Characters
Ryo Hazuki
The hero of Shenmue, Ryo is out for revenge against Lan Di, the man who killed his father. An experienced martial artist, Ryo has been training with his father since he was very young.
Iwao Hazuki
Ryo's father, and the head of the local martial arts dojo. He is well-respected among martial artists, and spent time training with a man called Zhu Yuan Da in China in his younger days.
Lan Di
Also known as "Cang Long", this man practices a mysterious martial art, and is responsible for the death of Ryo's father, Iwao Hazuki, and took an ancient stone mirror that Iwao had acquired during a trip to China. He also accused Iwao of murdering Zhao Sun Ming while in Meng Cun, China.
Ine-San
The Hazuki family housekeeper. She worries constantly about Ryo and blames herself when he does foolish things, feeling that she has let his father down. She gives Ryo a daily allowance of ¥500.
Fuku-San
Fukuhara-san is a student of Iwao Hazuki's, who lives with Ryo and his father in Yamanose. Fuku-san means well, but often puts his foot in his mouth when he becomes overly eager to help.
Nozomi Harasaki
A classmate of Ryo's. She's extremely concerned about Ryo following his father's death, and has terrible taste in sweaters.
Chai
A creepy skinhead and a member of a harbour gang called the Mad Angels. He has dreams of working for "Lan Di-sama", and sees Ryo as an opportunity to prove to the Chinese cartel that he is worthy of their employment.