The ongoing narrative of the Like a Dragon franchise continues to focus on middle-aged men and their everyday struggles. Following a highly impactful run as the forefront of the Yakuza series, Kazuma Kiryu stepped back after Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, paving the way for a new lead, Ichiban Kasuga. He too finds himself amidst a circle of predominantly male companions. This raises the question: where do the female characters fit in?
In a discussion with Automaton, director Ryosuke Horii and lead planner Hirotaka Chiba shared their perspective that the Like a Dragon series will persist in exploring the lives of middle-aged men and their often trivial worries. They expressed their own identification with this demographic, suggesting that it forms the core audience they aim to engage.
The creative team stands by their somewhat traditional view of storytelling within the series as a distinctive strength. Horii further clarified that the narrative of Yakuza: Like a Dragon begins with three jobless middle-aged individuals considering their options at Hello Work. These characters convey a unique essence compared to younger protagonists. Their candidness about issues like back pain imparts a relatable quality, enhancing the game's charm.
Horii acknowledged the growing number of female fans joining the franchise but emphasized their commitment to narratives centered on older male characters, including humor about various physical ailments. They aim to maintain the authenticity of the discussions within the game rather than altering them to suit newer audiences.
So, what are your thoughts? Should the Like a Dragon series incorporate more female characters, or does the current focus suffice?