Yakuza, also known as 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 parts of the action-adventure, fighting, and role-playing game genres.

Each game in the series is usually a crime drama, with stories inspired by Japanese yakuza films and crime shows from before the year 2000. The main character in most games is Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza member who has changed his ways and is part of the Kanto-based Tojo Clan. While Kiryu often works with the leaders of the Tojo Clan to stop threats against them, the main story focuses on his wish to leave the yakuza life behind and live a normal life by caring for orphans.

In the games, players control Kiryu (or another character, depending on the game) 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, batting cages, video games, 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 its funny, exaggerated side content.

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

Branding

The franchise has been called Like a Dragon in Japan since 2005. From 2006 to 2022, the international name was Yakuza. In 2022, Sega decided to stop using Yakuza as the international name and instead used Like a Dragon for the game Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023). However, Sega still uses the Yakuza name alongside Like a Dragon in some contexts. Many video game journalists also continue to refer to the franchise as Yakuza.

Setting

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

• Dotonbori and Shinsekai in Osaka (called "Sotenbori" and "Shinseicho" in the games, appearing in Yakuza 2, 5, 0, Like a Dragon, and Gaiden);
• Kokusai Dori and the downtown area of Naha, Okinawa (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 (in Yakuza 6);
• Isezakichō in Yokohama (called "Isezaki Ijincho" in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Lost Judgment, Like a Dragon Gaiden, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth);
• Honolulu, Hawaii (in Infinite Wealth and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii).

The game locations are based on how these real places looked when each game was released. They are often updated in newer games, but some stores or buildings are changed or given fictional names instead of real ones.

The main character in 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, let players control multiple characters at different points in the story. Ichiban Kasuga became the main character starting with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and players can control up to six of his allies during battles. Kazuma Kiryu is not playable in these games but returns as a playable character later.

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 inspired by Kiryu. The Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku series has its own main character, Tatsuya Ukyo, while the Judgment series follows Takayuki Yagami, a private detective. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is a game based on a manga series. It shares similar gameplay and themes with the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, and some characters in the game are voiced by the same actors who play 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, the player uses 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 environment to hit enemies. While hand-to-hand combat is common, weapons can be found by picking up dropped items or buying them from shops. Some characters, like Goro Majima and Tatsuo Shinada, use special weapons that never break. Winning fights can earn money or items that can be sold, used to buy gear, or spent on mini-games. Battles end faster with powerful moves called Heat Actions, which require filling a "Heat Gauge" to use. These moves sometimes include quick-time events. As the player fights, they earn experience points to improve their abilities. The eighth game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, introduces a new system where the player teams up with other characters in turn-based battles and mini-games. Sega plans to continue using turn-based gameplay in future games, while the Judgment series will keep the action style from earlier games. The choice of gameplay depends on what best fits the story.

The games include many side missions, called sub-stories, that help the player gain extra experience. There are many mini-games, such as 24 different activities in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. These range from simple games like bowling and darts to complex ones, such as jobs that take hours to complete. Examples include:

• Coliseum Fights: Players compete in three-round battles to earn points for special items.
• Weapon/gear crafting: Players collect materials and blueprints to create new weapons and gear.
• Cabaret Club Management: Players run a hostess club for three minutes, trying to earn money by matching guests with hosts and responding to requests.
• Pocket Circuit: A racing game where slot-like cars race on tracks, similar to Mini 4WD models.
• Hostess/Cabaret Clubs: Players interact with hostesses to build relationships by choosing the right food, gifts, and outfits. 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, featuring games like UFO catchers and classic titles such as Fantasy Zone and Virtua Fighter. The available games change with each game in the series. Some games also include Master System titles.

A powerful enemy named Amon appears in most games. Some games have multiple versions of Amon, such as Yakuza 5, which includes one for each main character, including an idol version for Haruka.

Development

The Yakuza game series was created by Toshihiro Nagoshi, who wanted to make a game that showed the lifestyle of the yakuza, a group in Japan’s underworld. At first, Nagoshi had trouble getting approval for the project. While stories about the yakuza were common in manga and movies, they were rare in video games. Two years before development began, Nagoshi shared his idea with Hase Seishu, a story supervisor. Seishu had played video games since the 1970s but had stopped caring about 3D graphics and gameplay in recent years. He focused more on storytelling. The Yakuza story interested him, and he agreed to help, 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 of the game came from Nagoshi. The original Japanese title, Ryū ga Gotoku, means “Like a Dragon.” Nagoshi chose the name because he believed dragons symbolize strength and manliness, and he hoped players would feel the same about the main character.

Sega’s leaders were unsure if the game would appeal to a wide audience, but they eventually approved it. Sony and CERO, groups that review games for content, were initially concerned about the game’s violence and adult themes. However, Sony later showed interest after Nagoshi continued to push for 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 came from Japanese artists like Crazy Ken Band, Zeebra, Ketsumeishi, and Eikichi Yazawa.

The original voice actors in the game included Japanese celebrities such as singers, actors, and radio hosts. Characters like cabaret girls were voiced by gravure idols and adult actresses. Starting with the 2008 spin-off Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!, the main characters were modeled in 3D after their voice actors. In the Virtua Fighter series, Western characters speak in English, and the same applies to the Yakuza series. Minor Chinese and Korean characters often speak their native languages.

The first game was translated into English for release outside Japan. However, because of criticism about the English voice acting, later Western versions of games up to Yakuza 6 kept the original Japanese voices. Starting with the 2018 spin-off Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, all new games released in the West include both Japanese and English voiceovers.

The realistic character designs in the PlayStation 3 versions were created using a Cyberware 3D scanner, Softimage XSI 6.5 models, 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 the original name as a subtitle. After the 2022 RGG Summit, Sega announced plans to rename the series Like a Dragon to match the original 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 outside Japan, like Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut and Yakuza Kiwami 3, kept their original titles.

In Yakuza 4, changes were made to the Western localization after criticism of earlier versions, especially the content removed from Yakuza 3. Producer Noguchi said the team aimed to create a more complete and accurate version of the story. This included restoring some name changes and adjusting how the main character, Kazuma Kiryu, was referred to. In earlier Western versions, Kiryu was often called by his first name, but starting with Yakuza 4, he is referred to by his family name, Kiryu, which better matches the original dialogue.

Games

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

All games were developed by Sega's CS1 R&D team, which later became Ryū ga Gotoku Studio. Exceptions include 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 yakuza films, a popular genre in Japan. These films often belong to a category called "V-Cinema," which was common in video rental stores. Novelist Hase Seishu, who writes about yakuza crime, helped create the first two games. Each game's story 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 has lost ¥10 billion and its leader has been killed. Kiryu must protect a girl named Haruka, who may be connected to the missing money, while dealing with the yakuza world again.

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

Yakuza 3: In March 2009, Kiryu runs an orphanage in Okinawa with Haruka. When a business deal threatens the orphanage, Kiryu returns to Kamurocho to address new dangers within the clan.

Yakuza 4: In March 2010, Kiryu is involved in a murder mystery. Events trigger a struggle for power and honor, involving Kiryu and three new characters: a loan shark, a former yakuza, and a corrupt cop.

Yakuza 5: In December 2012, the Omi Alliance's leader is dying, risking a war with the Tojo Clan. The Tojo Clan forms new alliances to counter the Omi Alliance. Kiryu, now a taxi driver, returns to help end the conflict with help from old and new allies.

Yakuza 0: In December 1988, a young Kiryu is framed for a murder, losing his place in the Tojo Clan. At the same time, Goro Majima protects a blind girl against his orders. Both men must uncover the truth behind their situations.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life: In 2016, Kiryu is released from prison but finds Haruka in a coma after an accident. He travels to Hiroshima to find answers and protect her son.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon: In 2019, Ichiban Kasuga is released from prison after 18 years for a crime he did not commit. He discovers his former leader has betrayed the Tojo Clan. Kasuga teams up with others to uncover the truth and help the outcasts of Yokohama.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: In 2023, Kasuga learns his mother, Akane, is alive in Hawaii. He travels there with Kiryu to protect her from local criminals. Kiryu also battles cancer, unsure how much time he has left.

Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!: A spin-off set in Kyoto during the Edo period in 1605. It follows the life of swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Released in Japan and Asia on March 6, 2008.

Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō: A spin-off featuring Tatsuya Ukyo, a street punk who accidentally kills a Tojo Clan captain. Co-developed by Syn Sophia, released in Japan on September 22, 2010. A sequel, Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura hen, was released on March 22, 2012.

Yakuza: Dead Souls: A non-canon game set during a zombie outbreak in Kamurocho. Originally scheduled for March 17, 2011, the release was delayed due to the Tohoku earthquake. It was later released in the West in March 2012.

Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!: A spin-off set during Japan's Bakumatsu period (1853–1867), following samurai Sakamoto Ryōma. Released in Japan on February 22, 2014.

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise: A spin-off based on the Fist of the North Star manga. It uses gameplay from the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series. Released in Japan on February 22, 2018, and worldwide on October 2, 2018. It includes an English dub and dual audio options. Kiryu appears as a downloadable character.

Ryū ga Gotoku Online: A free-to-play collectible card game spin-off released on Android, iOS, and PC on November 21, 2018.

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 pre-ordered the game), and 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 releases of the original game in 2005, Sega created a special bonus item called Kamutai Magazine. This full-color magazine was a travel guide to the fictional location of Kamurocho in the game. The first book focused on the game and featured Mai, a female character from a side story, on the cover. Mai’s appearance was inspired by her voice actor, Mihiro, a Japanese adult video idol.

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

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

A film adaptation titled Like a Dragon: The Movie was released in Japanese theaters on March 2, 2007. It is based on the first game in the series and directed by Takashi Miike. The movie premiered in the United States on June 23, 2007, at IFC theaters. A licensed DVD was released in the United States on February 23, 2010, by Tokyo Shock, a company linked to Media Blasters.

Since September 2008, Japanese voice actors from the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, including Takaya Kuroda (Kazuma Kiryu) and Hidenari Ugaki (Goro Majima), have hosted a radio drama called Ryu Ga Gotoku Presents Kamuro-cho Radio Station. A second season, Shin Kamuro-cho Radio Station, covering 2009–2010, is ongoing. Past episodes from the 2008–2009 season are available as archived podcasts.

A television series was adapted from the spin-off PSP game Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō. It aired on TBS from October 5, 2010, and ran for 11 episodes. A sequel based on the 2011 PSP game Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura hen aired in 2012 and also had 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 first planned as a film but 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 Nihon Touitsu cast members Yasukaze Motomiya and Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, respectively. Kazuhiro Nakaya returns as Akira Nishikiyama, and Kenji Matsuda plays Makoto Date. The series, consisting of 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 inspired by Japan's criminal underground. Weekly Famitsu gave the series high scores: Yakuza scored 37/40 (92.5/100), Yakuza 2 scored 38/40 (95/100), Ryū Ga Gotoku Kenzan! scored 37/40 (92.5/100), Yakuza 3 scored 38/40 (95/100), Yakuza 4 scored 38/40 (95/100), Yakuza 5 scored 40/40 (100/100), and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life scored 39/40 (97.5/100). Yakuza 5 received the highest score of any game in the series. Western versions of the games were released one to three years after the original Japanese releases and were generally well-received.

Each game in the series won an Excellence Award at the Japan Game Awards and received PlayStation Best re-release honors in Japanese, Asian, and Korean markets. Yakuza 3 was awarded the "Award for Excellence" in 2009 for its detailed story, freedom of play, and high-quality graphics. It also included many sub-stories and mini-games that added to the entertainment value. In 2010, the series again won the "Award for Excellence" for Yakuza 4, which featured a rich story told from the perspectives of four characters, along with many sub-stories and mini-games that increased the game's entertainment value.

While the story has been praised, some reviewers noted that female characters, such as Haruka Sawamura and Makoto Makimura, were not used enough. In response, a developer from Judgment, Scott Strichart, said that the English version of the game allows players to experience the challenges faced by female characters like Saori Shirosaki.

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

By June 2015, the series had sold over 7 million copies worldwide. As of 2023, the series had sold over 21 million copies. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sold 1 million copies worldwide one week after its release.

As of November 4, 2024, the Like a Dragon series had sold over 28 million copies worldwide.

Some fans have visited real-world locations inspired by the game series. Reviewers praised the detailed recreation of districts, including small details that let players explore real-life places virtually. Although not marketed as "virtual tourism," another reviewer said the game offers the best way to engage 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 first featured in the karaoke mini-game of Yakuza 5. Most versions of the meme used a 2017 video by English YouTuber Dobbsyrules, who lip-synced the song.

When Yakuza was first released, 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 also influenced Yakuza, including SpikeOut arcade games and tools from Jet Set Radio used to create the game's maps.