Ever since RGG Summit Summer 2023, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio had been quiet about their upcoming game Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name until now.
Yesterday, RGG Studio updated the Like A Dragon Gaiden page on its official website. These updates include detailed story descriptions, key character profiles, and more information about game locations and factions. Through these updates, Yakuza/Like A Dragon fans have a clearer picture of Gaiden‘s premise.
Set after Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Gaiden follows former series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu performing missions for the mysterious Daidoji Faction under the codename “Joryu”. One of these missions entails hunting down an illegal gold mining site in the Port of Yokohama, which is supposed to be an easy assignment. However, he finds several Daidoji agents on standby, whom Kiryu “violently lashes out” on due to their provocation. The deal goes south once an unspecified group arrives, even though no outsider should’ve known about it. The group recognizes Kiryu, which forces him back into the “maelstrom of the underworld.”
The website lists six central characters in Gaiden‘s cast. The first one is Kiryu (portrayed again by Takaya Kuroda), former Tojo Clan chairman and Morning Glory Orphanage manager. Due to faking his death to protect his loved ones, Kiryu can never return to the life he knew. Now, Kiryu simply kills time fulfilling assignments from the Daidoji Faction.
Another important character in Gaiden is Kosei Shishido (portrayed by Yasukaze Motomiya), Watase Family lieutenant and “ace-in-the-hole.” The Watase Family is a powerful group within the Omi Alliance yakuza; it’s led by Masaru Watase, who’s next in line for Omi chairman. In combat, Shishido wields deadly weapons with no regard for his victims’ lives. He’s also a capable lieutenant who rules through terror and intimidation.
The Watase Family introduces another key individual into the mix: Yuki Tsuruno (portrayed by Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi). As Watase Family captain, he’s a bold and meticulous planner who leads the group in Watase’s absence. He will apparently oppose Kiryu in Gaiden, having laid a “mountain of traps” to ensnare him.
An unaffiliated key figure in Gaiden is Akame (portrayed by First Summer Uika), who is a shadowy individual who knows the “ins and outs” of Sotenbori. Also described as a “jack-of-all-trades”, she’s acquainted with Sotenbori’s criminal underworld due to her Akame Network, which reaches into every corner of the city. Akame is also an intermediary for a certain individual, guiding them to an unspecified destination.
Gaiden also features a key Omi Alliance official: Homare Nishitani III (portrayed by Kim Jaeuck). As the third Kijin Clan patriarch, he’s a young yakuza who quickly rose through the ranks. His “dashing good looks” contrast his swirling madness, wherein Nishitani III prides himself on fighting with his life on the line. His influence in the Omi Alliance is on a similar level as Watase’s.
The last significant character in Gaiden is Kihei Hanawa, Daidoji Faction leader and handler (portrayed by Hiroki Tochi). In this position, Hanawa is Kiryu’s only connection with the outside world. As such, he’s strictly professional with Kiryu and isn’t hesitant to reprimand the legendary yakuza.
The website also expands on Gaiden‘s locations. The fictional Osakan city Sotenbori will be Gaiden‘s primary setting. Here, there will Omi Alliance territories where people can recognize Kiryu. Gaiden‘s second setting is Isezaki Ijincho, Yokohama, home to the Seiryu Clan yakuza. First seen in Yakuza: Like A Dragon, this organization becomes Kiryu’s target while he attempts to solve a case.
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will launch on November 9th for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Steam. The Legendary Fighter Pack featuring Yakuza/Like A Dragon fan-favorites like Daigo Dojima, Goro Majima, and Taiga Saejima as arena fighters is currently available as a pre-order bonus.