Yakuza, also called Like a Dragon (Japanese: 龍が如く, Hepburn: Ryū ga Gotoku), is a video game series and media franchise created by Toshihiro Nagoshi for Sega. It combines different types of games, including action-adventure, beat 'em up, and role-playing.

Each game in the series is usually a crime drama, with stories inspired by Japanese yakuza movies and old crime stories from Japan. The main character in most games is Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza member who now tries to leave the yakuza life behind and help orphans while trying to live as a regular person. While Kiryu often works with leaders of the Tojo Clan to stop dangerous plans against them, the main story focuses on his wish to leave the yakuza for good.

In the games, players control Kiryu (or another character) in an open world. Players can fight groups of enemies, complete side missions to earn experience and money, learn new moves from other characters, eat and drink at restaurants, visit clubs, make items, and play mini-games like golf, bowling, karaoke, and gambling games such as poker, blackjack, Cee-lo, and Koi-Koi. The series is known for the difference between its serious main story and the fun, exaggerated side activities.

The franchise has been very successful. As of 2024, Sega reported that the games have sold 27.7 million copies worldwide since their first release in 2005. Strong sales in Japan led to the series expanding into other forms of media, including movies and a television show.

Branding

The Like a Dragon name has been used for the franchise in Japan since 2005. The Yakuza name was used internationally from 2006 until 2022, when Sega decided to stop using it. In 2023, the Like a Dragon name became the international branding with the game Like a Dragon: Ishin! However, Sega continues to use the Yakuza name along with Like a Dragon, and video game reporters still call the franchise Yakuza.

Setting

The Yakuza / Like a Dragon game series is set mainly in a fictional area called Kamurochō, which is inspired by Kabukichō, a real entertainment district in Tokyo. Other real places shown in the games include:

• Dotonbori and Shinsekai in Osaka, which are called "Sotenbori" and "Shinseicho" in some games (Yakuza 2, 5, 0, Like a Dragon, and Gaiden);
• Kokusai Dori and the downtown area of Naha, Okinawa, which is called "Downtown Ryukyu" in Yakuza 3;
• Nakasu in Fukuoka, called "Nagasugai" in Yakuza 5;
• Susukino in Hokkaido, called "Tsukimino" in Yakuza 5;
• The Nishiki district of Sakae, Nagoya, called "Kineicho" in Yakuza 5;
• Onomichi in Hiroshima, featured in Yakuza 6;
• Isezakichō in Yokohama, called "Isezaki Ijincho" in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Lost Judgment, and other games;
• Honolulu, Hawaii, included in Infinite Wealth and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

The game locations are based on real places from the time each game was released. These areas are often updated or changed in newer versions of the games. However, specific stores and buildings in the games may differ from real-life versions, sometimes using fictional names or replacing them with real brands for storytelling purposes.

The main character of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series is Kazuma Kiryu, who can be played in every numbered game up to Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Some games, like Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5, allow players to control multiple characters, switching between them at certain points in the story. Ichiban Kasuga became the main character starting with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, with up to six of his allies playable during battles. Kazuma Kiryu appears as a non-playable character in these games but returns as a playable character in later titles.

Other characters appear as main characters in different games. The samurai-themed games Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! and Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! are based on fictional versions of real historical figures, Miyamoto Musashi and Sakamoto Ryōma, who are modeled after Kazuma Kiryu. The Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku series has its own main character, Tatsuya Ukyo, while the Judgment series follows detective Takayuki Yagami. The game Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise shares gameplay and themes with the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series. Many characters in this game, like Kenshiro, are voiced by the same actors who play recurring characters in the main series.

Gameplay

The Yakuza / Like a Dragon games combine combat, story, and exploration. The main character often meets enemies while walking, which starts a fight. During battles, players use hand-to-hand combat, such as punches, kicks, grabs, throws, and special moves. Some games let players choose different fighting styles. Players can also pick up objects from the street to hit enemies. While hand-to-hand combat is common, weapons can be found by picking up items dropped by enemies or bought from shops. Some characters, like Goro Majima and Tatsuo Shinada, use weapons that never break and are part of their fighting style. Winning battles can earn money or items that can be sold, used to buy equipment, or spent on games or gambling. Ending fights quickly is possible with powerful moves called Heat Actions, which require filling a special meter called the "Heat Gauge." Some moves include quick-time events where players press buttons quickly. As players fight, they earn experience points to improve their strength and abilities.

The eighth game in the series, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, added a new system where players recruit allies to fight in turn-based battles and play mini-games together. Sega plans to use turn-based gameplay in future games, while the Judgment series will keep the action style from earlier games. However, the type of gameplay depends on what best fits the story.

The games include many side missions that help players gain extra experience. There are many mini-games, such as 24 different activities in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Examples include:

• Coliseum Fights: Players compete in three-round battles to earn points for special items.
• Weapon/gear crafting: Players find parts and blueprints to make strong weapons and gear.
• Cabaret Club Management: Players manage a hostess club in short sessions, trying to earn money by matching hostesses with customers and winning battles against other clubs.
• Pocket Circuit: A racing game where players control self-powered toy cars that race on tracks.
• Hostess/Cabaret Clubs: Players interact with hostesses by giving gifts, choosing the right food, and wearing accessories to build a relationship. This feature was removed from the Western version of Yakuza 3 but added back in the remastered edition.
• Club Sega: A virtual version of real-life Sega arcades with games like UFO catchers, darts, and classic arcade titles.

A boss named Amon appears in most games. Some titles have multiple Amons, such as Yakuza 5, which includes an Amon for each main character, including a special version for Haruka.

Development

The Yakuza game series began because Toshihiro Nagoshi wanted to create a game that showed the way of life for the yakuza, a group in Japan. At first, Nagoshi had difficulty getting approval for the project. Stories about the Japanese underworld were common in manga and movies, but not in video games. Two years before the game started, Nagoshi shared his idea for Yakuza with Hase Seishu, a story supervisor. Seishu had played video games since the 1980s but had stopped caring about 3D visuals and gameplay in recent years. He became interested in Yakuza’s story and agreed to work on the project, even though it was a busy time in his career. Masayoshi Yokoyama, a writer at Sega, worked under Seishu’s guidance for the first two games in the series.

The name "Yakuza" was chosen by Nagoshi. The original Japanese title, "Ryū ga Gotoku," means "Like a Dragon." Nagoshi believed dragons had a strong image, and he hoped players would feel the strength and courage of the main character through the title.

Sega’s leaders were unsure if the game would appeal to a wide audience, but they eventually approved it. Sony and CERO, an organization that rates video games, were initially concerned about the game’s violent and adult content. However, Sony later showed interest after Nagoshi continued to work on the project.

The original soundtracks for the first three Yakuza games were composed by Hidenori Shoji, Hideki Sakamoto, and others. They were published by Wave Master. Additional music includes songs from Japanese artists like Crazy Ken Band, Zeebra, Ketsumeishi, and Eikichi Yazawa.

The game’s original voice actors are Japanese celebrities, including singers, actors, and radio hosts. Some characters, such as cabaret performers, are voiced by gravure idols and adult actresses. Starting with the 2008 game Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!, the main characters’ faces were modeled in 3D after their voice actors. In the Virtua Fighter series, Western characters speak in English, and similar rules apply to minor characters in Yakuza.

The first game was translated into English for release outside Japan. However, due to criticism of the English voice acting, later Western versions of the games, up to Yakuza 6, kept the original Japanese voices. Beginning with the 2018 game Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, all new games include dual-language voice support for Western releases.

The realistic character designs in the PlayStation 3 versions used special 3D scanning technology, 3D modeling software, and Sega’s Magical V-Engine.

When the games were adapted for Western audiences, changes were made. Before 2022, the series was called "Yakuza" outside Japan, though the eighth main game used its original name as a subtitle. In 2022, Sega announced plans to rename the series "Like a Dragon" to match the Japanese title. This change began with the 2023 remasters of Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. However, older games already released in Western markets, such as Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut and Yakuza Kiwami 3, keep their original titles.

In Yakuza 4, changes were made to improve the Western localization after criticism of earlier games. Producer Noguchi aimed to create a more complete version of the story that stayed closer to the original. This included restoring some name changes and adjusting how the main character, Kazuma Kiryu, was referred to. Previously, Western versions used his first name, but starting with Yakuza 4, his family name, Kiryu, is used more often, matching the original Japanese dialogue.

Games

As of 2024, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series includes nine main games. Each game follows the events of the previous one, except for the prequel Yakuza 0, which was released earlier. Other games in the series were released in order. There are also several spin-off games, which feature different characters or settings.

Most games in the series were developed by Sega's CS1 R&D team, which later became Ryū ga Gotoku Studio. Two exceptions are the Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku titles, developed by Syn Sophia, and Streets of Kamurocho, developed by Empty Clip Studios.

The stories in the series are inspired by Japanese yakuza films, especially a type of movie called "V-Cinema" that was popular in video rental stores. A writer named Hase Seishu, who writes about yakuza crime, helped create the first two games. Each game is divided into chapters.

Yakuza: The first game follows Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza who is released from prison in December 2005 after taking blame for a murder. He discovers that the Tojo Clan, a yakuza group he once belonged to, has lost ¥10 billion and has a power vacuum after the murder of its leader. Kiryu must return to the dangerous world of the yakuza while protecting a girl named Haruka, who seems connected to the missing money.

Yakuza 2: A year later, Kiryu is pulled back into the Tojo Clan's conflict after its leader is killed. He must stop Ryuji Goda, a rival yakuza, from starting a war. Kiryu also faces threats from a Korean mafia group.

Yakuza 3: In March 2009, Kiryu runs an orphanage in Okinawa with Haruka and other children. When a business deal threatens the orphanage, Kiryu returns to Kamurocho to confront new dangers.

Yakuza 4: In March 2010, Kiryu is involved in events beyond his control. A yakuza is killed, and an investigator is also murdered. These events lead to a struggle for power and honor, told through Kiryu's perspective and those of three new characters: a loan shark, a former yakuza, and a corrupt cop.

Yakuza 5: In December 2012, the leader of the Omi Alliance is dying, which could end a truce with the Tojo Clan. To prepare, the Tojo Clan forms alliances with other clans across Japan. Kiryu, now a taxi driver, returns to help stop the conflict. He works with characters from Yakuza 4 and a new ally, a disgraced baseball player.

Yakuza 0: In December 1988, Kiryu is framed for a murder, losing his place in the Tojo Clan. At the same time, a man named Goro Majima protects a blind girl instead of killing her, making him a target. Both men must uncover the truth about their situations, which are linked to a mysterious location called the "Empty Lot."

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life: In 2016, Kiryu is released from prison after serving three years for past crimes. He learns that Haruka has been seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident. He travels to Hiroshima to find answers and protect Haruka's son.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon: In 2019, Ichiban Kasuga is released from prison after 18 years for a murder he did not commit. He discovers his former leader has betrayed the Tojo Clan by allying with the Omi Alliance and police. Kasuga, along with new allies, seeks to uncover the truth and help the outcasts of Yokohama.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: In 2023, Kasuga learns his biological mother, Akane, is alive in Hawaii. He travels there to protect her from local criminals. Kiryu also faces a battle with cancer, which threatens his life.

Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!: This spin-off game, released in 2008, is set in Kyoto during the Edo period. It follows the life of the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō: This spin-off, released in 2010, follows Tatsuya Ukyo, a street punk who accidentally kills a Tojo Clan captain. The game was co-developed by Syn Sophia. A sequel, Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura hen, was released in 2012.

Yakuza: Dead Souls: This non-canon game, set during a zombie outbreak in Kamurocho, was delayed due to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. It was released in Japan in 2011 and later in the West in 2012.

Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!: This spin-off, released in 2014, is set during Japan's Bakumatsu period and follows the adventures of samurai Sakamoto Ryōma.

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise: This spin-off, based on the manga series, was released in 2018. It features gameplay from the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series and includes an English dub and dual audio options. The story follows Kenshiro, a martial artist searching for his lost fiancée.

Ryū ga Gotoku Online: This free-to-play collectible card game was released in 2018 for Android, iOS, and PC. It is not part of the main series.

Adaptations

The Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise includes many types of merchandise and adaptations beyond the video games. These include a direct-to-video movie, a feature film, a stage play, original soundtracks, official guides, Kamutai Magazines (a special book given to people who ordered the game early), and other licensed products such as long T-shirts and parkas featuring tattoos of main characters, limited edition PlayStation 3 console packs, Kubrick toys, and action figures made by Maitan.

For the Japanese and Asian market release of the original game in 2005, Sega created a special bonus item called Kamutai Magazine. This was a full-color magazine that served as a travel guide to Kamurocho, a fictional location in the game. The first issue was a book about the game, with Mai, a character in the game, on the cover. Mai’s appearance was inspired by her voice actor, Mihiro, who is a Japanese adult video performer.

Many newer Yakuza games have included a new Kamutai Magazine issue as a pre-order bonus in Japan, with a voice actress on the cover. The first issue, released in December 2005, was followed by issues in December 2006 (cover girl: Japanese adult video performer Nana Natsume), March 2008 (cover girl: Taiwanese model Yinling of Joytoy), and February 2009 (cover girls: Shizuka Mutou, Sayaka Araki, and Rina Sakurai). A fifth issue was included with Ryu Ga Gotoku 4, released in March 2010.

Takeshi Miyasaka directed a short film during the Western release of the game. The film, called Like a Dragon: Prologue, shows Kiryu, Nishikiyama, and Yumi growing up at the Sunflower Orphanage and leaving for Tokyo. This film serves as a prequel to the game.

A film adaptation of the first game, titled Like a Dragon: The Movie, was released in Japanese theaters on March 2, 2007. Directed by Takashi Miike, the movie was based on the original game. It premiered in the United States on June 23, 2007, at an IFC theater. A licensed DVD was released in the United States on February 23, 2010, by Tokyo Shock, a company that works with Media Blasters.

Since September 2008, Japanese voice actors from the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, such as Takaya Kuroda (Kazuma Kiryu) and Hidenari Ugaki (Goro Majima), have performed in a radio drama called Ryu Ga Gotoku Presents Kamuro-cho Radio Station. A second season, Shin Kamuro-cho Radio Station, began in 2009 and continues today. Past episodes are available as podcasts.

A television series based on the PSP game Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō aired on TBS from October 5, 2010, and ended after 11 episodes. A sequel based on the 2011 game Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura hen aired in 2012, also with 11 episodes.

Kamurocho Caba Jou TV is a Japanese web television series focused on the cabaret girls from the game. The shows include auditions, profiles of the girls, and sometimes information about the game’s soundtrack. All episodes, called "volumes," are available on the web TV’s official website.

A four-episode television drama titled Yakuza: Soul Song premiered in 2016, with Shono Hayama in the lead role.

A Japanese and American co-produced television series adaptation titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza premiered on October 25, 2024, with Ryoma Takeuchi as Kazuma Kiryu. Other actors include Kento Kaku as Akira Nishikiyama and Munetaka Aoki as Goro Majima. The project was originally planned as a film but was changed to a television series.

In September 2025, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios announced a collaboration with the drama series Nihon Touitsu to create a new live-action Like a Dragon series. The series, titled Ryu ga Gotoku Powered by Nihon Touitsu, features actors from Nihon Touitsu as Kazuma Kiryu, Goro Majima, and Akira Nishikiyama. It also includes Kenji Matsuda as Makoto Date. The series, with three episodes, aired on Amazon Prime Video on February 10, 2026.

A stage play based on the events of Yakuza was performed in Tokyo from April 24 to April 29, 2015. The cast included Eiji Takigawa, Gaku Sano, Yuma Ishigaki, and Kei Hosogai.

Reception and impact

The original game was highly praised in Japan for combining creative gameplay with storytelling and character development that reflects Japan's criminal underground. Weekly Famitsu gave high scores to the series: Yakuza scored 37 out of 40 (92.5 out of 100), Yakuza 2 scored 38 out of 40 (95 out of 100), Ryū Ga Gotoku Kenzan! scored 37 out of 40 (92.5 out of 100), Yakuza 3 scored 38 out of 40 (95 out of 100), and Yakuza 4 scored 38 out of 40 (95 out of 100). Yakuza 5 received the highest score of 40 out of 40. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life scored 39 out of 40. Western versions of the games were released one to three years after the Japanese originals and generally received good reviews.

Each game in the series won an excellence award at the Japan Game Awards and received a PlayStation Best re-release in Japan, Asia, and Korea. In 2009, Yakuza 3 was awarded the "Award for Excellence" for its detailed story, freedom to explore the story, and high-quality graphics. The game also included many sub-stories and mini-games that added to its entertainment value. In 2010, the Yakuza series again won the "Award for Excellence" for its rich story, freedom to play from the perspectives of four characters, and many sub-stories and mini-games that provided a high level of entertainment.

While the story of the games has been praised, some reviewers noted that female characters like Haruka Sawamura and Makoto Makimura were not used enough. A developer from Judgment, Scott Strichart, said that the English version of the game allows players to understand the experiences of female characters like Saori Shirosaki, who face challenges related to sexism.

As of 2009, the series sold 3.2 million copies worldwide. By September 2010, sales reached 4 million copies. The first two games were the best sellers, each selling between 500,000 and 1 million copies worldwide and winning the PlayStation Gold Award. Yakuza 3 sold 500,000 copies in Asia by 2010 and also won the PlayStation Gold Award. However, after Yakuza 4, Sega noted that sales in North America and Europe were slow due to "adverse market conditions" and "sluggish personal consumption" in those regions.

By June 2015, the series sold over 7 million copies worldwide. As of 2023, sales reached over 21 million copies. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sold 1 million copies in one week after its release. As of November 4, 2024, the Like a Dragon series has sold over 28 million copies worldwide.

Some fans have visited real-world locations inspired by the games. Reviewers praised the detailed recreation of districts, including small details that let players explore real-life areas. Although not marketed as "virtual tourism," one reviewer said the games offer the best way to connect with a country and its people. Series writer Masayoshi Yokoyama said Yakuza 5 captures the fun of modern Japan.

In 2020, an internet meme used deepfake technology to create videos of people and fictional characters singing the chorus of "Baka Mitai," a song from the karaoke mini-game in Yakuza 5. Most versions of the meme used a 2017 video by English YouTuber Dobbsyrules, who lip-synced the song.

When Yakuza was first announced, journalists compared it to Sega's Shenmue series. Series creator Nagoshi said the games are different and should not be compared. Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki, who worked with Nagoshi, said the challenges he faced while making Shenmue influenced Nagoshi's work. Former Sega manager Hisashi Suzuki said Yakuza was possible because of Shenmue and called it a "Sega-like" work. Other Sega games, such as SpikeOut arcade games and Jet Set Radio, also influenced Yakuza.