In 2015 Sega released Yakuza 0 from developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, and ushered in a new era of worldwide popularity for the long-running franchise. Two Yakuza Kiwami games have followed rebooting the series' first two titles, a new Yakuza featuring franchise protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, two spin-off Judgment games, and another sequel named Yakuza: Like a Dragon with a new protagonist and RPG gameplay. Now Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku appear primed to announce the next project continuing the Yakuza saga.On September 8, Sega will host a short video confirmed to be coming from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. The trailer's broadcast is titled "Sneak Peek Trailer Brought to You by the Director!" Which while not confirming anything explicitly, hints at the announcement of the studio's next game. Expectations are that it will be the reveal of Yakuza: Like A Dragon 2. As a start, a Yakuza: Like a Dragon sequel has already been officially confirmed, if not revealed. Longtime Yakuza chief producer and writer Masayoshi Yokoyama, now promoted to studio director, confirmed the Yakuza: Like a Dragon sequel's development in October 2021. Developer footage was also shared of the project in June. It confirmed that the new game would feature mixed martial artist Mikuru Asakura, as well as a new destiny city that hasn't been featured in previous Yakuza games.
Also confirmed is that Yokoyama will be hosting the sneak peek, which given his long history with the Yakuza series, would imply the focus of the event is on the already announced Yakuza project. This may be a bit of a red herring, however, since Yokoyama is now studio head and is likely overseeing multiple projects. There's even been confirmation that a second project is in ongoing development at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, though it hasn't been officially unveiled in the same way as the next Yakuza game has.
To be clear, the new Yakuza game has been referred to not as Yakuza: Like a Dragon 2 by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. It's been dubbed Ryū ga Gotoku 8, but that has more to do with Japanese and English naming conventions for the franchise. It's unclear if Sega will publish the game as Yakuza 8 or Yakuza: Like a Dragon 2 at this point.
While Sega's sneak peek may or may not be Yakuza: Like a Dragon 2, fans of Yakuza and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's work are certain to be excited. The next game from the studio is getting nearer. Fans can tune into the broadcast, which will be in Japanese, September 8 at 4:00 AM PT/7:00 AM ET.
A new Yakuza game is in development.