At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Kiryu Kazuma of the Yakuza series is one of the most enigmatic protagonists to exist in gaming. He is quiet yet thoughtful, understanding, and progressive, with a punch that can level pure brick walls to boot. He is a stoic force to be reckoned with and earnestly earns his nickname: The Dragon of Dojima.

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He’s been around since the original Yakuza dropped for the PS2 in 2006. It’s natural that he would mature and change as he's gone through so much throughout the series, but the changes run deeper than just a simple outfit switch. Though, that’s here too.

7 He's Become More Frugal

In Yakuza Kiwami, Japan was in the middle of a huge economic bubble where money was no object to a lot of people, and Yakuza was no exception to the boom. Kiryu came into so much money that he started using it in combat to either taunt enemies or distract the crowd to avoid a fight.

In later games though, Kiryu makes significantly less money than before, seeming to lose several million yen in between each installment. In some titles, he barely has two yen to scrape together. He's a survivor, though, and always figures out how to survive until he's pulled back into a life of crime.

6 His Increasing Business Acumen

Each Yakuza game comes with a plethora of minigames that are equally good in their own ways. However, a small few allow you to not only pay for Kiryu’s equipment and healing items, but to be pretty much set for life when it comes to yen.

Kazuma has gone from attempting to build a real estate empire, to managing and rebuilding a dying hostess bar, and has even had time to help out with Majima’s construction company. The man knows how to make money in any business he sets his mind to, when the times call for it. Now, if he could just keep the money, then he’d really be in business.

5 His Fashion Choices

Kiryu's outfit isn't necessarily the first thing you'd think of when it comes to the Yakuza series. Despite having a generally stoic and calm demeanor, he also has the most outlandish taste in suits — or none at all, according to his childhood friend Nishikiyama.

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From the pure-white pinstripe suit of Yakuza 0 to the more reined-in classic gray and maroon, Kiryu's suits have always been eccentric. His appearance in Yakuza: Like A Dragon comes in a toned-down gray suit and blue tie.

4 The Dragon Tattoo

If you're starting out playing Yakuza Kiwami, the remake of the first Yakuza, then you might not realize that Kiryu's infamous dragon tattoo went uncolored in the prequel title, Yakuza 0. It's a nice visual representation of Kiryu's journey from a young and hopeful soldier under his adopted father's wing to the slightly less hopeful officer you see in subsequent games.

As far as tattoos in Yakuza go, Kiryu has significantly fewer than some of his colleagues, which can also signify his gradual distancing from being a Yakuza, but this is just a theory left up to interpretation.

3 First, Becoming A Leader

You are most likely familiar with the phrase 'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them'. Kiryu is arguably the closest embodiment of the phrase in a video game protagonist. In earlier games, he was simply a man who was satisfied working under the leader he admired. In the world of Yakuza though, moments of peace are ever fleeting.

Through tragedy, pain, and unfortunate backstabbing, it falls to Kiryu to keep what remains of the Tojo clan together by accepting the role of the Fourth Chairman. Kiryu immediately retires the following day, however, proving he still prefers to chill out over leadership.

2 Then, Becoming A Father

It's not a stretch to say that a life of crime is not for the faint of heart, more so for children who have been born into it. Kiryu himself was raised in an orphanage after his biological parents were assassinated by his adopted father. Tragic, but that's life when you're raised by the streets.

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Knowing how many kids have fallen through the cracks due to crime, Kiryu has found his way into taking care of kids, and even adopts a daughter of his own from a similar orphanage in Okinawa. Perhaps due to similarities in how he grew up, Kiryu knows that these kids need more love and safety than ever before.

1 He "Sacrifices" Himself Again

That same family he's grown to love and care for unfortunately becomes a target of revenge for his enemies — again. Though he tried leaving once before in Yakuza 5, it turns out that wasn't the best idea for everyone involved.

In trying to protect the kids, he ended up making them more vulnerable, with his adopted daughter, Haruka, being kidnapped. However, when he attempts to remove both himself and the danger from the kids in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, it seems to work.

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