Producer and author of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Masayoshi Yokoyama, claimed in a recent interview that the iconic anime and manga series One Piece served as the game’s inspiration. The name of the game and the franchise’s future were both covered in length by Yokoyama.
Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, was said to have been significantly influenced by Luffy from One Piece when it was initially launched in 2020 as a major entry with turn-based combat.
Influence Of Anime-One Piece
Before “Like a Dragon” was chosen as the new series title in the West, Yakuza: Like a Dragon was the final game in the franchise to use the name “Yakuza” outside of Japan. Back in September, Sega explained the renaming of the Yakuza franchise. Given how well-known the series has become globally, it will probably be difficult to avoid using the term “Yakuza,” and considering how well-known the One Piece franchise has become, it isn’t as far-fetched to claim that the manga had a significant influence on this particular entry in the franchise.
What Did The Producer Say?
Yakuza: Like a Dragon was written by Yokoyama as his idea of a One Piece game, he said in an interview with Crunchyroll. Yokoyama looked back fondly at the game. “I’ve never really discussed this before, so I’m not sure whether I should simply do it now, but One Piece was a huge inspiration on Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban resembles Luffy me the most. Zoro, Nami, and the majority of the party are all there around him.
The party composition from One Piece had a significant effect on my work because it was always on my thoughts “said Yokoyama. Additionally, Yokoyama claimed that the catchphrase for Yakuza: Like a Dragon meant something like “life is an adventure.” The One Piece series, which centers on pirates, voyages, and a great feeling of adventure, fits quite nicely with that expression.
The future of the Yakuza series was also covered by Yokoyama in the same interview (now Like a Dragon in the West). In February 2023, a remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin, which will be published for the first time in the West, will be released.
This will be followed by releases of Similar to a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name in 2023 and Like a Dragon 8 in 2024. In the West, interest in the Yakuza franchise has skyrocketed. In addition to the lengthy anime, there are several more One Piece franchise projects in the works.
One Piece is some of the most successful media brands in the world, so it’s not unexpected that Yokoyama used it as inspiration for a game. Similar to One Piece, Yakuza: Like a Dragon offers a vibrant cast, a lively atmosphere, and an engaging plot. The high spirit of wonder is certain to go on with the confirmation that Like a Dragon 8 will have two protagonists.
Now is the time to purchase Yakuza: Like a Dragon on the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
“Always be Updated with us visit GeeksULTD for Real-time Updates”
