Kazuma Kiryu was supposed to be dead. After the tear-jerking, rain-soaked finale of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, fans thought the Dragon of Dojima had finally hung up his grey suit for good. We saw him walk into the snowy distance, a literal ghost to his family, all to keep them safe from the political machinery of Japan. But you can't keep a good legend down. Honestly, when Sega announced Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, there was a bit of skepticism. Was this just a cash grab? A bit of filler to bridge the gap until the next massive RPG?
It turns out it's actually one of the most essential entries in the entire franchise.
The game fills the massive narrative void between 2016 and 2024. It explains exactly what Kiryu was doing while Ichiban Kasuga was out there becoming a hero in Yokohama. But more than that, it’s a character study of a man forced to live under a codename—Joryu—working as an agent for the Daidoji Faction. If you've ever felt like your identity was tied too closely to your work, imagine having to literally sign away your name just to ensure your kids don't get murdered. It's heavy stuff.
The Identity Crisis of Joryu
Let’s be real: Kiryu is terrible at being a secret agent. The man is six feet of pure muscle with a very distinct tattoo of a dragon covering his entire back. Within the first hour of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, almost everyone he meets realizes exactly who he is. It’s a running gag that somehow stays tragic. He’s a man caught between the honor of the yakuza past and the cold, bureaucratic reality of his present.
The Daidoji Faction treats him like a tool. He’s "Joryu," a nameless asset. But the game excels when it shows that you can't actually erase a soul. Whether he’s helping a kid find a lost toy or beating the brakes off fifty guys in a construction site, the "man" remains, even if the "name" is gone.
The combat is where this identity split really hits home. You've got two styles. "Yakuza" style is the Kiryu we know—brutal, heavy, and satisfying. Then there's "Agent" style. This is where things get weird and fun. You get gadgets. Rocket shoes. Drones. Wire-ties that look like something out of a Bond movie. It feels like the developers at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio wanted to blow off some steam before returning to the turn-based mechanics of the main series. It's fast. It's chaotic. It works.
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Why Sotenbori Still Feels Like Home
Most of the action takes place in Sotenbori, Osaka. We’ve been here a dozen times before in other games, but the developers added the Castle. This is a massive, neon-lit cargo ship hidden in the middle of the ocean where the law doesn't exist. It’s a playground for the wealthy and a death trap for everyone else.
The Coliseum is the heart of the Castle.
If you’re the kind of player who spent a hundred hours in Yakuza 0 managing a cabaret club, you’ll find that same addictive loop here. You aren't just fighting alone; you're building a team. You’re recruiting weirdos from the street—including some familiar faces if you bought the DLC—to fight in massive team brawls. It’s messy. Sometimes the frame rate dips because there are thirty guys on screen throwing bikes at each other. It doesn't matter. It's fun.
The Emotional Weight of the Ending
We need to talk about the ending of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name without spoiling every single beat, but honestly, it’s the most emotional Kiryu has ever been. For seven games, he’s been the stoic, unbreakable wall. He rarely cries. He rarely shows weakness.
In this game? The wall crumbles.
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There is a specific scene involving a tablet and a video feed that will break even the most hardened player. It justifies the entire existence of this "side story." It grounds Kiryu’s sacrifice in a way the previous games couldn't quite manage because they were too busy with grand conspiracies. This is personal. It's about a father who just wants to know if his kids are eating well.
Technical Reality Check
Is it perfect? No.
The game was developed in about six months, which is insane for a title of this quality. You can see the seams if you look closely. Some of the side quests (the Akame Network) feel a bit repetitive. You’ll find yourself running back and forth across the same three bridges in Sotenbori more times than you’d like. "Go get me some takoyaki," "Go beat up these thugs," "Go find my missing cat." It’s the standard Yakuza blueprint.
But the pacing is tight. Because it’s shorter than a mainline entry—roughly 12 to 15 hours for the story—it doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a lean, mean brawler that knows exactly what it wants to be.
How it Connects to Infinite Wealth
If you’re playing through the series chronologically, you cannot skip this. Many people thought they could just jump from Yakuza: Like a Dragon (7) straight into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (8). You shouldn't.
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This game explains:
- Why Kiryu is in Hawaii at the start of the next game.
- The status of the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance after the "Great Dissolution."
- The specific terms of Kiryu’s deal with the Daidoji.
- His health status, which becomes a major plot point later.
Without the context provided here, Kiryu’s appearance in Infinite Wealth feels a bit like he just dropped in out of nowhere. This provides the "why" behind his weary eyes and his newfound willingness to work with others.
The Verdict on the Man Who Erased His Name
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a love letter to the fans who have been following this orphanage-running, bike-swinging hero since 2005. It’s a bridge between eras. It’s a reminder that even when you lose your identity, your actions define who you are.
It’s also just a really great time. Where else can you dress a legendary yakuza in a golden tuxedo and make him fight a man dressed as a baby?
How to Get the Most Out of Your Playthrough
- Don't ignore the Akame Network. You need the points to upgrade your combat abilities, and some of the best character moments are tucked away in those small side missions.
- Master the "Serpent" boots. In Agent style, these rocket boots let you zip around the battlefield. It’s the best way to manage crowds and, frankly, it looks hilarious.
- Spend time in the Boutique. Customizing Kiryu’s outfit for the Coliseum and cutscenes adds a layer of personal flair that was missing from previous games where he was locked into his signature suit.
- Prepare for the tears. Have tissues ready for Chapter 5. I’m not kidding.
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of the yakuza, this is your entry point. It’s cheaper than a full-priced release, hits harder emotionally than most blockbuster movies, and sets the stage for the massive future of the series. Stop calling him Joryu. We all know it’s Kiryu. And it’s good to have him back.
To fully appreciate the narrative arc, ensure you have finished the main story of Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon (7) first. Once completed, move immediately into Infinite Wealth to see how the consequences of Kiryu's "erased" life play out on a global scale. Focus on leveling the "Dragon" style for boss fights while utilizing the "Agent" gadgets for street brawls to maintain the most efficient combat flow.