修羅刃 -Shuraba- is a living demonic katana from the first Bayonetta with quick and agile attacks that deal modest damage and has sweeping range. It is one of the most popular weapon choices in the game among players, especially during their first playthrough. Its combos, abilities, speed, and damage make it the most well-rounded melee weapon in the game, being useful against nearly every enemy. It is surpassed in some instances, however, by the slightly more powerful Pillow Talk which has the same combos and very similar reach.
"A living katana, pulsing with the heart of Ashura, the demon god of war. Always seeking blood, the blade will even suck the very souls out of its victims."
How to Obtain
Bayonetta
The Golden LP: Quasi una Fantasia, is obtained after defeating the two Beloved in Chapter II verse 5. Giving this LP to Rodin will unlock the Shuraba for use.
Beating the game on 2nd Climax Difficulty allows for players to purchase the Super Mirror, which contains specific outfits and weapons from the first game. Purchasing the Super Mirror will automatically unlock Shuraba for Bayonetta.
Shuraba's attacks are quick sweeping strikes and jabs which excel against small and agile enemies. With its mix of great attack speed, melee range, sweeping strikes, and extremely powerful Wicked Weaves, Shuraba is very effective in most fights against all types of enemies.
Wicked Weaves: When equipped, normal Wicked Punches from Madama Butterfly will be replaced with Wicked Blades, massive spectral blades that mimic the motions of the attack that summons it. These Wicked Blades do an extremely high amount of damage when compared to other Wicked Weaves, making Shuraba one of the most powerful choices during boss fights or with the Climax Brace on.
Bullet Climax: Bayonetta will spin with the Shuraba outstretched, creating a whirlwind of slashes that hit all adjacent enemies a few times in quick succession. This attack is quick and deals modest damage, while also having good stagger attached. Executing it while surrounded by enemies can give Bayonetta some breathing room, especially on harder difficulties after executing a Torture Attack.
Charge Modifier: Bayonetta sheaths the demonic katana and then performs an Iaijutsu slash, causing considerable damage to everything around her. The longer is held the more powerful the strike becomes, with it having three levels of power. It freezes combo counter and magic consumption by accessories.
Notable Combos: will execute a series of spinning slashes and then finish with a Wicked Thrusting Slash. A variation of this combo can also be done; which will execute similarly as the previous, however the last sword strike will be a rising swing, accompanied by a vertically rising Wicked Blade that will launch enemies into the air.
Moonlight Massacre: A special attack, holding down and standing in place causes Bayonetta to slowly move the katana in a circular motion, drawing a demonic seal in the air in front of her. When she's drawn half of the circle, Shuraba will flash brightly, pressing at this time will perform the Half-Moon Slash, which will send out a blade of power in a straight line along the ground. Pressing after the seal is fully drawn will execute the Full-Moon Slash, where Bayonetta will thrust the blade downwards into the Seal and send forth a massive red beam of energy. Though this is the most powerful attack Shuraba can execute outside of Serious Mode, it is very slow, inaccurate, and leaves Bayonetta open for attack. The only practical way to use it would be during Witch Time, especially with the Bracelet of Time equipped.
Bayonetta 2
In addition to keeping the same combos and properties as the first game, the Shuraba now features the new Umbran Climax mechanic introduced in Bayonetta 2. The Shuraba summons Mictlantecuhtli to sweep a wide area with devastating effects.
Angel Slayer
Jeanne's version of Shuraba is named Angel Slayer. It is a silver-white katana with glowing green lines of energy going down the flat of the katana's blade. Despite it being wielded in the fashion of a Japanese katana, the sword's overall appearance and design is more similar to a European saber or rapier, with its blade being notched and curving upwards at its top and having a hand guard which is in the shape of the Umbra Witches' insignia.
Angel Slayer also appears to canonically be her preferred weapon of choice, as it has its own extensive backstory and she wields it in combat against Bayonetta several times along with All 4 One. Due to events in the game and allusions to her past, it is theorized that Jeanne may actually be the witch who was excommunicated for starting a war with the Angels.
In-Game Description
"A katana born in the unknown depths of Inferno, brimming with mystery. One legend states that it is the twin sword to Shuraba. It is also said the sword's name comes from the story of a witch who loved the sword, and was excommunicated for carrying out a futile war against the angels. While the sword did not contain the soul of a demon, the Angel Slayer displayed incredible power; however, the sword, and the witch in whose hand it was held, both found themselves in Inferno. Eventually, the blade passed into the hands of Rodin who was able to make up for its previous deficiency; however, it remains unknown what sort of demon the smith was able to seal away in the historic blade."
Master Sword
Bayonetta with the Master Sword
In the Wii U re-release of Bayonetta, players gain access to a Legend of Zelda Link costume. When in this costume and using the Shuraba, the sword will take on the appearance of the Master Sword. In Bayonetta 2, the Master Sword becomes its own weapon until the Shuraba becomes unlocked, The Master Sword uses Shuraba's moveset and combos and is available only when the Link costume is worn.
Bayonetta 2 In-Game Description: The mythical blade wielded by the Heroes of Hyrule, those who posses the Spirit of the Hero and Triforce of Courage, to banish great evil. Its power is legendary, and the blade itself can cut down the most powerful of monsters with relative ease.
Trivia
When literally translated from Japanese to English, Shuraba means "the scene of bloodshed." The word is also used in Japan within the screenwriting industry to categorize fight and action scenes, both in traditional plays and in film.
In Japanese Buddhism, Ashuras are powerful multi limbed and faced human demigods, being one form of incarnation in the cycle of Samsara, but whose existence is also seen as one of the Four Unhappy Births, said to be the reincarnation of humans who have constantly engaged in violence, and are cursed to a life of neverending carnage where there is no sort of resolution or peace. Their behavior regarded as bellicose, prone to jealousy, and addicted to carnal pleasures, and whose image served roles in Samurai culture to warriors in Feudal Japan, suits the weapon's form of a katana.
As the taunt for this weapon, Bayonetta assumes a split stance and says "Bring it".
The LP used to unlock Shuraba is named after Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."
In his commentary, Hideki Kamiya mentions that a special animation was planned and developed for Shuraba to play when it is charged: the hilt of the sword would open, revealing Ashura's pulsing heart. During subsequent changes in animation, the developers forgot to link the animation back and it is not used in game, though the code for it still exists.
Jeanne's Angel Slayer is a Kyū Guntō, a sword that was used primarily by Japanese army, navy and cavalry officers in the Russo-Japanese War. Each military branch carried a different type of Kyū Guntō.
is held the more powerful the strike becomes, with it having three levels of power. It freezes combo counter and magic consumption by accessories.
and standing in place causes Bayonetta to slowly move the katana in a circular motion, drawing a demonic seal in the air in front of her. When she's drawn half of the circle, Shuraba will flash brightly, pressing 
