Lecture Notes: Yakuza Game Series Summary

Main Themes and Protagonist

• Central theme: violence and beating opponents.
• Main Character: Kiryu Kazuma, involved with the Yakuza.
• Story involves Kiryu trying to clear his name and protect his mentor, Kazama.
• Kiryu's journey includes leaving the Yakuza and solving issues independently.

Yakuza 0

Plot Overview

• Kiryu is framed for murder linked to a significant land plot known as the "Empty Lot."
• Kiryu attempts to clear his name and protect his mentor Kazama from rival Yakuza factions.
• The game introduces a second protagonist, Majima, who has his own story.
• Majima’s story involves him managing a cabaret club and getting entangled in a hit job.

Key Events

• Kiryu fights to protect the Empty Lot from falling into rival hands.
• Majima saves a blind girl, Makoto, who turns out to be connected to the Empty Lot.

Yakuza: Kiwami

Plot Overview

• Game begins with Kiryu being incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit to protect his friend Nishiki.
• Upon release, Kiryu deals with the fallout of missing money and a power vacuum in the Yakuza.
• Kiryu uncovers deeper conspiracies involving his childhood friend, Nishiki, and the Tojo Clan’s future.

Key Events

• Kiryu fights through various Tojo Clan power struggles.
• Kiryu deals with emotional turmoil involving childhood friends and love interests.

Yakuza Kiwami 2

Plot Overview

• Kiryu is forced to leave his peaceful life to broker a peace deal between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance.
• Kiryu faces challenges from internal Tojo Clan rivalries and external threats from the Omi.

Key Events

• Kiryu is embroiled in Yakuza politics to prevent an all-out war.
• Various conspiracies within the Yakuza are uncovered and fought against.

Yakuza 3

Plot Overview

• Kiryu is running an orphanage and tries to remain retired from Yakuza life.
• He is pulled back into the Yakuza world due to a land dispute involving his orphanage.

Key Events

• Kiryu navigates between protecting his orphanage and getting caught up in larger Yakuza conflicts.

Yakuza 4

Plot Overview

• The game features multiple protagonists, each revealing different perspectives of the story.
• A murder in Kamurocho leads to uncovering a massive conspiracy involving corrupt cops and Yakuza.

Key Events

• Characters' backstories intertwine with the main plot of corruption and betrayal.
• Multiple characters work together to bring justice and unveil the truth.

Yakuza 5

Plot Overview

• Kiryu, now retired, finds himself pulled back into the Yakuza’s affairs due to the conflict between Yakuza factions across Japan.

Key Events

• Kiryu and allies must navigate through different regions to resolve the Yakuza’s internal conflicts.

Yakuza 6

Plot Overview

• Kiryu, now a civilian, gets entangled in a search for a missing Haruka, leading to the discovery of her child.
• Kiryu must uncover why Haruka disappeared and protect her child from Yakuza interests.

Key Events

• Kiryu faces new challenges in Hiroshima, uncovering family secrets and political conspiracies.

Conclusion

• Kiryu’s journey through the Yakuza series involves constant battles to protect loved ones, uncover conspiracies, and resolve Yakuza conflicts.