"But there are almost no examples in games where we get to truly see a character age - see someone truly live their life in a way that's representative of reality. Twenty years after the release of the first game on PS2, that's exactly what makes the Yakuza series so special. While you can talk about Yakuza's quirky blend of crime drama and humor, or its bone-crunching combat - the simple truth is that Sega's franchise simply wouldn't be what it is without Kazuma Kiryu."
"One of the most incredibly realized characters gaming has ever seen, Kiryu instills Yakuza with its fighting spirit, but is simultaneously a fascinating deconstruction of toxic masculinity. He's absolutely essential to the way Yakuza deconstructs so many societal issues, from persecution of LGBTQ people to prejudice against felons reintegrating society. The Yakuza series has never shied away from tough and increasingly relevant topics, but all of that is filtered through the worldview of Kiryu."
"Kiryu is an instantly unforgettable character - and a ton of credit for that needs to be given to his voice actor, Takaya Kuroda. One of those rare instances where an actor feels born for a role. Sega What's especially interesting is the way we're introduced to Kiryu, from the very first 2005 Yakuza. Known as the legendary Dragon of Dojima, Kiryu is essentially a god in the criminal underworld - the most fearsome gangster walking the streets of Kamurocho. Just speaking his name strikes fear into the low-level thugs that strut around like peacocks."
Kazuma Kiryu serves as the emotional and moral center of the Yakuza franchise, aging across the series and providing players a rare portrait of a character living a full life. Kiryu combines physical prowess with a compassionate, principled nature that counters stereotypical gangster tropes. The series uses his perspective to confront social issues such as persecution of LGBTQ people and prejudice against former felons seeking reintegration. Vocal performance by Takaya Kuroda elevates Kiryu's presence, and the early mythos presentation positions him as both legendary and deeply human amid Kamurocho's crime and chaos.
Read at Inverse
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