Shimano is not only one of the most evil yakuza villains but he's definitely one of the most underrated villains

the evil itself...

Shimano was always the kind of villain that didn't need to make himself be known. He played the long game and he was that much of a threat.

Michael Madsen is still waiting for "The Return of Sheemano". Your move, RGG.

I remember seeing someone saying that Fugu even when prepared correctly, can still have a numbing taste. So when he ate that many he would still be numbing his tongue, which aside from showing his hedonism, also shows that he's a cold, calculating character who doesn't feel anything at all. It all goes to shows above that Shimano just doesn't care about anything other than his own goals.

Give Shimano a white suit and he’s resembling Wilson Fisk.

If Shimano is pure evil, then why is Hayashi's theme called Evil Itself? Check and mate 😎

Despite of everything Shimano are still solid villain, because he's not impatient moronic prick like Kanda, in 0 we can see Shimano had some degree of wisdom and patient enough to wait until the opportunity come, not only that he also charismatic, actually scary, and in a way kinda fair because he reward Majima for the hard work he put and stay loyal to Shimano.

And it's very telling even though Kiryu has beating this man whether you play the original or Kiwami 1 there's dialogue in the beginning of chapter 3 where he says, Shimano still scares the shit out of him which is very telling but also says a lot about Shimano himself.

Thank you for saying it! Shimano gets underrated because he died so long ago, but he's genuinely one of the most horrible people in the franchise and that's no small feat. Add on a terrifyingly effective combo of brains and brawns.... honestly, it was lucky for everyone he went out as early as he did.

Futoshi Shimano is basically the Japanese version of Wilson Fisk — the Kingpin. Same energy: big, arrogant, thinks he owns the room, always scheming like everybody else is just a pawn on his board. He’s not just “tough,” he’s that kind of villain who loves hearing himself talk, like the world is supposed to bend around him.
And honestly? Shimano had it coming. The dude spends the series playing both sides like it’s a sport—teaming up with the Omi Alliance, messing around with the Snake Flower Triad, and acting like there’ll never be consequences. In a world like Yakuza, that’s not “smart,” that’s a countdown timer. You cross that many lines, you eventually run out of luck.
And I know I’m going to hell for this, but the cherry on top is when you see him after he dies in both Yakuza and Yakuza Kiwami… 😂🤣 I’m sorry, he looks ridiculous. Like the game itself is saying, “Yeah, all that swagger? This is what it amounts to.” Big bad Kingpin… ended up looking stupid as a dead man.

Ngl, this is one of the characters I wish we got more time with just to see what else he does

You should change the thumbnail to ps2 shimano cause he funny lookin

0:16 The thing 😂

I’m honestly surprised you didn’t even mention that it’s implied that he would sexually abuse Majima. Granted the lines about it are intentionally vague but as if this man wouldn’t.

Shimano and Volgin from MGS3 come to mind as just pure incarnated human manifests of evil. At least Micah from RDR2 had enough awareness to try to justify himself, but these guys are just straight up villains.

Is it just me or this chief skin the fugu Alive ?
In that case, the venom can be some kind of legitimate retaliation. Didn't planned to eat fugu in my lifetime but I would definitely Not now.

Shimano is something of an anomaly in the Yakuza franchise, in that he is a very cunning, black hearted, yet powerful man.

Most villains in this series tend to be divided into the powerful foes who challenge Kiryu physically and spiritually and who also possess a sense of honor, principles, or humanizing pathos, take your Nishiki’s, Ryuji’s, Mine’s, etc.

Then you have the second ones who are callous, opportunistic backstabbers who take any advantage they can find to get ahead. They tend to manipulate the cast from the shadows, but crumble once they have to confront someone strong. Your Jingu’s, Takashima’s or Munakata’s.

Shimano is every bit the scumbag the second group is, but he possesses the same grit and presence as the first group.

You could he's... Evil Itself...