Tom holds the secret to Shenmue. *spoilers shenmue 1 and 2)

[ShenmueTree]

He magically appears in New Yokosuka harbor before Ryo when Ryo left before he did, and then proceeds to teach Ryo a special move. All is not as ordinary as the first disc would have you believe.

But on a serious note, I would love for Tom to have a role in potential future games, maybe teach Ryo how to use that sword. ;)

[Bluecast]

His sword is his penis?

[ShenmueTree]

You might be onto something Ryudo.

[Bluecast]

First time for everything

[ShenmueTree]

I just LOLed, and why is my secret.

Anyway, Tom is awesome, learn it.

[Peter]

[Yokosuka Martian]

wot

[south carmain]

tom was originally a crack dealer but that was racist so they sent him back to America

[Giorgio]

But on a serious note, I would love for Tom to have a role in potential future games, maybe teach Ryo how to use that sword. ;)

Ryo's father said "Your friends......Keep friends....Those you love, close to you" (remember also the flashback in the Hazuki residence). If we assume that Tom is a friend that Ryo loves, then it seems that Tom will have a role in potential future games.
But what that "close to you" does mean? Close to Ryo, physically/geographically? Remember when Shenhua asked Ryo about his friends. He started telling about them (and also showing a photo of them to Shenhua). Therefore, until now I understand that "close to you" means spiritually/mentally. I'll make an hypothesis: Maybe Ryo will remember something from Tom that it was didactic and that will help him make a decision or that will be an emotional supportance for him (the same way as Ryo will remember his mother in the future).

[Let's Get Sweaty]

Ryo's going to get himself a cool pair of shades like Tom, which end up protecting him from being blinded by the Chiyoumen's magic.

[Bluecast]

Shenmue III just have Ryo walk like Tom dances.

[jalvarez82]

The kick move you learn from Tom is one of the best in the game. I found myself using it often during all of the fights that followed.

Tom, as a character, always made me smile and/or laughed whenever I conversed with him. And SEGA got his dreads down PERFECTLY! They look real!!

Tom's a G.

[Bluecast]

Tom's a G.

Goat?

I always suspected that.

[jalvarez82]

Tom's a G.

Goat?

No. A gimp.

[Who Really Cares?]

Tom did this

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52QsDDBvhRc[/youtube]

and became Shenmue's other token black guy

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO7Hx02uR0s[/youtube]