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The Best Episodes of Shenmue the Animation Season 1

Every episode of Shenmue the Animation Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Shenmue the Animation Season 1!

Binge this in 5h 12m•Peaking at 9.0/10

After he witnesses his father’s murder at the family dojo, Ryo Hazuki dedicates his life to finding the man responsible — a mission that takes him from the streets of Yokosuka, Japan to the sprawling

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 1 - Thunderclap
    8.3/10(121 votes)

    #1 - Thunderclap

    S1:E1

    In Yokosuka, 1986, Ryo Hazuki, the only legitimate heir of the Hazuki Dojo, spends his days training under his strict father Iwao. One day, he returns and witnesses a mysterious man called Lan Di attacking the Dojo.

    Director:Chikara Sakurai
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 2 - Daybreak
    9.0/10(95 votes)

    #2 - Daybreak

    S1:E2

    Hazuki Family's maid Ine hands a letter to Ryo, who is restless from his Father's death. The letter was sent from a person named "Yuanda Zhu" to his father which contained characters he cannot read.

    Director:Keiko Oyamada
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 3 - Yin-yang
    8.5/10(59 votes)

    #3 - Yin-yang

    S1:E3

    Ryo finally finds a person who can read Yuanda Zhu's letter, which said "Find Master Chen for help". Ryo finds Master Chen and asks him about Lan Di, the man who murdered his Father.

    Directors:Nobuo Tomizawa, Ouri Yasukawa
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 4 - Shackles
    8.2/10(56 votes)

    #4 - Shackles

    S1:E4

    To chase Lan Di, Ryo decides to go to Hong Kong, but realizes he does not have enough money to go. With Goro's assistance Ryo gets a part-time job, which he soon learns is in Mad Angel's territory.

    Director:Tomonori Kurokawa
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 5 - Equal
    8.6/10(54 votes)

    #5 - Equal

    S1:E5

    Ryo is forced to fight Guizhang Chen from Chen Family, to save Nozomi who Mad Angels have taken as a hostage. In hopes that Goro finds Ryo's secret message, he fights Guizhand Chen, ending with Ryo and Guizhang both wounded and defeated.

    Director:Keiko Oyamada
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 6 - Dignified
    8.4/10(50 votes)

    #6 - Dignified

    S1:E6

    To unveil the truth behind his Father's death, Ryo heads to Hong Kong, looking for a person named "Lishao Tao". His bags are taken as many thugs and thieves walk the streets of Hong Kong since everyone is desperate to survive day by day.

    Directors:Atsushi Wakabayashi, Maki Kodaira
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 7 - Future
    7.9/10(47 votes)

    #7 - Future

    S1:E7

    Ryo meets Lishao Tao, the person he was looking for. Lishao, a martial arts master, easily defeats Ryo and tells him to go home. Thinking he lost because he does not have enough strength, Ryo goes around Hong Kong to find a martial artist.

    Director:Yoshihiro Sugai
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 8 - Aspiration
    7.9/10(46 votes)

    #8 - Aspiration

    S1:E8

    Ryo is living at Xiuying Hong's house. Xiuying ignores Ryo's wish to meet Yuanda Zhu and keeps making him do chores for Man Mo Temple. To understand Xiuying's notion, Ryo must learn wude the principles of martial arts.

    Directors:Keiko Oyamada, Tomoyuki Kurokawa
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 9 - Distinct
    8.0/10(47 votes)

    #9 - Distinct

    S1:E9

    Ryo finds a book written by Yuanda Zhu in Xiuying's library. In the book he finds a memo of chawan sign, which could lead to danger with one mistake. Despite the danger Ryo uses it to find Yuanda Zhu.

    Directors:Nobuo Tomizawa, Keiko Oyamada
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 10 - Comeback
    7.8/10(43 votes)

    #10 - Comeback

    S1:E10

    To find Yuanda Zhu, Ryo follows Ren, the leader of Heavens. Gathering information from Ren's acquaintances they reach the location where Yuanda Zhu is said to be, but they soon find out that this was Yellow Heads' trap.

    Directors:Nobuo Tomizawa, Keiko Oyamada
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 11 - Entangled
    7.8/10(38 votes)

    #11 - Entangled

    S1:E11

    Ryo and Ren finally find Yuanda Zhu. However, they are soon attacked by the Yellow Heads and Yuanda gets kidnapped. Ryo gets cornered but is saved by Xiuying. Xiuying was worried that Ryo would fall in to the evil course blinded by revenge.

    Director:Ouri Yasukawa
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 12 - Guidepost
    7.8/10(37 votes)

    #12 - Guidepost

    S1:E12

    Ryo and Ren successfully sneak into the Yellow Heads' headquarters to rescue Yuanda Zhu. But the Yellow Heads all knew about their plan to sneak in. Surrounded by their enemies, the two fight Yuan who is one of the leaders of Yellow Heads.

    Director:Yuichiro Yano
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Shenmue the Animation Season 1 Episode 13 - Shenmue
    8.0/10(37 votes)

    #13 - Shenmue

    S1:E13

    Ryo finally reaches Lan Di, the man who murdered his Father. Blinded by revenge Ryo viciously attacks Lan Di. Lan Di easily dodges Ryo's attacks and leaves. Yellow Heads' Dou Niu realizes his plan has failed and attacks Ryo.

    Director:Chikara Sakurai
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Thunderclap" is the best rated episode of "Shenmue the Animation" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 121 votes. Directed by Chikara Sakurai and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/6/2022. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Daybreak".