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

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure unlike any other! RGG Studio's Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises to be significantly larger and more ambitious than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Discover the details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.

Majima's Hawaiian Hijinks Set Sail in 2025

A Pirate's Life for Majima: Scale and Scope Take Center Stage

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. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a massive leap in scale.

Yokoyama hinted at the game's expansive setting in an interview with Famitsu: "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself," he teased. "Of course there’s Honolulu City, which appeared in [Infinite Wealth], and there are various stages, such as Madlantis, so I think the game volume is much larger than [Like a Dragon Gaiden]."

The sheer volume of content is equally impressive. Expect the series' signature brawling combat, alongside a wealth of quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama even suggested that the traditional "Gaiden" label, implying a smaller spin-off, is becoming obsolete. He stated that the concept of "Gaiden" as a "side story" is "gradually disappearing." This suggests a main-series level experience.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, the game promises a significant departure from previous entries. The charismatic Goro Majima, voiced again by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unique pirate adventure. The circumstances of Majima's transformation into a pirate remain shrouded in mystery, with Ugaki himself remaining playfully tight-lipped.

"The game information has finally been announced, but there are many other elements and a lot of information I still want to tell you," Ugaki shared. "I have a tendency to talk a lot, but I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."

Adding to the intrigue, voice actress First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) and actor Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita) offered tantalizing hints. Akiyama even teased a live-action scene featuring himself, describing a memorable recording experience with "beautiful women" and an unexpected aquarium encounter.

These "beautiful women" may be the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. The studio held auditions for these roles earlier this year, attracting passionate fans of the series. According to Ryosuke Horii, "I was glad that many of the people who appeared without knowing what kind of role they would play had a love for the series and a passion to work with us."

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