TV-Series
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII is the thirteenth-generation descendant of the legendary renegade samurai Ishikawa Goemon. He is a modern ronin and a master swordsman who often works alongside the master thief Arsène Lupin III, though he tends to join their exploits on a selective, when-interested basis.
Goemon was actually the last member of the main cast to be introduced. He originally appeared in the manga as a formidable enemy. He attempted to kill Lupin multiple times after the thief infiltrated his clan to steal a secret alchemical formula. His fierce hostility turned to alliance when Lupin helped him avenge the murder of his uncle. Over time, this adversarial relationship evolved into a deep, if sometimes reluctant, loyalty.
In personality, Goemon is the archetype of the stoic warrior. He is quiet, aloof, and extremely reserved, with a mellow demeanor that rarely changes. He possesses an immense sense of pride in his abilities as a swordsman and martial artist. When he fails at a task, such as breaking his sword or succumbing to a personal weakness, he feels deep shame and remorse, often leaving the group to meditate or undergo harsh training to eradicate his flaws. Despite his serious nature, he can be seen exploding with frustration, admiring beautiful women, or, very rarely, screaming in fright, which are typically treated as humorous moments.
His motivations are distinct from the other thieves. He does not steal for money or glory but rather seeks to test his skills, uphold a warrior's code, and occasionally assist Lupin when he believes the cause is just. He has famously promised that the last act he will perform for Lupin is delivering his deathblow, a vow he takes with deadly seriousness.
Within the group, Goemon’s relationships are complex. He shares a bond of mutual respect with Daisuke Jigen, viewing him as a fellow honorable warrior and trustworthy partner; the two are frequently paired together on missions. His relationship with Lupin is more contentious. While professionally loyal, Goemon is easily annoyed by Lupin's lecherous antics and will oppose him directly if a job conflicts with his morals. He is often distrustful of Fujiko Mine, wary of her manipulative and exploitative nature, though he will occasionally ally with her when their goals align.
He has a very specific sense of honor and allegiance to Japanese culture. He dresses in a traditional hakama and fundoshi, keeps his long hair unevenly cut, and exclusively eats Japanese cuisine, preferring to fast rather than eat Western food. A firm believer in Buddhism and Shinto, his favorite pastime is deep meditation, during which he can become completely oblivious to immediate threats. His drink of choice is sake, and he enjoys fishing, noh theater, and enka jazz.
Goemon’s most defining attribute is his unmatched skill with his sword, the Zantetsuken. This legendary blade, carried in an unadorned shirasaya without a hand guard, is capable of cutting through virtually any substance, including flying bullets, steel girders, automobiles, and even multi-storied buildings. He is a master of several classical Japanese martial arts, including Kenjutsu, Battōjutsu, Jujutsu, Aikido, and Karate, allowing him to defeat multiple attackers barehanded with minimal effort.
Despite his lethal abilities, Goemon prefers to incapacitate rather than kill. He typically uses his lightning-fast sword strokes to destroy an opponent's weapon or clothing. Because a katana traditionally must cut flesh before being returned to the scabbard, he responds to this non-lethal use by exclaiming his famous catchphrase, I have cut yet another worthless object. Interestingly, the Zantetsuken has one notable weakness: it cannot cut konnyaku, a starch-based jelly, because the blade simply gets stuck.
Goemon has several notable limitations and weaknesses. Despite his discipline, he is a sucker for women; he readily trusts those who seem innocent, often landing him in trouble, yet he fears sultry women will distract him from his training, causing him to blush or flee from immodest situations. He is also terrible with money, frequently falling for scams that promise enlightenment and often charging Lupin for his services only to give the money away. He is also fiercely protective of children, unable to ignore their pleas for help.
Goemon was actually the last member of the main cast to be introduced. He originally appeared in the manga as a formidable enemy. He attempted to kill Lupin multiple times after the thief infiltrated his clan to steal a secret alchemical formula. His fierce hostility turned to alliance when Lupin helped him avenge the murder of his uncle. Over time, this adversarial relationship evolved into a deep, if sometimes reluctant, loyalty.
In personality, Goemon is the archetype of the stoic warrior. He is quiet, aloof, and extremely reserved, with a mellow demeanor that rarely changes. He possesses an immense sense of pride in his abilities as a swordsman and martial artist. When he fails at a task, such as breaking his sword or succumbing to a personal weakness, he feels deep shame and remorse, often leaving the group to meditate or undergo harsh training to eradicate his flaws. Despite his serious nature, he can be seen exploding with frustration, admiring beautiful women, or, very rarely, screaming in fright, which are typically treated as humorous moments.
His motivations are distinct from the other thieves. He does not steal for money or glory but rather seeks to test his skills, uphold a warrior's code, and occasionally assist Lupin when he believes the cause is just. He has famously promised that the last act he will perform for Lupin is delivering his deathblow, a vow he takes with deadly seriousness.
Within the group, Goemon’s relationships are complex. He shares a bond of mutual respect with Daisuke Jigen, viewing him as a fellow honorable warrior and trustworthy partner; the two are frequently paired together on missions. His relationship with Lupin is more contentious. While professionally loyal, Goemon is easily annoyed by Lupin's lecherous antics and will oppose him directly if a job conflicts with his morals. He is often distrustful of Fujiko Mine, wary of her manipulative and exploitative nature, though he will occasionally ally with her when their goals align.
He has a very specific sense of honor and allegiance to Japanese culture. He dresses in a traditional hakama and fundoshi, keeps his long hair unevenly cut, and exclusively eats Japanese cuisine, preferring to fast rather than eat Western food. A firm believer in Buddhism and Shinto, his favorite pastime is deep meditation, during which he can become completely oblivious to immediate threats. His drink of choice is sake, and he enjoys fishing, noh theater, and enka jazz.
Goemon’s most defining attribute is his unmatched skill with his sword, the Zantetsuken. This legendary blade, carried in an unadorned shirasaya without a hand guard, is capable of cutting through virtually any substance, including flying bullets, steel girders, automobiles, and even multi-storied buildings. He is a master of several classical Japanese martial arts, including Kenjutsu, Battōjutsu, Jujutsu, Aikido, and Karate, allowing him to defeat multiple attackers barehanded with minimal effort.
Despite his lethal abilities, Goemon prefers to incapacitate rather than kill. He typically uses his lightning-fast sword strokes to destroy an opponent's weapon or clothing. Because a katana traditionally must cut flesh before being returned to the scabbard, he responds to this non-lethal use by exclaiming his famous catchphrase, I have cut yet another worthless object. Interestingly, the Zantetsuken has one notable weakness: it cannot cut konnyaku, a starch-based jelly, because the blade simply gets stuck.
Goemon has several notable limitations and weaknesses. Despite his discipline, he is a sucker for women; he readily trusts those who seem innocent, often landing him in trouble, yet he fears sultry women will distract him from his training, causing him to blush or flee from immodest situations. He is also terrible with money, frequently falling for scams that promise enlightenment and often charging Lupin for his services only to give the money away. He is also fiercely protective of children, unable to ignore their pleas for help.