Like a Dragonfranchise has introduced many interesting characters throughout the series. Some of them were even playable for a short time in a few games. However, that was not enough as these characters definitely have the potential to have their own spin-offs, — especially considering that many plot points remain unexplored in the main series.
Characters like Majima and Kiryu have had great treatment. Unfortunately, other figures were abandoned, and it would be nice to see their return in their own spin-off titles. So, this list ranks some of the best potential characters who can have their own personal journey.
10Akira Nishikiyama
Akira Nishikiyama is a proclaimed brother and the closest companion to Kiryu, and his descent into becoming a character madly obsessed with power made him one of the most well-written characters in the franchise. Unfortunately, we were only shown a few flashbacks. A spin-off could focus more on his rise to power.
A game that shows Nishikiyama’s struggles in the Tojo clan and the opposition he faced during his ascension to one of the captains would be interesting to see. Conflicts among the Yakuza families have been the main premise for the series, and a lot of them can be fleshed out in a spin-off.
9Makoto Date
Makoto Date is a detective who has come through for Kiryu and his companions throughout the Like a Dragon franchise. He is an honourable man who is obsessed with justice and doesn’t hesitate to break a few rules to ensure it is served. A Yakuza game from the perspective of a rule-breaking police officer could be interesting enough.
Not much of Makoto’s past is shown in the series, and a plot that focuses on his early days as a detective trying to crack various cases should make for a great spin-off. We might also uncover his descent into the grey area of the law, where he felt forced to deviate from the rules.
8Tatsuo Shinada
Tatsuo Shinada’s role was unfortunately short-lived in the Yakuza franchise. He is a playable character for a brief time in the fifth entry and he never shows his face in the series again. The birdbrain baseball sensation deserves a triumph return in a spin-off game.
Considering that Shinada is a light-hearted character, he should get a relaxing spin-off where he goes on a vacation in Hawaii. He might even make his baseball debut in America. If a spin-off for Shinada is decided, it should also have a few more mini-games that focus on sports.
7Haruka Sawamura
Before Y7, Haruka was the only female character who was playable in the series, specifically in Yakuza 5. While her role was short-lived, it was well-received by fans as her gameplay was unique and cozy (you follow her Pop Idol career), which also let players grab a breather from the regular intense battles in the game.
After Kiryu leaves the orphanage, not much is shown about Haruka’s life, so filling the holes in those plot points might be interesting to see. Haruka’s role as she raises Haruto as a toddler is unexplored, and a spin-off game that focuses on her role as a mother with her husband Yuta seems like a fun idea.
6Shintaro Kazama
Shintaro Kazama is often hyped up as one of the greatest yakuza to ever bestow on the Tojo Clan. Despite a few harsh things he has done in his life, Kiryu strives to learn from his principles and considers him a father. As an important character, the screentime Kazama got was very little, which left a taste of dissatisfaction in many fans.
Shintaro Kazama is not to be confused with his brother Joji Kazama, who appears in Yakuza 3.
Not much is shown about his past life or his time in the Tojo clan. Not even his role as a father figure to both Kiryu and Nishiki in the Sunflower Orphanage is explored enough. The stories told about him made him seem like a sick character, so we can’t wait to know more.
5Taiga Saejima
Saejima is featured as a playable character in multiple Yakuza entries, and he has gained his own reputation over the years. Taiga is Majima’s proclaimed brother, and he is a strong and buffed-up man who captured the interests of many. Saejima is often shown playing some tough roles such as a hunter in the snowy mountains in Yakuza 5.
A spin-off game that focuses on him should ideally focus more on missing plot points, including Saejima’s past before he met Majima and his role in the Tojo clan. A cozy game where Saejima goes on a well-deserved vacation in Hawaii after spending most of his life in trials and hardship is something we would love to see, too.
4Seonhee
As the leader of the Geomijul, Seonhee is shown to be the most authoritative woman in the Like a Dragon franchise. Using her connections in the Korean crime organization, she is able to come through for Ichiban and his pals when they need her assistance with some spy work.
A female character this impactful definitely deserves her own game showcasing her big boss attributes. Seonhee’s daily life as a leader of the clan, who teaches a lesson to everyone who dares to mess with her, would be delightful.
3Kashiwagi
This entry contains spoilers for Yakuza 3 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, so read at your own risk.
Kashiwagi was shown to be dead in Yakuza 3, but he was later shown running the Survive Bar in Yakuza: Like A Dragon. RGG Studio has some explaining to do here regarding his apparent survival. His whereabouts and journey are barely explored in the games, and it should make an interesting premise for a spin-off.
A spin-off game featuring him will probably focus more on the days after his survival from a supposed death, and explaining plot details about how Kashiwagi ended up running the bar. His daily life as a bar manager and various mini-games around it could get pretty creative and bizarre.
2Daigo Dojima
The sixth chairman of the Tojo Clan is often underestimated and reduced to playing a background role in almost all the Like a Dragon games. Not much of his past is known, except for how he acted like a delinquent for most of the years after his father passed away. He has a slightly cautious personality, but he strives to make the best decisions for his yakuza family.
A spin-off game around Daigo can certainly answer a lot of questions regarding his personality and character development. His role as a Tojo Clan chairman can be further explored, showing his daily life with such responsibility.
1Shun Akiyama
Shun Akiyama is one of the most charismatic characters in the Like a Dragon series, who immediately grabbed the attention of many players. While his screen time is minimal in the series as a whole, Akiyama’s moments were definitely impactful, which is why it’s about time he got his own game as well.
Shun Akiyama was playable in Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5 for a few chapters.
Shun Akiyama runs various hostess clubs in the town, so his ideal spin-off should have more of these. He runs a loan lending business, so a plot that revolves around that, where he immediately gets in trouble with other loan sharks and yakuza should be interesting. Akiyama lives by certain principles, and his dialogues leave a lasting impression.
