Goemon Ishikawa XIII carries the mantle of the thirteenth-generation descendant of the historical bandit Ishikawa Goemon, a renegade samurai upholding his lineage. His background grants mastery in Japanese martial arts, including Kenjutsu, Battōjutsu, Jujutsu, Aikido, and Karate, allowing him to effortlessly dispatch multiple attackers barehanded. He brandishes the legendary sword Ryusei, famed as Zantetsuken (the "Iron-Cutting Sword"), capable of slicing through nearly any substance, from bullets and steel girders to vehicles and buildings. Yet, he typically employs it to destroy opponents' weapons and clothing rather than kill, often declaring afterward, "Once again, I have cut a worthless object," honoring the tradition that a katana must draw blood before resheathing. Extreme pride in his abilities defines Goemon, matched by profound shame when he fails or succumbs to weakness. The theft of his sword, for instance, causes deep chagrin, prompting meditation or intensive training to overcome perceived failings. He maintains staunch allegiance to Japanese culture, wearing traditional hakama and fundoshi, consuming only Japanese cuisine (even fasting otherwise), and practicing Buddhism and Shinto. His preferred pastimes encompass meditation, fishing, attending noh theater, and listening to enka music. Typically reserved and aloof, Goemon exhibits moments of explosive frustration, avoidance of beautiful women, and rare fright, often played for humor. His greatest weakness is susceptibility to women; he readily trusts those appearing innocent, frequently leading him into trouble, yet fears sensual women as distractions from his training, reacting with blushing or fleeing immodest situations. He harbors intense protective instincts toward children and a fondness for Japanese food, traits adversaries readily exploit. He is notoriously poor with money, falling for scams promising enlightenment and charging Lupin for services, though the disposition of these funds remains unknown. His technological aptitude fluctuates; he struggles with basics like driving or smartphones in some depictions yet adapts to modern society in others, even excelling at video games like Xevious. While commonly perceived as solely a samurai, an episode reveals ninja training, contextualizing his acceptance of theft despite samurai ethics. Within the group, Goemon participates in Lupin III's exploits less frequently than Jigen, joining only when interested or when his skills are essential. His relationship with Lupin evolved from initial antagonism in the manga, where he was sent to kill him, to eventual loyalty after repeated failures and mutual respect. Animated iterations strengthen this loyalty, though he occasionally opposes Lupin on moral grounds and maintains a vow to deliver Lupin's deathblow as their final shared act. He shares a notably amicable dynamic with Jigen, viewing him as a fellow honorable warrior, and collaborates sporadically with Fujiko despite distrusting her. During the Tokyo Crisis, Goemon initially operates separately. He allies with Fujiko after his sword is stolen, leading him to assist in stealing photographic plates from antagonist Michael Suzuki as part of a scheme to access the Tokugawa fortune. Compromised without Zantetsuken, he enters a temporary partnership he might otherwise avoid. Later, he and Jigen infiltrate a warehouse to retrieve his sword, a mission complicated by Jigen's toothache and Goemon's lack of armament. He reclaims Zantetsuken and uses it to sever Suzuki's escape plane mid-flight from atop a Ferris wheel, enabling Lupin and Zenigata to apprehend the villain. This sequence underscores his pivotal role in resolving the crisis and restoring his honor after the sword's loss. Goemon's character development involves confronting personal hypocrisy, particularly regarding celibacy and women, and grappling with modern challenges to his traditional values. Instances like his sword breaking in battle or being stolen drive narratives focused on redemption and retraining, emphasizing his core traits of pride, shame, and unwavering commitment to his code.