Ninja Gaiden 4 Fans Have a Theory About Yakumo

With Ninja Gaiden 4 making its debut later this year, fans of the Koei Tecmo action series are discussing an intriguing theory relating to protagonist Yakumo’s lineage. The Ninja Gaiden series, known as Ninja Ryukenden in Japan, first debuted in arcades back in 1988 and has since produced over 20 titles under its IP. The franchise gained popularity during its NES era, thanks to its refined action, addictive music, and 8-bit graphics, and Ninja Gaiden 4 looks set to take the series to new heights once more.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is due to hit shelves on October 21, 2025, and this entry is helmed by Nioh developer Team Ninja and Platinum Games. Serving as the seventh main entry in the series and a direct sequel to 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3, this chapter will follow a new character named Yakumo, set in a near-future version of Tokyo. Ninja Gaiden 4 has already received an Xbox Game Pass release date, and one theory is filling in the waiting time nicely.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Collaboration Idea Credited Phil Spencer

Ninja Gaiden 4 Collaboration Idea Credited to Phil Spencer

Xbox head Phil Spencer is being credited for Ninja Gaiden 4’s developer collaboration, which offers great potential for the upcoming hack-and-slash.

Posted on Reddit, Acceptable_Deal_369, a question was shared on the Ninja Gaiden subreddit, asking if the community thinks Yakumo could be the son of Genshin. Genshin was known as the Ninja Warlord of the Black Spider Ninja Clan and the main rival of Ryu in the antagonist’s Ninja Gaiden 2 debut. Fans received a good look at Yakumo as the young protagonist during the sequel’s promotional footage, and there are several other details fans may have missed in the Ninja Gaiden 4 trailer.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Fans Discuss Theory Regarding Yakumo Being Genshin’s Son

With Yakumo in the spotlight this time around, alongside a confirmed playable role from past lead character Ryu Hayabusa, fans believe Ninja Gaiden 4 needs to balance its protagonists carefully. Regarding Yakumo’s father theory, Redditors noted both the Ninja Gaiden 4 character and Genshin were from different clans, but one fan reckoned Yakumo could have been kidnapped. Other fans wanted to know who the mother was, and one commenter thought Yakumo could be the descendant of the Dark Dragon, which would make him a mirror to Ryu. Lastly, several Redditors commented on Yakumo’s design, comparing the protagonist to a VTuber or a K-pop star.

With October still a long way away, Ninja Gaiden fans should mark a specific July date in their calendars. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a brand-new entry in the series from Blasphemous’ The Game Kitchen, which will offer fans of the franchise a vibrant side-scrolling adventure to sink their teeth into. Ryu returns as the protagonist, delivering high-octane action against a background of retro, pixel art visuals.