Like A Dragon: Ishin! features many notable figures from Japan’s Edo period, each with their own unique sword-fighting techniques and/or political significance. But, it is the way they command respect, authority, and loyalty to their homeland that makes each of them leave a lasting impression.
Japan was facing various political and social obstacles at the time, and many were involved in one way or another in the events that paved the way for a whole new era in Japan’s development — specifically the Meiji Restoration, a pivotal event in which the power of the Emperor was restored and the oppressive Tokugawa Shogunate was overthrown.
10 Tokugawa Yoshinobu
The Shogun (emperor’s right-hand man) himself. He is very significant during Sakamoto Ryoma’s (played by Kiryu Kazuma from Yakuza) exhilarating two-man infiltration of the Shogun’s mansion, where Ryoma’s mission is to deliver a message that encapsulates the hopes and dreams of all Japanese people.
The chapter is not only exciting, but also significant because of the shogun’s actor model, who happens to be Daigo from the original Yakuza series. The whole episode draws a strong parallel to Kiryu Kazuma’s farewell letter to Daigo — Kiryu’s Yakuza successor — in Yakuza 6, with Daigo thanking him and considering him a true father.
9 Kondo Isami
The leader of the special samurai unit — the Shinsengumi. While he deliberately takes a backseat in leading the squad, leaving most of the duties to his deputy chief Hijikata, he shows a lot of cunning behind the scenes and an undeniable loyalty to Japan.
He is also important because he is the fourth-generation headmaster of the Tennen Rishin Ryū, an important sword style practiced by many members of the Shinsengumi. Still, he does not rely on this alone, and uses his other hand to counter and block, making him a formidable opponent.
8 Otose
The landlady of the Teradaya Inn, where Sakamoto Ryoma, the hero and influential figure behind Japan’s resurrection, was hiding. She enjoys caring for people and volunteered to protect and hide nationalist Japanese Soldiers from the government, especially those who objected to the harsh trade rules with the west.
Otose also helped bridge the gap between Ryoma and his love interest Oryu and forgave her for betraying Ryoma and spying on him. She understood the circumstances that forced her into this role and gave her a place to stay again despite everything.
7 Saigo Kichinosuke
The general commander of the Satsuma faction and one of the central figures of Japan’s reform. Based on original actor Ryuji Goda, he lends his distinctive Kansai dialect and unparalleled charisma to the character, as well as playing a part in bringing out Ryoma’s playful and friendly side through their constant bickering.
He is the only character who fights unarmed in all of his encounters, forcing players to go back to their Yakuza days and rely on the bare-handed brawler style, and some of his scenes — such as the Shiba Inu dog rescue scene — are very reminiscent of the original Yakuza.
6 Hijikata Toshizo
The Shinsengumi’s cold and collected vice-chief. As a stickler for the rules, he is prepared to kill anyone who betrays the Shinsengumi’s ironclad code of desertion or who disregards Bushido (the samurai code of conduct).
Beneath the mask, he is actually kind and calculating, and he respects anyone with genuine kindness and interest in reforming the country into a better one, which is why he let Ryoma join the Shinsengumi — despite knowing his other motives of wanting to kill the Shinsengumi member who killed his father.
5 Todo Heisuke
More than the main mystery of the masked man, Heisuke is probably the most intriguing, as you never know which side he is on among the Shinsengumi members. Another reason why he is so significant and memorable is that underneath his aloof demeanor, he hides an incredible loyalty and commitment to the Shinsengumi’s cause.
Having Tianyou Zhao from Yakuza 7 reprise his role here also added to the vibe he exudes. He even staged his death to make it look like he was killed by the government, not caring if his body was left on the street if it meant supporting the Shinsengumi’s mission.
4 Okita Soji
His raid on the Shogun’s estate at Ryoma’s side earned him a special place in the story, as only a man of high caliber and unparalleled skill would have made such a mad dash. In real life, he was also a true prodigy, mastering all the techniques of the Tennen Rishin-ryū by the age of 18.
Just like his real-life counterpart, he fights with a katana and a wakizashi (shorter sword), giving him a unique advantage over other Tennen Rishin users and a wackier fighting style that uses a lot of cancels and slash combos (along with over-the-top lighting elemental attacks).
3 Takechi Hanpeita
The main antagonist and founder of the Tosa Loyalist Party (a real faction that fought against the Tokugawa’s caste system), not to mention Ryoma’s sworn brother. Just like the role played by the same actor in Yakuza 0, he has a certain ideology that revolves around the use of power to justify needs.
Only later does he realize the true nature of what it takes for someone to change the country, which should be based on love, not hate. The way he adopts Ryoma’s name throughout the story creates many clever mysteries that build masterfully to the final clash between the two brothers, leaving players with a powerful and emotional payoff.
2 Narasaki Ryō (Oryō)
Sakamoto Ryoma’s love interest and real wife. She brings out the human side in Ryoma more than anyone else and is probably the one who stood by his side the most when he had no one to talk to about his pain and secrets.
Not only is she influential in the story, but her true bravery is historically documented as someone who stood her ground knowing that assassins were coming to kill Ryoma, and she went to warn him instead of running away, setting a high bar for all female characters in the Ryu Ga Gotoku series.
1 Sakamoto Ryoma
The star of the show. Sakamoto’s inherent Kiryu-esque charisma, charged with the historical influence of his real-life counterpart, sets him apart from any other action-game protagonist. The way he fights with the sword — and his fateful encounters with many Tennen Rishin-style users through Sony-level motion-capture fights and cutscenes — also set a high bar for what action games should look like in 2023.
Ryoma has many sides to his character. He is loyal to his family, kind to his compatriots, and ruthless against his enemies. He despises conflict and desires nothing more than true peace. His encounters with the citizens of Kyoto are the most memorable, not only for the fun factor, but for the way each encounter is imbued with many cultural aspects and historical significance related to the era, such as Buyo dancing, traditional singing, and Hanafuda card games.
