Chai

[Lan Di-sama]

I just caught myself thinking about Shenmue and one of the things that usually hangs me up a bit when I replay the game, and that's the character of Chai. I figured I'd make a post now before I forget to discuss it.

I always thought that his character was a little over-the-top and in fact, one of the most infeasible elements of Shenmue despite its "realistic-ness". Even the Flying Sword/Shenhua bit at the end of Shenmue 2 felt like more realistic in the sense that it fit in to the story more (to me, anyway).

It doesn't seem like Chai ever had direct contact with Lan Di, because he would naturally inform Lan Di of Ryo's actions...but I assume that Lan Di was surprised to see Ryo at the top of the Yellowhead. I suppose it's equally plausible that Lan Di had at least heard Ryo was pursuing him. But that still leaves the question, what was chai's relationship with Lan Di, if there was any? Chai definitely was more associated with the Mad Angels, at least based on what we saw in the game, but it also was implied Chai was a link between the Chi You Men and the Mad Angels.

So, was Chai just a plot device to make the first chapter more interesting (he easily could have been cut if you think about it) or is there more of a story behind it? Why was he so obsessed with pleasing Lan Di? He first appeared in Sakuragaoka so he was either following Ryo or Gui Zhang from the start.

I don't think that we will hear about Chai in Shenmue 3 honestly but I can't help but feel a little disappointed with the lack of explanation to his character. They even brought him back for "chapter 2" on the boat. Just wondering if ya'll thought there was more to him than that creepy antagonist from Shenmue I.

[Peter]

I disagree in that we will see him again. He got kicked off the boat in chapter 2, i mean he got kicked off the harbour and didnt die, so its definitely possible that he will reappear again. But i do agree with the whole character. I hate that he is described as a "creature" in various texts, and his background is unknown. I also hated the look, fighting style and even the guys who voiced him in both the English and NSTC dubs. Guess its s good thing though, because the character isnt meant to be admired.

[Sailors?]

He's just a mad angel member with small ties to the Chi You Men, he worked for Lan Di to be able to get a higher rank and more respect from them. I doubt Lan Di ever cared for him and never intended to get him into the actually Chi You Men headquarters. He was just a tool for Lan Di to use. His fighting style is wild and careless and although seemingly difficult to beat the first few times playing Shenmue it's suprisingly easy now.

[Crimson Ryan]

More interesting than recurring street punks I always thought..

[Peter]

Good to see you posting more Lan Di-sama btw.

[Res]

Yeah, Chai doesn't really do it for me either. I'm not a fan of the character and I believe the only reason he is a part of the game is because the main antagonist is Lan Di but Lan Di does not fight Ryo at any point so Yu Suzuki needed someone to have a one-on-one final battle with Ryo, hyping it up with the arcade fight. So, basically imo Chai is just a rent-an-antagonist for Shenmue I. However, I still feel the game is actually better without him.

Therefore, perhaps chapter 2 was Suzuki's way of actually making sure that Chai is done with. Maybe he didn't want people to think that Chai would come back, otherwise why bother with chapter 2 at all. He needed to get rid of the character so that the focus changes from Chai to Lan Di. Otherwise, if Chai does reappaer than Suzuki risks Chai becoming the main antagonist of the series and that really would be a let-down.Well, just my thought on it anyway.

[Sailors?]

It doesn't really bother me the fact that he's in the game. He's satisfying enough to beat but I don't think he'll be back. There's far too many other villians to fight (Niao Sun, maybe ziming, other chi youmen members and crooks along the way.)
I'd much prefer it if someone like Master Baihu made a re-appearance.

[Bluecast]

I think he was just thrown in the game to break up the slow pace every now and then. Shenmue II didn't need that since it was more action. Doubt he will be back. They probably have quite a few gollum like guys spread around doing the grunge work. Chai has to be dead. Maybe we will get his brother iahc who has a evil mustache and has a blue top and purple pants. :O

[Sailors?]

I really hope we do.

[Dallow]

Let's face it, if Shenmue III is released and Chai makes a sudden appearance near the end; creepy music blaring, hand clasped around Nozomi's throat like "Hahaha, you can't get rid of me! Hahaha, I should've finished you back in Japan!", pretty much everyone across the board will have a nerdgasm.

That's not to say that we won't sigh: "Oh, for fucks sake, not you again!"

[Peter]

Aka - CHAI
Significance - UNKNOWN
Location - UNKNOWN

This guy/thing/creature is almost as mysterious as Sha Hua. He lurks in the shadows watching Ryo... watching, and waiting. He may be working for Lan Di, or his objective could be to retrieve the mirror for himself. Nobody knows how he became like this. Just remember that he is always watching you... always!

[tatsuya]

BTW the music behind him is the same of Bahiu on s2

[St. Elmo's Fire]

I quite liked (to hate) the little bastard, for the reason Ryudo said, he was definitely something "different". After getting smashed by him at the Arcade when I first played it, he brought a sense of fear to the time you meet him at the harbour.
I don't think he is dead either, since that'd surely be a massive deal in Ryo's universe, killing someone, when the story is a lot about him as a person?

[mylesthedad]

I always thought Chai was a great character myself. When I first played Shenmue, he creeped me out, but in a good way. Kept me involved in the story for sure. He reminds me of, like Blue said, gollum type character... or a hunchback of Notre Dame type. Imagine if Chai came back in the third one as a helper for Ryo....

[VGAce]

He was Lan Di's love child, trying to get back into daddy's good graces.