Tomb Raider: Lara Croft’s Legend Paves the Way for a Major Character’s Return

Essential Insights

Netflix’s animated series delves into Lara Croft’s connections with her family and friends.
Familiar characters such as Jonah, Lara’s trusted companion, and her mentor, Conrad Roth, are featured prominently.
Although Sam Nishimura, Lara’s closest friend from the games, is absent in the initial episodes, her anticipated return to the series is noteworthy.

The series titled Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft marks the franchise’s return following the 2018 release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, offering a deeper examination of Lara Croft’s personal life and her bonds with those around her.

This new addition to the Tomb Raider narrative picks up where Crystal Dynamics’ Survivor trilogy left off, bringing back several beloved characters. Notably, Earl Baylon reprises his role as Jonah, who has been part of all three games in the trilogy. Additionally, Conrad Roth, a mentor to Lara and a family friend, appears in flashbacks as Lara navigates her feelings regarding his death, despite his demise occurring in the games. A notable absence in Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is Sam Nishimura.

Who Is Sam Nishimura in the Tomb Raider Franchise?

Sam Nishimura, introduced in the 2013 game Tomb Raider, is depicted as Lara’s closest friend, whom she befriended during their university days. In the game’s storyline, she works as a filmmaker and directs a documentary on their expedition to locate the ancient city of Yamatai. Unfortunately, during their adventure on the island, Sam is captured by the Solarii Brotherhood, who believe she possesses the key to their escape from the island’s curse. The group’s leader, Mathias, attempts to use Sam as a vessel for Himiko’s spirit. Eventually, Lara manages to rescue her friend, breaking the island’s curse and allowing them to return home safely.

Following this adventure, Sam does not make any further appearances in subsequent Tomb Raider games. Although she is referenced in Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, her character has not been visually represented. However, the Dark Horse comics expand on her storyline, revealing her continuing bond with Himiko’s spirit, which forces her into violent actions. Sam ends up being committed to a mental asylum but escapes to evade Himiko’s control. Ultimately, Lara seeks her out and liberates her from Himiko’s influence through a Wei Mirror.

The Relationship Between Sam and Lara

Established as best friends, Sam and Lara’s bond is tested following the events surrounding Himiko. After the ordeal, their relationship seems strained, with Sam attempting to reach out to Lara but receiving delayed responses.

As Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft commences, set after the events of the comics and Survivor games, Lara and Sam’s friendship appears fragile. In the premiere episode, Lara gathers her friends at Croft Manor to explore artifacts, but only Jonah and Zip attend. Upon inquiring about Sam’s absence, Jonah mentions she is working abroad and advises Lara to get in touch with her.

Possibilities for Sam’s Return in Netflix’s Tomb Raider Series

Cast	Hayey Atwell, Richard Armitage, Earl Baylon, Allen Maldonado
Release date	October 10, 2024
Number of Episodes	8
Where to watch	Netflix

The series finale of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft provides strong indicators that Sam may resurface. After a successful season concluding with Jonah and Abby’s wedding, Lara receives a frantic call from Sam, which then gets abruptly disconnected. Sharing this information with Jonah prompts Lara to excuse herself from the wedding festivities to investigate further.

Lara explores Sam’s apartment, discovering signs of a violent break-in and Sam’s absence. Her investigation reveals that Sam was probing a crime syndicate led by a figure named Vladimir, involved in thieving and trafficking ancient artifacts. Although the episode concludes without resolution, it strongly hints that Lara’s future mission will revolve around rescuing Sam and dismantling the syndicate.

While there has yet to be a confirmation for another season of Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, Sam’s potential return after a long hiatus in the franchise is a promising lead. Though she only appears briefly in a flashback during the first episode, the Netflix series has cast Karen Fukuhara, known for her roles in The Boys and Suicide Squad, to voice Sam, replacing Arden Cho from 2013’s Tomb Raider. Fukuhara’s involvement is likely to be an influential factor in Netflix’s decisions regarding the show’s renewal.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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