Yakuza 0 Proves Majima Can Be Serious, Not Just Over-the-Top

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This article contains SPOILERS for Yakuza 0 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

I can’t wait to dive back into the world of Yakuza with Goro Majima as the main character once again! In “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii”, he finds himself as an amnesiac pirate captain navigating the Hawaiian islands. The quirky setting and tone of this game perfectly suits Majima’s personality, providing a refreshing change from the deeply emotional narratives of past games like “Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name” and “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth”. Yet, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of a more serious game featuring Majima down the line. One beloved title in the series already demonstrates that!

In a conversation with TheGamer, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s chief producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto expressed that it might not be feasible to create a grave or somber Majima game due to his extravagant character traits. However, the character development shown in Yakuza 0, where we saw a less flamboyant side of him, has contributed significantly to his popularity among fans. Overlooking Majima’s compelling narrative in Yakuza 0 could be detrimental to the character, and it would be unfair to rule out the possibility of a more serious game featuring him in the future.

While Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Wacky Nature is Welcome, A Serious Majima Game Shouldn’t Be Off the Table

Majima’s Yakuza 0 Portrayal Shows the Character Can Be at His Best with a Serious Tone

In Yakuza 0, a prequel to the series, Majima isn’t yet known as the Mad Dog of Shimano. Instead, he’s given a new role as a cabaret club owner as punishment for a past failure. During this period, Majima adopts the persona of the Lord of the Night, playing up his suave club owner act and catering to the demands of his patrons to earn enough money to clear his debt and rejoin the Tojo Clan.

Initially perceived as a quirky side character due to his antics in the Majima Everywhere side quest of the original Yakuza game, Majima’s transformation in Yakuza 0 reveals a depth that goes beyond the one-dimensional caricature the series often presents. It’s through his actions to safeguard Makoto Makimura instead of executing her as instructed that we see Majima evolve into a character beloved by many fans. His Mad Dog persona is largely a result of his frustration with being confined at the Grand Cabaret in Sotenbori, and various glimpses of a more serious Majima can be found in flashbacks across the series.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Amnesia Plot Would Have Been Perfect for a Serious Majima Game

In the time following the Great Dissolution, as depicted in “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth,” the Mad Dog character has shown signs of regression. Contrasting sharply with his eccentric past self, an older Majima now works as a fisherman alongside Saejima and Dojima in Hokkaido. This change is particularly noticeable when compared to his previous zany persona within the series.

Interestingly, at the beginning of “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,” Majima awakens on Rich Island with amnesia. One might assume that this would mean a further fadeout of the Mad Dog persona. However, quite unexpectedly, “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” amplifies this persona instead, providing an enjoyable experience for many fans but potentially missing an opportunity to delve into another serious Majima narrative.

If the Mad Dog didn’t have his past experiences driving him, witnessing Majima slip back into his personality from before Yakuza 0 could provide an intriguing perspective on the character. Since this aspect of Majima isn’t frequently depicted, a prequel game focusing on this period might still be a possibility in the future, even if Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii doesn’t explore it.

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2025-01-19 20:54