"Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii to be Larger than Gaiden"

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is set to expand dramatically with the upcoming release, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which promises to be significantly larger than the previous spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Dive into the details shared by RGG Studio at RGG SUMMIT 2024.

Pirate Majima Sets Sail in 2025

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Promises to be Bigger and Bolder

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is steering towards uncharted waters with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, promising fans an adventure that's not only bigger but also bolder than any previous installment. At the RGG SUMMIT 2024, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's president, Masayoshi Yokoyama, revealed that the game's story and world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

For those who found The Man Who Erased His Name to be a compact experience, RGG Studio is set to exceed expectations with Pirate Yakuza. Yokoyama emphasized that this game isn't merely an extension of the previous title but an entirely new scale of adventure.

"We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself," Yokoyama shared in an interview with Famitsu, translated via machine translation. "Of course, there’s Honolulu City, which appeared in [Infinite Wealth], and there are various stages, such as Madlantis, so I think the game volume is much larger than [Like a Dragon Gaiden]."

The game's scope extends beyond its size, promising a rich array of content. From the series' signature brawling combat to an assortment of quirky side activities and mini-games, Pirate Yakuza is set to be packed with engaging experiences. Yokoyama hinted that the traditional concept of "Gaiden" as a "spin-off" or "side story" is evolving and "gradually disappearing from us." This suggests that Pirate Yakuza could be a fully-fledged experience, rivaling mainline entries in the series.

Set against the backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, Pirate Yakuza offers a fresh setting and a new narrative direction. The charismatic Goro Majima, voiced by Hidenari Ugaki, takes the lead in this seafaring adventure. The story begins with Majima waking up on a Hawaiian shore, inexplicably becoming a pirate. While the details of this transformation remain a mystery, Ugaki expressed excitement but remained tight-lipped about the 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 said. "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."

First Summer Uika, who voices Noah Ritchie, teased that Ryuji Akiyama, who plays Masaru Fujita, will feature in a live-action scene. Akiyama hinted at an intriguing recording session, mentioning an aquarium with a clownfish and the presence of many beautiful women, possibly referring to the "Minato Ward girls." These characters will appear both in live-action and as CG in the game. In July, RGG Studio held auditions for "Minato Girls," and according to Ryosuke Horii, "I was glad that many of the people who appeared without knowing what kind of role they would play had a love for the series and a passion to work with us."

To delve deeper into the auditions and what they entail, check out our detailed article below!