Rikimaru
Encyclopedia
Rikimaru is a fictional character in the Tenchu
video game series. He is featured in every game in the series, including as a player character
in most of them. The character's critical reception was mostly positive as one of the more realistic ninja characters in video gaming and one of the earliest stealth game heroes.
-portrayed by Sho Kosugi
, a Japanese actor made famous by starring in a series of American ninja films in the early 1980s, whose son Kane Kosugi
portrayed Rikimaru's nemesis Onikage. The character bears notable similarity to the character Kakashi Hatake
in the manga and anime series Naruto
, as both of them are masked ninja who have injured/replaced oddly-colored eyes which wield special powers, have spiky silver/white hair, very similar scars on their faces from important past events, and have both undergone horribly tragic events earlier in their lives. Compared to his partner Ayame
, Rikimaru's design did not change much through the series, with exception of the first sequel which featured the younger version of him and (at first) with no scar.
Rikimaru is the current head of the Azuma ninja clan and the series' primary protagonist. His master and predecessor as head of the clan was Shiunsai, who was killed by another member of the clan, Tatsumaru. Dedicated, honourable, and withdrawn, Rikimaru would sacrifice his own life without hesitation, something he does at the end of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
only to reappear in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
(Return from Darkness). His ability to retain his composure and sense of destiny allows him to undertake missions others would consider suicidal. He lacks speed in combat when compared to Ayame, but has greater strength and a greater control over his temper than his female companion. His primary rival in the series is Onikage, whom he fights in almost every game and usually defeats, only to have him coming back again due to his resurrection abilities and intense desire to defeat Rikimaru.
Years before the events of the games, Shiunsai received an order to assassinate a particular samurai. Together with several fellow ninja, he infiltrated the home of the samurai and killed him. As he and the other ninja were preparing to leave, the dead samurai's wife and servant discovered the ninja. The others quickly dispatched the wife and servant, but as they moved to silence the baby clutched in the dead wife's arms, Shiunsai stopped them from killing the baby boy. Taking pity on the boy, Shiunsai brought the baby home with him and raised it as if it were his own flesh and blood. Shiunsai was already raising Tatsukichi (Tatsumaru's childhood name) to become a ninja, and he decided that the new baby would follow the same path. After the baby had grown into a young boy and started his training as a ninja, it became apparent that he was something of a weakling. Shiunsai therefore gave him the name Chikara, which means strength, as he grew to be the strongest boy in the village. He also developed into an outstanding swordsman and eventually earned a new name, Rikimaru.
Rikimaru's personality was different before the events of Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins
. He believed that he was already good enough to defeat any opponent and his misplaced self-confidence would eventually earn him many painful experiences once he finally left his village, but those experiences would also be the source of great mental and spiritual growth. Rikimaru had bonds with two other ninja: Shiunsai and Tatsumaru. Both were very important to him, and both were lost. Tatsumaru was Rikimaru's role model and older brother. His connection to Tatsumaru was more than what was allowed in the way of the ninja. And Shiunsai was a father figure to him but Rikimaru showed only his student connection to Shiunsai. Suffering from a memory loss, Tatsumaru kills Shiunsai. Upon the recovery of his memory, he kills himself. This event marked the death of Rikimaru's former personality. Upon his master's death, Rikimaru takes the role of leader of the Azuma ninja clan at the age of 18.
Rikimaru wields the ancient sword Izayoi, which is passed on through the generations from leader to leader. Rikimaru took possession of the sword during the war with the Burning Dawn. Ayame defeated Tatsumaru, who had previously wielded Izayoi, and gave it to Rikimaru, effectively turning over leadership of the clan to him. Izayoi does have certain magical properties, and is also extremely strong and resilient to injury. The only time it has ever been damaged was during Rikimaru's duel with Dr. Kimaira in Wrath of Heaven, and it was promptly repaired by the clan's blacksmith, Ressai. When Tatsumaru killed Master Shiunsai, Rikimaru let his feelings take over and pursued the murderer, his former companion. A fierce fight between the two took place, but eventually gaining the upper hand, Rikimaru hesitated. Tatsumaru takes that time to cut his right eye, leaving him scarred for life. Tatsumaru used to be Rikimaru's role model, but by now, Rikimaru has surpassed him in his spiritual and physical abilities. The power concealed within the right eye will later be revealed as his dohjutsu, the power that he alone has.
By the time of Tenchu Z, the Azuma ninja clan was reduced into being made up of only two ninja left: Rikimaru and Ayame, who treats Rikimaru only as a companion. Even though both of them show loyalty and respect towards each other, not much compassion is felt between them. In Tenchu Z, Rikimaru decides to train the next generation of Azuma ninja and sends his newest ninja (the player's character and a companion of his choosing) to complete missions assigned to help the town of Gohda. He trained two young disciples before the events of the game, a male and female. (Whatever the sex of the character the player chooses, the other new ninja will still die during the course of events.)
and were sculpted after their appearances in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven by Keiji Iwakure. Although categorized as action figures, these only feature movable wrist joints. The Rikimaru figure heights 105 mm. In 2009, Rikimaru made a cameo appearance in the video game 3D Dot Game Heroes
.
wrote: "Rikimaru defined PSOne-era stealth action months before Solid Snake
got around to it, and since then he's ninja'd his way through over a dozen games." According to CraveOnline
, Rikimaru and Ayane are "like Batman
with all their decoys, dog whistles, disguises, grappling hooks and other toys, an essential part of the ninja experience that had been missing from video games for far too long."
In 2004, 1UP.com
ranked Rikimaru as the fourth best video game ninja yet and "the truest old-school ninja on this list." In 2006, The Armchair Empire had Ayame and Rikimaru tied for sixth spot in on the list of ten best ninja characters. In 2008, GamesRadar mentioned Rikimaru and Ayane in the list of the best assassins in the ninja category as "probably the most realistic depiction of ninjas ever to appear in a videogame". In 2009, GameDaily
featured them in the article "Gaming's Greatest Patriots: Team Japan". In 2010, Wild Gunmen ranked him as the second best ninja in video game history for his use of stealth and being "a total badass". In 2011, Rikimaru was featured among the top ten ninja for PlayStation
consoles by PLAY and ranked eight on the Machinima.com
's list of top ten ninja characters in all of gaming. Virgin Media
also included him on the list of top ten video game ninja heroes, but calling him "pretty lacking in personality".
One notable exception from positive reception was when Rikimaru and Ayame were included among the "gaming's most shameful shinobi" by GamesRadar in 2006. Oddly, UGO.com called Rikimaru "Tenchu" while featuring "getting your neck stealthily sliced open" by "Tenchu" in their 2010 list of the top 50 worst ways to die in a video game.
Tenchu
Tenchu is the title of a stealth game series of video games originally developed by Acquire wherein the player assumes the role of a ninja....
video game series. He is featured in every game in the series, including as a player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
in most of them. The character's critical reception was mostly positive as one of the more realistic ninja characters in video gaming and one of the earliest stealth game heroes.
Character design
Rikimaru was originally motion captureMotion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
-portrayed by Sho Kosugi
Sho Kosugi
Sho Kosugi is a Japanese martial artist with training in shindō jinen-ryū karate who gained popularity as an actor during the 1980s, usually playing a ninja. He is the father of Kane Kosugi and Shane Kosugi. After taking a hiatus from film, he started a taiko group in California...
, a Japanese actor made famous by starring in a series of American ninja films in the early 1980s, whose son Kane Kosugi
Kane Kosugi
born in Los Angeles, California is a American martial artist and martial arts actor. He is the son of martial arts star Sho Kosugi. In Japan, Kosugi is considered gaijin tarento due to his Nisei heritage....
portrayed Rikimaru's nemesis Onikage. The character bears notable similarity to the character Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi Hatake
is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto originally planned to introduce Kakashi in the manga to the series' titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, early on, but pushed back this meeting so that Naruto's teammates could be better developed.In...
in the manga and anime series Naruto
Naruto
is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
, as both of them are masked ninja who have injured/replaced oddly-colored eyes which wield special powers, have spiky silver/white hair, very similar scars on their faces from important past events, and have both undergone horribly tragic events earlier in their lives. Compared to his partner Ayame
Ayame (Tenchu)
Ayame is a player character in the Tenchu video game series, and on of its two main characters along with Rikimaru. She is featured in all Tenchu games except of Tenchu Z.-Character biography:...
, Rikimaru's design did not change much through the series, with exception of the first sequel which featured the younger version of him and (at first) with no scar.
Character biography
Rikimaru is the current head of the Azuma ninja clan and the series' primary protagonist. His master and predecessor as head of the clan was Shiunsai, who was killed by another member of the clan, Tatsumaru. Dedicated, honourable, and withdrawn, Rikimaru would sacrifice his own life without hesitation, something he does at the end of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is a stealth game developed by Acquire and published by Sony Music Entertainment inc. in Japan and Activision in North America and Europe for the PlayStation in 1998....
only to reappear in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is a stealth game developed by K2 LLC and published by Activision in North America and Europe and From Software in Japan for the PlayStation 2 in 2003....
(Return from Darkness). His ability to retain his composure and sense of destiny allows him to undertake missions others would consider suicidal. He lacks speed in combat when compared to Ayame, but has greater strength and a greater control over his temper than his female companion. His primary rival in the series is Onikage, whom he fights in almost every game and usually defeats, only to have him coming back again due to his resurrection abilities and intense desire to defeat Rikimaru.
Years before the events of the games, Shiunsai received an order to assassinate a particular samurai. Together with several fellow ninja, he infiltrated the home of the samurai and killed him. As he and the other ninja were preparing to leave, the dead samurai's wife and servant discovered the ninja. The others quickly dispatched the wife and servant, but as they moved to silence the baby clutched in the dead wife's arms, Shiunsai stopped them from killing the baby boy. Taking pity on the boy, Shiunsai brought the baby home with him and raised it as if it were his own flesh and blood. Shiunsai was already raising Tatsukichi (Tatsumaru's childhood name) to become a ninja, and he decided that the new baby would follow the same path. After the baby had grown into a young boy and started his training as a ninja, it became apparent that he was something of a weakling. Shiunsai therefore gave him the name Chikara, which means strength, as he grew to be the strongest boy in the village. He also developed into an outstanding swordsman and eventually earned a new name, Rikimaru.
Rikimaru's personality was different before the events of Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins
Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins
Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins is a stealth game developed by Acquire and published by Activision in North America and Europe and Acquire in Japan for the PlayStation in 2000.-Plot:...
. He believed that he was already good enough to defeat any opponent and his misplaced self-confidence would eventually earn him many painful experiences once he finally left his village, but those experiences would also be the source of great mental and spiritual growth. Rikimaru had bonds with two other ninja: Shiunsai and Tatsumaru. Both were very important to him, and both were lost. Tatsumaru was Rikimaru's role model and older brother. His connection to Tatsumaru was more than what was allowed in the way of the ninja. And Shiunsai was a father figure to him but Rikimaru showed only his student connection to Shiunsai. Suffering from a memory loss, Tatsumaru kills Shiunsai. Upon the recovery of his memory, he kills himself. This event marked the death of Rikimaru's former personality. Upon his master's death, Rikimaru takes the role of leader of the Azuma ninja clan at the age of 18.
Rikimaru wields the ancient sword Izayoi, which is passed on through the generations from leader to leader. Rikimaru took possession of the sword during the war with the Burning Dawn. Ayame defeated Tatsumaru, who had previously wielded Izayoi, and gave it to Rikimaru, effectively turning over leadership of the clan to him. Izayoi does have certain magical properties, and is also extremely strong and resilient to injury. The only time it has ever been damaged was during Rikimaru's duel with Dr. Kimaira in Wrath of Heaven, and it was promptly repaired by the clan's blacksmith, Ressai. When Tatsumaru killed Master Shiunsai, Rikimaru let his feelings take over and pursued the murderer, his former companion. A fierce fight between the two took place, but eventually gaining the upper hand, Rikimaru hesitated. Tatsumaru takes that time to cut his right eye, leaving him scarred for life. Tatsumaru used to be Rikimaru's role model, but by now, Rikimaru has surpassed him in his spiritual and physical abilities. The power concealed within the right eye will later be revealed as his dohjutsu, the power that he alone has.
By the time of Tenchu Z, the Azuma ninja clan was reduced into being made up of only two ninja left: Rikimaru and Ayame, who treats Rikimaru only as a companion. Even though both of them show loyalty and respect towards each other, not much compassion is felt between them. In Tenchu Z, Rikimaru decides to train the next generation of Azuma ninja and sends his newest ninja (the player's character and a companion of his choosing) to complete missions assigned to help the town of Gohda. He trained two young disciples before the events of the game, a male and female. (Whatever the sex of the character the player chooses, the other new ninja will still die during the course of events.)
Merchandise and promotion
Action figures of the characters Rikimaru and Ayame were manufactured and released by Kotobukiya in 2003. Both figures are made of PVCPolyvinyl chloride
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a thermoplastic polymer. It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having one hydrogen replaced by chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is widely used in...
and were sculpted after their appearances in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven by Keiji Iwakure. Although categorized as action figures, these only feature movable wrist joints. The Rikimaru figure heights 105 mm. In 2009, Rikimaru made a cameo appearance in the video game 3D Dot Game Heroes
3D Dot Game Heroes
is a 2009 action-adventure video game developed by Silicon Studio and published by From Software in Japan, Atlus in North America and by SouthPeak Games in Europe. The game uses a unique style, presenting 2D retro-style graphics in a 3D environment using voxels...
.
Reception
GamesRadarGamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
wrote: "Rikimaru defined PSOne-era stealth action months before Solid Snake
Solid Snake
Metal Gear, initially released in 1987, introduces Solid Snake, the rookie recruit of the elite special-forces unit FOXHOUND. Snake is sent by team leader Big Boss into the rogue nation Outer Heaven to rescue his missing teammate Gray Fox and discover who or what the "METAL GEAR" mentioned is, and...
got around to it, and since then he's ninja'd his way through over a dozen games." According to CraveOnline
CraveOnline
CraveOnline is a male lifestyle website based in Los Angeles with sales offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. The site is owned by media company AtomicOnline, the publishing division of Evolve Media Corp.- History :...
, Rikimaru and Ayane are "like Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
with all their decoys, dog whistles, disguises, grappling hooks and other toys, an essential part of the ninja experience that had been missing from video games for far too long."
In 2004, 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
ranked Rikimaru as the fourth best video game ninja yet and "the truest old-school ninja on this list." In 2006, The Armchair Empire had Ayame and Rikimaru tied for sixth spot in on the list of ten best ninja characters. In 2008, GamesRadar mentioned Rikimaru and Ayane in the list of the best assassins in the ninja category as "probably the most realistic depiction of ninjas ever to appear in a videogame". In 2009, GameDaily
GameDaily
GameDaily was a video game journalism website based in the United States. Launched in 1995 by entrepreneur Mark Friedler under the name Gigex and focused on free game demo downloads, The site changed its business model from a flat fee per download CDN distributed service network to an...
featured them in the article "Gaming's Greatest Patriots: Team Japan". In 2010, Wild Gunmen ranked him as the second best ninja in video game history for his use of stealth and being "a total badass". In 2011, Rikimaru was featured among the top ten ninja for PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
consoles by PLAY and ranked eight on the Machinima.com
Machinima.com
Machinima.com is a gaming and media streaming website, that aims to be a hub for machinima, the art of creating animated videos in real-time virtual 3-D environments. The site features machinima-related articles, and news. Machinima productions can be submitted for possible redistribution after...
's list of top ten ninja characters in all of gaming. Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
also included him on the list of top ten video game ninja heroes, but calling him "pretty lacking in personality".
One notable exception from positive reception was when Rikimaru and Ayame were included among the "gaming's most shameful shinobi" by GamesRadar in 2006. Oddly, UGO.com called Rikimaru "Tenchu" while featuring "getting your neck stealthily sliced open" by "Tenchu" in their 2010 list of the top 50 worst ways to die in a video game.
External links
- Rikimaru (IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
) - Rikimaru (IMDb)
- Rikimaru (GiantBomb)
- UGO's Ninja Guide | Rikimaru and Ayame of Tenchu (UGO.com)