Following a breakthrough that catapulted the series into the mainstream, Like a Dragon has enjoyed mounting success over the past few years. The latest entry in the series, Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, became the fastest-selling title in the series, with over one million copies sold in its first week. It also received a rare perfect 40/40 score from Japanese video game magazine Famitsu.

Building on these victories, Sega is now setting its sights on a new frontier: the High Seas. Releasing on multiple platforms on February 21, 2025, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will immerse players in the pirate life, sailing dangerous seas in search of treasure and glory, all while delivering the signature gameplay and storytelling that fans have come to love.

The highlight of this highly anticipated experience is the opportunity to play one of Like a Dragon’s most beloved and memorable characters in the leading role. Enter Goro Majima, the one-eyed, tough-as-nails, and wildly unpredictable character who has captured the hearts of fans. Longtime series enthusiasts will undoubtedly appreciate the significance of Majima taking the starring role in his own game. For newcomers, it may raise questions about why series legend Kazuma Kiryu or his successor Ichiban Kasuga are not leading the charge.

Rest assured, Goro Majima is more than deserving of his own game, and we’re here to introduce you to this lovable rogue and explain why he stands alongside the Dragon of Dojima, Kiryu, and the Hero of Yokohama, Ichiban, as a key figure in the Like a Dragon series.

9 Facts about Goro Majima

• Date of birth: May 14, 1964
• First appearance was in the original Yakuza game in 2005.
• Usually speaks in a Kansai accent.
• Captain of the Shimano Group and was the Patriarch of his own group, the Majima Family.
• Established a company, Majima Construction, that served as a front for his illegal activities.
• Aliases include the Mad Dog of Shimano, Sotenbori’s Lord of the Night, and the Patron Saint of Pain.
• He is 60 years old as of “Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.”
• Japanese voice actor is Hidenari Ugaki who is also known for voicing Argo Gulskii from Mobile Fighter G Gundam.
• Voiced by 2 English dub actors: Mark Hamill in the original 2005 Yakuza game (Yes, THAT Mark “Luke Skywalker/Joker” Hamill ), and currently by Matthew Mercer (Cole Cassidy in Overwatch, Leon S. Kennedy in the Resident Evil series, Kujo Jotaro in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure).

Warning: the following sections contain spoilers for Yakuza/Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza 4, and Yakuza 0

Majima as the Crazy Rival

Majima makes a striking impression in his very first scene in Yakuza/Yakuza Kiwami. He viciously beats up an underling for not showing respect to Kiryu, to the point where Kiryu himself has to intervene. Despite this harsh display, Kiryu still respects Majima by referring to him as Nii-san (older brother). In turn, Majima affectionately calls him “Kiryu-chan.”

Majima holds Kiryu in such high regard that he “worries” about his kyoudai’s softness towards insubordination. With Kiryu’s immense strength, Majima wants Kiryu to be more intimidating and tough with his future family, something Kiryu strongly disagrees with due to his moral code. Because of both this strength and resolve, Majima also sees Kiryu as his greatest challenge.

Majima is so eager to fight Kiryu that he will do almost anything to get the Dragon of Dojima to take him seriously, bordering on reckless behavior. The developers even took this to the next level in the Yakuza Kiwami remake, where Majima would appear randomly to challenge Kiryu, giving birth to the “Majima Everywhere” meme.

Kiryu eventually gives Majima what he wants when the latter kidnaps Kiryu’s adopted daughter Haruka, ending in Majima’s defeat. Later on, Majima gets another chance after he crashes a truck straight into the Shangri-la spa where Kiryu is, and takes one of the girls inside hostage at knifepoint. Surprisingly, after losing to Kiryu, Majima takes a knife for him when one of his underlings attempts a backstab, simply stating that Kiryu is his alone to kill. Additionally, Majima lets his hostage go free when she rejects his “advances,” saying he appreciates her honesty. When he sees this, Kiryu admits he cannot get a read on Majima.

This unpredictability and recklessness make Majima memorable in the first game. Not only that, but Majima surprisingly shows how honorable he can be. Ultimately, Majima transitions from a one-time villain to a central supporting character and somewhat of an anti-hero, becoming an occasional ally to Kiryu.

More than a Mad Dog

Goro Majima may not be the main character of the Like a Dragon series, but he has undergone significant development throughout the franchise. Two games, in particular, stand out for their portrayal of Majima’s depth and character growth: Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 0.

In Yakuza 4, Majima’s past is explored through flashbacks, introducing his sworn brother Taiga Saejima, another major supporting character. Originally, Majima was supposed to carry out a hit with Saejima, but he was forced to stay behind by his Shimano group, leaving Saejima to complete the job alone. This decision enraged Majima, who did not want to abandon his sworn brother, regardless of the consequences. For his insubordination, Majima was beaten, tortured for a year, and eventually lost his left eye during the whole ordeal.

The prequel, Yakuza 0, continues this narrative and sees Majima sharing the spotlight with Kiryu as one of the main playable characters. Expelled from his Shimano group and tasked with managing a failing cabaret club, Majima is offered a chance to rejoin the group by performing a hit on Makoto Makimura.

This encounter with Makoto sets Majima on a journey to protect her, leading to events shaping him into the unpredictable, tenacious, and loyal character he is known as today.

Majima’s story in Yakuza 0 reveals a surprisingly calm and elegant side to him. Not only does he demonstrate his fighting skills, but he also showcases his talent for business. Under his management, the failing “Cabaret Grand” became the best in the area. An iconic scene where Majima de-escalates a situation with a customer highlights his restraint and quick thinking, earning him the title of Sotenbori’s Lord of the Night.

The flashbacks in Yakuza 4 show Majima defying his group’s orders to help his sworn brother, Saejima. Despite facing torture and beatings, Majima remains more concerned for Saejima’s fate. This unwavering loyalty extends to his love for Makoto in Yakuza 0, demonstrating Majima’s deep sense of faithfulness and honor.

From Yakuza to Pirate

The developers have truly invested in Goro Majima, providing him with extensive character development and depth throughout the video game series. This dedication makes it clear why Majima is finally getting the spotlight and his own video game.

While Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is considered a spinoff game, similar to The Man Who Erased His Name, its significance cannot be understated. The fact that Goro Majima is the lead character is just the beginning, and that alone is a substantial development.

As of 2024, there have been ten mainline games in the series, not including the spinoffs. The Yakuza series has thrived due to its blend of compelling storytelling, memorable characters, and engaging gameplay. Initially an action-adventure game, the series took a dramatic turn when Ichiban Kasuga became the protagonist, transforming it into a turn-based JRPG. Despite this drastic change, RGG Studios created a fun and exciting experience that even long-time fans enjoy. 

Now, the developers are taking on a new challenge with Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which will feature series staples like mini-games and full classic SEGA games and return to brawler-style gameplay.

Although Goro Majima may have lost his memories, he remains formidable in combat. He retains his vicious Mad Dog fighting style, wielding a knife and the ability to summon doppelgangers. Additionally, he can adopt the Sea Dog style, donning stylish pirate attire, a pair of cutlasses, a hook, and a flintlock pistol. 

Majima can also utilize the Dark Instruments mechanics to summon various wildlife, such as sharks, jellyfish, a giant chimpanzee, and a giant parrot. And that’s just on land. The lowlifes you’ll be brawling with will also be roaming the seas, introducing new naval combat mechanics.

Implementing naval combat is risky for RGG Studios, as it has not been featured in a Like a Dragon game before. From the gameplay released, it’s evident that Pirate Yakuza’s naval combat aims to provide an engaging experience while also being easy to play. The waters promise to be just as exciting as the land, with sea scoundrels to fight and monstrous threats like whirlpools and a giant squid Kraken.

RGG Studios is also focusing on crew management. Players will assemble their crew, assign positions on their ships, and improve their mood. Longtime fans may notice similarities to the Coliseum in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. 

Players will return to familiar locations like Hawaii and Nele Island from Infinite Wealth and explore new areas like Rich Island and Madlantis, where new activities await, such as cooking, batting, and casinos. Expect the same level of exploration as Infinite Wealth, with loads of treasure and potential pirate crew candidates, and of course, karaoke!

At the heart of this adventure is the intriguing premise of why Goro Majima was washed up on Rich Island with no memories. Pirate Yakuza will feature a canon storyline set six months after Infinite Wealth, making it a pirate’s tale worth exploring, especially with Goro Majima leading the way.

RGG Studios has consistently delivered, even with drastic changes like turning Like a Dragon into a turn-based JRPG. With their strong track record and recent impressive showings, it’s not a wild bet to say that the developers may strike gold once again.

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches on February 21, 2025, on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.