From the moment Atsu returns to Hokkaido in Ghost of Yotei, she claims all the attention, not by her flawless perfection, but because she feels human. Her emotions and way of dealing with various situations are very much like those of a normal human. On the contrary, Jin Sakai in Ghost of Tsushima always carried a stoic aura, keeping him at a distance from the players and the world.
While there is greatness in Jin Sakai’s journey, Atsu’s contradictions, humour, and emotional traits make her the standout. She resonates with the audience more than Jin ever could, and that’s a fact.
Why Atsu in Ghost of Yotei is More Relatable Than Jin Sakai
In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin Sakai’s storyline revolved around duty, honor, and sacrifice. He lived like a soldier who walked the shadowed path of “Ghost” to defend his people. On this journey, he often suppressed his own feelings and needs, which was admirable in its own way. However, this heavy sense of duty isn’t something that connects with the audience on a greater level.
That’s because not all of us are used to relating with that strong sense of passion and duty. Instead, the current generation of gamers is more into feeling human-like emotions. This is something that Atsu’s character from Ghost of Yotei portrays magnificently. Her story is built with human cracks and vulnerability. As the game progresses, she drops the bitterness and begins to heal naturally, without dropping the urge to take revenge on her parents’ murderers.
There’s a clear, or we would say evident, difference between the characters. While Jin Sakai is a great figure to look up to, he’s not very relatable like Atsu. Hence, it would be normal if players think she’s better in terms of building narrative and a connection with them.
Ghost of Yotei‘s Atsu Might Have a Narrative Edge Over Jin Sakai
In Ghost of Yotei, Atsu’s story involves taking revenge on Yotei 6, the infamous gang that massacred her family. On her journey to hunt down the killers, she must face the human challenges of building trust, seeking help, and often stumbling, but only to rise up later.
Now, we are not denying that Jin Sakai did not face any of these troubles; however, his struggles were largely external (invasion and betrayals). In comparison, Atsu’s narrative forces her to battle both external and internal battles while using her moral compass.
Be honest, which character did you like the most between Jin and Atsu? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
