TV-Series
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII is the thirteenth-generation descendant of the legendary Japanese outlaw Ishikawa Goemon, executed by boiling after a failed assassination attempt on feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. As a modern-day samurai, he wields the sword Zantetsuken (also known as Ryusei), capable of cutting through virtually any material, including steel girders, vehicles, and bullets. When forced to cut inanimate objects, which he deems unworthy, he often remarks, "Once again, I have cut a worthless object."
His personality embodies strict adherence to traditional Japanese values. He typically wears a kimono and hakama, consumes only Japanese cuisine, practices meditation extensively, and follows Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. Intensely proud of his abilities, he subjects himself to rigorous self-punishment or training after failures, such as when his sword broke during combat or when he succumbed to distractions. Notable weaknesses include an unwavering trust in seemingly innocent women—often leading to betrayal—and an aversion to overt female sexuality, causing him to flee or freeze. He is also highly susceptible to requests from children and can be bribed with Japanese food.
In the original manga, he first appeared as Lupin's enemy, hired to assassinate him, but later joined Lupin's gang after deciding he could learn from him. Across various media, his relationship with Lupin III evolves from professional association to genuine loyalty, though he frequently opposes Lupin's morally questionable heists or womanizing behavior. He maintains a respectful partnership with marksman Daisuke Jigen, viewing him as a fellow warrior, while distrusting Fujiko Mine due to her consistent betrayals.
A significant character development occurs in the OVA *The Blood Spray of Goemon Ishikawa*, where his failure to protect yakuza boss Makio Inaniwa and subsequent defeat by the mercenary Hawk drive him to grueling training. This ordeal unlocks his "sixth sense," allowing him to predict opponents' movements, which he later uses to defeat Hawk and redeem his honor. In *Part 6*, he participates in Lupin's pursuit of the Raven organization and the search for Lupin's potential mother, Tomoe.
His skills extend beyond masterful swordsmanship to include jujutsu, aikido, karate, and ninjutsu training, enabling him to incapacitate multiple opponents barehanded. He struggles with modern technology, such as smartphones or vehicles, though his proficiency varies across adaptations.
His personality embodies strict adherence to traditional Japanese values. He typically wears a kimono and hakama, consumes only Japanese cuisine, practices meditation extensively, and follows Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. Intensely proud of his abilities, he subjects himself to rigorous self-punishment or training after failures, such as when his sword broke during combat or when he succumbed to distractions. Notable weaknesses include an unwavering trust in seemingly innocent women—often leading to betrayal—and an aversion to overt female sexuality, causing him to flee or freeze. He is also highly susceptible to requests from children and can be bribed with Japanese food.
In the original manga, he first appeared as Lupin's enemy, hired to assassinate him, but later joined Lupin's gang after deciding he could learn from him. Across various media, his relationship with Lupin III evolves from professional association to genuine loyalty, though he frequently opposes Lupin's morally questionable heists or womanizing behavior. He maintains a respectful partnership with marksman Daisuke Jigen, viewing him as a fellow warrior, while distrusting Fujiko Mine due to her consistent betrayals.
A significant character development occurs in the OVA *The Blood Spray of Goemon Ishikawa*, where his failure to protect yakuza boss Makio Inaniwa and subsequent defeat by the mercenary Hawk drive him to grueling training. This ordeal unlocks his "sixth sense," allowing him to predict opponents' movements, which he later uses to defeat Hawk and redeem his honor. In *Part 6*, he participates in Lupin's pursuit of the Raven organization and the search for Lupin's potential mother, Tomoe.
His skills extend beyond masterful swordsmanship to include jujutsu, aikido, karate, and ninjutsu training, enabling him to incapacitate multiple opponents barehanded. He struggles with modern technology, such as smartphones or vehicles, though his proficiency varies across adaptations.