Yakuza: Middle-Aged Shenanigans in Like a Dragon

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, while expanding its appeal to younger and female players, will remain true to its core identity: middle-aged men navigating middle-aged life.

Like a Dragon Studio Prioritizes its Established Identity over Catering to New Fans

Staying True to the "Middle-Aged Guy" Experience

The Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) franchise enjoys global popularity, thanks in part to the endearing protagonist Ichiban Kasuga. This has attracted a diverse fanbase, including many young women. However, the developers have confirmed their commitment to the series' core identity.

Director Ryosuke Horii, in an interview with AUTOMATON, stated, "We've seen a significant increase in new fans, including women, which we greatly appreciate. But we won't alter the core themes to cater to this new audience. That would mean abandoning discussions of, say, uric acid levels."

Horii and lead planner Hirotaka Chiba believe the series' unique appeal stems from its focus on the relatable experiences of middle-aged men, a demographic they themselves represent. From Ichiban's love for Dragon Quest to his complaints about back pain, they see this "humanity" as the source of the game's originality.

Horii added, "The characters are realistic, much like our players, so their struggles resonate. This makes the game immersive, feeling like eavesdropping on ordinary conversations."

In a 2016 Famitsu interview (reported by Siliconera), series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi expressed surprise at the increase in female players (around 20% at the time). While welcoming this, he emphasized Yakuza's initial design for a male audience and a commitment to avoid changes that would deviate from their creative vision.

Concerns Regarding Female Representation

Despite its primarily male target audience, the series has faced criticism regarding its portrayal of women. Some fans argue the series relies on sexist tropes, relegating female characters to supporting roles or objectifying them.

ResetEra users have pointed out the ongoing need for improved female representation, citing examples of sexist tropes and scenarios. Concerns have been raised about the limited number of female party members and the frequent use of suggestive remarks by male characters towards women.

The "damsel in distress" trope is also a recurring criticism, exemplified by characters like Makoto (Yakuza 0), Yuri (Kiwami), and Lilly (Yakuza 4). This pattern of marginalizing female characters raises concerns about future iterations.

Chiba, in a lighthearted comment during the same interview, noted a scenario in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth where a female-centric conversation is interrupted by male characters, suggesting this dynamic might persist.

While the series has shown progress in its approach to progressive ideals, it still occasionally falls back on outdated sexist tropes. Despite this, newer entries represent a notable step forward.

Game8's 92/100 review of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth praised it as a fan-pleasing title that also charts a promising course for the franchise's future. For a comprehensive analysis, see our full review.