The reveal of Like a Dragon: Ishin was confusing for some viewers because it appeared to show characters like Kiryu and Majima in feudal Japan. Since the setting for the game is more than 100 years before both of them were born, it seems impossible for them to be there, right?
How are Kiryu and Majima in Like a Dragon: Ishin?
Kiryu and Majima aren’t in Like a Dragon: Ishin. It doesn’t star their ancestors either. However, it does feature their likenesses and those of many of the major characters throughout the Yakuza series. Ishin is based on a true story, and each of these familiar faces plays a historically inspired role.
The game is set during the 1860s, and you play as Sakamoto Ryoma, a low-ranking samurai. While he had relatively humble beginnings, he rose to prominence as an anti-Tokugawa shogunate activist. His actions helped lead to the Meiji Restoration, which was a significant turning point in Japanese history that led to the creation of the Empire of Japan and eventually World War 2.
Ryu ga Gotoku Studios’ take on this story is interesting, and fans of the Yakuza series will enjoy seeing familiar characters acting in both familiar and unfamiliar ways. There’s not long to wait, either. Like a Dragon: Ishin will release worldwide on February 21, 2023.
