Katana

Katana
I'll get paid for killing, and this town is full of people who deserve to die
Weapon Type	Melee
Weapon	Katana
Speed	Fast (HM1) Average (HM2)
Range	High
Location	Weapon Spawn, The Son (Bodyguard Technique), Level Editor
Unlock	Yes (HM1) Exclusively for The Son (HM2)
Lethal Throw	No
Can Execute?	Yes

The Katana or Samurai Sword is a very fast attacking melee weapon that can be unlocked by gaining points.

Hotline Miami

In Hotline Miami, it is a fast melee weapon that can spawn randomly in weapon spawns after being unlocked. It has a unique execution where Jacket slams the blade down onto an enemy's face. However, its animation is so long that it doesn't carry on the combo even with Zack mask on, and often it's more beneficial to drop the weapon and perform a headbash kill.

The Bodyguard is the only enemy in the main game who wields the Katana and otherwise, it can only be found in weapon spawns. The Katana has a reach greater than most other melee weapons. When thrown, the Katana will only knock down enemies rather than kill them.

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

The Katana returns in Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, where it functions rather differently than it did in the first game. It attacks notably slower than it did in the first game. When used, the Katana is kept sheathed inside a sword mount, and is unsheathed when the player attacks before being sheathed again, similarly to how The Bodyguard attacks with her Katana. The Katana's execution remains the same from the first game.

The Katana can be exclusively used by The Son. The Son can start with one if his Bodyguard technique is chosen at the start of Seizure and Takeover. This Katana is presumably the very same one owned by The Bodyguard. The Katana is also used by Colombian Dodgers.

Gallery

A real life, 14th century Katana.

In-game sprite.

Jacket wielding the Katana.

Jacket executing a Mobster with the Katana.

The Bodyguard with her Katana sheathed.

The Bodyguard attacking with her Katana.

The Bodyguard's Katana.

The Katana as it appears in Hotline Miami 2.

The Son wielding the Katana.

The Son attacking with the Katana.

The Son executing a Colombian with the Katana.

The Son executing a Guard with the Katana.

An idle Colombian Dodger wielding a Katana.

A Colombian Dodger killing H.M. Hammarin with his Katana.

A Katana put on display in The Henchman's home, alongside a Magnum and a Skorpion.

Trivia

• A similar looking version of the Katana is available as a melee weapon in the special edition of the 2013 remake of Shadow Warrior.
• Despite Katana in real life being slightly curved, the Katana's in game sprite is completely straight.