Frames Note

Frames in timing calculations refer to 60 frames per second or Hz. NGP(C) video is ~30 frames per second, with each frame displayed twice on Switch to make 60 fps. All timings done with Switch.

I believe the 1 frame differences are explained by the NGP(C) CPU polling button presses at ~60 Hz while video runs at ~30 Hz. In theory, there is a 50/50 chance for a 1 frame delay or no delay, depending on whether the current video frame is being displayed the first or second time when the CPU orders new animation to start.

Language Note

Real English and Japanese carts only boot in their respective language. Unlike other NGP(C) fighting games, The Last Blade does not boot in whatever language the console is set to. Switch and Steam ports allow booting in either English or Japanese.

Flawless Victory

Earning a flawless victory displays "Great" in English and "完全胜利" (Complete Victory) in Japanese. This lasts 240 frames = 4.0 seconds in both versions. Taking any damage reduces the end of round delay to either 121 or 122 frames for ~2.0 seconds. I've timed both. Thus if you can manipulate the AI to deal damage and recover in less than 2 seconds, you come out ahead. Mainly applicable to Easy.

Victory Quotes

The victory quotes spoken by each character while still on the battle screen take more frames based on the amount of text + spacing between words. Japanese is usually but not always faster. I timed for two battles each:

• Moriya: 224 or 225 frames in English, 177 frames in Japanese.
• Yuki: 225 or 250 frames in English, 197 frames in Japanese.
• Akari: 208 frames in English, 200 frames in Japanese.
• Kagami: 173 frames in English, 186 or 200 frames in Japanese. Faster in English and does have less text.
• Kouryu: 224 or 225 frames in English, 175 frames in Japanese.

Yuki's and Kagami's differences being more than 1 frame apart are not understood. Not based on a flawless victory. I've seen Kouryu's quote in Japanese fail to display. Still takes the same time.

Full Portrait Quotes

The full portrait quotes displayed with "Win Level" at the top are only 1 frame with perfect/rapid fire button pressing in both Japanese and English. These quotes last until you press B, which is A by default on Switch. That the delay is 1 frame versus 2 frames minimum is evidence of NGP(C) polling and processing button inputs at ~60 Hz while having ~30 Hz video.

Calculation Example

Story 1 has 5 victory quotes and Story 2 has 7. Let's compare Japanese Moriya and Yuki. Moriya is 5 * (197 - 177) = 100 frames = 1.67 seconds faster in Story 1 and (7 * 20 / 60) = 2.33 seconds faster in Story 2, with identical battle times.

Note for the Future

Ideally, we would time only for the battles and not count the battle transitions. If a tool can be developed to auto calculate the total battle time, then I think we'd all agree to have runs retimed. Perhaps worth keeping this in mind when picking a character.

In the meantime, characters being inherently faster in one language and versus each other without regards to strategy is unfortunate. Open to debate if tool-assisted timing should add the 2 second flawless victory delay since the difference impacts strategy. I'd argue that it should since it opens up deeper strategy in Easy.