If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the chaotic 6v6 arenas of Marvel Rivals, you’ve definitely heard it. You're holding a point, things are going well, and then a purple blur flashes across your screen followed by a high-pitched, commanding shout in Japanese. Suddenly, half your team is shredded by glowing butterflies.
Ever since the game hit the scene, players have been scratching their heads. What does Psylocke say when she ults?
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It isn't just a random anime shout. Because Psylocke—specifically the Kwannon version of Betsy Braddock we see in Marvel Rivals—is a master of both psychic energy and ninjutsu, her lines are a direct nod to her heritage. If you don't speak Japanese, it sounds like "Tournament Ukraine" or "Tuna Mayo Rice" to the untrained ear.
Honestly, the real meaning is way more badass.
The Ultimate Phrase: Chō no Mai o Kurae!
When Psylocke triggers her ultimate, Dance of the Butterfly, she shouts: "Chō no mai o kurāe!" (蝶の舞を喰らえ！).
Let's break that down because Japanese is a "context is everything" language.
- Chō (蝶): This means "Butterfly."
- no (の): A possessive particle, basically the word "of."
- Mai (舞): This refers to a "Dance."
- o (を): A particle indicating that the "dance" is the object of the verb coming next.
- Kurāe (喰らえ): This is the spicy part. It’s the imperative form of kurau, which means to eat or consume. But in a combat context? It basically means "Taste this!" or "Take that!"
So, the literal translation is something like "Eat the dance of the butterfly!" but a more natural, "expert" translation would be "Taste the dance of the butterfly!" or "Suffer the butterfly's dance!"
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It’s an aggressive, old-school way of speaking that fits a ninja perfectly. If you've played Overwatch, it’s the exact same verb Genji uses in his "Ryūjin no ken o kurae!" (Taste the blade of the dragon god!).
Why does she have different lines?
If she’s on your team, you won’t hear the Japanese line. Instead, she says "Watch me soar!" in English.
Gaming developers do this on purpose. It’s a readability thing. In high-stakes hero shooters, you need to know instantly if an ultimate is "friendly" or "hostile." If you hear English, you’re safe (mostly). If you hear Japanese, you better start spamming your movement abilities because a psychic katana is about to find your neck.
Who is the Voice Behind the Mask?
The voice acting in Marvel Rivals is actually top-tier, and Psylocke is no exception. She is voiced by Alpha Takahashi.
You might recognize her name. She’s the same actress who voiced Hanako Arasaka in Cyberpunk 2077 and Aoi in Warframe: 1999. She has this incredible ability to sound elegant and terrifying at the same time, which is basically Psylocke’s entire brand.
Interestingly, while some characters have different actors for different languages, Alpha Takahashi provides the voice for several regions because her Japanese delivery is authentic. It adds a layer of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to the character's design that fans really appreciate.
Other Common Voice Lines You’ll Hear
While the ult is the big one, Psylocke is constantly chatting during a match. If you’re playing her, you’ll hear her say "Nigasanai wa yo!" (逃さないわよ！) when she uses her Psi-Blade Dash.
That translates to "I won't let you escape!" or "You're not getting away!" It's a classic pursuit line. She also has a variety of elimination lines, often referencing her "psychic knife" or the fact that her enemies were "too slow."
Why the Japanese focus?
Some newer Marvel fans might be confused why she isn't sounding like a posh British lady. Without getting into a 30-year-old comic book history lesson involving body-swapping and the Hand, just know that Marvel Rivals is leaning heavily into her identity as Kwannon. This version of the character is a Japanese assassin through and through, hence the heavy use of the language in her most powerful moments.
Tactical Advice: How to Respond to the Sound Cue
Knowing what she says is cool, but knowing what to do when you hear it is better.
When you hear "Chō no mai o kurāe!", you have exactly one second before she becomes invulnerable and starts the slashing animation.
- Don't group up: The ultimate, Dance of the Butterfly, deals 150 damage per hit and attacks twice per second for four seconds. It prioritizes targets who have been hit the least. If your team is bunched up, she’s going to maximize her damage.
- Use invulnerability frames: If you're playing someone like Magik or Black Panther, save your dash or "out" button for the moment you hear the first syllable of "Chō."
- The "Loki" Counter: If you have a Loki on your team, his "Domain of Deception" can sometimes bait out the ult or hide teammates long enough to minimize the impact.
Final Insights
Psylocke's ultimate line isn't just flavor; it's a legacy. Whether she's telling you to "eat" her butterflies or telling her team to "watch her soar," the voice work by Alpha Takahashi brings a level of intensity that makes Psylocke one of the most satisfying (and annoying) Duelists in the game.
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Next time you hear that shout, don't think about "Tuna Mayo." Think about the fact that a psychic ninja is about to turn you into confetti.
Pro-tip for your next match: Set your in-game dialogue volume slightly higher than the music. In a game like Marvel Rivals, the audio cues for ultimates are often the only warning you get before a team wipe. If you can recognize the "Chō" sound early, you’ll survive 50% more encounters.
Next Steps for Players: Go into the Practice Range and trigger her ultimate several times to get used to the "one-second" wind-up window. This will help you time your own escapes when you face an enemy Psylocke in Competitive play.