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The Hashimoto’s idea of how to run Kanezaka is the same. In the past, the Shimada’s rivals used our festival and our fireworks—something we were known for, were proud of...something we still love to this day—to show how little we mattered and how powerful they were. Now? The Hashimoto beat up our families, they control our shops, they own our streets.
~ Kiriko Yamagami
Hashimoto clan (橋元一族)

Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
Type
Japanese clan, criminal organization
Standing
Active

The Hashimoto clan is a criminal group operating in Japan. Its symbol is a stylized tiger-head.[1]

Background[ | ]

The Hashimoto make money through selling contraband and "even more unsavory things."[1] They have influence in nearly every city in Japan.[2]

History[ | ]

Kanezaka Takeover[ | ]

In the period after the Omnic Crisis, Overwatch dismantled the Shimada clan.[3] The weakening of the Shimada allowed the Hashimoto to step in to fill the power vacuum;[4] they assassinated Sojiro Shimada,[5] and asserted their control over Kanezaka[1] and Hanamura.[6]

Eight years before the present day, the Hashimoto abducted Toshiro Yamagami, forcing him to forge blades for them. In doing so, they had leverage over his wife, Asa, forcing her to serve as an enforcer in Kanezaka.[2] The Hashimotos recognized the threat presented by the Yamagamis, and with Toshiro their prisoner, Asa's hands were tied.[5] Over the following years, they extorted the townspeople. When the lights went out, they would go from door to door, taking payment, and funneling it to the clan through the Tora no Sumika.[2] The hospital always had several patients who'd run afoul of the clan, and the town closed early, as under the Hashimoto, it was no longer safe after dark.[1]

Ten years after the Hashimoto took over control, they began being opposed by a small gang. The gang sprayed graffiti, broke windows at Hashimoto strongholds, and even robbed the Tora no Sumika. Things escalated when the teenagers infiltrated a port, destroying an arms shipment intended for the Hashimoto. They named themselves the Yōkai.[1]

Twelve years after they made their mark on Kanezaka, things were approaching breaking point. The Hashimoto's demands were increasing, tempers were rising, and missed payments were met with more vicious abuses. Furthermore, shipments of Hashimoto contraband went missing. Their men were badly beaten or robbed when returning from their rounds, and messages in bright, conspicuous colors started to appear, before they were quickly painted over. However, while the Yōkai were happy to operate against the Hashimoto, they were just as happy to hide from them, which left the ordinary people of Kanezaka to suffer the consequences.[2] The Yōkai became more and more of a thorn in the Hashimoto's side; they ambushed Hashimoto businesses, disrupted supply lines, and constantly undermined them through strategic attacks. But no matter how hard the Hashimoto pressed, the Yōkai always managed to slip through their fingers.[5]

Known Members[ | ]

Trivia[ | ]

"Hashimoto" (橋元) roughly translates as "original bridge".

References[ | ]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Yōkai
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2021-01-11, CORRESPONDENCE POST FOR TOSHIRO YAMAGAMI. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2021-01-13
  3. Genji, Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 2015-11-07
  4. 2022-09-15, Overwatch 2: Kiriko Abilities, Backstory And Gameplay Trailer. Forbes, accessed on 2022-09-17
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kiriko, Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 2022-10-05
  6. 2022-09-21, Kiriko Origin Story. YouTube, accessed on 2022-09-27
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