Japanese expert believes Ghost of Yotei has one glaring inaccuracy that hints toward game’s story

As a seasoned gamer with a deep appreciation for historical context and cultural nuances, I find the upcoming title, Ghost of Yotei, to be particularly intriguing. Having traversed numerous virtual landscapes spanning different eras and geographies, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation when it comes to this game.


A Japanese academic has highlighted an significant error concerning historical facts in the title of the game ‘Ghost of Yotei’, yet considering the background details, this could be an intentional decision and a hint about the game’s storyline, suggesting both creativity and intrigue.

In the September 2024 State of Play event, it was revealed that Sucker Punch’s upcoming game will be a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Titled Ghost of Yotei, this new installment features a fresh protagonist named Atsu and is set approximately 300 years after the original storyline. The action takes place in a region of Japan that has become part of Hokkaido.

However, in a thread shared and translated by Automaton, Japanese scholar Itsuji Tangiku points out that the mountain now known as Mount Yotei went by a completely different name back in 1603.

It’s amazing that the play “The Phantom of the Opera,” which was produced, is set in 1603 Hokkaido. The term “Ghost” has multiple meanings here, it’s certainly intriguing. The original name for “Yotei” (the mountain) is “Hakumon-san” after the Meiji era, but in Ainu language it is called “Machineshiwo.” The “Yotei” of 1603 is indeed a “Ghost place” name.

— 丹菊逸治 (@itangiku) September 25, 2024

In a conversation about the matter, Tangiku, who specializes in the linguistics and customs of the Ainu, an indigenous people from northern Japan, points out that the anachronism seems to be deliberate. Considering the region’s past and the timeframe of the game, it could significantly impact the storyline as well.

1603 saw the Ainu referring to the mountain as Machineshiri, while it was known as Mount Shiribeshi during Japan’s Meiji era (1868-1912). Over time, this mountain came to be called Yotei.

In the continuation of his discourse, Tangiku elaborates on the historical importance of 1603 to both the Japanese and Ainu peoples. The subsequent year marked a pivotal moment as the Japanese government granted trading rights to the Matsumae clan with the Ainu. This gradual shift eventually weakened the Ainu’s control over the region.

The Matsumae family prevented other northern tribes from engaging in trade with the Ainu, leading to Hokkaido’s transformation into a fishing farm over 200 years. This event, as Tangiku refers to it, signifies “the onset of Hokkaido’s colonization,” which encompasses assimilation policies during the Meiji Restoration period that compelled the Ainu to abandon their language, customs, and lifestyle.

Japanese expert believes Ghost of Yotei has one glaring inaccuracy that hints toward game’s story

Based on Tangiku’s suspicion, it is believed that the developers may have chosen the name “Yotei” as a form of “satirical commentary” or “mockery,” reflecting on the period of colonization and its impact.

Though Sucker Punch hasn’t disclosed the plot particulars, Ghost of Tsushima was essentially a story about revenge, in which the protagonist, Jin Sakai, found it necessary to violate the traditional samurai code of honor in order to safeguard his homeland from Mongol conquerors.

With Tangiku’s observations, it seems plausible that Ghost of Yotei will depict Atsu engaged in a battle against the danger of Japanese colonization, and possibly adorning a ghostly mask as a symbol of her commitment to defending her homeland.

The spirit-like game titled Yotei’s Ghost is set to debut on PlayStation 5 in 2025. Additionally, a movie based on Ghost of Tsushima is currently under development. (Paraphrased with a focus on clarity and simplicity)

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2024-09-25 20:18