I know what you mean, Tosh; it's why I'm calling him Kasuga now, because Ichiban is technically not correct, as per the game's and Japan's naming.
The first game, dubbed, did use Western-naming, so there's that lol.
I platinumed the game almost 2 hours ago. That was a great final chapter: story-wise, it was a middle of the pack to upper tier final chapter (so somewhere between 5 and 11 let's just say), but combat-wise? That was one of the best final chapters, with each fight being fun and the final fights being great indeed (also defeated Amon{s} in the final Yokohama dungeon, so it was a chapter filled with bosses lol)
As for the epilogue, also one of the best in the series, by far, with Kasuga having an emotion-filled one (also brimming with hilarity and kindness/compassion) and Kiryu's... If you know how the series is written and the direction the games and plots go, you will love the final scene of the game: I want to spoil it (with tags, of course), but not sure if I will, at this point. I will just say that my heart was happy
.
This was an action packed, super high-stakes, supremely well-built and efficient and brutal/visceral game, with the added bit of hilarity and usual hijinks abounding; like I wrote above, Yamai is a phenomenal new character whom I hope will stick around, Chitose was beyond awesome and has inserted herself behind Yumi as being my favourite females of the series, Tomizawa as a character was fantastic (not a fan though, TBH), though I don't see him sticking around unless they return to Hawaii and the new villains were great, with Bryce being an absolute scumbag of the highest degree and Ebina having a great arc that echoes Mine, of sorts.
Can't wait to see what will be revealed/released for the 20th anniversary next year: I'm guessing a game and another reveal, but with this being the best game in the series (not a doubt in my mind), things are looking good, as basically each subsequent game has been better than the last.
Will review it tomorrow on Gfaqs, though I may not submit it for publishing until the 30 days after date, so it can get, "detailed review," status.
Updated list of the best games in the series:
8>7>Lost Judgement>5>3>Judge Eyes>0>6>Ishin!>Gaiden>Kiwami 2>Kurohyo 2: Ashura Hen>Kiwami>Hokuto ga Gotoku>Kenzan!>2>4>1>Kurohyo: Shinso>Dead Souls
Updated favourites:
3>5>1/Kiwami>6>Gaiden>
8>7>Lost Judgement
>0>Ishin!>Judge Eyes>Kurohyo: Ashura Hen>Kenzan!>Hokuto ga Gotoku>Kurohyo: Shinso>4>Dead Souls>2/Kiwami 2
And Honolulu City Lights is the best Karaoke song in the series.