Yakuza Like a Dragon Will Always Be \"Middle-Aged Guys Doing Middle-Aged Guy Things\"

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, while expanding its appeal to younger and female players, will remain centered on the experiences of middle-aged men. This commitment to its core identity was recently reaffirmed by the developers.

Like a Dragon Studio Prioritizes Its Core Demographic: Middle-Aged Men

The series, led by the charismatic Ichiban Kasuga, has garnered a diverse following. However, director Ryosuke Horii clarified in an interview with AUTOMATON that the franchise won't drastically alter its narrative to cater to new fans. The focus will remain on the relatable struggles and experiences of middle-aged men, a perspective the developers themselves share. Horii highlighted the authenticity of the characters' problems, stemming from their age and everyday lives, as a key element of the series' unique charm.

This approach echoes a 2016 statement by series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi (Famitsu interview, reported by Siliconera), who, while acknowledging the increasing number of female players (approximately 20% at the time), emphasized the game's original design for a primarily male audience. He stressed the importance of avoiding changes that would compromise the series' core vision.

Concerns Regarding Female Representation

Despite the developers' intentions, the series' portrayal of female characters has drawn criticism. Many fans point to recurring sexist tropes, often relegating women to supporting roles or objectifying them. The limited number of significant female characters and the frequent use of suggestive or sexual remarks towards them by male characters are common concerns raised by players on forums like ResetEra. The persistence of the "damsel-in-distress" trope in various iterations of the game further fuels these criticisms. Even seemingly lighthearted instances, like the "girl talk" scenario in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth highlighted by Chiba, underscore the ongoing debate.

While acknowledging progress in some areas, the series continues to grapple with balancing its core identity with evolving expectations regarding female representation. Reviews like Game8's 92/100 score for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, while praising the game's appeal to long-time fans and its vision for the future, don't fully address these lingering concerns.