The newest game from the Yakuza franchise, entitled Like a Dragon: Ishin, take the players on a historic adventure to Japan's Bakumatsu era, ahead of the Meiji Restoration era.

The story of this game is rich in historical figures, although with a fictitious image. In this article, we will discuss some of the prominent historical figures that appear in Like a Dragon: Ishin. Who are they?

Historical Figures in Like a Dragon: Ishin

1. Ryoma Sakamoto

In Like a Dragon: Ishin, Kiryu Kazuma, who used to be the protagonist of Yakuza games, takes on the role of Ryoma Sakamoto, one of Japan's most famous historical figures. As a goshi or samurai hailing from the lowly Tosa region, Ryoma Sakamoto's Like a Dragon: Ishin version persona adopts the false name "Saito Hajime" after his adoptive father is murdered.

In the records, Ryoma Sakamoto fought against the shogunate government as well as the Shinsengumi, with the goal of modernizing Japan and ending his country's isolation from outside influences. Unfortunately, he was killed at the Omiya inn before he could see his dreams come true.

2. Saito Hajime

In Like a Dragon: Ishin, Ryoma Sakamoto assumes the name Saito Hajime to join the Shinsengumi. However, Saito Hajime in Like a Dragon: Ishin differs significantly from the real Saito Hajime.

In the game, he becomes the leader of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi. Manga and anime fans may recognize his name because he appears as the antagonist and protagonist in the Rurouni Kenshin series. After the Meiji Restoration, the real Saito Hajime worked as a police officer in Tokyo and finally retired in 1890.

Saito Hajime is a Japanese historical figure who always wanted to be a defender of truth and justice, regardless of which government regime or ideology he served. That's why his actions as captain of the Shinsengumi or the Japanese police in the Meiji era deserves a thumbs up.

His skill as a true samurai in the Edo period, the Bakumatsu Revolution era, the Meiji Restoration period, until the Taisho era made Saito Hajime's name famous throughout history. This legendary samurai died in 1915, although there is no official historical record of his death.

3. Katsura Kogoro

Katsura Kogoro, whose character in Like a Dragon: Ishin was designed to resemble Shun Akiyama, acts as an information broker and participates in the formation of the Satcho Alliance. Historically, Katsura Kogoro, also known as Kido Takayoshi, was a samurai and statesman who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration.

His anti-Shogunate views and desire to reform the feudal system are reflected in the depiction of his famous character with the nickname "Kogoro Katsura the Runner", because this peace-loving samurai prefers to run away from duels or fights in order to continue his revolutionary ideals for the sake of Japan. better than before.

4. Ikumatsu

Ikumatsu, Kogoro's lover, bears a striking resemblance to Hana, Sky Finance secretary in the previous Yakuza game, played by Aya Hirano the famous seiyuu having been the voice actor for Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail or Haruhi Suzumiya from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

In Like a Dragon: Ishin, Ikumatsu and Kogoro both dislike Japan's feudal government and work together to gather information for the smooth running of the revolution. Their characters were inspired by the Japanese reforming couple Katsura Kogoro and Ikumatsu, who played important roles during the formation of the Meiji Restoration.

5. Takeda Kanryusai

Legendary actor Riki Takeuchi who is also famous for the film Battle Royale 2, played Takeda Kanryusai who is indifferent to the Bakumatsu factions in Like a Dragon: Ishin. Although his role in the game does not directly reflect history, Takeda Kanryusai is known for his combat skills and strategic intelligence.

His plan to split from the Shinsengumi and join Goryo Eiji ultimately resulted in his death by his former comrades. In the famous anime Rurouni Kenshin, Takeda Kanryusai inspired the villain named Takeda Kanryu, the foreign arms dealer and drug dealer during the Meiji Restoration era.

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6. Takechi Hanpeita

Takechi Hanpeita is depicted as Ryoma Sakamoto's sworn brother in Like a Dragon: Ishin. Although their relationship in the game is fictional, in the original history Takechi Hanpeita was a Tosa samurai who founded the Tosa Kinno-to party. He is famous for carrying out a series of terror and murder, until finally he was sentenced to death for his crimes.

In the Gintama anime, Takechi Hanpeita is known as a high-ranking member of Kiheitai, who carried out a series of murderous terrors by utilizing the abilities of an assassin agent or Hitokiri named Okada.

Like a Dragon: Ishin also depict Takechi Hanpeita in such way by turning Tosa samurai, Okada Izo, and Ryoma Sakamoto aka Saito Hajime, to fight each other for Takechi Hanpeita's cunning ambitions.

7. Ito Kashitaro

Ito Kashitaro, who in Like a Dragon: Ishin resembles the character Daisaku Kuze from Yakuza 0, is depicted as a top officer and advisor to the paramilitary group Shinsengumi.

He is described as a samurai who is on the same level as the deputy chairman of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizo. Ito Kashitaro is described as a person who is quite cunning and full of political intrigue who likes to pit many parties against each other.

Although Ito Kashitaro supported the anti-foreigner policies of the Shinsengumi, he disagreed with the group's loyalty to the Shogunate government led by Kondo Isami.

Ito Kashitaro also had his eye on the position to replace Kondo Isami as chairman of the Shinsengumi, although this failed because there were still many loyal samurai fighting for Kondo's missions. This led to him forming the Ito Settsu faction, which ultimately led to his assassination by the Shinsengumi.

8. Nagakura Shinpachi

Nagakura Shinpachi is depicted as a close friend of Okita Soji and Hajime Saito in the Shinsengumi. Although their close relationship in Like a Dragon: Ishin is highly fictional, in the real Nagakura Shinpachi did play an important role as a captain in the Shinsengumi during the Bakumatsu period.

Aside from Saito Hajime, Nagakura Shinpachi was also a samurai who outlived his fellow warriors in the Shinsengumi. Nagakura Shinpachi, who is good at swords like Okita Souji, even wrote a book about the Shinsengumi.

It was Nagakura Shinpachi's writings that made the name Shinsengumi popular throughout Japan, and even throughout the world. Even though the Shinsengumi is only a paramilitary organization containing masterless samurai or ronin and their struggle had to be stopped due to defeat in the Bakumatsu revolutionary war, the fighting spirit of the Shinsengumi can inspire many people and even influence the world of pop culture as well.

9. Kondo Isami

Kondo Isami, who in Like a Dragon: Ishin resembles Adachi Koichi from Yakuza 7, is the leader of Shinsengumi who is always absent from all of his group's meetings. He prefers to be behind the scenes to move his group to fight for his ideals as a protector of the people.

In the original history, Kondo Isami was a renowned swordsman and staunch supporter of the Tokugawa Shogunate. After the war, he was betrayed and executed by Shinsengumi members who had defected.

10. Okita Souji

Okita Souji, played by Goro Majima in Like a Dragon: Ishin, the antihero from several Yakuza games, is the leader of a team in the Shinsengumi.

Although the game depicts him as a cruel and bloodthirsty individual, in historical records the real Okita Souji was a very formidable swordsman. He was involved in various historical assassinations during the Bakumatsu period. He died at a young age due to tuberculosis.

Although Like a Dragon: Ishin presents fictionalized versions of these actual historical figures, this game provides an immersive and immersive experience set in an important period of Japanese history. The reinterpretation of these characters in this game allows the player to explore the complexities of the Bakumatsu era and the events leading up to the Meiji Restoration.

Thus the discussion of several prominent historical figures who appear in Like a Dragon: Ishin. In your opinion, do you have your own opinion about some of the prominent historical figures who appear in Like a Dragon: Ishin? If so, you can write your opinion in the comments column! You can also give suggestions for the next article.

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