The Yakuza series has seven mainline titles under its belt now, as well as a variety of spinoff titles — though regrettably, the west has yet to receive most of the latter. The games have introduced fans to an array of fun and interesting characters over the years. Most of the games center on Kazuma Kiryu as the lead protagonist, but later titles added in additional leadsfor us to fall in love with.
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As of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the old guard of characters has largely been replaced, though some still feature in cameo roles, and a new cast of characters has taken the helm.If you've ever wondered how old your favorite character is from the Yakuza series, how tall they are, or when their birthday is — we've got it all covered right here.
Be warned: some spoilers lie ahead.
Kazuma Kiryu
- Birthday: June 17, 1968
- Height:184 cm (6′ 0″)
- Age: 20 (Yakuza 0)/ 27/37 (Yakuza Kiwami)/ 38 (Yakuza Kiwami 2) 38-40 (Yakuza 3)/ 41 (Yakuza 4)/ 44 (Yakuza 5)/ 44-45/48 (Yakuza 6)/ 50 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Kiryu has appeared in every main title in the Yakuza series, taking on the role of the lead protagonist in all games apart from Like a Dragon, where he appeared as a cameo. Kiryu is known as the Dragon of Dojima due to hisfighting prowess and as a reference to his large back tattoo.
He joined the Dojima Family at a young age and even became the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan at one point, however, Kiryu found a replacement chairman and instead decided to focus on living a civilian life, raising Haruka and the other orphans at Morning Glory Orphanage. Of course, that never stops him from getting caught up in the affairs of the Tojo Clan.
Goro Majima
- Birthday:May 14, 1964
- Height:186 cm (6′ 1″)
- Age: 24 (Yakuza 0)/ 31/41 (Yakuza Kiwami)/ 42 (Yakuza Kiwami 2)/ 44 (Yakuza 3)/ 45 (Yakuza 4)/ 48 (Yakuza 5)/ 52 (Yakuza 6)/ 54 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Majima is a self-proclaimed rival and friend to Kiryu. His flamboyant and charismatic character is a stark contrast to Kiryu's more reserved personality, and unsurprisingly, Majima went on to become a firm fan favorite. He has appeared in every main title in the Yakuza series.
While in the Shimano Family, he earned himself the nickname "the Mad Dog of Shimano" for his brutal ferocityin battle and the insane persona that he projects to others. Eventually,Majima went on to have a family of his own and became the chief advisor to the Chairman, as well as the Vice-Chairman alongside Saejima. He also founded the Majima Construction company.
Akira Nishikiyama
- Birthday:October 8, 1968
- Height:180cm (5′ 11″)
- Age: 20 (Yakuza 0)/ 26-27/37 (Yakuza Kiwami)
Nishiki and Kiryu grew up together in Sunflower Orphanage, alongside Nishiki's sister Yuko and theirchildhood friend Yumi. Nishiki joined the Dojima family with Kiryu and the yakuza helped him to pay the medical bills for his sister when she fell ill.
Kiryu and Nishiki were very close and Kiryu even took the fall for the murder that Nishiki committed. However, once Yuko passed away due to her illness, and with Yuko and Kiryu absent from his life, Nishiki's personality hardened.
Shintaro Kazama
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1945
- Height:177 cm (5′ 10″)
- Age: 43 (Yakuza 0)/ 50/60 (Yakuza Kiwami)/ 35 (Yakuza Kiwami 2 flashback scenes)
Kazama was the captain of the Dojima family but went on to eventually become a patriarch of his own family. He is known for being a highly-skilled hitman, butthis profession didn't comewithout remorse.
Kazama founded the Sunflower Orphanage so that all the children of his victims had a home, which he would visit often to spend time with the children and to support them. He built a relationship with the children in the orphanage and became a father figure to them, especially Kiryu and Nishiki.
Osamu Kashiwagi
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1948
- Height:185 cm (6′ 1″)*
- Age: 40 (Yakuza 0)/ 47/57 (Yakuza Kiwami)/ 57 (Yakuza Kiwami 2)/ 57-58 (Yakuza 3)/ 74 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
RELATED: Yakuza: Strongest Tojo Clan Members, Ranked
Kashiwagi is Kazama's second-in-command and as such, he is a captain of the Kazama Family. Kashiwagi is skilled in battle and highly respected within the Yakuza. At times, he fulfilled the roles of Kazama Family patriarch, Tojo Clan captain, and even became the temporary Chairman of the Tojo Clan at one point.
Makoto Date
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1964
- Height: 180 cm (5′ 11″) (Estimation based on in-game models)
- Age: 31/41 (Yakuza Kiwami)/ 42 (Yakuza Kiwami 2)/ 45 (Yakuza 3)/ 46 (Yakuza 4)/ 48 (Yakuza 5)/ 52 (Yakuza 6)/ 55 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Despite being a police detective and a natural enemy of the Yakuza, Date and Kiryu develop mutual respect for one another and they become firm friends and allies. After retiring from the police force, Date becamea reporter but still continued to help Kiryu whenever needed.He has appeared in every main title other than Yakuza 0.
Haruka Sawamura
- Birthday: Unknown date in December 1996
- Height: 120 cm (3′ 11″) (Yakuza Kiwami)/165 cm (5′ 4″) (Yakuza 5)
- Age: 9 (Yakuza Kiwami)/ 10 (Yakuza Kiwami 2)/ 10-12 (Yakuza 3)/ 13 (Yakuza 4)/ 16 (Yakuza 5)/ 16/19-20 (Yakuza 6)
Haruka is the daughter of Yumi Sawamura and Kyohei Jingu. She becomes the adoptive daughter of Kiryu after the events of the first game, and she affectionately refers to him as "Uncle Kaz".
Haruka lives in the Morning Glory Orphanage with the other orphans that Kiryu takes in, and once old enough, she helps Kiryu to run the orphanage.She becomes an idol in Yakuza 5, before having a child of her own, Haruto, in Yakuza 6.
Daigo Dojima
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1976.
- Height:185 cm (6′ 1″) as an adult*
- Age: 12 (Yakuza 0)/ 30 (Yakuza Kiwami 2)/ 33 (Yakuza 3) 34 (Yakuza 4)/ 36 (Yakuza 5)/ 40 (Yakuza 6)/ 42 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Daigo is the son ofSohei Dojima, the patriarch of the Dojima Family.Daigo is reluctant to take on the mantle of Chairman of the Tojo Clan as he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps, as Sohei was infamous for being a cruel leader. However, with a lot of help and convincing from Kiryu, Daigobecomes the next Chairman in order to reunite the Tojo Clan once again.
Ryuji Goda
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1976
- Height:191 cm (6′ 3″)
- Age: 4/12 (Yakuza 0)/ 30 (Yakuza Kiwami 2)
Ryuji is the son of Jin Goda (the Omi Alliance leader) and is also the patriarch of the Go-Ryu Clan. He earned his nickname "the Dragon of Kansai"from his back tattoo design andhis prowess in battle, setting him up as a direct rival to Kiryu.
He is the main antagonist of Yakuza Kiwami 2and appeared as a cameo in Yakuza 0. Ryujialso features as one of the protagonists of a couple of spin-off titles — Dead Souls and Ryu ga Gotoku Online.
Yoshitaka Mine
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1976
- Height:185 cm (6′ 1″)
- Age: 33 (Yakuza 3)
Mine was a captain of the Nishikiyama familybefore becoming a chairman of the Hakuho Clan.He is also one of the lieutenants of the Tojo Clan and even takes on the role of temporary Chairman of the Tojo Clan at one point.
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Mine is askilled fighter, shrewd businessman, and a cold and calculating leader. He is the main antagonist of Yakuza 3and also features in the spin-off gameRyu ga Gotoku Online.
Shun Akiyama
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1978.
- Height:178 cm (5′ 10″)
- Age: 32 (Yakuza 4)/ 34 (Yakuza 5)/ 38 (Yakuza 6)
Yakuza 4 was the first title in the series to offer additional playable protagonists alongside Kiryu, and Akiyama is one of these characters. Akiyama is a very successful businessman who runs Sky Finance and Club Elise. He is known as the "Lifeline of Kamurocho" as he is well known for lending money to those in need.
Akiyama is extremely generous, he will sometimes lend money without any conditions or repayment plans. He often helps and hangs out with the homeless population of Kamurocho, who likely remind him of his own time spent living on the streets.
Masayoshi Tanimura
- Birthday:Unknown date in 1981
- Height:180 cm (5′ 11″) (Estimation based on in-game models)
- Age:29 (Yakuza 4)
Tanimura isa police officer and one of the four playable protagonists of Yakuza 4. Despite his profession, Tanimura is no stranger to illegalities and often blackmailed different criminal businesses or culprits for money in exchange for him turning a blind eye. This reputation of being a corrupt cop earned him the nickname "the Parasite of Kamurocho", although he actually uses the money he gained to help the children of Little Asia.
He is the youngest of the four protagonists in Yakuza 4, and regrettably did not return for any of the sequels, though he is sometimes mentioned. Oddly enough, for the Yakuza 4 remaster, his hair is restyled to have a partinginstead of the full fringe that he had in the original.
Taiga Saejima
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1965
- Height:190 cm (6' 3")
- Age: 20 (Yakuza 0 flashback scenes)/ 45 (Yakuza 4)/ 47 (Yakuza 5)/ 51 (Yakuza 6)/ 53 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Saejima is one of the playable protagonists in both Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5. He joined the Sasai Family from a young age in an effort to help his sister Yasuko, who needed a kidney transplant. He became an oath brother to Majima, who at the time was part of the Shimano Family. He is well known amongst the yakuza for hisrole in the Ueno Seiwa massacre.
Despite his burly appearance and toughness in battle, Saejima is actually quite sensitive and is unrelentingly loyal to those he cares about. Saejima later becomes a patriarch of his own family and is a Vice-Chairman of the Tojo Clan alongside Majima.
Tatsuo Shinada
- Birthday:Unknown date in 1975
- Height:185 cm (6′ 1″)
- Age: 37 (Yakuza 5)
Shinada is a former baseball player who used to play for the Nagoya Wyverns,however, he waspermanently banned from the sport due to allegations of fixing games and illegal gambling. After his fall from grace, Shinada becamea writer.
He is one of the five playable protagonists of Yakuza 5, and much like Tanimura before him,only appears in one main title in the Yakuza series.
Ichiban Kasuga
- Birthday:January 1, 1977
- Height:185 cm (6′ 1″)*
- Age: 23/42 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Kasugais the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, taking over the role of the face of the Yakuza franchise from Kiryu. After much persistence on his part, Kasuga joined the Arakawa Family at age 16, keen to devote his life to the man who saved him —Masumi Arakawa.
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Kasuga was raised in a soaplandby the man who found him as a baby. He has a carefree attitude, loves to play Dragon Quest, and is fiercely loyal to his friends and patriarch.
Yu Nanba
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1978
- Height:180 cm (5′ 11″*
- Age:41 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Nanba is one of the playable party members in Like a Dragon. When Kasuga first meets him, Nanba is a part of the homeless community. However,Nanba used to be a nurse but he lost his license after taking the fall for a colleague who was illegally selling medicine.
Koichi Adachi
- Birthday:Unknown date in 1960
- Height:190 cm (6′ 3″)*
- Age:59
Adachi features as one of the playable party members in Like a Dragon. He used to be a police officer but was demoted to the DMV, where he was a driving instructor, before being fired entirely.
Saeko Mukoda
- Birthday: Unknown
- Height:170 cm (5′ 7″) (with heels)*
- Age:Early to mid-20s (estimation)
Saeko is another of the playable party members in Like a Dragon. She is the manager of a hostess bar that Nonomiya owns and becomes involved with Kasuga and friends after they help out her twin sisterNanoha. Saeko remains with the group in order to help them solve the mystery ofNonomiya'sdeath.
Joon-Gi Han
- Birthday: Unknown date in 1986
- Height:180 cm (5′ 11″)*
- Age: 33
Han is one of the other playableparty members in Like a Dragon. He is a member of the Jingweon Mafia and serves as second-in-command toSeong-Hui, the leader of theGeomijul. Han is the only party member who will not sing in Karaoke.
Tianyou Zhao
- Birthday: Unknown
- Height:185 cm (6′ 1″)*
- Age:Mid-twenties (estimation)
Zhao is one of the playable party members in Like a Dragon and is the leader of the Yokohama Liumang, following in his father's footsteps. Though a seemingly cold and ruthless leader, once he befriends Kasuga, he confides in him that it is all just an act that he feelshe mustmaintain as part of his role.
Ryo Aoki
- Birthday:January 1, 1977
- Height:185 cm (6′ 1″)*
- Age:42 (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Ryo Aoki is the governor of Tokyo and also founded Bleach Japan, the non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating any "gray zones" in Japan. Bleach Japan wants to remove all criminal activity as well as anything they deem unworthy, such as sex work or the homeless population. Aoki is the main antagonist of Like a Dragon.
*These heightsare based on the character models scaling data.
Some character information is based onYakuza Fandomcontent.
Next:Every Mainline Yakuza Game, Ranked
