I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: the success of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name proves that other Gaiden-esque episodes could work. I’m not just saying this because I simply want more Yakuza (read: Like a Dragon, but it’ll always be Yakuza to me), but rather these shorter adventures are the perfect way to flesh out characters or plot holes and allow us a trip into the past, back when the cast was younger and the arcades in Kamurocho were still Club Segas.

There are massive plot spoilers ahead for Infinite Wealth, so steer clear of the rest of this article if you don’t want the narrative ruined.

Related

How Kiryu Gets Cancer In Infinite Wealth Is Either Clever Or Stupid

I can't decide whether the way Kiryu gets cancer in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is clever or just plain daft.

Posts

I’ve already decided on the perfect candidate for the next Gaiden spin-off. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth delivered a character that I’m certain fans will fall in love with and whose past we got to see a little sneak peek of, giving us a minute taste of something I desperately want more of.

Close

Yukata Yamai is the leader of the Yamai Syndicate in Honolulu and one of the antagonists of Infinite Wealth. From the get-go, there was something I liked about him and that something is probably because his quirky, eccentric behaviour and thirst for battle reminded me of Majima.

Assuming you read the above warning and you’ve made it this far down the page fully committed to having the game spoiled (or you’ve already completed it or simply don’t care), Yamai’s brilliantly crafted character arc reveals that he’s not just some two-dimensional villain that’s quirky for funsies, but instead leads him into taking on a pivotal role of anti-hero who helps the team accomplish their goals by the end of the game.

In doing so, we’re offered a glimpse into his past, complete with flashback scenes, showing a young Yamai when he was a part of the Tabata family in Japan, and how he was tricked into committing patricide, used as a scapegoat, and ultimately fled to Hawaii where he built his own crime syndicate. We’re also shown how and where he got his little quirks, such as his sensitivity to the cold coming full circle by the closing chapter in a bittersweet moment.

By the close of Infinite Wealth, Yamai hands himself in to be arrested for the murder he committed so long ago. While prison has never been enough to stop Yakuza characters from appearing again in the future (and so wouldn’t rule out a return by Yamai) it’s his past that intrigues me most.

Sure, we know the basics, but you could say the same about Kiryu in Gaiden. We knew where Kiryu started at the end of Yakuza 6, and we knew how it would end with Yakuza: Like a Dragon setting him up for a new life in Hawaii, yet Gaiden managed to still deliver an intriguing, emotional story by introducing brand new elements, characters, and weaving in new plot threads. The same could be done with Yamai to great effect. As it stands, his story feels incomplete.

Though we know how it would end and the broad strokes of what happened with his family, if the Yakuza series has taught us anything, it’s that the lives of the yakuza families of Kamurocho are filled with drama and dilemmas. A throwback to Yamai’s youth would settle fans quite comfortably in a familiar time, back when the yakuza were at their peak, while also being able to explore and expand more on this new favourite character. A little younger Kiryu cameo would be a cherry on top, even if they just passed each other by in the street.

Next

Infinite Wealth Makes Me Realise I Should Give Yakuza: Like A Dragon Another Chance

It's not that I didn't enjoy Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but Infinite Wealth made me realise I didn't really open my heart up to it.

Posts