The recently released Like a Dragon: Ishin is already proving to be a popular release for Ryu Ga Gotoku, with the much-anticipated title opening up the game's story to a much wider global demographic. The title is a comprehensive remake of an original 2014 release which was solely restricted to Japanese markets, meaning Western fans have been waiting almost a decade to experience the release's unique narrative.
Due to its nature as a remake, Like a Dragon: Ishin features brand-new content and better graphical fidelity than the original, but also makes the bold choice of changing the likenesses of many characters from the original title to those of much more contemporary and recognizable franchise figures. While this may be seen as controversial to dedicated fans of the original game, there is an undeniable utility in how these changes make for a more engaging and up-to-date experience befitting of a remake.
Like a Dragon: Ishin - New Yakuza 0 Characters
Since the original release of Ishin in 2014, one of the most successful titles to come to the franchise is 2015's Yakuza 0. Set in the 1980s, Yakuza 0 boldly told a prequel tale of a young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as duel protagonists, with the bombastic setting and narrative of the game being a massive hit for the IP.
It can be said that the three antagonistic Dojima lieutenants of Yakuza 0 were three of the best new characters to be introduced to the franchise, with all three being played by respected Japanese veteran actors. The characters of Daisaku Kuze, Hiroki Awano, and Keiji Shibusawa each played fantastic roles in Yakuza 0, and have rightfully been implemented into LaD: Ishin to replace older franchise characters.
Daisaku Kuze now plays the role of Ito Kashitaro, the imposing third-in-command of the Shinsengumi, while Awano now plays the role of Takeda Kanryusai, another captain of the Shinsengumi. As these are antagonistic roles, these changes make sense given the similarities the roles share with the original Yakuza 0 roles these characters played. The third character, Shibusawa, now plays the role of Takechi Hanpeita, who is a kind of mentor and adoptive brother of the game's protagonist, Sakamoto Ryoma.
Like a Dragon: Ishin - New Yakuza 6 Characters
Yakuza 6 released in 2016, bringing a level of closure to the saga of Kiryu Kazuma and again introducing some new beloved characters to the franchise. Despite this, only two characters from Yakuza 6 have been implemented within the recently released Ishin.
The character of Joon-gi Han has taken the role of Yamazaki Susumu, the sadistic spymaster of the Shinsengumi, while the sinister Yakuza 6 antagonist Kanji Koshimizu becomes Suzuki Mikisaburo, another respected and ruthless captain of the organization. While only two characters from Yakuza 6 feature in Ishin as new changes, the importance and presence of these characters are fittingly important to the game's narrative.
Like a Dragon: Ishin - New Yakuza: Like a Dragon Characters
As the most recent mainline entry to the Yakuza franchise, it is no wonder that a wide-range of new characters from 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon have replaced older franchise faces within Like a Dragon: Ishin. For example, the game's beloved Zhao Tianyou now plays the role of Captain Todo Heisuke, while antagonist Akira Mabuchi plays the new role of Captain Tani Sanjuro.
As well as this, Yakuza: Like a Dragon's main antagonist Masato Arakawa now plays Navy Minister Katsu Rintaro, based off a real-life historical figure of the same name. Finally, the fan-favorite supporting character of Koichi Adachi plays the role of Shinsengumi Chief Isami Kondo, who is also based off of a real-life figure. While these changes may erase the original performances of the involved Ishin characters, they undeniable give a new lease of life to the recently released remake.
Like a Dragon: Ishin is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.