Yakuza: Dragon's Dogma: Aging Protagonists Define Series

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, while expanding its appeal to younger and female players, will remain centered on the experiences of middle-aged men.

Like a Dragon Studio Prioritizes Core Identity Over Catering to New Demographics

Staying True to the "Middle-Aged Guy" Experience

The Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) series enjoys global popularity, thanks in part to protagonist Ichiban Kasuga. This has attracted a diverse fanbase, including many younger and female players. However, the developers remain committed to the series' core identity.

Director Ryosuke Horii, in an interview with AUTOMATON, stated, "We've seen a significant increase in new fans, including women, which is wonderful. But we won't alter the core themes to appeal to them. That would prevent us from discussing things like uric acid levels!"

Horii and lead planner Hirotaka Chiba believe the series' charm stems from its focus on the relatable struggles and experiences of middle-aged men, a perspective they share. Ichiban's love for Dragon Quest and his complaints about back pain exemplify this "humanity" that gives the game its unique appeal.

Horii added, "The characters are realistic, like our players. Their problems resonate, making the game immersive and feeling like eavesdropping on ordinary conversations."

In a 2016 Famitsu interview (reported by Siliconera), series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi expressed surprise at the rise in female players (approximately 20% at the time). While welcoming this, he emphasized Yakuza's original design for a male audience and a commitment to avoiding changes that would compromise the series' vision.

Scrutiny of Female Representation in the Yakuza Series

Despite the series' primary target audience, criticism persists regarding its portrayal of women. Some fans argue that sexist tropes remain, with female characters often relegated to supporting roles or objectified.

ResetEra discussions highlight the ongoing concern about female representation and the persistence of sexist tropes and scenarios. The limited number of female playable characters and the prevalence of suggestive remarks from male characters towards female characters are frequently cited points of contention.

The damsel-in-distress trope, seen in characters like Makoto (Yakuza 0), Yuri (Kiwami), and Lilly (Yakuza 4), further fuels this criticism. This pattern of sidelining female characters is a concern that may continue.

Chiba, in a humorous yet revealing comment, mentions a scene in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth where female characters' conversation is interrupted and steered into "guy talk," suggesting this dynamic might persist.

While the series shows progress in incorporating more progressive elements, occasional lapses into outdated sexist tropes remain. Nevertheless, newer entries represent a step forward.

Game8's 92/100 review of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth praises it as a fan-pleasing title that effectively charts a course for the future of the series. For a detailed analysis, see our full review.