Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Features Ichiban Actor in Bizarre Role

The actor behind Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth protagonist Ichiban Kasuga is returning in the next game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, in a bizarre role.

Developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio revealed on X/Twitter that Nakaya Kazuhiro — who also played Nishikiyama Akira in Yakuza, Yakuza 0, and Yakuza Kiwami — is playing the role of a tiger cub in the new game.

『龍が如く８外伝 Pirates in Hawaii』新情報????

リッチ島の少年・ノアの、小さな相棒の子猫（？）「ゴロー」役を、中谷一博さん（春日一番、錦山彰 役）に演じていただきます！

中谷一博さんの演じる「ゴロー」の活躍に、どうぞご期待下さい????#龍が如く８外伝 pic.twitter.com/me77L6blA7— 龍が如くスタジオ 公式 (@ryugagotoku) September 29, 2024

The tiger is called Goro, presumably (or perhaps coincidentally) named after Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii protagonist Majima Goro. It's owned by Noah, the child who finds Majima washed up on the beach with no memory in the beginning of the Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag meets Like a Dragon looking entry.

It is, dare we say, a less important role than Nakaya's previous ones in the franchise. Nishikiyama was the primary antagonist of Yakuza and Yakuza Kiwami while Ichiban is the new series lead as of 2020. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a side story, however similar to 2023's Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, instead of the fully fledged next mainline game.

Players will be able to explore the Hawaii map from Infinite Wealth alongside new areas and even ships. Majima has two fighting modes too, including his classic Mad Dog Style and the new Sea Dog Style. Players can also jump during combat for the first time in a Yakuza game.

In our first preview of the game, IGN said: "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is ship-shaping up to be a seaworthy spin-off with a fin-favorite at its helm."

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.