English Dub Review: Shenmue the Animation “Dignified”

Overview

Ryo finally arrives in Hong Kong, looking for a person named “Lishao Tao”. But his luck doesn’t last long after being robbed, and he needs to go after the thieves, but first, he needs to learn the rules of the Hong Kong, since everyone is desperate to survive on a daily basis…

Our Take

We start the storyline of Shenmue II right, as Ryo descends into Hong Kong. And predictably, Ryo is definitely caught off-guard when a mysterious girl named Joy tells him to be aware of his surroundings, and wouldn’t you know it? he gets robbed right away by some low-level pickpockets. Thank God that the Phoenix Mirror is within his grasp, but he has to get his bag back somehow. But later on, Joy gives Ryo a much-needed break for a proper place to stay at a small apartment.

Of course in his quest on getting his backpack back along with further continuing his adventure, Ryo meets the another mysterious elderly Tai Chi master named Jiamin, and this time he gets directions to the famous Yan Tin Apartments to meet up with Master Lishao Tao with Master Chen’s recommendation. What happens later that’s also in line with the games in terms of progression is in regards to Jiamin teaching Ryo to master the “Iron Palm” technique against a tree, along with learning to find non-violent solutions to certain problems within his new surroundings…

Overall, this episode excelled with the whole “fish out of water” aspect with it’s atmosphere change from a small town in Japan to the crowded busy streets Hong Kong. It even had a meaningful message for Ryo learn.