Rikimaru
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Rikimaru(力丸) is a video game character in the Tenchu series.
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[edit] Introduction
Rikimaru stars in one of the first stealth action games, Tenchu. As such, his name is still a reference to many fans of this genre. One of the most interesting things about Rikimaru (or anyone in Tenchu) is the fact that he is not a super powered character in any way. His overall statistics, physical condition and boundaries are those of a human, but he is agile, experienced, and stealthy. With that in mind, it is obvious he cannot defeat an army of opponents as we have seen ninjas doing in several games, so the only way of succeeding is by cunning, moving unseen and unheard in the still of the night, using the techniques of the Ninja. These stealth aspects would later make the Metal Gear and Splinter Cell video game series popular, amongst others.
It should be noted that he can sense how close someone is to him and what kind of alert state they are in (this comes in the form of a stealth meter, which later becomes a popular trait in most stealth games). Rikimaru makes good use of a vast array of ninja equipment, ranging from throwing kunai to ninja scrolls, health potions, caltrops, shurikens, a grappling hook and several other useful, sometimes multi-purposed items. His sword is said to be legendary among his clan, and does have magical aspects. His scarred eye later reveals Rikimaru's innate dohjutsu abilities.
[edit] Fighting style
Rikimaru's sword style is apparently based on the Nukitsuke concept of one-step sword draw and attack. Rikimaru does not attack as viciously as Ayame, but his strikes are never wasted. Each attack has to either hit or corner the enemy.
According to the canon story, everything points to him as being the best ninja from his clan. As far as gameplay goes, Rikimaru is the best choice against bosses, though every other threat should prove simple enough as long as the player has some basic knowledge of the block-n-strike routine. Rikimaru is probably the best choice for focused, experienced players. His sword attacks have the best melee range in the game, as well as damage. Treating each attack with care and knowledge of your vulnerability during this is the way to win.
[edit] Personality and relationships
Rikimaru and his Clan are loyal servants of Lord Gohda. To protect his Lord or fulfill his orders, he would sacrifice his own life without hesitation, as the mission is always the priority. He is very focused on his work, showing respect to his opponents and never underestimating them. He also shows no mercy to anyone. As a child, he was a dedicated student, working constantly to improve his techniques.
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. 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.
The Azuma ninja clan is reduced into being made up of only two ninjas left: Rikimaru and Ayame.
Ayame is a clouded matter. She has shown feelings for Tatsumaru, and 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. This may be an illustration of the harsh life they take on together, or simply Ayame's own tough attitude, which denies us the ability to say if she even thinks of Rikimaru as a friend. Not much is told about their relationship (aside from being partners and being raised by Master Shiunsai). Romantic relationships between the two are unknown, and unlikely to exist. Rikimaru, however, shows an immediate response when Ayame is in danger (as seen in the opening FMV of Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven). At the end of Rikimaru's storyline in Wrath of Heaven, Ayame attempts to aid him, as he is wounded, but he pushes her away. A similar thing happens at the end of Ayame's storyline.
Rikimaru had bonds with two other Ninjas: Shiunsai and Tatsumaru. Both were very important to him, and both were lost. Tatsumaru was Rikimaru's role model, and Shiunsai was a father figure to him. Suffering from a memory loss, Tatsumaru kills Shiunsai. Upon the recovery of his memory, he kills himself. This events marks the death of Rikimaru's former personality, and what remains is but a shell of a man with no regards for his feelings. Someone who executes orders without questioning, and shows no mercy nor underestimation towards anyone. A Ninja.
[edit] Biography
Upon his master's death, Rikimaru takes the role of leader of the Azuma Ninja Clan at the age of 18. His clan is now very small and consists only of Ayame and him. Rikimaru wields the ancient sword Izayoi, which is passed on through the generations from leader to leader.
The scar over his right eye will always remind him that not being focused, showing mercy or acting from a state of pure selflessness will always result in failure. When Tatsumaru killed Master Shiunsai, who was the leader of the Azuma at the time, 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 hesitates. Tatsumaru takes that time to cut his right eye, leaving him scarred for life. The battle ends here as Kagami takes Tatsumaru with her in a rush. 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. It is possibly the one that rivals that of Lord Mei-Oh and Tenrai (he was the only one able to survive the portal aside from Mei-Oh and the only one who can really defeat Tenrai).
Many years ago, 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) 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. Whether or not it was this name that drove him to become stronger, or whether it was from sparring with Tatsukichi every day, no one can say. What is known is that Chikara grew to be the strongest boy in the village. He also developed into an outstanding swordsman. If he had a shortcoming, it was that he didn't learn new techniques as fast as the other students. Slow learner or not, Chikara eventually earned a new name, Rikimaru, and a new title: Ninja.
[edit] Trivia
- The character Rikimaru is said to be used as the inspiration for Kakashi Hatake in the Naruto anime/manga series. Although the majority of this inspiration appears to be physical, both characters suffered a deep change of personality after tragic events occurred when they were young.
- Rikimaru is the name of the "Stealth Assassin" playable hero in the DotA Allstars Warcraft 3 popular "Siege Map."
- Another title created in 2005 by the original Tenchu developers ACQUIRE Corp., titled Shinobido: Way of the Ninja, places the player in control of a character described by gaming magazines and online reviewers as the antithesis of Rikimaru; Goh "The Crow." While Rikimaru is just, honourable and virtuous, Goh is treacherous, merciless and opportunistic. However, Goh loses his memory, and upon learning of his former self, is overcome with guilt, which leads him back to the path of honour.
- In Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Null looks very similar to Rikimaru.
[edit] External links
[edit] Official
[edit] Non-Official
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Tenchu: Stealth Assassins • Shinobi Hyakusen • Birth of the Stealth Assassins • Wrath of Heaven • Fatal Shadows • Time of the Assassins • Dark Secret • Tenchu Z |
