Summary
Like a Dragonis a franchise that is churning out hit after hit, with fans being treated to numerous games that boast either turn-based or real-time combat. The stories of these titles are told with great seriousness, which may seem at odds withthe goofy nature of the side contentonly for players to see how well both halves of aYakuzagame mesh with each other.
EveryYakuzagame features its fair share of memorable characters who are a joy to interact with. Female representation in the series hasn’t been the greatest, but recent games have tried to turn things around in this department.
A woman who owned Serena and had a close connection to both Kiryu and Nishiki, it’s heartbreaking to see the trajectory Reina’s character takes in the series. She genuinely goes out of her way to help Kiryu out in the first game, only for her feelings for Nishikiyama to lead her down a dark path.
She betrays Kiryu by serving as an informer, only to have a change of heart as she tries to make amends. Unfortunately, she becomes a casualty of the confrontation between the two friends, with the sight of her body causing Kiryu to channel his rage and beat her murderer within an inch of his life.
2Yuki
Club Sunshine’s Star Hostess
The Cabaret Club Czar minigame inYakuza 0is arguably the greatest side activity in the series fans can get invested in. There’s something magical about satisfying guests by assigning appropriate hostesses and turning Club Sunshine into the best cabaret clubin Sotenbori.
The first Platinum Hostess that players start with is Yuki, who may seem ditzy at first glance only to grow and become the best hostess in the club. Her naivety and muted charm make her one of the best characters inYakuza 0that players will love to interact with, even if she may be treated somewhat dismissively at times.
Yumi and Kiryu could’ve been a thing if their stories had gone down a different route. Unfortunately, Sohei Dojima’s horrible actions caused a string of events that led to Kiryu taking his friend’s place and going to prison.
Kiryu’s search for Yumi following his release from prison felt hopeless until he finally got in touch with a woman who’d lost her memories. Before they could reunite, Yumi sacrificed herself and took a bullet meant for Kiryu and Haruka. After saving the man he loved and her daughter, she breathed her last in an emotional finale.
Kaoru is an intriguing character who investigates a case that puts her at odds with Kiryu more often than not. However, as the two characters eventually settle their differences, it’s clear that they both have feelings for each other, culminating in a kiss moments before a bomb is supposed to explode.
Thankfully, the duo survives at the very last second, as revealed in the epilogue where the duo visit the graves of their fallen comrades. It’s a shame thatYakuza 3decided not to move ahead with this romance and shelved this character until a fateful appearance inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
5Makoto Makimura
The Unwitting Owner Of The Empty Lot Who Becomes A Target For The Yakuza
Makoto Makimura is one of the most intriguing characters inYakuza 0, having gone through hell and back before Majima even encounters her. The gangster had been passive for a long time, but he decided to play the hero once in his life and save Makoto from the people who were hunting her.
It’s hard not to feel for a character who can’t catch a break in life, reaching a point where she risked her life in a gamble near the end ofYakuza 0. Her character plays a huge role in transforming a meek Majima into the Mad Dog of Shimano, and fans were glad to get some closure inYakuza Kiwami 2when they got the chance to control Majima.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthwastes no time inturning Isezaki Ijinchointo one of the best open-world hubs in theYakuzaseries. This district is jam-packed with gang warfare, with the Geomijul playing a major role as information brokers behind the scenes.
The leader of this group is Seonhee, a femme fatale who wastes no time in establishing herself as one of the best characters in theYakuzaseries. Players were glad to find out that they could control this dynamic character inInfinite Wealth.
The sister of Nanoha Mukoda who appears at Nonomiya’s funeral,Saeko is a badass characterwho feels right at home with the predominantly male cast ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. She’s a unique character with access to a whole host of unique jobs that make her a blast to control.
It helps that Saeko is a well-written character, and fans will love to help her out as she tries to help her sister without making her efforts too obvious. Experiencing the story of bothLike a DragonandInfinite Wealthwith her accompanying Ichiban helps the story stand out even more.
It would be impossible to talk about the best female charactersinLike a Dragonwithout mentioning the only one players can control. Haruka has faced a turbulent childhood, but Kiryu helps serve as a father figure in her life as she matures into a wise and self-sufficient person.
It’s a testament to how engagingYakuza 5is that the segment where players control her ends up being one of the best parts of the series despite lacking any kind of combat whatsoever. Instead, players engage in dance battles and help her become a successful idol.
