In this current era, it seems that nearly every main character is dark and serious—with perhaps the exception of quirky cartoon mascots—spanning films, video games, television, and in any other realm one could imagine. Turn your attention to the Like a Dragon game series, which undoubtedly presents a playable Japanese crime drama when you really analyze it. Ichiban Kasuga offers a refreshing, delightful counterpoint to this archetype, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth tests his optimistic, genuine view of the world—one he clears with impressive success.
Warning: We will discuss some spoilers from both the beginning and the latter parts of the game. This depiction of Ichiban is your cue to step away now.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza introduced us to Ichiban for the first occasion. As a devoted admirer of the series, I was initially skeptical. I wondered, who is this man? Who is this goofy-looking nerd with hair as if he bit down too hard on a live wire?
He swiftly won me over, along with many other longtime Yakuza enthusiasts, with his enthusiasm and seemingly inexhaustible source of positivity that he can tap into whenever he or anyone he cares for appears to be in a tight spot.
However, it was Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth that truly established him as the new lead of this series. Sure, Like a Dragon: Yakuza had its share of drama, but Infinite Wealth put him to the ultimate test. He meets his first party member, Tomizawa, when Tomizawa deceitfully takes him to a back alley in Honolulu to con him. Then he encounters his second party member, Chitose, who tricks him and leaves him stranded on a public beach (with only rudimentary English skills, as well). Following these early-game betrayals, he experiences numerous additional trials, including the shocking realization that one of his closest recent friendships was orchestrated by the person responsible for Ichiban being discharged from his job in disgrace.
In the concluding moments of the game, Ichiban tracks down that individual and persuades him to turn himself in to the authorities. Ichiban carries the man across Kamurocho to the police station, all while people hurl garbage at them the entire way.
The game commences with Ichiban striving to assist ex-yakuza in securing legitimate employment, and it concludes with him attempting to rehabilitate someone who literally tried to take his life and the lives of his friends.
Kiryu will always be my favorite protagonist, but the way Ichiban operates exemplifies the difference in their methods. Kiryu is akin to a time traveler, resembling the yakuza characters depicted in classic crime films. His missions typically center on assisting others, yet they often present more like life lessons. In contrast, for Ichiban, every opportunity to aid someone feels like an exhilarating leap off a diving board; he dives in recklessly, immediately all-in. He trusts first and forgives immediately. This occasionally makes him seem naive, as we witness in the early hours of the game. Yet, it evolves into a unifying force for everyone around him. He is naive, yes, but he is also confident, brave, and loyal, igniting a spark that begins to influence all the individuals around him who have felt marginalized in various ways.
Throughout Infinite Wealth, you forge relationships with each of your party members, and if you frequent their hangout spot after a long day of quests, you might get the chance to take that connection to new heights (no, not like that) by listening to them share their personal struggles and then assisting them in overcoming those challenges.
Kiryu spends his games attempting to honorably distance himself from everyone he cares about, viewing his presence as a curse on their existence—that the chaos surrounding them is entirely his responsibility. Ichiban, however, takes the opposite route, working tirelessly to bring everyone together around him.
Many games put you in the shoes of somber or tormented individuals—Alan Wake, the Spider-Man 2 version of Peter Parker, Captain Titus from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, FFVII’s Cloud, James Sunderland from Silent Hill 2, to name a few recent examples. Some of my favorite game characters belong to that list, yet Ichiban stands out as unique in modern gaming: a video game hero who is genuinely enthusiastic about being there, eager to unite a group, and confront all challenges without ever coming off as clichéd, insincere, or depressing.
More