwart of Japanese folklore. However, what we're here to talk about is the manner in which the blade is used — or, in this case, the manner in which it wasn't used.

Generally, the sword was used to slash at opponents. However, the manner in which Sephiroth used this blade was quite harrowing, to say the least. Instead of using the Masamune in the manner that it should've been, Sephiroth instead preferred to impale his victims.

Sheesh.

20 The Buster Sword Was Originally Forged By Angeal Hewley’s Father

As promised, its time to delve into the rich history of the Buster Sword — albeit only one brief chapter. You see, the blade was originally owned by Angeal Hewley, and this weapon was bestowed upon him by none other than his father.

The blade was meant to be a gift from Angeal's father because of his admission into SOLDIER — something that was considered to be quite an achievement during that time.

However, as you'll find out soon enough, the tale doesn't exactly have a happy ending.

19 The Masamune Is Named After A Legendary Blacksmith

The name "Masamune" might sound like something that's common only to the Final Fantasy series, but this couldn't be further away from the truth. Individuals with a grasp of Japanese history will attest to this fact, as they know the true origins of this name.

The term "Masamune" actually comes from the name of a person who is considered to be the greatest swordsmith to have ever existed in Japan. The man goes by the name of Gorō Nyūdō Masamune, and his tales are the stuff of legend.

We'll actually go through one such detail in due course.

18 Angeal Barely Used The Buster Sword Out Of Respect To His Father

Coming back to the origins of the Buster Sword, the tale surrounding its inception doesn't exactly have a happy ending. Angeal's father took a loan to forge the sword and had to work himself to the bone to pay back the debt — however, things didn't really end well for him.

Overworking caused him to develop an illness and pass away shortly thereafter, which caused no end of grief for Angeal. Out of respect to his father, he chose not to use the sword unless necessary, so that he wouldn't ruin the sharp edge of the blade.

17 Ironically, Masamune's Swords Were Said To Be The Mark Of A Peaceful And Calm Warrior

The last thing anyone would think of after witnessing Sephiroth's maniacal personality was the words "calm" and "peaceful." And yet, this is exactly what the swords that Masamune forged were supposed to communicate.

Apparently, Masamune (the swordsmith) had a contest with Muramasa (his pupil) about who could forge a better sword. Both placed their swords in a current, and while the latter's weapon sliced everything in its path, Masamune's sword only cut the leaves, letting the fish pass by unscathed. A monk watching the ordeal called Muramasa's sword "evil," while saying that Masamune's sword would be wielded by someone who's a "peaceful" and "calm" warrior.

16 The Buster Sword Is Available In Final Fantasy XIII... As DLC

Final Fantasy XIII is a game that has left fans split right down the middle. Most fans of the series hate the game, while there's a minority that is fond of the trilogy. However, there's one thing both gamers can agree upon — paid DLC is a sham, regardless of the game it might be featured in.

To cash in on good ol' Final Fantasy VII nostalgia, Square Enix decided to release the Buster Sword for Lightning as DLC.

Man, at least this sacred game should've not been milked for cash any more than it already has.

15 The Stats Of The Original Masamune Are Something Else

There's a brief moment in the game when you gain control of both Sephiroth and Cloud, in the latter's altered memory. If you happen to go to the menu to peruse the stats of the Masamune, the numbers will leave you speechless in every sense of the word.

The Masamune boasts a grand total of six Materia slots in three linked pairs — albeit with zero Materia growth — a 255 Hit rate, and 99 Attack power. To put the icing on this deadly cake, it also has a 100% critical hit rate.

If you're wondering whether this sword could be used in the main game, you aren't too far off in thinking so.

14 Cloud Placed The Buster Sword In The Sector 5 Church At The End Of Advent Children

The dirty and aged appearance of the Buster Sword — as shown in the movie while it's embedded in the cliff — might've drawn the ire of fans if it was left in such a sorry state. However, by the end of the movie, the creators knew better than to do such an awful disservice to such an iconic weapon.

So, once the effects of Geostigma are mitigated through the effects of Aerith's Healing Rain, Cloud supposedly decided to clean up the Buster Sword and place it in the Sector 5 Church as a way to do justice by the weapon and the person who wielded it before him.

13 The Masamune Can Be Equipped By Vincent Through A Save Editor

Back to the topic of an equippable Masamune, it's actually possible to use a hack and equip this amazing weapon onto one of your main characters. However, surprisingly enough, the person who can wield this weapon isn't Cloud — rather, it's Vincent.

However, since Vincent is not a swordsman, he still acts like he's shooting the weapon while it's equipped on him. The only difference is in the attack animation, which shows the enemy getting "sliced" as opposed to being "shot."

Well, there goes your immersion.

12 The Buster Sword Makes A Cameo In Final Fantasy IX

Final Fantasy IX is a game that harkened back to the glory days of the series with an art style and gameplay mechanics reminiscent of the times gone by. The nostalgia element doesn't end here though — there's also a nod to Final Fantasy VII hidden in a weapons shop in Lindblum.

If the player makes Zidane interact with a rather familiar-looking large sword present on display, then he'll utter the line shown above in the screenshot.

Quite cheeky, innit?

11 Sephiroth's Design Was Inspired By A Legendary Samurai Swordsman

The name of the sword Sephiroth uses isn't the only thing that's inspired from a popular figure in Japanese history — the design of Final Fantasy VII's antagonist itself is based on a legendary samurai that has become a household name.

There was a legendary samurai known as Sasaki Kojirō, from whom Sephiroth's design is inspired. In fact, Cloud's design is based on Kojirō's rival, Miyamoto Musashi — the man who took Kojirō's life in a duel using two wooden practice swords.

Ironically enough, Kojirō was known for using an oversized ōdachi in battle, although obviously, the sword wasn't ridiculously huge like Sephiroth's.