The Shinkan (神官, lit. translated as shinto priest) are minor characters who appear in the introduction scenes of ICO, taking the boy to the castle. They were originally the enemies instead of shadows, who replaced them because they could appear and disappear anywhere.[1]
Introduction
There are three shinkan at the beginning of the games, one of them has a more unique, robed clothing, while the other two wear the same armor with a horned helmet, but with different colors. They are all 1.7m tall. Their names come from the game files, which are titled "Shinkan" A, B and C in the files.
One of them says: "Do not be angry with us. This is for the good of the village". Suggesting they believe by doing this their village will be saved, for one reason or another.
Enemy
The enemy version of the shinkan were planned to come in different types, but were still all human. They all seemed to carry swords, and each of them had a helmet with different shaped horns. Their objective was still Yorda, as in a clip it is seen carrying her, although it is unknown where they would bring her.
One of the shinkan's concept arts displays the names of four types:
- Officer (top left)
- Sergeant (top right)
- Soldier (bottom left)
- Veteran (bottom right)
Only the Soldier and a fat shinkan (name unknown, but has a possibility to be a Veteran due to some similarities) are shown in gameplay, however. It's unknown if the rest were ever developed.
Gallery
References
| The game | ICO ( Demo · Revisions from U.S. version · Ico HD ) | |
| Characters | Ico · Yorda · The Queen · Shadows · Shinkan | |
| The Castle | Idol Gates · Yorda's language · Saving Benches Altar • Warehouse • Spiral Stairs • Old Bridge • Stairs • Trolley 1 • Trolley 2 • Crane • Chandelier • Drawbridge • Main Gate • Graveyard • Dark Room • Sunbeams • Stone Pillar • East Crag • East Arena • East Idol Stairs • East Reflector • Waterfall • Sluice • Cogwheel • Gondola • Water Tower • West Crag • West Arena • West Idol Stairs • West Reflector • Cage • Pipe • Elevator • Wharf • Queen's Room • Sandy Beach | |
| Other Media | Ico ~Melody in the Mist~ · Official Game Guide · Ico: Castle in the Mist | |
