From Cosplayer to PlayStation Icon: The Remarkable Journey of Erika Ishii, the Face of Ghost of Yōtei
Erika Ishii was once a devoted fan of Ghost of Tsushima. Today, it’s her own face that players encounter in Ghost of Yōtei, the latest title from Sucker Punch. The actress—once a passionate cosplayer—is now living a dream come true: going from fan to PlayStation heroine. Her story is a powerful reminder of how deeply gaming culture can inspire.
When she put on her first improvised cosplay costume, Erika Ishii could never have imagined that, just a few years later, she’d become the face of a PlayStation icon. In Ghost of Yōtei, available since October 2 on PS5, the actress lends her voice and likeness to Atsu, a young lone warrior searching for purpose. A mix of passion, chance, and determination—her journey could easily be the plot of a Hollywood movie.
Image credit: Sucker Punch
From Cosplay to PlayStation Studios
Before bringing Atsu to life, Erika Ishii had already made a name for herself through various voice acting projects—and through her boundless love for cosplay. A lifelong gamer and admirer of Japanese culture, she frequently shared her creations online, passionately portraying iconic characters like Ellie from The Last of Us and Tifa from Final Fantasy 7:
10 minute closet cosplay last night. pic.twitter.com/3WGsNC8NHq — Erika Ishii (@erikaishii) April 11, 2020
It was precisely this genuine passion that caught the attention of the Sucker Punch team. In an interview with the PlayStation Blog, Erika Ishii revealed that joining Ghost of Yōtei wasn’t just another acting role for her—it was a dream fulfilled.
“I was a fan, I was a cosplayer… and now I get to be part of that.”
— Erika Ishii
“I was a fan, a cosplayer, and now I’m part of that world!” she said emotionally. Her story resonates with countless players who dream of crossing the line between passion and creation.
But Erika Ishii didn’t just lend her voice and likeness to Atsu—she actively helped shape the character. From the earliest meetings, she was invited to collaborate with the writers, directors, and artists at the studio. Line by line, pose by pose, she crafted a heroine that reflects her own spirit, while honoring the legacy of classic samurai cinema. The actress was even given access to in-progress cutscenes—a rare privilege in the voice acting industry—to fine-tune her performance.
“Every part of the world helped me immerse myself: the concept art, the environments, the music,” she explained. That deep immersion turned her portrayal of Atsu into something far more than a performance—it’s the result of three years of passionate collaboration with the Ghost of Yōtei team.
A PlayStation Dream Come True
The release of the game marks a deeply personal milestone for Erika Ishii, who celebrates this success alongside a predominantly Asian cast. Together, they honor both the project’s cultural roots and a major step forward in representation within gaming. “We’re sharing this journey like a true family,” she says proudly, reflecting on how far they’ve come.
Through her journey, Erika Ishii represents a new generation of creators and fans who see video games not just as entertainment, but as a gateway to artistic expression. From passion to profession, her story is living proof that every player’s dream can one day become reality.
And according to the actress, this is only the beginning: “If someone playing Ghost of Yōtei feels inspired to tell their own story, then it will all have been worth it.” A heartfelt message from a heroine who captured hearts long before she ever drew her sword.
