Yakuza: Like a Dragon Sequel In Development

SEGA has just publicly announced a statement from the Ryu Ga Gotoku development team regarding the future of the series. The current director of RGG Studio “Masayoshi Yokoyama” has stated in a heartfelt message to the fans that a sequel to 2020’s Yakuza Like a Dragon is currently in development and that it is going to continue the story of Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of the last Yakuza game.

Yokoyama-san further stated, “Whether it’s six months or one year from now, I hope to show you a new Ryu Ga Gotoku title by a new Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio that is different but still the same, and something that will spark a feeling of “this is what we are waiting for” within you. I’d like to continue on my life as a video game creator with earnestness.”

Yokoyama-san preceded this by talking about the identity of the series and the impact of series previous director “Toshihiro Nagoshi” on the series and his iconic status among the fans of the Ryu Ga Gotoku/ Yakuza series. 

This news is also followed by the unfortunate departure of two of RGG Studio’s most prolific personalities, first being Toshihiro Nagoshi himself and the other being Daisuke Sato. Nagoshi-san stated in his message that, “As I depart from SEGA, I’m also leaving my position as the head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Thank you to the fans who have supported us and the Yakuza series for many years. You have my sincerest and deepest gratitude.”

Talking about his experience working on the series, Previous head of RGG Studios Daisuke Sato stated that, “I am very grateful for being involved in the series that has lasted for 15 years, and I would like to extend my gratitude to all the fans who have supported us, the staff who have worked together to grow the Yakuza series, as well as everyone in the industry that touched the Yakuza series in some way.“

Both figures further talked about passing the series onto a new blood and how they’re hopeful for what will await the series in the future, with Nagoshi-san stating, “As of today, a new Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is born where the series will live on. Though I don’t know for sure what they will create, I believe the new generation will further enhance the foundation we built over the years and deliver great games to the world.”

What awaits the future for the Yakuza series isn’t clear but we can say with certainty that series might very well be heading towards a new direction in the near future, the foundation of which has already been neatly laid upon in the phenomenal Yakuza Like a Dragon.