BEST HERO
Previous Winners
2016: Phoenix Wright (Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice)
2017: Protagonist (Persona 5)
2018: Kazuma Kiryu (Yakuza 6)
2019: Byleth (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
There were quite a few heroes to choose from this year. All of them were completely worthy choices, the type of guys who do what’s right and who anyone would look up to. Overall, though, who we found to be the best of the best, have all come from SEGA and Atlus titles this time around. Here at oprainfall we most definitely love the games they put out, and they certainly do create some fantastic and honorable heroes.
Takayuki Yagami (Lost Judgment)
NA Release Date: September 24th, 2021
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Review
Yagami is a former defense attorney who went up against an extremely tough Japanese justice system, a system which is famous for convicting 99% of defendants. Despite the significantly poor odds, he made it his mission to protect defendants who adamantly proclaimed their innocence. Now, running his own detective agency, he still helps people with their various troubles and ensures that true justice is served.
Nahobino (Shin Megami Tensei V)
NA Release Date: November 12th, 2021
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Review
Nahobino is the result of a fusion between Shin Megami Tensei V’s unnamed protagonist and Aogami, the proto-fiend. They become one body with two conscious personalities inside, working together. Nonetheless, Aogami is completely loyal to the protagonist and follows his lead. The protagonist was thrown into a world he doesn’t recognize, overtaken by demons. Unfazed by this, he does what needs to be done to help any innocent classmates he finds in trouble and follows the path he believes in.
Ichiban Kasuga (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
NA Release Date: March 2nd, 2021 (PS5)
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Review
Ichiban is a seemingly carefree guy who is kind and loves to help others. In the beginning, he honestly doesn’t seem at all like someone who should be in the yakuza. He likes to make sure no one is taken advantage of. However, in the end, he is ultimately the one taken advantage of and betrayed. Ichiban gets out of jail only to find that his boss, Arakawa, has turned his back on him. Regardless, Ichiban makes some new friends and remains the hero that he aspires to be, always wanting to help people out, especially his newfound friends.
And the winner is…
Takayuki Yagami!
Our pick for 2021’s best hero is Yagami. And who wouldn’t pick him? It turns out, not only is he a stubborn and damn good lawyer/detective, but he’s a halfway decent mentor for the youth as well. In Lost Judgment, Yagami takes on the roll of a volunteer club counselor so that he can go undercover at a Yokohama high school and get to the bottom of the latest mysterious case he ends up roped into. Along the way, he helps various students with their troubles and continues to be the hero that he is.
