Meet the Characters of YAKUZA: Horiyoshi, Shige and Horichiro
Every YAKUZA episode is fifteen seconds long, so there is no time for introductions inside the episodes. This is the introduction. Here are the three YAKUZA characters, what they want, and why they keep ending up in the same forest clearing.
Horiyoshi: the sensei
One word. Zero moves.
Real name: Yoshihito, known as Horiyoshi III
Role: the third head of a legendary clan
Words per episode: one
Distinguishing feature: a small bird lives in a nest on his head. He allows it.
Horiyoshi grew up in the old clan. When his father and his older brother were gone, the leadership fell to him, and most of the clan said he was too quiet and too weak for the job. Many left. Some tried to take his place.
Horiyoshi did not argue. He does not argue. He decided to rebuild the clan and win back its honour without starting a single war. His method is simple: he lets every challenger come to him, then wins with one move. He has not needed a second one yet.
Why he is funny
Horiyoshi is the calm centre of every episode. Everyone around him panics, shouts, poses and plans. He stands there like a mountain, and then ends the scene with one perfectly timed word. Most of the time, that word is “No.”
Shige: the rival
Style: 100. Humility: 0.
Real name: Shigenori Iwasaki, also known as “Yellow Blaze”
Born: Hiroshima, 1970
Owns: nine pairs of sunglasses, a wardrobe of Italian loafers and an electric scooter called Black Panther
Goal: to beat Horiyoshi in front of everyone
Shige was once the right-hand man of the old clan boss. When Horiyoshi became the new head of the clan, Shige walked out, sure that he deserved the title more than anyone. He started his own clan the same day.
Since then he has challenged Horiyoshi many times. He has lost every time. He is planning his next attempt right now.
Why he is funny
Shige is all show. Dramatic crane poses, sunglasses that come off very slowly, entrances on Black Panther that take longer than the actual fight. He believes in himself completely, and the universe disagrees with him every single episode. He never learns, and that is exactly why we love him.
Horichiro: the student
One tooth. Big dreams.
Age: 10
From: a small fishing village
Distinguishing features: one front tooth and very big pink ears
Promise: to become the strongest and most respected person in Japan
Horichiro is a fisherman’s son. He helps his father at home and at work, and he made him a promise: one day he will be strong enough to protect everyone he loves.
He learns martial arts a little at a time, mostly by watching. His technique needs work. His confidence does not. Since the day of the duel in the clearing, he has followed Horiyoshi everywhere, sure that one day the sensei will teach him everything. The sensei has not said yes. He has not said no either. He has not said anything.
Why he is funny
Horichiro is the heart of the series. He copies everything he sees, usually at the worst moment, and carries more firewood than any child should. Where Shige wants to look strong, Horichiro simply believes he already is.
How the three work together
Every YAKUZA episode is built on the same triangle. Shige wants respect, Horichiro wants to learn, and Horiyoshi wants to be left alone. Put the three in one clearing for fifteen seconds and something always goes wrong, for Shige.
Start with the three “Meet” episodes, one for each character, then watch the rest of Season 1. New to the series? Read what YAKUZA is all about.
Which one are you? Tell us in the comments on any episode. Horiyoshi will reply with one word.
