Like a Dragon 8 is giving Kiryu a bigger role than Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Yakuza 8
(Image credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)

Like a Dragon 8 will give Kiryu Kazuma a bigger role than in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. 

Earlier today, on February 24, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio debuted the second episode of its documentary, taking viewers behind the scenes at the studio. This time, the documentary features an interview with the voice of Kiryu, Takaya Kuroda, who revealed that his character has a more prominent presence in the forthcoming Like a Dragon 8 than in Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

For the first time in a while, Kiryu plays a big role, Kuroda says of the loveable brute in the forthcoming game. "This is part of his story, so I hope everyone enjoys it," the veteran actor continues, adding that he thinks Kiryu's become more "open-minded" as he's gotten older and is more conscious of how others around him feel when he speaks.

Like a Dragon 8's reveal trailer last year announced the return of Kiryu, who now sports an incredible new grey hairdo. Whereas the character had a relatively minor role in 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon, appearing partway through the game to help newcomer Ichiban Kasuga, Kuroda makes it sound like he will have a much more established presence in the new game.

Considering Yakuza 6: The Song of Life was meant to be the end of Kiryu's story, he sure is sticking around a while longer than planned. The former Yakuza is intended to be in hiding nowadays, but that doesn't mean he can't reappear every now and then for a new battle, or even an entirely new game centred around him, as we're getting later this year in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

Yesterday, on February 23, the debut episode of RGG Studio's new documentary revealed Like a Dragon 8 has been in development since late 2021. We can expect the third and final part of the series tomorrow, but for now, we'd highly recommend watching both episodes for a deep dive into RGG Studio's new leadership, and how Kiryu's actor regards his beloved character.

Check out our new games 2023 guide for a look at all the titles that'll be here before Like a Dragon 8 launches next year in 2024.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Yakuza Kiwami
Years before we learned of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Majima's voice actor pitched a JRPG about the fan-favorite anti-hero and was told "that's not going to happen"
Goro Majima performing an attack during the upcoming PS5 game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza is longer than the last Yakuza spin-off, but it's not the dev's fault: "The volume increased by itself"
Goro Majima in his pirate outfit, leading his crew in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
10 years after Yakuza 0, Majima's swashbuckling return finally puts a bowline knot on decades of character growth
Big in 2025 - Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii header image showing Goro Majima and ship combat
10 years since last being a full protagonist, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii turns Majima into a swashbuckling Spider-Man
Project Century screenshot
Like a Dragon developer says none of us have figured out what its new game Project Century is about because "We didn’t include any information that would enable people to guess"
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii screenshot showing Majima in drag
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii revives another Sega arcade classic that's never been ported - a true Yakuza games tradition
Latest in RPG
The Legend of Vox Machina
If you're craving more D&D after Baldur's Gate 3, Critical Role is "hard at work" on a video game – and it'll be unveiled "any day" now
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot of a boss turned to gold surrounded by blood
5,000 gold, 2,500 hours, and one priceless scroll: Baldur's Gate 3 player cooks up a "Midas run" by turning the RPG's bosses into solid gold trophies, because "why not"
Stardew Valley Baldur's Gate 3 mod Baldur's Village
Stardew Valley player bringing a bit of Baldur's Gate 3 to ConcernedApe's farming sim, now with Larian's seal of approval, says they've played over 1,500 hours and will improve the mod
Avowed screenshot showing two companions assisting in combat
Avowed director says Xbox and Microsoft are "very happy" with the reception to its new Obsidian RPG
Latest in News
A wide collection of monsterous playable characters from Battlezoo Ancestries Living Legends
Play as a Mindflayer or a swarm of bees in this upcoming D&D supplement from a Pathfinder 2E co-creator
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
I've found my Assassin's Creed Shadows playstyle, thanks to this clip of Yasuke smashing dudes with a huge club instead of sneaking around
World of Warcraft housing
World of Warcraft's new housing system lets you decorate without the floating hacks I've been using in Final Fantasy 14 for 11 years, and I weep
Gemma Chan in Eternals
Eternals star Gemma Chan is hopeful she'll return to the MCU someday: "There's unfinished business there"
two aliens firing miniguns
4 years after shutting down, this dead sci-fi MMO is being brought back to life, but there's no word on its canceled TV show tie-in
Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Netflix wants Daniel Craig to join the cast of Greta Gerwig's Narnia movie – but it's not certain if he'll take it