This section features all of the artworks that we feel give insight into the future of the series, whether it be through early character profiles, artwork, or 3D renders of places we have yet to visit. We hope you enjoy this interesting tour of some of the potential exciting characters and locales that could be in store for us!
Cliff Temple
NOTE: The following section shows one of the next locations that Ryo is travelling to. At the end of Shenmue 3, after a conversation with Shenhua’s father, Mr. Yuan, Ryo discovers that the Phoenix and Dragon Mirrors were once locked away at the Cliff Temple, and that Lan Di is likely to be heading that way too. You can see this cutscene below for context:
Cliff Temple 1
A 3D-rendered image of traditional Chinese-style wooden buildings built on stilts on a rocky cliffside. The structures are connected by wooden walkways and have tiled roofs.
Cliff Temple 2
3D-rendered image of traditional Chinese-style wooden buildings constructed along the side of a steep cliff, supported by wooden stilts and connected by narrow walkways.
Text:
“8/2”
“Media Design & Art Ltd.”
Cliff Temple 3
A series of multi-story wooden buildings with traditional Chinese-style roofs are built against a rugged cliffside. The structures are supported by long wooden stilts extending down the rock face. The scene is set at sunset, casting a warm glow over the buildings and emphasizing the texture of the cliff.
NOTE: The Cliff Temple depicted in these 3D Renders is actually based on a real world location in China known as the “Hanging Temple”. Below is a screenshot of the Hanging Temple for context:
Cliffside Fortress?
A multi-story building constructed against a rocky cliffside. The lower portion is made of brick with round windows, while the upper levels feature wooden pillars and traditional-style roofing. The structure is supported by beams anchored into the rock face. The background shows a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Text:
“8/2”
“Media Design & Art Ltd.”
NOTE: The “Cliffside Fortress?” depicted in the above 3D Render is interestingly part of the previously mentioned real world “Hanging Temple”. This structure is found at the bottom left of the fortifcation and is shown in the photographs below for context:
Temple Bridge 1
A 3D-rendered image of a traditional Chinese-style wooden bridge and building, extending over a body of water. The dark tiled roof features ornate, curved eaves, and the wooden railings and pillars are intricately detailed. The background showcases a mountainous landscape under a dim, atmospheric light.
Text:
“12/2”
“Media Design & Art Ltd.”
NOTE: The “Temple Bridge” depicted in the above 3D Render could interestingly also be part of the previously mentioned real world “Hanging Temple”. There is a bridge which allows people access across the river towards the Hanging Temple area.
Temple Bridge 2
A detailed 3D-rendered image of a traditional Chinese-style building, possibly a temple or castle, set against a dark evening or nighttime sky. The structure features layered tiled roofs with curved eaves, wooden pillars, and intricate railings. The lighting casts shadows, enhancing the depth of the scene.
Text:
“12/2”
“Media Design & Art Ltd.”
Inside Temple 1
A 3D-rendered image of a dimly lit, traditional Chinese-style interior with red wooden columns and intricate ceiling decorations. The space appears to be a grand hall with a second-floor balcony and ornate railings. Wide stone steps lead to an entrance with a candle glowing on a stand. A simplistic blue humanoid figure stands near the doorway, likely a placeholder for scale.
Inside Temple 2
A 3D-rendered image of a Chinese-style architectural interior, featuring large red wooden columns and an ornate railing with traditional geometric patterns. The perspective is from an upper balcony, overlooking the dimly lit lower level with additional columns and railings. Candles on stands below cast a soft glow.
Inside Temple 3
A dimly lit interior of a Chinese-style architectural structure with multiple red wooden columns supporting an upper balcony. The balcony has geometric-patterned railings. A staircase with red railings leads to the upper level. The ceiling features circular decorative patterns. Shadows obscure some details due to the lighting conditions.
Text:
“TYPE B”
“Media Design & Art Ltd.”
NOTE: The Cliff Temple was also shown as part of the Chapter 7 artwork that Yu Suzuki shared during the 2014 GDC Shenmue Post Mortem. This image is shown below for context:
Stone Warriors 1
Two 3D-rendered images of a stone warrior statue in a dynamic pose, set on a rocky base against a dark background.
Stone Warriors 2
Two 3D-rendered images of a stone warrior statue in a dynamic pose, set on a rocky base against a dark background.
Dragon Objects
Two views of a blue, serpentine dragon with spiked ridges, clawed limbs, and a long, twisting body. The dragon’s head has an exaggerated open mouth, large circular eyes, and intricate decorative patterns.
Text:
“TAKASHI ITOH”
“Media Design & Art Ltd.”
Various Temple Objects 1
A collection of 3D-rendered objects, including a potted plant, a vase with flowers, an ornate jade ornament, two carved stone reliefs, a red lacquered wooden table with decorative carvings, and a brass incense burner with lit incense sticks.
Text:
Takashi Itoh
Media Design & Art Ltd.
Various Temple Objects 2
Four objects against a black background. A golden vase with flowers, a layered metal sculpture with a face, a segmented gold-red pole, and a red-gold Chinese lantern stand.
Various Temple Objects 3
A collection of Chinese-style ceremonial and religious objects. Includes a large hanging lantern with red tassels, multiple incense burners of different shapes, a bronze cauldron, a metal plaque with intricate carvings, and a rectangular altar or offering table.
Text:
“Takashi Itoh”
“Media Design & Art Ltd.”
Shenhua & The Great Wall
Shenhua – Profile (Design Order Sheet)
Description:
VF RPG Design Order Sheet
Request Date: June 6, 1996
Original Concept: Makoto Goya (呉屋 真)
Requester: Nobukatsu Hiranoya (平野谷 信勝)
Creator: Eigo Kasahara (笠原 英伍)
Chapter 5 – Guilin: All Areas
Character Name: Lao Shenhua (羅 星花)
No.: 04
<Order Details>
• Name: Lo Shenhua (ラオ シンファ)
• Gender: Female (typically has a “blank” facial expression)
• Blood Type: B
• Date of Birth: January 30, 1970. 17 years old ( Akira is 19 at this time)
• Height/Weight: 155cm / 43kg
• Clothing: Ethnic attire as created by Miyawaki? (Includes a hat, a thin scarf-like ethnic-style item, slightly frayed pinafore skirt, trousers, shoes – refer to illustrations).
• Appearance Location: Throughout Guilin
• Frequency of Appearance: Heroine
• Relationship with Akira: Love interest?
• Required Facial Expressions: Joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, as well as pain and terror. (Refer to scenario details; further to be added as scenarios progress.)
• Required Movements: Refer to scenario; additional animations will be added in scenario updates.
<Personality>
• Has a pure and innocent heart.
• Has a selfless kindness that leads her to act without hesitation for the sake of what’s important.
• Lacks a sense of caution towards others.
• Due to her upbringing in a secluded rural village, she is naive and unaware of the outside world. As a result, she sometimes causes trouble for Akira by misunderstanding situations.
• Shenhua inherits the bloodline of a family from the elite Manchu Eight Banners – an imperial military force directly serving the emperor – particularly known for their mastery of qi (mystical energy).
• She is a descendant of the legendary martial artist Lao Shu Xing (羅枢星), who was known as the “Lightning Hero”, and has an innate ability to sense and manipulate qi.
<Other>
• Has no interest in makeup.
• Can cook but her dishes are hit-or-miss.
<Notes>
• Appears starting from Chapter 5. Full appearance from Chapter 5 onward (planned).
• At her first appearance, she is 155cm tall and weighs 43kg, but eventually grows to 165cm tall and weighs 49kg. (The model is expected to change at least twice during the story.)
• Her outfit will change as the chapters progress (with each chapter, after Mengcun).
(Signatures and stamps at the bottom indicate approvals and submission details.)
NOTE: The following artworks will be familar to Shenmue fans who are familar with the Project Berkley footage, which served as an original tease back in 1998, included with Virtua Fighter 3:TB for the SEGA Dreamcast. This disc showed a series of CGI footage of events that depict scenes potentially later in the Shenmue series. Here is the video for context:
Shenhua Crying
A sketch of Shenhua in a distressed state, crying with tears streaming down her face.
Shenhua Explosion
A dynamic sketch of Shenhua in a defensive stance, with her cap flying off behind her and dress flaring out. Her expression is intense and focused, with hands outstretched in front of her, fingers spread wide.
Shenhua & Ryo (Akira) Walking – VFRPG Sketch
A black-and-white sketch depicting Shenhua and Akira walking along a wide path through a mountainous landscape with grass and rolling hills. Shenhua appears to be scolding Akira, who looks taken aback. In the distance is an outline of what may be the Great Wall, suggesting the possibility that the two are themselves may be walking along a section of the wall.
At the bottom right is a date “3/30” and the signature of Miyawaki (宮脇)
Text:
“VF RPG”
“山中の二人旅 ” – “Two travelers in the mountains”
NOTE: In the previous artwork, in the distance a Great Wall shape is visable. The Great Wall is of importance as our trio of characters, Ryo, Shenhua and Ren are seen traversing it at the very end of Shenmue 3, seemingly en-route to the Cliff Temple as mentioned earlier. Below you can find this cutscene for context:
Shenhua on the Great Wall – Sketch
A sketch of Shenhua walking along what appears to be the Great Wall of China. She is wearing a cap and scarf, with her garments and several large leaves being swept by the wind. Shenhua’s expression shows curiosity or wonder as she gazes upward.
Xiuying & Ziming Hong
Xiuying Child – Illustration
A character design of young Xiuying in traditional Chinese clothing. She wears a long-sleeved, light green Chinese outfit with black accents and sneakers.
Xiuying & Ziming as Children – Illustration
A sketch of Ziming and Xiuying as children. Xiuying sits on the ground in traditional clothing, while Ziming stands behind her. A rural setting with a stone wall and a house in the background.
Xiuying & Ziming as Children – Illustration 2
A colored sketch of Ziming and Xiuying as children. Ziming leans against a wall with his arm resting above Xiuying. The background features a peaceful outdoor setting with trees, a blue sky, and a traditional building structure. This image was seen as the early version for the photograph which Xiuying drops whilst crying during the cutscene in Shenmue 2 in the Game Jam Beta Prototype version of the game (images show below for reference).
Taken from: https://shenmue2gamejam.wordpress.com/
The Niao Sun section of artworks here is a combination of both 2D artwork and 3D renders. The 2D artwork offers a fascinating glimpse into the design stage of her character, with various different clothing options drawn (including the original dress seen in Shenmue 3). We also get to see concept artwork of her alter ego Li Feng, before an assortment of 3D renders, portraying her beauty and seductive nature. Her name in these documents is “Suzaku” – [This is the Japanese pronunciation. Meaning: Vermillion Bird].
Li Feng / Niao Sun
Li Feng (Suzaku) – Profile (Character Order Sheet)
Description:
VF-RPG Character Order Sheet
Request Date: September 18, 1997
Original Concept: Makoto Goya (呉屋 真)
Requester: Nobukatsu Hiranoya (平野谷 信勝)
Creator: Eigo Kasahara (笠原 英伍)
Character Name: Li Feng (Suzaku) / 麗峰 (朱雀)
Chapter: Guilin
Character Number: No. 5 – 12-B
Location Description: All areas of Tàlín Temple (塔林寺)
<Order Details>
Name: Suzaku / Li Feng Version
Gender: Female (She becomes a woman with a serious personality, in contrast to when she is Suzaku)
Blood Type: B
Date of Birth: 1961.02.18 (24 years old; at this time, Akira is 17)
Height/Weight: 168 cm / 49 kg
Clothing: Ethnic outfit (see illustration for reference)
Appearance Location: Throughout Chapter 7 (At the end of the chapter, she reverts to Suzaku, revealing her true form). She also appears in the following chapters, but stays as Suzaku.
Connection to Akira: Enemy (one of the Four Heavenly Leaders of the Five Heavenly Stars).
Required Facial Expressions: Refer to the scenario.
Required Movements: Refer to the scenario; additional motions may be added later.
<Personality>
Omitted (same personality as Suzaku).
<Other>
Disguises herself as the woman named Li Feng to approach Akira and uncover the mystery of the Phoenix mirror. She pretends that she is also being targeted by the Five Heavenly Stars herself.
<Notes>
The opposite of when she is Suzaku (including a different tone of voice).
Li Feng – Early Full Body Illustration
An earlier color illustration of Li Feng, wearing a cream-colored tunic with purple decorative patterns along the sleeves and hem, a blue sash tied at the waist, and loose-fitting brown pants. She is posed with one hand gesturing outward.
Li Feng – More Detailed Full Body Illustration
A color illustration of a female character named Li Feng. She wears a beige tunic with purple patterned trim, a blue sash tied around her waist, and red pants. Sketches of her hairstyle and the back view of her outfit are also included.
Text:
麗峰 — “Li Feng”
Niao Sun / Li Feng – Headshot Illustration
A color illustration of Niao Sun / Li Feng’s face in both front and side views. She has long, flowing dark hair styled partially loose with a ponytail tied at the back.
Niao Sun with Hat Off – Illustration
A character illustration of Niao Sun wearing a flowing red Chinese-style robe with phoenix patterns and gold trim. The dress has wide sleeves with a blue sash around her waist. She holds a red hat in one hand and wears blue shoes with crisscrossed straps.
Niao Sun with Hat On – Illustration
Concept art of Niao Sun wearing a red and gold ornate robe with intricate phoenix patterns, and a red wide-brimmed hat. She is posed with one leg crossed over the other.
Niao Sun Alternative Outfit – Illustration
A color illustration of Niao Sun wearing a striking red Chinese dress with golden phoenix embroidery. The dress features a high slit on one side. She has long, flowing black hair and a commanding expression with her arms crossed. She is also wearing golden shoes.
Niao Sun Alternative Outfit – Illustrative Design Notes
A color illustration of Niao Sun (labelled here as “Suzaku”) in a red Chinese-style dress with gold phoenix patterns. She is shown from the back, with her hair flowing and her right hand extended outward in a red glove. An inset design shows a detailed gold phoenix emblem against a black background.
Text:
朱雀 うしろ 姿。 – “Suzaku rear view.”
金糸の鳳凰のもよう。 – “Gold-threaded phoenix pattern.”
Niao Sun Alternative Outfit – Phoenix Close Up
A color illustration of a red fabric swatch featuring a golden embroidered phoenix surrounded by intricate swirling patterns.
Niao Sun – Sketch
A pencil sketch of Niao Sun wearing a decorative headpiece with circular gems and a sleeveless, form-fitting dress with a high collar and has an emblem on her chest featuring a circular design with radiating lines. Her left hand is placed on her hip.
Niao Sun Shouting – Sketch
A pencil sketch of Niao Sun wearing a sleeveless top with a distinctive circular emblem on her chest featuring radiating lines. Her left arm is raised dramatically, and she appears to be shouting.
Text:
さよ～なら～～っ – “Goodbye~~!”
Li Feng – 3D Model Render
A 3D character model of Li Feng, shown from multiple angles including front, side, and rear views. She is wearing a green tunic with patterned trim, a blue sash tied around her waist, and red pants.
Niao Sun – 3D Model Render
A 3D model reference sheet for Suzaku, showing her in a red Chinese-style dress with gold phoenix patterns and green shoes. The model is displayed from multiple angles, including front, side, and back views. Close-up shots highlight her face, hairstyle, and forehead jewels.
Text:
SUZ 朱雀 –
“Suzaku” [This is the Japanese pronunciation. Meaning: Vermillion Bird]
作成 伊藤幸司 – “Created by Takashi Ito”
Zhu Yuanda’s Triplets
Triplets – Character Order Sheet
Description:
VF・RPG Character Order Sheet
Date Requested: 7 July 1996
Original Concept: Makoto Goya (呉屋 真)
Requester: Nobukatsu Hiranoya (平野谷 信勝)
Creator: Eigo Kasahara (笠原 英伍)
Chapter 2: Hong Kong City Area (Zhu Yuan Da’s house), Kowloon
Character Name: Triplets (3 people as one set)
No. 07
<Order Details>
• Name: Triplets
• Gender: Female (expressionless)
• Blood Type: B (same for all)
• Date of Birth: April 24, 1973 (10 years old)
• Height/Weight: 145cm / 30kg
• Clothing: Red Chinese dress
• Appearance Locations: Zhu Yuan Da’s house in Hong Kong (room), Kowloon (help Akira and Fei)
• Appearance Frequency: Minor characters (they reappear at Zhu Yuan Da’s hideaway later)
• Relationship with Akira: friends (at this point, Akira does not realize they are friends)
• Expressions Required: Expressionless (refer to scenario)
• Motions Required: refer to scenario; additional motions to be added as the scenario progresses
<Personality>
• Do not express anger or frustration.
• Do not speak much, and when they do, it is in a business-like manner and without emotion.
• No known close connections with others, but absolute obedience to Zhu Yuan Da’s orders.
<Other>
• Zhu Yuan Da’s triplet “nieces”. However, it’s uncertain as to whether they really have blood ties.
• They have no parents, and live with Zhu Yuan Da.
• They receive education from Zhu Yuan Da. They do not attend a school or educational institution.
• They possess extraordinary physical coordination (on par with an Chinese acrobatic troupe).
• Each of the three uses a different concealed weapon.
• Their coordinated three-person attack is difficult for ordinary martial artists to defend against.
< Notes>
• The model is shared among the three members (only one model type is needed; clothing is the same).
• Appears in Chapter 2 and later in the Shanghai scene (the chapter where Zhu Yuan Da appears).
NOTE: The triplets were first revealed to us during Yu Suzuki’s 2014 GDC Shenmue Postmortem, where he shared images of all 11 of Shenmue’s original chapter structure, when the series was known as Virtua Fighter RPG. Chapter 4, which was originally known as Shanghai shows the triples stood surrounding Yuanda Zhu’s wheelchair as shown below:
Triplets – Character Sketch
Character design sketches of one of the triplets. She has hair styled in two buns with floral hair accessories, drawn from multiple angles. She is wearing a traditional Chinese-style dress.
Text:
赤い服 — “Red outfit”
神出鬼没的な三つ子。 — “A mysterious and elusive triplet.”
Triplets – Character Head Reference Sheet
A character reference sheet featuring a young girl (one of the triplets) with two symmetrical hair buns. The character’s hair is parted down the middle with a straight fringe and small earrings. The sheet shows front, side, and back views.
Text:
12才 — age 12
Triplets – Character Expression Sheet
A character expression sheet featuring a young girl with two symmetrical hair buns and blunt bangs. The sheet presents four facial expressions: a joyful smile with closed eyes, a subtle smile with relaxed eyes, a downward gaze with a gentle smile, and a cheerful grin with closed eyes.
Text:
にっこり — “Smiling”
Triplets – Character Design (Full Colour)
A colored character design of one of the triplets, dressed in a traditional red Chinese outfit with gold details, standing with her hands together in a formal pose. Her hair is styled in two buns. A small sketch of a bow is also present on the right side.
Text:
130くらい？ – “About 130?” (Height)
色白 – “Pale complexion”
Triplets – Side Profile Sketch
A side profile sketch of one of the triplets, wearing a traditional Chinese outfit. Her arms are tucked inside her sleeves, and her hair is styled in a bun with detailed hair texture.
Triplets – Rear View Sketch
A back view sketch of one of the triplets, wearing a traditional Chinese outfit.
Triplets in Town
A busy urban street scene with warm yellow tones, featuring narrow alleys, wooden balconies, and various townspeople engaged in daily activities. Three girls in red, likely the triplets, are visible in the foreground and among the crowd.
Triplets – Character Model 3D Render
A 3D character model of one of the triplets wearing a red traditional Chinese outfit with gold trim. The character is shown in various angles: front, side, and back, with close-ups highlighting her neutral expression, a straight fringe, and hair styled in two buns.
Triplets – Character Model 3D Render 2
A 3D character model of one of the triplets at age 14, wearing a red traditional Chinese outfit with gold trim. The character is shown in multiple views: front, side, back, and close-ups featuring a neutral expression, a subtle smile, and closed eyes.
Text:
朱元達の三つ子 14歳時 — “Zhu Yuan Da’s Triplets at Age 14”
作成 mda 伊藤孝司 — “Created by mda Takashi Ito”
Triplets – Head 3D Render
A 3D character model of one of the triplets at age 10, wearing a red traditional Chinese outfit with gold trim. The model is shown with various facial expressions, including a smile, a pained grimace, and a neutral face, with views from multiple angles.
Text:
朱元達の三つ子 10歳時 — “Zhu Yuan Da’s Triplets at Age 10”
作成 伊藤孝司 — “Created by Takashi Ito”
Triplets – Cangzou Iron Lion 3D Render
A 3D-rendered scene of one of the triplets in a red traditional Chinese outfit sitting on a stone ledge, leaning against the Iron Lion of Cangzhou, with a cloudy blue sky in the background.
NOTE: The above render shows a familar sight to Shenmue fans, as this is the famous Iron Lion of Cangzou, a location first referenced at the start of Shenmue, as Lan Di mentions “Mengcun” which is located in Cangzou, and also again during Yu Suzuki’s 2014 GDC Shenmue Post Mortem, where he shared all 11 chapter artworks, with Cangzou is chapter 8. Below is this chapter image for context:
Triplets – Tree Courtyard 3D Render
Three identical girls in red traditional Chinese outfits with gold trim are shown walking through a courtyard lined with trees. Each one is raising her hand to her forehead in an identical gesture. The background features traditional Chinese architecture.
Text:
朱元達の三つ子 イメージ画像 – Zhu Yuan Da’s Triplets Image
作成 伊藤孝司 – Created by Takashi Ito
Liu Shengguo
Liu Shengguo – Character Order Sheet
Description:
VFRPG Character Order Sheet
Request Date: October 13, 1997
Original Concept: 田村 美香 (Mika Tamura)
Requester: 中込 博之 (Hiroyuki Nakagomi)
Creator: 宮脇 謙史 (Kenji Miyawaki)
Chapter: Hakka 客家
Character Name: 劉勝国 (Liu Shengguo) / Ryū Shōkoku [Japanese pronunciation]
No.: 4-22
<Order Details>
• Name: Liu Shengguo (劉勝国) – Ryū Shōkoku [Japanese pronunciation]
• Gender: Male
• Blood Type: A
• Date of Birth: February 12, 1924 (62 years old)
• Height/Weight: 165 cm / 62 kg
• Clothing: Chinese-style clothing and cap, Glasses (Refer to illustration)
• Appearance Location: Hakka
• Appearance Frequency: Only in Hakka (may reappear during training scenes)
• Relationship with Akira: Bājíquán master
• Required Facial Expressions: Refer to scenario
• Required Actions: Refer to scenario
<Personality>
• Warm-hearted, family-oriented
• Benevolent
• Can be strict when necessary to teach valuable lessons
<Other>
• One of the Bājíquán masters.
• Does not use force unnecessarily
Note: “Hakka” is an unusual name for a chapter but refers to the Hakka people. While Bailu Village is pronounced “Hakkason” in Japanese, the kanji used is different:
- 白鹿 (hakka) — meaning Bailu (white deer)
- 客家 (hakka) — referring to the Hakka people
Given the chapter order “4-22,” it’s possible this refers to a character from a subsection of Chapter 4. Perhaps Hakka was originally intended to be an area in Chapter 4. The Hakka people are known to live in Tulou buildings, which were once speculated to appear in Shenmue III’s removed Baisha region. This could suggest that Baisha was initially planned to be part of Chapter 4.
According to the original VF RPG chapter artwork, Chapter 4 is depicted as taking place in Shanghai — though this doesn’t quite align with later materials. However, in the series of Blue Scripts shown by Yu Suzuki, Chapter 4 was referred to as Guilin. This makes more sense, as the entirety of Shenmue III is set in Guilin — specifically in Bailu and Niaowu.
Since Baisha was meant to follow Niaowu, it’s reasonable to think that it, too, was considered part of the Guilin region in the original plan.
Liu Shengguo – Character Illustration
A color illustration of Liu Shengguo, depicted as an elderly man wearing a beige Chinese-style jacket with four pockets, a matching cap, and round glasses. He is also wearing brown trousers and simple black shoes. His hands are held behind his back.
Text:
劉勝国 – “Liu Shengguo”
Liu Shengguo – Head Illustration
A color illustration of Liu Shengguo, showing a close-up of his face wearing a cap and glasses with a warm smile. To the left is a sketch of the same character’s lower face, emphasizing the collar of his traditional Chinese-style jacket.
Liu Shengguo – 3D Model Render
A 3D model render of Liu Shengguo in a green Chinese-style jacket and cap, shown in multiple angles for character reference. The lower section features close-ups of his face with glasses and cap from various angles.
Text:
劉勝国 — “Liu Shengguo”
作成 伊藤孝司 — “Created by Takashi Ito”
Other Characters
Three Colour Artworks
A set of three character sketches in different colors. The green sketch depicts a female martial artist in a dynamic pose with a high ponytail. The red sketch shows a rough-looking bearded man with a sinister grin. The blue sketch portrays a woman with her hair in buns, eyes closed, and hands pressed together in a prayer-like gesture. In the top right corner, there is a scribbled note or signature, possibly containing a “Y,” which appears to be crossed out.
Four Major Females
Four character illustrations.
Top left: Xiuying in a blue dress with arms crossed.
Top right: Shenhua with hands clasped to her chest.
Bottom left: Niao Sun in a red qipao with gold phoenix embroidery and red gloves.
Bottom right: The character of Mao in a green winter outfit with fur trim, a white hat, and red accents, arms outstretched.
NOTE: The man in the Green Gi outfit was also shown during the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter trailer on one of the billboards surrounding Yu Suzuki in Shibuya. This image is shown below for context:
Hu Hao
Hu Hao – From Shenmusings.com: https://shenmusings.wordpress.com/2025/02/04/previously-unseen-shenmue-character-renders-analysis-including-a-possible-shenmue-iv-character/
Switch has noted that this character’s name has been seen before – in the art booklet given to attendees of the Shenmue Premiere event, there is a map of Suzhou, an as yet unvisited location in the saga – and one of the locations noted on the map is ‘Hu Hao’s House’! As Suzhou has been confirmed as Ryo’s next destination by Yu Suzuki, this may well be a model of a character we will (hopefully) see in an eventual Shenmue IV!
