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 garnered a global following, with the charismatic ex-yakuza hero Ichiban Kasuga at its helm. The franchise has successfully attracted a diverse audience, including younger and female players. However, the developers remain steadfast in preserving the series' core identity.

In a recent interview with AUTOMATON, series director Ryosuke Horii expressed gratitude for the influx of new fans, particularly women. "We have had a large increase in new fans, including women, which we’re truly happy and grateful for," he stated. Yet, he emphasized that the team has no intention of altering the game's essence to cater to these new demographics. "However, we don’t plan to do anything like deliberately changing conversation topics in order to cater to new fans. That would make us unable to keep talking about things like uric acid levels."

Horii, along with lead planner Hirotaka Chiba, believes that the series' charm lies in its focus on "middle-aged guy things." They argue that this focus, reflecting their own life experiences, adds a unique layer of authenticity and relatability to the game. "From Ichiban’s love for Dragon Quest to the constant grumbling about back pain, the duo believes that 'this ‘humanity’ you feel from their age is what gives the game originality.'"

"The characters are flesh-and-blood human beings much like our players are, so their problems are relatable," Horii added. "That’s why it’s easy to really get into the game and feel like you’re listening to conversations between ordinary people."

In a 2016 interview with Famitsu, series creator and general director Toshihiro Nagoshi expressed surprise at the growing number of female players. "What was unexpected was the number of female players has increased. Currently, about 20% are female players," he noted, as reported by Siliconera. While acknowledging this positive trend, Nagoshi reiterated that the series is primarily designed for male audiences. "Yakuza is something that is made for male players," he said. "So we will be careful not to be too conscious of the female users and derail from what we want to make."

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 games often rely on sexist tropes, with female characters typically in supporting roles or objectified by their male counterparts.

A user on ResetEra commented that while the series has shown improvement, "female representation is still poor and many of the tropes and scenarios in the games are sexist." Another fan pointed out the limited presence of female party members in Yakuza 7, stating, "even in Yakuza 7, Saeko is the only female party member in the game (other than Eri, who is optional). Besides, every time a female character shows up on-screen, it’s like the male characters can’t help but make suggestive/sexual remarks, like that’s the only way they know how to talk… around women."

The series often portrays female characters as damsels in distress, as seen with characters like Makoto in Yakuza 0, Yuri in Kiwami, and Lilly in Yakuza 4. This trend may continue, as suggested by Chiba's humorous remark in an interview: "There’s a Party Chat (in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth) where Seonhee and Saeko’s girl talk gets hijacked by Nanba and ends up turning into guy talk. I think situations like this will keep on happening."

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 the game 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!