Erika Ishii says she’d ‘jump’ to reprise her BAFTA-nominated role as Atsu in Ghost of Yotei

Ghost of Yotei lead Erika Ishii, nominated for the 2026 BAFTA Performer in a Leading Role award, states she’d “absolutely jump” at the chance to play Atsu again if the series revisits the character. Ishii’s comments come as industry attention centres on Sucker Punch’s acclaimed samurai anthology, now recognised among this year’s top gaming performances.

Erika Ishii has confirmed that reprising her role as Atsu in Ghost of Yotei is a prospect she would “jump at, absolutely”, following her 2026 BAFTA Games Awards nomination for Performer in a Leading Role. Speaking to VGC ahead of the awards, scheduled for Friday in London, Ishii reaffirmed her emotional connection to the character, noting, “Atsu will always have a special place in my heart.” Ishii’s performance is considered a major factor in the game’s critical success and is up for the prestigious award alongside established names, including Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and The Great Circle), Ben Starr & Jennifer English (Clair Obscure: Expedition 33), Tom McKay (Kingdom Come Deliverance 2), and Aaron Paul (Dispatch).

Erika Ishii’s Commitment to Atsu and the Franchise

When asked if she would return for a sequel or continuation, Ishii stated: “It’s wild that, after three years of getting to live in this character, it’s so easy to sort of just like pull out the voice again or to know, oh, yes, that’s how she would react.”

She elaborated on the anthology format Sucker Punch has embraced, saying, “I always, I really, really love that they do anthology stories. The idea of the title being the remarkable thing and how each person who assumes the mantle grows in that moment in time, in which we play their game, is so compelling to me. I love anthology series, but yes, any opportunity to revisit Atsu’s world again, I would jump at, absolutely.”

Ghost of Yotei’s Critical Performance and Industry Impact

Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, has earned industry-wide praise for building on its predecessor’s strengths while delivering best-in-class visuals and music. VGC’s review awarded the game five stars, stating the title “delivers on the promise of Tsushima with a touching samurai epic.”

• VGC review excerpt: “Ghost of Yotei fulfils much of the promise of Ghost of Tsushima, delivering a hugely enjoyable open-world game that almost rids itself of Tsushima’s bloat. Pacing issues and some underdeveloped villains aside, Yotei improves on the original game in every department and delivers best-in-class visuals and music.”

The role of Atsu, as performed by Erika Ishii, is widely recognised as a pillar of Ghost of Yotei’s narrative, contributing significantly to the game’s nomination-heavy award season. The 2026 BAFTA Games Awards ceremony, set in London on Friday, features Ishii in direct competition with industry icons for the Leading Role award, solidifying her status as a top voice in game performance.

Nominees for the 2026 BAFTA Performer in a Leading Role (Games):

• Erika Ishii – Ghost of Yotei (Atsu)
• Troy Baker – Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
• Ben Starr & Jennifer English – Clair Obscure: Expedition 33
• Tom McKay – Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
• Aaron Paul – Dispatch

As Sucker Punch continues exploring anthology storytelling, with each instalment set in a different historical period and featuring a new main character, Ishii’s openness to returning, combined with her performance’s critical and fan acclaim, sets a high bar for future entries in the series. Her comments confirm broad interest in the future of the Ghost of Yotei franchise, both from the cast and the audience.