Kiryu Kazuma Yakuza 0

Oh, playing as Kiryu in 'Yakuza 0' is an absolute blast! The game lets you step into his shoes during his early days in Kamurocho, and the raw energy of his character is just electrifying. You get to brawl through the streets, upgrade his fighting styles, and even dive into hilarious substories that show his softer side. The Dragon of Dojima isn't just a legend here—he's a guy figuring things out, and that makes him so relatable.

What really hooks me is how his story intertwines with Majima's. Switching between their perspectives keeps the narrative fresh, but Kiryu's arc—his loyalty, his mistakes, and his growth—feels especially personal. Plus, who doesn’t love knocking thugs into convenience store shelves with a well-timed Tiger Drop? The nostalgia hits hard knowing this is where his legend begins.

Kiryu's age in 'Yakuza 0' is one of those details that feels like it sneaks up on you. He's 20 years old during the events of the game, which is wild when you consider how much weight he carries on his shoulders. The game's set in 1988, so he's just stepping into the yakuza world, and his youth contrasts so sharply with the brutal environment. It's fascinating to see how his character evolves from this scrappy, hot-headed kid to the legend he becomes later. The prequel really nails that 'origin story' energy, where every decision feels raw and unpolished—totally different from the composed Kiryu we know in later games.

What stuck with me was how his age plays into the story. He’s not some seasoned veteran; he’s basically a rookie making mistakes and learning the hard way. That vulnerability makes his arc in 'Yakuza 0' way more gripping than if he were older. Plus, seeing Majima’s parallel story at 24 adds this cool dynamic—two young guys on opposite paths, trying to survive the same ruthless world.

Oh, this takes me back! 'Yakuza 0' is such a gem, and the dynamic between Kiryu and Majima is one of its highlights. They do cross paths, but not in the way you might expect. The game cleverly keeps their stories parallel for most of the narrative, with Majima doing his own thing in Sotenbori while Kiryu navigates Kamurocho. Their first proper meeting is this electric, almost cinematic moment—Majima ambushes Kiryu in a back alley, and it’s pure chaos from there. The fight scene is iconic, dripping with that over-the-top 'Yakuza' flair. It’s less of a friendly chat and more of a 'let’s see who’s tougher' showdown. What’s fascinating is how this clash sets the tone for their future interactions in the series. Majima’s unpredictable energy bounces off Kiryu’s stoicism perfectly, and you can tell the devs had a blast crafting their rivalry-turned-mutual-respect arc. I’ve replayed that scene way too many times—it never gets old.

Funny thing is, 'Yakuza 0' makes you wait for it. The buildup is deliberate, letting you get invested in their separate struggles first. By the time they finally face off, you’re hyped because you’ve seen what each is capable of alone. Majima’s journey from a broken cabaret manager to the ‘Mad Dog’ is just as gripping as Kiryu’s rise, so their collision feels earned. And that post-fight smirk Majima gives? Chef’s kiss. It’s like he’s thinking, ‘This guy’s gonna be fun to mess with for years.’

A friend and I got into a heated debate about this last week after binge-watching 'Yakuza 0' cutscenes! Kiryu Kazuma isn't directly based on one real-life yakuza, but his character feels like a composite of classic yakuza legends and fictional tropes. The developers clearly drew inspiration from old-school gangster films like 'Battles Without Honor and Humanity'—that stoic, honorable thug archetype. His design even slightly resembles young Ken Takakura, the iconic Japanese actor who played countless tough guys in the 70s.

What's fascinating is how Kiryu's personality mirrors real yakuza codes (giri-ninjo conflicts) while being totally unrealistic as an actual criminal. No real gangster would pick fights over stray cats or donate all their money to orphans! That's where the fantasy kicks in—he's more like a samurai in a leather jacket than a real underworld figure. Still, that blend of authenticity and exaggeration is why fans adore him.

Kiryu's fighting style in 'Yakuza 0' is this beautiful mess of raw power and street brawler instincts, mixed with the elegance of traditional martial arts. His Beast style is my personal favorite—it’s like watching a wrecking ball with fists. He grabs bicycles, signs, whatever’s nearby, and just swings with this terrifying momentum. Then there’s Rush, where he dodges like he’s dancing, peppering enemies with rapid jabs. Brawler’s the middle ground, balanced but brutal. The way he shifts between them mid-fight feels so fluid, like he’s adapting to the chaos of Kamurocho’s back alleys.

What’s wild is how each style mirrors his personality. Beast has that reckless youth energy, while Dragon of Dojima (unlocked later) shows his refined, legendary status. The heat actions in Beast are downright savage—body slamming guys into walls or piledriving them onto pavement. It’s not just fighting; it’s storytelling through fists.

Kiryu's departure from the Dojima family in 'Yakuza 0' isn't just about a single moment—it's a slow burn of realizations. At first, he's loyal to a fault, believing in the code of the yakuza. But the more he sees—especially how they treat people like Makoto and the emptiness of their power plays—the more he questions everything. The Dojima family's greed and cruelty clash with his own moral compass, which is weirdly intact for a guy in his line of work. The final straw? Probably realizing they'd sacrifice anyone, even their own, for profit. It's less a dramatic exit and more like waking up from a bad dream.

What I love is how the game doesn't make it black and white. Kiryu doesn't leave because he's 'too good' for them; he leaves because he finally sees the system for what it is. The way he quietly walks away, without some grand speech, feels so true to his character. It's one of those moments where you realize this isn't just a crime drama—it's about a man rebuilding his identity.

Man, I wish you could play as Saejima in 'Yakuza 0'—that would’ve been awesome! But sadly, the game focuses on Kiryu and Majima during their early days in Kamurocho and Sotenbori. Saejima doesn’t even appear in this prequel since his story kicks off later in the series. 'Yakuza 0' is all about building their legacies, and playing as them feels so raw and fresh compared to their older selves in later games. Still, imagining Saejima stomping through the 80s with his brute strength would’ve been wild. Maybe a mod could make it happen someday?

That said, 'Yakuza 0' does a fantastic job making Kiryu and Majima’s stories feel complete without needing other characters. The substories, cabaret club management, and real estate minigames are already packed with content. Adding Saejima might’ve disrupted the tight pacing. But hey, if you want more of him, 'Yakuza 4' and '5' dive deep into his backstory—just don’t expect that iconic 'Y0' vibe.

Saejima isn't part of 'Yakuza 0,' and honestly, that makes sense when you consider the timeline. The game's set in 1988, way before his major arc kicks off in later entries. I love how 'Yakuza 0' focuses on Kiryu and Majima's early days—it’s like a deep dive into their origins without crowding the story with too many faces. Saejima’s absence actually gives room for Nishiki and other characters to shine. Still, I missed his gruff voice and brute strength; he’s such a powerhouse in 'Yakuza 4' and beyond. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but replaying '0' made me appreciate how the series layers its characters over time.

That said, 'Yakuza 0' is packed with its own iconic moments. The lack of Saejima doesn’t detract from the chaos of Kamurocho or the emotional weight of Majima’s storyline. If anything, it makes his eventual introduction in later games feel more impactful. The series has a knack for letting characters evolve naturally, and Saejima’s later struggles hit harder because we didn’t rush into them. '0' is a masterpiece on its own terms, even without every fan favorite.

Saejima's absence in 'Yakuza 0' is actually one of the most interesting talking points for fans of the series. While he doesn't physically appear, his legacy looms large over the Tojo Clan's power struggles. The game sets in 1988, years before his infamous hit on the Ueno Family, but you can feel the tension building toward that event. Characters like Dojima and Shimano reference the 'empty lot' dispute, which later ties into Saejima's arc in 'Yakuza 4'. It's wild how RGG Studio plants these seeds early.

What fascinates me is how 'Yakuza 0' retroactively enriches Saejima's later appearances. Playing this prequel after the main series makes you notice subtle nods—like how Shimano's ruthlessness hints at why he'd later betray Saejima. The game's focus on Kiryu and Majima's origins makes Saejima's off-screen presence feel like a ghost haunting the narrative. Makes me wish for a DLC or spin-off covering his early days, maybe as a young enforcer climbing the ranks.

Man, I wish I had better news about 'Yakuza 0' on Switch! I've been following the series since the PS2 days, and seeing Kiryu's origin story in 'Yakuza 0' was a blast. The Switch would be perfect for it—imagine playing those wild substories on the go! But so far, Sega hasn’t announced anything. They’ve ported some spin-offs like 'Judgment' to Stadia (RIP) and PC, but the mainline games? Mostly PlayStation and Xbox. Still, stranger things have happened—'Persona 5' eventually made it to Switch after years of 'no way' rumors. Maybe if we keep begging Sega? Fingers crossed!

That said, the Switch’s hardware might be a hurdle. 'Yakuza 0' isn’t the most demanding game, but the Dragon Engine titles (like 'Kiwami 2') struggle even on PS4. A cloud version could work, like 'Kingdom Hearts' or 'Control', but those are hit-or-miss depending on your internet. Honestly, I’d settle for a stripped-down 720p port—just let me punch tigers in handheld mode!