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Despite the serious content associated with the Yakuza, a lot of time is dedicated to developing characters and the same goes for Yakuza: Like A Dragon. You play as the hot-headed but well-meaning Ichiban Kasuga, who finds himself in an entirely new world after being released from prison.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take To Beat Yakuza: Like A Dragon?

With no real place to go, he simply starts making his way in the world, befriending a number of trustworthy companions as well as people around town. However, as he re-adapts to the outside world, his behavior and actions will determine his Personality and the type of man he'll eventually become.

Updated on April 17, 2023, by Axel Bosso: Yakuza 8, now called Like a Dragon 8, will launch sometime in 2024. As we wait for information about Ichiban's sequel, why don't we go back once again to the game that started it all? If you decide to relive this adventure or experience it for the first time, it's important to understand many of the game features, such as the Personality stat. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about Personality.

What Is Personality?

The Ichiban Personality Stat Screen

While Ichiban Kasuga has a lot of notable qualities, his Personality is something that grows and changes as you play through the game. Ichiban's Personality is a stat that is unique to him, and is broken into several categories: Passion, Charisma, Confidence, Kindness, Intellect, and Style. As Ichiban makes certain choices and participates in certain activities, he will earn levels in the different categories for a max of ten.

Now, while Personality doesn't affect Ichiban's physical stats, it's important to develop each category as you play. Certain categories can make your battle abilities more effective, while others give Ichiban access to different jobs. In terms of overworld interaction, some people won't even give you the time of day if you're not at a high enough level in a specific category.

  • Passion: Determines Ichiban's fiery energy. Useful for improving the effects of Skills such as Fearless Command.
  • Charisma: Determines how charismatic Ichiban can be. Useful for improving the effects of Skills such as Charismatic Persuasion.
  • Confidence: Determines how confident Ichiban is and how he carries himself. Needed to access certain areas such as the Black Market.
  • Kindness: Determines Ichiban's compassionate and caring nature. Needed to endear himself to certain characters such as children.
  • Intellect: Determines Ichiban's level of intelligence. Needed to convince certain characters that Ichiban knows what he's talking about.
  • Style: Determines Ichiban's sense of fashion and trends. Needed to access certain areas like the Bathroom Casino and apply for certain jobs.

Raising Personality

Ichiban Doing A Thumbs Up

While Ichiban's Personality traits will increase as you go through the story and side-quests, they don't provide much. As such, there are more efficient activities for increasing Personality levels.

The Ounabara Vocational School

The Vocational School Building

During the story, Ichiban can start a side-quest around East Jinnai Station that will give him access to the Ounabara Vocational School. Here, Ichiban can take exams that will raise the indicated Personality levels if he passes.

Each exam has five questions, requiring three correct answers. The harder the exam, the greater the Personality boost.

Be warned that the exams can be tricky if you don't know the answers, as well as being fairly expensive early on.

Seagull Cinema

The REM Sheep Approaches Ichiban From Behind

Among all the activities Ichiban can do, watching movies is surprisingly one of the more tense ones. By going to the Seagull Cinema, Ichiban can choose a movie to watch, and you'll have to knock out REM Sheep in order to keep him awake.

Get him through the movie successfully, and one or multiple Personality categories will get a boost. Though it's unclear which movies will boost what, it's worthwhile milking this activity since it's fairly easy and cheap.

Games, Activities, And Reading

Ichiban Participating In Can Quest And Rising His Fist

Around the game are various activities and games that Ichiban can play. Though these typically focus on only one category at a time, they can still be worthwhile ventures. Arcades are a great spot, usually allowing you to raise Passion, Charisma, and Kindness. Then there are some Mahjong spots scattered around the town which will raise your Intellect as you win.

Even through purchasing high-value gear, you can raise Passion and Style. Then there are rare books that can boost different categories by up to 50 points. The Can Merchant sells a few of these books for 80,000 Eco Points.

Lastly, there's Part-Time Hero which contains a Challenge section. This lists a number of various small activities (such as eating at restaurants and buying weapons) that you can do to raise the associated Personality category. Though they may not yield much, most are easy to do so the points can add up quickly.

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