Old theories of mine revisited

[Tomato Convenience Store]

A few years back, I posted a theory about the mirrors, treasure to revive the Qing dynasty, and what happened between Iwao Hazuki and Sunming Zhao. Unfortunately that topic was lost, but I still memorized it for the most part and after recently finishing Shenmue II I would like to revisit the theory. There were a couple of details from that original post that I don’t quite remember, which basically tied in to some of the research other members have done so feel free to correct me on anything.

Treasure to revive the Qing dynasty

I believe the treasure to revive the Qing dynasty is a powerful, long lost martial art. The only way a dynasty is able to rule and expand is by having a strong military power. Also, the reason the Qing dynasty ended was because their weakened military power lost in the Chinese revolution of 1911. I can’t see how “treasure” in the more literal sense would be able to revive a dynasty.

Lan-Di and the Chiyoumen were looking to join the mirrors to resurrect Chi You, “the legendary Chinese monster that will devour this world of ours” (now this is getting more into my “forgotten from my original post and other research” territory). I remember reading past research here on the dojo, where Chi You is mentioned to be a “demon” (also as a Chinese war deity through some wiki info haha). Perhaps Chi You was in actuality a legendary martial arts master who’s skills surpassed those of any other man. His skills were so good that as his legend grew and his story was passed down, he was described as a “demon” since his skills were inhuman. By resurrecting Chi You, the Chiyoumen would really be resurrecting his martial arts style.

While the end of Shenmue II took on a more mystical and fantasy approach, I can’t see the series completely abandoning it’s “realistic” roots. I imagine the game will only dabble in the fantasy stuff, which is why I believe the “lost martial arts” theory makes more sense than the resurrection of a god or demon. Also, even though Ryo greatly improved his martial arts skills by the end of Shenmue II, he’s still no match for Lan Di. I believe the only way for Ryo to vastly improve his skills in a short amount of time is to learn Chi You’s martial art.

Death of Zhao Sunming

Iwao and Zhao Sunming found the Phoenix and Dragon mirrors while training in Bailu Village. Perhaps they used the mirrors to find the treasure, the “lost martial art”. If we assume they did, what happened afterwards, and why did Zhao Sunming die?

I believe Sunming became corrupted somehow, and wanted to use the power for his own means (or maybe join the chiyoumen?). Iwao, however, tried to stop him. We might not know if Iwao did in fact kill Sunming or not, but looking at his last words at the beginning of Shenmue 1, I think it’s safe to say something happened to end their friendship. Maybe a decision Iwao made led to Sunming’s death, if he didn’t kill him himself.

Now, I imagine Sunming would have been able to bring part (but not all) of the treasure back with him. He was not able to learn the style before he died, but perhaps his son did, which is why Lan Di’s character description says “he is an expert of a legendary martial art, which was thought to have been lost and to exist only in fable.” After learning part of the martial art, he joins the Chiyoumen to complete what his father started, and learn the rest. The only way for Ryo to surpass Lan Di is to find the rest of the treasure before he does. However, perhaps Ryo already HAS part of that treasure…a Chinese scroll that he found in the Hazuki Dojo, brought back by Iwao.

Origins of the Phoenix and Dragon mirrors

This is something I’m still trying to figure out, and maybe there are some things that I overlooked that you guys can help me with. We found out from Shenhua that exiled nobles formed Bailu Village, the only place that has phantom river stone, and where the dragon and phoenix mirrors were created.

What we need to know is: When were they exiled? (just to get a timeline reference) Why were they exiled? Did they not agree with the ruling methods of the Qing dynasty (or earlier, again depending on when they were exiled)? Perhaps when they were exiled, they hid Chi You’s martial arts and created the mirrors, ensuring that they would not get into the wrong hands (or, at least, the ruling dynasties hands), and when the time came, someone deserving of the mirrors will come along (Ryo?) and claim the treasure with help from one of their own (Shenhua?). Perhaps by hiding Chi You's martial arts, the Qing dynasty was not able to continue building its military power, which is why it was overthrown.

Anyways, what do you guys think? Like I mentioned earlier, I believe this theory keeps Shenmue rooted in reality, offers a pretty good explanation on what may have happened between Iwao and Zhao Sunming, and can explain why Lan Di possesses a martial art that was thought to be extinct.

[Andy Hughes]

Nice theory's man Enjoyed reading it.

[Clint]

Yeah. Good read.

I agree with most things mentioned. I'm almost done finishing Shenmue II myself, so i'll be sure to add some of my own within the next couple of weeks.

This is one of the few positives we can take from the lack of future Shenmue games - we can still talk about where the series was heading and create our own theories.

I think it's fair to say that something fantasy-like will happen with the mirrors combined somewhere. Perhaps Bailu Village. Let's not forget the Dragon and Pheonix in the sky and the fact that the Phoenix Mirror's map represents the Big Dipper.

[Martin]

The thing is, Shenmue clearly isn't rooted in reality (the cut-scene with the candle in Ren's hideout at Kowloon, anyone?), so your theories are false.

[Terra Ryzing]

Shenmue was intended to have some science-fiction, fantasy elements to the story, this is clear by the end of SII. It is possible that at one point, you may even go back in time to visit the past. It's just too open ended right now to have any positive speculation. The only ones who know the rest of the story are Yu Suzuki (duh) and the rest of the SEGA AM-2 Japan team that designed the game from day 1. LOL, maybe Kiyuu can go visit Yu Suzuki and ask him. ;)

[Tomato Convenience Store]

The thing is, Shenmue clearly isn't rooted in reality (the cut-scene with the candle in Ren's hideout at Kowloon, anyone?), so your theories are false.

I mean, I still think there's going to be *some* "mystical, supernatural stuff" in the game but I also think the end of Shennmue II may have been exaggerated a bit to make it more "showy". We'll just have to see where it goes, obviously, but like I said I don't imagine the series will introduce some demons and monsters, but I could *maybe* buy someone being possessed or something along those lines.

Also, am I forgetting something or do you mean the cutscene where Zhu Yuanda uncovers the light pattern of the Phoenix mirror? I don't think that's anything that's totally unbelievable.

[sylentknyte]

I really enjoyed that. However the thing I disagree with is that I do think they were going to go into a more fantasy aproach. To me this trailer proves it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJsUhPT7MBk

[lavrentis]

I really enjoyed that. However the thing I disagree with is that I do think they were going to go into a more fantasy aproach. To me this trailer proves it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJsUhPT7MBk

I didn't read much into Shenmue Online but wasn't that different from the main Shenmue storyline? If so, I don't think this proves that Shenmue was going down the fantasy road, even if it was.

Maybe it would have gone down a fantasy approach but I have no doubt that it will be carefully balanced with the realistic base that Shenmue has which is why the big dipper over the Phoenix Mirror and the sword hovering fits so well into Shenmue 2.