Characters / Ehrgeiz

Ken "Godhand" Mishima

Voiced by: Joji Nakata

Once a mercenary from the mysterious Red Scorpion organization. Upon uncovering the true significance of the ancient ruins in regard to immortality, he steals as much information as possible about the ancient ruins and severs his right arm as an excuse to retire from Red Scorpion, believing that his own plans for the ruins would make up for the sacrifice. Sharing some of what he knows with a powerful organization, he garners an ally that provides him with a new right arm along with means to establish his own company dedicated to uncovering the secret of immortality. At the same time that he acquires a new right arm, he learns from his research teams that the Ehrgeiz stone may be the key to the ruins and the secret they hold. His growing ambition leads him to join the Ehrgeiz tournament in an attempt to gain possession of the weapon.

In his ending, Ken was pursued by the one of the moving cars from the Red Scorpion organization which is similar to the Ehrgeiz opening. When he reaches a dead end, Ken manages to plant a detonating grenade on the roof of the car as it explodes. After this, Ken walks away in a black smoke from the car explosion he had made before the police's siren can be heard and the word "Touched by the hand of Godhand" can be seen before it ends.

• Expy: Of Kazuya Mishima, with whom he shares his VA over and is even said to be a direct blood relative (even though he makes no future appearances after Ehrgeiz). His fighting style was inspired by theirs, aptly deemed Mishima-ryu Karate. The corporation he creates after leaving Red Scorpion, Mishima Construction Company, can also be seen as a expy of the Mishima Zaibatsu.
• It's All About Me: Used to worked for Red Scorpion, but after learning about their true intentions he defects by cutting off his arm and spreads their information against its opposition in order to obtain the key to immortality for himself.
• Leitmotif: Escape by Airship! (Arrange Version)
• Power of the God Hand: He is nicknamed Godhand for his fighting skills.
• Shout-Out: He has a Psychogun attached to his right arm.
• Spinning Piledriver: Godhand can do this literally if you do the motion for it.
• Tangled Family Tree: Godhand is a Mishima (Ken Mishima, to be precise), meaning the game has a very weak connection with the Tekken series. This was a semi-cameo due to Namco distributing the arcade version of the game, and Godhand himself has moves taken from Tekken characters.

Han Daehan

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki

A master of Tae Kwon Do and a young action star without need of a stuntman, Han is a popular lad amongst the public. What the public does not know is that his right leg is actually artificial. During a movie shoot a year ago in the Middle East, a mysterious cloud of black smoke engulfed Han's leg. Peculiarly, although his leg has disappeared, he continues to retain a sensation of its existence. As he continues to seek an explanation for this particular phenomenon, he stumbles upon information that similar incidents have occurred every few decades in the area containing the ancient ruins. Han is another who becomes drawn to the mysterious surroundings of the ancient ruins.

Han is the only character in the game with two endings. If Han fails to defeat the final boss, the player will get the Bad Ending, which shows Han in a dark room, sadly looking over his eternally artificial leg. If he manages to defeat the final boss and pick up his leg along with the Ehrgeiz sword, the player will get the Good Ending, which features Han in the same room, only with a smile on his face. Leg restored, he gives his artificial leg a soft kick before leaving it there to rust for good.

• Artificial Limbs: He has a bionic leg that can shoot missiles.
• Badass Transplant: Equipped with a leg that can shoot missiles, he can definitely hold his own in a fight.
• Expy: Of Hwoarang in terms of style, costuming and fighting moves.
• Hollywood Action Hero: He's a famous actor, specializing in action movies. He does his own stunts.
• I Just Want to Be Normal: As impressive as his artificial leg is, he'd give anything to trade it in for a real one.
• Kindhearted Cat Lover: It's unsure if he's a pet owner or has an affinity for cats, though.
• Leitmotif: The Door of Truth (Arrange Version)
• Leg Cannon: He doesn't seem to ultimately like it despite its cool features.
• Pretty Boy: He's young and handsome to boot, and gives off some babyface features as well.

Prince Doza

Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai

His motto is, "I’ll destroy anyone who stands in my path!" Each day, Doza seeks a more powerful opponent. However, in the world of Kickboxing, he is already without equal. Able to defeat his opponents with his bare fists, Doza has become bored and is in need of a challenge. In the midst of his unrest, he receives word of the Ehrgeiz tournament, where weapons, psychic powers, and projectile weapons are permitted. Thrilled, he is determined to test his skills. Although he has no interest in the secret that Ehrgeiz holds, his fighting spirit is fueled by the appearance of opponents that are more powerful than he has ever imagined.

In his ending, Doza is later seen practicing his kickboxing moves. After dealing a heavy punch on the sandbag, the sandbag itself manages to knock him down by sending him into the boxing ring. Soon after, the sand bag continues to swing as Doza himself was knocked unconscious.

• Ambiguously Brown: He is presumably British Asian, most likely British Yemeni as his original Japanese name references the British-Yemeni boxer Naseem "The Prince" Hamed.
• Leitmotif: At The End Of A Journey (Arrange Version)
• No Celebrities Were Harmed: Of Naseem Hamad, nicknamed "Prince Naseem" or "Naz," a now retired professional boxer. For some reason in the US release, the developers changed his name from "Prince Naseem" (as it was in Japan) to "Prince Doza."
  • His status as a British Asian (likely West Asian Arab) kickboxer rather than a boxer makes him similar to British Iraqi Riyadh Al-Azzawi and his height/physique is similar to British Bangladeshi Kickboxer Abdul Ali Jacko.
• Spirited Competitor: He lives for a challenge and seeks a worthy opponent like no other.
• Warrior Prince: He's of royal blood and enjoys a good fight or two.

"Yoyo" Yoko Kishibojin

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi

Yoko's father, Koji Masuda, is an explorer who teaches archaeology, and her mother is an expert in Kishibojin-ryu jujutsu. At age 10, her parents divorced, leaving her to be raised solely by her mother. Although still in high school, her talents in jujutsu have been acknowledged by the ICPO which enable her to participate in their hand-to-hand combat research team. One day, she received a letter from her estranged father, entrusting her to carry out the duties necessary to acquire Ehrgeiz. In addition to this, she has been ordered by the ICPO to enter the tournament to investigate suspicious activities surrounding Ehrgeiz.

In her ending, Yoko gains the Ehrgeiz sword after she defeated the Red Scorpion. As she attempts escape she is confronted by Dasher Inoba, a member of Ehrgeiz supervising committee, who wields a giant axe. Both fighters are clashing with their weapons until Inoba slams his axe to the stone floor bridge, collapsing it and forcing Yoko back. Inoba attempts to finish her off but overbalances and falls. Looking over and seeing Inoba clinging on for dear life, she simply taunts him by sticking her tongue out.

• Blowing a Raspberry: Gives one to Dasher Inoba after he almost tries to kill her in her ending.
• Daddy's Girl: Averted. She and her father have an estranged relationship.
• Leitmotif: Continental Train (Arrange Version)
• Killer Yoyo: Her main costume is a police uniform, if the reference wasn't obvious enough.
• Moveset Clone: Kishibojin-ryu jujutsu isn't as original as it seems. She borrows moves from Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law from the Tekken series.
• Shed the Family Name: As she lived and grew up with her mother, she kept her mother's surname Kishibojin, as opposed to her father's, Masuda.
• Teen Genius: Not yet an adult and she's still part of the ICPO thanks to her fierce fighting skills.

Lee Shuwen

Voiced by: Hideyuki Umezu

Known as the master of lethal kempo, Lee holds the power and technique that can kill a man in a single strike. It has been said that Lee, founder of the Hakkyoku Ken, was killed some time ago through lethal poisoning. However, through the power of a legendary elixir found in the tomb of the first emperor, Lee has miraculously been brought back to life. Not only has this elixir brought him back to life, it is also making him younger as time proceeds. At this rate, he will ultimately become younger and eventually return to the void. In an attempt to avoid such a fate, he embarks on a mission to acquire the true key to immortality. Thus, he begins his journey to uncover the mystery behind the legendary ancient ruins.

In his ending, he unleashes a mighty palm strike that blows out a succeeding line of candles before his path.

• Back from the Dead: A long time ago, someone had murdered him using poison. However, some time later, he was brought back to life using an elixir.
• Blessed with Suck: While he gets a second start at life again thanks to a life-reviving elixir, the effects of the reverse aging will eventually cause him leave this world again if left unchecked.
• Find the Cure!: Sees the sacred item within the ruins as this, and heads there to rid him of this curse.
• Historical Domain Character: Lee Shuwen is based on Li Shuwen, a Real Life master of Ba Ji Quan said to be so formidable that he does not need to strike an opponent twice.
• Leitmotif: Hong Kong Reggae (Arrange Version)
• Merlin Sickness: As evidenced by his backstory.
• Older Than They Look/Younger Than They Look: His backstory. Being from a different era than the current time Ehrgeiz is set in, but taking an elixir that visually betrays how old he actually is, Lee shifts in between these two.
• Rapid Aging: Inverted. Due to the curse of the elixir, he's not getting quickly older as time passes—he's getting quickly younger.
• The Strength of Ten Men: While ransacking a facility and confronted by a guarded police force, he takes out everyone and nearly destroys the building with just a single stomp.
• Too Powerful to Live: Seems to be his fate. He's a lethal master that was killed in the past. As he gets resurrected, his life is put under a curse that will yet again grant him certain death in due time.

Sasuke

Voiced by: Ryuzou Ishino

Although it is evident by his appearance that he is a Ninja, Sasuke’s true identity remains unknown. One day, he awakened with amnesia, not even remembering his true name, in a laboratory from Red Scorpion located near the ancient ruins, where he was subject to a remodeling surgery. Presently, he works as an agent for Red Scorpion, everyday being driven by great anxiety, feeling that he forgot important things. However, during a top secret mission in which he was to assassinate the adventurer, Koji Masuda, he notices a mysterious stone embedded within a broken sword held by Koji. Believing that this precious stone will enable him to recover his long lost memories, Sasuke aims to acquire the legendary weapon, Ehrgeiz, acting for the first time by his own will since the loss of his memory.

In his ending, he is at his home at night, carefully polishing his sword before sheathing it. He then gets up and disappears within a wall.

• Identity Amnesia: Has nor recollection of who he is, not even his first name.
• Leitmotif: Fate (Arrange Version)
• Ninja: From his attire to his fighting style. Though Sasuke's identity is unknown, it's made clear that he operates in the shadows.

Dasher Inoba

Voiced by: Fumihiko Tachiki

Inoba is a prominent wrestler and a disciple of Karl Schneider, the founder of the Ehrgeiz Championship Tournament. He is also a member of the Ehrgeiz supervising committee. With the recent death of his master, Inoba discovers a note left behind by the late Schneider which suggests that he had been investigating the connection between the stone embedded within the Ehrgeiz and the ancient ruins. Ever since laying eyes upon the mystical stone, Inoba has been fascinated by its presence. Compounded by his urge to obtain the stone and to uncover the mystery behind his master’s investigation, he is determined to get his hands on the legendary weapon.

In his ending, he was shown to be a fast eater where he eats ramen at the ramen stall where he repeatedly orders the same special ramen that he eats.

• The Brute: There's a somewhat ominous aura about him. He enjoys fighting and can be cutthroat if need be.
• Corrupt Corporate Executive: As member of the Ehrgeiz supervising committee. A lot of his methods are rather sinister...
• Expy: Considering his late master's name has the first name of Karl, holds a position of power in a fighting tournament and has a fighting outfit consisting of black trunks and boots, he's likely a reference to Antonio Inoki, and by proxy any Japanese Strong Style wrestler who follows in Gotch and Inoki's style.
• Fundoshi: One of his costumes.
• Hunk: He's as muscular and manly as they come.
• Leitmotif: Victory (Arrange Version)
• Mr. Fanservice: He's got some skimpy costumes, one being a fundoshi.
• Omnicidal Neutral: Seems to be this throughout the course of the story, following the death of Karl Schneider. He cuts the wires to a train Jo is fighting aboard, sending her attackers and nearly her plummeting to certain doom, and fights Yoko to the death of the mysterious artifact.
• Overly Long Gag: Dasher Inoba's ending, which is an endless loop of him eating bowls of noodles.
• Ramen Slurp: See just above. He slurps up the noodles, and then washes them down with the broth before moving on to the next bowl.

Wolf Girl Jo

Voiced by: Motoko Kumai

As a newborn, Jo survived an airplane crash in the Amazon Jungle while sustaining only minor injuries to her head. Raised by wolves, she gained physical strength that exceeds and surpasses normal human capabilities by as much as three times. When her "wolf" mother and sibling were killed by hunters in front of her eyes, she developed great hatred and distrust toward humans. Jo became known as the "Man-eating wolf girl", and is eventually captured and imprisoned. There, she exhibited uncontrollable hostility towards her supervising officers. Having heard about this girl through various rumors, a member of Red Scorpion recruited her and gives her the name, Jo. After some intensive training, she is given direct orders by Red Scorpion to seek the Ehrgeiz without knowing or understanding the reason why.

In her ending, she fights three men atop of a train, when Inoba comes and cuts the wires come loose. As the logs give way, Jo and the men plummet to their doom. Jo, however, being the instinctive agile marvel she is, quickly uses the logs and men to leverage herself and launch herself onto safe ground...only to collide with a wall, much to her grief.

• Action Girl: She fights like a wolf!
• Animorphism: She can transform into a wolf.
• Cute Clumsy Girl: As seen in her ending.
• Dreadlock Warrior: She sports three big ones on top of her head, even when transformed into a wolf.
• Expy: Her fighting style is reminiscent of Eddy Gordo from Tekken.
• Leitmotif: Escape (Arrange Version).
• Lightning Bruiser: She's strong enough to take on three burly dudes at once, fast enough to leverage herself from a fall of impending doom and...tough enough to sustain damage from a brick wall. Ouch.
• My Master, Right or Wrong: Works for Red Scorpion, with no idea of who they are or what they do.
• Raised by Wolves: Her upbringing.

Koji Masuda

Voiced by: Hiroya Ishimaru

Father of Yoko Kishibojin and third time consecutive reigning champion of the Ehrgeiz Championship Tournament. He is also an archaeologist seeking to uncover the truth behind the mysteries surrounding the ancient ruin.

• The Ace: He's won the Ehrgeiz tournament three times in a row.
• Action Dad: Though his relationship with his daughter is estranged.
• Action Hero: Throughout Quest Mode.
• Adventurer Archaeologist: The vocation of Koji Matsuda.
• Back from the Dead: Defeating the pen-ultimate boss of Quest Mode with him results in a straight-up death, and Clair can opt to resurrect him if she finds the Phoenix Down.
• Downer Ending: If he decides to bring Clair back to life using the Phoenix Down, he can no longer continue on his quest to find the immortality. If he decides keep the Phoenix Down for himself, the entrance seals away anyway and his research goes null and void.
• Hunk: Big, strong, and handsome to boot.
• My God, What Have I Done?: If you complete the game as him but don't revive Clair, it's noted that besides his entire research ending up pointless anyway, he feels Survivor Guilt for what he did.
• Overly Long Fighting Animation: Koji has a charged grapple that is hard to connect with, but if it does he'll spend about ten solid seconds breaking every bone in your body.
• What the Hell, Hero?: One of his endings.

Clair Andrews

Voiced by: Yukana

A child prodigy who entered the university at the tender age of 16, Clair is an archaeology student of Koji Masuda. Although she is relatively independent, she is still considered naïve. When Koji begins his journey, Clair abruptly invites herself to be his assistant.

• Action Hero: During Quest Mode.
• Adventurer Archaeologist: The vocation of Clair Andrews.
• Back from the Dead: If she beats the pen-ultimate boss of Quest Mode she gets killed, but Koji can opt to revive her using the Phoenix Down.
• Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: On the onset, she appears to be a friendly and energetic girl ready to jump at the first sign for adventure. However should she opt to keep the Phoenix Down rather than use it to revive Koji, she gladly keeps it as a trophy of her accomplishment, caring neither about her master's death or how the item could benefit humanity.
• Bruce Lee Clone: While not a strong definition, she fights using Jeet Kune Do and has some Hot-Blooded winposes.
• Combat Pragmatist: Has an affinity for targeting a certain location of the anatomy and carries hidden blades in her arms.
• Cute Bruiser: It'd be a mistake to underestimate this girl!
• Innocent Prodigy: She's a college student and martial artist at just 16, but she is still naive to the ways of the world. Luckily she has her mentor, Koji, to help her out along the way.
• It's All About Me: Contrasting Koji, if she leaves him to die in her ending then she doesn't even seem to feel a shred of remorse and just keeps the Phoenix Down on display within a vase feeling good about what she managed to accomplish.
• Karma Houdini: While she gets Koji back alive but significantly ends their journey into the key of immortality, if Clair instead keeps the feather instead reviving Koji, she keeps the feather, feels a sense of accomplishment, and then simply moves on with her life.
• What the Hell, Hero?: One of her endings.

Django

A mysterious wolf-like character that plays the role of the sub-final boss in Ehrgeiz. He is a mystical creature seeking a mysterious force, and awaits visitors in the back of the ancient ruins.

Django can be unlocked as a playable character by meeting certain conditions in the game. His attacks are similar to certain characters in Tobal 2, such as Dog, Ikkaku, Tri Horn, and Spike Shield. His standard costume is gray fur, however his alternate costume (red fur) has many resemblances to Red XIII. His attack names reference Red XIII, his father Seto and Final Fantasy summons.

• Attack the Tail: Being during from the other human characters, in order to throw him from behind one would have to get behind and swing him around using his tail.
• Expy: Of Red XIII. His alternate costume can even be considered a Shout-Out to him.
• Leitmotif: A Song For The Man Of The Future (Arrange Version)
• Mighty Roar: Lets one out during battle.
• Secret Character: Becomes playable once conditions are met.

Guest Characters

For more information on these characters, please visit Final Fantasy VII.

Cloud Strife

Voiced by: Kenyuu Horiuchi & Nozomu Sasaki

Cloud Strife is the main protagonist in Final Fantasy VII. A first-class member of SOLDIER, he fights with his large Buster Sword.

• BFS: His choice of weapon.
• Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": In the arcade game, Cloud is named Guardian.

Tifa Lockhart

Voiced by: Yuko Minaguchi & Yōko Asada

Tifa Lockhart is a playable character in Final Fantasy VII. Childhood friend to Cloud and owner of the Seventh Heaven bar in Midgar, she fights with her good-ol' fists and feet.

• Action Girl: With her trusty gloves!
• Bare-Fisted Monk: Her fighting style.
• Bruce Lee Clone: Downplayed. To fill in the gaps between Tifa's magical abilities and Limit Breaks from her home series, the developers chose to give her basically every Jeet Kune Do attack from Tekken that they hadn't already given to Clair Andrews. So if Clair is this game's equivalent of Law, then Tifa is its Lee Chaolan, with a flashier, more kick-oriented interpretation of the style.
• Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": In the arcade game, Tifa is named Summoner.

Sephiroth

Voiced by: Shin-ichiro Miki

Sephiroth is the main antagonist of Final Fantasy VII. A legendary member of SOLDIER gone rogue after he discovered the truth behind his origins. His preferred weapon is the Masamune, a katana longer than he is tall.

• Badass Longcoat: His 1P costume.

Vincent Valentine

Voiced by: Kazuhiro Nakata

Vincent Valentine is an optional playable character in Final Fantasy VII. A former member of the Turks with a mysterious past.

• Alliterative Name: Vincent Valentine
• Badass Cape: His 1P costume.
• Moveset Clone: Uses Godhand's moveset.
• Red Eyes, Take Warning: As seen in his portrait.

Yuffie Kisaragi

Voiced by: Yumi Kakazu

Yuffie Kisaragi is an optional playable character in Final Fantasy VII. A young ninja from Wutai who seeks as much Materia as she can find for her homeland.

• Action Girl: She's a formidable kunoichi.
• Moveset Clone: Borrows Sasuke's moveset.

Zack

Voiced by: Nozomu Sasaki

Zack is a non-playable character in Final Fantasy VII. Cloud's best friend from SOLDIER, and previous owner of the Buster Sword.

• BFS: His weapon.