# Kasumi (Dead or Alive)
**Kasumi** (霞) is a fictional kunoichi and the lead character of Team NINJA's *[Dead or Alive](https://www.edgepedia.org/dead-or-alive-franchise)* fighting game series, published by Tecmo and later [Koei Tecmo](https://www.edgepedia.org/koei-tecmo); she has appeared in the series since its first installment in 1996[1](https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/interaksi/article/view/34946). She is the sister of Hayate and the half-sister of Ayane, and she practices the Tenjin-mon (Tenjinmon) style of Mugen Tenshin ninjutsu[2](https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Kasumi_%28Dead_or_Alive%29) • [3](https://doa6wiki.com/en/characters/kasumi/). In the games she is a fast, evasion-oriented fighter whose signature tool is the Hoshinpo teleport stance, and her gameplay philosophy of speed over power mirrors her narrative identity as a character who does not want to fight[4](https://kasumi.club/kasumi-wiki/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series role | Main character of *Dead or Alive*, present in the series since 1996[1](https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/interaksi/article/view/34946) |
| Fighting style | Mugen Tenshin-ryū Tenjin-mon ninjutsu[3](https://doa6wiki.com/en/characters/kasumi/) |
| Family | Sister of Hayate, half-sister of Ayane[2](https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Kasumi_%28Dead_or_Alive%29) |
| Succession | Ordained to be the 18th leader of the Mugen Tenshin style[5](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/916549-dead-or-alive-2/faqs/39551) |
| Signature mechanic | Hoshinpo teleport stance, reached from strikes, holds, and the command ↘P+K[4](https://kasumi.club/kasumi-wiki/) • [6](https://download1.gamecity.ne.jp/doa6/movelists/MoveList_EVO2018_Kasumi.pdf) |
| Japanese voice | Houko Kuwashima (*Dead or Alive 5*)[7](https://teamninja-studio.com/doa5/pdf/X360_DOA5_uk.pdf) |
| Clone counterpart | Phase 4, a Kasumi clone with her own moveset, created for the *Dead or Alive 6* story[8](https://as.com/meristation/2019/03/05/analisis/1551778170_548539.html) |
| Latest mainline role | Launch character of *Dead or Alive 6 Last Round* (June 25, 2026)[9](https://www.koeitecmoamerica.com/news/koei-tecmos-dead-or-alive-6-last-round-launches-worldwide-today-inviting-players-back-to-the-arena-for-the-ultimate-fight/) |
## Character and story
Kasumi is written as a kunoichi of the Mugen Tenshin clan, a female ninja trained in the clan's Tenjin-mon style of ninjutsu[2](https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Kasumi_%28Dead_or_Alive%29). The *Dead or Alive 2* character guide records that she was ordained to become the 18th leader of the Mugen Tenshin style, a position of succession within the clan[5](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/916549-dead-or-alive-2/faqs/39551). Her family ties anchor much of the series' plot: Hayate is her brother and Ayane her half-sister, and both appear as fighters in the series[2](https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Kasumi_%28Dead_or_Alive%29).
In *Dead or Alive 6*, the story centers on the sixth Dead or Alive tournament and the creation of Phase 4, a clone of Kasumi with her own movements; reviewers described the resulting story mode as chaotic at times but generally entertaining[8](https://as.com/meristation/2019/03/05/analisis/1551778170_548539.html). Phase 4 also exists as a separate playable character, sold as additional content for the game[10](https://www.teamninja-studio.com/doa6/us/products.html).
## Fighting style and gameplay
Kasumi's in-game style is listed as Mugen Tenshin-ryū Tenjin-mon[3](https://doa6wiki.com/en/characters/kasumi/). Her design emphasizes fast strikes, deceptive movement, and a versatile mix-up game built around the Hoshinpo teleport stance[4](https://kasumi.club/kasumi-wiki/). In the official *Dead or Alive 6* move list, Hoshinpo is entered with the command ↘P+K, and many of her strings, including Tenjin, Senpujin and Toki-Hoshin, lead into it; from the stance she can follow with attacks such as Rekkuga and Oka-Rensho[6](https://download1.gamecity.ne.jp/doa6/movelists/MoveList_EVO2018_Kasumi.pdf). Her hold set includes the Sakura-Madoi and Sakura-Mayoi expert holds against high and mid attacks, each with variants that transition into Hoshinpo[6](https://download1.gamecity.ne.jp/doa6/movelists/MoveList_EVO2018_Kasumi.pdf).
Community guides describe her as an all-around rush-down character, and the *Dead or Alive Ultimate* strategy guide notes that although she is fast, she is not the game's fastest character[11](https://steamcommunity.com/app/838380/discussions/0/1745643610507017602/) • [12](https://www.ogxbox.co.uk/media/com_eshop/attachments/Dead_Or_Alive_Ultimate_Strategy_Guide_3.pdf). In *Dead or Alive 6* her counter-hit game relies on creating opportunities with moves such as 6P and 4P rather than on normal hits[3](https://doa6wiki.com/en/characters/kasumi/).
**Technical history.** Series creator Tomonobu Itagaki, head of Team NINJA at the time, recalled in a 2007 Game Developer interview that Kasumi's character model used 550 polygons in the original [Sega Saturn](https://www.edgepedia.org/sega-saturn) *Dead or Alive* and about 520 or 530 on the [PlayStation](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation), a figure he cited as a measure of how limited early 3D hardware was[13](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-philosophy-of-a-ninja-tomonobu-itagaki-speaks). The PlayStation version of the original game was released by Tecmo on March 12, 1998[14](https://raido.moe/staff/ps1/ps1_dead_or_alive.html).
## Crossover appearances
Kasumi has appeared outside the main fighting series more often than most *Dead or Alive* characters. Since the collaboration with *Senran Kagura: Estival Versus*, Kasumi, Marie Rose, Ayane, and Honoka have been recurring guests in other series, especially gacha games, including *Shinobi Masters Senran Kagura: New Link*[15](https://deadoralive.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_appearances_of_Dead_or_Alive_characters_in_non_Dead_or_Alive_games) • [16](https://deadoralive.fandom.com/wiki/Kasumi).
## Reception and representation
Commentary on Kasumi has often centered on the series' visual treatment of its female cast. Reviewers of *Dead or Alive 6* noted that Kasumi, described as the series' most iconic leading character, is covered up in that game and dresses like a ninja about to brawl, a change from earlier entries[17](https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/reviews/dead-alive-6-review/). Academic work has examined her alongside Honoka, Marie Rose, and Momiji as a case of sexualized representation in the series, using [Roland Barthes](https://www.edgepedia.org/roland-barthes)'s semiotic analysis[1](https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/interaksi/article/view/34946). A 2025 study of hypersexualized female protagonists in *Tomb Raider*, *Dead or Alive*, and *Bayonetta* concluded that in *Dead or Alive*, characters such as Kasumi and Ayane had their narrative personas heavily overshadowed by hypersexualized visual designs[18](https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/126021800.pdf). GameRevolution has called Kasumi the franchise's mascot while noting the paradox that she is the character least willing to fight[19](https://www.gamerevolution.com/originals/500275-best-dead-or-alive-fighters).
## Recent developments
After the series was dormant following 2019's *Dead or Alive 6*, producer Yosuke Hayashi announced during a February 2026 Sony State of Play broadcast that a brand-new *Dead or Alive* title is in development for PS5, with a short teaser showing the return of Kasumi and Ryu Hayabusa[20](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/with-new-dead-or-alive-and-virtua-fighter-projects-in-the-works-theres-just-one-thing-missing-before-we-have-a-full-3d-fighting-game-renaissance). To bridge the gap, *Dead or Alive 6 Last Round*, a largely content-complete port of the 2019 game, launched on June 25, 2026 for [PlayStation 5](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-5), Xbox Series X|S, and [Steam](https://www.edgepedia.org/steam-service), alongside a free-to-play Core Fighters edition in which Kasumi is one of the characters available immediately[9](https://www.koeitecmoamerica.com/news/koei-tecmos-dead-or-alive-6-last-round-launches-worldwide-today-inviting-players-back-to-the-arena-for-the-ultimate-fight/) • [20](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/with-new-dead-or-alive-and-virtua-fighter-projects-in-the-works-theres-just-one-thing-missing-before-we-have-a-full-3d-fighting-game-renaissance). The re-release contains 29 playable characters and adds new costumes for Kasumi, Ayane, Marie Rose, Honoka, and NiCO[21](https://blog.de.playstation.com/2026/02/13/dead-or-alive-6-last-round-erscheint-am-25-juni-fuer-ps5-ein-neues-spiel-ist-in-arbeit/) • [22](https://teamninja-studio.com/doa6/lastround/us/).
## References
1. [Yuwono, "Perempuan dalam Video Gim: Representasi Perempuan dalam Dead or Alive 6," Interaksi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi 11(1), 2022](https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/interaksi/article/view/34946)
2. [Kasumi, Heroes Wiki (Fandom)](https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Kasumi_%28Dead_or_Alive%29)
3. [Kasumi, DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round Wiki](https://doa6wiki.com/en/characters/kasumi/)
4. [Kasumi, Dead or Alive Wiki (Reclaimed), kasumi.club](https://kasumi.club/kasumi-wiki/)
5. [Dead or Alive 2, Kasumi Guide, GameFAQs](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/916549-dead-or-alive-2/faqs/39551)
6. [Kasumi's Move List, DEAD OR ALIVE 6 official PDF](https://download1.gamecity.ne.jp/doa6/movelists/MoveList_EVO2018_Kasumi.pdf)
7. [DEAD OR ALIVE 5 credits, Team NINJA official PDF](https://teamninja-studio.com/doa5/pdf/X360_DOA5_uk.pdf)
8. [Dead or Alive 6, análisis, MeriStation (2019)](https://as.com/meristation/2019/03/05/analisis/1551778170_548539.html)
9. [KOEI TECMO America: DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round launches worldwide, June 25, 2026](https://www.koeitecmoamerica.com/news/koei-tecmos-dead-or-alive-6-last-round-launches-worldwide-today-inviting-players-back-to-the-arena-for-the-ultimate-fight/)
10. [DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Products, Team NINJA official site](https://www.teamninja-studio.com/doa6/us/products.html)
11. [Kasumi vs Phase 4, DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Steam discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/app/838380/discussions/0/1745643610507017602/)
12. [Dead or Alive Ultimate strategy guide (PDF)](https://www.ogxbox.co.uk/media/com_eshop/attachments/Dead_Or_Alive_Ultimate_Strategy_Guide_3.pdf)
13. [The Philosophy of a Ninja: Tomonobu Itagaki Speaks, Game Developer (2007)](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-philosophy-of-a-ninja-tomonobu-itagaki-speaks)
14. [PS1 Dead or Alive staff credits](https://raido.moe/staff/ps1/ps1_dead_or_alive.html)
15. [List of appearances of Dead or Alive characters in non Dead or Alive games, Dead or Alive Wiki (Fandom)](https://deadoralive.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_appearances_of_Dead_or_Alive_characters_in_non_Dead_or_Alive_games)
16. [Kasumi, Dead or Alive Wiki (Fandom)](https://deadoralive.fandom.com/wiki/Kasumi)
17. [Dead Or Alive 6 review, Empire](https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/reviews/dead-alive-6-review/)
18. [From Object to Subject: the Evolution of Female Characters in Video Game Narratives and Mechanics, Atlantis Press](https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/126021800.pdf)
19. [The best Dead or Alive fighters ever, GameRevolution](https://www.gamerevolution.com/originals/500275-best-dead-or-alive-fighters)
20. [With new Dead or Alive and Virtua Fighter projects in the works, TechRadar (2026)](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/with-new-dead-or-alive-and-virtua-fighter-projects-in-the-works-theres-just-one-thing-missing-before-we-have-a-full-3d-fighting-game-renaissance)
21. [Dead or Alive 6 Last Round erscheint am 25. Juni, PlayStation Blog (German)](https://blog.de.playstation.com/2026/02/13/dead-or-alive-6-last-round-erscheint-am-25-juni-fuer-ps5-ein-neues-spiel-ist-in-arbeit/)
22. [DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round, Team NINJA official site](https://teamninja-studio.com/doa6/lastround/us/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Video games and digital play › Games and gameplay › Individual game titles › In-game subjects: characters, levels, items, and locations within single games › Playable and protagonist characters › Fighting game characters*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license