"Pirate Yakuza: Elevating Comedic Manliness"

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii promises an exciting mix of serious drama and comedic flair, according to developer RGG Studio. Dive in to discover the unique elements this game brings to the table!

Featuring "Serious" Majima

But There’ll Still Be Goofing Off

The latest installment in the beloved Like a Dragon series is set to stretch the boundaries of reality while maintaining a "manly drama" at its core, as RGG Studio shared in an interview with Automaton Media.

While the series is celebrated for its humor, with Majima often hailed as one of the funniest characters, RGG Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama has stated that this iteration of Majima will take on a "more serious" demeanor, particularly at the beginning of the story.

Ryosuke Horii, producer of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, elaborated on Yokoyama’s comments, emphasizing that the heart of the game lies in a "manly drama" that showcases Majima’s passionate journey towards his goals and the bonds he forms along the way. "The goofing off isn’t the main focus – the core is a manly drama. Of course, there are some wild detours, but fundamentally, it’s a straightforward tale about a passionate man," Horii explained.

Horii further highlighted Majima's unique qualities, which differentiate him from the long-time protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. As translated by Automaton, "If we didn’t capitalize on that uniqueness, there’d be no reason to make Majima the lead. That’s why we’ve pushed the boundaries of reality a bit more than we would with Kiryu, aiming to provide players with a rich, varied action experience. ... Balancing the pirate theme, Majima’s essence, and the ‘Ryu ga Gotoku’ spirit was a challenging but rewarding endeavor."

The game aims to strike the perfect balance between realism and extravagance, ensuring that gameplay remains engaging and dynamic while still anchored in a serious and compelling narrative.

Majima Maji Festival In Japan

In celebration of the game’s upcoming release, RGG Studio is hosting a special event called Majima’s Maji Festival across six cities in Japan. The festivities kicked off on December 1st, 2024, in Sapporo, and are winding down with stops in Nagoya on January 18th and Tokyo on January 25th. If you're in either of these cities on those dates, don’t miss out on the fun!

The newest addition to the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, features the iconic "The Mad Dog of Shimano" Goro Majima as the protagonist. With its thrilling combat system, exhilarating naval battles, vibrant characters, and a heartfelt story, the game is poised to offer a unique modern-day pirate adventure.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One on February 21st.