The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series: Staying True to its Roots While Navigating New Fanbases
The Yakuza series, now known as Like a Dragon, has evolved, attracting a broader audience including younger players and women. However, the developers intend to remain focused on the core experience.
A Focus on "Middle-Aged Dudes"
The series' director, Ryosuke Horii, confirmed in an interview with AUTOMATON that, while appreciating the influx of new fans, the series won't fundamentally alter its themes to cater to them. The charm, according to Horii and lead planner Hirotaka Chiba, lies in the relatable experiences of middle-aged men, mirroring their own lives. This authenticity, from Ichiban's Dragon Quest obsession to complaints about back pain, is considered key to the series' originality. The characters' everyday struggles and conversations resonate with players, creating an immersive experience.
Series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, in a 2016 Famitsu interview, noted the surprising increase in female players (around 20%), but emphasized the series' initial design for a male audience. He stressed the importance of maintaining the series' core identity, rather than significantly altering it to accommodate a broader demographic.
Concerns Regarding Female Representation
Despite its appeal to a wider audience, the series has faced criticism regarding its portrayal of women. Many fans point to the prevalence of sexist tropes, with female characters often relegated to supporting roles or objectified. The limited number of playable female characters and instances of suggestive or sexual comments from male characters towards female characters have also drawn criticism. Recurring themes like the "damsel-in-distress" trope further fuel these concerns. While acknowledging some humorous scenarios where female conversations are interrupted by male characters, Chiba highlights that these situations will likely continue.
While the series has shown progress in incorporating more progressive themes, occasional lapses into outdated tropes remain. However, newer entries like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which received a 92/100 score from Game8, are viewed as positive steps forward, praised for balancing fan service with a vision for the franchise's future.
