ichiban

Ichiban is a Japanese word meaning “number one” or “the best” and is widely used as a descriptor and as part of proper nouns. In everyday language, it denotes priority or superiority, such as the first item in a sequence or the top choice. The term is commonly written in kanji as 一番, though it also appears in kana in various names and phrases.

In culture and media, Ichiban appears as a character name or title in several works. A notable example is Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of the video game Yakuza: Like a Dragon, where the name signals a central theme of striving to be the best or to rise to a challenge.

In commerce, Ichiban is a frequent brand element used to convey quality or top ranking. It is associated with product lines and brands in Japan and abroad, including a line of premium instant noodles marketed under the Nissin Foods umbrella. The naming pattern leverages the positive connotations of “number one” to evoke superior taste or quality.

Because it literally means “the first” or “the best,” Ichiban is a generic but powerful term that appears across a range of contexts, from consumer products to entertainment and place names. Its usage projects a sense of leadership or high standing, a convention common to many Japanese brands and marketing efforts.