Like A Dragon: 15 Times Ichiban Was A Lovable Idiot

After 11 years of being the face of the Yakuza series (now known as Like a Dragon), Kazuma Kiryu took his exit as the main protagonist with Yakuza 6. He left behind big shoes to fill -- ones that Ichiban Kasuga would have to fill in Yakuza: Like A Dragon.

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Luckily for Ichiban, he succeeded to tremendous effect. Unlike the stone-faced Kiryu, Ichiban is a much more energetic and hopeful character. His loveable attitude won him a spot in many Yakuza fans' hearts and he has become one of the best protagonists the series has seen. He is a bit more childish and often finds himself acting without thinking. This leads to many antics of the loveable idiot archetype Ichiban falls into.

Updated on March 2, 2024, by Jason Wojnar: Ichiban Kasuga only became more lovable after his second outing, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. He remains a positive force of good in a world full of darkness. His extreme dedication to helping and trusting others once again makes him look like a lovable doofus numerous times throughout his adventure in Hawaii, so it is only right that we return to this list and detail these moments.

While reminiscing over Infinite Wealth, you can also revisit his moments of being a lovable idiot during Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

While you're at it, check our glowing review of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

15 His First Date

He Was A Little Rusty

Infinite Wealth's opening hours see Ichiban Kasuga go out on his first date. The whole process shows him at his dullest and most endearing. He takes advice from his two closest friends and things go pretty well for a while despite what you choose as the player.

Saeko Mukoda, his date and vital supporting character, even doesn't mind that he thought she wanted to sleep with him on the first date when she really just wanted a cigarette. He blows it when he confesses his love for her in the worst way, promising she'll never have to work again and focusing on his happiness over her life, accomplishments, and goals.

14 Waking Up On The Beach Naked

It's Quite A Good Birthday Suit, Though

His first meeting with Chitose ends with him being rendered unconscious and waking up naked on a crowded beach. He doesn't realize it for a while but then he freaks out upon discovering this. He is embarrassed and does what he can to cover himself up but it's a losing battle.

The game cleverly disguises his privates with smart camera placement, similar to a classic gag from Austin Powers. Considering Kasuga is in his mid-40s and is as ripped as he still is, there is nothing about his body of which he should be ashamed.

13 When He Thinks He Is A Wind Shaman

It's All Smoke And Mirrors

Kasuga tries to help a Japanese rock star conjure up a storm for a music video. He does this by running into a wind shaman and connecting the two. The shaman is injured though, so Kasuga has to don the costume and perform the ceremony himself. He looks silly enough in the costume, but by the end of the substory, he is convinced that he is a real wind shaman.

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The camera reveals a giant fan that was timed to make it look like the ceremony worked. We'd hate to break Kasuga's heart and tell him about the ruse, but we also don't want him to try and fail to conjure up the winds in a life-or-death situation.

12 He Has A Bird On His Head

Just Like Sazh From Final Fantasy 13

Kasuga decides to take a little nap on the beach and wakes up with a bird on his head. He freaks out as anybody would but he also takes it upon himself to find the bird's mother. He eventually discovers that poachers are after them and decides to teach them a lesson.

The gameplay involves you walking with the bird on your head while avoiding sumo wrestlers who happen to be practicing nearby. Just imagine how silly this scenario would look in real life. Kasuga, being the dedicated person he is, says he would gladly let the bird live in his hair for the rest of its life if it meant keeping poachers away from it.

11 Ichiban Loves Saeko

Love Makes Dorks Out Of All Of Us

With advice from Kazuma Kiryu, Kasuga rectifies his dating mistake by simply telling Saeko "I love you." She accepts this and the two bask in the sweet moment until Kasuga rips off his jacket to reveal a shirt he made for the occasion. It says "I love Ichiban" on one side and "I love Saeko" on the other.

When Kasuga looks back to where Seako was, she is gone and he is left confused. This is why we love him, though. What's more relatable than ruining a good thing by saying or doing something completely foolish?

10 Life's A Video Game

And We're All Grinding

One of Ichiban's biggest traits is his love of the Dragon Quest series -- so much so that he pictures himself as the hero from the series when he is fighting. This is the in-universe explanation for the turned-based combat.

While talking in his home with Nanba, Ichiban and he share a chat about how they should look at life like they are leveling up and slowly improving themselves. It's something that makes Ichiban stand out, and the way he looks at life is something that you can't help but love.

While Infinite Wealth can be enjoyed without playing Yakuza: Like a Dragon, playing the seventh mainline entry provides a lot of context for the returning characters.

9 Only The Worthy Can Wield The Sword

Kasuga Doesn't Play Hero. He Is A Hero

Ichiban sees the world in an incredibly unique way. Sometimes, it is hard to distinguish what is real and not with Ichiban since he's a bit of an unreliable narrator. One of these moments comes early on in the game when he and his party stumble upon a bat buried in the ground.

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Nanba and Adachi both try and fail to take it out, but Ichiban succeeds and unlocks the Hero role. It is just like Excalibur from Arthurian legend, and that's when he starts seeing his enemies as crazy versions of themselves. It's goofy, and exactly one of the biggest reasons we love Ichiban.

8 He's Like A Bird...Wait...

The Beauty Of Karaoke

Karaoke is one of the series' staples. For some players it is how they discovered the series in the first place. Ichiban busts out the microphone on three occasions in Yakuza: Like A Dragon, but the one that really shows he is such a loveable idiot is "Like A Butterfly".

"Like A Butterfly" is known for its rapping backup vocal, and Ichiban performs it to hilarious effect. Donning the glasses once worn by Kiryu doing the same, Ichiban makes it work despite his silly demeanor.

7 Oh No, Ono Michio

Helping Get Rid Of Fake Statues

Ono Michio was introduced in Yakuza 6 as the mascot of Onomichi with Kiryu helping to form his identity (albeit unintentionally). The Ono Michio craze made it to Ijincho where counterfeit Ono Michio statues appeared.

Ichiban comes across someone trying to gather them all as some of them are explosive. Ichiban still decides to help -- even if it means he might get an explosion in the face. This is especially true since he's using his hands instead of something safer. It's an idiotic moment for his safety, but the noble goals behind it make it a true example of his Himbo nature.

6 Vocational School Celebrations

A Little Piece Of Education In Like A Dragon

The Vocational School is a minigame where Ichiban can take tests to improve his personality stats. There are many to take and can give Ichiban a massive boost to help him later in the game.

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What happens after taking the test is what makes Ichiban so endearing. After each test, Ichiban will take out the results of the test in a grandiose fashion. Afterward, he will either be comforted while staying in his victorious posture if he fails, or thrown up in the air cheering if he passes.

The Vocational School returns in Infinite Wealth. Passing a test is similarly humorous and the quest ends in a surprisingly comedic twist.