Shenmue the Animation

In Yokosuka, 1986, Ryo Hazuki, the only legitimate heir of the Hazuki Dojo, spends his days training under his strict father Iwao. One day, he returns and witnesses a mysterious man called Lan Di attacking the Dojo.

Hazuki Family's maid Ine hands a letter to Ryo, who is restless from his Father's death. The letter was sent from a person named "Yuanda Zhu" to his father which contained characters he cannot read. Ryo begins investigating the letter to find out his Father's past. As he further investigates, he is targeted by "Mad Angels", the gang that runs Yokosuka Harbor's underground business.

Ryo finally finds a person who can read Yuanda Zhu's letter, which said "Find Master Chen for help". Ryo finds Master Chen and asks him about Lan Di, the man who murdered his Father. Ryo learns that Lan Di is a high rank member of a Chinese underground organization "Chi You Men" and is after the two "mirrors".

To chase Lan Di, Ryo decides to go to Hong Kong, but realizes he does not have enough money to go. With Goro's assistance Ryo gets a part-time job, which he soon learns is in Mad Angel's territory. To seek information on Lan Di, Ryo approaches Mad Angels...

Ryo is forced to fight Guizhang Chen from Chen Family, to save Nozomi who Mad Angels have taken as a hostage. In hopes that Goro finds Ryo's secret message, he fights Guizhand Chen. The fight ends with Ryo and Guizhang both getting wounded and defeated. When Goro has all but given up hope...

To unveil the truth behind his Father's death, Ryo heads to Hong Kong. Ryo looks for a person named "Lishao Tao", but gets his bags taken by thieves. In the city of Hong Kong, many thugs and thieves walk the streets, since everyone is desperate to survive day by day. Ryo wanders the city and meets Jainmin Tao, an old man practicing Tai Chi, at a park and starts sparring with him...

Ryo coincidentally meets Lishao Tao, the person he was looking for. Lishao being a master of martial arts easily defeats Ryo and tells him to "go home." Thinking he lost because he does not have enough strength, Ryo goes around Hong Kong to find a martial artist. He soon meets Zongquan Bai a street performer, but soon gets involved with Hong Kong's underground organization "Yellow Heads".

Ryo is living at Xiuying Hong's house. Xiuying ignores Ryo's wish to meet Yuanda Zhu and keeps making him do chores for Man Mo Temple. To understand Xiuying's notion, Ryo must learn wude, the principles of martial arts. With the help of Joy and Wong, he looks for a person who has acquired wude.

Ryo finds a book written by Yuanda Zhu in Xiuying's library. In the book he finds a memo of chawan sign, which could lead to danger with one mistake. Despite the danger, Ryo uses it to find Yuanda Zhu. However, instead he is attacked by members of the Yellow Heads, who are also looking for Yuanada Zhu.

To find Yuanda Zhu, Ryo follows Ren, the leader of Heavens. Gathering information from Ren's acquaintances they reach the location where Yuanda Zhu is said to be, but they soon find out that this was Yellow Heads' trap. Instead of Yuanda Zhu, they encounter Dou Niu the leader of the Yellow Heads. The two fight him but is unmatched by his strength and ends up being chased by the Yellow Heads.

Ryo and Ren finally find Yuanda Zhu. However, they are soon attacked by the Yellow Heads and Yuanda Zhu gets kidnapped. Ryo gets cornered but is saved by Xiuying. Xiuying was worried that Ryo would fall in to the evil course blinded by revenge. Understanding Xiuying, Ryo decides to join the underground arena affiliated with the Yellow Heads.

Ryo and Ren successfully sneak into the Yellow Heads' headquarters to rescue Yuanda Zhu. But the Yellow Heads all knew about their plan to sneak in. Surrounded by their enemies, the two fight Yuan who is one of the leaders of the Yellow Heads. In the meantime, Wong finds out that Ryo is in danger and break into the Yellow Head building with Joy to save them...

Ryo finally reaches Lan Di, the man who murdered his Father. Blinded by revenge, Ryo viciously attacks Lan Di. Lan Di easily dodges Ryo's attacks and leaves. Yellow Heads' Dou Niu realizes his plan has failed and attacks Ryo. Can Ryo save his friends and beat Dou Niu!?