Saburo Arasaka
The founder and patriarch of the Arasaka Corporation.
Saburo Arasaka (Masane Tsukayama) is the founder of the Arasaka Corporation, a powerful megacorporation acting as the de facto ruler of Night City. He is the father of Yorinobu Arasaka (Hideo Kimura) and Hanako Arasaka (Alpha Takahashi), and the employer of Goro Takemura (Rome Kanda), his personal bodyguard. Saburo's role in the story is defined by his absolute authority over the corporation and his family, and his death sets in motion the central conflict of Cyberpunk 2077.
- Role
- Founder of Arasaka Corporation
- Affiliation
- Arasaka Corporation
- Location
- Night City / Arasaka Tower
- Status
- Deceased (Physical body)
- Key Relationship
- Goro Takemura, Yorinobu Arasaka
Lore & Background
Saburo Arasaka is the founder of the Arasaka Corporation, a megacorporation that acts as the de facto ruler of Night City. He is the father of Yorinobu Arasaka and Hanako Arasaka. His personal bodyguard is Goro Takemura. Saburo's death at the hands of his son Yorinobu is a pivotal event in the game's story, triggering a power struggle within the corporation and forcing V and Johnny Silverhand to navigate the ensuing chaos.
In Their Own Story
Saburo Arasaka's death occurs during a confrontation with his son, Yorinobu, at Arasaka Tower. Yorinobu kills his father, an act that sets off a chain of events involving V, Johnny Silverhand, and the theft of the Relic biochip. Goro Takemura, Saburo's loyal bodyguard, survives the incident and later seeks V's help to expose Yorinobu's crime and restore the Arasaka family's honor. Saburo's engram—a digital copy of his consciousness—is later revealed to exist on the Relic biochip, which is implanted into V, creating the central conflict of the game: Johnny Silverhand's consciousness begins overwriting V's own.
Reader's Guide
Saburo Arasaka is a key figure in the main story of Cyberpunk 2077, though he appears primarily through his death and its aftermath. Players encounter his legacy through the actions of his children, Yorinobu and Hanako, and his loyal retainer, Goro Takemura. Saburo's death is the catalyst for the game's plot: Yorinobu's murder of his father leads to the theft of the Relic biochip, which is then implanted into V. This forces V and Johnny Silverhand to work together to separate Johnny's consciousness from V's and confront the Arasaka Corporation. The player's choices throughout the game determine how they interact with the Arasaka family and which ending they achieve, including the possibility of siding with Hanako to restore Saburo's engram to power.
Did You Know?
- Saburo Arasaka is voiced by Masane Tsukayama.
- He is the father of Yorinobu Arasaka and Hanako Arasaka.
- His personal bodyguard is Goro Takemura.
- Saburo is killed by his son Yorinobu during a confrontation at Arasaka Tower.
- An engram of Saburo's consciousness exists on the Relic biochip, which is implanted into V.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saburo Arasaka?
He serves as the ruthless Chairman and patriarch of the Arasaka Corporation, commanding one of Night City's most powerful mega-corporations. His reign is characterized by a blend of traditional values and extreme cybernetic ambition.
What are Saburo Arasaka's powers or role?
Saburo operates above the law as a political kingmaker who controls vast military contracts and biotechnology research. He personally oversees the Relic project, which aims to achieve digital immortality for the Arasaka family line.
How does Saburo Arasaka's story end?
His physical body is killed by his son Yorinobu during a coup intended to steal control of the corporation. However, his consciousness survives within the digital afterlife thanks to the Relic technology he championed.
Why is Saburo Arasaka important?
He is the central antagonist whose pursuit of immortality directly triggers the conflict involving V and Johnny Silverhand. His legacy dictates the fate of Night City and the Arasaka Corporation throughout the narrative.
What was his relationship with Goro Takemura?
Takemura acted as Saburo's most trusted bodyguard and confidant for decades, representing a rare bond of loyalty in their cutthroat environment. Following the assassination, this history places Takemura at odds with Yorinobu while he seeks to honor his former master.
More in Characters & NPCs
Elsewhere in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe
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