Ichiban Kasuga

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list by Rylvan

Ichiban Kasuga (春日 一番, Kasuga Ichiban) is the main protagonist of the Yakuza series from Yakuza: Like a Dragon onward, as well as the main protagonist of The Legend of Ichiban Kasuga: Part 1 in Ryu ga Gotoku Online.

The dragonfish tattoo on his back earned him the nickname "The Rock-Bottom Dragon" (どん底の龍, Donzoko no Ryū). It depicts a dragonfish (龍魚, ryūgyo), the in-between state of the koi in the legend about a koi fish who swims up to the top of a waterfall and is rewarded for its tenacity by being transformed into a dragon. The tattoo represents the strength and perseverance of the koi as it struggles upstream, as well as a greater destiny that lies ahead, as the koi has not fully finished its transformation into a dragon.

Kasuga is a fiercely loyal and steadfast individual, perhaps to a fault. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is prone to letting his emotions get the best of him, typically by getting overly excitable. However, he has a strong sense of justice and is always willing to help out anyone in need. Kasuga is a huge fan of Dragon Quest, a video game he loved to play in his youth. This contributed to his strong sense of imagination, and he visualizes fights as if they were a turn-based JRPG. This imagination has also made him a quick thinker and creative tactician in fights despite his rash and impulsive demeanor.

One of Kasuga's notable traits is his unfailing kindness and general love for people. These traits have made him an infectiously charismatic person that never fails to inspire admiration from the people around him. He cares deeply about his friends and leads them with grace and in turn, they stand by him and are ready to have his back no matter how overwhelming the odds are.