TV-Series
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII, often referred to simply as Goemon, is the thirteenth-generation descendant of the legendary outlaw Ishikawa Goemon. He is a master swordsman and a core member of the group led by Arsène Lupin III, though he participates in their heists less frequently than his partner, Daisuke Jigen.
Goemon embodies the archetype of the stoic and wandering samurai. His personality is defined by an immense and earnest pride in his martial abilities. When he fails at a task, such as breaking his sword or being tricked, he experiences profound shame and remorse, often retreating to meditate or undergo harsh training to eliminate his perceived weaknesses. He is typically a man of few words, spending his free time in deep meditation, a state from which he is nearly impossible to move. Although usually calm and aloof, he can occasionally display explosive frustration, fear, or a childish stubbornness, often played for comedic effect.
Goemon is deeply and strictly loyal to traditional Japanese culture, which dictates nearly every aspect of his life. He wears a hakama, often with a sandogasa hat, and keeps his long hair unevenly cut. His diet is exclusively Japanese cuisine, a preference that is a noted weakness, as enemies and police have successfully lured him into traps using his favorite foods. He practices Buddhism and Shinto, drinks sake, and listens to enka music. This traditionalism extends to a general unease with modern technology; he has been shown to struggle with driving cars or using a smartphone, though his level of adaptability varies across different stories.
Despite his fearsome skills, Goemon has several notable vulnerabilities. He is famously weak around women, trusting those who appear innocent far too easily, which frequently lands him in trouble. At the same time, he fears that sultry or seductive women will distract him from his path, often blushing, freezing, or fleeing from immodest situations. He has a similarly soft spot for children, feeling a deep need to protect or avenge them. He is also bad with money, falling for scams that promise enlightenment or giving his earnings away to dubious causes.
The character first appeared as a dangerous adversary. Initially, he was an enemy sent to kill Lupin or guard a secret alchemic formula, but after repeated failures, he decided he could learn more by working with the master thief than against him, and switched his allegiance. This partnership was cemented when Lupin helped Goemon avenge the murder of his uncle. Within the group, his relationship with Lupin is a mix of loyalty and irritation; he is annoyed by Lupin's antics and infatuation with women, and has even vowed that his final act with Lupin will be to deliver his deathblow. However, he never hesitates to rescue him in a serious crisis. He shares a much more amicable bond with Jigen, viewing him as a fellow honorable warrior and reliable ally. He generally distrusts Fujiko Mine due to her betrayals and manipulative nature, though they are occasionally shown working together when their goals align.
Goemon's motivations are rarely about money. Instead, he is driven by a personal code of honor, a desire to test his skills against worthy opponents, and a need to maintain the integrity of his swordsmanship. He often serves as the moral compass and protector of the group, stepping in to cut down threats and shield the others. His role is that of the ultimate ace in the hole, often arriving at the last moment to slice through an insurmountable object or barrage of gunfire to save the day.
His most notable ability is his near-superhuman skill with his sword, the Zantetsuken (known as Ryusei in the original manga). This blade is famed for being able to cut through virtually any substance, including steel, bullets, tanks, and even buildings. Despite its lethal potential, Goemon almost never takes a life; he uses his incredible speed to disarm or disable opponents by precisely cutting their weapons or clothing. After performing such a non-lethal feat, he is famous for his signature phrase, "I have cut yet another worthless object". Aside from swordsmanship, he is a master of several martial arts including Kenjutsu and Iaidō, and is proficient in unarmed combat. He also possesses extraordinary physical abilities such as underwater breath control and even a limited understanding of the supernatural.
Goemon embodies the archetype of the stoic and wandering samurai. His personality is defined by an immense and earnest pride in his martial abilities. When he fails at a task, such as breaking his sword or being tricked, he experiences profound shame and remorse, often retreating to meditate or undergo harsh training to eliminate his perceived weaknesses. He is typically a man of few words, spending his free time in deep meditation, a state from which he is nearly impossible to move. Although usually calm and aloof, he can occasionally display explosive frustration, fear, or a childish stubbornness, often played for comedic effect.
Goemon is deeply and strictly loyal to traditional Japanese culture, which dictates nearly every aspect of his life. He wears a hakama, often with a sandogasa hat, and keeps his long hair unevenly cut. His diet is exclusively Japanese cuisine, a preference that is a noted weakness, as enemies and police have successfully lured him into traps using his favorite foods. He practices Buddhism and Shinto, drinks sake, and listens to enka music. This traditionalism extends to a general unease with modern technology; he has been shown to struggle with driving cars or using a smartphone, though his level of adaptability varies across different stories.
Despite his fearsome skills, Goemon has several notable vulnerabilities. He is famously weak around women, trusting those who appear innocent far too easily, which frequently lands him in trouble. At the same time, he fears that sultry or seductive women will distract him from his path, often blushing, freezing, or fleeing from immodest situations. He has a similarly soft spot for children, feeling a deep need to protect or avenge them. He is also bad with money, falling for scams that promise enlightenment or giving his earnings away to dubious causes.
The character first appeared as a dangerous adversary. Initially, he was an enemy sent to kill Lupin or guard a secret alchemic formula, but after repeated failures, he decided he could learn more by working with the master thief than against him, and switched his allegiance. This partnership was cemented when Lupin helped Goemon avenge the murder of his uncle. Within the group, his relationship with Lupin is a mix of loyalty and irritation; he is annoyed by Lupin's antics and infatuation with women, and has even vowed that his final act with Lupin will be to deliver his deathblow. However, he never hesitates to rescue him in a serious crisis. He shares a much more amicable bond with Jigen, viewing him as a fellow honorable warrior and reliable ally. He generally distrusts Fujiko Mine due to her betrayals and manipulative nature, though they are occasionally shown working together when their goals align.
Goemon's motivations are rarely about money. Instead, he is driven by a personal code of honor, a desire to test his skills against worthy opponents, and a need to maintain the integrity of his swordsmanship. He often serves as the moral compass and protector of the group, stepping in to cut down threats and shield the others. His role is that of the ultimate ace in the hole, often arriving at the last moment to slice through an insurmountable object or barrage of gunfire to save the day.
His most notable ability is his near-superhuman skill with his sword, the Zantetsuken (known as Ryusei in the original manga). This blade is famed for being able to cut through virtually any substance, including steel, bullets, tanks, and even buildings. Despite its lethal potential, Goemon almost never takes a life; he uses his incredible speed to disarm or disable opponents by precisely cutting their weapons or clothing. After performing such a non-lethal feat, he is famous for his signature phrase, "I have cut yet another worthless object". Aside from swordsmanship, he is a master of several martial arts including Kenjutsu and Iaidō, and is proficient in unarmed combat. He also possesses extraordinary physical abilities such as underwater breath control and even a limited understanding of the supernatural.