Yakuza Like a Dragon Will Always Be "Middle-Aged Guys Doing Middle-Aged Guy Things"

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has garnered a diverse fanbase, including younger and female players, yet the developers remain committed to its core theme of 'middle-aged guys doing middle-aged guy things.'

Like a Dragon Studio Resists Catering to New Fans and Focuses on ‘Middle-Aged Dudes’

‘Middle-Aged Guys’ Doing ‘Middle-Aged Guy Things’

The Yakuza, now rebranded as Like a Dragon, series has captivated audiences globally. With the charismatic ex-yakuza hero Ichiban Kasuga at the helm, the franchise has successfully attracted a wide range of fans, including many young and female players. However, in a recent interview with AUTOMATON, series director Ryosuke Horii emphasized that the essence of the series will not shift to cater to this new audience.

"We are thrilled and grateful for the influx of new fans, including women," Horii stated. "Yet, we won't alter our content to pander to them. For instance, we won't start discussing topics like uric acid levels just to appeal to a broader audience."

Horii and lead planner Hirotaka Chiba believe that the series' charm lies in its focus on "middle-aged guy things," reflecting their own life experiences. From Ichiban's passion for Dragon Quest to the humorous complaints about back pain, they argue that "the humanity and relatability of these middle-aged characters are what make the game unique."

"The characters are real, just like our players," Horii added. "Their everyday struggles and conversations make the game feel authentic and engaging."

In a 2016 interview with Famitsu, series creator and general director Toshihiro Nagoshi expressed surprise at the increasing number of female players, noting that "about 20% of our players are now female." Despite this positive trend, Nagoshi reiterated that the series is primarily designed for male audiences. "Yakuza is made for male players," he said. "We will be cautious not to deviate from our core vision by overly focusing on female users."

Players Question the Series’ Female Representation in Yakuza Series

Despite the series' focus on male audiences, some fans have criticized its portrayal of female characters. Many argue that the series often relies on sexist tropes, with women frequently cast in supporting roles or objectified by male characters.

A user on ResetEra commented that while the series has shown improvement, "female representation remains lacking, and many scenarios still perpetuate sexist stereotypes." Another fan pointed out that "in Yakuza 7, Saeko is the only female party member, aside from the optional Eri. Moreover, male characters often make suggestive or sexual remarks about women, which feels outdated and disrespectful."

The series has a history of using the damsel-in-distress trope, seen in characters like Makoto in Yakuza 0, Yuri in Kiwami, and Lilly in Yakuza 4. This pattern suggests that women may continue to be sidelined in future installments.

In the same interview, Chiba humorously noted, "In Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, a Party Chat featuring Seonhee and Saeko's conversation gets hijacked by Nanba, turning it into guy talk. Such scenarios are likely to persist."

While the series has made efforts to embrace more progressive ideals, it occasionally falls back on outdated sexist tropes. However, the newer games, such as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, represent a step forward.

Game8 awarded Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth a score of 92, praising it as a "love letter to fans of the franchise while brilliantly setting the course for Like a Dragon’s future." For a detailed analysis, check out our review below!