Golden Kamuy, Episode 1: Wenkamuy
Role in the Episode:
Goto Takechiyo serves as a catalyst character whose actions kickstart the main story and set Sugimoto on his journey. His role can be broken down into several key aspects:
- Exposition Device – Introducing the Gold Mystery
- Takechiyo is the first to tell Sugimoto about the legend of the stolen Ainu gold, including details about:
- The twenty kans of gold stolen from the Ainu.
- The prisoner who tattooed the treasure map onto death row inmates in Abashiri Prison.
- The mass prison break and the hidden nature of the treasure’s location.
- He provides critical worldbuilding information that turns Sugimoto’s curiosity into a tangible quest.
- Foreshadowing and Deception – Hiding His True Identity
- Takechiyo presents himself as a drunken, talkative opportunist, telling the story as if it’s just a rumor.
- However, his suspiciously detailed knowledge hints that he might be involved in the story himself.
- This is later confirmed when his corpse is revealed to have the tattooed map, proving that he was one of the escaped prisoners.
- Antagonistic Role – Attempting to Kill Sugimoto
- Realizing that he let too much slip, Takechiyo attempts to silence Sugimoto by killing him.
- However, he underestimates Sugimoto’s strength, leading to his own demise shortly afterward.
- His attempted betrayal reinforces the idea that no one can be trusted in the search for the gold, setting the tone of deceit and survival for the series.
- Posthumous Importance – The First Tattooed Corpse
- Even in death, Takechiyo remains important.
- His tattooed body confirms the existence of the treasure map, proving that the legend is real.
- This discovery pushes Sugimoto to investigate further and persuades Asirpa to join him in the search.
Impact Rating: 7.5/10
Takechiyo has a short-lived but significant impact on the episode. Key reasons for this rating:
- Essential Exposition - Introduces the main plotline, prisoners with tattoos, and the golden treasure’s backstory.
- Drives Sugimoto’s Quest - Without him, Sugimoto wouldn’t have started his journey to find the gold.
- Builds Suspense and Mistrust - His betrayal and attempted murder of Sugimoto set the tone for the series, where greed leads to deception and violence.
- Posthumous Role - His tattooed corpse confirms the treasure’s existence, reinforcing the importance of finding the other prisoners.
- Short On-Screen Time - He dies early, limiting his long-term impact. After his death, his importance shifts from his character to his corpse, making him less of an active force in the story.
Final Verdict: 7.5/10 - Takechiyo sets up the main story, introduces key mysteries, and provides the first major conflict, but he is ultimately a stepping stone character who is quickly eliminated. His legacy through the tattooed body is more impactful than his actual actions while alive, making him a memorable but brief presence in the episode.