Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure unlike any other! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden. Discover the details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.

Majima's Hawaiian Hijinks Set Sail in 2025

A Bigger, Bolder Yakuza Adventure Awaits

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is shaping up to be a truly epic adventure. RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's world and story will be a substantial 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. This isn't just a minor expansion; it's a massive leap in scale.

Yokoyama hinted at the game's immense size in an interview with Famitsu, stating (via machine translation), "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself... Honolulu City, seen in Infinite Wealth, and various stages like Madlantis, make it far larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden."

The expansive world isn't the only upgrade. Expect a jam-packed experience brimming with signature brawling combat, quirky side activities, and engaging mini-games. Yokoyama suggested that the traditional "Gaiden" label as a mere spin-off is fading, implying this title will stand alongside mainline entries as a fully-fledged experience.

The Hawaiian setting offers a refreshing change of pace, even more so than Like a Dragon Gaiden. The charismatic Goro Majima, voiced once again by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unlikely pirate adventure. While the details of Majima's transformation remain shrouded in mystery, Ugaki expressed his excitement (while remaining tight-lipped about specifics). He commented, "The game's information is finally out, but there's much more I want to share, but I'm told not to say anything!"

Voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) even teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama added a cryptic hint: "There was one interesting recording scene... when I went to the restroom, there was an aquarium with a clownfish... Also, many beautiful women were present... It’s not a dating show, but it felt exciting!"

These "beautiful women" might refer to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. The studio held auditions for these roles earlier this year, with Ryosuke Horii noting the enthusiasm of the chosen actors.

For more on the auditions, check out our related article!