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. Details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 paint a picture of a truly expansive game.

Majima's Pirate Adventure Sets Sail 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 massive leap in scope. Yokoyama hinted at the sheer size, stating (via Famitsu and machine translation), "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself... Honolulu City, which appeared in Infinite Wealth, and various stages, such as Madlantis, mean the game volume is much larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden."

The game's content will be equally expansive. Expect the series' signature brawling combat, alongside a wealth of quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama suggested the traditional "Gaiden" label as a smaller side story is fading, implying this title will rival mainline entries in scale and substance.

The Hawaiian setting provides a unique backdrop for Goro Majima's unexpected pirate journey. Voice actor Hidenari Ugaki, returning as Majima, expressed his excitement while remaining tight-lipped about the plot, stating, "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 emerged from other voice actors. First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama added a cryptic comment about a memorable recording experience involving an aquarium and "a lot of beautiful women," possibly referencing the "Minato Ward girls" who will appear in both live-action and CG form. These girls were cast earlier this year, with Ryosuke Horii noting the applicants' enthusiasm for the series.

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