Like a Dragon: Expanded Horizons in Pirate Yakuza Epic

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. RGG Studio revealed details at RGG SUMMIT 2024, hinting at a game that redefines the "Gaiden" concept.

Majima's Hawaiian Hijinks in 2025

A Grander Scale for Pirate Yakuza

RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will boast a game world 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't just a minor expansion; it's a massive leap in scale. Yokoyama highlighted Honolulu City (featured in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth) and other locations like Madlantis, emphasizing the game's expansive scope. He even admitted, "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself."

The increased size translates to a richer experience. Expect enhanced combat, a wider array of side activities and mini-games, and a depth of content that challenges the traditional understanding of a "spin-off." Yokoyama suggested the "Gaiden" label is becoming less relevant, implying this title will stand alongside mainline entries.

The Hawaiian setting promises a significant departure from previous games. Goro Majima, voiced by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unexpected pirate adventure. The circumstances of his transformation remain shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the game's release. Ugaki himself expressed excitement but remained tight-lipped about specifics.

"The information about the game has finally been announced, but there are many other elements and there is still a lot of information I want to tell you," Ugaki commented. "I have a tendency to talk a lot about various things, but I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."

Voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) even teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama playfully hinted at the scene's unusual nature, mentioning an aquarium and the presence of "a lot of beautiful women" during filming. This likely refers to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. The studio held auditions earlier this year, attracting enthusiastic applicants.

For more on the auditions, please see our related article.