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 different types of games like action-adventure, fighting, and role-playing.

Each game in the series usually follows a crime drama story, with plots inspired by Japanese yakuza films and crime stories from before the year 2000. The most common main character is Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza member who has changed his ways and is connected to the Kanto-based Tojo Clan. While Kiryu often works with the leaders of the Tojo Clan to stop threats against them, the main idea of the series is his goal to leave the yakuza life behind and start anew by caring for orphans and living as a regular person.

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 fighting moves from non-player characters (NPCs), eat and drink at restaurants, visit clubs, craft 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 famous for the difference between the serious main story and the fun, exaggerated side activities.

The franchise has been very successful both in sales and reviews. As of 2024, Sega reported that the games have sold a total of 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 franchise has been called "Like a Dragon" in Japan since 2005. From 2006 to 2022, the international name was "Yakuza." In 2022, Sega said it would stop using "Yakuza" as the international name. Instead, "Like a Dragon" became the international name with the game Like a Dragon: Ishin! in 2023. However, Sega still uses "Yakuza" alongside "Like a Dragon," and video game reporters often refer to the series as "Yakuza."

Setting

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

• Dotonbori and Shinsekai in Osaka (called "Sotenbori" and "Shinseicho" in the games 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's districts and towns are based on real places from the year each game was released. These areas are often changed or updated in newer games. However, some stores and buildings in the games are different or have made-up names instead of real ones, sometimes replaced with real-life product placements or important story locations.

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, allow players to control multiple characters, switching between them at specific points in the story. Ichiban Kasuga became the main character starting with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, with up to six of his friends playable during battles. Kazuma Kiryu appears as a non-playable character in some games but returns as a playable character in later ones.

Other characters are the main figures in different spin-off games. The samurai-themed games Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! and Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! are based on fictional versions of historical figures Miyamoto Musashi and Sakamoto Ryōma, both of whom are modeled after Kazuma Kiryu. The Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku series has its own main character, a street punk named Tatsuya Ukyo, while the Judgment series follows a private detective named Takayuki Yagami. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, a video game based on the Fist of the North Star manga, shares similar 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 by chance, 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 items dropped by enemies or buying them from shops. Some characters, like Goro Majima and Tatsuo Shinada, use weapons that never break and are central to their fighting styles. Winning battles can earn money or items that can be sold, used to buy equipment, or spent on mini-games. Battles can end faster with "Heat Actions," which require filling a "Heat Gauge." These actions sometimes include quick time events. As the player fights, they earn experience points to improve their abilities. The eighth game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, introduced a new system where players recruit allies for turn-based battles and mini-games. Sega plans to continue using turn-based gameplay in future games, while the Judgment series will keep action-based gameplay. However, the choice of gameplay style depends on what best fits the story.

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

• Coliseum Fights: Players compete in three-round battles to earn points for special items.
• Weapon/gear crafting: Players collect parts and blueprints to create new weapons and equipment.
• Cabaret Club Management: Players run a club for short sessions, matching hostesses with clients to earn money and battle other clubs.
• Pocket Circuit: A racing mini-game where cars compete on tracks, similar to slot cars.
• Hostess/Cabaret Clubs: Players interact with hostesses to build relationships by choosing the right food, gifts, and accessories. This content 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 and classic Sega titles.

A powerful enemy named Amon appears in most games. Some games include multiple versions of Amon, such as in Yakuza 5, where each playable character faces a different Amon, including an idol version for Haruka.

Development

The Yakuza game series started because Toshihiro Nagoshi wanted to create a game that showed the way of life of the yakuza. At first, Nagoshi had trouble getting approval for the project. Stories about the Japanese underworld were common in manga and movies, but not in video games. Nagoshi shared his idea for Yakuza with Hase Seishu, a scenario supervisor, two years before the game began development. Seishu had played video games since the Space Invaders era, but he had stopped caring about 3D visuals and gameplay in recent years. He focused more on story. Yakuza caught his interest, and he agreed to work on the project even though it was the busiest 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 was Nagoshi’s idea. The original Japanese title, Ryū ga Gotoku, means “Like a Dragon.” Nagoshi believed dragons have a strong image, and he wanted players to feel the strength and manliness of the main character when they played the game.

Sega’s leaders were unsure about the game’s appeal but eventually approved the project. Sony and CERO were initially worried about the game’s depiction of violence and adult content. However, Sony became interested after Nagoshi continued to push for the game.

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

The game’s original voice actors are Japanese celebrities, including voice actors, singers, and actors from film, television, or radio. Characters like cabaret girls are voiced by models, gravure idols, and adult actresses. Starting with the 2008 spin-off Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!, the main characters’ faces are modeled in 3D after their voice actors. Like the Virtua Fighter series, Western main and minor characters speak in English, not Japanese. 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, all later Western releases of Yakuza 6 and earlier games kept the original Japanese voices. Starting with the 2018 spin-off Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, new entries in the series include dual-language voiceover support for Western releases.

The realistic character designs in the PlayStation 3 versions used Cyberware 3D scanning technology, Softimage XSI 6.5 models, and Sega’s Magical V-Engine.

When the series was adapted for Western markets, changes were made. Before 2022, the series was called Yakuza outside Japan, though the eighth main game used its original name as a subtitle. After the RGG Summit 2022, Sega announced plans to rebrand the series as “Like a Dragon” to match the original Japanese title. This began with the 2023 remasters of Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. However, re-releases of games already available outside Japan, such as Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut and Yakuza Kiwami 3, kept their original names.

Yakuza 4 made changes to its localization after criticism of earlier games, especially the content removed from the Western version of Yakuza 3. Producer Noguchi said the team aimed to create a more complete and accurate localization. This included restoring some name changes and adjusting conventions. For example, the protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, was previously called by his first name in Western versions. 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. Other games were released in the order they happened in the story. There are also several spin-off games that feature different characters or settings.

Most 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 series’ storytelling is inspired by yakuza films, a popular genre in Japan. These films were often released directly to video stores and called "V-Cinema." A writer named Hase Seishu, who writes about yakuza crime stories, 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. He took blame for a murder to protect his friend. He discovers that ¥10 billion was stolen from the Tojo Clan, and the clan’s leader was killed. Kiryu must return to the yakuza world to solve the mystery and protect a girl named Haruka, who may know where the money is.

Yakuza 2: A year later, Kiryu is drawn back into the Tojo Clan’s conflict when their 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. A business deal threatens to destroy the orphanage, so Kiryu returns to Kamurocho to stop the Tojo Clan’s new dangers.

Yakuza 4: In March 2010, Kiryu is involved in a murder mystery. A yakuza is killed, and an investigator is stabbed. This leads to a struggle for power and honor, with Kiryu helping 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. His death could restart a war between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance. Kiryu, now a taxi driver, returns to help stop the conflict with new allies, including a disgraced baseball player.

Yakuza 0: In December 1988, a young 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 a mysterious "Empty Lot."

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life: In 2016, Kiryu is released from prison after three years. He learns Haruka is in a coma after an accident and 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 outcasts to uncover the truth and save Yokohama.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: In 2023, Kasuga learns his biological mother, Akane, is alive in Hawaii. He travels there with Kiryu to protect her from criminals. Kiryu also battles cancer and must survive.

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 2008.

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

Yakuza: Dead Souls: A non-canon game set during a zombie outbreak in Kamurocho. Originally scheduled for 2011, its release was delayed due to the Tohoku earthquake. Released in 2012.

Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!: A spin-off set during Japan’s Bakumatsu period (1853–1867). It follows samurai Sakamoto Ryōma. Released in 2014.

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise: A spin-off based on the manga Fist of the North Star. It uses gameplay from the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series. Released in 2018 with English dubbing. Kiryu appears as a downloadable character. The story follows Kenshiro, a martial artist searching for his lost fiancée.

Ryū ga Gotoku Online: A free-to-play card game spin-off released in 2018 for mobile and PC. It is not part of the main story.

Adaptations

The Yakuza / Like a Dragon franchise includes many types of merchandise and adaptations beyond 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 tees 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 limited bonus item called Kamutai Magazine. This was a full-color magazine that acted as a travel guide to the fictional location of Kamurocho in the game. The first issue was a book about the game, with Mai, a character from a side story, on the cover. Mai’s appearance was inspired by Mihiro, the voice actor who played her, who is also known as a Japanese adult video idol.

Many later Yakuza games in Japan included new Kamutai Magazine issues as pre-order bonuses, featuring voice actresses on the cover. The first issue was released in December 2005, followed by issues in December 2006 (with Japanese AV idol Nana Natsume on the cover), March 2008 (with Taiwanese model Yinling of Joytoy), and February 2009 (with 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. It showed Kiryu, Nishikiyama, and Yumi growing up at the Sunflower Orphanage and leaving for Tokyo. This film, called Like a Dragon: Prologue, 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 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 U.S. on February 23, 2010, by Tokyo Shock, a company linked to Media Blasters.

Since September 2008, Japanese voice actors from the series, such as 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, began in 2009 and continues with episodes available as podcasts. Earlier episodes from 2008–2009 are also available online.

A television series was adapted from the PSP game Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō. It 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.

The Kamurocho Caba Jou TV is a Japanese web series focused on the cabaret girls from the game. It includes auditions, character profiles, and sometimes covers other aspects of the series, such as the soundtrack. All episodes, called "volumes," are available on the web series’ official website.

A four-episode TV drama titled Yakuza: Soul Song premiered in 2016, starring Shono Hayama as the lead.

A Japanese and American co-produced TV 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 changed to a TV series.

In September 2025, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios announced a collaboration with the drama series Nihon Touitsu to create a live-action Like a Dragon series. The series, titled Ryu ga Gotoku Powered by Nihon Touitsu, features actors from Nihon Touitsu in roles such as Kazuma Kiryu (Yasukaze Motomiya), Goro Majima (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi), Akira Nishikiyama (Kazuhiro Nakaya), and Makoto Date (Kenji Matsuda). The three-episode series aired on Amazon Prime Video on February 10, 2026.

A stage play based on 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 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 original Japanese releases and received mostly positive 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 honored with the "Award for Excellence" for its detailed storytelling, freedom of choices, and high-quality graphics. It also included many sub-stories and mini-games that added to the entertainment value. In 2010, the series received another "Award for Excellence" for its rich story, which explored the lives of four main characters from different perspectives. The game featured many areas with sub-stories and mini-games, which contributed to its high level of entertainment.

Although the stories in the games have been praised, some reviewers noted that female characters were not always well represented. Important female characters, such as Haruka Sawamura and Makoto Makimura, were sometimes underused. In response to this feedback, a developer from the game Judgment mentioned that players can experience the challenges faced by female characters like Saori Shirosaki in the English version of the game.

The series sold 3.2 million copies worldwide by 2009 and reached 4 million copies by September 2010. The first two games were the best-selling, with each selling between 500,000 and 1 million copies worldwide. Yakuza 3 sold 500,000 copies in Asia by 2010 and 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 entire series had sold over 7 million copies worldwide. As of 2023, the series had sold over 21 million copies. The game Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sold 1 million copies within one week of 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's detailed recreation of Japanese districts. Reviewers have praised the game's ability to let players explore real-life places through its attention to detail, even though it is not marketed as "virtual tourism." One reviewer said the game helps players connect with a country and its people by showing everyday activities. The series' writer and producer, Masayoshi Yokoyama, described Yakuza 5 as a game that captures the fun of modern Japan.

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

When Yakuza was first announced, journalists compared it to Sega's Shenmue series. The creator of Yakuza, Nagoshi, said the games are different and should not be compared. Shenmue's creator, Yu Suzuki, noted that challenges faced during Shenmue's development influenced Nagoshi's work. Former Sega manager Hisashi Suzuki said Yakuza was only 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. Tools used to create the game's maps were inspired by Jet Set Radio.