Ghost of Yōtei, now available on PS5, takes players into the dangerous and visually detailed world of Ezo, following the character Atsu on a mission to hunt the Yōtei Six and find a path beyond revenge. To coincide with the game’s release, Erika Ishii, who provides both the voice and likeness of Atsu, spoke with the PlayStation Podcast about her experience bringing the character to life.
Ghost of Yōtei Deep Dive with Erika Ishii
Ishii described the project as a multi-year commitment, noting that her work with Sucker Punch Productions began nearly three years ago. As a fan of Ghost of Tsushima, she recalled the initial conversations with the team as both exciting and intense. “The first conversations were us sharing how geeked up we are about samurai films and video games,” Ishii said, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the character development process.
Ghost of Yōtei Deep Dive with Erika Ishii
Cosplay and Community Engagement
Part of Ishii’s involvement extended beyond voice acting. A cosplay guide featuring Atsu was released alongside the game, allowing players to recreate the character in real life. Ishii reflected on this as a unique and surreal experience. Having previously cosplayed characters such as Ellie from The Last of Us, she noted, “I was a fan, I was a cosplayer… now I get to be part of that. Maybe someone will cosplay Atsu or play the game, and years later, they’ll point to Ghost of Yōtei as inspiration.”
Ishii also mentioned a cameo in Astro Bot, where a small Atsu bot appeared in the game. She described it as a memorable experience, highlighting the unexpected ways in which the character has been integrated into other projects.
Ghost of Yōtei Deep Dive with Erika Ishii
Emotional Depth and Character Authenticity
Atsu is not only visually modeled after Ishii but also carries emotional elements that resonated with the actor. Ishii explained that Atsu embodies vulnerability alongside her warrior persona. “She’s what happens if we give in to angry and fearful urges. At her core, she’s scared and vulnerable, but also a skilled warrior living out a samurai fantasy,” she said.
Ishii stressed that she wanted players to experience both the narrative and the cinematic aspects of the game. Drawing comparisons to spaghetti Westerns, she described Atsu as a lone wanderer, blending the aesthetic of samurai films with a narrative-driven, immersive gameplay experience.
How Improv and Role-Playing Shaped the Performance
Ishii’s background in improv and tabletop role-playing games influenced her portrayal of Atsu. She explained that improvisation skills helped her react authentically to other characters and situations, even when following a scripted performance. This approach was particularly important during motion capture and emotionally intense scenes, some of which were performed in isolation. Techniques such as “scene painting” allowed her to visualize the environment and maintain authenticity, even in a mocap suit and a controlled studio space.
Ghost of Yōtei Deep Dive with Erika Ishii
Working Closely with Sucker Punch
Concept art, cinematics, and ongoing collaboration with the development team contributed to Ishii’s understanding of the character and the world of Ghost of Yōtei. She noted that having access to these materials throughout production helped her immerse herself in the story and better inhabit Atsu’s emotional and physical experiences.
The launch on October 2 was marked with a small celebration among the cast, highlighting the collaborative environment and shared experience of the largely Asian and Asian American cast. Ishii emphasized that this level of involvement across production stages was unusual but rewarding.
Ghost of Yōtei Deep Dive with Erika Ishii
Playing as Your Own Character
Ishii expressed curiosity about experiencing Ghost of Yōtei as both a player and the character she portrayed. She described the process as a unique opportunity, noting that it feels like navigating a “fog of war,” as she experiences Atsu’s journey from a new perspective.
Source: Gillen McAllister, PlayStation
FAQ: Ghost of Yōtei and Erika Ishii
Who voices Atsu in Ghost of Yōtei?
Erika Ishii provides both the voice and likeness for Atsu, the protagonist of Ghost of Yōtei on PS5.
How long did Erika Ishii work on Ghost of Yōtei?
Ishii was involved in the project for nearly three years, including motion capture, voice acting, and character development.
What is unique about Atsu as a character?
Atsu combines emotional vulnerability with the physical prowess of a samurai warrior. The character also incorporates cinematic influences from spaghetti Westerns and classic revenge films.
Did Erika Ishii contribute to the character design?
While Ishii primarily provided the voice and likeness, she worked closely with Sucker Punch Productions throughout the development process and had access to concept art and cinematics to inform her performance.
Is there cosplay available for Atsu?
Yes, a cosplay guide featuring Atsu was released, allowing fans to recreate the character. Ishii has expressed excitement about the possibility of fans using it as inspiration.
Where can I hear more from Erika Ishii about Ghost of Yōtei?
The full interview is available on the latest episode of the PlayStation Podcast.
Does Ghost of Yōtei include any Easter eggs or cameos?
Yes, Atsu makes a cameo in Astro Bot, showing the character’s integration into other PlayStation projects.
