““Boy, girl, you are a sword, that is all.”- Syrio Forel
We’ve been manifesting a new Ghost of Tsushima game since the credits rolled on Jin Sakai’s story, and finally, our prayers have been answered. Enter Ghost of Yōtei—a fresh new protagonist named Atsu, slick combat, gorgeous world… and yes, she’s a woman. You can practically hear the keyboards furiously clacking as grown men crawl from their basements, complaining about the “girl boss” narrative like it’s an unskippable cutscene. The same dudes who couldn’t find Tsushima on a map are suddenly history professors, claiming the first game was all about Jin’s masculinity. Masculinity? My brothers in Christ, Jin spent half the game defying the samurai code, trying to figure out whether it was better to stab a dude in the front or the back. I don’t remember testosterone being one of his special abilities.
Let’s be real—Ghost of Tsushima wasn’t about Jin’s beard or how manly he looked swinging a katana. It was about honor, strategy, and sacrificing tradition to survive. Whether Jin had a man bun or a ponytail, we weren’t playing for masculinity. Sucker Punch could’ve handed us a female Ronin from day one, and we’d still be slicing through Mongols like butter. The truth is, Ghost of Tsushima wasn’t about Jin’s gender—it was about survival, honor, and the choice between being an obedient samurai or a tactical ghost. If you were paying attention, you’d know the story could have worked just as well if Jin was Jin-ny. The sword doesn’t care who’s swinging it, and honestly, neither should you. But noooo, here come the cries of, “But what about the men?” Newsflash: there’s room for everybody in these stories.
Let’s not forget that the samurai weren’t just dudes swinging swords and slanging meat in these feudal streets. Archaeological evidence from the Battle of Senbon Matsubaru revealed that women fought right alongside men, like the legendary Takeko Nakano, whose story—and the stories of many other onna-bugeisha—were erased from popular samurai lore due to cultural shifts that downplayed their roles.
To the dudes acting like Ghost of Tsushima was their personal samurai-themed “Fight Club,” let me remind you: Jin broke every rule you think he stood for. He literally embodied the rebellion against the rigidity of “honor,” and that’s exactly why Ghost of Yōtei and Atsu makes perfect sense. She’s here to shatter skulls—and your fragile egos—in the name of survival, just like Jin did.
And in case you’re worried about whether this protagonist can live up to Jin’s legacy, Sucker Punch has your back. As they said in their interview, “She will carve her own path, much like Jin, but with an intensity and determination that will reshape the island of Yōtei.” That’s code for: she’s not just here to play in Jin’s shadow—she’s got her own demons and enemies to face, and we’re all going to be along for the ride.
The best part? Sucker Punch isn’t here for your manufactured outrage. Check out their interview on the PlayStation blog. You can practically feel their side-eye through the screen, brushing off the tantrums like Mongol dust on Jin’s cloak. They’re too busy making the next game of the year to hear your moaning.
So, to my fellow Ghost of Tsushima lovers who have a functioning grasp on reality: let’s bask in the beauty of Ghost of Yōtei. We prayed for times like this, and Sucker Punch delivered. We’re about to be back on the fields of Japan, sneaking through enemy camps, and landing those perfect parries. As for the rest of y’all upset about a female lead? Maybe you should try real combat—against your insecurities.
Ghost of Yōtei is coming in 2025, and we’re here for it. Get hyped, keep it respectful, and let’s hope the dudes complaining don’t get lost in the tutorial again.
Naliaah Castro is a NY-born blerd, gamer, and grad student juggling parenthood, work, and co-paneling on New Blerd Order. With a love for horror, RPGs, sci-fi, and fantasy, she’s probably either deep into a video game or rewatching Lord of the Rings for the hundredth time.
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