Like A Dragon: Ishinfeatures an incredibly robust story and complex characters that make it deserving of a glowing review as one of the best games in the series. This revenge tale is filled to the brim with twists, suspense, and moments of absurdity that provide some much-needed levity in otherwise dark times.
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Evenif you’re a beginner to the seriesand have no frame of reference for the game’s many recurring themes and callbacks, there’s plenty to enjoy from the characters alone. While many of Ishin’s character models are pulled directly from other Yakuza games, the personalities, and motivations stand alone as excellent starting points to get to know this amazing ensemble of heroes, vigilantes, and villains.
May Contain Story Spoilers
10William Bradley
What better character to include in a game that takes place in feudal-era Japan than an American man dressed up loosely like Indiana Jones? And that name? Probably the most American name ever imagined. Aside from the caricature-like appearance, William Bradley does play an important role in Like A Dragon: Ishin.
Bradley meets the game’s protagonist, Ryoma Sakamoto fairly early on in the story and gets him involved in some shady business. That aside, William proves an honorable man as he defends his new friend from harm and even offers his tutelage in firearms. Whether you feel he belongs in Ishin or not, there’s no doubt that this gunslinging cowboy is the most fitting character to offer advice on how to shoot a gun.
9Yoshida Toyo
While Yoshida Toyo and his words of wisdom won’tmake it past the game’s first chapter, his appearance and conversations with Ryoma are poignant and heartwarming. As the magistrate of Tosa, Yoshida is an incredibly powerful and influential man, which he demonstrates early on.
After helping Ryoma escape jail following his untimely arrest, it seems that Toyo has a plan that will change Japan forever. This plan includes Ryoma as a major component, and everything is looking up for these heroes until a sudden assassination turns Ryoma’s world upside down.
8Otose (Terada Ayano)
Otose, also known as Terada Ayano is a benevolent woman who cares deeply for those around her. As the owner of the Terada Inn, Otose offers Ryoma Sakamoto a place to stay on his journey while she also cares for Oryo Narasaki, a young orphaned girl.
This former Geisha has a fascinating history, as she originally founded her inn with her late husband, a samurai. Otose is her maiden name which she now uses after the death of her husband. She is nothing short of a loving, angelic figure in a world that prioritizes power and class over care for the unfortunate.
7Nagakura Shinpachi
Despite being a high-ranking member of the Shinsengumi, this Captain exhibits uncharacteristic mercy when his brothers take violence too far. Shinpachi, a user of the powerful Tennen Rishin style of combat, is the test every Shinsengumi must pass if they hope to join the group.
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Despite his intimidating size and gruff demeanor, Nagakura Shinpachi is not blinded by bloodlust or hunger for violence, instead seeking truth above all else. His appearance contrasts his personality and adds a layer of depth to a man that many would dismiss as nothing more than a killer.
6Narasaki Oryo
Oryo is a virtuous young woman with powerful convictions and a strong sense of justice. Her father was killed by the Shinsengumi, and she reviles anyone who associates with them, even Ryoma - once he joins up to find the Tennen Rishin user he’s been searching for.
After making her opinion known to Ryoma in an emotional conversation, Oryo’s past comes to light, and her resilience to life’s hard lessons becomes clear. Despite being left with almost nothing, Oryo persevered under the guidance of Otose and continues to develop her own place in an unforgiving world.
5Okita Soji
Okita Soji isthe perfect embodiment of his Yakuza counterpart, Goro Majima, with the same carefree sense of humor and reckless bloodlust. He is the Captain of the Shinsengumi’s First Unit, putting him on a similar footing as Majima was in the Tojo Clan.
Aside from his similarities to his model, Okita Soji has a complicated past that will have you questioning everything you know about the characters in Ishin. Marred by death and haunted by his past life, Okita Soji walks a painful road that few can understand, and his journey is worth paying close attention to as you progress through the story.
4Yae Yamamoto
Yae Yamamoto, also known as Miss Tatsu, is nothing short of a badass. She enlists Ryoma’s help as she wipes the floor with some deadbeats as her first action in Like A Dragon: Ishin. She emerges from the shadows and sticks up for a woman who is clearly being extorted out of her money.
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Once Yae shows up, it’s clear this debt collector turned vigilante has a deep disdain for men who take advantage of women. Apparently, her reputation precedes her as the would-be criminals recognized who she was from the instant she appeared. In a world where men hold immeasurable power, Yae helps tip the scales to protect those who need it most.
3Niibori Matsusuke
While his identity is veiled in several layers of obscurity, the man known as Niibori Matsusuke plays a pivotal role in Ishin and is extremely involved in the Ishin Shishi movement. Much like Ryoma Sakamoto, he is invested in seeing the fall of the Bakufu, also called the Shogunate.
His ideals further align with the vision Yoshida Toyo had for Japan, as Niibori also dreams of seeing the class system abolished and leans toward a parliamentary democracy style of government. He wishes to see all people participate in government, and not just Japan’s elite members. All will become clear once you unearth the truth behind his mysterious identity.
2Ryoma Sakamoto
As the protagonist, Ryoma asserts his complexity and likability from the get-go. He is a man plagued by misfortune who never sees the end of the road. Instead, life finds a way to allow him to pick himself up and continue forth to wherever his journey may lead him.
From the moment he loses his father figure to later joining the Shinsengumi, it’s clear that once Ryoma commits himself to a goal, there is nothing that can stop him from reaching it. Ryoma dedicates himself completely to finding the owner of the deadly Tennen Rishin style he encountered on the night of his father’s assassination.
1Takechi Hanpeita
Takechi Hanpeita’s incredible story arc really makes his character stick out as one that’s at odds with Ryoma, but isn’t evil in his deeds. It’s possible to see the reason and the well-meaning ideas in Takechi’s words for much of the story, particularly in his early conversations with Ryoma.
As Ryoma’s brother, he grew up with Yoshida Toyo guiding him and influencing the man he would later become. Takechi, like Ryoma, is stubborn and refuses to let anything deter him from seeing his goals fulfilled. While his direct involvement in the story takes a back seat to Ryoma’s, Takechi’s temper and unwavering determination lead him toward a goal that Ryoma cannot allow.
