Nowadays, many heroes in games and shows are serious and intense, but the Like a Dragon series has a different kind of hero.
Heads up: We’re going to talk about some spoilers from both the start and the end of the game. If you want to avoid them, this picture of Ichiban is your signal to leave.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza was our first look at Ichiban. At first, I wasn’t sure about him. I thought, who’s this odd fellow with wild hair that looks like he had an electric shock?
But it didn’t take long for him to win over Yakuza fans, including me, with his never-ending energy and positive vibes.
The game Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth really established him as the main character. While the previous game had its dramatic moments, Infinite Wealth was a real test for Ichiban. He meets Tomizawa, who tries to con him in a dark alley in Honolulu. Then Chitose drugs him and leaves him on a beach, not even knowing much English. As the game progresses, betrayals continue, including a big one where a friend turns out to be someone who got him fired.
In the end, Ichiban finds the person behind his troubles and convinces him to surrender to the police, even carrying him through Kamurocho while people throw garbage at them.
The journey starts with Ichiban helping former yakuza find honest work and ends with him trying to help someone who tried to ruin his life and those of his friends.
For us, having a hero like Ichiban is refreshing and inspiring.
Kiryu might always be a top favorite, but Ichiban’s way of dealing with things is unique. Kiryu acts like an old-school yakuza, helping people with a sort of wisdom and distance. Ichiban, on the other hand, jumps in with both feet, ready to help anyone without thinking twice. His trust and quick forgiveness make him seem a bit silly at first, but soon everyone around him catches his spirit. He’s naive, but he’s also brave, sure of himself, and someone people can count on.
In Infinite Wealth, you get close to your team members, chatting with them at their favorite hangout spot after quests. You listen to their stories and help them with their problems.
Kiryu thinks he needs to stay away from people to keep them safe from trouble, but Ichiban does the opposite by bringing everyone together.
Many games have you play as characters who are sad or going through tough times, like Alan Wake, Spider-Man’s Peter Parker, Space Marine’s Captain Titus, or FFVII’s Cloud. While I like some of those characters, Ichiban is special because he’s happy to be on an adventure, loves forming a team, and tackles challenges with a smile, never seeming fake or annoying.
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