In Ghost of Yotei – the sequel to Sucker Punch’s 2019 samurai sim Ghost of Tsushima – the primary antagonist has switched from the latter’s Mongol Invasion, to something much more intimate and personal. Atsu, the game’s protagonist, seeks out an infamous organization in the Ezo region of northern Japan, the members of which are responsible for the game’s inciting incident, and Atsu’s deep-rooted trauma.
This organization is the Yotei Six, a group obsessed with the idea of bringing the lawless north under the control of one man: the group’s leader, Lord Saito. However, they are not the only party with their eyes on the north. The Shogun, from his seat of power in the south, has his own grand designs for the region, and enlists Clan Matsumae to see them realized. It is into this maelstrom that Atsu ventures, with only one goal in mind: destroy the Yotei Six, at any cost.
Spoiler Warning! This list features some story spoilers for major events that occur relatively early in the game. While many of these spoilers appear, in part or in full, in marketing materials for the game, you should still proceed with caution if you wish to enter the game completely spoiler-free.
Who Are the Yotei Six in Ghost of Yotei?
A Dangerous Collective, and the Target of Atsu’s Vengeance:
At first glance, the Yotei Six may seem like a monolith, moving through the story as a cookie-cutter evil organization that exists solely as an obstacle for the hero. However, as you progress through the game, you’ll discover that things aren’t quite that simple. An old adage states that ‘no one is the villain of their own story,’ which holds especially true with most members of the Yotei Six.
While the Yotei Six is a group, Atsu does not face them as such. She tracks down each member of the Yotei SIx one at a time, and in doing so, learns their individual tales. As with much in times of war, Atsu learns that not every story is black and white. Those individual members are as follows:
The Snake
The Oni
The Kitsune
The Spider & The Dragon
Lord Saito
At the start of Ghost of Yotei, we learn that each member of the Yotei Six participated in the violent murder of Atsu’s family. Atsu was forced to watch, and was then pinned to a tree with her father’s sword. This event sets Ghost of Yotei’s revenge journey in motion, and reveals much about Lord Saito and his band of sycophantic followers.
Who is The Snake in Ghost of Yotei?
A Lover of Drink and Violence:
The Snake has a strange place among the members of the Yotei Six. While he is the first member of the group to encounter Atsu’s Wolf Blade, he is also the member we learn the least about. What we do discover about The Snake is that he appears to live up to his name. He slithers in and out of the few scenes he is in, appearing as vile in flashbacks as he does in Atsu’s present timeline.
The Snake wields the Katana, and serves as the introduction to many of Ghost of Yotei’s basic sword-fighting mechanics. The fight with The Snake also acts as the dramatic opening of the game, and plays a central role in the mythology of the Ghost, as well as Atsu’s status as an Onryo among the various citizens of Ezo. Once the Snake has been wiped from the list, the act itself will follow Atsu throughout the game, but we never learn much about what drove him to become the wretch he was.
Who is The Oni in Ghost of Yotei?
The Vain and Violent Leader of Saito’s Army:
The Oni will likely be the first member of the Yotei Six that you actually track down, which leads to far more information being obtainable than The Snake. The Oni is first encountered during the opening flashback, and appears to be a hulking beast of a man who wields a giant Odachi. His massive armor and terrifying mask are clearly meant to instill fear in the heart of his enemies, evoking the image of a real-life Oni, which are mythical demons in Japanese folklore.
The Oni was once a handsome man, and the painting Atsu encounters when meeting him testifies to the fact that he longs for the days when a mask was not necessary. However, Atsu herself ensured The Oni would forever hide behind a mask when she used her father’s sword to slice his face during the Night of the Burning Tree. After Atsu was pinned to the tree by Lord Saito, The Oni tried to get his revenge by lighting the tree on fire. His obsession with flames continues into the present timeline, where he is known for burning alive enemies and civilians alike.
Who is The Kitsune in Ghost of Yotei?
The Mysterious Leader of the Nine Tails Shinobi:
Taking their name from a mischievous, shape-shifting fox spirit, the Kitsune is by-far the most mysterious member of the Yotei Six, particularly at the start of the game. During the opening cutscene, the Kitsune move through the night in utter silence, and does not appear to be engaged in the violent acts that fellow members appear to be reveling in.
Later, we learn that the Kitsune is the leader of the Nine Tails, Lord Saito’s army of shinobi, who act in the shadows to see his iron will is enforced. Located in the snowy northernmost region of Teshio Ridge, the Kitsune uses a complex system of codes and puzzles to hide their intricate system of hideouts and training areas. Wielding the Kusarigama and poison gas, the Kitsune will likely be seen as the toughest challenge of Ghost of Yotei’s first half. However, not all is what it seems with the Kitsune. As you progress through their tale, Atsu will be forced to face a challenge she is utterly unprepared for.
Who Are the Spider & the Dragon in Ghost of Yotei?
An Inseparable Pair, a Weakening Bond:
From the moment they are introduced in Ghost of Yotei, The Spider and the Dragon are presented as a pair. This is because they are not only siblings, but also the children of Lord Saito himself. And while it is clear that Lord Saito has placed his children in positions of great power and authority, it is also clear that his belief in their abilities is waning by the present timeline.
Both brothers favor the safety of firearms over the unpredictable nature of hand-to-hand combat. As the game unfolds, it becomes clear that the brothers are responsible for Atsu’s belief that her brother Jubei was dead. It also becomes increasingly clear that the brothers do not feature the same personality. The Spider spends much of his time undermining his father’s orders – directly to his face. He is impetuous and impulsive, where the Dragon appears to be much more devoted to Lord Saito, at least on the surface.
Who is Lord Saito in Ghost of Yotei?
Disgraced Clan Leader and Atsu’s Sworn Enemy:
When Ghost of Yotei begins, it appears that Lord Saito is lord only of some band of outlaw rabble. However, as the story progresses, we learn that the Yotei Six are much more than that. Lord Saito had once been the leader of Clan Saito, but was removed and exiled by the Shogun. Fleeing to the lawless northern lands of Ezo, Saito swore revenge both on the Shogun, and on the retainers who betrayed him when he was removed as Clan Leader.
These are the events that led Lord Saito to Atsu’s home on that fateful night. In Lord Saito’s mind, honor demanded that this family be made an example of. Never did he think that by taking such decisive action, he would be planting the seeds of his own undoing. Still, Lord Saito is not a one-dimensional character. Many times throughout the game, he is presented with an opportunity to kill Atsu, and he does not take it. While it does not appear that Lord Saito is remorseful in any way, there is, perhaps, a part of him that knows Atsu deserves justice, or at least a chance at it.
