It was revealed earlier this year that Yakuza 8's story was nearing completion and now we have our first look at three of the game's characters—Like a Dragon protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, Koichi Adachi, a police officer and teammate from LaD, and Yu Nanba, Ichi's best friend.Interestingly, we didn't get a look at Saeko Mukoda despite most of LaD following a team of four, but the look we do get shows how the characters have grown in the years since LaD. Info is scarce but we know that 8 is set "a few years" after 7.According to Famitsu, Yakuza 8 will take us to a brand-new town. Like a Dragon took place in Yokohoma, south of Tokyo, and we've previously seen KamurochÅ, Sotenbori, and Shinseicho, to name a few. Ichiban also has his hair tied up rather than an afro, while Mirai Asakura is reportedly making an appearance.
If you haven't heard of them, Mirai Asakura is a famous Japanese MMA fighter and YouTuber who, according to the LAI Times, served as deputy director of the Toyohashi Gang Organisation. Prior to becoming an MMA fighter, he was allegedly arrested for driving a motorcycle without the proper license and intentionally injuring people. He was later released from a juvenile correctional institution at 18.
Following his release, he joined the Zen Dojo Toyohashi Dojo where he trained to become a professional boxer. Since he was released, he's also been using his social media platform to urge young people away from crime. It's unclear what role he'll play in Yakuza 8, but Famitsu says that he's joining the cast alongside Kaiji Tang, Greg Chun, and Andrew Morgado.
It isn't clear when we can expect to get our hands on Yakuza 8 or what its official title will be but Ichiban's story is far from done. We still have another chapter to delve into, one that's slowly beginning to unravel. In the meantime, Yakuza 0, Kiwami, and Kiwami 2 are back on Xbox Game Pass, so if you want to dive back into where it all began, now you can.