Summary
A big part of the reason why the Like A Dragon and Yakuza series has managed to maintain and steadily grow its popularity for so long is thanks to the strong core cast of recurring characters that appear throughout the series.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaiistands out for being the first title to bring fan-favourite Goro Majima into the spotlight, and with him comes some returning characters, but a whole cast of new characters as well. While there are plenty of these characters who stand out, which shine above the rest.
8Minami And Nishida
Package Deal
Even though Minami and Nishida, long-time (and technically former) members of Majima’s family, are technically separate characters, based on the way they are treated in Pirate Yakuza, they might as well be a two-for-one deal. However, don’t twist that as a bad thing.
Providing some lighthearted comic relief in the otherwise serious Nele Island sections of the overarching narrative, it’s always reassuring when this pair show up on screen. Their twinning goes as far as their Drink Link conversations being paired, so they truly can’t get rid of each other.
7Queen Michele
Undisputed Matriarch
A highlight of Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii’s story are the sections that take place in the setting of Madlantis. The cavernous center of illegal activities is immediately forboding upon first visit, and that feeling is solidified by the presence of Queen Michele.
The leader of Madlantis, Michele, has an incredibly imposing presence, and that can be felt with the influence she’s shown to have throughout the story. While she is robbed of final-boss-hood during the game’s last chapter, she still feels like the strongest antagonistic force in the game.
6Taiga Saejima
Surprise Appearance Of A Sworn Brother
Aside from Majima, the main focus in Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii is on the new side characters. Or, at least, that’s how it seems up until the surprise reappearance of Taiga Saejima in the game’s third chapter.
Majima’s sworn brother initially appears to be an antagonistic force looking to drag Majima away from his newfound life of piracy, but luckilythe longtime cast memberisn’t as stubborn as he looks, and eventually joins Majima for the ride. Even though he doesn’t steal too much focus in this particular title, it’s nice to see him get some more characterization through Drink Link conversations.
5Masaru Fujita
Much More Than Just A Chef
When Masaru debuts in the game’s first chapter, he originally seems to be a one-off villain who Majima will defeat and quickly move on from. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth, as Masaru ends up changing allegiances and becoming one of the inaugural members of the Goro Pirates.
A loyal and comforting presence throughout the rest of the game, Masaru always has some quirky quip to add whenever he’s present for a scene. It might feel like his development is abandoned for a while in the story’s midsection, but luckily he gets some much-needed growth in the game’s final act.
4Naomi Rich
Coming In Clutch
Naomi, Jason’s oldest daughter, is mentioned in passing during Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii’s opening hours, and it’s assumed that we’ll eventually run into her in Honolulu at some point. That’s why it comes as a shock when we meet her serving as Queen Michele’s right-hand woman.
Naomi is one of the more complex original characters in the game, and her allegiances are never completely clear, making her interesting to watch throughout the story. While her development is slow to start, it’s fantastic to see the role she leans into as the game reaches its climax.
3Jason Rich
Father Of The Year Award
The Rich family ends up being the beating heart of Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii’s overarching plotline, and while a lot of that can beattributed to Noah, it’s worth also crediting Jason’s role as well. Originally appearing as a rough and belligerent presence to Majima, it’s rewarding to see how he develops throughout the game.
It’s worth detaching a sense of real-life responsibility when considering his relationship with Noah to make his character a little more believable. Should a father let his young son join a pirate crew? No. Does he anyway? Yes. In spite of his questionable judgement, it’s still sweet to see how much he cares for his children throughout the story.
2Noah Rich
The Most Charming Narrative Crux In Hawaii
It’s always a little grimace-inducing whenever we see that a child character is dragged alongside a group of adults during a story, but it’s an area that the Like A Dragon and Yakuza series has historically managed to succeed in, and Noah Rich is a prime example of this.
His blossoming friendship with Majima is a charming element of the story, and while it would be easy to assume that his ceaseless optimism could get grating, it’s instead used more for the sake of comedy amidst hismore jaded crewmates. A true highlight of Noah’s character is getting to walk around Honolulu with him, and watch the conversations between him and Majima about everything noteworthy they come across.
1Goro Majima
O Captain! My Captain!
Majima has previously managed to be the best character in games that don’t even place that much focus on him, so giving him the starring role only further platforms this loveable, unhinged, and chaotic character to do more of what he does best.
Majima becoming a pirate shouldn’t work as well as it does, but taking up this new mantle feels surprisingly natural for the former Yakuza. Getting to see his unconventional approach to leadership in a new setting is a privilege we get to enjoy from his opening fourth-wall-breaking confessionals, to the final musical dance number.
