Ichiban Kasuga's Best Moments In 'Like A Dragon'
Image Source: Reddit
The Yakuza series has gained popularity in the West over the past few years. The main protagonist for many of the games was Kazuma Kiryu who became beloved by many fans. One of the more recent games in the series, Like A Dragon, was a reboot of the franchise and introduced a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. Ichiban has become a favorite among Yakuza fans. He is the opposite of serious Kiryu and is much more funny and energetic. He also has a huge heart for everyone around him. Ichiban has been through a lot since his introduction, so let's take a look at some of his best moments.
**Spoilers below for Like A Dragon**
5. Not Letting Rock Bottom Break Him
Image Source: YouTube
The beginning events of Like A Dragon are a wild ride. Ichiban helps out the young master and accompanies him to a birthday celebration. He eventually ends up going to prison for 18 years for a murder he did not commit. When he gets out, everything has changed. He gets an unfortunate haircut, and he goes after his patriarch, Arakawa to try and rejoin the family, but ends up getting shot by Arakawa. He is dumped into a garbage pile in Ijincho but is saved by a homeless man named Nanba. Ichiban never lets these events bring him down, no matter how hard it may seem. Once he's patched up, Nanba joins him on his adventure to see Arawaka once more.
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4. Always Supporting His Friends
Image Source: Dave Walsh
Betrayal is a strong word, but in the middle of the game, Nanba betrays Ichiban and joins the Geomijul to find his brother. Ichiban and co even end up fighting him. Nanba rejoins a few chapters later, and Ichiban forgives him. He considers Nanba a close friend, and understands his motives and why Nanba betrayed him and the others. Ichiban has a huge heart and loves to see the good in people, especially his friends. The bonds between him and his friends can become stronger after unlocking the Survive bar, where you can learn more about their pasts. By the end of the game, you couldn’t imagine Ichiban’s journey without them.
3. Forgiving The Young Master
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Even though the young master became governor of Tokyo, and tried ruining Ichiban's life, Ichiban still forgave him. During their final confrontation, Ichiban talks Masato down from killing himself. Unfortunately, he dies anyway from a stab wound by Kume. Even after finding out everything Masato did, Ichiban still decided to help him in his final moments and forgive him. While I don’t think he should’ve been forgiven, I am not Ichiban. Ichiban doesn’t hold grudges, so it makes sense for his story.
2. Helping Everyone Around Him
Image Source: The Gamer
Substories are a huge part of Yakuza games, and it's no different in Like A Dragon. There are plenty of them scattered around the map, and some are quite weird. Of course, the player doesn’t have to do these, but a lot is missed if one doesn't, and it helps with leveling up. It also makes sense to do them, as Ichiban is the sort of guy who would help anyone around him, and we see it happen a lot in the game. He’ll help a girl raise money for her brother, or even a man trying to run a circus with animals who escape. Even if Ichiban is a bit unsure of the situation, he decides to help them and becomes the hero he always dreamed about being.
1. The Ichiban/Kiryu Fight
Image Source: Reddit
There comes a point in Like A Dragon where the group has to go back to the Geomijul to stop the young master's plan once and for all. Kazuma Kiryu stops them. Ichiban has to fight him to pass, as a way to teach Ichiban an important lesson about anger and running into things without thinking. Fans who have played the game know the fight is tough. One of the special elements present in the game is Ichiban’s vivid imagination, especially when it comes to fights. The end of this fight shows Ichiban in armor, with a sword and shield, ready to face the Dragon before him. This scene also shows important growth in Ichiban and shows him taking a step back, and not diving into the issue before him, without having a plan.
Even though Like A Dragon is a soft reboot of the series, fans have taken to Ichiban Kasuga immediately. He is a great character, who has had a wild life so far. His journey continues in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Ichiban is easily one of my favorite video game characters, and I cannot wait to see how his story continues in future Yakuza games.
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Source: The Gamer
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