Ryu Ga Gotoku's upcoming RPG Like a Dragon 8 is set to bring back fan-favorite Kazuma Kiryu, who has been the face of the Like a Dragon franchise for more than 15 years, as he shares protagonist duties with Ichiban Kasuga. The lead character from the last mainline entry, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Ichiban proved to be a popular and likeable protagonist who was able to cement himself as the future face of the series. It is important that his development continues in Like a Dragon 8, and he cannot be overshadowed by Kiryu's presence.
2023 is a big year for the Like a Dragon franchise with two spin-off titles set to launch, but the next mainline installment won't arrive until the year after. This means that several details about Like a Dragon 8 remain shrouded in mystery, including the story and setting. What is known, however, is that the game will retain the turn-based combat system from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Kiryu and Ichiban will be its twin protagonists. Kiryu is an incredibly popular character who is synonymous with the Like a Dragon series, and balancing him with series newcomer Ichiban Kasuga should give the developer an interesting challenge.
Ichiban Must Hold His Own Against Kiryu Throughout Like a Dragon 8
After Kiryu's story seemed to reach a natural conclusion in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, many expected the veteran enforcer to retire. However, he made a surprise return during events in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and played a significant part in moving the narrative along, meeting Ichiban Kasuga and his party before deciding whether they were worthy of his assistance. Many gamers saw this as a 'passing the torch' moment between the two characters, and fans of the series were primed for Ichiban to take center stage moving forwards.
Interestingly though, it seems that Ryu Ga Gotoku is not done with Kiryu yet, and he is set to be the lead in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. This game focuses on Kazuma Kiryu's timeline between events in Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and should also serve as a prologue for Like a Dragon 8. Kiryu is a notoriously strong personality, unwavering in his beliefs and keeping to a strict moral code while maintaining a very small circle of friends. His fighting skills are unrivaled, and he is able to best most opponents easily, with his skills rarely tested.
In contrast, Ichiban is a younger man who's far less experienced and almost a little too trusting of people at times. He has a very big heart and is eager to help people wherever possible, but this sometimes leads to costly mistakes. His fighting skills are impressive, and, while not on Kiryu's level, he can comfortably hold his own against strong, powerful fighters. Like a Dragon 8 must find a dynamic that works between them, allowing them to co-exist and share the limelight, without one necessarily overpowering the other. This may be easier said than done though, with a dominant force such as Kiryu proving difficult to stifle at times.
While comparisons between Kiryu and Ichiban show just how different they are, Ryu Ga Gotoku must use this to its advantage and find a way for Ichiban to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Kiryu, who may very well become his mentor. If done correctly, Like a Dragon 8 will be the perfect way to bring Kiryu's story full circle, and prove that Ichiban is more than capable of carrying the franchise forward.
Like a Dragon 8 releases in 2024 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
