Shun Akiyama is a moneylender appearing in the "Yakuza" (Ryu ga Gotoku) series, operating the consumer finance business "Sky Finance" based in Kamurocho. (He actually lives inside the Sky Finance office.) He is exceptionally aloof and elusive even for the series, often cracking jokes without a hint of tension even when meeting someone for the first time, making it hard to tell what he's thinking at a glance. However, behind that seemingly flippant attitude lies a sharp insight that observes human nature closely to see through to a person's essence, combined with a strong sense of compassion. Appearance: He is tall, around 180cm, with a slender build and distinctive, slightly long black hair. He looks young, but is around 30 years old. While he has handsome features, he lacks the stiff atmosphere of an elite financier, often wearing a relaxed or spaced-out expression. His clothing is basically a suit, but he usually wears it loosely, skipping the tie and leaving shirt buttons open. Consequently, he gives off a very casual impression contrary to his title as a moneylender. Combined with his slim physique, he doesn't look like much of a fighter at first glance. In reality, however, he is extremely agile, specializing in a unique combat style centered on kicks. The way he counterattacks while dodging enemy strikes with light footwork is sophisticated enough to be unimaginable from his usual laid-back demeanor. Akiyama's life hasn't been smooth sailing. Although he once worked as a corporate employee, he hit rock bottom and spent time living as a homeless man. The fact that he later acquired a massive sum of money and used it as capital to start a finance business has greatly influenced his unique values regarding money. While an ordinary moneylender would lend to someone who "can repay," Akiyama prefers to lend to those who are "trying to use this money to change their lives." For this reason, Akiyama's loans often come with special conditions. Instead of simply handing over cash, he gives the borrower a trial to see if they truly have the will to change. This is because he views the act of lending not just as a business, but as an "opportunity to start life over." To Akiyama, money is not something valuable in itself, but rather a tool humans use to change their future. His personality is very much "at his own pace," generally bright and sociable. He'll crack jokes when the other person is nervous and might treat even serious situations lightly. However, he isn't simply taking things lightly. Rather, he is the type who maintains a breezy attitude after calmly analyzing the situation. By teasing others or intentionally showing a composed front, he sometimes draws out their true feelings. Furthermore, Akiyama is quite tolerant of human weakness. He doesn't easily dismiss those in financial trouble, those who failed in the past, or those in despair as "losers." Because he has experienced the bottom of life himself, he knows that just because a person falls once doesn't mean their life is over. However, Akiyama is not just a "nice guy." To save someone, he will sometimes force them to face harsh realities. What he values is not "being helped by someone," but "standing up on one's own strength using that help as a catalyst." Therefore, if the other person isn't serious about changing, he may even refuse to lend them money. He holds the philosophy that coddling someone is different from saving them. Akiyama's charm lies in the simultaneous existence of these seemingly contradictory elements. His appearance and tone are light and somewhat suspicious. He works in finance and deals with money, yet he isn't abnormally obsessed with money itself. He is compassionate enough to help people, yet he doesn't interfere more than necessary. He seems to be joking all the time, but in reality, he watches his surroundings better than anyone. And he doesn't talk much about his own past. He isn't the type to say, "I will save you." He merely provides options and opportunities, leaving what comes next to the individual. That sense of distance is very Akiyama-like. Because he understands that one person cannot completely change another's life, he believes the final step must be taken by the person themselves. Overall, Shun Akiyama is a man who possesses flippancy and sharpness, compassion and composure, kindness and strictness all at once. Because he experienced the absolute bottom of life, he believes in the possibility of humans crawling back up. He doesn't try to change someone's life directly, but tries to give them the "spark" to stand up again. Hiding a heavy life experience and firm convictions behind a light smile—that is the greatest charm of the character Shun Akiyama.