Eternal Fighter Zero/Akiko Minase

Minase Akiko

Introduction

Minase Akiko (水瀬 秋子) excels when she is in the air – she has access to two air dashes, a forward ground dash that places her airborne and some of the best air normals in the game. Her jB is especially potent in combination with her hoverdash, as it is fast, stays active for a very long time, and hits up to 5 times. She can freely control the number of hits it does by choosing when to cancel it into her jC, if at all, which allows her to land cancel it into lows. As if the variable number of high hits wasn’t hard enough to block, she can also cover up the opponent in smoke, which drains them of their RF meter, and makes it physically impossible to see what her mixup is. Add in the ability to corner cross up, slow down time, and dish out tons of damage, and you get a character with some of the largest momentum swings off of single touch in neutral. Her main weakness lies in her near-nonexistent ground game, poor defense, and the precision and practice it takes to best convert off her hits.

Akiko is a supporting character of Kanon, a visual novel produced by Key in 1999. She is the housewife of the Minase home, and is both Nayuki's mother and Yuiichi's aunt. She has a very understanding and compassionate nature, and is always been there for Nayuki while she was growing up. During Kanon, Akiko is quick to accept the various supernatural events that may take place concerning Yuiichi, and supports him as family during the difficult times.

Akiko was added to EFZ's cast in Memorial Edition.

Stage: In Front of the Minase House (Night) (水瀬家前(夜))

BGM: Last regrets

Character-Specific Notes

• Akiko can airdash twice.
• Akiko's ground dash is actually a hoverdash that moves up at around a 30 degree angle. Her "dashing" attacks will be air normals. Her hoverdash does not count as an airdash, so she is free to jump or double airdash from her "ground" dash.
• Akiko briefly disappears during her hoverdash and backdash, allowing her to pass through opponents while being invisible and invincible. Akiko is invincible during frames 6-13.66 of her backdash, and from frame 7 to between frames 16 to 29.66 during her hoverdash, depending on how long it's held.
• If Akiko manages to curse her opponent with her "No more mischief, okay?" super, the opponent will have a pale blue aura, and a "Time" gauge will appear under Akiko's life gauge. This time gauge displays the amount of time remaining on the curse. While the opponent is cursed, they will be unable to perform certain actions determined by the level of the curse.

Normal Moves

Frame Data Help
The notation for the move lists can be found under Controls.
Cells filled with a "-" indicate a placeholder. Cells filled by a "/" indicate a non-applicable field.
Values separated by a "~" (X~Y) indicate a range or variance. A "~" preceding a single value (~X) may indicate approximation. A "-" separating frame values of a property (X-Y) indicate the duration of the property.
Cell data accompanied by a ※ indicate properties unusual to the template. Explanations for such properties can be found at another ※ in the description. If a move requires multiple ※'s, subscripts will be attached to indicate relation (※1, ※2, ※3...).
Frame data with decimal values .33 or .66 relate to subframes.
Version	Used for moves with multiple special attacks on one motion.
Damage	The base damage value that the specific hit will do. See damage scaling for more information.
Guard	Indicates how the move must be blocked, if it can be blocked at all. Low: Crouch Block High: Stand Block Ground: Air Unblockable, may be blocked either Crouching or Standing Any: Air, crouch, and stand block Grab: Cannot be blocked, grab type hitbox that targets the collision box Unblockable: Cannot be blocked, unblockable hitbox that targets hurtboxes
Property	Shows what properties the move has and the time (in frames) that these properties are active. Example: "I: 0.33-9", which means the move is invulnerable on the first subframe of the move until the 9th full frame (or 27th subframe). I: Full Invincibility TI: Throw Invincibility SI: Strike Invincibility HI: Upper Body/High Invincibility LI: Low Invincibility/Low Crush A: Armour G: Guard Point
Startup	Indicates where the move's first active hitbox is.
Active	Total frames the hitbox is active for.
Recovery	Total frames until the character can block. Note: After the recovery of any action, before any other action may occur, there exists 1 frame in which the only action you may take is to block.
Adv Hit	Frame advantage on hit.
Adv Block	Frame advantage on block.
Cancel	Possible cancel options. N: Normals Sp: Specials Su: Supers J: Jump cancel possible on hit, block and RG JH: Jump cancel possible on hit only AD: Air Dash IC: Instant Charge after hit (22C) FIC: Flicker Instant Charge (22C, fixed IC window, regardless of hit or whiff) R: Repeatable, always A normals. Will cancel into other A normals. f5B/2B: Usually c5B cancel option SB: S button cancelling, character specific. Examples: stance, summon or flight cancels. Rekka: A special move with multiple parts that require additional inputs. ※: Special rules, see description for details (look for the ※)

Standing

5A

5A	Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 180 Ground 4 4 2 +4 +3 N SP J IC R Akiko does a quick slap in front of her. Decent anti-air after RGing a jump in.

c5B

c5B	Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 350 Ground 6 2 11 +4.33 +2.33 N SP J IC f5B Akiko hits the opponent with a saucepan. Mostly a combo tool due to the risk of accidentally getting f5B. Can be useful in pressure strings due to the advantage on block.

f5B

f5B	Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 350 Any 9 12 14 -10 -12 N SP JH IC Akiko flips some fried rice with a frying pan. Excellent anti-air. Air blockable. Only ever used as an anti-air.

5C

5C

Version Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel Active Frames 1 - 2 950 Ground 17 2 16 +11.33 +9.33 SP J IC Active Frames 3 - 10 750 Ground 19 8 8 +13.33 +11.33 SP J IC Akiko thrusts a kitchen knife towards the opponent. Not used much outside of combos. It is has quite a lot of startup, but makes up for this by dealing a lot of damage and being very positive on block and hit. Cannot be combo'd into on a standing opponent under normal circumstances.

Crouching

2A

2A	Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 185 Low 4 2 7 +1 +0 N SP J IC R Akiko does a jab with her feather duster.

2B

2B	Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 380 Low 8 2 8 +4 +2 N SP JH IC f5B Akiko wipes the floor. This move is excellent in pressure.

2C

2C	Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 550 Low 12 5 20 +6 +4 SP IC Akiko pushes a vacuum cleaner out in front of her. This is Akiko's main launcher for combos, and a decent meterless combo ender as it knocks down and can be cancelled into 214*. Excellent + frames on block making it a good pressure ender when cancelled into 236A.

Jumping

j5A

j5A	Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 180 High/Air 6 3 10 / / N J AD IC R Akiko jabs a ladle horizontally. Rarely sees use outside of very specific combos.

j5B

j5B

Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel (100x4)+250 High/Air 7 8+2 18 / / N J AD IC Akiko does a quick, several hit flurry of her broom and ends with a slightly delayed horizontal smack. Probably the best aerial move in the entire game. Blocking this move is difficult due to the amount of hits and the ability to whiff cancel into jC into lows, or by land cancelling into lows.

j5C

j5C

Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 250x3 (3~6F=200) High/Air 18 6x3 14 / / J AD IC Akiko pulls a washing machine from somewhere and causes something unidentifiable to spin out of the door. Huge move with a huge extended hurtbox. Crucial to her neutral gameplan and combos. Extends Akiko's hurtbox a lot. Be careful against characters like Kaori, Ayu or Mishio who have access to excellent anti-airs.

Grabs

Ground Grab

Ground Grab Close 6C/4C	Damage Guard Property Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 1200 Grab I: 5 - 5.66 5.33 0.66 24 / / None Puts the opponent in a bin and throws them backwards. If done close enough to the corner, you can do a brief juggle off this.

Air Grab

Air Grab Close j6C	Damage Guard Property Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 1200 Grab I: 2 - 2.66 2 1 / / / None Akiko grabs the opponent in the air and places a rock on top of them, after which they plummet to the ground to be crushed. Decent at catching the opponent chicken blocking or buffering RG in the air.

Special Moves

Specials

236*

An ingredient's freshness is important 食材は鮮度が大事ですよ 236* 236A 236A 236B 236B

Version Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel A Egg: 150x5 / Carrot: 200x3 / Sardine: 200x3 Any 18 / 34 / / FIC Akiko shoots various things out of a refrigerator. What she shoots goes in cycles. Click here for a more in-depth image of the cycles. Every time you use 236A/B you move forward in the cycle. Akiko shoots eggs, carrots or sardines. Cycles. Pressure tool. Low damage but incredibly annoying. FIC this to open up opportunities to approach. B Tuna: 1000 / Radish: 400x3 / Durian: 100 Any 22 / 44 / / FIC Akiko shoots tuna, radish or a durian. Cycles. Tuna and radish are the best options for neutral. Durian is an armour breaker. Mostly a neutral tool. FIC this to open up opportunities to approach. C / Any 22 / 44 / / FIC Akiko shoots a combination of A and B projectiles. Completely random what projectiles are chosen. Usually a waste of RF meter, generates very little value compared to saving it for other options.

623*

Let's quickly finish preparing 仕込みは素早く済ませましょう 623* Final hit Final hit

Akiko leaps into the air with her kitchen knife outstretched. All versions are rekkas with the ability to score "clean" final hits which do more damage and prevent the opponent from being able to tech. The precise logic for clean hits can be found here. Version Damage Guard Property Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel A - Any I: 7 - 20 9 10+10+1 62 / -51 Rekka Combo tool. Full input: 623A 623A 421A. If timed properly, the final hit can be a "clean hit" that does more damage and is untechable. Clean hit advice: Cancel into the first hit as soon as possible, then delay the 623A followup until the juggle meter is nearly gone, then immediately do 421A. B - Ground I: 1 - 28 17 10 64 / -53 Rekka Slower initial slash. Invulnerable from frame 1. Very slow meterless reversal. Full input: 623B 623B 421B. Clean hit advice: Do each followup immediately. C - Any I: 7 - 15 9 5 66 / -51 Rekka Very fast startup and travels a long distance. Combo tool. Full input: 623C 623C 421C 623C 421C 623C. For this version, there are two different clean hits - full clean hit and lesser clean hit. The full clean hit has an explosion sound effect and deals a lot more damage. Clean hit advice: From the most common hitconfirm, 2AABC, the timing for the full clean hit is straight forward and even has visual cues, as long as the first 623C is done immediately after 2C. The aim is to do the followup at the start of the 3rd animation frame, which is is very easy to spot for most as animation frame 2 tends to be 170F long. If timed correctly, the final hit should be done at the apex of the juggle height. This method also allows you to see mistimed hits, allowing you to adjust timing for the final hit accordingly. An example of this can be found here. Mio's juggle animation doesn't have the long 2nd animation frame, instead she spins. In this scenario, the aim is to do the followup just as she enters her headfirst plummet frames. Example video.

214*

Please remain calm at this time どんな時も慌てない事ですよ 214*

Version Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel A / Unblockable 14 65※ 23 / / None Akiko sprays a fire extinguisher out in front of her. A and B versions do not actually "hit" the opponent and instead drain RF meter. Incredibly useful for controlling your opponents options. Sprays immediately in front of her. Excellent to use after 2C knockdowns. ※Lifetime of the mist, unrelated to Akiko's animation. B / Unblockable 14 125※ 28 / / None Sprays slightly further away. Perfect distance to use after [41236A]x2 combo ender. The hitbox that drains the opponent's meter slowly moves forward. ※Lifetime of the mist, unrelated to Akiko's animation. C 100xN Any 14 / 42 / / None Sprays immediately in front of her, then travels across the stage. This version hits the opponent, so it will behave normally and only drain Blue RF on hit.

41236*

Taking care of the cleaning 掃除はこまめに 41236*

Version Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel A 1500 Ground 20 25 12 / -15 None Akiko pulls out a vacuum cleaner and tries to suck up the opponent. Will swap sides with the opponent on hit. This is her juggle combo ender. Sucks the opponent towards Akiko a tiny bit. B 1500 Ground 23 35 16 / -28 None Slower startup. Draws the opponent from even further away. C 1750 Any 20 40 16 / -3 None Draws the opponent from nearly an entire stage away. Hits up to 4 times on block.

Eternity Specials

236236*

Planning for the worst 失敗は次に活かしましょう 236236* 236236A 236236A 236236B 236236B 236236C 236236C	Akiko uses her super human strength to swing a vehicle over her head and onto the opponent. Version Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel A 2000 High 28 4 72 / -54.33 None Combo ender. Only really usable after 41236*. B 3400 High 28 4 72 / -54.33 None Reaches half the screen. C 4500 High 28 4 72 / -54.33 None Reaches the full screen.

641236*

This is the secret of 1-second approval これが了承一秒の秘訣です 641236* AKA Timeslow AKA Timeslow

Akiko poses, then slows down time for everything other than herself. While this effect is active, Akiko's opponent moves and acts at a third of the speed they normally do, while also spending triple the time in hitstun and blockstun. Other entities such as puppets or projectiles (even Akiko's) are also affected, but installs/debuffs will still drain at their usual rate. The effect will continue to tick during superflash/hitstop and will instantly end if Akiko is hit. Version Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel A / / 50 / 10 / / None Slows time for 111.33 frames or 1.7 seconds. This is Akiko's highest value super. Can be used in many different situations to generate value. Can be used in neutral if you have enough space. B / / 30 / 10 / / None Slows time for 166.66 frames or 2.6 seconds. Rarely used, but does have setups. 54F extra duration over level 1 rarely justifies the extra meter. C / / 10 / 10 / / None Slows time for 333.33 frames or 5.2 seconds. Powerful tempo swing from any knockdown. Can even be used in neutral when the opponent is on low health to help secure a round. Near impossible to juggle the opponent during this super. Best used on grounded opponents.

214214*

No more mischief, okay? 悪戯は駄目ですよ？ 214214*

Akiko points her finger a short distance away from her. If the opponent is hit, they will be knocked down about half screen away and become cursed for 333.33 frames (~5 seconds). The effects of the curse depend on the version used. Curse timer still ticks during superflash/hitstop. Version Damage Guard Property Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel A 0 + 1000 Any I: 0.33 - 7.66 8 2 50 / -29 None This version removes the opponent's ability to dash or airdash for the duration of the curse. Kind of a reversal, but still not very useful at all. The low damage, tiny range, and horrible frame advantage with no cancel options makes using SP on this very risky and unrewarding. Even if you do hit, the curse goes away embarrassingly fast. It certainly doesn't last long enough to meaningfully capitalize off of it. B 0 + 1000 Any I: 0.33 - 7.66 8 2 50 / -29 None Applies the previous curse and also prevents the opponent from using special and super moves for the duration. Yup. That's all that changed. Same hitbox, same damage, same curse duration, but it costs 2 SP Levels now. Could potentially be more useful than the A version since you can continue your offense without needing to respect reversal or anti-air specials. You're much better off saving meter for time slow. C 0 + 1000 Any I: 0.33 - 7.66 8 2 50 / -29 None Applies the previous curse effects, but the opponent also can't jump for the duration. Never worth the meter.

Final Memory

FM

There is also some that isn't sweet 甘くないのも有りますよ 2 A 2 B C

Damage Guard Startup ¹ ² Active Recovery Adv Hit Adv Block Cancel 0+5500 Grab 50 1 49※ / / None Akiko pauses for a half-second, disappears, and reappears on the ground directly behind the opponent, holding a jar of yellow jam. If the move whiffs, Akiko hides the jam behind her back. However, if the move connects, Akiko prepares her opponent breakfast: yellow jam on toast... Each character has a unique animation for this. In order to input, the first 2 needs to have been released for at least a frame before pressing the first A, same goes for the second 2 and the B. Thanks to the unusual input, Akiko can whiff cancel most of her normals into this move. Very brief vulnerable period on whiff, after which Akiko is invincible for the rest of the recovery. ※Recovery on whiff.

Strategy

Movement

Movement is key to Akiko's gameplan. She will be spending the majority of her time airborne, weaving in and out of range in neutral, trying to catch her opponent off guard or doing something risky. She has access to an extendable rising dash which causes her to disappear and become completely invulnerable, making it difficult for the opponent to properly anti air any rising dash approaches. While airborne, she has access to two air dashes and one air jump. It's important to note that after Akiko has used an air dash she becomes incapable of using her air jump. Mixing these movement options with her superior air normals makes her a menace to deal with.

Normals & Specials in Neutral

Grounded

Akiko's grounded arsenal is rather lacking. Her most useful neutral grounded normal is f5B which has an impressive hitbox that can be useful for anti airs, but it has the downside of being air blockable. You'll mostly be focusing on using 236A/B and 214B when grounded, making use of f5B sparingly to try and catch aerial opponents.

236A/B works in cycles. You will always start the match on {1}, and any use of 236A or 236B will move you forward to {2}. In practice, this means you can completely avoid using the less than useful projectiles in 236B's cycle by doing [236B{1} 236B{2} 236A{3}] or [236A{1} 236B{2} 236A{3}]. 236B{2} is your most useful projectile to FIC. You'll mostly want to avoid using 236B{3}, and all cycles of 236A are usable.

214B isn't just an okizeme tool, you can also sneak it out in neutral to keep your opponent on their toes. 214B moves forward slowly and can be useful to slowly chip away at the BIC of an overly patient foe. 214C is also incredible for this due to it's speed and RF meter drain on hit.

Aerial

jB is just incredible. 8 total active frames for the broom twirl, and after a gap, 2F for the final hit. In neutral, this move can be used as a surprisingly hard to deal with wall when doing j8 jB, making sure to time the jB closer to the ground so you're able to cancel the recovery upon landing. Doing this only becomes potent when you're making full use of her aerial mobility to keep your opponent guessing.

jC is huge, both for the hitbox and the way it extends Akiko's hurtbox. It also easily leads into juggles if you catch an opponent airborne. j7 dj9 djC can be an incredible hassle tool if spaced properly and with caution. For hassling, you're aiming to hit nearer the tip in order to make anti airs and RG punishes harder. Certain characters like Kaori, Mishio and Ayu have absolutely no problem anti airing this, so be careful how you use it in those matchups. Overall, use jC approaches with caution.

Wait, that's it?!

Pretty much. Akiko's tool set is by far the most predictable in the game. She has to make up for it by abusing her movement options, surprising her opponent, properly baiting anti airs and reversals, and above all making every stray hit count. Once Akiko gets that stray hit, she can more often than not convert into large damage and unseeable, looping okizeme.

Taking Initiative in Neutral

Most of the time in matches you'll be zoning with projectiles and poking with jC, taking time to build meter and fishing for stray hits in neutral. You will want to sprinkle in some surprise approaches to keep your opponent on their toes, however. Taking initiative and attempting to approach your opponent can be tough, but she definitely has the tools to make it work.

The key groundwork for this is keeping your opponent guessing when you'll use your movement options. [j66 j44], [j7 j9 .. j44], [66 j7], [66 j44] are all examples of neutral movement that can be used to keep your opponent guessing when you'll actually approach. There are plenty more variations on this, and all Akiko players are encouraged to become familiar with all of her movement options, what positions they place her in, and what approach options she has access to from them. Watching match videos of high level Akiko players is helpful for learning her options.

Keep track of your 236A/B cycles and make use of 236A/B FIC to create approach opportunities. This is by far Akiko's most reliable way to approach.

Neutral time-slow activation can also be powerful. The higher the level the better, but it does have diminishing returns. Level 2 is ideal but expensive, level 1 can be too short, and level 3 is slightly too long and very expensive. Level 1 is still useful however, and level 3 is really only useful when the match is almost over and your opponent has very little health left. Upon neutral level 3 time slow activation, the opponent will usually just double jump due to Akiko's lack of juggle combos during time slow, especially on an opponent high in the air.

Patience

Patience is your best friend. The more time Akiko is left in neutral, the scarier she becomes, allowing her to whiff normals to build super meter and passively build RF meter. The more desperate your opponent is to stop this from happening, the more risks they will take. The more risks your opponent takes, the more opportunities you have to punish them for taking them! Akiko strives off this, getting ridiculous damage from strange starters in neutral leading into her looping okizeme.

Combos, Meter, and Snowballing Momentum

Akiko's main strengths lies in how easily she's able to convert from stray hits into huge damage, meter gain and oki. Her combos are very long, made even longer by the double vacuum ender after knife loops in the corner. Building a large chunk of super and RF meter back is why she snowballs so easily, especially when she's already got 2+ super stocks built, giving her access to looping time slow okizeme. Once she has ample meter built, Akiko can take more risks, as all she really needs is one knockdown for an opportunity to end the round, even if she has no BIC.

Combos

Akiko is capable of converting most hitconfirms into disgustingly large damage and okizeme, all the while building insane amounts of meter as she does it. Akiko players should be aiming to make the most out of any and all stray air hits they connect with and convert into corner carries and looping okizeme.

Notation Help
Disclaimer: Combos are written by various contributors, some combo notations may deviate slightly from the notation listed below. For more information, see Controls
IC	Input Instant Charge (22C) when you have the right amount of RF Meter.
FIC	Input Flicker Instant Charge (22C) when you have the right amount of RF Meter.
{X/Y/Z}	Move X or Y or Z can be used.
#*	Indicates that any of A, B and C may be used with #. Example: 214*.
[<- X] [-> X]	Side switch notation. All inputs grouped by the square brackets are performed facing the arrow's direction. They are still written as if they were done facing right, however.
[X]xN	Loop the inputs in the square brackets as many times as N.
c5B	Proximity normal only usable while close.
f5B	Proximity normal only usable outside of c5B range or when cancelled from another normal. Known as far 5B.
jX	Button X is input during your first jump.
djX	Button X is input during your double jump.
X(whiff)	Indicates that X is intended to whiff.
X(tech trap)	Indicates a combo ender intended to catch the opponent's air tech. The most common kind of tech trap is j6C, which will air throw early techs and jC later techs. Executionally identical to X(whiff) but different in purpose.
~	Indicates a followup for moves which have them. Example: 236A~236A.
..	Indicates a short delay.
IAD	Indicates an Instant Air Dash.
IABD	Indicates an Instant Air Back Dash.
(X)	X move is omittable from the combo.
tk.X	Indicates the motion "X" is input immediately after leaving the ground. Stands for tiger knee.

Basic Combos

Basic Combo replays can be found here.

Meterless

Anywhere

(jB/jC) 2ABC 623A wait until juggle meter almost gone 623A immediately 421A (replay1-1)

• Does about 2450 damage and doesn't require IC or super. The timing written here for the 623A knife special is an approximation, but it should get you within the right timeframe for an "explosive" hit, also known as a clean hit. This combo can easily be linked from the jB or jC jumpins, which Akiko should already be using often.
  

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Red IC

Anywhere

(jB/jC) 2ABC 623C 623C 421C 623C 421C 623C (replay1-2)

• Very difficult to get the explosive hit. This rekka also has two different clean hits, one dealing a lot more damage than the other.
  

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Corner

2AABC IC walk forward 5BBC walk forward 5BBC 41236A 41236A 214B (replay1-3)

• If you find 5BBC too hard, you can use 5ABC instead.
  

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66jB(5hits) walk forward 5B 2C IC walk forward [5BBC]x2 41236A 41236A 214B (replay1-4)

• Again, replace 5BBC with 5ABC if you have trouble.
  

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66jB(5hits) c5B 2C IC c5B .. 5C 5BBC c5B .. 5C 41236A 41236A 214B (replay1-5)

• The height management in this combo can be tricky. Learning this will teach you how to delay hits to manage height.
  

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Blue IC

Midscreen

(jB/jC) 2ABC IC c5B jC(3hits) land jB(1hit) j66 jB(2hits) jC(whiff) land c5B jB(1hit) jC(2hits) j66 jB(5hits) land c5B 5C 5BBC 41236A 41236A 214B (replay1-6)

• Corner to corner carry showing how Akiko is able to juggle from anywhere into knife loops. jC(whiff) can be used to cancel jB early, allowing you to land without dealing all 5 hits of jB.
  

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Corner

(jB/jC) 2ABC IC walk forward 5BBC walk forward [5BBC]x3 41236A 41236A 214B (replay 1-7)

• Basic corner knife loop with BIC. If you find 5BBC tricky, replace with 5ABC.
  

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Regarding Knife Loops

Akiko has two different hitboxes on her 5C. The inital hitbox (shown above) is much smaller but does 200 more damage than the later, larger hitbox. Ideally you want to hit with this hitbox as much as you can, but it's not always possible due to spacing. For newer players, just being aware of this hitbox is enough - focus on completing knife loops even if you use the larger hitbox instead.

You should also be aware of the power% of your combo - below 62% 5BBC / 5ABC will no longer combo properly. Between 58% and 61.9%, c5B 5C or 5AC will work. If in doubt, go into 41236A early.

Advanced Combos

Advanced Combo replays can be found here.

Red IC

Corner

66jB(1-4) land cancel 2ABC IC [5BBC]x2 41236A 41236A (replay 1-1)

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66jB(5hits) walk forward c5B 5C 5BBC c5B 5C 41236A 41236A (replay 1-2)

• Only works if you land point blank after the jB. If you land too far away, just do the [5BBC]x2 post IC route.
  

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2AABC IC [c5B f5B 5C]x2 41236A 41236A (replay 1-3)

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Anywhere as long as there's plenty of space either side of the opponent

2AABC 623C 623C 421C 623C 421C 623C (replay 1-4)

• Works from basically any starter.
  

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Blue IC

Anywhere

2AABC IC...
66B(5hits) c5B 2C IC...
66B(1-4hits) land cancel 2ABC IC...
jC(1hit) 2ABC IC...
jC(3hits) c5B 2C IC...

...c5B jC(3hits) djC(1hits) dj66 djB(1hit) djC (1hit) land jB(1hit) jC(3hits) land jB(1hit) jC(1hit) c5B 5C 5BBC c5B 5C 41236A 41236A (replay 1-5 and replay 1-6)

• Max damage combo. Works on most of the cast. All instances of c5B 2C after jump-ins can be replaced by 2ABC and the combo will still work, although it will be less damage. When you reach the corner, you will need to start to j8 instead of j9 or else the combo will likely drop.
  

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jC(2hits) 5B 2C IC c5B jC(3hits) djC(1hits) dj66 djB(1hit) djC (1hit) land jB(1hit) jC(3hits) land jB(1hit) jC(1hit) c5B 5C [5BBC]x2 41236A 41236A (replay1-7)

• Route specifically for the jC(2hits) starter.
  

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Corner Carry

2AABC IC c5B j9 .. jC(2hits) land jB(1hit) jC(2hits) land jB(1hit) jC(2hits) j66 jB(2hits) j66 jB(2hits) jC(whiff) land c5B 5C 5ABC 5BBC 41236A 41236A

• For use vs characters with tricky juggle hurtboxes, like Ayu and Kano. External video example.

2AABC IC c5B j9 .. jC(2hits) land jC(3hits) .. djB(1hit) djC(1hit) land jB(1hit) jC(3hits) djB(1hit) djC(1hit) land c5B 5C 5BBC c5B 5C 41236A 41236A

• Max damage version of the above combo. External video example.

Okizeme

Akiko has some nasty okizeme due to a few factors. Firstly, jB is 5 hits and the amount of hits can be adjusted freely by whiff cancelling into jC. Well timed jump-ins or IADs can also cause this effect without having to use jC cancels, using a "land cancel" instead. Secondly, Akiko's fire extinguisher special (214A/B/C) obscures the screen where it is placed, making it even harder to block. Thirdly, Akiko's time-slow super, which slows down the opponent and leaves Akiko at normal speeds. Finally, Akiko's vacuum special move will always leave a gap in the corner, allowing five possible ways Akiko can break your guard.

Below are some simple time-slow setups to be used after 41236Ax2 in the corner:

• 641236A 214B IAD jB

• 2B(whiff) 641236B IAD jB

• 2B(whiff) 214B 641236C IAD jB

Notes: Some of these do not work so well on fast rising characters like Mizuka. These actions are to be performed as soon as you regain control of your character after the final 41236A.

After 623A clean hit in the corner, an immediate 641236A upon landing into an instant air dash jB is a safejump setup. If they reversal and don't IC, you get a chance to punish. If they do nothing, they have to block the jB mixup. If you get a hit, you can confirm back into 623A rekka clean hit and repeat the setup.

Win Quotes

Japanese	English
怪我にはこのジャムが 良く効きますよ？	This jam works wonders on wounds, you know?
あら、お疲れですか？ 良ければ食事でも いかがかしら	Oh my, are you tired? Would you care to have a meal together?
了承	Understood.
失敗を恐れないこと 失敗を繰り返さないこと 人が遠くを目指す 秘訣ですよ	Fear not your mistakes, but also do not repeat them. That is the key to success for those who aim for the skies.
あらあら 若いっていいですねぇ	My my, It must be nice to be so young.
(To Ayu) あゆちゃん 今度は家に 遊びにきてくださいね	(To Ayu) Ayu. Do feel free to stop by to play, next time.
(To Nayuki) あらあら名雪 ゆっくりしていると 遅刻してしまいますよ？	(To Nayuki) My my, Nayuki. You'll be late if you don't hurry up.
(To Makoto) いつでも戻ってきて 良いんですよ あなたは私達の 家族なんですから	(To Makoto) You're always welcome back here. After all, you are a part of our family.
(To Misuzu) たくさんの思い出 たくさんの愛 掛け替えの無い温もりを 抱いているんですね 貴方の旅路が 幸せと共に 有りますように	(To Misuzu) So many memories. So much love. You carry an irreplaceable warmth with you. I wish you nothing but happiness on the path you travel.
(To Kanna) 大丈夫ですよ 貴方にもいつか 大切な人と共に 大地を歩く日が… それが皆の願いですから	(To Kanna) Everything will be all right. Surely, one day, you'll be able to walk on this great earth with those you treasure. That is everyone's wish.
(To Akiko) あらあら 言ってくれれば 真似のコツの二つ三つ 教えてあげたんですが	(To Akiko) Oh my. Had you just asked, I could have taught you a thing or two about imitating others.

Colors

In-game References

External References

• Akiko's backdash (with matching dust clouds) is based on Slayer's backdash, from the Guilty Gear series.

Kanon References

• The house in the background of her stage is the Minase household, where Akiko lives.
• Akiko's "Planning for the worst" move is a reference to an event that takes place during Kanon.
• The name of the Akiko's "This is the secret of 1-second approval" move is a reference to how Akiko usually approves anything requiring her permission after only one second.
• The yellow jam Akiko serves during her "There is also some that isn't sweet" move is a reference to her infamously inedible jam that she likes to feed to others during Kanon.