This article contains endgame spoilers for Yakuza 2 and 3 and minor spoilers for Like a Dragon Gaiden.
Summary
Like a Dragon Gaidencelebrates much of the series' past in its spinoff tale, putting Kiryu back into the protagonist limelight. Its clever use of familiar characters in Hell Team Rumble and the nostalgic setting of Sotenbori help to set up a number of references, lettingGaidenshine as an homage to Kiryu’s journeyand the encounters he’s had along the way. WithInfinite Wealthshaping up to continue this tribute to his character, fans have been speculating over the full extent of the game’s returning cast, with an eye on one character’s potential appearance.
Ryuji Goda ofYakuza Kiwami 2is largely considered one of the series' most favored antagonists. He makes for a formidable opponent that closely matches the might of Kiryu and sees him worthy of his dragon tattoo.Like a Dragon Gaidencelebrates the strength of Ryuji and the other primary antagonists of the series through Minamida’s Grand Prix, a simulated back-to-back fighting challenge that has Kiryu facing off against robots donning their movesets. This isn’t the only reference to Ryuji, however, as his name appears in bothGaiden’s main narrative and one of its substories, prompting a relevance to his character that could foreshadow a full return in the future.
References to Ryuji Goda in Like a Dragon Gaiden Could Be Foreshadowing His Return
Ryuji Goda Fake-Outs
Like a Dragon Gaidencleverly debuts its Hell Arena Coliseum through the retelling of past events in the series. Acting as a macabre play of sorts, one of these reenactments comes in the form ofKiwami 2’s legendary fight between Kiryu and Ryuji. The Dragon of Dojima and the Dragon of Kansai once clashed to see who was strongest, andGaiden’s Coliseum sees to his return with flair. That is, until the challenger’s face is revealed, lacking the prominent scar that had once adorned the Yakuza legend. The Ryuji Goda ofLike a Dragon Gaidenis a fake, much like the entourage of other Ryujis around Sotenbori donning his name.
The Ghost of Sotenbori
Later serving as an ally in the Coliseum’s Hell Team Rumble, Kiryu notes that this challenger, humorously named Lil Ryuji Goda, is a look-alike in appearance but nothing else. The same can be said for the Ryuji Godas featured in the substory ‘The Ghost of Sotenbori,’ impostors planted around the city by remnants of the Go-Ryu Clan who wish to reestablish the family’s influence. Ryuji Goda’s name is weaponized for their benefit, further incentivizing Kiryu to act as he works to put a stop to their petty schemes and end this tarnishing of Ryuji’s name. It’s clear thatKiryu still holds respect for theYakuza 2antagonist, as is the case withLike a Dragonfans, with many hoping that these events could be foreshadowing a true return.
Like a Dragon Memorial Merch
TheLike a Dragonserieshas been no stranger to death, with both friends and foes of Kiryu losing their lives in past titles. However, this hasn’t stopped RGG from bringing some characters back to life; the bartender ofLAD 7’s Survive Bar is none other than Kashiwagi, whose fate inYakuza 3seemed all but sealed after bearing the brunt of a targeted helicopter attack. He is one of the characters confirmed to return inInfinite Wealth, where Kiryu will finally have the chance to see him alive. Interestingly, the new bar revealed forInfinite Wealth’s Hawaii location seems to include anotherfamiliar face, as many have noted a similar appearance to that of Andre Richardson, the Black Monday agent who served as one ofYakuza 3’s primary antagonists.
This has led to some speculation surrounding Mine’s return as well, which looks to have been debunked by a recentLike a DragonMemorial merchandise line, paying homage to those who died across the series. While Mine’s death seems to have been confirmed, what many found interesting in the merch’s promotional images was the notable absence of Ryuji, whose prominence as an antagonist should have secured him a spot. This, along with the references inLike a DragonGaidenand the ambiguity of his disappearance inKiwami 2,has led many to believe that he is, in fact, still alive.Kaoru Sayama’s return inInfinite Wealthcould be another indication of a Ryuji appearance, given that she would likely know the truth about his fate because of their familial ties, though it remains to be seen whether this will come to fruition.
