Yakuza (franchise)

Short description: Video game series

User:RMCD bot/subject notice

Yakuza/Like a Dragon

Original international logo (top); and original Japanese logo (bottom)

Genre(s)| Action-adventure, beat 'em up, role-playing
Developer(s)|

* Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
* New Entertainment R&D Dept.
* Syn Sophia

Publisher(s)| Sega

* EU: Deep Silver

Creator(s)| Toshihiro Nagoshi
Platform(s)|

* PlayStation 2
* PlayStation 3
* PlayStation Portable
* Wii U
* PlayStation 4
* Android
* iOS
* Windows
* Xbox One
* Xbox Series X/S
* PlayStation 5
* Stadia

First release| Yakuza
December 8, 2005
Latest release| Like a Dragon
January 26, 2024

Yakuza, known in Japan as Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. and renamed to Like a Dragon in recent series entries to align with its Japanese name,[1] is a video game franchise created, owned and published by Sega. It incorporates elements of the action-adventure, beat 'em up, and role-playing genres.

Each installment is typically a crime drama, with plot lines inspired by yakuza films and pre-millennial Japanese crime dramas. The most frequently featured protagonist is Kazuma Kiryu, a reformed yakuza associated with the Kanto-based Tojo Clan. While Kiryu often finds himself working with the leaders of the Tojo Clan to thwart conspiracies aimed against them, the primary theme of the series is his desire to leave the yakuza for good and start over by raising orphans and trying to assimilate into civilian life. The gameplay of Yakuza / Like a Dragon has the player controlling Kiryu (or another character, depending on the title) in an open world where he can fight random groups of punks and gangsters, take on side missions and activities to earn experience and money, learn new moves from non-player characters (NPCs), eat and drink at various restaurants, visit hostess and cabaret clubs, craft items, and engage in a variety of mini games such as golfing, bowling, batting cages, video arcades, karaoke, and gambling games including poker, blackjack, Cee-lo, and Koi-Koi.

The franchise has become a commercial and critical success, and as of 2023, Sega has reported that the video game series has sold a combined total of 21.3 million units in physical and digital sales since its debut in 2005.[2] Strong sales of the games in its original Japanese market has led to the franchise's expansion to other media, including film adaptations.

## Contents

* 1 Setting
* 1.1 Characters
* 2 Gameplay
* 3 Development
* 3.1 Music
* 3.2 Voice cast
* 3.3 Localization changes
* 4 Games
* 4.1 Main series
* 4.2 Spin-offs
* 4.3 Re-releases and compilations
* 5 Adaptations
* 5.1 Books
* 5.2 Original video
* 5.3 Feature films
* 5.4 Radio dramas
* 5.5 TV series
* 5.6 Stage play
* 6 Cultural impact
* 6.1 Critical reception
* 6.2 Sales
* 6.3 Virtual tourism
* 6.4 Internet meme
* 6.5 Connection to Shenmue
* 7 Notes
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## Setting

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Script error: No such module "overlay". Kabukichō, Tokyo ('Kamurochō' in-game)
Script error: No such module "overlay". Dōtonbori & Shinsekai, Osaka ('Sotenbori' & 'Shinseicho')
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Script error: No such module "overlay". Nakasu, Fukuoka ('Nagasugai')
Script error: No such module "overlay". Susukino, Hokkaido ('Tsukimino')
Script error: No such module "overlay". Sakae, Nagoya ('Kineicho')
Script error: No such module "overlay". Onomichi, Hiroshima

The Yakuza / Like a Dragon game series is set primarily in the fictional district of Kamurochō (神室町), which is based on Kabukichō, an actual red-light district of Tokyo.[3][4] Other actual locations reproduced in the game series include:

* Dotonbori and Shinsekai, Osaka (as "Sotenbori" and "Shinseicho" in-game, respectively, for Yakuza 2, 5, 0 and Gaiden);[5][6][7]
* Kokusai Dori (ja) and the surrounding downtown area of Naha, Okinawa (as "Downtown Ryukyu" in Yakuza 3);[8]
* Nakasu, Fukuoka (as "Nagasugai" in Yakuza 5);[9]
* Susukino, Hokkaido (as "Tsukimino" in Yakuza 5);[10]
* the Nishiki district of Sakae, Nagoya (as "Kineicho" in Yakuza 5);[11]
* Onomichi, Hiroshima (in Yakuza 6);[12][13]
* Isezakichō, Yokohama (as "Isezaki Ijincho" in Yakuza and Like a Dragon);[14][15]
* Honolulu, Hawaii (in Infinite Wealth).[16]

The appearances of the in-game districts and towns are based on their contemporary actual locations from the year each game came out, and are often renovated and remodeled in newer games.[17] However, specific stores and buildings are often different or carry fictionalized branding compared to their real life counterparts, replacing them with real-life product placements or plot-important locations.

### Characters

The primary protagonist of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise is Kazuma Kiryu, who is playable in every numbered entry of the main video game series through Yakuza 6. Some games, such as Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5, feature multiple playable characters, with players switching between them at predetermined points in the story.[18][19] Ichiban Kasuga became the new lead character of the main series games beginning with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, with up to six of his companions available as playable characters during combat sequences, though Kiryu appeared in a non-playable capacity and became playable again in subsequent installments.

Other characters have appeared as the protagonists of various spin-off titles. The samurai-era titles Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! and Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! are based around fictionalized versions of historical figures Miyamoto Musashi and Sakamoto Ryōma respectively, both of whom are modeled after Kiryu. The Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku subseries features its own protagonist, street punk Tatsuya Ukyo, while the Judgment subseries follows private detective Takayuki Yagami. Fist of the North Star, a video game adaptation of the manga franchise Fist of the North Star by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara, features some thematic links to the Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise, with many of its characters like Kenshiro voiced by the same voice actors who play recurring characters in the main series games.

## Gameplay

Exploration gameplay of Yakuza 5. A recurring character, Shun Akiyama, is seen exploring Sotenbori, a recurring setting. Akiyama is drunk (a recurring status effect in the series) as indicated by the bottle icon in the game's HUD. An enemy approaches, in the process of interrupting the exploration mode by triggering a random battle encounter.

All Yakuza / Like a Dragon games feature a mixture of combat, story and exploration. The main character randomly encounters foes on their path, triggering combat. In fights, the player character uses hand-to-hand combat, using combos, grabs, throws and finishing moves, and some games allow the player character to select from and use multiple fighting styles. Players can also grab nearby objects on the street to beat the enemies. Despite the emphasis on hand-to-hand combat, weapons can be obtained and used by grabbing weapons dropped by the enemies or purchasing them from weapon shops. Some characters, such as Goro Majima and Tatsuo Shinada, have fighting styles centered around their trademark weapons, which have infinite durability. Winning some of these battles can result in obtaining money or items which can be sold or used to purchase equipment or a variety of items in shops, gamble, or play mini-games. Battles end quicker by finishing the enemies using powerful moves called Heat Actions, which require the filling of the 'Heat Gauge' to become usable. Some of these tend to include quick time events. As the player character fights, they gain experience points that can be used to increase their stats and become a stronger fighter. The seventh installment in the series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, includes a new battle system where the player character recruits party members to fight alongside them in turn-based role-playing game battles against enemies, and to play alongside them in mini-games. Due to its success, Sega has confirmed that future titles will continue to use turn-based gameplay, while the Judgment series will retain the action gameplay of earlier titles. However there is no solid plan, the type of gameplay is chosen depending on what is considered to be best suited for the story.[20][21]

The series has a high number of sub-stories, which are side missions that often complement the main story.[22] These give the player extra experience. There are many mini-games; for example, Yakuza featured a total number of 24 different minigames.[23] The games range from activities like bowling, darts, and arcade games, to much more complex ones, like professions, which can take a number of hours over the course of several sessions to complete. Examples include:

* Coliseum Fights: where the player fights in three-round mini championships against various opponents in different challenges to earn points which can be spent on unique items.
* Weapon/gear crafting: the player needs to find various components and blueprints to produce powerful and varied gear and weapons.
* Cabaret Club Management: the player runs a hostess club in three-minute sessions and tries to earn as much money as possible by matching up the right girl with the right client and quickly responding to their calls for help. They also take part in battles against other hostess clubs.
* Pocket Circuit: a minigame where Pocket Circuit cars (like slot cars, but bounded by the car's lane and self-powered, similar to Tamiya's Mini 4WD line of scale model cars) race against each other. In both Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami, there are several race series that take place and a number of side stories relating to this minigame.
* Hostess/Cabaret Clubs: this involves talking to hostess girls to fill out their "love" gauge, as well as ordering the right food/drink, buying gifts and wearing the right accessories to please them as much as possible, until they can be taken out on a date. This was one of many aspects that was controversially cut from the Western release of Yakuza 3, leading to criticism of Sega for ignoring Western gamers' desire to experience Japanese culture.[24] This content was restored in the remastered version.
* Club Sega: a virtual recreation of the real-life Sega arcade chain that features activities such as UFO catchers, darts, and playable emulations of classic Sega arcade titles such as Fantasy Zone and Virtua Fighter. The available games differ with each series installment.[25] Some entries also feature playable Master System games.[26]

A recurring superboss known as Amon appears in most of the games. Depending on the title, there may be more than one. For example, Yakuza 5 features an Amon for each playable character, including an idol version for Haruka to face off against.

## Development

Toshihiro Nagoshi, who initially conceived the series

The series originated from creator Toshihiro Nagoshi's desire to design a game that would tell the way of life of the yakuza. Nagoshi initially struggled to greenlight the project. Portrayals of the Japanese underworld were common in manga and movies, but not in video games. Toshihiro Nagoshi brought his story for Yakuza to scenario supervisor Hase Seishu two years before the game started development. Seishu had been a video game player since the days of Space Invaders, but over the past four or five years he had lost interest, as he was less concerned with 3D visuals and gameplay than he was with story. Yakuza, however, caught his attention, and he decided to accept the project even though it came at the busiest point of his professional writing career. Touching upon the game's name, Nagoshi revealed that it was his idea: the original Japanese name Ryū ga Gotoku translates to "Like a Dragon", as Nagoshi felt that dragons have a strong image about them, and that when players sample it, they would, as the title suggests, get a feel for the strength and manliness of the main character.[27]

Sega's leadership was hesitant about the perceived limited appeal, but eventually approved the development of the project. Sony and CERO were initially disapproving about the depiction of violence and adult material, though Sony eventually showed interest in the prospect of the game after Nagoshi persevered.[28][29]

### Music

The three Yakuza original soundtrack albums are composed by Hidenori Shoji, Hideki Sakamoto et alii and are published by Wave Master. Additional soundtrack features songs from Japanese artists Crazy Ken Band, Zeebra, Ketsumeishi and Eikichi Yazawa.

### Voice cast

A Yakuza 3 Event Mode minor character's face being modeled in 3D through Softimage XSI 6.5. During this scan, the actor wore a swim cap to substitute for his character's police peaked cap.[30]

The game's original voice actors are Japanese celebrities who encompass voice actors, singers, tarento, film or TV series actors, radio or television celebrities. Cabaret girls and alike characters have featured models, gravure idols and adult actresses as voice actresses and likenesses. Since the 2008 spin-off Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!, the game series' main characters have their face modeled in 3D after their voice actors. As in the Virtua Fighter series, Western main and minor characters do not speak in Japanese, but rather in English. Minor Chinese and Korean characters also often speak their native tongues.

The first game in the series to be released to the United States and PAL regions was dubbed in English. However, due to criticism of the English voice acting, each subsequent Western release through Yakuza 6 retained the original Japanese voice acting. Beginning with the release of the 2018 spinoff Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, all new entries in the series have featured dual language voiceover support in their Western release.

The PlayStation 3 installments' realistic character design is based on Cyberware 3D scanner, Softimage XSI 6.5 3D models[30] and Sega's Magical V-Engine.

### Localization changes

"Like a Dragon" English logo, first used as a subtitle for the eighth main entry in the series

When the series was internationalized and localized to fit the Western market, several changes occurred. Prior to 2022, the series was renamed to Yakuza outside of Japan, although the eighth main entry used its original name as a subtitle. Following the reveal of three titles at RGG Summit 2022, Sega confirmed plans to rebrand the series as "Like a Dragon" to more closely align with the original Japanese title.[31]

Yakuza 4 adjusted several localization changes, following criticism of the previous games, and in particular the content excised from the Western release of Yakuza 3. Producer Noguchi noted that there was an attempt to "bring a more complete localization that was more faithful to the source material". This included reversing several name changes. In addition, some conventions were changed; in previous Western localizations, protagonist Kazuma Kiryu had been referred to primarily by his given name. Beginning in Yakuza 4, he is referred to primarily by his family name, Kiryu, which more closely reflects the original dialogue.[32]

## Games

As of 2024[update], the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series includes nine main games released in chronological order (with the exception of the prequel Yakuza 0), with each new installment following the events of the previous title. There are also several spin-off titles, either starring different protagonists or featuring different settings.

With the exception of the Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku titles, which were developed by Syn Sophia, and Streets of Kamurocho, which was developed by Empty Clip Studios, all games were developed by Sega's CS1 R&D team, later renamed Ryū ga Gotoku Studio.

List of Yakuza / Like a Dragon games  Year  | Game  | Platforms

|
|

2005  | Yakuza | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3,[lower-alpha 1] Wii U[lower-alpha 1]
2006  | Yakuza 2 | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3,[lower-alpha 1] Wii U[lower-alpha 1]
2008  | Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! | PlayStation 3[lower-alpha 1]
2009  | Yakuza 3 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
2010  | Yakuza 4 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
Kurohyō | PlayStation Portable[lower-alpha 1]
2011  | Yakuza | PlayStation 3
2012  | Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura Hen | PlayStation Portable[lower-alpha 1]
Yakuza 5 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
2014  | Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! | PlayStation 3[lower-alpha 1], PlayStation 4[lower-alpha 1]
2015  | Yakuza 0 | PlayStation 3[lower-alpha 1], PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
2016  | Yakuza Kiwami | PlayStation 3[lower-alpha 1], PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
Yakuza 6 | PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
2017  | Yakuza Kiwami 2 | PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
2018  | Fist of the North Star | PlayStation 4
Ryū ga Gotoku Online | Android,[lower-alpha 1] iOS,[lower-alpha 1] Windows[lower-alpha 1]
Judgment | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
2020  | Yakuza | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Streets of Kamurocho | Windows
2021  | Lost Judgment | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2023  | Like a Dragon: Ishin! | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2024  | Like a Dragon | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Notes:

* Spin-off
* Remake

### Main series

The storytelling of the series is inspired by yakuza films, one of the most popular cinematic genres in Japan. The stories of the first two games in the series were supervised by novelist Hase Seishu, a writer of yakuza crime fiction. The main story in each game is presented in chapters, much like Kinji Fukasaku's classic yakuza movie Sympathy for the Underdog and is expanded upon with around a hundred subplots per game. The depth this provides leads to the series having a large cast of characters, including many which recur in minor roles.[citation needed]

* Yakuza: The first game follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, a formerly promising yakuza who is released from a ten-year prison sentence in December 2005, having taken the fall for the murder of his family's patriarch to protect his sworn brother, Akira Nishikiyama. He discovers that the Tojo Clan, whom he was once sworn to, has had ¥10 billion (approximately US$100 million) stolen from their accounts, and the clan's third chairman has been murdered, resulting in a power vacuum. Kiryu finds himself forced back into the brutal, lawless world of the yakuza, while also protecting a young girl, Haruka Sawamura, who is seemingly tied to the missing 10 billion.
* Yakuza 2: A year after restoring order within the Tojo Clan, Kiryu is drawn back into their conflict as the clan's fifth chairman is gunned down. Kiryu is forced to take action against Ryuji Goda, an ambitious yakuza from a rival clan, the Omi Alliance, who seeks an all-out war with the Tojo Clan. Seeking new and old allies, Kiryu is tasked with stopping a fallout between both organizations, while also facing the threat of a Korean mafia syndicate.
* Yakuza 3: In March 2009, Kiryu now runs the Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa, where he raises nine children, including his surrogate daughter Haruka. When a business deal backed by members of the Tojo Clan threatens to tear down the orphanage, Kiryu travels from the beaches of Okinawa back to Kamurocho to confront new emerging threats within the clan.
* Yakuza 4: In March 2010, Kiryu finds himself once again caught up in events beyond his control. First, a yakuza from a syndicate allied with the Tojo Clan is fatally shot by a member of the clan. Then, a man investigating the murder is stabbed to death. These events spark a full-blown struggle for money, power, and above all, honor, in a story experienced through the eyes of Kiryu and three new characters: loan shark Shun Akiyama; former yakuza and convict Taiga Saejima; and corrupt cop Masayoshi Tanimura.
* Yakuza 5: In December 2012, the seventh chairman of the Omi Alliance is on his deathbed. His death would end the hard-won truce between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance, opening the door for renewed conflict. Anticipating this, the Tojo Clan is forced to strengthen their organization by aligning themselves with older clans based in other major cities across Japan to create a massive new syndicate rivaling that of the Omi Alliance. This new alliance would breach the old traditional barriers of clan territories, leading Tojo Clan chairman Daigo Dojima to head for Fukuoka. Kiryu, now working as a taxi driver, reluctantly returns to his old organization, determined to end the old struggle between the clans for good. He shares the story with returning Yakuza 4 characters Shun Akiyama and Taiga Saejima, and a new ally, the disgraced baseball player Tatsuo Shinada.
* Yakuza 0: In December 1988, many years before the original Yakuza, a young Kiryu is framed for the murder of a civilian, leaving him stripped of his place in the Tojo Clan and forcing him to rebuild his reputation from scratch. At the same time, cabaret club manager Goro Majima finds himself protecting a helpless blind girl whom he was ordered to assassinate, making him a target for defying orders. The two must each attempt to protect themselves and uncover the truth, including how both incidents are tied to the mysterious "Empty Lot".
* Yakuza 6: In 2016, after willingly spending three years in prison for his past crimes, Kiryu is released only to discover that Haruka has disappeared, later found comatose and critically injured after a hit-and-run accident. A devastated Kiryu decides to travel to Onomichi Jingaicho in Hiroshima, hoping to find the truth behind what happened to Haruka while protecting her infant son.
* Yakuza: In 2019, Ichiban Kasuga, a former member of the Tojo Clan's Arakawa Family, is released after eighteen years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Expecting to be welcomed back, he instead discovers that his former patriarch has aligned himself and his family with the Omi Alliance and the police to destroy the Tojo Clan. Shot and left for dead in Yokohama by the man he looked up to as a second father, Kasuga, joined by a group including a homeless nurse, a disgraced cop, and a hostess who lost her employer to gang violence, sets out to uncover the truth behind his patriarch's betrayal while becoming a hero to the outcasts of Yokohama.
* Like a Dragon: In 2023, Kasuga learns that his biological mother, Akane, is still alive and residing in Honolulu, Hawaii. Kasuga travels to Honolulu on his own, and allies with Kiryu to find and protect Akane from various local criminal organizations. Kiryu also struggles with his own survival, having contracted cancer with an undetermined amount of time to live.

### Spin-offs

* Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!: The first franchise spin-off, Kenzan! is set in Kyoto during the Edo period, in 1605, and follows the life of legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. The game was released in Japan and Asia on March 6, 2008.[33]

* Kurohyō: Formerly known under the working title "Project K", Kurohyō is a spin-off that follows Tatsuya Ukyo, a street punk who gets into trouble with the Tojo Clan after accidentally killing one of their captains. Co-developed by Syn Sophia, it was released in Japan on September 22, 2010, for the PlayStation Portable.[34]
* Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura hen, a sequel to Kurohyō, was released in Japan on March 22, 2012.

* Yakuza: Dead Souls is a non-canon story set during a zombie outbreak in Kamurocho. It was initially scheduled for Japanese release on March 17, 2011,[35] but the release was delayed to June 9, 2011, following the Tohoku earthquake on March 11, 2011.[36] The game was later released in the West in March 2012.[37]

* Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!: a spin-off set during Japan's Bakumatsu period (between 1853 and 1867) that follows the adventures of samurai Sakamoto Ryōma. It was released in Japan on PlayStation 3 and as a launch title for PlayStation 4 on February 22, 2014.[38]

* Fist of the North Star: a spin-off title based on the manga series Fist of the North Star, while utilizing gameplay mechanics of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise. The game was released for the PlayStation 4 in Japan on February 22, 2018,[39] and worldwide on October 2, 2018.[40] It was the first Yakuza / Like a Dragon title since the original 2005 game to release with an English dub, and the first overall with dual audio options. Kazuma Kiryu appears as an equippable DLC skin, while other Yakuza / Like a Dragon characters make minor cameo appearances. The story follows Kenshiro, an expert martial artist who travels the post-apocalyptic land of Asura seeking his lost fiancée Yuria, who is hiding in Eden, "the city of miracles".

* Ryū ga Gotoku Online: a non-canonical free-to-play collectible card game spin-off released on Android, iOS, and PC on November 21, 2018.[41] The game features both Kazuma Kiryu and new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga.

* Judgment: a legal thriller set in the same world as the mainline Yakuza / Like a Dragon games, and follows lawyer-turned-private detective Takayuki Yagami (portrayed by Japanese actor Takuya Kimura and voiced in English by Greg Chun) whose investigation into a serial killer in Kamurocho unravels a shocking conspiracy.[42] The game employs a fighting system similar to the one from Yakuza 0 where players can use different styles of attack. Additionally, it features an investigation mode where the player has to find evidence at crime scenes. It was released for PlayStation 4 on December 13, 2018, with a Western release following in June 2019.[43] A remastered version of Judgment was released for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on April 23, 2021,[44] while a Windows release was made available on September 14, 2022.[45]
* Lost Judgment, a sequel to Judgment, was released in September 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.[46] The game was released on Windows alongside Judgment on September 14, 2022.[45] In it, Yagami and his allies are called in to investigate bullying in a private school in Isezaki Ijincho (the setting of Yakuza: Like a Dragon). This seemingly innocuous case soon overlaps in surprising and sinister ways with both the discovery of a murder victim in the city, and a highly publicized sexual assault case in Tokyo. The game expands on the gameplay in Judgment, featuring additional fighting styles for Yagami and more refined and balanced investigation procedures.[47] Lost Judgment also features a story expansion, The Kaito Files, which is a self-contained four-chapter story that follows Yagami's ally and best friend Masaharu Kaito as he investigates the appearance in Kamurocho of a woman who was previously thought dead, and encounters a young man who claims to be his son. Like Yagami, Kaito has multiple fighting styles, although Kaito's emphasize his "unrefined and reckless" strength rather than agility.[48]

* Streets of Kamurocho: a side scrolling beat 'em up minigame inspired by the Streets of Rage series, featuring characters from the Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise. The minigame was developed by Empty Clip Studios and was available on Windows via Steam between October 17–19 and November 13–16, 2020, as part of Sega's 60th anniversary celebration.[49][50]

* Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name: Gaiden is a spin-off title set between the events of Yakuza 6, Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, starring Kazuma Kiryu as the protagonist. The game explores Kiryu's life following the end of Yakuza 6 as a secret agent working for the Daidoji, leading to his involvement in Like a Dragon and Infinite Wealth. The game was announced on September 14, 2022, with a release date of November 9, 2023, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/Series S and Windows.[51][52]

### Re-releases and compilations

* A high-definition remaster of the first two games in the series, titled Ryū ga Gotoku 1&2 HD, was released in Japan on November 1, 2012, for PlayStation 3.[53] The high-definition remaster was ported to Wii U and released in Japan on August 8, 2013, under the title Ryū ga Gotoku 1&2 HD for Wii U.[54][55] Both versions of the compilation were only released in Japan.

* Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of Yakuza, was released in Japan on January 21, 2016, for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4; the PS4 version received a Western release in August 2017.[56] The two versions were the top two best-selling games in Japan during their release week, selling 103,256 copies for PlayStation 4 and 60,427 for PlayStation 3.[57] The game was later released for Windows on February 19, 2019,[58] and for Xbox One on April 22, 2020.[59]

* Yakuza Kiwami 2, a remake of Yakuza 2, was released for the PlayStation 4 on December 7, 2017, in Japan, and in North America and Europe on August 28, 2018. The game runs on the Dragon Engine, which was previously used in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. The remake also adds The Majima Saga, a new prequel story that feature Goro Majima as a playable character, continuing stories of his that were previously established in Yakuza 0. Kiwami 2 was released for Windows on May 9, 2019,[60] and for Xbox One on July 30, 2020.[61]

* A compilation re-release, titled The Yakuza Remastered Collection, was announced and released digitally in English-speaking territories on August 20, 2019, for the PlayStation 4. The collection contains the remastered versions of Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5, which were released in Japan individually between 2018 and 2019. The remasters feature re-translated game scripts and include most content removed from the original English releases,[62] though some content was removed from all versions, such as a set of missions in Yakuza 3 featuring a transphobic character depiction.[63] At the time of the collection's launch, only Yakuza 3 was available; Yakuza 4 was released on October 29, 2019, and Yakuza 5 was released on February 11, 2020. A physical release containing all three games was released alongside Yakuza 5 with a collectible PlayStation 3 styled case for Yakuza 5, which was initially a digital-only release in the West.[62] The Yakuza Remastered Collection was released for Xbox One and Windows on January 28, 2021.[64]

* Like a Dragon: Ishin!, a remake of the original spin-off title Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!, was released on February 21, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/Series S and Windows. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is developed on Unreal Engine 4.[65]

## Adaptations

The Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise includes various types of merchandise and adaptations outside of the video games. This includes a direct-to-video movie, a feature film, a stage play, original soundtracks, official guides, Kamutai Magazines (pre-order campaign limited book) and other licensed products such as Cropped Heads long tee shirts and parkas based on main characters tattoos,[66] limited edition PlayStation 3 console packs,[67][68] Kubrick toys[69] and action figures manufactured by Maitan.[70]

### Books

Kamutai Magazine (カムタイマガジン)  Date | Game | Cover Model(s) | Ref.

|
|
|

2005  | Yakuza | Mihiro  |
2006  | Yakuza 2 | Nana Natsume  |
2008  | Kenzan | Yinling of Joytoy  | [71]
2009  | Yakuza 3 | Shizuka Mutou
Sayaka Araki
Rina Sakurai  | [72][73][74]
2010  | Yakuza 4 | —  | [75]
2010  | Kurohyō | Takumi Saitoh  | [76][77]
2012  | Kurohyō 2 | —  | [78]
2015  | Yakuza 0 | —  | [79]

For the Japanese and Asian market releases of the original game in 2005, Sega created a pre-order campaign limited bonus item called Kamutai Magazine, a full-color magazine which was a travel guide to the fictional in-game location of Kamurocho.[80] The first book was a monography dedicated to the game with Mai, a sub-scenario female character, as the cover girl. This character's physical aspect was inspired by its voice actor, Mihiro, a Japanese adult video idol.

Many of the new Yakuza series games since have included a new Kamutai Magazine issue as a preorder bonus in Japan, featuring a voice actress as cover girl. Hence this December 2005 issue was followed by a December 2006 issue (cover girl is Japanese AV idol Nana Natsume), a March 2008 issue (cover girl is Taiwanese model Yinling of Joytoy) and a February 2009 issue (cover girls are Shizuka Mutou, Sayaka Araki and Rina Sakurai).[72] The fifth issue was bundled with Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 and released in March 2010.

### Original video

Takeshi Miyasaka directed an original video during the promotion period for the Western release of the game which depicted Kiryu, Nishikiyama, and Yumi growing up at the Sunflower Orphanage and leaving for Tokyo. This short film called Like a Dragon: Prologue (龍が如く 〜序章〜, ryu ga gotoku -joshou-) serve as a prequel and set up the events which take place in the game.

### Feature films

* A film adaptation was released in Japanese theaters on March 2, 2007, called Like a Dragon: The Movie (龍が如く 劇場版, ryu ga gotoku: gekijoban). It is based on the first installment of the series and was directed by Takashi Miike. The movie premiered in the United States on June 23 at IFC theater.[81] American distributor Tokyo Shock, a Media Blasters affiliate, released a licensed DVD on February 23, 2010.[82]
* On September 24, 2020, a new film adaptation of the video games was announced to be in development by Sega, 1212 Entertainment and Wild Sheep Content, with Erik Barmack, Roberto Grande and Joshua Long producing.[83]

### Radio dramas

Since September 2008, Japanese voice actors from the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, including Takaya Kuroda (Kazuma Kiryu) and Hidenari Ugaki (Goro Majima), are running a radio drama which is known as Ryu Ga Gotoku Presents Kamuro-cho Radio Station (龍が如くPresents神室町RADIOSTATION). The second season Shin Kamuro-cho Radio Station (新・神室町RADIOSTATION), which covers 2009~2010, is ongoing with back number episodes available for download as podcasts.[84] Past episodes from the 2008~2009 season, Kamuro-cho Radio Station (神室町RADIOSTATION), are also available as archived podcasts.[85]

### TV series

A television series was adapted based on the spin-off PSP title Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō which began airing on TBS on October 5, 2010, and ended after 11 episodes.[86] The series spawned a sequel in 2012 based on the 2011 PSP game Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura hen, the series also ran for 11 episodes[87]

The Kamurocho Caba Jou TV (神室町キャバ嬢 T V) is a Japanese web television dedicated to the series's cabaret girls. Main contents are audition and girls profile, but it can also be related to other aspect of the game series; for example volume 15 focuses on its soundtrack artists. All shows, called "volumes", are archived within the web TV's official website.[88]

A Japanese and American co-produced television series adaptation was announced in 2020, to be co-developed by Wild Sheep Entertainment and 1212 Entertainment.[89] Japanese actor Ryoma Takeuchi is attached to star in the lead role of Kiryu. Other cast members include Kento Kaku as Nishikiyama, and Munetaka Aoki in an unspecified role.[90]

### Stage play

A stage play based on the events of Yakuza 2 was performed in Tokyo in April 2015. Cast members included Eiji Takigawa, Gaku Sano, Yuma Ishigaki, and Kei Hosogai.[91]

## Cultural impact

### Critical reception

Game  | Metacritic  | GameRankings  | Famitsu

|
|
|

Yakuza |

75/100[92]

77.67%[93]

37/40[94]

Yakuza 2 |

77/100[95]

78.41%[96]

38/40[97]

Yakuza 3 |

79/100[98]

79.92%[99]

38/40

Yakuza 4 |

78/100[100]

79.98%[101]

38/40

Yakuza 5 |

83/100[102]

83.79%[103]

40/40[104]

Yakuza 0 |

85/100[105]

85.25%[106]

36/40[107]

Yakuza Kiwami |

80/100[108]

79.79%[109]

34/40[110]

Yakuza 6 |

83/100[111]

84.60%[112]

39/40[113]

Yakuza Kiwami 2 |

85/100[114]

85.01%

37/40[115]

Yakuza |

84/100[116]

N/A

38/40[117]

Promotion at TGS 2010

The original game was heavily acclaimed in Japan for combining innovative gameplay with cinema-like storytelling and character development on the back of Japan's criminal underground.[118] Weekly Famitsu gave high scores to the series, Yakuza scored 37/40 (92.5/100),[119] Yakuza 2 scored 38/40 (95/100),[120] Ryū Ga Gotoku Kenzan! scored 37/40 (92,5/100),[120] Yakuza 3 scored 38/40 (95/100)[120] and Yakuza 4 scored 38/40 (95/100).[121] Yakuza 5 scored (40/40) which has the highest score out of all of the Yakuza installments. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life scored (39/40). The Western localized versions were released between one and three years after the originals and received generally favorable reviews.[122]

Each installment earned an excellence award at the Japan Game Awards and had a PlayStation the Best re-release in both Japanese, Asian and Korean markets.[123] The Japanese entertainment industry gave Yakuza 3 the "Award for Excellence" in the 2009 Japan Game Awards "Games of the Year Division" for its "dramatic story development, freedom of the story and the graphics elaborated up to the details of the work. In addition, amusement found in every portion of the game including the vast number of sub-stories and mini games. This work was awarded the prize for the high quality of entertainment".[124] In 2010, the Japan Game Awards once again gave the Yakuza series game the "Award for Excellence". Yakuza 4 won due to "a rich story with a high degree of freedom that is developed from the different perspectives of the 4 characters. There are also many play spots that boast several sub-stories and mini games. The astounding quality and volume provide a high level of entertainment and was the reason for granting this award".[125]

Although the narrative has often been praised, the poor portrayal of female characters have been noted by reviewers, with some noting that important female characters like Haruka Sawamura and Makoto Makimura are underutilized or overshadowed by the series' singular focus on the deconstruction of toxic masculinity.[126][127][128][129] Taking the criticism into consideration, development staff member for Judgment Scott Strichart said players have the opportunity to empathize with the sexism experienced by female characters like Saori Shirosaki in the English localization.[130] Producer Daisuke Sato noted their handling of LGBT characters in Yakuza 3 did not age well ever since its release as it would come across as offensive. As a result, when the game was remastered, the entire handling of such content was removed.[131]

### Sales

The series sold 3.2 million games worldwide as of 2009[132] and 4 million copies as of September 2010;[133] the best sellers being the first two games which sold between 500,000 – 1 million worldwide, each winning the PlayStation Gold Award.[134] Yakuza 3 sold 500,000 copies in the Asian markets as of 2010, also winning SCEJ's PlayStation Gold Award.[132] However, after Yakuza 4, Sega said that sales were slow in North America and Europe due to "the adverse market condition", noting "sluggish personal consumption" in those regions.[135]

By June 2015, the entire series sold over 7 million units worldwide.[136] As of 2023, the series has sold over 21 million copies.[2]

### Virtual tourism

Some fans have been inspired by the Yakuza / Like a Dragon game series to visit their real-world counterparts.[137][138] One reviewer praised the detailed recreation of specific districts, including "trivial, incidental stuff", that enables virtual exploration of real-life locations.[139] Although not explicitly marketed as "virtual tourism", another reviewer noted "Yakuza still gives you the best opportunity to really get engaged with a country and its people that I can think of. ... [It] has become a connection to a country I love very much, not because of the sights it shows me, but for all the boring things it lets me do".[140] Series writer and producer Masayoshi Yokoyama particularly thinks of Yakuza 5 as a game that provides "all the fun of modern Japan".[141]

### Internet meme

In 2020, an internet meme emerged utilizing deepfakes to generate videos of people and fictional characters singing the chorus of "Baka Mitai" (ばかみたい; lit. "I've Been a Fool"), a song which first appears in the karaoke minigame of Yakuza 5. Most iterations of this meme use a 2017 video uploaded by user Dobbsyrules, who lip syncs the Taxi Driver (Yakuza 5 (Kiryu) / Yakuza 0 / Like a Dragon Gaiden) version of the song, as a template.[142][143]

### Connection to Shenmue

Journalists frequently made comparisons to Sega's Shenmue series when Yakuza was first revealed.[144][145] Series creator Nagoshi was aware of this, and said that these are different games entirely and should not be compared.[146] Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki who worked with Nagoshi said that the challenges that he endured while making Shenmue were something Nagoshi learned from and gave back to Sega.[147] According to former Sega manager Hisashi Suzuki, Yakuza was only possible because of Shenmue and described it as a "Sega-like" work.[148] Other Sega games also had an influence. It inherited elements of the SpikeOut arcade games, games that Nagoshi was previously involved in.[149] The development tools to create the map came from Jet Set Radio.[150]

## Notes

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Released only in Japan.

## References

1. ↑ Blake, Vikki (2022-09-18). "Sega has formally dropped the Yakuza brand name and replaced it with Like a Dragon" (in en-gb). Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/sega-has-formally-dropped-the-yakuza-brand-name-and-replaced-it-with-like-a-dragon.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Business Overview". 2023-11-02. https://www.segasammy.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/pdf/en/ir/ir_2023_web_all_e.pdf.
3. ↑ Feit, Daniel (May 23, 2012). "Explore 5 Japanese Cities in Ambitious Yakuza 5". Wired. https://www.wired.com/2012/05/yakuza-5/. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
4. ↑ @moriyoshijon (February 9, 2020). "Last but not least, Kamurocho, Tokyo (based on real-world Kabukicho)! There's not much to say about this district that hasn't already been said, but it's perhaps the most lovingly-detailed of all five cities - which makes sense given its central importance to the series!". https://twitter.com/moriyoshijon/status/1226669870021926913.
5. ↑ Cryer, Hirun (December 20, 2019). "Yakuza: Like a Dragon Will Return to Sotenbori in Osaka". US Gamer. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/yakuza-like-a-dragon-will-return-to-sotenbori.
6. ↑ Glagowski, Peter (August 26, 2018). "Review: Yakuza Kiwami 2". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-yakuza-kiwami-2-519160.phtml. "If you're a purist, too, then you'll be incredibly upset at the removal of the "Shinseicho" region. I wouldn't call it exactly pivotal to the experience, but having a distinct district be condensed into backlots of Sotenbori is disappointing. The Yakuza series has always doubled as digital tourism and having less to explore just sucks. At least Sotenbori is bigger than its original incarnation, but explorable rooftops don't really replace the Tsutenkaku tower."
7. ↑ @moriyoshijon (February 9, 2020). "Third up is Sotenbori, Osaka (based on real-world Dotonbori), where Haruka is working as an idol. It also played host to Majima's story in Yakuza 0!". https://twitter.com/moriyoshijon/status/1226669867018797056.
8. ↑ Peace, Warren (April 18, 2010). "Mean streets of Naha". Stars and Stripes. https://www.stripes.com/lifestyle/mean-streets-of-naha-1.102460.
9. ↑ @moriyoshijon (February 9, 2020). "With Yakuza 5 R's release only 2 days away (!!!), I wanted to take a second and again acknowledge some of the insane detail to the real-life cities the game is based in! First up: Nagasugai, Fukuoka (based on real-world Nakasu) - the biggest city in Kyushu, and Kiryu's home in 5". https://twitter.com/moriyoshijon/status/1226669861729796096.
10. ↑ @moriyoshijon (February 9, 2020). "Second comes Tsukimino, Sapporo (based on real-world Susukino). Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan, and by far the largest city on Hokkaido, the northern island that sits about the main island of Honshu. It's also home to a super famous snow sculpture festival every year!". https://twitter.com/moriyoshijon/status/1226669865009737729.
11. ↑ @moriyoshijon (February 9, 2020). "Fourth is Kineicho, Nagoya (based on the real-world Nishiki district of central Nagoya). Nagoya is the fourth-largest city in Japan, and is home to one of the goofiest protagonists the Yakuza series has ever seen". https://twitter.com/moriyoshijon/status/1226669868721696768.
12. ↑ Hetfeld, Malindy (November 25, 2018). "A day trip to Yakuza 6's Onomichi". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-11-25-a-day-trip-to-yakuza-6s-onomichi.
13. ↑ Alexandra, Heather (March 15, 2018). "Yakuza 6's New Town Is The Best". Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/yakuza-6s-new-town-is-the-best-1823799412.
14. ↑ Moon, Mariella (September 28, 2020). "'Yakuza: Like a Dragon' will be available on November 10th across platforms". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/yakuza-like-a-dragon-release-date-free-ps5-upgrade-130045343.html.
15. ↑ Romano, Sal (December 13, 2019). "Yakuza: Like a Dragon details the areas of Isezaki Ijincho". Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2019/12/yakuza-like-a-dragon-details-the-areas-of-isezaki-ijincho.
16. ↑ Tran, Edmond (September 20, 2023). "Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth will be released in January 2024". https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-release-date-gameplay-story-trailer-2629488/.
17. ↑ Alexandra, Heather (January 8, 2018). "How Yakuza's City Changes From Game To Game". Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/how-yakuzas-city-changes-from-game-to-game-1821884988.'s+City+Changes+From+Game+To+Game&rft.jtitle=Kotaku&rft.aulast=Alexandra&rft.aufirst=Heather&rft.au=Alexandra, Heather&rft.date=January+8,+2018&rft_id=https://kotaku.com/how-yakuzas-city-changes-from-game-to-game-1821884988&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikibooks.org:Software:Yakuza_(franchise)">
18. ↑ Petit, Carolyn (2011-03-21). "Yakuza 4 Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/yakuza-4-review/1900-6305137/.
19. ↑ Concepcion, Miguel (2015-12-09). "Yakuza 5 Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/yakuza-5-review/1900-6416325/.
20. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (7 May 2021). "Yakuza sequels will be turn-based while Judgment focuses on action, Sega says". https://www.polygon.com/22424987/yakuza-rpg-turn-based-sequels-judgment-action.
21. ↑ "[TGS2022 Like A Dragon: Ishin Producer Masayoshi Yokoyama Explains Why They Decided To Remake The Japan Exclusive Spin-Off In I"] (in en-US). 2022-09-16. https://www.gamerbraves.com/like-a-dragon-ishin-producer-masayoshi-yokoyama-explains-why-they-decided-to-remake-the-japan-exclusive-spin-off-in-interview/.
22. ↑ Yong, Kuan Leong (7 Jan 2019). "You'll love these Yakuza 0 Substories". Levelskip. https://levelskip.com/action-adventure/You-Will-Love-These-Yakuza-0-Substories.
23. ↑ Bowen, Thomas (2020-11-10). "Every Mini Game In Yakuza: Like A Dragon (& Where To Play Them)" (in en-US). https://gamerant.com/yakuza-like-a-dragon-mini-games/.
24. ↑ Ashcraft, Brian (24 Feb 2010). "Sega, You Are Once Again Making A Giant Mistake". https://kotaku.com/sega-you-are-once-again-making-a-giant-mistake-5478862.
25. ↑ "The classic Sega games of Lost Judgment". 20 September 2021. https://blog.playstation.com/2021/09/20/the-classic-sega-games-of-lost-judgment/.
26. ↑ Ramsey, Robert (August 18, 2023). "Like a Dragon Gaiden Looks Awesome, Includes Trial Version of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth". https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/08/like-a-dragon-gaiden-looks-awesome-includes-trial-version-of-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth.
27. ↑ "Ryu Ga Gotoku Update". IGN. September 11, 2005. http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/11/ryu-ga-gotoku-update.
28. ↑ Martin Robinson (August 24, 2011). "Yakuza unlikely on Xbox 360". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-24-yakuza-unlikely-on-xbox-360.
29. ↑ "The beginning story of "Yakuza" — the battle with video game regulations, and the difficult path Toshihiro Nagoshi chose. [Passion of the Game Designers"] (in ja-JP). 電ファミニコゲーマー – ゲームの面白い記事読んでみない？. https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/english/171121.
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Hewlett-Packard Japan (2009). "HP Workstation 導入事例紹介株式会社セガ 「龍が如く3」". Hewlett-Packard. http://h50146.www5.hp.com/products/workstations/personal_ws/case_studies/sega_ryugagotoku.html.
31. ↑ "The Yakuza series will officially be Like a Dragon moving forward" (in en). 2022-09-14. https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/like-a-dragon-yakuza-name-change-explained-by-sega/.
32. ↑ "Yakuza 4 Producer on Re-Localising the Series". Joystiq. 2011-03-13. http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/yakuza-4-producer-yasuhiro-noguchi-on-re-localizing-the-series/.
33. ↑ "Ryu ga Gotoku 3 [Yakuza 3"]. Sega. http://www.jeux-france.com/news21764_yakuza-3-annonce.html.
34. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (30 June 2010). "New Yakuza Game in Development for PS3". andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/30/ps3_yakuza_game/.
35. ↑ Garratt, Patrick (15 December 2010). "Yakuza zombie release gets Japanese date". VG 24/7. https://www.vg247.com/2010/12/15/yakuza-zombie-release-gets-japanese-date/.
36. ↑ "『龍が如く OF THE END』 発売日2011年6月9日に決定！" (in ja). http://ameblo.jp/ryu-ga-gotoku-team/entry-10854247047.html.
37. ↑ Nunneley, Stephany (18 January 2012). "SEGA announces pre-order bonuses for Yakuza: Dead Souls". VG 24/7. http://www.vg247.com/2012/01/18/sega-announces-pre-order-bonuses-for-yakuza-dead-souls/.
38. ↑ Brian Ashcraft (September 9, 2013). "Yakuza: Ishin Is a PS4 Launch Title in Japan". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/yakuza-is-a-ps4-launch-title-in-japan-1276576287.
39. ↑ Gach, Ethan (August 26, 2017). "The Yakuza Developers Are Working On A Fist Of The North Star Game". http://kotaku.com/the-studio-behind-the-yakuza-series-is-working-on-a-fis-1798458885.
40. ↑ Moyse, Chris (June 11, 2018). "Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise ATATATATAs West this Fall". https://www.destructoid.com/fist-of-the-north-star-lost-paradise-atatatatas-west-this-fall-507418.phtml.
41. ↑ ‘Yakuza Online’ iOS and Android Release Date Announced
42. ↑ Sato (2018-09-10). "Project Judge Is A Courtroom Thriller-Themed Action Game Set In Kamurocho". Siliconera.com. http://www.siliconera.com/2018/09/10/project-judge-is-a-courtroom-thriller-themed-action-game-set-in-kamurocho/.
43. ↑ "Project Judge Feels Like a Yakuza Spin-off All the Way Down to the Return of Kamurocho". US Gamer. September 12, 2018. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/project-judge-judge-eyes-yakuza-demo-preview.
44. ↑ Azario Lopez (2021-02-01). "Judgment Gets a Remastered Version on PS5 and Xbox Series X With April Release Date" (in en). Noisy Pixel. https://noisypixel.net/judgment-ps5-xbox-series-x-release-date/.
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Joshua Wolens (2022-09-14). "Yakuza spin-offs Judgment and Lost Judgment just released on Steam" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/yakuza-spin-offs-judgment-and-lost-judgment-just-released-on-steam/.
46. ↑ Franzese, Tomas (June 7, 2021). "Lost Judgment dev reveals how sequel 'tripled the struggles' of the team". Inverse. https://www.inverse.com/gaming/lost-judgment-worldwide-release-date-tripled-the-struggles-for-devs.
47. ↑ King, Jade (2021-09-06). "Lost Judgment Interview: Kazuki Hosokawa On Creating The Detective Sequel" (in en). https://www.thegamer.com/lost-judgment-kazuki-hosokawa-interview/.
48. ↑ Square, Push (2022-04-01). "Review: Lost Judgment: The Kaito Files (PS5) - Shorter Story Expansion Beats Yagami at His Own Game" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/lost-judgment-the-kaito-files.
49. ↑ Romano, Sal (October 14, 2020). "Streets of Kamurocho, a mashup of Streets of Rage 2 and Yakuza, coming to PC on October 17 for a limited time". https://www.gematsu.com/2020/10/streets-of-kamurocho-a-mashup-of-streets-of-rage-2-and-yakuza-coming-to-pc-on-october-17-for-a-limited-time.
50. ↑ Shaw, Luke (November 14, 2020). "'Yakuza' brawwler 'Streets Of Kamurocho' is returning to Steam". NME. https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/yakuza-brawler-streets-of-kamurocho-is-returning-to-steam-2816663.
51. ↑ Bonthuys, Darren (September 14, 2022). "Yakuza Spin-Off Like A Dragon Gaiden Announced, Coming In 2023". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/yakuza-spin-off-like-a-dragon-gaiden-announced-coming-in-2023/1100-6507486/.
52. ↑ Friscia, John (June 8, 2023). "Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Release Date, Story, & Images Leak". https://www.escapistmagazine.com/like-a-dragon-gaiden-the-man-who-erased-his-name-release-date-story-screenshots-leak/.
53. ↑ Feit, Daniel (19 July 2012). "Yakuza 1 & 2 HD Edition Hits PlayStation 3 in November". Wired. https://www.wired.com/2012/07/yakuza-1-2-hd-ps3/.
54. ↑ Owen, Phil (15 August 2013). "Yakuza 1+2 HD for Wii U bombing hard in Japan". VG 24/7. https://www.vg247.com/2013/08/15/yakuza-1-2-hd-for-wii-u-bombing-hard-in-japan/.
55. ↑ Whitehead, Thomas (15 August 2013). "Yakuza 1&2 HD Reportedly Sells Less Than 2000 Copies in Debut Week". Nintendo Life. http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/08/yakuza_1_and_2_hd_reportedly_sells_less_than_2000_copies_in_debut_week.
56. ↑ Romano, Sal (15 September 2015). "Yakuza: Kiwami and Yakuza 6 announced for PS4". Gematsu. http://gematsu.com/2015/09/yakuza-kiwami-yakuza-6-announced-ps4.
57. ↑ 4gamer. 27 January 2016. http://www.4gamer.net/games/117/G011794/20160127073/.
58. ↑ "Yakuza Kiwami on Steam". https://store.steampowered.com/app/834530/Yakuza_Kiwami/.
59. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (April 21, 2020). "Xbox Game Pass April 2020: Yakuza Kiwami, Gears Tactics, And More Coming This Month". Gamespot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-game-pass-april-2020-yakuza-kiwami-gears-tact/1100-6475714/.
60. ↑ Wales, Matt (April 11, 2019). "Yakuza Kiwami 2 gets a May release date on PC". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-04-11-yakuza-kiwami-2-gets-a-may-release-date-on-pc.
61. ↑ Reese, Zachary (July 30, 2020). "Yakuza Kiwami 2 Launches Today for Xbox One, Windows 10, and Xbox Game Pass". Xbox News. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/07/30/yakuza-kiwami-2-launches-today-for-xbox-one-windows-10-and-xbox-game-pass/.
62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 Goslin, Austen (August 20, 2019). "Sega announces Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 PS4 remasters coming to US". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/20/20814029/yakuza-3-4-5-remaster-collection-release-date-ps4.
63. ↑ Doherty, Izzy (February 23, 2019). "Yakuza 3 Remastered Has Removed A Transphobic Sidequest". The Gamer. https://www.thegamer.com/yakuza-3-remastered-transphobic-sidequest-removed/.
64. ↑ @SEGA (December 10, 2020). "We're excited to announce that the entire mainline Kiryu Yakuza saga will soon be available on Xbox Game Pass, Windows 10, and Steam!
🐉 The Yakuza Remastered Collection (Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 also available separately) – Jan 28, 2021
🐉 Yakuza 6: The Song of Life – Mar 25, 2021". https://twitter.com/SEGA/status/1337222900143841282.
65. ↑ Plunkett, Luke (September 13, 2022). "Oh Man, We're Actually Getting A Samurai Yakuza Game". Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/yakuza-like-dragon-ishin-ishin-sega-ps5-spinoff-1849532697.
66. ↑ 【龍が如く】ロンＴ－ｓｈ 桐生一馬モデル
67. ↑ "『龍が如く 見参！』と新色サテン・シルバーのプレイステーション3本体を同梱した特別パックが発売". Famitsu.com. 2008-02-05. http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1213425_1124.html.
68. ↑ "限定10000台！ 『龍が如く3』"昇り龍パック"のデザインが決定". Famitsu.com. 2009-01-06. http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1221066_1124.html.
69. ↑ "龍が如くキューブリック 劇場版デラックスBOX". Medicomtoy.blog106.fc2.com. 1999-02-22. http://medicomtoy.blog106.fc2.com/blog-entry-36.html.
70. ↑ "Dengeki PlayStation Online, こだわり仕様で登場する究極の"漢"フィギュア「龍が如く 桐生 一馬」5月発売!!, 2008.04.22". Dps.dengeki.com. 2008-04-22. http://dps.dengeki.com/2008/04/_5.html.
71. ↑ "PS3 Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan! - New Import, In Stock". National Console Support, Inc.. http://www.ncsx.com/2008/030308/ryuga_gotoku_kenzan.htm.
72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 "あの「伝説の予約特典」が帰ってきた！『龍が如く３』予約購入すると「Kamutai magazine」をプレゼント！ 2009年2月26日に発売決定！！" [That 'legendary reservation bonus' is back! Pre-order 'Yakuza 3' and get 'Kamutai magazine' as a gift! It will be released on February 26, 2009!!] (Press release) (in 日本語). Sega Co., Ltd. November 28, 2008. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015.
73. ↑ Nguyen, Hung (December 2, 2008). "Yakuza 3 aura son bundle collector" (in fr). Jeux Actu. https://www.jeuxactu.com/yakuza-3-aura-son-bundle-collector-34064.htm.
74. ↑ "Yakuza 3 Finished In February". Siliconera. November 28, 2008. https://www.siliconera.com/yakuza-3-finished-in-february/.
75. ↑ "Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 Kamutai Magazine March 2010". National Console Support, Inc.. http://www.shopncsx.com/kamutaimagazinemarch.aspx.
76. ↑ Warmoth, Brian (May 12, 2010). "New 'Yakuza' Game Named (in Japanese) and Dated for PSP". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/2461103/new-yakuza-game-named-in-japanese-and-dated-for-psp/.
77. ↑ "Kurohyou Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou Premium Box". National Console Support, Inc.. http://www.shopncsx.com/ryugagotokushinshou-1.aspx.
78. ↑ "Kurohyou 2 Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen". National Console Support, Inc.. http://www.shopncsx.com/kurohyou2.aspx.
79. ↑ "Ryu Ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho [PS3/JPN"]. National Console Support, Inc.. http://www.shopncsx.com/ryugagotoku0ps3.aspx.
80. ↑ "「龍が如く」予約特典は舞台となる"神室町"を徹底解剖した「神室町夜遊び探検隊 Kamutai magazine」" (in ja). +D Games. November 11, 2005. https://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0511/11/news038.html.
81. ↑ Michael McWhertor (June 20, 2008). "Ryu Ga Gotoku Movie Screening In New York". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5018153/ryu-ga-gotoku-movie-screening-in-new-york.
82. ↑ America, Sega Of. "Like A Dragon (2007)". https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002T08R9U.
83. ↑ Dave McNary (September 24, 2020). "Sega Developing Live-Action Adaptation Based on 'Yakuza' Video Game With 1212, Wild Sheep (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/yakuza-movie-sega-video-game-1234781210/.
84. ↑ "新・神室町RADIOSTATION, official website". Ryu-ga-gotoku.com. http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/rspodcast/index.html.
85. ↑ "神室町RADIOSTATION archives". Ryu-ga-gotoku.com. http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/rspodcast/backonair/index.html.
86. ↑ "クロヒョウ 龍が如く新章｜ドラマ・時代劇｜TBS Cs［Tbsチャンネル］". https://www.tbs.co.jp/tbs-ch/item/d2609/.
87. ↑ "クロヒョウ2 龍が如く 阿修羅編｜ドラマ・時代劇｜TBS Cs［Tbsチャンネル］". http://www.tbs.co.jp/tbs-ch/item/d2610/.
88. ↑ "Kamurocho Caba Jou TV official website". Ryu-ga-gotoku.com. http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/caba/index.html.
89. ↑ https://www.wildsheepcontent.com/yakuza
90. ↑ https://www.jprime.jp/articles/-/28349
91. ↑ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-15/more-yakuza-stage-play-cast-photographed-in-costume/.87143
92. ↑ "Yakuza". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/ryugagotoku?q=yakuza.
93. ↑ "Yakuza – PS2". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/929568-yakuza/index.html.
94. ↑ "Yakuza". Famitsu. http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review/index.php.
95. ↑ "Yakuza 2". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/yakuza2?q=yakuza.
96. ↑ "Yakuza 2 – PS2". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/935326-yakuza-2/index.html.
97. ↑ "Yakuza 2". Famitsu. http://www.gamebrink.com/playstation-2/1851-Ryu_ga_Gotoku_2-info.html.
98. ↑ "Yakuza 3". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/yakuza3?q=yakuza.
99. ↑ "Yakuza 3 – PS3". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/950186-yakuza-3/index.html.
100. ↑ "Yakuza 4". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/yakuza-4/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3.
101. ↑ "Yakuza 4 – PS3". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/974869-yakuza-4/index.html.
102. ↑ "Yakuza 5 Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/yakuza-5/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3.
103. ↑ "Yakuza 5". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/644272-yakuza-5/index.html.
104. ↑ Sal Romano (2012-03-13). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1251". Gematsu. http://gematsu.com/2012/11/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1251.
105. ↑ "Yakuza 0 Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/yakuza-0/?ref=hp/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4.
106. ↑ "Yakuza 0". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/816306-yakuza-0/index.html.
107. ↑ "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1370" (in en-US). Gematsu. March 3, 2015. http://gematsu.com/2015/03/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1370.
108. ↑ "Yakuza Kiwami Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/yakuza-kiwami/?ref=hp/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4.
109. ↑ "Yakuza Kiwami". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/816306-yakuza-kiwami/index.html.
110. ↑ "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1370" (in en-US). Gematsu. https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=32802.
111. ↑ "Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/yakuza-6-the-song-of-life/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4.
112. ↑ "Yakuza 6: The Song of Life". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/181153-yakuza-6-the-song-of-life/index.html.
113. ↑ "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1461" (in en-US). Gematsu. November 29, 2016. http://gematsu.com/2016/11/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1461.
114. ↑ "Yakuza Kiwami 2 Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/yakuza-kiwami-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4.
115. ↑ "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1513 - Gematsu". November 28, 2017. https://gematsu.com/2017/11/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1513.
116. ↑ "Yakuza: Like a Dragon Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/yakuza-like-a-dragon/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4.
117. ↑ "First Yakuza: Like a Dragon Review Is Incredibly Positive". January 7, 2020. https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/01/first_yakuza_like_a_dragon_review_is_incredibly_positive.
118. ↑ "Official Yakuza website". Sega. http://yakuza.sega-europe.com/en/main.html.
119. ↑ "Inside Famitsu: Rogue Galaxy and More – Edge Magazine". Next-gen.biz. 2004-11-29. http://www.next-gen.biz/features/inside-famitsu-rogue-galaxy-and-more.
120. ↑ 120.0 120.1 120.2 "Yakuza 3 wows Famitsu, Posted on February 17, 2009 by Nick". Ps3center.net. http://www.ps3center.net/news/2331/yakuza-3-wows-famitsu/.
121. ↑ Sal Romano (2010-09-13). "Yakuza 4 scores 38/40 in Famitsu". Gematsu. http://gematsu.com/2010/03/yakuza-4-scores-3840-in-famitsu.
122. ↑ "Popular Search Results at Metacritic - Metacritic". http://apps.metacritic.com/search/process?ty=3&ts=yakuza&tfs=game_title&sb=1&game_platform=PS2&game_platform=PS3&game_genres=adventure&release_date_s=&release_date_e=&metascore_s=&metascore_e=&x=24&y=2.
123. ↑ "Official Yakuza website (Japan)- History & Story". Sega. http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/history/index.html.
124. ↑ "SCEJ，日本国内でヒットしたタイトルを表彰する「PlayStation Awards 2009」を開催". http://www.4gamer.net/games/043/G004323/20091203054/.
125. ↑ "Awarded Games: Games of the Year Division". http://awards.cesa.or.jp/en/prize/year/11.html.
126. ↑ "Yakuza examines masculinity with care, but leaves women behind". Polygon. August 25, 2020. https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/25/21399785/yakuza-toxic-masculinity-femininity-gender-analysis. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
127. ↑ Sterling, Jim (19 January 2017). "Yakuza 0 Review – Majimagnificent". The Jimquisition. http://www.thejimquisition.com/yakuza-0-review/.
128. ↑ Hawkins, Janine (19 January 2017). "Yakuza 0 review". https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/19/14193836/yakuza-0-review-ps4-playstation-4-sega-atlus.
129. ↑ "The 25 most inspirational female characters in games". March 8, 2018. https://www.gamesradar.com/20-most-inspirational-female-characters-games/3/. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
130. ↑ Hernandez, Patricia (July 10, 2019). "Judgment localizers want catcalling scene to feel 'gross' for players". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/10/20689358/judgment-localization-catcalling-scene-translation.
131. ↑ Sega cuts content from Yakuza remasters: 'The perception of the LGBTQ community was different to how it is nowadays'. August 22, 2019. https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/sega-cuts-content-from-yakuza-remasters-the-perception-of-the-lgbtq-community-was-different-to-how-it-is-nowadays/. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
132. ↑ 132.0 132.1 Sega (2009-03-19). "『龍が如く３』国内出荷50万本突破！". Ryu Ga Gotoku portal site. http://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/news/index6.html#86.
133. ↑ "Amusement Machine Sales Business Segment: Second Quarter Review". Segment Information. Sega Sammy Holdings. September 2010. p. 7. http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/stockholder/2011/05_segment_2011e.pdf.
134. ↑ 仗桐安. "SCEJ Announces PlayStation Awards 2007 Winners News". TVG website. http://www.totalvideogames.com/PlayStation-3/news/SCEJ-Announces-PlayStation-Awards-2007-Winners-11321.html.
135. ↑ "Sega Earnings Suffer". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/sega-earnings-suffer-from-yakuza-delay-sluggish-western-game/.
136. ↑ "Yakuza 0 shipments top 500,000 - Gematsu". June 12, 2015. http://gematsu.com/2015/06/yakuza-0-sales-top-500000.
137. ↑ Kelly, Andy (November 12, 2019). "I visited locations from Yakuza and Shenmue in real life and it was very surreal". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/i-visited-locations-from-yakuza-and-shenmue-in-real-life-and-it-was-very-surreal/.
138. ↑ McGee, Oona (January 29, 2020). "Foreign tourist comes to Japan hoping to see yakuza from Yakuza video game series". Sora News 24. https://soranews24.com/2020/01/29/foreign-tourist-comes-to-japan-hoping-to-see-yakuza-from-yakuza-video-game-series/.
139. ↑ Plunkett, Luke (August 29, 2012). "The Joys of Using Games For Virtual Tourism". Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/the-joys-of-using-games-for-virtual-tourism-5939108.
140. ↑ Hetfeld, Malindy (July 1, 2018). "After I stepped into Yakuza's world, Yakuza's world seeped into mine". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-06-30-after-i-stepped-into-yakuzas-world-yakuzas-world-seeped-into-mine.
141. ↑ 電撃オンライン. "『龍が如く6』横山昌義さんへのロングインタビュー。物語の描き方や収録秘話、ユーザーの評判について語る" (in ja). https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/455/1455505/.
142. ↑ C, Kim (August 22, 2020). "Coffin Dance and More: The Music Memes of 2020 So Far". https://www.musictimes.com/articles/82157/20200822/coffin-dance-and-more-the-music-memes-of-2020-so-far.htm.
143. ↑ Sholihyn, Ilyas (August 7, 2020). "Someone deepfaked Singapore's politicians to lip-sync that Japanese meme song". AsiaOne. https://www.asiaone.com/digital/someone-deepfaked-singapores-politicians-lip-sync-japanese-meme-song.
144. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (2005-08-23). "Sega's Project J Revealed" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/23/segas-project-j-revealed.
145. ↑ "Yakuza for PS2 from 1UP". http://www.1up.com/games/ps2/yakuza/index.html.
146. ↑ "Like A Dragon: Yakuza PS2 SEGA Toshihiro Nagoshi from 1UP.com". 2016-06-01. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3153272.
147. ↑ "The Disappearance of Yu Suzuki: Part 2 from 1UP.com". 2015-04-22. http://www.1up.com/features/disappearance-suzuki-part-2?pager.offset=3.
148. ↑ "ビデオゲームの語り部たち 第11部：鈴木久司氏が魂を注いだセガのアーケードゲーム黄金時代" (in ja). https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20190302005/.
149. ↑ 実存 (2019-10-15). "セガ社員と「創業からのセガの歴史」を振り返ってみた【PR】" (in ja). https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/kikakuthetower/191015a.
150. ↑ "Twitter" (in en). https://twitter.com/drunkenando/status/903099103994716160.

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