Main Characters of Tenchu:
Birth Name : Omon
Ninja Name : Ayame
Age : *See different games*
Gender : Female
Weapon : 2 Daggers/ Short swords
Role : Azuma Ninja
Birth Name : unknown (was called Chikara as a child)
Ninja Name : Rikimaru
Age : *See different games*
Gender : Male
Weapon : Izayoi
Role : Azume Ninja
Name : Matsunoshin Gohda
Age : *See different games*
Gender : Male
Weapon : Katana later on
Role : Lord of a small Japanese province
Name : Kiku
Gender : Female
Age : *See different games*
Weapon : N/A
Role : Lord Gohda's daughter
Name : Onikage
Age: Unknown
Gender : Male Weapon : Hands & Feet
Role : Lord Mei-Oh's Right-Hand Man
Name : Tatsukichi
Ninja Name : Tatsumaru
Age : *See different games*
Gender : Male
Weapon : Izayoi /*See different games*
Role : *See different games*
Tenchu: Stealth assassins
Name: Ayame
Age : 21
Seven years have passed since Ayame lost her master Azuma Shiunsai, Clan brother and love Tatsumaru during the events of Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins. She has matured a lot and improved her skills. Her fighting style is a lot quicker and smoother than Rikimaru's. She is tough, killing her enemies cold blooded without the sign of any doubt or hesitation, though she knows feelings like love, sadness and desperation. Her sarcasm is as feared as her sharp blades.
Ayame was the last student chosen by Master Shiunsai, by now dead leader of the Azuma Ninja Clan. Blessed with raw talent but a bad attitude. Curious and willing to learn new techniques , she was never patient enough to fully master one. It is told during the Warring States period, Shiunsai travelled to Kyoto, but Kyoto lay in ruins because warring armies fought for the ownership of the town. He saw a young girl on the riverbank watching corpses float by. It was a strange sensation for Shiunsai to see a young girl in the midst of all that desolation. Although he searched for the girl's parents, he could not find them. The girl herself appeared to be in shock. She knew her name, and her age, but that was all. The thought of leaving her there to fend for herself didn't make Shiunsai very proud, but what would he do with a young girl? He couldn't train her to be a female ninja, that much was clear. Shiunsai was not part of a large and well-established ninja organisation like the Iga Ninja. As a lone wolf, he didn't have the knowledge or ressources to train a kunoichi (female ninja). What did Shiunsai know of the ways of love? What could he teach a girl about seduction or hypnotism? As he prepared to turn his back on the young girl clutching at his sleeve, Shiunsai thought he detected in her the makings of a ninja. He decided to take her home after all. He raised her the only way he knew -- as a regular ninja like Tatsukichi (Tatsumaru's child name). Judged on her natural abilities alone, Omon was probably the most talented of Shiunsai's three pupils. Despite her late start and her tender age, Omon was initiated into the circle of ninja at almost the same time as Rikimaru, when she was only 14. As a ninja, Omon would be known as Ayame. Ayame has developed a strong relationship with Kiku , the daughter of Lord Gohda . After the death of Kiku's mother Lady Kei, Ayame became sort of an older sister for Kiku. Ayame will protect Kiku at any cost from any harm.
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Name: Rikimaru
Age : 25
After his master Azuma Shiunsai died and Rikimaru had avenged his death he took the role of the leader of the Azuma Ninja Clan (Azuma Shinobi Ryu sect) at the age of 18. His clan is only very small and consists of Ayame and him. As the Azuma Ninja Clan's leader, Rikimaru wields the ancient and magical sword Izayoi, which is passed on through the generations from leader to leader. Rikimaru and his Clan are loyal servants of Lord Gohda. To protect his Lord or fulfill his orders Rikimaru would sacrifice his own life without hesitation and at the end of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins he will do so. Rikimaru is very focused on his work. He shows respect to his opponents and never underestimates them. He shows no mercy to anyone. His scar over his left eye will always remind him, not being focused, showing mercy or acting from a state of pure selflessness will always result in failure. His older Clan brother Tatsumaru, who betrayed the Azuma Ninja and killed Master Shiunsai, hurt Rikimaru's eye. Rikimaru fought Tatsumaru, who had killed Master Shiunsai, and beat him in the fight, but as he wasn't able to take Tatsumaru's life with a final strike, Tatsumaru took the time while Rikimaru was undecided and attacked him, injuring Rikimar's eye. Tatsumaru used to be Rikimaru's role model, but by now Rikimaru has surpassed him in his spiritual and physical abilities.
Rikimaru was dedicated student, he worked constantly to improve his techniques. 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 other ninja quickly dispatched the wife and servant, but as they moved to silence the baby clutched in the dead wife's arms. Shiunsai stopped the ninja 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.
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Name : Matsunoshin Gohda
Age : 30
Lord Gohda is a wise and peaceful ruler who takes good care of those living in his realm. He has one daughter named Kiku. His wife Lady Kei died 7 years ago when a rival warlord attacked and burned down his castle. Used to treachery and betrayel among his own blood he only relies on his most trusted advisor Sekiya Naotada and the Azuma Ninja Clan.
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Name : Kiku
Age : 12
Kiku is Lord Gohda's only daughter and therefore his only link to his late wife Lady Kei. Kiku is a sweet but spoiled girl. Ayame is like an older sister for her. Being Lord Gohda's only heir and therfore soon to be ruler of the small Gohda realm, her life is in constant danger.
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Name : Onikage
Age: Unknown
Onikage is Lord Mei-Oh's most loyal servant. He combines his love for destruction and murdering with his goal to open a portal for his Lord, so he can rule hell and world. Onikage is not human, he is a demon and can't be killed. Even though he is defeated in a fight and thought dead, he will soon appear again, because he has the abilitly to ressurect from the dead. His past is yet unknown and mysterious. His age difficult to determine, but he is probably a couple hundred of years old. There seems to be a link between him and the Azuma Ninja Clan. He has a special interest in Rikimaru, maybe because he sees a similarity between the two of them. His loyality to Lord Mei-Oh is very similar to Rikimaru's loyality to Lord Gohda, with the difference that Lord Mei-Oh resembles the evil in the world and Lord Gohda the good. As Onikage is the destroyer of lives, Rikimaru is the protector of the innocent and weak, all in the name of their Lords and bound by the oaths they have sworn. Onikage watches the Azuma Ninja and Gohda territory closely and misses no chance to cause trouble. Onikage will do everything necessary to please Lord Mei-Oh. No sacrifice is too big if he can reach his goal. He is a master of disguise among other skills. The first known meeting of Onikage and the Azuma Ninja takes place in Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins. Onikage joined a group called "The Burning Dawn" who were fighting against Lord Gohda and the Azuma Ninja Clan, disguised as a man called Suzaku. The Azuma Ninja do not know Onikage and Suzaku are one and the same person.
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Name : Lord Mei-oh
Gender : Male
Weapon : Shichishito & Lightning Bolt
Role : Leader of Manji
Lord Mei-Oh is the Leader of this sinister group name "Manji" who seems determined to deliver chaos and destruction to the worlds. He has a mysterious interest for the Azuma Ninja Clan and Lord Gohda's small province. Trapped in another realm he seeks entrance to this world. A special portal allows him to travel between the times and dimensions, but once it has been closed it is very difficult to re-open it. His right-hand man Onikage prepares everything for Lord Mei-Oh's arrival. Shichishito is the magical sword Lord Mei-Oh wields.
Tenchu 2: Birth of stealth assassins
Name : Ayame
Birth Name : Omon
Age : 14
Ayame was the last student chosen by Master Shiunsai. Blessed with raw talent but a bad attitude . Curious and willing to learn new techniques , she is never patient enough to fully master one . During the Warring States perioid, Shiunsai travelled to Kyoto . Kyoto lay in ruins as warring armies fought for the ownership of the village . He saw a young girl on the riverbank watching corpses float by. It was a strange sensation for Shiunsai to see a young girl in the midst of all that desolation. Although he searched for the girl's parents, he could not find them . The girl herself appeared to be in shock. She knew her name, and her age, but that was all. The thought of leaving her there to fend for herself didn't make Shiunsai very proud, but what would he do with a young girl? He couldn't train her to be a female ninja, that much was clear. Shiunsai was not part of a large and well-established ninja organisation like the Iga Ninja. As a lone wolf, he didn't have the knowledge or resources to train a female ninja. What did Shiunsai know of the ways of love? What could he teach a girl about seduction or hypnotism? As he prepared to turn his back on the young girl clutching at his sleeve, Shiunsai thought he detected in her the makings of a ninja. He decided to take her home after all. He raised her the only way he knew how -- as a regular ninja like Tatsukichi (Tatsumaru's child name). Judged on her natural abilities alone, Omon was probably the most talented of Shiunsai's three pupils. Despite her late start and her tender age, Omon was initiated into the circle of ninja at almost the same time as Rikimaru, when she was only 14. As a ninja, Omon would be known as Ayame. Ayame has developed a strong relationship with Kiku , the daughter of Lord Gohda . After the death of Kiku's mother Lady Kei, Ayame became sort of an older sister to Kiku . Ayame will protect Kiku at any cost from any harm . As a symbol of her relationship Ayame and Kiku always wear their sister bells close to their hearts. Ayame is in love with Tatsumaru , unfortunately he seems not feel the same for her.
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Name : Rikimaru
Age : 18
Weapon : Katana
Diligent and unassuming, Rikimaru has worked steadily since childhood to become a skilled shadow warrior. As a ninja, his self-confidence and sense of destiny is unshakeable. He would lay down his life for his lord without a moment's doubt.
Having grown up entirely in the village where he studies the way of the ninja, Rikimaru knows little of the outside world. A dedicated student, he works constantly to improve his techniques. His weakness is his overconfidence: he believes that he is already good enough to defeat any opponent. His misplaced self-confidence will earn him many painful experiences once he finally does leave his village, but those experiences will also be the source of great mental and spiritual growth. The scar he earns fighting Tatsumaru , will always remember him of this weakness and his failure to rescue his master . After Shiunsai's and Tatsumaru's death he became the leader of the Azuma Ninja Shinoby Ryu Sect / Azuma Ninja Clan and therefore it the wielder of the ancient and legendary ninja sword 'Izayoi' .
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 other ninja quickly dispatched the wife and servant, but as they moved to silence the baby clutched in the dead wife's arms. Shiunsai stopped the ninja 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.
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Name : Tatsukichi
Ninja Name : Tatsumaru Age : 20
Weapon : Izayoi
Role : Leader of the Azuma Ninja
The senior pupil of Azuma Shiunsai, Tatsumaru has trained together with Rikimaru and Ayame for years. His physical prowess and skill with the sword is matched by few. He has been raised since childhood to someday succeed Azuma Shiunsai as the leader of the Azuma Ninja. Unfortunately he can't fulfill this high expectations. He betrays his Clan and only family , by murdering Master Shiunsai and supporting the Burning Dawn . Only his death can avenge his sins and restore his honour . Tatsumaru is the senior of the three students. He favours using his bare hands and feet over other weapons. Having trained longer than Rikimaru and Ayame, his combat skills are proportionally greater. His judgement and composure are also superior. Tatsumaru has greatly influenced the younger Rikimaru, who strives to emulate the older student. He is not without his faults, however. A strong, subconscious self-destructive tendency often leads him to overextend himself. His highly developed sense of obligation and his notion of his responsibilities as a ninja lead him to accept a job which will eventually force him face his fellow student, Rikimaru, in combat. However, his ability to recognise this strange turn of events as his destiny makes him a better ninja than Rikimaru, who often lets his emotions cloud his judgement. When Tatsukichi was three, Murasakimaru (Shiunsai's ninja name) found him wandering alone on a fresh battlefield. It is said that Murasakimaru knew the minute he saw Tatsukichi amongst the heaps of corpses on that battlefield that the little boy had the makings of a great ninja. When he found Tatsukichi, Murasakimaru was a 45 year-old ninja with no heir and no one to whom he could pass on his knowledge. Having lost everything in the devastation of the Warring States period, Murasakimaru had come to accept the idea that his secrets and techniques would die with him. All that changed the day he stumbled upon little Tatsukichi. Murasakimaru decided to adopt the boy and make him the heir to his ninja legacy. Under the instruction of Shiunsai , Tatsukichi concentrated his abundant mental and physical talents on the task of learning the way of the ninja. Tatsukichi was initiated as a full-fledged ninja in his sixteenth summer. From that point on he would be known as Tatsumaru. As a full ninja, Tatsumaru was free to leave his master and set out on his own. Tatsumaru, however, chose to stay and refine his skills while helping Rikimaru with his training. That is not to say that he was ignoring his regular duties as a ninja: Tatsumaru fulfilled all his obligations in that respect. Perhaps Tatsumaru was simply motivated by a desire to help his younger brother and fellow student.
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Name: Ghoda Matsunoshin
Age : 23
Role : Ruler of the House of Gohda
Lord Matsunoshin lost his father when he was still a young boy. Sekiya Naotada, his father's most trusted councillor, raised Matsunoshin. The young Lord's history of personal misfortune and warm-hearted personality have made him a very popular ruler. His house is a small one, however, and Matsunoshin and his people live under the constant threat of attack from their more powerful neighbours. Assassins have also tried to take Matsunoshin's life on several occasions. He is maried to Lady Kei and has a daughter named Kiku . The Azuma Ninja are in service of Lord Gohda.
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Rikimaru:
:
At the age of 20 (Tenchu 2), Rikimaru pretty much develops his full character, who is brave, dedicated, responsible, loyal, and filled to the brim with justice. However, at that point in time, his is still a little naive, and only after the harsh and painful lessons of Tenchu 2, does he become merciless and un-hesitant. He remains the same throughout the rest of series, though the potential of his strength does not. Rikimaru is a deadly and stealthy ninja,and makes sure not to be spotted by the enemy
Ayame:
Since the beginning, Ayame's sense of loyalty to Lord Goda was never as strong as that of Rikimaru's. Although she is very close to Kiku, she simply carries out her missions because that is what she had been brought up to do. This is more so evident when she leaves her lord to look for Rikimaru's body after Tenchu 1. The period of Tenchu: Fatal Shadows lasted over a course of a couple of months, and during that time, Goda was in danger of becoming vunerable at any moment.
On the other hand, the character of Ayame changed a lot in each of the successive games: In Tenchu 2, she was a cheerful, bold and overconfident little brat, and only became bitter after the tragic events with Tatsumaru. This change is portrayed in Tenchu 1, where she becomes more withdrawn and sarcastic, unlike Rikimaru, who is passionately involved in his executions, Ayame snuffs her victims out like a chore. The lastest adaptation of Ayame's personality, in Tenchu 3, changed from being outspoken, to quiet, passive, and emotionally unstable while keeping some diluted traits of sarcasm. This proved majorly unpopular to Ayame fans, who preferred her being more sadistic and confident.
Tesshu:
A doctor by trade and a hired assassin by night, Tesshu serves the underground organization known as Muzen. He has great respect for his boss, who orders him to kill only for justice. In the early stages of his story, he momentarily labels Rikimaru as a rival when Rikimaru steals one of his kills. Unable to forget this, he sneaks into Goda Castle...
More coming soon!
