Like a Dragon: Yakuza is finally out, with the final three episodes out now on Amazon Prime. Picking up where the third episode left off, the back half of the series continues Kiryu’s search for the 10 billion Yen, and Nishikiyama’s machinations. We covered the references and easter eggs for the first three episodes here. Here are some of the references from the final three episodes; spoilers ahead!
KIRYU & THE HOMELESS POPULATION
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Across the entire Yakuza series, Kiryu often spends time with the large homeless population living in Kamurocho. In the games, there is an entire section of the city where they live, known as West Park. The Yakuza series generally does a fantastic job humanizing these characters, rather than making them the butt of a joke. The show continues this in a small way, as a homeless man helps Kiryu and Yumi in their hunt for the Yumi’s sister.
MIHO’S ILLNESS
In both the show and the games, Nishikiyama’s sister becomes ill, though in different ways. In the games, we never actually meet Yuko, her name differing from the show’s Miho. Her story plays out in a similar fashion, with a few major differences. In both, Nishikiyama makes a deal with a shady part of his Yakuza family to try and save her, getting double crossed in the show and the game. In the games, when Yumi is almost sexually assaulted by Dojima, Nishiki shoots him to save her. Kiryu takes the fall as Yuko’s surgery is around the corner, giving him more time with her. In the show, Nishiki shoots Dojima after she passes for revenge for Dojima’s lies, with Kiryu still acting as the murderer.
KIRYU’S TATTOO
Kiryu’s giant back tattoo of a dragon is one of the most iconic visual pieces in Yakuza. The tattoo is similar in both, interestingly unfinished in the show as it was in Yakuza 0. In the games, the outline is present in Yakuza 0, with it being filled in later. The eyes are missing in Like a Dragon: Yakuza, as Kiryu gets more of the tattoo done as he wins fights in the underground fight club.
IT ALL ENDS AT MILLENNIUM TOWER
As is almost tradition in the games, the show’s final confrontation takes place at Millennium Tower. Almost every Yakuza games has at least a part, if not the entirety, of the final moments of the core fight at the tower. Kiryu and Nishiki’s fight happens here across both iterations, with differences in Nishiki’s final moments. In the game, Nishiki sacrifices himself to save Kiryu, blowing up a bomb by shooting it. In the show, Nishiki stabs himself, no longer able to continue his fight against his friend.
KIRYU GOES SHIRTLESS
It wouldn’t be a Yakuza finale without Kiryu taking his shirt off. In the games, it’s an iconic move, one that Kiryu usually does as the final fight starts. In the show, while Kiryu does take off his shirt in the final fight, his reasons for doing so are much different. He frantically uses his shirt to try and stop the bleeding from Nishiki’s fatal wound. Instead of doing it to beat sense into the antagonist, he does it to try and save a friend.
KAZAMA’S SECRETS
Shintaro Kazama is one of the series most interesting characters. His presences is felt a lot across the games, with him being a massive role model for Kiryu. He’s incredibly cunning and smart, making moves and revealing secrets when he needs to. In the show, Nishiki spends his final moments letting Kiryu know that his parents’ killer was nearby. The final episode ends on a massive cliffhanger as Kiryu figures out that was Kazama. In the games, Kazama tells him himself as things unfold. His story could continue to play out in a potential Season 2, so I won’t spoil more of it here. Just know there is a lot more to this man than meets the eye.
“KIRYU-CHAAAAAN!”
Majima Goro finally reappears in the final showdown between the Ohmi and Tojo, wrecking havoc with his trusty bat. As the fight ends and Kiryu appears carrying Nishiki, we get one of, if not the most, iconic line across Yakuza. Majima gleefully yells “KIRYU-CHAN!” as he sees him, with actor Munetaka Aoki delivering the line perfectly. Their relationship is a core part of the franchise, and I hope we get to see more of it if the show returns for a season 2.
That brings the first season of Like a Dragon: Yakuza to a close! With Season 2 currently unconfirmed, fans will have to wait to see if we’ll get more of the series. If you’re looking for more in the meantime, Yakuza Kiwami just launched on Switch, with the rest of the series readily available on almost every major place you play games. It’s well worth your time.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza is available in full now on Prime Video.
