Summary
After solid back-to-back releases for theLike a Dragonseries and an upcoming live-action TV adaptation, fans of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s seminal franchise are being treated quite well. On top of the Amazon show set for release in October, RGG Studio has announced their plans to unveil the nextLike a Dragongame at this year’s Tokyo Game Showin September. While not much has been shared about this upcoming title, the developer has stated that fans will be “surprised” by it, leading many to believe this new entry will be something never before seen in the series.
It’s not uncommon for theLike a Dragonfranchise to get experimental with its games. From spin-offs that shed modern yakuza storylines in favor of feudal Japanese settings and even a zombie apocalypse, to a complete genre shift from an action-brawler to a turn-based JRPG withYakuza: Like a Dragon, RGG Studio has a history of keeping players on their toes. However, one way the developer could really surprise players is by shifting the focus of this new game away from the series' usual protagonists and giving an underrepresented character a turn at the helm.
The Next Like a Dragon Game Should Let Shun Akiyama Take the Wheel
Akiyama’s Protagonist Status Has Been Underutilized in the Past
WhileKazuma Kiryu, and more recently Ichiban Kasuga, are the faces of theLike a Dragonfranchise, the series has featured other protagonists alongside these legendary characters.Yakuza 4was the first in the series to really expand the series' protagonist roster, introducing three other playable characters — Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, and Masayoshi Tanimura — alongside Kiryu. Although each character received their own dedicated arc in the game’s story, Akiyama stood out as an instant fan-favorite with his charming, aloof personality as the owner of Sky Finance.
Akiyama returned as aplayable protagonist inYakuza 5, but this time his story chapters were shared with another protagonist, Kiryu’s adopted daughter Haruka Sawamura, as she worked to become Japan’s biggest idol. As such, Akiyama’s potential in this game felt squandered after its predecessor solidified him as a likable and popular protagonist. He appears briefly again inYakuza 6: The Song of Life, but is quickly pushed aside as Kiryu leaves the streets of Kamurocho for the small Hiroshima town of Onomichi.
Infinite Wealth Already Sets Up the Perfect Premise for an Akiyama-Led Game
After an abrupt departure from the series inYakuza 6, Akiyama makes a welcome appearance inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthas a Life Link for Kiryu. Progressing theMemoirs of a Dragon side questand unlocking the special encounter with Akiyama reveals what he had been doing in the time betweenYakuza 6and the present day. He details how he spent time traveling the world while managing his money for fear that Ryo Aoki’s Kamurocho 3K Plan could impact the gray area his Sky Finance business operates within, all while holding out hope that Kiryu is still alive.
Having returned from his trip with the news from Date that Kiryu is still alive, Akiyama notes that he spent a good chunk of his time on his own adventure in Singapore. A game that tells this story could be the perfect premise for aLike a Dragon Gaidengame starring Akiyama, as it gives the series a new location to explore in Singapore while also giving Akiyama the character development he deserves. AfterLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthtook the series out of Japan for the first time, the floodgates have been opened for international adventures, and Akiyama’s time in Singapore could be the “surprise” RGG Studio is waiting to unveil.
