Ghost of Yotei star says replacing Jin as lead “felt so daunting” but was the “completion of a dream”

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The decision to replace Jin as the main character has sparked debate, but the star of Ghost of Yotei has described taking on the role as both “challenging” and a “dream come true”. Ghost of Yotei is scheduled to launch on October 2nd and has already earned very positive reviews. According to Metacritic scores, Yotei has even exceeded the reception of Tsushima, with former PlayStation President Shuhei Yoshida stating that Ghost of Yotei is “even better” than its predecessor after playing the sequel. The biggest change from Tsushima has been the new protagonist, as Jin was so well-loved, but Yotei’s Atsu is just as compelling, and fans are expected to embrace her just as much, if not even more.

Ghost of Yotei was the “completion of a dream”

Ghost of Yotei’s Atsu features a truly compelling main character, brought to life by the incredible performance of Erika Ishii. Erika recently joined a media discussion hosted by Ungeek, where she talked about getting ready for the role and her feelings about becoming the new lead in the Ghost series.

When asked about the pressure of taking over from Jin as the main character, given how much PlayStation fans love him, Erika described being cast as the lead in Ghost of Yotei as “a very momentous occasion”. She explained, “I’ve always been a huge fan of Sony games, and so walking onto the Sony soundstage felt like I’d finally achieved a lifelong dream.”

Okay, so playing the Ghost of Yotei star, I have to admit, taking over from Jin as the main character really freaked me out at first. It felt so daunting! But honestly, it’s funny how quickly you get used to things. Before I knew it, I was just joking around with a lot of the crew, and it genuinely felt like home.

You know, playing Atsu is totally different for me than any other character I’ve done. I’ve never gotten to play someone who literally looks and is me! It’s been amazing to build her from scratch – everything from how she walks to the way she talks. I’ve really gotten to shape her personality and mannerisms, which is a first for me. It’s a really cool experience.

During the interview, Erika discussed what influenced her performance as Atsu. She drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including Kurosawa films and jidaigeki, the movie Kill Bill, and anime such as Samurai Champloo. Specifically, Erika mentioned being inspired by Toshiro Mifune’s acting and Clint Eastwood’s role as The Man with No Name.

In our review of Ghost of Yotei, we were very impressed with Erika’s portrayal of Atsu, considering it a standout feature of the game, alongside the gorgeous landscapes, breathtaking views, and fantastic gameplay. While Jin was a compelling lead character in Ghost of Tsushima, his story had reached a natural conclusion, making it logical to introduce a new protagonist with Atsu in Ghost of Yotei. However, even with how good Atsu is, players should anticipate another new character in the future, as Sucker Punch has hinted at exploring different eras and locations, though with certain limitations.

Also regarding Ghost of Yotei, we’ve put together a guide explaining all the pre-order bonuses and different editions available, so you’ll be prepared when the game releases. Check it out!

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2025-09-30 15:10