Yakuza Franchise Overview

Introduction

• The main theme: violence and beating people up.
• Main character: Kiryu Kazuma is the protagonist of the first six games.
• Kiryu's initial role: He's trying to make a name for himself in the Yakuza.

Yakuza 0

• Kiryu and sworn brother Nishiki are introduced.
• Kiryu is framed for murder; the body is found in the Empty Lot.
• The Empty Lot is significant to the Dojima family.
• Kiryu decides to leave the Yakuza to protect Kazama and expose Kuze.
• Kiryu fights his way through Yakuza thugs to leave the organization.
• Meets mysterious Tachibana who offers assistance.
• Tachibana's mission: disrupt the Tojo Clan's influence.
• Dual storylines: Kiryu and Majima.

Majima's Story

• Majima manages a cabaret club as part of his Yakuza duties.
• Given a hit mission on a person named Makoto.
• Makoto is blind and has a traumatic past related to the Yakuza.
• Majima decides against completing the hit, choosing to protect Makoto.

Empty Lot Conspiracy

• The Empty Lot is central to Yakuza conflicts.
• Multiple families and the Omi Alliance are involved.
• Kiryu and Tachibana aim to find and protect the lot's owner.
• Makoto is revealed to be the owner and is critical to the Yakuza plot.

Yakuza Kiwami 1

• Opens with Kiryu standing over Dojima's dead body.
• Kiryu takes the fall for the murder to protect Nishiki and Yumi.
• Spends 10 years in prison, during which Yumi loses her memory.
• Kiryu finds the Tojo Clan in disarray due to missing money and power struggles.
• The 10 billion yen connected to Jingu's money laundering.

Yakuza Kiwami 2

• Kiryu runs an orphanage, trying to leave Yakuza life.
• Daigo Dojima becomes the sixth chairman of the Tojo Clan.
• Daigo is shot; Kiryu returns to Kamurocho to stabilize the clan.
• The Omi Alliance is a major threat to the Tojo Clan.
• Kiryu fights to prevent a gang war and maintain peace.

Yakuza 3

• Kiryu manages the orphanage.
• Involvement in land deals and conflicts with military and resort plans.
• Kiryu works to protect the orphanage from Yakuza politics.

Yakuza 4

• Features multiple protagonists: Kiryu, Saejima, Akiyama, and Tanimura.
• Complex web of betrayals and conspiracies within the Yakuza.
• Kiryu reunites with allies to unravel the events of the past.

Yakuza 5

• Kiryu is a taxi driver, hiding from the Yakuza world.
• Involves intertwining stories of multiple heroes.
• Kiryu's past catches up, leading to further conflicts with Yakuza factions.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

• Kiryu's legacy and final chapter.
• Focus on family, redemption, and concluding his story.
• Kiryu's actions aim to protect his family from Yakuza influence.

Major Themes

• Loyalty, betrayal, and honor within the Yakuza world.
• Personal sacrifice for the greater good.
• Family, both biological and chosen, as a driving force for characters.
• Complex political and criminal dynamics.

Conclusion

• Kiryu's story ends with him disappearing to protect those he cares about.
• Legacy as the Dragon of Dojima remains, despite leaving the Yakuza life.