Frog and the Masamune

[DarthMagus]

I don't know if this topic has been discussed before. I couldn't find any other threads that really dealt with this. My question is, if Frog is able to tap into massive power of the Masamune at the Magic Cave with seemingly little to no effort (he looks relatively unscathed in both the original scene and the anime scene), why doesn't he tap into that power more often? If he can use it to cut through mountains, surely he can use it for some pretty spectacular feats in combat. ... But, then again, that might go against his honor, since such power would certainly obliterate his foes. I doubt he would want to make such a mess or spectacle out of fighting.

Any ideas?

[Thought]

Was he cutting through rock or was he cutting through the magic that sealed the entrance?

[DarthMagus]

Was he cutting through rock or was he cutting through the magic that sealed the entrance?

Presumably both. In both scenes, the rock face splits like the red sea to reveal the cave. I imagine that when Magus' forces invaded the mainland, the cave would open up in a similar fashion, but not quite so permanently as Frog does it (IE, without the destruction). Either way, it would require quite a bit of power.

[alfadorredux]

Assuming he was cutting through the rock, perhaps the Masamune's power is simply difficult to direct and control. I mean, a rockface is pretty big, immobile, and isn't attacking him back, so he wouldn't be likely to miss it and hit one of his allies instead. A live opponent is smaller and moves around.  Think of it as trying to bop someone in the head with the other end of a two-by-four.

[mav]

And who is to say that this power can be tapped into more than once anyway? I'm partial to the theory that it was a one time reaction between the cave and the sword, but that's just me.

[DarthMagus]

I suppose it could be an emotional trigger too. Obviously in that scene, Frog was very determined to get past that obstacle so that he could face Magus. We know that the Masamune is more than capable of manipulating emotions, considering what it causes Radius to do to Garai, the scene with Dario and Karsh, etc. Serge never really uses it for anything more than a flashy weapon... its powers are never really used once it's in his hands. But even if that were the case, Frog would have been the most likely out of all of those characters to control the emotional aspects of the weapon properly. His honor, his spirit, his complete allegiance to what is good and right... if there is any one character that is truly incapable of being corrupted, it would be him. The fact that he let Magus live is a testament to that.

[Xenterex]

I think part of this aspect is actually utilized.  During the sidequest for empowering the Masamune, masa and mune reveal the secret of utilizing the power of the Masamune, so from that point onward, its not as though the sword is actually stronger, its more likely that Frog is harnessing it in the way he had done at the Magic Cave.

I'll backtrack a bit to further demonstrate the point.  When Frog is at the cave with the purposed of defeating Magus, he has the focus and drive to push the sword to its fullest to complete his goal.  However, come time for the gravity well from Lavos' interference, and Frog loses some of that drive, and you find out through events up until the Masamune sidequest, he bears a grudge against Magus, yes, but he has guilts and doubts that keep him from having the focus to use the sword fully up until he meets with Cyrus that one last time.  Isn't it phased at the empowering of the sword that its 'full of vigor?"  Vigor being effort, energy, enthusiasm.  So with Glen's depression past Magus' castle, he can't tap into the vigor of power.

[DarthMagus]

Isn't it phased at the empowering of the sword that its 'full of vigor?"  Vigor being effort, energy, enthusiasm.  So with Glen's depression past Magus' castle, he can't tap into the vigor of power.

Yeah. That's why I made that post about it possibly being affected by emotions. I had forgotten about the quote you just used, though. Good catch.

[Radical_Dreamer]

Glenn doesn't like hurting people.

[Thought]

Presumably both. In both scenes, the rock face splits like the red sea to reveal the cave. I imagine that when Magus' forces invaded the mainland, the cave would open up in a similar fashion, but not quite so permanently as Frog does it (IE, without the destruction). Either way, it would require quite a bit of power.

The rockface splits, yes, but was that the result of the blade cutting it (which really shouldn't make it separate like that) or of the magic barrier that sealed the cave (and thus, presumably, blocking the entrance with rock) being broken.

Other than that fun beam of light, I would say it isn't beyond reason to claim that Frog attacked the darkness... I mean, attacked the magic that sealed the cave. Break that barrier, and the rocks return to a natural, open, position.

[DarthMagus]

Other than that fun beam of light, I would say it isn't beyond reason to claim that Frog attacked the darkness... I mean, attacked the magic that sealed the cave. Break that barrier, and the rocks return to a natural, open, position.

I'm sorry. All I can think of when you say "Frog attacks the Darkness" is that skit by the Dead Alewives where the DnD geek uses Magic Missile to attack the darkness. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zng5kRle4FA

Anyway, I digress. I would say that the split in the rock was caused by magic. It's too perfect a division for it not to be (could also be some sort of mechanism control, but if that were the case we would have seen a switch on the game). But, even so. Be it the fact that he cut through the stone, or that the masamune dispelled the magic on that cave... either way, it was an exponential amount of power.

[Thought]

I'm sorry. All I can think of when you say "Frog attacks the Darkness" is that skit by the Dead Alewives...

That's exactly what I was referencing to

[GenesisOne]

I believe that that was a one-time event with the Masamune. 

The first reason being that you never do that again for the rest of the game.  Common Sense, if you will.

Second, the rock, being an inanimate object with no feelings and sealed by dark magic, was easier for the Masamune to strike.  The spirit of the Masamune is able to discern what needs to be (and what doesn't need to be) cut through.  In this case, it was easily able to cut through the magic seal, and perhaps even the rock face, with no consequences to suffer.

The real legend of the Masamune, oddly enough, involved the Master's sword being called Yawarakai-Te, or "Tender Hands".  Glenn was known for being tender and kind as a child, so perhaps that aspect of him carried on into his future life as a knight.

That's just my input on this matter. For more information on the real legend of the Masamune, follow this link.