Ryu (Breath of Fire)

Ryu リュウ Ryuu (Dragon)
Portrait
Sprite
Type												Playable Character
Home												Dragnier
Occupation												Wanderer
Height												160 cm (5'3")
Weight												52 kg (114.6 lbs)
Weapon												Sword
I				II				III				IV				V				VI

Ryu is a playable character in Breath of Fire, and serves as the game's primary protagonist. He is a member of the Light Dragon Clan, and lives in the village of Dragnier with his older sister Sara.

Personality

In-game, Ryu is mostly a blank slate, the traits he mainly displays are bravery, compassion, and concern for his sister. Though he is completely silent in the Japanese version, the English translation gave him a small handful of lines.

However, Breath of Fire: Official Complete Works reveals more details about Ryu. The villager elder tried to teach him the virtues of swordsmanship, but Ryu preferred to avoid his training and sneak away to go fishing instead. Additionally, he was a bit of a troublemaker, but knew better than to cross his older sister, Sara.

In the manga adaption, Breath of Fire: The Dragon Warrior, Ryu is portrayed as a hotblooded individual who means well, but often leaps before he thinks. He admires his older sister Sara, and even sees a bit of her in Nina, his first ally whom he slowly grows fond of. He's also shown to be easily swayed by beautiful woman, quickly trusting Bleu (who was in disguise at the time) despite telling his allies earlier to be wary of people they come across. That being said, he is shown getting flustered when Bleu leans up behind him and begins to flirt.

In Breath of Fire: Princess of the Wings, Ryu is shown to be much more mature, working hard to help rebuild Dragnier. His feelings for Nina are shown more clearly, as he writes a letter to her and admits that seeing her smiling face energizes him. Additionally, when Nina is badly injured, he drinks the potion meant for her and kisses her on the lips to administer it without any sort of hesitation.

Role throughout the series

In Breath of Fire

Having lost his parents at a young age, Ryu has spent most of his life living in Dragnier under the care of his older sister, Sara. One day, the Dark Dragon Clan, led by their lieutenant Jade, began a brutal assault on the village, as they wished to eliminate their only threat: the Light Dragon Clan, unaware that the Light Dragons had sealed away their powers long ago. Ryu, alongside the other villagers, wished to fight back, but Sara stops them by temporarily transforming them into stone in order to protect them from the fire, before she heads off to face the Dark Dragons alone. Some time later, Sara's spell wears off, and Ryu realizes his sister's been captured. He then decides to embark on a journey to Scande, home of the Dark Dragons, to find and rescue her.

During his adventure, Ryu soon discovers that his sister's kidnapping plays a part in a larger scheme by the Dark Dragon's emperor, Zog, who plans on acquiring the six Goddess Keys in order to unleash the Goddess Tyr and use her powers for his own selfish desires. Thus, Ryu also makes it his mission to stop them before they can do so. Along the way, Ryu meets many allies who aid him on his quest.

As a member of the Light Dragon Clan, Ryu naturally possesses the ability to transform into elemental dragons, though his powers of transformation are sealed during the first part of the game. It isn't until he visits the Dragon Temples that his powers slowly get unsealed. Further in the game, Ryu is able to fuse with his fellow party members to become the ultimate dragons: Rudra and Agni.

Upon defeating Zog, Ryu and his allies would fall through the Dark Dragon tower into the dungeon, where he would finally reunite with his sister. Sara asks Ryu to give her the Goddess Keys so she can destroy them, and Ryu does so without question. Unknown to everyone, this is a trick, as Sara has been brainwashed by Jade at some point after her kidnapping. Upon receiving the keys, she flees with Jade to use them to release Tyr.

In Pagoda, Jade had erected a powerful barrier to impede the heroes, only for Sara to arrive and shatter the barrier, having managed to break free from his control. However, it was only temporary, and she soon transforms into a dragon and attacks the party, forcing Ryu to fight and kill her. Before she passes away, she urges him not to grieve, as he had managed to free her by doing so.

Arriving at the Obelisk, Ryu and his party would storm the flying fortress, where they would manage to defeat Jade and the last of his minions before confronting Tyr herself. After a brief battle, the Goddess would attempt to trick the heroes by claiming she means well and wants to be their friend. Before anyone can reply. Sara's spirit shows up and urges her brother to use the power of Agni to reveal Tyr's true form. If Ryu doesn't do so, or if he hasn't learned Agni by that point, he and his allies continue to fight the Goddess and defeat her. They leave the Obelisk, assuming they won, only for the end credits to reveal Tyr had survived.

If Ryu has learned Agni, he follows his sister's advice and uses it to expose Tyr's true form, engaging in a difficult final battle until he and his friends manage to triumph over the mad Goddess. Back at Wyndia, Sara would congratulate Ryu and his comrades on what they accomplished before she departs to heaven once more. Afterwards, Ryu would revisit most of the areas he had visited on his journey, where his allies and friends return to their normal lives. After escorting Nina back home to Wyndia, Ryu would begin his trek back to Dragnier. As the sun began to set, Ryu would see the visage of his sister, smiling upon him at what he had accomplished.

In Breath of Fire II

Though Ryu doesn't make an appearance in this game (barring another individual who shares his name), Breath of Fire II does make a vague mention of him. The original Nina makes an appearance in this game as the Guardian, and reveals to her descendant (also named Nina) that the Wing Clan lost their ability to transform into birds because she fell in love with man from another tribe, thereby weakening the ancestral powers of her own tribe. This man is heavily implied to be Ryu.

In Breath of Fire III

Ryu makes a brief cameo in a mural that is shown in Dragnier as the game's Ryu and his comrades explore the place. The mural shows up again as the Dragon Elder Jono tells the party about the history between the Dragon Clan and Myria.

In Breath of Fire VI: Hakuryuu no Shugosha-tachi

Though Ryu doesn't show up in the game personally, the player was able to acquire an outfit to make their male avatar resemble him during a special event.

Abilities

Ryu can equip fishing rods, which allow him to trigger a fishing mini-game at a number of ponds situated throughout the world map. There are five different rods available throughout the game, and using better rods will result in gaining better items and fish. Additionally, the pieces of Dragon Equipment needed to undertake the Dragon Trials can only be obtained through fishing with the game's best rod.

Battle

Ryu is a powerful frontline fighter who uses his swords to deal high damage to the enemies. His stats are well-rounded and he has good speed, meaning the weight of equipment will have a dramatic effect on when his turn in combat will come. Ryu can also utilize the powerful Boomerang weapons that allow him to to deal damage to whole groups of enemies, making him very useful in crowd control, as well as helping to conserve resources like items and AP.

Ryu also has access to the powerful Dragon forms which deal tremendous damage, making him one of the best damage dealers in the party.

Dragon Transformations

By traveling to the various Dragon Clan temples and bringing proof of his worthiness in the form of the dragon equipment, Ryu can undertake trials to earn the power to transform into his clans true form. Ryu can transform into nine different dragon forms, largely elemental forms, but also Kaiser and Agni forms. Dragon forms each cost a set amount of AP to transform, they completely restore Ryu's HP and each do a set amount of damage unless exploiting an elemental weakness or landing a critical blow. Ryu remains in these forms until either the player chooses to revert his form, Ryu is killed in combat, or the battle is ended. Agni is unique among the forms because it is considered a fusion and will only work if the whole party is available (i.e. not in a Karn fusion, dead, or afflicted with any other negative status condition) and it will take the place of the whole party and give Ryu a huge HP boost.

Dragon Form Name	AP Cost	Description
Snow Drake	7 AP	100 Ice Damage to single target
Flame Drake	10 AP	115 Fire damage to single target
Thunder Drake	12 AP	130 Electric damage to single target
Ice Dragon	20 AP	190 Ice damage to all enemies
Fire Dragon	27 AP	210 Fire damage to all enemies
Bolt Dragon	30 AP	225 Electric damage to all enemies
Gold Dragon (Holy Dragon)	40 AP	375 Holy damage to all undead enemies
Rudra (Kaiser)	50 AP	320 damage to all enemies
Agni (Infinity)	60 AP	999 damage to all enemies

Equipment

Weapons	Attack	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
Dirk たんけん	5	1	50	—	Starting equipment for Ryu Shop in Drogen
Sabre やまがたな	8	2	400	—	Shops in Drogen, Winlan, Romero, Tantar
BronzSD せいどうのけん	12	3	700	—	Treasure chest in Camlon Castle Shop in Winlan
Foil (Rang) セイバー	18	2	—	Attacks all enemies	Treasure chest in Karma underground
PoisonRP ポイズンレイピア	20	5	3000	—	Shops in Prima (3300), Tunlan (2700, 3300)
Scythe そりみのけん	20	3	1200	—	Shop in Tantar
LongSD ロングソード	26	4	2500	—	Shops in Nanai before getting E.Key (2250), Auria (2750) Treasure chest in Dark D. Fort
BroadSD ブロードソード	34	5	5000	—	Shops in Auria (5500), Bleak, Prima
BrokenSD おれたけん	42	14	100	—	Treasure chest in Winlan castle locked room
Sickle みかづきとう	50	6	6500	—	Shop in Prima
B.Rang ブーメラン	60	2	—	Attacks all enemies	Breakable rock in Krypt
PowerSD よろいくいのけん	62	8	8000	—	Shop in Prima (10400)
PowerRP ちょうのレイピア	82	0	30000	Casts Ag-Up when used	Flea market after using the Tonic
WingSD ウイングソード	96	8	10000	—	Shops in Gust, Spring
MystSD あしゅらのけん	100	3	40000	—	Treasure chest in Tock
DragonSD ドラゴンブレード	110	20	—	—	Fishing well west of Romero
FlameSD かえんのつるぎ	122	10	20000	Elemental: Fire	Shop in Carmen
DarkDR あんこくのナイフ	140	1	40000	—	Flea market after getting the Sphere but before using the Tonic
Tri-Rang スライサー	150	2	—	Attacks all enemies	Behind the Pagoda before it is raised
EmporSD こうていのつるぎ	255	1	—	Casts Char when used	Throne in the Obelisk

Shields	Defense	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
SuedeSH かわのたて	2	1	150	—	Shop in Nanai before getting E.Key (135) Treasure chest in Winlan castle Starting equipment for Sr-1, Sr-2, Sr-3, Ox, Bleu
WoodSH きのたて	5	2	300	—	Starting equipment for Ryu Shops in Drogen, Nanai before getting E.Key (270), Winlan
Bandage バンテージ	5	1	500	—	Treasure chest in Ramui Woods
BronzSH せいどうのたて	8	3	500	—	Shops in Romero, Tantar
Gauntlet こて	8	1	800	—	Treasure chest in Camlon Castle Shop in Tunlan (880)
Wrist リストバンド	10	2	700	—	Treasure chest in Lament Woods
IronSH てつのたて	12	4	1000	—	Treasure chests in Agua, Krypt
MetalSH はがねのたて	16	5	1400	—	Treasure chests in Dark Tower, Nabal Shop in Bleak
IcySH アイスシールド	30	5	4000	Reduces ice damage taken by 25%	Shop in Prima (5200)
GuardSH まもりのたて	32	10	10000	—	Treasure chest in Tock
ProSH クラブシールド	32	5	5000	—	Treasure chests in Wisdon (×2)
FlameSH フレイムシールド	38	8	12000	Reduces fire damage taken by 25%	Shop in Gust
MystSH ホーリィシールド	48	5	20000	—	Shop in Gust
LavaSH (FlameSH) ようがんのたて	52	5	50000	Reduces fire damage taken by 25%	Treasure chest in Agua behind locked door
MaskSH かめんのたて	65	8	20000	Reflects some magic damage	Flea market after using the Tonic
StarSH ほしのたて	70	2	29000	—	Digging patch southeast of Scande
DragonSH ドラゴンシールド	128	5	—	Reduces fire damage taken by 25%	Fishing well south of Gust

Armor	Defense	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
Cloth ぼろ	1	1	10	—	Shops in Drogen, Nanai before getting E.Key (9)
Robe ぬののマント	2	1	10	—	Starting equipment for Ryu
SuedeCP かわのマント	5	4	240	—	Shops in Drogen, Nanai before getting E.Key (216) Treasure chest in Camlon Castle
ArmPad かわのかたあて	8	2	300	—	Shop in Drogen Treasure chest in Gaia Temple before getting E.Key Starting equipment for Bo
SuedeGN かわのふく	10	6	500	—	Shop in Winlan Starting equipment for Sr-1, Sr-2, Sr-3, Karn Treasure chest in Aura Cave
PrisonCL しゅうじんふく	10	2	10	Fate +20	Prison cell in Auria
SuedeAR かわのよろい	14	7	750	—	Shop in Tantar
HuntCL マタギのふく	16	4	1500	—	Shops in Bleak, Tunlan (1650) Treasure chest in Krypt
ChainML くさりかたびら	20	2	2000	—	Shops in Winlan, Romero Treasure chest in Wisdon
PlateAR てつのむねあて	24	4	3400	—	Shop in Prima (3740)
SageML ゴージャスメイル	25	14	3000	—	Shop in Auria (3300)
BronzAR せいどうのよろい	25	9	3600	—	Shops in Bleak, Prima (3960) Starting equipment for Gobi, Ox, Mogu
IronML てつのよろい	27	9	5000	—	Shops in Prima (5500), Spring
ThiefCL シーフスーツ	30	4	2500	—	Treasure chest in Agua Shop in Tunlan (2750)
MetalAR はがねのよろい	39	10	9000	—	Flea market before getting the Sphere Shop in Gant (8100)
RangerVT レンジャーベスト	40	8	5000	—	Shops in Prima (5500), Tunlan (5500)
QuartzAR クォーツチェスト	50	9	10000	Reduces lightning damage taken by 25%	Shop in Spring
MystRB ソーサルコート	60	8	6000	—	Shop in Tunlan (5400)
WorldML アースメイル	75	11	22000	Reduces lightning damage taken by 25%	Shop in Gust
IcyAR ひょうがのよろい	80	10	26000	Reduces ice damage taken by 25%	Treasure chest in Tock
FlameAR マグマのよろい	82	10	28000	Reduces fire damage taken by 25%	Treasure chest in Spyre
EarthRB ははなるよろい	88	8	1000	Restores HP when struck by magic	Breakable slab west of Gust
DragonAR ドラゴンアーマー	110	0	—	—	Fishing pond in Spring
LifeAR いのちのよろい	115	8	30000	Restores HP each step	Dragon statue in Agua behind locked door

Helmets	Defense	Weight	Value	Notes	Locations
TideHT つなみのかぶと	0	0	1111	Protects from instant death attacks	Drawers in Prima inn
StrawHT むぎわらぼうし	2	1	200	—	Starting equipment for Ryu
Bandana バンダナ	5	1	400	—	Shops in Tantar, Prima
NiceHT きれいなぼうし	6	3	600	—	Treasure chest in Ease Cave Starting equipment for Karn Shop in Prima
SuedeHT かわのぼうし	6	3	200	—	Treasure chest in Winlan castle Starting equipment for Sr-1, Sr-2, Sr-3, Bo
Visor はちがね	6	2	800	—	Treasure chest in Camlon Castle Shops in Winlan, Tantar, Prima (880)
BronzHT せいどうのかぶと	10	4	1200	—	Treasure chests in Ease Cave, Stone Robot Shop in Romero Starting equipment for Gobi
Turban はでなバンダナ	11	1	2000	—	Treasure chests in Winlan castle locked room, Dark Tower
SunHT たいようのかぶと	12	8	2500	Reduces fire damage taken by 25%	Treasure chest in Agua Shop in Auria (2750)
GoldHT きんのぼうし	14	6	20000	—	Shop in Prima (26000)
HeadGear ヘッドギア	14	5	2800	—	Treasure chests in Krypt, Dreamland
ChainHT チェインヘルム	16	8	2500	—	Shop in Prima (2750)
IcyHT ひょうがのかぶと	16	6	1420	Reduces ice damage taken by 25%	Treasure chest in Krypt
SkullHT スカルフェイス	25	10	—	Doubles damage taken	Treasure chests in Krypt (×2)
EchoHT こだまのぼうし	28	3	2000	Reflects some magic damage	Treasure chest in Hidden Fort
IronHT てつかぶと	32	6	7000	—	Shop in Gant (6300)
FaceMask フルフェイス	35	6	6000	—	Shop in Prima (7800) Treasure chest in Dreamland tower
GaiaMask ガイアのめん	36	4	8000	—	Shops in Gust, Spring
HornHT つのかぶと	37	6	5000	—	Treasure chest in Dark Tower Shop in Prima (6500)
AgileHT スピードのかぶと	42	1	5500	—	Flea market after getting the Sphere but before using the Tonic Treasure chest in Tock Digging patch southeast of Scande
CursedHT のろいのかぶと	62	20	100	—	Treasure chest in Dreamland tower
DragonHT ドラゴンヘルム	80	1	—	—	Fishing well southwest of Arad

Etymology

Originally, the character did not possess a name. The manual for the Super Famicom game refers to him as "主人公" (which literally means "Main Character"). Meanwhile, the manual for the SNES game simply calls him "The Hero," though in-game screenshots give him the name "JEFF." The game's manga adaption was the first instance of him being called "Ryu," and future re-releases of the game, as well as subsequent official series material, would follow suit. A notable exception to this is the English language release of the Game Boy Advance version of the game, where the character's default name is "Zack." However, the instruction booklet packaged with that version still refers to him as "Ryu."

Gallery

SNES artwork

SNES artwork

GBA artwork

SNES overworld sprite.

SNES battle sprite (sword)

SNES battle sprite (boomerang)

SNES mugshot

Icon given out by Capcom for their 30th anniversary

Collectible Card from Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Group artwork with his other incarnations