Why Is Ebisu Fuji So Melancholy? The Story of People and Land in the Northern Wilderness Revealed After Walking "The Ghost of Yōtei"
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/840/G084044/20251107002/
Writer: Takahashi Yusuke | 2025/11/08 08:00 (UTC)
Vast marshlands and forests, with Mount Yōtei rising in the distance. Snow on its summit sparkles under sunlight, while rivers flowing at its base quietly flow toward the sea.
The setting of Ghost of Yōtei—the land of Ezo—evokes real-life Ezo (present-day Hokkaido), but it goes beyond mere natural scenery by layering with the emotional landscape of Atsushi, a vengeful protagonist burdened by relentless resolve, creating depth that transcends simple depiction.
Released on October 2, 2025, by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Ghost of Yōtei (hereafter “Yōtei”) is an open-world adventure for PS5 developed by Sucker Punch Productions. While set in Ezo during the 8th year of Keichō (1603), it boldly weaves together imagery from various eras and places.
The revenge tale centered on protagonist Atsushi pursuing the “Six Men of Yōtei” recalls the era of legendary swordsmen like Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro. Yet, the dry air of this arid wilderness carries strong echoes of Western and spaghetti western tropes. It feels as if two narrative traditions—jidaigeki (period drama) and Westerns—that have influenced each other over time are quietly merging.
Why did Sucker Punch Productions choose this northern land as the stage for a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima—a game that so deeply expressed reverence and respect for jidaigeki—and craft a new tale of a “ghost,” or vengeful spirit? It appears their intention went beyond merely changing the setting: they sought to tell stories where the land itself speaks. This article explores that background through the lens of Mount Yōtei’s symbolic power and the weight of human longing.
※This article contains spoilers about content and presentation after completing the main game. Readers planning to play should be cautious, as it may reveal key plot points.
Official Site for “Ghost of Yōtei”
The Story of Atsushi and This Game’s True Protagonist
The story is straightforward: protagonist Atsushi seeks revenge against the Six Men of Yōtei, who killed his family. Without revealing spoilers, a pivotal moment during his vengeful journey causes Atsushi’s resolve to falter.
On the surface, this narrative feels like a typical genre piece and may not seem particularly unique to “Yōtei.” Those familiar with Tsushima might contrast it with that earlier game’s rich ensemble of memorable characters—such as Mr. Ishikawa or Masako—who gave depth to the story.
Yet, this simplicity may be intentional. Based on gameplay experience and insights from developer interviews (link), the true protagonist of Yōtei appears to be the natural landscape of Ezo, symbolized by Mount Yōtei.
Creative Director Jason Connell recounted an experience during a research trip to Hokkaido:
“I traveled across various locations in Hokkaido for research. When I first saw Mount Yōtei from Lake Toya, the emotion was unforgettable—‘This is incredible,’ and it gave me massive inspiration. (…). At the same time, it felt lonely, standing alone by itself—and that image deeply resonated with my concept of Atsushi as a protagonist.”
“She lost everyone important in her life and begins this story alone. Yet she’s also an extremely strong presence, carrying immense burdens. I found Mount Yōtei seen from Lake Toya to be the perfect symbol for this. I think the entire team felt the same way.”
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Creator Interview: “Ghost of Yōtei.” A revenge story in northern Japan, told through the lens of jidaigeki and Westerns—and reflections on Japanese culture and Hokkaido’s beauty
SIE’s latest open-world jidaigeki action title, “Ghost of Yōtei,” is finally launching. Its story set in Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido) portrays a revenge tale deeply rooted in Japanese culture and the beauty of northern Japan. We bring you an exclusive creator interview that delves into Sucker Punch Productions’ creative philosophy.
[2025/10/01 8:00 PM]
- Keywords:
- PS5: Ghost of Yōtei
- PS5
- Action
- RPG
- Survival
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Players: 1
- Sengoku Period
- Interview
- Feature Article
- Writer: Yusuke Takahashi
- Editor: Junpoco
The Overwhelming Beauty of Ezo
The beauty portrayed in this game surpasses what words can describe. Regions themed around the seasons—such as “Tokachi-ga Mine,” “Ishikari-ga Hara,” “Nayoro-ga Sawa,” “Teshio-ga Oka,” and “Wajima-ga Ura”—are rendered with precise lighting that feels truly immersive, so lifelike they almost invite real-life pilgrimage. It’s easy to imagine more people visiting Hokkaido in search of the same landscapes shown within the game.
Beyond mere visuals, these landscapes are deeply interactive. As you walk through mist-covered hills, the rustling of wind and birdsong, the sway of grass underfoot, encounters with wildlife—each detail stimulates your senses. This is not just an aesthetic choice but a form of dialogue with nature, significantly enhancing psychological immersion. Many players may have found their own memories resurfacing before such scenery, momentarily confronting their past.
The portrayal of Ainu people, though subtle, carries a sincere authenticity.
Ainu culture is deeply intertwined with Ezo’s natural environment. Mountains, rivers, forests, and marshes are not mere backdrops but central to their lives, beliefs, and interactions with the wider Japanese society through trade and exchange.
In-game transactions with Ainu characters are based on barter rather than money. Through items like clothing, tattoos, collected artifacts, and stories such as Iomante (Bear Festival) or Okikurumi legend, a glimpse into their culture is revealed—contrasting sharply with the rugged individualism embodied by Atsushi and others.
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Layered Fiction—Echoes from the Sengoku Period and Local Fuji
Meanwhile, depictions of Japanese settlers like Atsushi who journey to Ezo are grounded in historical facts but also boldly reimagined for storytelling.
Historically, Japanese settlers began moving into Ezo from the late Muromachi period through early Edo times, establishing trade networks centered on Matsumae in southern Hokkaido. At that time, Ezo was unsuitable for rice farming; its deep mountains and forests were harsh, and outsiders weren’t easily welcomed.
In 1457, conflict erupted between Japanese settlers and Ainu people—fighting occurred at twelve fortified castles (known as “Jūhachi-ya”) in the region. Later called the “Battle of Koshama-in,” this event is well-known but little documented before Yōtei’s time, leaving significant historical gaps.
Filling these voids with imagination—the unsaid voices and unwritten stories—is essential for understanding narratives set in Ezo.
Returning to Yōtei’s Ezo: Atsushi’s family is said to have fled from their home during the Battle of Nagashino (1575) and resettled in Ezo. Nagashino lies in present-day Aichi Prefecture, and the distinctive speech patterns heard in Atsushi’s flashbacks—such as “-sa,” “-darō?"—are echoes of modern dialects from Aichi and Shizuoka regions.
While multiple regional dialects were likely blended to avoid over-specifying a single origin, these two features stand out notably. A family of swordsmiths once living in the Tokai region now settles at the base of Mount Yōtei—an image clearly reminiscent of Fuji—symbolizing their homesickness and longing for lost roots.
Also striking is the outfit worn by Saito, leader of the Six Men. His crimson-and-black ensemble with tiger embroidery on a surcoat evokes Takeda Shingen, the “Tiger of Kai” from across Mount Fuji, or his famed “Red Armor Corps.”
Though historically inaccurate—since Takeda Katsuyori led at Nagashino—the design suggests connections to the Takeda clan’s influence in Suruga and Izu (modern-day Shizuoka), perhaps even implying Saito is drawing on the legacy of this powerful lineage. Or, one might imagine Saito seeking to claim authority as “General of Ezo” by invoking the prestige of the Minamoto-descended Takeda.
The narrative structure—refugees fleeing mainland Japan during the early Azuchi-Momoyama period, resettling in Ezo and building new lives—is reminiscent of defeated samurai from Aizu after the Boshin War. Defeated on home soil, they seek refuge in northern lands. The echoes across time are clear: people who lost everything yet still strive to survive.
Interestingly, Mount Iwaki in Aizu (modern-day Fukushima Prefecture) is known as “Aizu Fuji.” By the mid-Edo period, worship of Mount Fuji had become widespread. Even without ever seeing it, people developed deep emotional connections to Fuji—giving rise to regional “local Fujis” across Japan.
Historically, however, the name “Ezo Fuji” for Mount Yōtei only became common after large-scale development in the Meiji era. It likely wasn’t used during Atsushi’s time, and as Connell noted in an interview, the developers weren’t particularly conscious of these historical nuances.
Yet somehow, stories of the defeated—using mountains like Fuji or Yōtei as metaphors—unintentionally link to Japan’s broader history and culture. This layering of meaning is especially rewarding for players familiar with Japanese history and tradition.
The Meaning Embedded in Title and Story
Now, consider how this multi-layered imagery of Mount Yōtei and Ezo echoes the hearts of those who affectionately called it “Ezo Fuji.” Doesn’t it feel deeply connected?
Yōtei is a title aimed at global audiences and, strictly speaking, falls more into the category of hybrid genre—blending elements of jidaigeki and Westerns. It strongly evokes Clint Eastwood’s 2013 film The Outlaw Josey Wales, itself a remake of his earlier work.
In effect, it’s an act of cultural revitalization—reimagining Ezo during a historically blank period to make it compelling for modern audiences.
Yet throughout, one can sense a genuine love for jidaigeki. Just as those who called Mount Yōtei “Ezo Fuji” held real affection for the homeland and Japanese culture, so too does Yōtei convey sincere passion—despite not being an authentic period drama.
Mount Yōtei is no true Fuji, nor is Yōtei a genuine jidaigeki. But the love poured into its portrayal of Japanese culture and genre is absolutely real.
Why is this game titled “Ghost of Yōtei”? When the title was first revealed, many gamers and fans of Tsushima likely wondered. True, it retains a geographical name like its predecessor—but now one can understand why: if the true protagonist is Ezo itself, symbolized by Mount Yōtei, then this title feels perfectly natural.
Earlier, this article suggested that Yōtei’s message may not feel particularly unique. But in fact, I myself don’t believe so—because the spiritual essence of the land is revealed through a letter written by Saito, discovered within the game.
The letter conveys Saito’s philosophy—and can be read as a cry from the people of Ezo and even the land itself. Those familiar with local history would sense its complex layers. Still, it’s important to note that Saito’s faction is no less distant from Ainu people than any other Japanese group—his “freedom” applies only within his own community.
Yet beneath all this lies a fundamental rejection of domination.
(Quoted text)
“Shogunate”
We are all victims of the Shogunate
Driven out, abandoned
Their plot to exterminate us has always failed
The beauty of Ezo lies in its wild freedom
The Shogunate fears what it cannot control
Thus they wish to imprison this land as a prison
I will resist—even if I must give my life
“Matsumae people”
They claim to bring order to Ezo,
But their true intent is clear: to place this land under the Shogunate’s grip and profit from it themselves.
Freedom of movement has already been restricted.
Unnecessary checkpoints have sprung up, demanding official seals.
If we do not fight back, in just one generation there will be nothing left of Ezo.
(End quote)
Atsushi kills Saito for personal reasons—but this story is more than a simple revenge tale. Its deeper meaning becomes clear.
Yōtei’s open-world design doesn’t aim for shock value. Instead, it’s classical and unpretentious—offering moments of beauty through nature. Its core concept draws clear inspiration from the Red Dead Redemption series, while its location layout and activity guidance feel strongly influenced by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, faithfully evolving into a superior successor that is even more attentive and generous.
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The dynamic between bounty hunters chasing others or being hunted themselves—simple yet exhilarating—is a major charm of the game as a “swordmaster” tale. Moreover, the high degree of freedom in progressing through various events deepens the immersive experience of traveling across vast Ezo like a wandering ronin.
Through delicate yet grand visual storytelling, player immersion reaches an almost unmatched level. The game layers real-world nature, culture, and historical context onto its world, allowing players to transcend time and space—to truly feel connected to Ezo and Hokkaido as a land.
This is the kind of experience that feels perfectly suited for the open-world genre—offering immersive depth different from film or other visual media, enabling you to feel Ezo in your heart.
In particular, natural landscapes like Mount Yōtei likely became a emotional anchor for players experiencing the game through Atsushi’s eyes. The view from mountain peaks, the silence within mist-wrapped forests—nature’s beauty and harshness deeply resonate with players’ emotions.
As Saito warned: “In just one generation, Ezo will be gone.” Yet even now—despite the departure of Atsushi’s family, the Six Men of Yōtei, and Matsumae retainers—the majestic natural world remains. It may endure unchanged for thousands of years to come.
Yōtei beautifully yet fiercely portrays the enduring power of this land and the fleeting dreams of those who once lived upon it. Though clichéd, it’s true: this is a work worth experiencing at least once.
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