Template:Character
— Rikiya to KiryuI carry the heart and soul of Okinawa right here on my back!
Rikiya Shimabukuro (島袋 力也, Shimabukuro Rikiya) is the lieutenant of the Ryudo Family, a yakuza family situated in Ryukyu, Okinawa.
Yakuza 3
Rikiya first appears as he and Mikio drop off an eviction notice at Morning Glory Orphanage. Kazuma Kiryu runs into the two in town, and Rikiya proclaims his distaste for mainlanders, instigating a fight with Kiryu. After Rikiya inevitable loss, he brings Kiryu to the Ryudo Family office, where Kiryu meets with his boss, Nakahara.
Despite Kiryu's insistence on Rikiya staying behind in Okinawa, he ends up going to Kamurocho shortly after Kiryu himself departs.
Rikiya is kidnapped by Lau Ka Long's men in order to get to Kiryu, and is almost killed, but is saved last minute by Joji Kazama. Kiryu sends him back to Okinawa shortly after, which Rikiya does not object to. He remains very quiet, and appears to suffer from some form of PTSD after the ordeal.
He and Mikio resist Yoshitaka Mine and his men when the orphanage is attacked, but ultimately fails to fight them off, leading to its destruction. He argues with Kiryu, who berates Rikiya for being so reckless and immature, refusing to let him throw his life away for nothing.
After Kiryu rescues Nakahara from Mine's men, Rikiya meets his demise taking a bullet meant for Kiryu, his last moments spent telling Kiryu to get revenge on Mine for all he's done.
Appearance
"Bare-Handed Viper" (ステゴロのハブ, Sutegoro no Habu) comes from the pit viper tattoo on his back.
He wears a white and orange floral shirt with a pair of black dress pants and a pair of shoes. When traveling to Kamurocho, he wears a black pinstriped jacket over it.
Personality
He has a fierce love of Okinawa, and dislikes those who hail from Japan's mainland. Although initially hostile towards Kiryu, he gradually comes to respect him, referring to him as "big brother" (兄貴, Aniki).
It appears that he has an insatiable appetite, which becomes apparent when he travels to Kamurocho, where he orders ridiculous amounts of food at Kanrai (an expensive Korean BBQ) on Kiryu's dime; much to his horror.
Fighting Style
His fighting moves mainly consist of evasion, precise punches, and jump kicks.
Trivia
- Rikiya comes back to life in Premium Adventure mode, and can accompany Kiryu as a "bodyguard."
- The family name Shimabukuro is common in Okinawa. It is strongly associated with the Yamato people, whose culture differs historically from that of the rest of Japan.
- His tattoo symbolizes his love for Okinawa, as pit vipers are associated with the island.
- He has an affinity for yakiniku.
- Rikiya's voice actor later returned to the series, voicing Yuta Usami.
- Kiryu's highly emotional reaction to Rikiya's death is seen as being a mark of high respect towards a fallen comrade in battle in far eastern culture.
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