This imagination has also made him a quick thinker and a creative tactician in battles despite his rash and impulsive demeanor. Kuze and the Go-Ryu follow Ryuji, while Kasuga chases after Han. Granted, he had a good reason to do so, but when it turns out that Ichiban is Arakawa's biological son, must've been quite painful for him to have to shoot his own son (or rather someone that he regarded as a son) just to get said plan going.. In Like a Dragon 8, Kasuga's hairstyle is a ponytail once again. Afterwards, he interrogates Ogasawara to learn of Aoki's ambitions and plans to use the Omi. After he joins the yakuza, he slicks part of his hair back in a more clean-cut style. Zhao joins Kasuga's party, and they decide to meet with Aoki for answers. The game then dramatically rolls into a flashback from when Sawashiro was 15, and his girlfriend at the time was pregnant. In 1976, Masumi decided to settle down with Akane after she told him she was pregnant, but could not think of a way to bring up the subject to his patriarch. During a visit to the former Omi chairman's grave, Kasuga sees and calls out to him, but he feigns ignorance to avoid blowing his cover. Espaol - Latinoamrica (Spanish - Latin America). we dont know for sure the dream that arakawa has started occuring even before he sends him to prison. One of Kasuga's notable traits is his unfailing kindness and general love for people. "[2] Realizing that this new protagonist could serve as the franchise's "catalyst for change" by moving away from the exploration of a modern version of a typical Japanese hero in Kiryu, Yokoyama set about creating and portraying a "life-sized hero", a protagonist who is essentially a "normal guy" who is not as strong or mature as Kiryu. Counterpart Kasuga decides to head to Sotenbori after becoming restless waiting for an update from Mitsuo. Kasuga puts all his energy into a single punch that may leave the enemy stunned. 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. and our Brown He wields a bat that does a decent amount of damage, so focus on your blocks. The character has received a generally positive response from critics and players in the video game community, with the consensus that he is a suitable choice to succeed Kiryu's role as the lead character in future games. Also Known As Any other thug would simply refuse to go to jail for Sawashiro/Masato. Initially a street thug, Daigo becomes the Sixth Chairman of the Tojo Clan by Kazuma Kiryu's recommendation, representing a new generation of yakuza. Kazuhiro Nakaya He left Kamurocho for several days following the incident. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. In 1969, when he is not wearing his Onnagata outfit, he wears a white dress shirt with the top button unbuttoned, khaki pants, a black leather belt with a silver buckle, and white Velcro sneakers. However, Sawashiro later claims that after Arakawa left with Sawashiro's son (Ryo Aoki), the owner of the local brothel came to pull another baby out of the locker (Ichiban Kasuga), who is Arakawa's actual son. Date of Birth While ending the two largest Yakuza organizations in Japan is a significant development (after all, this is a series based entirely around organized crime), it's interesting to see such an action-packed series make this decision through the use of real-world politics (or at least something that resembles the real world). He was the Patriach of his family surely he could've found someone else to take Aoki's place right ? 1957[b] 39 (Wanderings of the Golden Dragon)62 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)[a] Age Occupation 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. From watching the trailer seeing ichiban take the fall for the other guy. Ichiban appears as an unlockable player character of the promotional freeware game Streets of Kamurocho, developed and released as part of Sega's 60th anniversary celebrations in October 2020. 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. He was hidden in coin locker #101 at Shinjuku Station by Akane on Arakawa's instructions in order to keep him safe while they were being pursued by members of Hikawa Industries; however, Arakawa unknowingly retrieved the baby locked in the adjacent locker #99. Kazuhiro Nakaya, who previously voiced recurring franchise character Akira Nishikiyama, was one of the candidates who read for the role. Giovanni Colantonio from Inverse considered Ichiban to be the best playable protagonist of 2020 because he is allowed to be a naive and flawed character who makes plenty of mistakes, a trait rarely seen in most video game heroes, which led to the best character development of any other character in the industry in his view. He realizes far too late how important his family is. When the dissolution is announced, they join Arakawa in defending Dojima and Watase alongside Yosuke Tendo, who had deccided to fight for them, and Watase's mysterious bodyguard. He tells Kasuga that Arakawa will need allies shortly. [6], Auditions of the character started early in development to appreciate him sooner. Kasuga wakes up under a pile of garbage in Isezaki Ijincho, having been patched up by Yu Nanba. His personal skills revolve around healing for his allies and himself. 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. A selfish, violent man, he is the one pulling the strings, the one blockading Arakawa from aiding Ichiban. With the rough events, Kasuga starts to lose himself, but an exchange of blows with Kazuma Kiryu gets him back to his senses. arakawa didnt know for sure. 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. 18 years later, Ichiban is released from prison. At the Arakawas' funeral, Kasuga turns down an invitation into a security firm by the ex-Tojo and Omi officers to stay with his newfound treasured friends in Ijincho, and reflects on Aoki's last words to him. The family gained notoriety due to its militant nature and became feared among the residents of Kamurocho, with Masumi himself earning the nickname "Arakawa the Assassin." Japanese 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". High chance to land a critical hit. Ichiban denies this, saying he'd rather bring Arakawa's vision of improving the yakuza to life. After their job is done, however, Nonomiya dies apparently from suicide. When Ichiban gets out of prison in 2019, 18 years after his incarceration, the world has changed rapidly, but the biggest shock is probably that the Arakawa family has joined the Omi Alliance,. Nicknames Ichiban Kasuga (adoptive son, former subordinate)Jo Sawashiro (second-in-command? 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. Part of his little finger on his left hand is missing. Hair Color As a yakuza patriarch, Masumi appears as a considerate person towards his underlings, especially Ichiban, whom he treats just like an actual son and able to persuade Ichiban to work better with Sawashiro during his tenure. Part of his little finger on his left hand is missing. Between 1978 and 1982, he established the Arakawa Family, a third-tier organization within the Tojo Clan's ranks. Arakawa the Assassin He was unequipped to handle Masato's dejection and resentment surrounding his disability, and even as a toddler, Masato was prone to tantrums he never had the heart to resist. Affiliation In doing so, he decisively changed the course of Kasuga's life. Kiichi NakaiWP In December 31, 2000, Kasuga is on a collections job for Jo Sawashiro with Mitsuo Yasumura, interacting with his friends on the way. You get a lot more out more human elements out of him. However, he has a strong sense of justice and is always willing to help out anyone in need. By his most recent appearance in 2019 he has a neatly-trimmed goatee. In 2004, Masato fakes his death and starts a new identity as Ryo Aoki with assistance from the Arakawa Family and leaves for the USA. On the way, a helicopter spots them on a rooftop and Adachi stays behind. Kasuga was born to Akane and Masumi Arakawa on New Year's Day, 1977, in Shangri-La. However, that night at the restaurant, Toshio was murdered by a hitman sent by the Seiryu Clan. Black Place of Birth He is also the protagonist of Daigo . 58[3] The patriarch of Hikawa Family eventually arranged a relationship between his daughter and Masumi. Ryu Ga Gotoku OnlineYakuza: Like a Dragon [5] His background of being born and raised in one of Japan's "grey zones" was set from the start. All rights reserved. But who's to say whether or not he would have intervened. IchiIcchanKasugamaru Chapter 15 is the final chapter of the game and culminates with a fight against Ryo Aoki, the son of Arakawa and the governor of Japan. 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. Y:LAD They explain their plan to their guests. Biographical Information Nanba joins Kasuga after Yokohama Liumang member Zheng demands payment from the homeless, and the two drive him off. In order to complete this plan, Masumi feigns turning over to the Omi. For more information, please see our He willingly goes to prison for a murder that he did not commit at the turn of the 21st century, having acquiesced to the request of his clan patriarch, Masumi Arakawa. Its just a possiblity. A high-ranking member of the family like Sawashiro would've probably hurt their reputation too much. Aoki admits that he is the one who committed the murder that sent Ichiban to prison years ago. He's got a big heart, but I just don't see an actual reason as to why he would get involved. One of Like a Dragon's main characters is Saeko Mukoda, a mama at a hostess bar who joins Ichiban's party. Japanese Associations 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. Ichiban is voiced by Kazuhiro Nakaya in Japanese, and by Kaiji Tang in English. As to why he asked Ichiban to take the fall, probably because he thought Ichi could handle prison, being so tough and all. Arakawa says that Ichi was like a son to him, but isn't it hypocritical that only moments later of him stating that Ichi felt like a son to him, he still sells him out making him go to prison because his other actual son (or so he though) messed up ? 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. Ryu Ga Gotoku Online: Masumi has a solid build. The given birth year of 1957 is an estimate based on Arakawa's age and is not intended as a substitute for an official date. He later learned that Akane was caught by the yakuza and murdered while he was on his way to the hospital. [2] Toshihiro Nagoshi approved of the decision to change the franchise's lead character from Kiryu to Ichiban. Biographical In the final boss fight of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Freelancer will be forcibly equipped, but will have all its skills unlocked if they are not already unlocked. Relationships Japanese RGGO Affiliation Sawashiro suggests leaking information in exchange for the Family's continued survival. He and his friends are asked to hold the invading Omi Alliance at bay until they can burn down their operation. Black He cares deeply about his party members and leads them with grace and in turn, they stand by him and are ready to have his back no matter how overwhelming the odds are. Knowing that they couldn't face so many enemies at once Ryuji and Han decide to split up. For Yakuza: Like a Dragon on the PlayStation 4, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "What do you want to see in a sequel? Appears In Arakawa is murdered shortly after he and Ichiban part ways, and Ichiban believes that Jo Sawashiro, one of Arakawa's captains, killed him. Hoshino told him everything regarding the counterfeit operation in Yokohama and that Toshio had been smuggling bills on behalf of the organizations involved. He believes that Ichiban fits the Yakuza setting due to his love for Dragon Quest, as well as his heroic demeanor which goes along the new type of gameplay Like a Dragon provided to the franchise. Appearance Basically, everyone is backstabbing everyone. Aoki is about to come around but is fatally stabbed by a disillusioned Kume. Place of Birth Eye Color The family that held him captive were enemies of the Arakawa Family. After over 40 hours of gameplay, here is everything that happens at the end of "Yakuza: Like a Dragon.". He had apparently been struggling with toilet training until fifth grade. Aliases Ichiban declines, saying that his place is in Yokohama with his new friends. We were still figuring the new protagonist out when Nagoshi said, "I want to burden this man with the name 'Ichiban.'" As a Defense-type Yin card, this card places Masumi in an inactive role, with skills that emphasize his militaristic and inspirational qualities as a leader that earned him his nickname and his subordinates' adoration. Affiliation It is revealed that because anti-Yakuza laws in Japan have become so open to interpretation, most Yakuza could be forced to do whatever government officials demanded. Yakuza Like a Dragon - How Ichiban Became A Yakuza / Joined The Arakawa FamilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/Santosx07 The dynamic within the family was tense, however, with Sawashiro's constant abuse of Kasuga often placing Masumi into the role of mediator. Kiichi NakaiWPTaishi MurataWP (teen) RGG Studios' chief producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto explained in an interview that Kasuga appears as a Trooper Card instead of a full character in Like a Dragon: Ishin! Cost decreases with each level. Sawashiro, the man who Ichiban gave away 18 years of his life to save, is central to the yakuza now. Within the series, Ichiban is originally a low-ranking member of the Arakawa Family, a subsidiary yakuza family of the Kanto-based Tojo Clan. In 2019, his attire changes a bit, with the hat now gone, his shoes now brown instead of dark red, and his trench coat now complemented with a suit jacket and a vest. The three are directed to Otohime Land to work for Isao Nonomiya, and rescue Nanoha Mukoda from having to pay large fees to Sunlight Castle, and meet Ryuhei Hoshino, who recognizes the bill. Nationality Prior to this, his hair was styled into a much shorter punch perm, growing out long enough during his time in prison to be tied into a short ponytail. A high-offense job that allows Kasuga to learn terrain-based Skills. Kaiji Tang [20] Michael Higham from GameSpot praised Ichiban as an endearing lead character who is immediately loveable and helps gives the franchise "a fresh start". Character appears in 4 games. Eye Color Granted, he had a good reason to do so, but when it turns out that Ichiban is Arakawa's biological son, must've been quite painful for him to have to shoot his own son (or rather someone that he regarded as a . During their preparations, Ichiban hears of an important Omi Alliance meeting in Osaka that Arakawa will attend. In 2017, the year Kasuga was going to be released were it not for his sentence extension, Masumi writes a letter to him expressing how much he misses him, and invites him for Peking duck when he leaves. Eye Color After vowing to make Kasuga pay for all the pain the Tojo Clan has inflicted to the Jingweon, Han and Kasuga start fighting. [31] Naming Ichiban one of the best new characters of 2020, Destructoid staff observed that Ichiban managed to fill the void left by Kiryu "with relative ease", and that his immediate popularity with the video game community successfully secures the Yakuza franchise's future in their view. It is implied that he may hav felt like kasuga is the real son. Search for hidden treasures scattered throughout the city. Daigo wants Ichiban to not place all the blame on Arakawa. Overview He is more human than Kazama is. High chance to land a critical hit. A powerful skill that damages an enemy with an improvised weapon lying about the city. Like many of the gangsters in Yakuza, Ichiban has a prominent back tattoo. (Kasuga Ichiban) They meet Hamako and Bleach Japan after a bodyguard job, and Adachi rejoins them afterward. Arakawa offered them his finger in exchange for Kasuga's freedom and the men quickly let Kasuga go. )Mitsuo Yasumura (former subordinate)Tsukasa Mikuni (subordinate)Vincent Lowe (subordinate)Yosuke Kagami (subordinate) Kasuga Ichiban (Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! Before their fight escalates, Arakawa and Daigo Dojima explain that Arakawa's betrayal was planned by them and Masaru Watase in order to split the Omi forces between Tokyo and Osaka to make their plan of disbanding the Tojo and Omi easier to accomplish. It puts the pain of shooting Kasuga and the importance of the counterfeit bill into proper perspective, and the finality of Arakawa's life, of being able to finally look at his own son, not as. A masked Joon-gi Han frees them and they rush to Chinatown to stop a war between the Liumang and the Seiryu Clan. To Kasuga's surprise, Arakawa arrived. Biographical Information [32][33] Anime News Network in particular enjoyed Tang's performance as "absolutely spot-on" due to the multiple expressions he gives to his character.