The best Yakuza characters who deserve their own spin-offs

Like a Dragon the franchise has introduced many interesting characters throughout the series. Some of them were even playable for a short time in a few games. But that wasn't enough, as these characters definitely have the potential to have their own spin-offs – especially considering that many plots remain unexplored in the main series.

Characters like Majima and Kiryu get great treatment. The other figures were unfortunately abandoned and it would be nice to see them return in their own spin-off titles. So this list lists some of the best potential characters that can have their own personal path.

10 Akira Nishikiyama

Akira Nishikiyama is Kiryu's acclaimed brother and closest companion, and his descent into a power-crazed character has made him one of the best-written characters in the series. Unfortunately, we were only shown a few flashbacks. The spin-off could focus more on his rise to power.

A game that shows Nishikiyam's struggles in the Tojo clan and the opposition he faced during his rise to one of the captains would be interesting. The conflicts between the Yakuza families were a major premise for the series, and many of them may play out in the spin-off.

9 Makoto Date

Makoto Date is a detective who went through Kiryu and his companions in the Like a Dragon series. He is an honest man who is obsessed with justice and doesn't hesitate to break a few rules to ensure it is done. A Yakuza game from the point of view of a law-breaking cop might be interesting enough.

Not much of Makoto's past is shown in the series, and a plot that focuses on his early days as a detective trying to solve various cases should be a great spin-off. We could also reveal his descent into the gray area of ​​the law where he felt compelled to deviate from the rules.

8 Tatsuo Shinada

Unfortunately, Tatsuo Shinada's role in the Yakuza franchise was short-lived. He is a playable character for a short time in the fifth entry and never shows his face again in the series. Baseball sensation birdbrain deserves a triumphant return in a spin-off game.

Since Shinada is a light-hearted character, he should get a relaxing spin-off where he goes on vacation to Hawaii. He might even make his baseball debut in America. If a spin-off is decided for Shinada, it should also have some mini-games that focus on sports.

7 Haruka Sawamura

Before Y7, Haruka was the only playable female character in the series, specifically in Yakuza 5. While her role was short-lived, she was well received by fans as her acting was unique and cozy (you follow her Pop Idol career), which also allows players to a breather from the game's regular intense battles.

Not much is shown about Haruka's life after Kiryu leaves the orphanage, so filling in those plot holes might be interesting to see. Haruka's role in raising Haruto as a toddler is unexplored, and a spinoff that focuses on her role as a mother to husband Yuta seems like a fun idea.

6 Shintaro Kazama

Shintaro Kazama is often touted as one of the greatest yakuza to ever grace the Tojo Clan. Despite some harsh things he has done in his life, Kiryu tries to learn from his principles and considers him a father figure. As an important character, Kazama had very little screen time, leaving many fans with an aftertaste of dissatisfaction.

Shintaro Kazama is not to be confused with his brother Joji Kazama who appears in Yakuza 3.

Not much is shown about his past life or his time in the Tojo clan. His role as Kiryu and Nishiki's father in Sunflower Orphanage isn't explored enough either. The stories that have been told about him have made him seem like a sick character, so we can't wait to find out more.

5 Taiga Saejima

Saejima is featured as a playable character in several Yakuza entries and has developed his own reputation over the years. Taiga is Majima's self-proclaimed brother and is a strong and polished man who has caught the eye of many. Saejima is often shown playing tough roles, such as a hunter in the snowy mountains in Yakuza 5.

A spin-off game focusing on him should ideally focus more on the missing plot points, including Saejima's past before he met Majima and his role in the Tojo clan. A cozy game where Saejima goes on a well-deserved vacation in Hawaii after spending most of his life in trials and tribulations is something we'd like to see as well.

4 Seonhee

As the leader of Geomijul, Seonhee emerges as the most authoritative female in the Like a Dragon series. Using her connections in a Korean criminal organization, she is able to infiltrate Ichiban and his friends when they need her help with some spy work.

Such an impressive female character definitely deserves her own game that showcases her big boss qualities. Seonhee's daily life as a clan leader teaching a lesson to anyone who dares to mess with her would be wonderful.

3 Kashiwagi

This entry contains spoilers for Yakuza 3 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, so read at your own risk.

Kashiwagi was shown to be dead in Yakuza 3, but was later shown running the Survive Bar in Yakuza: Like A Dragon. RGG Studio has some explaining to do here regarding its apparent survival. His whereabouts and journey are barely explored in the games and should make for an interesting premise for a spin-off.

The spin-off game with him will likely focus more on the days after his supposed death and explain the details of how Kashiwagi ended up running the bar. His daily life as a bar manager and the various mini-games around it can be quite creative and bizarre.

2 Daigo Dojima

The sixth head of the Tojo Clan is often underrated and reduced to playing a background role in almost all Like a Dragon games. Not much is known about his past, except that he behaved like a delinquent for most of the years after his father's death. He has a bit of a cautious nature, but tries to make the best decisions for his yakuza family.

A spin-off game around Daigo can certainly answer a lot of questions regarding his personality and character development. His role as the head of the Tojo clan can be explored further and show his daily life with such responsibility.

1 Shun Akiyama

Shun Akiyama is one of the most charismatic characters in the Like a Dragon series, which immediately caught the attention of many players. While his screen time is minimal in the series as a whole, Akiyama's moments have definitely been impressive, so it's about time he got his own game as well.

Shun Akiyama was playable in Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5 for several chapters.

Shun Akiyama runs various hostess clubs in the city, so his ideal spin-off should have more of them. He runs a loan business, so the plot revolving around him immediately getting into trouble with other loan sharks and the yakuza should be interesting. Akiyama lives by certain principles and his dialogue leaves a lasting impression.