Summary
Ghost of Yoteihas been gradually revealing more details about its gameplay, world, and story, with Atsu’s personal journey of revenge most recently taking the stage. Based on what has been revealed so far,Atsu’s story inGhost of Yoteibegins when her homestead is raided and her family killed by a group known as the “Yotei Six,” whom she then hunts down in pursuit of vengeance. In doing so, she adopts the persona of the Onryo — one of the most iconic and terrifying figures in Japanese folklore.
The Onryo has an extensive history in Japanese folklore, and it’s likely that history will manifest itself to some extent as Atsu’s character develops throughoutGhost of Yotei’s story. As such, it’s worth doing a deep dive into the origins, meaning, and core traits of the Onryo, as well as historical cases and folk stories of the figure. Then, it might be possible to discern more about what Atsu might either become or the identity she might struggle to let go of inGhost of Yotei.
Ghost of Yotei’s Onryo Persona and Its Folklore Origins
The Origins, Meaning, and Core Traits of the Onryo
WithGhost of Yotei’s storyrevolving around Atsu’s pursuit of revenge for the death of her family at the hands of the Yotei Six, the Onryo persona fits her perfectly. Onryo translates to “grudge spirit” or “vengeful ghost,” meaning that while Jin actually took on the persona of the Ghost inGhost of Tsushima, Atsu is still taking on that persona, but in a different form. Atsu won’t just be the Ghost inGhost of Yoteibut a vengeful ghost whose goal is to eliminate her family’s murderers.
InJapanese folklore, the Onryo is typically portrayed as the restless spirit of someone (often a woman) who dies under traumatic or unjust circumstances and returns to seek vengeance. Unlike yurei (generic ghosts), the Onryo is specifically driven by wrath or sorrow — especially over betrayal, murder, or injustice.
Common physical traits of an Onryo include long, unkempt black hair, pale or white clothing resembling traditional Japanese funeral attire, an emotionless expression, and a quiet, creeping approach rather than a loud, explosive scare.
The Onryo ultimately shows the strong hold that revenge can have on a person who has been wronged, as its power anchors most Onryo to the physical world. While other spirits might simply linger or passively haunt people and places, an Onryo can cause real-world harm like disease, madness,natural disasters, and even death. Often, the Onryo’s vengeance can even affect anyone nearby or associated with the wrongdoer rather than just the wrongdoer themselves.
Historical Cases and Folk Stories of the Onryo
There are many stories of various Onryo throughout Japanese folklore, with the most famous Onryo being Oiwa — a woman who was betrayed by her husband when he disfigured her and arranged her death so he could remarry. She then returns to drive him mad and ultimately kills him, and her story is so feared that actors performing the classic “Yotsuya Kaidan"kabuki playstill conduct rituals of appeasement at her grave. Other stories include Okiku, who was tortured and then thrown into a well, and Taira no Masakado, whose severed head was said to have flown back to his home and sparked fear as a potential Onryo.
While other spirits might simply linger or passively haunt people and places, an Onryo can cause real-world harm like disease, madness, natural disasters, and even death.
IfGhost of Yoteifully leans into the historical weight of the Onryo, Atsu’s story may evolve into something far more tragic than a simple tale of vengeance. Her transformation into a grudge spirit might ultimately reshape her identity and her place in the world. The power of the Onryo lies not just in its wrath, but in how that wrath refuses to quit. ForGhost of Yotei’s Atsu, the question may not be whether she can defeat the Yotei Six, but whether she can walk away from the rage that brought her to them in the first place.
