Zantetsuken

Zantetsuken is a technique introduced in Kingdom Hearts Final Mix. It allows the user to execute a single, impossibly fast Keyblade strike, usually dealing a devastating amount of damage.

Mechanics
In Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Zantetsuken is a combat ability that costs 2 to equip. It gives Sora a 30% chance to deliver a ground combo finisher that deals percentage-based damage equivalent to 250% of the enemy's HP, and always inflicts a Critical Hit. After hitting the target, Sora takes 34 frames (1.1 seconds) to recover.

In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Zantetsuken is an attack sleight that renders the opponent's cards unreloadable if it is used to break them, but only deals a small amount of damage. The unreloadable cards may still be restored through Item cards such as Elixirs, however. Of note is that the attack does not actually need to land for the broken card or cards to be affected.

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Zantetsuken is an action ability available in Limit Form. It is a ground combo finisher that activates when Sora is attacking a single target. It is three times as strong as a normal finisher, making it the most powerful single-hitting attack available to Sora.

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Zantetsuken is an Ultimate exclusive to Terra that may destroy enemies in a single stroke. It takes up one slot in the Command Deck, has a maximum level of 5 and a normal reload time of 20 seconds, and fills the Command Gauge by 40%.

In Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Zantetsuken is an that has a memory consumption of 22% and a normal reload time of 25 seconds. If the Zantetsu Prime ability is active, Zantetsuken may destroy enemies in a single stroke. If used in midair, he will return to the ground before performing the attack.

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Zantetsuken is an exclusive to Riku that has a chance to defeat enemies in one stroke. It takes up two slots in the Command Deck and has a reload time of 32 seconds. It grants +4 to Strength when attached to a Dream Eater recipe. When used, there is a 50% chance that Zantetsuken's instant kill effect will be activated, indicated by the surroundings darkening and the weapon glowing. Enemies without Zantetsuken resistance will be defeated with a single blow, while enemies with Zantetsuken resistance instead take a 1.6 power neutral damage attack.

In Kingdom Hearts Union χ, Zantetsuken is a special attack that targets all enemies. It costs 2 special attack gauges to perform. It inflicts more damage the lower 's HP.

In Kingdom Hearts III, Zantetsuken is an action ability exclusive to Light Form and Dark Form. It is both forms' first ground combo finisher.

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix

 * Sora learns Zantetsuken after defeating the Kurt Zisa.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories

 * Sora can learn Zantetsuken starting at level 22.

Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories

 * Sora can learn Zantetsuken starting at level 27.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix

 * Limit Form has Zantetsuken as a default ability.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

 * Terra can create Zantetsuken through Command Melding.
 * Terra can purchase Zantetsuken from the Command Shop for 1700 munny once five worlds are cleared or the command has already been obtained elsewhere.
 * Terra can purchase Zantetsuken from the Medal Shop for 1000 medals.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

 * Data-Sora has a 10% chance of obtaining Zantetsuken from Pair Blox in floors 91 to 100 of the Avatar Sector.
 * Data-Sora can create Zantetsuken through Command Conversion.
 * Data-Sora can obtain Zantetsuken as the reward for defeating the Ice Titan at Critical difficulty.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

 * Sora and Riku can purchase Zantetsuken from the Thunderaffe Ability Link for 200 Link Points.
 * Sora and Riku can purchase Zantetsuken from the Lord Kyroo Ability Link for 400 Link Points.
 * Sora and Riku can purchase Zantetsuken from the Cera Terror Ability Link for 400 Link Points.
 * Sora and Riku can purchase Zantetsuken from the Staggerceps Ability Link for 400 Link Points.

Kingdom Hearts Union χ

 * Zantetsuken +4 is the special attack for medal and.
 * Zantetsuken +5 is the special attack for medal and.
 * Zantetsuken +6 is the special attack for medal and

Kingdom Hearts III

 * Light Form has Zantetsuken as a default ability.
 * Dark Form has Zantetsuken as a default ability.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Zantetsuken is an Ultimate-class attack command that can be melded through two different recipes, listed in the Giga Attack Recipe.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Zantetsuken is an attack command that can be converted through one recipe.
 * Judgment Triad + Gravity Drop

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Zantetsuken is used to convert Quake.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
While wielding the Oathkeeper, Two Become One, or Dream Sword, the ground combo finisher is a Zantetsuken-like slash.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Data-Sora's second ranged ground finish is a Zantetsuken-like slash without the reverse grip twirl (just like the Zantetsuken itself in this game). Both this finisher and the original Zantetsuken oddly also have Sora slashing the opponent with the "blade" of the Keyblade, and not with the teeth.

Origin
In the  series, (斬鉄剣) is the signature attack of the summon, and it is sometimes mimicked by. It typically inflicts Instant Death upon all enemies. It shares its name with a. The term Zantetsuken is derived from a nickname given to swords crafted by Japanese swordsmith Yasuhiro Kobayashi.

Notes and references
Zantetsuken