TV-Series
Description
Ryō Hazuki is an 18-year-old Japanese martial artist and heir to the Yokosuka Hazuki Dojo. His mother, Akane Hazuki, died of illness when he was three, leaving him to be raised by his father, Iwao Hazuki, alongside housekeeper Ine Hayata and dojo student Masayuki Fukuhara. Ryō began training in Hazuki-style jujutsu at age seven under his father, developing physical and mental strength, yet showed little interest in inheriting the dojo, preferring independence.
On his 18th birthday, November 29, 1986, Ryō witnessed his father's murder at the dojo by Lan Di, a leader of the criminal Chi You Men. Lan Di demanded the "dragon mirror," threatening Ryō's life to force Iwao to reveal its location beneath a cherry blossom tree. After obtaining the mirror, Lan Di killed Iwao, citing revenge for the death of his own father, Zhao Sunming. Lan Di injured Ryō during the confrontation, leaving a scar on his cheek that Ryō covers with a bandage. Hearing Iwao's final words urging him to value loved ones, Ryō instead swore vengeance.
Abandoning high school and normal life, Ryō pursued Lan Di, displaying impulsiveness, stubbornness, and singular focus on revenge. His investigation in Yokosuka uncovered a second artifact, the "phoenix mirror," hidden in the dojo basement. Learning of Lan Di's departure for Hong Kong, Ryō secured passage by working at Yokosuka Harbor, clashing with the local gang Mad Angels. Their retaliation led to the kidnapping of his childhood friend Nozomi Harasaki, whom Ryō rescued with help from allies Master Chen and Guizhang Chen. Guizhang was injured during Ryō's final confrontation with Lan Di's subordinate Chai, forcing Ryō to travel to Hong Kong alone.
In Hong Kong, Ryō's naivety and lack of street smarts left him vulnerable to theft and manipulation. He sought guidance from martial arts master Xiuying Hong, who rejected his quest for vengeance, warning it would consume him. Undeterred, Ryō allied with local figures including gang leader Wuying Ren and motorcyclist Joy. Their efforts led to Kowloon, where Ryō infiltrated the Yellow Head Organization to rescue letter writer Yuanda Zhu, who had warned Iwao about Lan Di. Zhu revealed Lan Di's motive—Iwao's alleged murder of Zhao Sunming—and the mirrors' role in resurrecting China's Qing Dynasty. Ryō then followed Lan Di's trail to Guilin, China.
In Guilin, Ryō met Shenhua Ling, a girl who had appeared in his dreams and whose family was linked to the mirrors. They discovered her father, Yuan, missing and found clues connecting the mirrors to an ancient prophecy. Ryō trained under local master Sun to defeat gang leader Yanlang, who had kidnapped Yuan. After rescuing Yuan, Ryō confronted Lan Di at a Chi You Men stronghold but was easily overpowered. The encounter ended with the fortress in flames, and Ryō continued his journey with Shenhua and Ren along the Great Wall, seeking answers about his father's past and the mirrors' secrets.
Throughout his journey, Ryō's personality is marked by stoicism, determination, and a willingness to help others, though he often endangers allies through reckless actions. He struggles with emotional expression, particularly regarding Nozomi's romantic feelings, due to childhood teasing and a desire to protect others from his dangerous path. Other women, such as Joy and Fangmei, also show interest, but he remains largely oblivious or dismissive. His relationships with allies like Ren and Guizhang evolve from rivalry to mutual respect, though he blames himself for their injuries.
Physically, Ryō is 176 cm (5'9") tall and weighs 65 kg (143 lbs), with short black hair and brown eyes. He typically wears a brown tiger-motif bomber jacket, a white shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. His martial arts skills center on Hazuki-style jujutsu but incorporate techniques learned from scrolls and mentors. Beyond his core quest, he appears in spin-offs like *Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing* (driving a motorcycle or forklift) and *Project X Zone 2*, where he battles to reclaim the stolen phoenix mirror.
On his 18th birthday, November 29, 1986, Ryō witnessed his father's murder at the dojo by Lan Di, a leader of the criminal Chi You Men. Lan Di demanded the "dragon mirror," threatening Ryō's life to force Iwao to reveal its location beneath a cherry blossom tree. After obtaining the mirror, Lan Di killed Iwao, citing revenge for the death of his own father, Zhao Sunming. Lan Di injured Ryō during the confrontation, leaving a scar on his cheek that Ryō covers with a bandage. Hearing Iwao's final words urging him to value loved ones, Ryō instead swore vengeance.
Abandoning high school and normal life, Ryō pursued Lan Di, displaying impulsiveness, stubbornness, and singular focus on revenge. His investigation in Yokosuka uncovered a second artifact, the "phoenix mirror," hidden in the dojo basement. Learning of Lan Di's departure for Hong Kong, Ryō secured passage by working at Yokosuka Harbor, clashing with the local gang Mad Angels. Their retaliation led to the kidnapping of his childhood friend Nozomi Harasaki, whom Ryō rescued with help from allies Master Chen and Guizhang Chen. Guizhang was injured during Ryō's final confrontation with Lan Di's subordinate Chai, forcing Ryō to travel to Hong Kong alone.
In Hong Kong, Ryō's naivety and lack of street smarts left him vulnerable to theft and manipulation. He sought guidance from martial arts master Xiuying Hong, who rejected his quest for vengeance, warning it would consume him. Undeterred, Ryō allied with local figures including gang leader Wuying Ren and motorcyclist Joy. Their efforts led to Kowloon, where Ryō infiltrated the Yellow Head Organization to rescue letter writer Yuanda Zhu, who had warned Iwao about Lan Di. Zhu revealed Lan Di's motive—Iwao's alleged murder of Zhao Sunming—and the mirrors' role in resurrecting China's Qing Dynasty. Ryō then followed Lan Di's trail to Guilin, China.
In Guilin, Ryō met Shenhua Ling, a girl who had appeared in his dreams and whose family was linked to the mirrors. They discovered her father, Yuan, missing and found clues connecting the mirrors to an ancient prophecy. Ryō trained under local master Sun to defeat gang leader Yanlang, who had kidnapped Yuan. After rescuing Yuan, Ryō confronted Lan Di at a Chi You Men stronghold but was easily overpowered. The encounter ended with the fortress in flames, and Ryō continued his journey with Shenhua and Ren along the Great Wall, seeking answers about his father's past and the mirrors' secrets.
Throughout his journey, Ryō's personality is marked by stoicism, determination, and a willingness to help others, though he often endangers allies through reckless actions. He struggles with emotional expression, particularly regarding Nozomi's romantic feelings, due to childhood teasing and a desire to protect others from his dangerous path. Other women, such as Joy and Fangmei, also show interest, but he remains largely oblivious or dismissive. His relationships with allies like Ren and Guizhang evolve from rivalry to mutual respect, though he blames himself for their injuries.
Physically, Ryō is 176 cm (5'9") tall and weighs 65 kg (143 lbs), with short black hair and brown eyes. He typically wears a brown tiger-motif bomber jacket, a white shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. His martial arts skills center on Hazuki-style jujutsu but incorporate techniques learned from scrolls and mentors. Beyond his core quest, he appears in spin-offs like *Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing* (driving a motorcycle or forklift) and *Project X Zone 2*, where he battles to reclaim the stolen phoenix mirror.