Yakuza Fans Vote on Unique Official Merch: Cult Clothes, Traffic Cones, and More

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is pulling out all the stops to celebrate. In a fun twist, they're letting fans decide what kind of official merchandise should hit the market. With an impressive list of 100 items to choose from, RGG Studio has promised to produce and sell the top two vote-getters within the next two years. While the voting is currently listed in Japanese, fans worldwide can cast their votes on the official website.

The merchandise options range from the expected to the delightfully bizarre, reflecting the series' famously wild nature. Fans can opt for something as straightforward as a 20th anniversary celebration hoodie or a Yakuza-themed pencil case. But for those looking for a touch of the franchise's unique flair, choices like the cult outfit worn by Munan Suzuki in Yakuza 0, the giant traffic cone used by Majima in Yakuza Kiwami, or the "Puffy Gold Pants" are also on the table.

Other intriguing items include the sake Majima sips in a shack in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the gold watch worn by fan-favorite Akiyama, the fountain pen Kiryu uses to write to Dojima in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, the tambourine Kashiwagi shakes during karaoke in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the wrestling mask donned by Kiryu in Yakuza 3, and Saejima's prisoner uniform from Yakuza 4, among many other quirky selections.

As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, fans can look forward to at least one new game release in 2025. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to launch on February 21. RGG Studio has a history of going all out for anniversaries, as seen with the release of the beloved prequel Yakuza 0 during the 10th anniversary. While no additional projects have been announced for later in the year, the studio's track record suggests that surprises could still be in store.

Known for their rapid development cycles, RGG Studio has managed to release an impressive array of games in recent years. Over the past five years, they've launched titles such as Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Judgment Remastered, Lost Judgment, Like a Dragon: Ishin, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and even ventured into other genres with two Super Monkey Ball games and an enhanced remaster of Virtua Fighter 5. That's a total of nine games, showcasing their dedication and versatility.