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. [5] His background of being born and raised in one of Japan's "grey zones" was set from the start. His moveset, much like that of Kiryu and Majima, is a reskinned version of the Streets of Rage series' main character, Axel. Some time following the events, Masumi and Kasuga meet at the docks in Yokohama at night and spend some time together. In order to complete this plan, Masumi feigns turning over to the Omi. Chris Moyse from Destructoid praised Ichiban's character arc for "masterfully blending stoicism, bravery, pathos, heroism, and just the right amount of complete and utter idiocy to immediately win the hearts of the Yakuza faithful". A Chinese legend tells of a koi fish that ascended a great waterfall . Aoki is about to come around but is fatally stabbed by a disillusioned Kume. This imagination has also made him a quick thinker and a creative tactician in battles despite his rash and impulsive demeanor. Brown [2], To differentiate him from Kiryu, Ichiban is written to be less stoic and more emotive in comparison. Note: This is ONLY to be used to report spam, advertising, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts. He passes the information to Aoki, who uses it to drive the Tojo Clan from Kamurocho and allow the Omi Alliance to take over uncontested, with police commissioner Juro Horinouchi being bribed into allowing it to happen. Arakawa, who serves as a father figure to protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, proved to be a much more compelling character than he thought. Unlike in Like A Dragon, this incarnation of Ichiban never leaves Kamuroch, and encounters a different cast of supporting characters as well as enemies. Ichiban starts accepting work from an employment agency to earn a living, and later investigate the Liumang with his friends to learn the truth behind the murder of one of their employers, a soapland proprietor named Nonomiya. Brown Yokoyama does not believe in portraying unconditional good and evil, as he believes that people with criminal records are capable of righteousness, while members of society who are respected by the public are capable of evil. The character's fascination with Dragon Quest serves as the impetus for the series' change from action adventure to role-playing games. Arakawa asks Kasuga to shoulder the blame and go to prison on Sawashiro's behalf, and that he is banished from the family. 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. RGGO His features are typically obscured by his fedora or by shadow, but he appears to have short black hair and brown eyes. Ichiban identifies Arakawa, and while he did shoot Ichi and probably doesn't like him anymore he's still the kind of man Ichiban aspires to be. Outside the Seiryu offices, the three discuss what happened and Adachi says it's quite a shock that Nanoha would agree to euthanizing her father. Japanese [29] Chingy Nea from Kotaku praised Ichiban as the Yakuza series most relatable protagonist and one of its best characters, and the main reason why Like a Dragon was a source of comfort and joy for her in late-2020. 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 . We also get to see her twin sister Nanoha Mukoda in a smaller role during the main plotline. I felt like Masato knew Ichiban was his son, but he also knew how tough Ichiban was and how Masato would have no one without him and for sure wouldnt make it in prison. The Chief and Hoshino tell Kasuga of their history with Arakawa, and he learns Arakawa had sent him there intentionally to save him, renewing his faith in his former patriarch. Kasuga decided then and there he'd follow Arakawa for the rest of his life. Japanese Advances Heat Gauge by 200 at the start of battle. The game then dramatically rolls into a flashback from when Sawashiro was 15, and his girlfriend at the time was pregnant. Daigo goes on to explain that he asked Arakawa to play the role of "traitor" leading him to shoot Ichiban. Discover more experts answers from Gaming. Kiichi NakaiWPTaishi MurataWP (teen) Nicknames Kasuga's unconscious body is placed in a homeless camp whose chief has a pact with the Arakawa Family and Masumi had secretly placed one of Ryuhei Hoshino's defective counterfeit bills in his suit's chest pocket as a message to Hoshino. The family that held him captive were enemies of the Arakawa Family. This splits the Omi's forces in half, which would instrumental at the time of both organizations' dissolution. Kasuga's tattoo covers most of his back and ends just above his thighs. RGGO The ending feels like information overload, but it's not as completely insane as it might seem at first glance. Kenyu Horiuchi They beat Kasuga to the brink of death, and fearing for his life he blurted out the name of a feared yakuza, Masumi Arakawa, saying that if they killed him they'd be hearing from him; in reality, he had never met the man and was only aware of him due to his reputation as "Killer" Arakawa. 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. 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. Ryu Ga Gotoku OnlineYakuza: Like a DragonLike a Dragon 8 In 1969, after the troupe's final show of the season in Isezaki Ijincho, Yokohama, Toshio planned to treat Masumi to Peking duck at a Chinese restaurant called Heian Tower. The incident had a profound effect on Masumi, who spent the next seven years searching for the killer. [26], In a year as tough as 2020, many video game fans looked to the media as a vicarious escape from the misery of an unjust world. 58[3] Although he appeared to have assistance from his men, raising Masato proved difficult. During his pursuit of power, he did horrible things and lost sight of the people who were there for him when he was a nobody. 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. After getting surgery in America, he gained the use of his legs and began trying to gather power, hoping to make up for the years when he felt helpless. Associations He only made his relationship and the pregnancy known to his patriarch the day Akane was due; however, having lost face, his patriarch had his men beat him badly and ordered them to kill both Akane and the baby. He tells Kasuga that Arakawa will need allies shortly. Initially a street thug, Daigo becomes the Sixth Chairman of the Tojo Clan by Kazuma Kiryu's recommendation, representing a new generation of yakuza. Eye Color 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. Kasuga wakes up under a pile of garbage in Isezaki Ijincho, having been patched up by Yu Nanba. They sneak through the sewers and rooftops to where Arakawa is. Displaying a personality that was at times warm and. After retrieving the baby from locker 0099, he rushed him to the hospital, where the baby was diagnosed with hypothermia-induced multiple organ failure. 1957[b] Ryo Aoki rose to power with a group called Bleach Japan, which focused on getting rid of "gray" areas and crimes in Japan, like the Yakuza and brothels. Arakawa and Kasuga catch up after returning to Yokohama, but the next day, he learns Arakawa was killed. There, he explains that Arakawa is at peace, and that Ichiban should get revenge on Aoki. [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. Valve Corporation. The game follows Ichiban Kasuga, who spends 18 years in prison for a murder that he didn't commit at the request of his patriarch, Masumi Arakawa. Actors Occupation In winter 1999, six years after joining the Arakawa Family, Kasuga is tasked to accompany Daisaku Kuze, who was recently released from prison, on a mission to assassinate Ryuji Goda and Joon-gi Han. This soon fizzled out due to a mutual lack of interest, and Masumi began seeing a woman named Akane in secret. Kazuhiro Nakaya Along with Dojima and Watase, he plans to start up a security company in Sotenbori to serve as a home for the yakuza who would have nowhere else to go after the dissolution. [8][9], Ichiban's English voice actor, Kaiji Tang, describes him as a "whimsical" character who, despite being the game's protagonist, also serves the role of a supporting character due to how he often assists his allies. Year of Birth Horinouchi is also the person responsible for having Adachi demoted. Also in 2017, the newly-elected Tokyo governor Aoki pressures the Arakawa Family into leaking Tojo Clan intel in order to dismantle it using the Kamurocho 3K Plan, threatening to use the anti-yakuza laws to arrest him if he did not comply. Age Sawashiro suggests leaking information in exchange for the Family's continued survival. Height Kazama machinations are pretty much the plot calls for it, whereas Arakawa is basically a tired dad that wants the fighting to stop, but will fight as needed. The previous night, Masato had killed a man from the rival Sakaki Family. Having left a strong impression on Kasuga, he was followed back to the Arakawa Family office, where Kasuga waited outside every day for one hundred days straight until Masumi finally relented and accepted him into the Arakawa Family. He also wears his short black hair parted to the right. They meet Hamako and Bleach Japan after a bodyguard job, and Adachi rejoins them afterward. Initially hesitant, he accepts after learning the Liumang had sent assassins after Nanba. He turns himself in to the police and is sentenced to 15 years in jail, which is extended to 18 years following an incident in the summer of 2002. So, since only Ichiban was extremely loyal to Arakawa, they decided to choose him. To Kasuga's surprise, Arakawa arrived. After Ichiban was shot by Masumi Arakawa and lost consciousness, Nanba saves his life and begins working with him. Damage an enemy with a swift, brutal kick. we dont know for sure the dream that arakawa has started occuring even before he sends him to prison. Although beloved, he lived in poverty and the people who raised him were considered "trash" by the rest of society. 23-41 (The Legend of Ichiban Kasuga: Part 1). Later that day, he attends a meeting with the other Omi Alliance patriarchs at Heian Tower - where Masumi had hoped to treat Kasuga to Peking duck - when Kasuga barges into the room. Damage an enemy with an onslaught of headbutts. After Ichiban beats Sawashiro in a fight, the latter reveals that he didn't kill Arakawa because he feels like he has a life debt to him. He appears to have a relatively slim build. After defeating them, Kasuga learns that Ryo Aoki is actually the supposedly-dead Masato Arakawa. Kasuga followed Arakawa and tried to thank him, but Arakawa punched him, saying he didn't cut his finger off for his sake. On his 24th birthday, Kasuga is called into the Arakawa Family office, where Arakawa informs him of Sawashiro's involvement in the murder of a member of the Sakaki Family. Ichiban Kasuga. Sawashiro tries to have Kasuga's finger cut off, but Arakawa interrupts them and takes Kasuga out for dinner. Age He left Kamurocho for several days following the incident. https://twitter.com/airzach/status/1330802989183893504, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, KSR [Bullet with a Message] Masumi Arakawa (Y:LAD Kiwami), While Masumi's exact age is not stated in-game, the game files differentiate his models by age. When he returns, Aoki has the Arakawa Family support him in his political career. He also discovers that the anti-crime activist group Bleach Japan is indirectly responsible for Nonomiya's death. Damage an enemy with a flying kick. If you have any familiarity with the "Yakuza" franchise, you know that developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio likes to blend soap opera-style drama with absurd gameplay and side stories. Nakaya interpreted Ichiban as an energetic and vivid character when reading the script. Kamurocho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Japanese i don't think the arakawa family was big enough for anyone to willingly serve 15 years in prison for them except for ichiban because well, he did it 100% out of love for arakawa. Associations After their job is done, however, Nonomiya dies apparently from suicide. In 2019, now 42, Kasuga is freed from prison with no one from his old days waiting for him. January 1, 1977[1] You get a lot more out more human elements out of him. Kasuga puts all his energy into a single punch that may leave the enemy stunned. Aoki escapes, leading him and Ichiban to the lockers where they were put as babies. He realizes far too late how important his family is. At Omi Alliance headquarters, Masumi interrupts Goro Majima and Taiga Saejima's fight against Kasuga and his party and introduces the latter to Dojima. Kasuga decides to head to Sotenbori after becoming restless waiting for an update from Mitsuo. However, one hundred million yen in counterfeit bills turned up missing while in Toshio's possession, prompting the Seiryu Clan to eliminate him; in reality, the money had been stolen by Yoko and the man she was having an affair with at the time, his former co-star Tora. Ichiban's investigation embroils him in a conspiracy involving a massive counterfeiting ring being run by the Ijin Three at the behest of a powerful Japanese politician, Yutaka Ogikubo. The Hope of KamurochoPrisoner 1119 Aoki dies, and it's unclear if Kume is arrested. Unable to deal with a child, they chose to put the baby in a locker. Would be cool if he knew the entire time after recruiting ichiban because he casually mentioned his mother's name in conversation, so he kept him close but it was too late to declare things. It explains this and technically he didnt send him to prison ichiban went willingly out of his own choice but it explains he went for masato so masato doesnt get the blame, I know that. One of Kasuga's notable traits is his unfailing kindness and general love for people. Is Arakawa Ichiban's dad? 22 (Wanderings of the Golden Dragon)23-41 (The Legend of Ichiban Kasuga: Part 1) Tojo Clan (formerly)Arakawa Family (formerly)Ichiban Confections If points fall below opponent's points (by percentage), initiates Boss Assault outside of Boss Raid Mode. Y:LAD Appears In Yakuza: Like a Dragon: In his younger days, Masumi wears a black double breasted leather trench coat over a gray snakeskin patterned dress shirt, black slacks, a pair of dark red leather oxfords, a black leather belt with a gold buckle, a pair of black leather gloves, and a black fedora hat. [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. Black His plans, besides shooting Ichiban, actually make a lot more sense than Kazama. Character skills unlocked from other jobs will still be usable. 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. After facing the Omi, Ichiban reconciles with Arakawa, but is shocked next day to learn of his death. After the whole Sotenbori business is done you can meet him in Ijincho and he'll tell Ichi about his dream that his son was born at a Soapland. Kiichi NakaiWP Upon his release 18 years later, Ichiban discovers that Arakawa has apparently betrayed the rest of the Tojo Clan to the Omi Alliance, a rival yakuza organization based in Osaka, and finds himself stranded in the city of Yokohama after he is shot by Arakawa following an attempted confrontation. Hair Color 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. Meeting Aoki in person, he learns of his recovery in the US, that he is intending to purge Ijincho of its residents reliant on gray zones, and that Kasuga had taken the fall for Aoki's murder, not Sawashiro's. Upon his return to Kamurocho, he crushed the Hikawa Family completely as vengeance. Adachi confronts Horinouchi with evidence of the bribes, and the villainous cop is arrested, bringing closure to Adachi's storyline and leaving him feeling vindicated at last. Ichiban goes to prison on the first night of the 21st century, and doesn't get out until 18 years later, with nearly two decades' worth of culture and change having passed him by, not to . Eye Color For example, in a pivotal scene where Ichiban's mentor promises to take him to try Peking duck, he helped the rest of the cast understand what the dish was by ordering some for them to eat.[11]. Boosts their criticality rate by up to 80% for 8 seconds. Y:LAD Date of Birth 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. inscribed on the otherwise blank backside, meaning those in power must reward and punish where necessary. (Arakawa Masumi) [17] GamesRadar enjoyed the game mechanics presented towards Ichiban and his allies, making their wait for the game's release worthwhile. 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. After vowing to make Kasuga pay for all the pain the Tojo Clan has inflicted to the Jingweon, Han and Kasuga start fighting. Yakuza Like a Dragon - Ichiban Confronts Masumi ArakawaTwitter: https://twitter.com/Santosx07 Masumi Arakawa 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. Other 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. Its just a possiblity. Overview He wears his heart on his sleeve and is prone to letting his emotions get the best of him, whether it be sheer rage or getting overly excitable. Tang notes that he was able to draw upon his life experiences as an Asian man to help with his performance as Ichiban. While visiting a graveyard, he sees his former patriarch and is ignored by him, learning from Adachi that the Arakawa Family has sided with the Omi Alliance, who forced the Tojo Clan out of Kamurocho. A powerful skill that damages an enemy with an improvised weapon lying about the city. 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. 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. Hair Color 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. Basically, everyone is backstabbing everyone. Kasuga pleads to Aoki to start anew, but he is killed by Kume before he can do so. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Plot: Ichiban, distraught at Arakawa's death is called by Hoshino who invites him for a meal. Height 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. Kasuga was born to Akane and Masumi Arakawa on New Year's Day, 1977, in Shangri-La. They head to Geomijul at Zhao's demand, and are led there by an incognito Seong-hui. something similar also mentioned in the post climax scene but doesnt explicitly say he didnt know.not much clarity there either. High chance to land a critical hit. Following his defeat, Sawashiro informs Ichiban that Arakawa's son was switched for his own son as an infant, and implies that Arakawa may have been Ichiban's birth father all along. He spent most of his days fighting people for money, regardless of who they were. and our Although he had never met Kasuga before, in order to maintain his reputation, he agreed to the rival family's demands. Advance Offense-type allies' cooldown timer by up to 24%. In the ensuing chaos, Kasuga is called by Han and Seong-hui. Biographical Information Relationships 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/. After Aoki dies, the game cuts to Juro Horinouchi, the Kamurocho police commissioner who worked closely with Aoki and took money from him. Yokoyama said that Nakaya's reading of the character's scripted lines projected a rebellious personality which stood out to the developers. Between 1978 and 1982, he established the Arakawa Family, a third-tier organization within the Tojo Clan's ranks. The announcement is made the following day, when Ichiban and company must fight off the angry former Yakuza. Damage an enemy by putting them in a headlock and throwing them. 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. *spoilers*" - Page 2. Sneaking into the Omi Alliance Headquarters to meet Arakawa, he and his party are met upon by Goro Majima and Taiga Saejima. Described as having been born with "nothing but physical strength," Kasuga has a very muscular build that gives him the opportunity to be proficient at a variety of fighting styles. He was the Patriach of his family surely he could've found someone else to take Aoki's place right ? Suddenly, a member of the Go-Ryu Clan appears, giving Han a chance to escape. Kasuga is also a huge fan of Dragon Quest, a video game he loved to play ever since his youth. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. RGGO Having turned over to the Omi Alliance, he is now a direct patriarch under the Omi banner. 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). 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. Relationships Damage an enemy with a wrestling technique known as a release German suplex. Gray 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. [19], Ichiban has received a very positive response from the video game community following the release of Like a Dragon. Age Between 1978 and 1982, he established the Arakawa Family, a third-tier organization within the Tojo Clan's ranks. 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. Daigo wants Ichiban to not place all the blame on Arakawa. In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, he is the first patriarch of the Arakawa Family and the acting captain of the Omi Alliance. Boosts all allies' criticality rate by up to 12%. Trying to find answers as to why, Kasuga ends up shot and . Other 18 years later, Ichiban is released from prison.