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 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.

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.

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, ending with Ryo and Guizhang both wounded and defeated.

To unveil the truth behind his Father's death, Ryo heads to Hong Kong, looking for a person named "Lishao Tao". His bags are taken as many thugs and thieves walk the streets of Hong Kong since everyone is desperate to survive day by day.

Ryo meets Lishao Tao, the person he was looking for. Lishao, a martial arts master, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Ryo and Ren finally find Yuanda Zhu. However, they are soon attacked by the Yellow Heads and Yuanda 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.

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 Yellow Heads.