Unexpected Ties: Exploring the Unparalleled Connection between Like a Dragon Gaiden and Judgment Spin-Offs

Highlights

The upcoming game, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, will introduce Masaharu Kaito, a character known from the developer's acclaimed Judgment spin-off series. This inclusion will establish a strong connection between the new game and the overall Like a Dragon universe.

The game is closely linked to the spin-off series Judgment, sharing the gameplay and mechanics of Like a Dragon. However, until now, there has been no direct reference between the two.

Gaiden's inclusion of Kaito creates opportunities for other characters from the spin-off series to potentially appear in future entries. This has the potential to further enhance the game's fan service.

In the preview for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, a connection between the spin-off series developer's Judgment and the main Like a Dragon canon is revealed. Masaharu Kaito, a character from the Judgment spin-off series, makes an appearance in the Gaiden title, linking it to the larger Like a Dragon universe. This spin-off focuses on Kazuma Kiryu's story after the events of Yakuza 6, shedding light on his activities during Yakuza: Like a Dragon and establishing a connection to his role in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It is noteworthy that the game also ties itself to the Judgment series, developed by the same studio.

The Judgment series, comprising of Judgment and its sequel Lost Judgment, are detective thriller spin-offs that share the Like a Dragon beat-em-up action gameplay and open-world mechanics. These games combine these elements with investigations and mysteries, centering around the character Takayuki Yagami, a private investigator. Yagami is accompanied by his partner, Masahru Kaito, a former member of the Tojo Clan. Although the games only indirectly reference each other through events in Kamurocho city, it is surprising to see both Kaito and Kiryu now appearing together in Gaiden.

In the latest issue of Famitsu, it was revealed that Kiryu will eventually meet with Kaito. A screenshot of the two together was also shown. According to the article's translation, Kaito will appear in a substory for the game, alongside other returning characters like Etsuko from Yakuza 0. The article provides a brief biography of Kaito, describing him as a former lieutenant of the Matsugane family and a member of the Tojo Clan who works with Yagami. This is their first meeting, teasing the kind of interactions they might have in Like a Dragon Gaiden.

Fans of both series have been eagerly anticipating Kaito's inclusion in the game, especially in a substory and the potential interactions between the characters. Kaito's character shares similarities with Kiryu, including his flashy shirt reminiscent of Kiryu's outfit from Yakuza 0. Even his moveset in Judgment and Lost Judgment is borrowed from Kiryu's Brawler and Beast styles in the same game.

The upcoming Gaiden episode, where Kaito meets his direct inspiration, will surely excite Like a Dragon fans with its fanservice. This marks the beginning of other spin-off characters making appearances in future entries, potentially including a cameo from Takayuki Yagami if permitted. Fans will have to patiently wait and see how and why Kiryu and Kaito become involved in Sotenbori. The release date for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is set for November 9, 2023, and it will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.

Source: Noisy Pixel