Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is one of two Yakuza releases fans of the long-running beat-em-up are awaiting in these coming months, alongside its brother game Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Though the crime-thriller series has definitely seen a spike in popularity in the western sphere ever since the English release of Yakuza 0 in 2017 shocking news came from the Twitter of Youtuber Yong Yea, who had been contracted to voice Yakuza main character Kiryu Kazuma, where he revealed that Like a Dragon Gaiden’s release date of November 8th, 2023 would not be accompanied by an English dub for its initial release.
This is surprising news to many, considering the franchise’s ever-rising popularity in the West. Many fans online have found this to be a blessing in disguise, with claims that the Yakuza series and all its spinoffs (such as the Judgement series, which also released with an English dub) should never be released with an English dub, as the game’s setting of Japan is absolutely core to the series’ identity and language is arguably the most important part of that. Still, others on the other side of the fence argue that it would be more inclusive to have an English dub, and that the option to turn it on or off doesn’t effect anyone.
Regardless, there’s only speculation as to what is causing this delay. Like a Dragon Gaiden releasing without an English dub may just be RGG Studio needing a few extra days to patch it in, no ulterior motive or reason behind it or it may be something deeper. But the fact of the matter is that everyone who buys Like a Dragon Gaiden on release day will be experiencing the game dubbed in its native Japanese language voiced by its iconic cast.
Though on the subject of Gaiden’s brother game Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, set to release on January 24th, 2024, Yong Yea shed some light on the dub situation there too.
However, it should be noted that while he’s highly implying that that game will release with its English dub, he’s still only ‘suggesting’ it which means nothing is set in stone in regards to that game’s languages.
Regardless of whether they are in English or Japanese, the Yakuza franchise is long-lived for a reason: it’s a franchise of fun almost cartoonish combat set alongside an intense drama with whacky side-quests sprinkled in to give you a mix of experiences as you wander through the streets of Japan. If you want to book a virtual trip to Kamurocho then look forward to Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name releasing on November 8th, 2023 as well as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth releasing on January 24th, 2024. Both will be available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on Steam.