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

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. RGG Studio revealed details at RGG SUMMIT 2024, highlighting the game's expansive scope.

Majima's Pirate Adventure in 2025

A Grander Scale for Pirate Yakuza

RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's story and world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a complete leap in scale. Yokoyama hinted at the game's vastness, mentioning locations like Honolulu (seen in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth) and "Madlantis," suggesting multiple, extensive areas. He even stated, "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself."

The game's content is equally impressive. Expect the series' signature brawling combat, alongside a plethora of quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama indicated a shift in the "Gaiden" concept, suggesting these titles are evolving beyond simple spin-offs to become more substantial, mainline-level experiences.

Set in Hawaii, the game features Goro Majima (voiced by Hidenari Ugaki) as he unexpectedly becomes a pirate. The specifics remain shrouded in mystery, but Ugaki expressed excitement while remaining tight-lipped about the plot. He mentioned, "The information about the game has finally been announced, but there are many other elements and there is still a lot of information I want to tell you...I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."

Intriguing hints were also dropped regarding live-action scenes featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita), who teased a memorable recording experience involving an aquarium and "a lot of beautiful women." This might relate to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form, having been cast earlier this year. Ryosuke Horii commented on the auditions, noting the enthusiasm of the cast for the series.

For more on the auditions, please see our related article.