How to avoid Inner Isshin circular slice attack

[Blue Foot]

The one with the black mortal blade, he opens with it. How to avoid.

[Enderspoons]

If you block it, you will get flung into the second hit and likely die instantly. As far as I know, there's a couple ways to avoid it:
1. Use Mist Raven just before you get hit. This is the most reliable method.
2. Let yourself get whacked by the first hit. You will take no damage from the second hit due to hitstun.

I think you might be able to knock him out of doing it altogether using Ichimonji, but I have not tried this so this might not work.

[Holou]

Last I heard you can use the lilac umbrella, don't know if it fully negates the damage though

[Hank Schrader]

just stay back and then once he does the second swipe just run it for the free hit isnt a bad fight once you get use to it!

[destro]

2 hits and lilac umbrella and if you feel like a pro you can dodge his attack

[Speaker Terenus]

You can literally just run out of the first hit's range, then run back up to Isshin to avoid the second. You also get some free strikes in with this method.

[Piramidion]

Originally posted by Holou:

Last I heard you can use the lilac umbrella, don't know if it fully negates the damage though

it does, at least it did on Genichiro before SSI fight (I haven't reached the inner Ishin yet)

[Mitch1gamer]

i've used the lilac umbrella against that move pretty much from my second attempt of the fight onward since its knockback and chip damage are pretty brutal
it works impressively well, only costs 1 emblem and the followup does a really good amount of damage, it's probably the easiest way to counter that

[FTZ35]

1. Double deflect with purple lilac umbrella (first pull it out then press block again while it's out to spin it again) - this does posture damage and allows projected force counter. Consumes 2 emblems.
Note: it can be done with just the initial spin but it's hard to get both parts with it.
2. Mist Raven it - most reliable method and allows fang and blade punish but probably somewhat weaker than the previous method. Consumes 2 or 3 emblems depending on which version you use
3. Just run the hell away.

[Don Quixote de La Mancha]

run behind him when the fight begins

[BurtSP]

Just watch the Fuzzy Barbarian Guide on youtube. I go back and fight Isshin all the time. Every attack can be parried.

[BurtSP]

Start the fight with ceremonial tonto, then pellet back the health, drop an ako's sugar and a divine confetti. Now skip the cut and target Genichi, run behind and get in one attack maybe two, side step the mortal draw, and then he might do a second, side step that one, then finish him off. Stay in close and attack, he will not do another mortal draw with black blade.

[LightLance]

At the fight start just use Ako and confetti then run to Isshin take one hit and run out from him to place from you start fight between sword on the right and spear on the left. Stop and wait untill black circle reach close to you then run back to Isshin and take one thrust hit and make one strike he deflect. Be prepare to his asshina cross cancel which will be next after that in 90% circumstance.
https://youtu.be/CrxhD6MmRlQ

[David Benioff]

It comes out in two 'waves': the first circle is near him and the second one is farther away. Outspace the first one by just being far enough. Once the black (that signals damage) dust stuff in the circle is there for a bit, run in near him. The second one will completely miss you.