The character list from The Case Files of Yakushiji Ryoko series.
Unmarked spoilers ahead. Highlight at your own risk.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Ryoko Yakushiji
She's also the (upcoming) heiress to a multinational private security company, JACES (formerly known as the "Japanese Empire Security Service" or JESS) instead of her older sister, Kinuko, and one of the few (legitimate) children of ex-TMPD officer Hiroki Yakushiji. Due to this, she's untouchable within the department, but not without her enemies and rivals.
Voiced by: Hitomi Nabatame
- The Ace: Intelligent, beautiful, fiercely competent, and wealthy. She's described in-universe as flawless.
- Action Girl: Despite her high-rank, she's still a very capable hand-to-hand fighter.
- Action Fashionista: She kicks copious amounts of ass, and does it in a new outfit every time, though sometimes he has to resort to an Action Dress Rip to be able to move properly.
- Agent Mulder: She's had many run-ins with the paranormal. Therefore, she keeps an open mind about the strange.
- Bathing Beauty: She’s seen in several scenes bathing and showering.
- Beauty Is Never Tarnished: Even after going up against an entire army. A shower, a couple of bandages, and a change of clothes is all Ryoko needs to get back in the game.
- Big-Breast Pride: She's smug about her busty figure, enjoying flaunting or taunting smaller girls about it.
- Big Fancy House: Her penthouse apartment in Takanawa, Minato ward is essentially the lap of luxury.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Ryoko is an extremely talented young woman, highly intelligent and perceptive. However, she spends most of her work hours slacking off and going shopping.
- Buxom Beauty Standard: She has a sizable bust, which inspires awe or envy in people. Monomi in particular is very jealous since they're clones yet Ryoko's much bigger.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Really doesn’t like other women getting Izumida’s attention. Even if it’s his 10-year-old cousin, or her younger clone. She reacts very harshly to the idea of him meeting Yukiko in secret in the first episode.
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: Or at least, Corrupt Corporate Executive-To Be. Her detractors and other bureaucrats steer clear of her because she can threaten their post-retirement careers with JACES. She still pales in comparison to someone like Ruriko.
- Cowboy Cop: Gets away with being one due to her status as the heir apparent of JACES.
- Elite School Means Elite Brain: Insanely intelligent Yakushiji Ryoko is a graduate of Todai.
- Experienced Protagonist: Prior to being head of the MPD's CIB, she worked in Paris as the Japanese representative to Interpol.
- The Gadfly: She enjoys toying with people, particularly Izumida and Yukiko.
- Groin Attack: Steps on a Mook's crotch in the second episode... with a stiletto heel.
- Hero of Another Story: Her work with Interpol prior to the start of the series.
- Hero with Bad Publicity: Aside from being a Cowboy Cop, she's accussed of abusing her powers just to solve criminal/terrorist cases. During her stay with Interpol, she assaulted an official because he touched her butt.
- Improbable Aiming Skills: She, not a squadron of JPP's soldiers, is able to shoot the Anti-Terrorist Robot's eye to deactivate it.
- It's All About Me: Quite a few of the cases she takes on are not necessarily for the public’s safety or for the sake of apprehending the offender, but for her self-serving goals and crushing the people she happens to be at odds with.
- Kick Chick: Her primary mode of combat, along with She-Fu.
- Lady in Red: Seems to be fond of wearing red dresses and matching shoes.
- Leg Focus: The OP features a foot-first introduction to Ryoko's red high heel shoe, followed by a long, slow pan up her leg.
- Longing Look: She's thrown a few of these toward Izumida, particularly in Episode 3.
- Loving Bully: Ryoko takes pleasure in bossing Izumida around, forcing him to do her bidding and making him as uncomfortable as possible. She's also genuinely attracted to him and at times expresses frustration as to why he hasn't noticed yet.
- Missing Mom: Her mother died when she was very young.
- Mistress and Servant Boy: Mistress to Izumida’s Servant Boy. An age-inverted example as she’s several years younger (27) than he is. (33)
- Ms. Fanservice: She's very attractive, and the story often takes advantage of it with gratuitous scenes where she shows off skin or dresses provocatively.
- Necktie Leash: Frequently does this to Izumida
◊, and with all of Ship Tease that comes along with it.◊ - Nightmare Fetishist: Takes a great interest horror films and the paranormal, and the paranormal takes a great interest in her.
- The Ojou: The heir apparent to a multinational security corporation, JACES. Several people address her as ojou-sama or Oryo-sama.
- Omniglot: Speaks several different languages, most notably French. In the novel/manga, she displays her proficiency in English. Ryoko's also fluent in Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Latin.
- One-Woman Army: Takes on the forces of JPP alongside brainwashed JGSDF forces all by herself.
- Pinky Swear: In order to keep Monami on her side, she promises that she won't send her abroad and does this to satisfy her.
- Power Hair: A female Superintendent who has a no-nonsense short haircut.
- Proud Beauty: She's clearly very confident about her appearance and sex appeal.
- Red Baron: WTED Oryo (Oryo Walks Through Even Dracula).
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: Her M.O. when dealing with highly-statured persons of interest.
- Smug Smiler: She’s usually one step ahead of everyone, and is not shy about letting everyone know about it via a constant smug grin.
- Subordinate Excuse: It’s made clear that she has a huge crush on Izumida and she uses her position as his direct supervisor to keep him at her beck and call, during and after hours. This extends to having him stay at her place, taking him to fancy restaurants, even taking him along with her on vacations. In the Manga, it’s implied that she orchestrated his reassignment to her unit for this reason.
- The Tease: Frequently flirts with Izumida who fails to notice her intentions.
- Tsundere: Toward Izumida. She’ll shift between ordering him around and flirting with him. At the end of the twelfth episode, Izumida compliments her on her strength and the way she looks despite fighting on her own, which catches her off-guard. Instead of a snarky reply, she quietly mumbles that he should notice her more often.
- Unlimited Wardrobe: She's never seen wearing the same outfit twice.
- We Can Rule Together: Her offer to Monami to make her get back on her side permanently. She also implies that they can conquer Izumida together as well. It works.
- Weirdness Magnet: "Trouble follows Ryoko wherever she goes", stated by Yukiko Muromachi.
Jun'Ichiro Izumida
Voiced by: Hidenobu Kiuchi
- Accidental Pervert: He tries to eavesdrop on Ryoko’s conversation with Monami while she's in the bath. To his horror, she pulls back the curtains. Interestingly enough, when he’s found out, she just calmly orders him to get her bathrobe.
- Agent Scully: Often attempts to rationalize the weird goings on around him and Ryoko.
- Audience Surrogate: He's supposed to be a normal inspector, to contrast with Ryoka's Bunny-Ears Lawyer methods.
- Badass Normal: Definitely overshadowed by Ryoko, but he has his moments to show off he's a competent fighter.
- Battle Butler: Refers to himself as such.
- Beleaguered Assistant: Ryoko’s exploits, as well as her domineering and at times childish personality annoy him to no end.
- Bodyguarding a Badass: He often wonders why he has to escort Ryoko outside of work. She states that guaranteeing her safety is in his job description as her assistant.
- Butt-Monkey: He's commonly the victim of many of Ryoko's exploits.
- By-the-Book Cop: Would like to be this, but his boss loves playing dirty.
- Character Narrator: He's the narrator for the series.
- Deadpan Snarker: Usually makes sarcastic remarks toward Ryoko or Kishimoto.
- Diving Save: Frequently shields Ryoko away from danger. He tackles Ryoko to get out of the way of the Anti-Terrorist Robot's tentacle in an elevator.
- First-Person Peripheral Narrator: The series focuses on the adventures of Ryoko Yakushiji, but the episodes themselves are narrated by Izumida.
- Girl Friday: Gender-Inverted Trope example.
- Hero of Another Story: His work in the TMPD before he was assigned to the CIB.
- Honest Advisor: But commonly rebuffed by Ryoko.
- Human Pack Mule: Ryoko refers to him as her Shopping Bag handler in the first episode. During the last episode, he’s seen carrying her bags from wrist to shoulder on each hand.
- Mistress and Servant Boy: An older Servant Boy to his younger Mistress.
- Not Distracted by the Sexy: He only asks why Ryoko is wearing a Qipao in the third episode. This gets him a Necktie Leash until he compliments her on said dress.
- Number Two: He's Ryoko direct subordinate.
- Oblivious to Love: In the Anime, he's largely ignorant to Ryoko's feelings for him, despite how constantly she flirts with him.
- Older Sidekick: He's five years older than Ryoko, but is still her subordinate and often acts like a sidekick.
- Self-Deprecation: A Running Gag in the Anime. Once an Episode, he introduces his title as a position of servitude under Ryoko. (Slave, Butler, Old Retainer, etc...)
- Sharp-Dressed Man: Commonly seen in a suit and tie.
- Taking the Bullet: Throws his body in harm's way to protect Ryoko in Episode 12, and once again for Monami in the final episode.
- Undying Loyalty: In Episode 6 of the Anime, when offered a high-level position in exchange for his assistance in destroying a rampaging salamander by two corrupt public figures, he declines their offer and chooses to remain by Ryoko’s side. He’s immediately chided for it by Ryoko after the case is wrapped up.
- The Watson: He's often the Audience Surrogate whom Ryoko has to explain things that she already figured out.
Yukiko Muromachi
Voiced By: Houko Kuwashima
- Action Girl: Can more than hold her own during a fight.
- Aloof Dark-Haired Girl
- Berserk Button: For just about anything that Ryoko does.
- Beware the Nice Ones: Episodes 12 and 13 with a couple of automatic weapons in each hand.
- By-the-Book Cop: As opposed to Ryoko.
- Fair Cop
- Foil: To Ryoko. She’s the straitlaced By-the-Book Cop to Ryoko’s Brash Cowboy Cop. Outwardly, her style of dress is conservative versus Ryoko who prefers to Show Some Leg. Finally, she chooses not to use her family ties within the department whereas Ryoko takes full advantage of hers as the heir apparent to JACES.
- Generation Xerox: Joins the MPD after her father, who retired as a Superintendent General and a politician in the Diet. Before the events of the novel, he's in charge of a university.
- Hero of Another Story: Her prior assignment to the Cabinet Intelligence Reserch Office (内閣情報調査局) prior to the start of the series by the National Police Agency for intelligence work.note
- Obstructive Bureaucrat: If Ryoko is looking to cause mischief, Yukiko is usually there to block her.
- The Rival: Again, to Ryoko. According to Izumida, they’ve been at each other’s throats since their university days.
- Scary Shiny Glasses: When she's provoked or in a highly stressful situation, watch out.
- Statuesque Stunner: Tall, graceful, and stacked.
- Stoic Spectacles: She very composed and professional. Unless Ryoko is involved.
- Volleying Insults: With Ryoko. Constantly.
Akira Kishimoto
Voiced By: Kenji Nojima
- Bumbling Sidekick: Very ineffective as a high-level Police officer.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: A career officer who very much lacks a lot of seriousness.
- Cowardly Sidekick: He’s extremely fearful of the idea of the JPP coming after him. To the point where Jacqueline of all people, tells him to man up.
- Fanboy: Of Ryoko’s.
- Keet: He’s always very chipper, upbeat and frivolous. The latter tends to annoy Izumida at times.
- Otaku: For Anime/Manga and Idols.
- Running Gag: His obsession with “The Leotard”. Izumida always gets him to back down.
- Satellite Character: Always seen in close proximity with Yukiko.
The Criminal Investigation Unit
Mario Abe (left), Maruoka (center) and Satomi Kaizuka (right)
A trio of officers working under Ryoko in the Criminal Investigation Bureau.- Affectionate Nickname: Abe is referred to as 'Mari-chan.'
- Beleaguered Assistants: Izumida isn't the only one constantly cowed by Ryoko. On his day off, they arrange a schedule for her which she rejects for being too tight. All three of them sign in defeat.
- The Big Guy: Abe
- Genki Girl: Satomi.
- Gentle Giant: Abe
- Office Lady: Satomi operates in this function, often fetching information for Ryoko.
- Omniglot: The novels mention that Satomi can speak Cantonese and French aside from Japanese, the former due to her being a fan of Hong Kong culture.
- Those Two Guys & A Girl
JACES
Hiroki Yakushiji
Ex-officer in the TMPD, he retired from the force to lead JACES. He's not seen in the series with some characters stating that he's on business trips (mostly to New York).
He's said to have five mistresses since he did not remarry after his wife passed away.
- The Ghost: Never appeared in any story. His presence is commented on by Ryoko or by anyone's who familiar with JACES.
Kazuma Nonagase
Voiced By: Daisuke Hirakawa
- Badass Driver
- The Bard: He reports all the actual events in Ryoko’s cases.
- Canon Foreigner: Not seen in the Manga & Novel versions of the franchise.
- The Confidant: For Monami.
- Face–Heel Turn: Revealed to be a Double Agent for Shiba in the last few episodes.
- Fanboy: Of both Ryoko and the supernatural.
- Mission Control: He's seen commanding JACES tactical teams to apprehend the paparazzi duo in Episode 2.
- The Mole: Sent by Ruriko/JPP to infiltrate JACES and get into Ryoko’s inner circle.
- Nothing Personal: To Izumida in the final episode.
- Scary Shiny Glasses
- Stoic Spectacles
- Tomato in the Mirror: He’s a Hangon doll clone. But he doesn’t realize this until he’s melting away.
- Traitor Shot: He smirks as he listens in on Ryoko & Izumida’s conversation as to what Ruriko’s plans are.
Yakushiji Family
Masamoto Yakushiji
The grandfather of the Yakushiji siblings (and father) of Hiroki, he's responsible for setting up the JESS.
- Canon Foreigner: Only present in the anime. In the novel, he's treated as The Ghost.
Lucienne & Marianne
Lucienne (left) and Marianne (right)
Two maids in the service of Ryoko. Though they excel at cooking, cleaning, and speaking in unison, their talents lie far beyond the household.Voiced By: Christelle Ciari (Lucienne) and Satomi Sato (Marianne)
- Ambiguously Brown: Marianne
- Big Damn Heroes: Throughout the second-half of the Anime. They always arrive on the scene to save the day when the going gets tough.
- Gratuitous French
- Improbable Weapon User
- They use a luggage cart to mow down a would-be purse snatcher in the airport upon their introduction.
- Marianne hits a mook with a flashlight later in the episode.
- Meidos
- French Maids: They dress up as these in Episode 6 as they spy on corrupt bureaucrats.
- Ninja Maids: Lucienne is a skilled hacker, and Marianne is a weapons expert. Both can hold their own in a fight and are extremely competent at what they do.
- Playful Hacker: Lucienne
- Speak in Unison: All the time, in French no less.
- Tank Goodness: They both pilot a tank in the last episode.
Others
Monami
Before...
...and After.
A younger clone of Ryoko Yakushiji. She was created by Shiba to replace Ryoko once she was removed. However, Ryoko got to her first, and with her propensity to attract the supernatural, she brings a large shakeup to Ryoko's household.Voiced By: Hitomi Nabatame
- Become a Real Boy: Ruriko offered Monami the chance to be the "true" Ryoko by joining her and having Izumida to herself after Ryoko is taken care of.
- Canon Foreigner: Not seen in the Manga & Novel versions of the franchise.
- Clones Are People, Too: Izumida argues this to prompt her Heel–Face Turn.
- Face–Heel Turn: She’s convinced by Ruriko that she’s only a clone and her one purpose is to replace Ryoko in Episode 11, so she joins her side.
- Meido: She’s made one when she enters Ryoko’s home.
- Necktie Leash: One of the first things she does upon meeting Izumida. She’s definitely Ryoko’s clone.
- Overnight Age-Up: Thanks to Applied Phlebotinum, she goes from a child of about 8-9 years old in Episode 9-10 and to a teenager of about 16 in Episodes 11-12.
- Smitten Teenage Girl: She has a Precocious Crush on Izumida as a youngster. After her Overnight Age-Up, she flat-out in love in him.
- Supreme Chef: Exhibits skill at cooking after reading a cookbook.
- The Runaway: She overhears Ryoko talking to her older sister, devising on ways to send her away overseas. As a result, she runs off... into the clutches of Ruriko.
- Weirdness Magnet: Just like the original.
- Who Names Their Kid "Dude"?: Lucienne & Marianne refer to her as “Mon ami” which means, “My friend” in French. Izumida makes the mistake of thinking the maids already gave her a name. It sticks, though.
- You Are Number 6: She’s referred to as R-9 by Ruriko’s dragon. Implying that she’s in a long line of previously failed Ryoko clones.
Ruriko Isurugi
Voiced By: Sumi Shimamoto
- Big Bad: Of the Anime.
- Breaking Speech: Attempts to use this on Ryoko when she thought her victory was sealed.
- Canon Foreigner: Not seen in the Manga & Novel versions of the franchise.
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: Uses her network of operatives to run a smear campaign on both JACES and Ryoko. Naturally, her operatives are also Corrupt Corporate Executives who have run afoul of Ryoko at some point in time.
- Diabolical Mastermind: The orchestrator behind Monami’s appearance and the plot to take over JACES.
- Disproportionate Retribution
- Ryoko’s grandfather, Masamoto Yakushiji, did not want to help her rebuild the JESS, after World War II. Her plan involves taking over the company he built and killing Ryoko in the process.
- She plots to also have the rest of Ryoko’s unit, Yukiko, Kishimoto and others killed for seeing and/or mentioning her.
- Evil Plan: Her plan is to replace Ryoko with Monami and merge the JPP with JACES.
- Faux Affably Evil: Calm and courteous while being completely unforgiving and ruthless.
- Foreshadowing: She’s seen in Professor Tatsumi’s office in the second episode.
- Iron Lady: Very stoic and calm while plotting the destruction of her enemies.
- Manipulative Bitch: Uses Monami’s feelings for Izumida to turn her against Ryoko.
- Man Behind the Man: Ruriko's the unofficial person manipulating the JPP with Ryojun Tadomura (before his death) serving as the face to keep the public from scrutinizing the company.
- Really 700 Years Old: She appears to be an older adult, yet she’s been around since World War II. Subverted in that she’s a clone of the original who may have already died.
- Red Baron: The Queen of Shiba.
- We Have Reserves:
- Whoever created her thought enough to make several more clones of her as she is seen by Izumida during the Anime’s finale after she disintegrated.
- Seemingly her stance on the creation of more Ryoko clones.
- White Hair, Black Heart
