Kazuma Kiryu

Lore & Background

Kiryu's journey began when he accepted responsibility for his boss's death, serving a decade in prison before emerging to face new threats. A pivotal moment occurred upon his release when he met Haruka Sawamura, eventually becoming her adoptive father. The development team aimed to show him living a 'more human life' during Yakuza 3, where he ran an orphanage, though initial concerns existed that this made him too kind. In the prequel Yakuza 0, his personality was temporarily shifted to a 'loose-cannon hot-head' to surprise fans before maturing again. His story arc spans from being the sole playable character in early titles to sharing the stage in Yakuza 4 and 5, where he worked as a taxi driver in Yakuza 5 in a city where no one knew him. By Infinite Wealth, Kiryu returns alongside Ichiban Kasuga as one of two main protagonists; his hair is redesigned to show aging and weight loss, reflecting that he has terminal cancer.

In Their Own Story

The narrative focuses heavily on Kiryu's relationship with Haruka Sawamura, a bond that drives the plot of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life after years of separation. In Yakuza 2, the story shifts focus to the new character Kaoru Sayama rather than Kiryu, mirroring the approach in the first game where Haruka's arc was central. Producer Toshihiro Nagoshi noted that while he initially refrained from calling Kiryu the protagonist in early games due to this narrative focus, localizers eventually settled on calling him 'Kiryu' by Yakuza 4 to align with other characters called by their last names. The series explores his friendship and rivalry with Goro Majima deeply in Yakuza 0, contrasting their dynamic as both friends and enemies. Despite appearing in live-action films and a television series, the core video game narrative treats him as a 'super-cool and masculine guy' who must have a successor because he lacks supernatural powers, leading to his final journey in Infinite Wealth where he faces his mortality.

Reader's Guide

Kiryu's character design was adjusted early on by scenario editor Hase Seishu, who noted his original position was too high for his age. While designer Ryosuke Horii proposed minigames like karaoke and fishing to show a cooler side of the 'permanently frowning' hero, Sega initially discouraged it as out of character before approving a trial. Voice actor Takaya Kuroda described Kiryu as a shy man who could not form a formal romantic relationship with Sayama in Yakuza 2 due to his own self-perception. In Infinite Wealth, the team redesigned his attire and haircut to represent his lower health status, adhering to the belief that his iconic suit always holds meaning. Although critics praised his kindness despite his yakuza history, staff members like Masayoshi Yokoyama noted that players often enjoyed Goro Majima more in Yakuza 0. The character was built to appeal to a broad audience as a modern version of a Japanese hero, embodying traits of strength and honor throughout the franchise's evolution.

Did You Know?

• Kiryu was voiced by Yong Yea for the series' English-dubbed releases starting in 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
• In Yakuza 3, Kiryu ran an orphanage after the staff changed his story from returning to prison to show a more human side.
• For Yakuza 5, Kiryu worked as a taxi driver in a new city where he was not known by other people.
• Kiryu's appearance in Infinite Wealth marks his final journey as he has terminal cancer.
• Japanese voice actor Takaya Kuroda described Kiryu as a shy character who does not consider himself attractive enough for a formal romantic relationship.