Black Associations They summoned Arakawa to their office and asked him to collect Kasuga in person, assuming Kasuga was part of his family. Ichiban and his friends take this opportunity to strike as they fight their way up the tower to the Arakawa Family office, where Tendo, who had also murdered Arakawa in cold blood earlier, lies in wait for Ichiban to settle the score with. IchiIcchanKasugamaru Age At Omi Alliance headquarters, Masumi interrupts Goro Majima and Taiga Saejima's fight against Kasuga and his party and introduces the latter to Dojima. Fight: Arakawa Family This fight is against a Lv. Yokoyama said that Nakaya's reading of the character's scripted lines projected a rebellious personality which stood out to the developers. 23-41 (The Legend of Ichiban Kasuga: Part 1). 185 cm (6 1)[c] Despite the amount of bloodshed throughout the story, this is one of the most optimistic endings in the series. His moveset, much like that of Kiryu and Majima, is a reskinned version of the Streets of Rage series' main character, Axel. He tells Kasuga that Arakawa will need allies shortly. Although he had a loving father, Masumi had a troubled home life as a child, and received the scar on his face at the hands of his mother at a young age. The next day, Watase and Dojima declare the dissolution of both of their organizations and are met with resistance from the Omi officers. Tang and has cited Chun's work as an inspiration. All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. Plot: Ichiban, distraught at Arakawa's death is called by Hoshino who invites him for a meal. This imagination has also made him a quick thinker and a creative tactician in battles despite his rash and impulsive demeanor. Before they part, Masumi talks about a strange dream where Kasuga and Masato swapped places in their births. Grants Refresh (nullifying up to 24,000 damage) to the 3 allies with the highest Attack. He spent most of his days fighting people for money, regardless of who they were. The announcement is made the following day, when Ichiban and company must fight off the angry former Yakuza. He is also the protagonist of Daigo . His long history as a hitman and his reputation as the militant leader of the Arakawa Family earned him the nickname "Arakawa the Assassin" (, Koroshi no Arakawa). Ichiban Kasuga ( , Kasuga Ichiban) is the protagonist of the Like a Dragon series from Yakuza: Like a Dragon onward, as well as the protagonist of The Legend of Ichiban Kasuga: Part 1 in Ryu Ga Gotoku Online. When asked why he would go to those lengths in the first place, he simply stated that he "felt like impressing an idiot kid who knew [his] name.". He left Kamurocho for several days following the incident. Height In 2001, yakuza Ichiban Kasuga agrees to go to prison for a murder that he did not commit to repay Arakawa Family patriarch Masumi Arakawa for saving his life in his youth. something similar also mentioned in the post climax scene but doesnt explicitly say he didnt know.not much clarity there either. Several hours later, he received a phone call from Akane, who told him that Hikawa Family yakuza were closing in, prompting her to run away with the newborn baby to Shinjuku Station. Daigo wants Ichiban to not place all the blame on Arakawa. In 2001, yakuza Ichiban Kasuga agrees to go to prison for a murder that he did not commit to repay Arakawa Family patriarch Masumi Arakawa for saving his life in his youth. [27], Several publications rated Ichiban as among the best video game characters featured in 2020, a year where Like A Dragon saw an international release. Initially hesitant, he accepts after learning the Liumang had sent assassins after Nanba. Ichiban Kasuga (Japanese: , Hepburn: Kasuga Ichiban), also nicknamed Ichi (), is a character from Sega's Ryu ga Gotoku media franchise, known internationally as Yakuza. Kasuga hypes himself up and attunes to the flow of battle, boosting his Evasion and Attack for 2 turns. 18 years later, Ichiban is released from prison. [21] Jorge Jimenez from PC Gamer praised Ichiban's optimistic characterization, a "goofy, happy go lucky gangster who loves classic JRPGs", as an effective way of explaining the franchise's drastic genre shift with Like a Dragon. In December 31, 2000, Kasuga is on a collections job for Jo Sawashiro with Mitsuo Yasumura, interacting with his friends on the way. Y:LAD Some time following the events, Masumi and Kasuga meet at the docks in Yokohama at night and spend some time together. A powerful skill that damages an enemy with an improvised weapon lying about the city. Arakawa, who serves as a father figure to protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, proved to be a much more compelling character than he thought. Masumi's first card in Ryu Ga Gotoku Online, SSR Masumi Arakawa (Black), was first released on September 24, 2020 and depicts the version of him seen in the main story of Ryu Ga Gotoku Online. The Yakuza franchise's developers, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, wanted to create a new lead character to continue the narrative of the fictional universe they have created. GameSpot compared him to Goro Majima based on similar traits they share "though a lot less deranged", while also noting that he is quite different from Kiryu despite sharing other traits in their backstories. They attempt to expose the company's counterfeiting scheme, but their plan goes awry and they are captured and framed by Mabuchi. Really cool twist but I can't believe Arakawa never knew under these circumstances. A destitute Ichiban starts a new life and forges new connections in an unfamiliar city, where he is eventually thrust into a conspiracy involving a money laundering scheme which involves Japan's political establishment. And in an unjust world, heroes such as Ichiban are not only important, they're necessary., Chris Moyse, "2020 may have been a crap year but it gave us some amazing new characters". Aoki's arc is sad, as he spent the first several years of his life wheelchair-bound, feeling like he had no control over his life. On the way, a helicopter spots them on a rooftop and Adachi stays behind. *spoilers*" - Page 2. Kiichi NakaiWPTaishi MurataWP (teen) Arakawa the Assassin English Only Ichiban, Sawashiro and Arakawa cared about Masato. Masumi earned the resentment of the patriarch of the Sakaki Family, Sakaki, when he interrogated Sakaki on the fact the Sakaki Family was selling Tojo Clan information to the Omi Alliance at a meeting in front of Tojo executives. He infiltrates the meeting and finds Arakawa with several Tojo Clan figures. In his younger years, he has somewhat androgynous features allowing him to perform in female roles with ease. Through Shuichi Kanbe, the duo find jobs. Adachi joins him, and explains his reasoning for wanting to be with him, then hands him a smartphone, which he learns how to operate with assistance from Nick Ogata. Ichiban Kasuga. [6], Auditions of the character started early in development to appreciate him sooner. Actors Afterwards, Zhao directs Kasuga to meet with Mitsuo, who is keeping a low profile. [17] GamesRadar enjoyed the game mechanics presented towards Ichiban and his allies, making their wait for the game's release worthwhile. Patriarch of the Arakawa Family, a third-tier subsidiary of the Tojo Clan. )Mitsuo Yasumura (former subordinate)Tsukasa Mikuni (subordinate)Vincent Lowe (subordinate)Yosuke Kagami (subordinate) Kasuga hoped mentioning his name would somehow get him free, but it only backfired. Arakawa explains that it was he who leaked inside information to his son, giving him the chance he needed to bring the 3K strategy into play, forcing the Tojo Clan out. [22] Leah Williams and Tegan Jones from Kotaku Australia welcomed the decision to have Ichiban succeed Kiryu as the new lead character of the franchise, lauding his character arc to be simultaneously moving as well as one filled with ridiculous fun. Zhao joins Kasuga's party, and they decide to meet with Aoki for answers. It had the words "Neither justice nor mercy should tip the scale." It is the second card released as part of a series of SSR cards known as Black cards, which center around various antagonists in the Yakuza series. )Ichiban Kasuga (son, former subordinate)Masato Arakawa (adoptive son)Hikawa (former patriarch)Mitsuo Yasumura (subordinate)Reiji Ishioda (subordinate)Yosuke Tendo (subordinate)Masaru Watase (ally)Daigo Dojima (ally)Goro Majima (ally)Taiga Saejima (ally)Ryuhei Hoshino (acquaintance)Tora (former co-star) . Kazuhiro Nakaya, the voice actor of Ichiban Kasuga in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, has addressed the future of the Yakuza . The way I see it, he either knew or was very suspicious and hoped Ichi was his real son. Kazuhiro Nakaya The two seemingly developed a mutual sense of responsibility for Masato's care although Sawashiro never admitted he was Masato's biological father. The character's fascination with Dragon Quest serves as the impetus for the series' change from action adventure to role-playing games. Aliases Relationships In Like a Dragon 8, Kasuga's hairstyle is a ponytail once again. He realizes far too late how important his family is. During the campaign, he learns Hoshino is being targeted by Sawashiro, but arrives too late to save him, and learn from Sawashiro that Aoki is his son and Kasuga is Arakawa's. Cookies help us deliver our Services. After vowing to make Kasuga pay for all the pain the Tojo Clan has inflicted to the Jingweon, Han and Kasuga start fighting. Kasuga's tattoo covers most of his back and ends just above his thighs. Ichiban arranges for Aoki to be lured to the Arakawa Family office, and used the opportunity to record incriminating evidence against him and expose his true nature to the general public. Brown He is a former member of the Arakawa Family, a Tojo Clan subsidiary. Appears In Ichiban is the lead character in the 2020 video game Yakuza: Like A Dragon, the first main series Yakuza title which does not feature recurring series lead Kazuma Kiryu as a playable character. Damage an enemy by hitting them hard in their vital spot. Arakawa and Kasuga catch up after returning to Yokohama, but the next day, he learns Arakawa was killed. The two reconcile, but before Aoki can turn himself over to the police, Kume, a member of Bleach Japan and a newly elected representative, stabs Aoki. He waited outside of the Arakawa Family office for one hundred days before Arakawa finally gave in and agreed to swear him into the family at sixteen, against Jo Sawashiro's wishes. Afterwards, Ichiban gets to reunite with Arakawa, whom he tells he feels is like a surrogate father, and the two share a nice moment. Nicknames They explain their plan to their guests. Kasuga bluffs to Aoki of having incriminating evidence to lure him and Tendo to the Millennium Tower. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Tojo Clan (formerly)Arakawa Family (formerly) Also did ichiban providers never mention his mother's name, and if they did why wouldn't it ever come up in passive conversation between Arakawa and ichiban? The game then dramatically rolls into a flashback from when Sawashiro was 15, and his girlfriend at the time was pregnant. Ichiban was designed by franchise developers Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio for Ryu ga Gotoku ONLINE, though a decision was later made by executive director and franchise creator Toshihiro Nagoshi and his team to position Ichiban as the lead character of future mainline entry games. Affiliation Privacy Policy. I dont think ichiban realized that this just wasnt a prison sentence but this was for life meaning to never return once he got out cause if he returned then the other family would know that it was the family that ichiban was part of that did kill their guy which is why ichiban boss shot him once he opened the door. Kasuga defeats Tendo, and engineers a confession with the help of Mirror Face to end Aoki's political career. I used both 1,2,3 in the final fight, 3 works the best. 18 years later, Ichiban is released from prison. Ichiban Kasuga (adoptive son, former subordinate)Jo Sawashiro (second-in-command? He has a scar on the right side of his face he received from his mother in childhood, which is shallow enough to cover with makeup. To draw out Aoki in order to confront him, Ichiban decides to enter himself as an electoral candidate with Hoshino's support, but Aoki's henchman Jo Sawashiro assassinates Hoshino. Due to how often the troupe moved from place to place, Masumi never developed friendships in school. Relationships Black, later graying Kamurocho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" has multiple storylines that all begin to culminate at the end of the game, with the toppling of multiple crime families and the possibility of some babies being swiped at birth all being thrown at the player. One day, in 1993, he was called to the offices of the Shinomiya Family to take responsibility for Ichiban Kasuga, a sixteen-year-old boy who had hospitalized one of their members and was claiming to be from the Arakawa Family. Nanba joins Kasuga after Yokohama Liumang member Zheng demands payment from the homeless, and the two drive him off. A Chinese legend tells of a koi fish that ascended a great waterfall . He was forced to deal with the matter peacefully, as Sakaki was a direct patriarch above him in rank and feigned innocence in front of the executives. Sawashiro, the man who Ichiban gave away 18 years of his life to save, is central to the yakuza now. Learning from Reiji Ishioda that Tendo murdered Arakawa, the group goes into hiding with Nick and heads to Kamurocho. Masumi is shot in the chest and dies a painful death, the last sight in his life being Tendo's smile. Kasuga pleads to Aoki to start anew, but he is killed by Kume before he can do so. His plans, besides shooting Ichiban, actually make a lot more sense than Kazama. Ryu Ga Gotoku OnlineYakuza: Like a DragonLike a Dragon 8 If points fall below opponent's points (by percentage), initiates Boss Assault outside of Boss Raid Mode. Masumi escaped and told Akane to meet him at Cafe Alps after she had given birth. Arakawa is shot in the chest and dies a painful death, the last sight in his life being Tendo's smile. Damage an enemy with a swift, brutal kick. He later takes Masato to the cabaret club he frequents and receives money from him, which he tries to use as payment for his captain, who realizes where the money actually came from. The year after the death of his father, he stopped going to junior high school at fifteen and resorted to whatever means necessary to earn money and support himself, leaving his education behind for good. For Yakuza: Like a Dragon on the PlayStation 4, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "What do you want to see in a sequel? Masumi approaches the sixth chairman Daigo Dojima with the plan, who approves it as both he and Omi Alliance captain Masaru Watase were planning to disband the Tojo and the Omi to prevent the law from using them as pawns, and the Kamurocho 3K plan succeeding would work towards that goal. His features are typically obscured by his fedora or by shadow, but he appears to have short black hair and brown eyes. The betrayal causes Tojo remnants to attack Masumi every once in a while, but he survives and climbs the ranks. After that, he was compelled to understand why Arakawa shot him and took one dirty job after another. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, character_model_model_data (.BIN file), ONLINEPS, , Yakuza: Like a Dragon Playable Characters, Ryu Ga Gotoku Online#Wanderings of the Golden Dragon, https://www.thegamer.com/like-a-dragon-ishin-interview-hiroyuki-sakamoto/. The "ultimate example of not living up to your name," who'd get the ass-end of life despite the name Ichiban and live it to the fullest like he doesn't see the ironythat's the thinking behind it. Once he learned the truth, Masumi spared Hoshino's life and left quietly. They later meet the heads of the Ijin Three at Heian Tower and learn about the scheme they set up with Yutaka Ogikubo, but for information on Kasuga's fake bill, he is asked to retrieve Nanba. After sighting a picture of Ryo Aoki, the upstart Governor of Tokyo and co-founder of Bleach Japan, Ichiban recognizes him as an actual living Masato Arakawa. Kasuga was instead taken in by Shangri-La's manager, Jiro Kasuga, and raised by the people of Kamurocho. Aoki is about to come around but is fatally stabbed by a disillusioned Kume. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, character_model_model_data (.BIN file), Yakuza: Like a Dragon Supporting Characters. Brown [28] Hayes Madsen from Screen Rant said Ichiban is the most important protagonist in games for the year 2020, and called him an inspiring character due to his unfailing kindness and warmth of humanity, and that his story arc in Like a Dragon put forward meaningful commentary on the inequalities of society. An orphan, raised by homeless people, pledging himself to the service of the Arakawa Yakuza Family, after their boss sacrificed a finger to save Ichiban from harm. He learns Aoki had ensorsed Sota Kume for an election. Due to existing tensions with the Sakaki as well as the fact that they are a higher rank, Masumi would need to make amends. Actors We also get to see her twin sister Nanoha Mukoda in a smaller role during the main plotline. Note: This is ONLY to be used to report spam, advertising, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts. Sawashiro suggests leaking information in exchange for the Family's continued survival. Between 1978 and 1982, he established the Arakawa Family, a third-tier organization within the Tojo Clan's ranks. When assigned his unique class, Hero, the way he envisions his attire changes slightly in battle; his sleeves are rolled up to the elbow, he wears black leather gloves, and his necklace is replaced by a red silk ascot. The ages given are corroborated in-game, as Hoshino states Masumi had been twenty years old when they first met approximately forty-two years prior to the events of. Noting everything is going according to plan, Masumi shoots Kasuga non-lethally and has him taken to Isezaki Ijincho, a location out of the Omi's reach. Kazuhiro Nakaya Within the series, Ichiban is originally a low-ranking member of the Arakawa Family, a subsidiary yakuza family of the Kanto-based Tojo Clan. RGGO Overview His is of something he calls a "dragonfish.".