Yoshimitsu (Namco)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yoshimitsu
Yoshimitsu in Tekken: Dark Resurrection
Game series	Tekken series and Soul series
First game	Tekken
Voice actor(s) (English)	Phil Sheridan (Soul Calibur 2)
Voice actor(s) (Japanese)	Nobuyuki Hiyama (Soul series only)
In-Universe Information
Tekken series
Fighting style	Advanced Manji-Style Ninjutsu
Home country	Unknown, formerly Japan
Height	5' 10' (1.78 m)
Weight	139 lb (63 kg)
Blood type	O
Occupation	Leader of the Manji Clan
Soul series
Birthplace	Base of Mount Fuji, Japan
Blood type	O (Soul Calibur) Unknown (later games)
Weapon	Katana and Sashimono
Weapon name	Yoshimitsu
Fighting style	Manji Ninjutsu
Family	Clan, Murdered by Oda Nobunaga (now belongs to a clan of chivalrous thieves called Manjitou)

Yoshimitsu (吉光, Yoshimitsu^?) is a fictional character originally created for the Tekken Series of fighting games, designed by Namco. Yoshimitsu made his first appearance in Tekken and has returned for all subsequent sequels to that game since his inception. Additionally, an analogous character bearing the same name, weapon, clan and basic information, was later carried over into Namco’s Soul Series of fighting games as a secret character, making his debut in Soul Calibur and returning for Soul Calibur II and Soul Calibur III. It is also noted that he looks completely different in every game he is in. He is an example of a breakout character.

[edit] Tekken Story

[edit] Tekken

Yoshimitsu initially entered the first tournament as a decoy, so that Kunimitsu and the other members of the clan would be able to steal the tournament’s funds unobserved. But eventually, he heard of a powerful sumo wrestler, called Ganryu engaging in fraud and other corrupt activity, who had likewise entered the tournament. This base disrespect for the sumo code infuriated Yoshimitsu, and he confronted the dishonest sumo wrestler in a tournament battle, eventually forcing him to confess his criminality, thus disgracing his name. Then, the Manji clan stole his fortune and distributed it among the poor.

Sometime later, angered by Kunimitsu's insistence that the clan merge with the Mishima Zaibatsu, as well as her attempts to steal the clan’s sacred tachi, he expelled her from the clan and found that, strangely, she had gone to Kazuya Mishima for aid. Suspicious of what she might have been plotting, Yoshimitsu and the clan broke into the Mishima Headquarters, and Yoshimitsu’s arm was lost during the raid. While there, he came across Doctor Boskonovitch, who saw the injured Manji ninja and helped him escape, later replacing his lost arm with a bio-mechanical prosthetic.

[edit] Tekken 2

A short while later, Yoshimitsu learned that Doctor Boskonovitch had been kidnapped by the Mishima Zaibatsu, and he entered the second tournament so that he could free the doctor from the evil corporation’s grasp. At the same time, Kunimitsu had also entered the tournament to steal the clan’s tachi and assume the role of leader of the Manji ninjas once and for all. However, Yoshimitsu claimed victory. Shortly thereafter, news from the clan reached him that Doctor Boskonovitch was going to be flown by helicopter to a secret island observatory. He quickly dropped out of the tournament and escaped with the doctor.

[edit] Tekken 3

Soon afterwards, Doctor Boskonovitch’s daughter died very unexpectedly; and to preserve her body, the doctor began experimenting with cryogenics. While bringing him stolen money to fund his studies, Yoshimitsu discovered that the doctor had contracted an unknown pathological organism, which had likely been a result of the doctor’s exposure to his own experiments. Doctor Boskonovitch told Yoshmitsu that if he were able to retrieve a sample of Ogre's blood, he may be able to discover the secret of immortality. And to get this sample, Yoshimitsu would have to enter the third tournament.

[edit] Tekken 4

Yoshimitsu continued as the leader of the Manji Clan, but they eventually fell on hard times, losing funding and members for various reasons. Worried about the future of his clan, he began to reconsider the union between them and the Mishima Zaibatsu. So when he heard of the fourth tournament, he immediately joined, hoping to defeat Heihachi Mishima and become leader of the union he now desired.

[edit] Tekken 5

Shortly thereafter, Yoshimitsu returned to Doctor Boskonovitch’s lab to find it completely destroyed, the doctor injured, and many of his clan members killed. Yoshimitsu was determined to get his revenge in the fifth tournament, and he was ready to confront the culprit, Bryan Fury.

[edit] Soul Calibur Story

A lord who sought the power of the Manji clan invited its chief to his castle. Due to his advanced age the clan's chief sent the strongest warrior, Yoshimitsu, of the clan on behalf of him. As expected, the lord requested the allegiance of the Manji clan. But the Manji clan preferred to remain hidden. After a few days' stay at the castle, the fighter politely denied the lord's request and returned to his village.

Upon his return, Yoshimitsu found his beloved village in ruins. The lord had prepared an army in anticipation of the clan's refusal to serve him. Yoshimitsu attempted a battle against the lord, but he was no match for the army or the lord and lost his arm, which he replaced with a wooden prosthetic. Yoshimitsu set out across the sea in search of the "Ultimate Weapon," Soul Edge, so that he could take his revenge against Lord Nobunaga.

But during his journey, he came across many horrible scenes left behind by the azure knight, Nightmare. In his meditation, he concluded that if he were to give in to his hatred, he would be no better than either Oda Nobunaga or Nightmare. But even with that realization in his mind, he continued to pursue the Soul Edge nevertheless. When Yoshimitsu finally reached Ostrheinsburg Castle, it was devoid of any signs of life.

[edit] Soul Calibur II

Upon leaving the castle, he sensed that the evil energy of the castle had somehow transferred a similar energy into his katana. So he left on a journey to rid his blade of that corrupted energy. Unfortunately, he became careless one day and passed out, worn from trying to quell the corruption; and during his sleep, the katana had been stolen by a thief--Voldo, who had mistaken it for the Soul Edge.

Yoshimitsu did not want the evil energy to fall into the wrong hands, so he set out to retrieve it. Yoshimitsu infiltrated the legendary Money Pit of "the Merchant of Death", Vercci and, completely by chance, found his katana alongside a fragment of the Soul Edge, both emanating similar evil energies. Yoshimitsu decided that if there was another object in the world with the same evil as his katana, which he had now named "Yoshimitsu", it mustn't be allowed to exist. And so he set off on yet another journey, without a doubt in his mind about destroying the cursed Soul Edge.

Yoshimitsu eventually discovered that the fragments were spread on the earth, and he alone could never destroy them all and that he would never have time to help those who needed it. So he returned to Japan and recruited ruffians from around the land, soon forming a band of chivalrous thieves, known as the Manjitou. Thanks to his skill and ability, Yoshimitsu soon became head of the clan.

[edit] Soul Calibur III

One day, Yoshimitsu devised a plan for a grand robbery: the entire group would infiltrate a wealthy usurer's mansion during the annual festival and take everything he owned, which included a fragment of the Soul Edge. Unfortunately, the plan failed and a vanguard force was wiped out in front of the treasure room. The remaining clan members eventually freed their captured comrades, but they gave a strange report to Yoshimitsu: the fragment of Soul Edge in the mansion's treasure room was gone, which was puzzling, considering that the vanguard force that Yoshimitsu sent supposedly never made it inside. Also, the body of the leader of the vanguard force had never been found.

Some members of the clan thought that betrayal was the only explanation, but Yoshimitsu wouldn't believe that. The man, his second-in-command, was good on both his combat skill and humanity and he had great expectations of him. Also, the wounds on his men were not dealt with a normal blade. He spoke to his men and instructed them to find the fragment, stating that they would also find the man. He would accompany them in the hunt in order to find the truth.

[edit] Weapons

[edit] Soul Calibur

-- Yoshimitsu

Yoshimitsu's beloved self-named katana was handed down through many generations in the Manji clan. It seems like a normal katana, but it has many unique features that accommodates the unique style of the Manji. Since it was forged with secret techniques passed down in the Manji clan, it cannot be replicated and is the last of its kind. Yoshimitsu, after the massacre of his clan, swore an oath of vengeance to this weapon. It has been tainted by the evil energy of Soul Edge and turned into a demonic weapon, but still is the preferred weapon of Yoshimitsu. The sword can defend shots of machine guns and weapons, also the ability to divert evil energy and destroy a monument in only one blow.

[edit] Stages

[edit] Soul Calibur

-- Water Labyrinth (SC)

Japan is a lush and green land and large veins, such as this one, gather the snow and rain from the ground. These veins form a network throughout Japan much like the veins in the human body. It is said that it takes one year for water to be absorbed one meter into the earth. Thus the water in this deep vein has travel for many years and is deathly cold and ghostly clear. The soft pale blue stones create an illusion around the walls, broken only by patches of warm green moss. Newly empowered by the Evil Seed the vile ghost Gel-o-Fury shattered the seals in the bamboo forest and made its way into this vein. Taki challenged the ghost several times in this complex cave. Toki's assassins, while chasing Taki, could not resist Gel-o-Fury's aura and were absorbed into the great ghost. As Gel-o-Fury grew in power Taki became convinced that the ghost was planning to exit the vein in Kyoto within the Buddha Hall of the Hoko Temple. She went ahead and planned to ambush the ghost in the hall.

-- Money Pit - Top Tier (SC2)

This deep chasm is both the storehouse and the tomb of the Italian merchant of death, Vercci. This place, built on a nameless island in the Mediterranean Sea, is renowned to grave robbers as the Money Pit. Countless booby-traps, including a water trap based on the tides, line the pit, but the most feared deterrent is the enigmatic guardian that awaits within. None who have sought the treasures have ever returned. This platform is the top level of the Money Pit, located near the entrance opening. But grave robbers must be wary, for one missed step means certain death down the chasm. They may get to the treasure at the bottom, but it is meaningless if they are dead.
(Note: Yoshimitsu shares this stage with Voldo.)

-- Sacred Mt. Fuji - Lava Bed (SC3) The sacred mountain, Mt. Fuji, has been regarded as the realm of Gods since ancient times. At its base spreads a great forest that blocks the path of those who would enter. Beneath it lies an underground waterway that carries spiritual energy to every corner of Japan. Also beneath its surface flows a layer of lava. There' one can find a scorching hell hot enough to instantly vaporize the cold water that periodically flows in. This sacred mountain is the most definitely not sleeping peacefully, but is an active volcano pulsing with heat. Anyone who sees this sight will understand in an instant that this is a magnificence far beyond human power, that only Mother Nature could create. It is the very pulse of the earth itself, filled with power.

[edit] Endings

Tekken

Yoshimitsu and two other Manji Clan members go through a poverty-stricken town throwing money out to the townsmen. Marshall Law, his wife, and a young Forrest Law can be seen among them.

Tekken 2

Yoshimitsu jumps on a helicopter, breaks through it, takes Doctor Boskonovitch with him, and quickly leaves. Yoshimitsu holds Boskonovitch under his normal arm and descends to the ground by using his katana and his metal prosthetic arm to fly as the helicopter explodes in the distance.

Tekken 3

Yoshimitsu and Doctor Boskonovitch are shown in Boskonovitch's lab. They have acquired a sample of Ogre's blood, which Boskonovitch decides to test on a rat. After drinking Ogre's blood, the rat grows immensely in size. Yoshimitsu runs out of the lab, carrying Boskonovitch with him under his arms as the rat bursts through the building (This may be a reference to the "Monster Blood" series from R.L. Stein’s Goosebumps novels in which the "monster blood" causes a hamster and other living beings to grow in size).

Tekken Tag Tournament

Yoshimitsu and Kunimitsu are about to fight in an area covered in snow. It is also snowing a little bit. Both of their faces are shown before they fight. Yoshimitsu creates duplicate images of himself in order to confuse Kunimitsu as they run towards each other. They both slash each other with their weapons, and the duplicate images of Yoshimitsu disappear. Yoshimitsu wins the battle, and Kunimitsu falls to the ground. Yoshimitsu then performs his "Standing Sword Salute" win animation from Tekken and Tekken 2.

Tekken 4

Yoshimitsu confronts Heihachi Mishima, who refuses to hand over his company to the Manji Clan despite the fact that Yoshimitsu had won the tournament. Then, one of Heihachi's men informs Heihachi that the members of the Manji Clan have broken into the Mishima Zaibatsu's vault and stolen his funds. Heihachi then orders his men to shoot Yoshimitsu. Luckily, Yoshimitsu is able to escape from Heihachi's grasp by throwing a smokescreen grenade to the ground and flying through the roof.

Tekken 5

Bryan Fury is shown with a gatling gun in an urban environment. He spots a figure and shoots at it. The figure quickly reveals itself as Yoshimitsu, who avoids the barrage of gunfire. Yoshimitsu then teleports, momentarily disappearing. This fools Bryan into thinking that he has taken down his target, so he stops shooting. Before Bryan has time to react, Yoshimitsu appears in the air above him, swiftly slices Bryan with his katana, and lands on the ground a few feet away, Bryan screams in agony and then explodes. Yoshimitsu's final word of the scene is: "Retribution".

Soul Calibur

Soul Calibur 2

Yoshimitsu's demon sword talks to him and he destroys Soul Edge at its beckoning. He returns to the clan and resumes his life as a Robin Hood-like bandit.

Soul Calibur 3

Yoshimitsu is being chased through a village, throwing money as he goes. He runs onto a bridge and is surrounded. Input Ending: If the button command is input he uses his hand and sword to fly and continues throwing money, laughing at the guards. No-Input Ending: If the button command is not input, however, he teleports away without the money. The guards continue to search for him. It is revealed that Yoshimitsu teleported behind a corner as he sneaks away.

[edit] Appearances in Other Games & Media

• His Tekken 3 incarnation was also one of the bonus characters available to play as or against in the game Anna Kournikova's Smash Court Tennis for the PlayStation, alongside fellow Namco characters, including Richard Miller (from Time Crisis), Pac-Man, Reiko Nagase, and fellow Tekken characters Heihachi Mishima and Eddy Gordo. Furthermore, Yoshimitsu's Tekken 3 "energy sword" is one of the secret tennis racquets unlocked during the game.
• In the Tekken spin-off Game Death by Degrees, Yoshimitsu's sword, called the "Manji Clan Sword", is a weapon Nina Williams can obtain. It is a green glowing katana.
• Yoshimitsu has two cameos in Tekken: The Movie. He appears in his Tekken 2 costume as a competitor in the tournament.

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Tekken

• Yoshimitsu is one of only four Tekken characters (the others being Heihachi Mishima, Nina Williams, and Paul Phoenix) to have appeared in every game in the series.
• According to the VMU Text Adventure mini-game, Taki's second tanto, Mekki-Maru, was once property of Yoshimitsu's deceased clan.
• The word Namu, that Yoshimitsu has muttered frequently since his Tekken 3 incarnation, is a Buddhist word of exultation and devotion similar to Hallelujah - a possible derivative of the Sanskrit Namah. It is also a shortening of the exultation Namu Amida Butsu. It is also commonly a prayer for the dead, which means he is suggesting his enemy is "already dead". The (Soul Calibur) series translates this as "may there be mercy for you."

[edit] External links

• Official Tekken website
• Official Project Soul website