Akiyama Life Link - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

[@FazFaz]

GOATIYAMAAAAAAAAAAA. RGG has blueballed us and Kiryu enough with showing old characters but not allowing Kiryu to talk to them. Goatiyama put RGG in their place ( they'll ruin it again with the next life link )

[@shadowmamba95]

Daidōji finally told the both to F off…

[@kaz101]

Akiyama sounded so upset, rightfully. He'd do anything for Kiryu so it hurts that they kept him in the dark this entire time.

[@deadzone4033]

Damn.... He summed up how the fans felt when he dropped that "I'm not a part of your little gang" line.

[@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753]

I do like that they at least acknowledged him being gone, though it’s pretty depressing seeing how upset he seems to be about it. Cant say I blame him, being ghosted for that long would hurt anybody. Though in the end I guess it’s his fault for chasing someone who doesn’t seem to want him around. Not like he was supposed to know that or anything.

[@Ash_AA]

@@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753 also the logic reason is due to Akiyama's VA Koichi Yamdera is super buzy. He's supposed to be in Like A Dragon but got replaced.

[@holyshannan]

​@@Ash_AA by Nick Ogata. That's been a theory for a long time. Has it been confirmed in an interview recently?

[@doc8187]

@@holyshannandont think it has but yea Akiyama's VA is very busy in many different tv and movie roles

[@dragonquest8ftw1]

@@holyshannan I believe it was, at the very least, Nick's role in the game seemed to fit Akiyama's almost perfectly and had similar mannerisims and his role in the main story feels like something Akiyama would be doing. More than that, for how important Nick was in the game, it's weird he doesn't even get a mention in Infinite Wealth.

[@Hamburh.]

Love how everyone changed and then there's Akiyama

[@ROYALCONJUREMUSIC]

He's either looking for Kiryu or napping. No time for change.

[@ProfesserLuigi]

Akiyama is already at his final form.

[@nothisispatrick4644]

There’s no changing perfection

[@aceshotz5051]

Akiyama is too lazy to change

[@averybruhman5060]

Akiyama just throw a punch instead of a kick? Shit he must have been serious as hell.

[@shadowmamba95]

He is not having it. I would not be surprised if he glows magenta all of a sudden, and just keep counter kicking and punching the shit outta both of them.

[@unusualpizza]

@@shadowmamba95 it's the first time i actually see akiyama angry

[@gianncmedina7805]

He's angry but glad that his bros are indeed alive and well. He's just a little angry that no one let him know that he was alive but he gets it

[@slickbuster8346]

The punch was a warning for the kick

[@lordsickomode]

he started leaning into mixing punches into his style by Y6, i think Kiryu's influenced his fighting too. Still, id rather be decked by him than fucking roundhoused 😭

[@crafting02]

You know the topic is serious when Akiyama uses his hands for combat

[@IlTavo]

Even more. He was angry

[@carbodude5414]

Akiyama just casually dropping plot hooks for his potential spin-off game like its nothing

[@samfire3067]

*eats burguer*

[@grodcoyote6635]

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Lends His Money

[@fiammaorsmth9840]

PLEEEEEAAAAAASE RGG

[@Hayashi1987-f7g]

​@@grodcoyote6635wheezinggg

[@ShadowThe771]

@@grodcoyote6635Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Lifeline of Kamurocho

[@kengyouseng8426]

They should make an Akiyama spin-off, like he went to Singapore or not , or how he searches for Kiryu's traces

[@yourboyrussell6738]

Could make Gaiden its own spin-off sub-series instead of a one-and-done, tbh.

[@ssj4goku18825theepic]

Yokoyama has stated he wants to do one. I definitely sense them doing one for Akiyama or even date down the line.

[@markgilberk6248]

Yeah apparently the sales were pretty good that they are thinking of having more of those Gaiden games

[@WDCrazyTruth]

Great idea, I kinda miss Akiyama at this point

[@SenpaiKillerFire]

that need to happened

[@grapejuice1092]

Sometimes I forget akiyama is not some big shot yakuza but just a regular guy that can kick for days

[@rizkyramadhan7230]

Not big shot yakuza but is a living legend in kamurocho, *almost* every big group yakuza bowed to him in 5

[@SteelBallRun1890]

I really love how upset he is that he think he's not part of Kiryu's posse. Because when Kiryu looks back at his confidants or friends, he really does think back to people he met in Yakuza 1, like Yuya or Date or even Majima. Akiyama being in 4 is so funny because it feels like the kid from the new generation wanting to belong with the old heads.

[@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753]

In spite of how depressing it is as a possibility, I do think it’s an interesting angle to frame Akiyama’s character in. Like, Kiryu’s his hero, he inadvertently saved his life, he’d do anything for him if he asked. Even here, he says that Kiryu’s important to him. But based on the soul friends cinematic in Baka Darou and Kiryu (mostly through Date) constantly trying to push him away and never tell him the truth, a truth he clearly knew from the start because he’s not an idiot, you can’t help but wonder if Aki’s admiration was only ever one-sided. The framing is obviously a little clunky since he’s most likely just been absent from the games due to scheduling issues with his seiyuu, but putting it in the context of the story leads to some… interesting conclusions. (my bad for the essay on your comment btw lol, I just found it interesting too)

[@WebbedManiac]

@@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753 It's ridiculous that fuckin Saejima gets a place in the Baka Darou cinematic but not Akiyama, y'know, the guy's who been nothing but helpful to Kiryu. Kiryu knew both Saejima and Akiyama for equal amounts of time as well. Hell, he's known Akiyama longer than Saejima (since he didn't meet Saejima in 6). Yes, Saejima was already a Yakuza legend before Kiryu even started but that doesn't raise his importance in Kiryu's eyes.

[@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753]

@@WebbedManiac Saejima makes sense in my eyes, even though Kiryu realistically didn’t know him long, there’s a definite mutual respect between them, not to mention their mutual connection with Majima. Their fights always end in a tie, and they bond over their shared fate as Yakuza. There’s also the fact that Saejima is, as Akiyama puts it, part of Kiryu’s little gang, meaning he was affiliated with the Tojo in some way. Ironically enough, the people Kiryu values most are the ones involved with the business he constantly tried to get away from. Funny, that. But yeah, it’s BS that Aki wasn’t there. Though I’d like to think it tells more about Kiryu as a person and what he thinks of him rather than an oversight on the dev’s part. Or maybe it’s both. Who knows, lol.

[@WebbedManiac]

@@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753 I don't think Akiyama's comment about Kiryu's little gang includes Saejima. I think he was only referring to Kiryu, Date and the party which arranged Kiryu's death (aka the Daidoji). My reasoning is that the Tojo boys weren't supposed to know that Kiryu was alive. He was off doing quiet, secretive, Daidoji Agent business. The only, and I mean only reason they even got to know was because Watase stuck his nose in Kiryu's business and literally kidnapped his handler to force him to co-operate in the Dissolution. If he hadn't done that, the Tojo would still have been unaware of Kiryu's fate. It was totally circumstantial that Dojima, Majima, and Saejima found out. Otherwise Kiryu had no reason to tell them. So yeah, I don't think they're part of "Kiryu's little gang" because they only found out accidentally.

[@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753]

@@WebbedManiac Hm, fair point. I interpreted the comment as being about those who were in the Tojo or in Kiryu’s immediate circle of friends, not just the ones who were keeping him being alive a secret. I assumed that because Akiyama wasn’t Yakuza, then he thought he didn’t deserve to know, or that he wasn’t important enough to Kiryu to know. At least that’s how I saw the dialogue. I could be wrong though, the line probably was just a throwaway jab at Kiryu anyhow, it might not have much meaning in the end. Still an interesting topic to theorize on though.

[@illiterallymefrfr]

imagine if Kiryu's tiger drop instinct kicked in while Akiyama tried punching him lmao

[@wchan39]

Akiyama: (Coughing blood) Yep...you're definitely Kiryu! Kiryu: Goddamn my reflexes...

[@JohnYakuza_Kiryu]

*Smile venomously plays*

[@mystr0696]

You gotta be locked onto a target to tiger drop, Kiryu wasn’t ready

[@Nomad958]

Definitely teasing a game around our favorite moneylender

[@koroo2891]

Yeah

[@Twocoolman115]

After Majima’s Gaiden game, Akiyama absolutely deserves one. Then Nishiki during his rise to power, then Kazama and when he killed Kiryu’s parents. Hell, give everybody a game

[@KingShibe]

​@@Twocoolman115I think Daigo deserves a game

[@Twocoolman115]

@@KingShibe absolutely. Give him a chance to show how badass he really is.

[@LMCD2001]

6:25 when Kazuma didn’t include you in his Soul Friends

[@GildedZ]

When the man known for his kicks, throws a PUNCH....

[@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753]

I don’t care how much they reuse or how long it takes, give Shun his own damn game already. Not fair of them to introduce such a cool character and then have him be absent for so long. There’s plenty to work with since he hasn’t been relevant for what, 8 or so years? It’s clear they’re teasing his own adventure in this link at the very least. Just hoping it’s a full game and not dlc for another of some kind.

[@Gigi-zr6hp]

His combat style has been improved upon on Dragon Engine Yagami

[@dankninja9434]

​@@Gigi-zr6hp not really Yagami is more kung-fu while Akiyamas always been taekwondo-esque

[@JD-pz3zk]

Probably used up half the budget to bring his va back lol

[@majorpeepo]

worth it

[@SteelBallRun1890]

I know people joke, but there's no reason to think its because of budget when they also got Saejima showing up every game, Rikiya Koyama is as veteran to the VA business as Koichi Yamadera (Akiyama). Plus, other well known VAs like Koyasu voicing Yamai who shows up very much in this game, and bringing back Zhao and Joon, both of whom have respected VAs as well.

[@pkpunchie]

​@@SteelBallRun1890also Nanba who is a famous actor, and Tomizawa who is a popular musician (hence no unique karaoke, too expensive)

[@addisonvaughan99]

@@pkpunchieholy shit, how did I not realise Tomi never got his own karaoke song…

[@zealous404]

Cant express how excited and happy I was once Akiyama shows up in my playthrough

[@madcakes02]

all he ever wanted was for kiryu to take him seriously after he looked up to him so much 🥺

[@plumbagdefinitiveedition.753]

and all he got in the end was ignored and ghosted for 8 years. man. Akiyama deserves better friends.

[@nebunezz_r]

fair really. considering how much of a help he has been for like, 3 game straight.

[@DonVecta]

He's back. I'm so glad RGG didn't forget him. There's so many people like us that REALLY wanted Akiyama back. But please, make him playable again, he's just way too cool (and my very first playable Yakuza character in the series). 💜🖤

[@Sputnik_Man]

You know it's serious shit if Akiyama starts punching instead of kicking

[@JJoa74]

Cool to see the white masks from Lost Judgment

[@AICW]

Tesso should've been part of that fight lol.

[@KurstKensei]

This whole Interaction feels like RGG being like "Dont worry, Akiyama will get his own game someday."

[@mceehammer4185]

The life link of akiyama and kashiwagi got me really ugly crying

[@bingungnamanyaapa2662]

AKIYAMERRR🔥🔥🔥

[@Prod_Ayesian]

BWAAAAAAARRRRRE *guitar strum, guitar strum*

[@TheSaxAppeal]

Okay they wouldn't bring back Yamadera-san if they didn't plan on forking up a TON of salary for him. I mean he has a lot of roles. So presumably it's enough to keep him around a while

[@cancermcduffin9603]

I really want that song at the end where Akiyama talks about how Kiryu helped him-

[@zealous404]

Yakuza Like a Dragon : The Only Way Out Is the track's name but it has been used in 0 too

[@WillemDafuq69]

I hope RGG stops treating their best character next to Kiryu like this. He should have had his own game already.

[@ffnbbq]

The reason Akiyama only shows up sporadically in the series is his voice actor Koichi Yamadera is super in-demand and very difficult to book. It's speculated that Nick Ogata, being a stylish rich guy who speaks english, was originally meant to be Akiyama. Yamadera is probably expensive too. Back when Sega released a bunch of RGG music on Spotify, Akiyama's songs were missing.

[@gkeNz]

The girl Akiyama chased must look like Yasuko

[@Josh-wq1pw]

Akiyama is a good man.

[@Hilversumborn]

I would love an Akiyama spinoff in Singapore

[@majorpeepo]

i wish he was a secret partner in this game like how there was a secret partner in 7

[@AdamCartel]

Yay!

[@rektmoon538]

So this is the last time he'll ever show up?

[@shetouchamypizzapie]

Probably yeah. Unless there's a spin off.

[@chungwong1010]

Why is it that Daidojo seems ok with Akiyama finding out?

[@icecube9777]

They prolly dont know, mind you that Akiyama is a slippery one Ducking the Tojo clan/Omi, the Police, and the Chinese Triads in 6

[@Hassan114.]

It’s not like they can do much. What they gonna do? Fight him?

[@Gigi-zr6hp]

​@@Hassan114. plus he's known to be very slippery in the old Yakuza games. Not even the Tojo at it's peak and the triads can grasp him

[@Hassan114.]

@@Gigi-zr6hp true. He’s not written to be a headstrong confrontational guy. In that sense, he’s a bit more smarter than Kiryu.

[@WDCrazyTruth]

They won't know, even if they know, fighting Akiyama would be pain in the a** too, also Akiyama doesn't seems weaker from old age like Kiryu or Majima

[@melejitt]

oh he's angry😂

[@GinnyNReviews]

I need the Fan Fic of Kiryu giving Seonhee a written complain about the White Mask. He wants to go with the official procedure I imagine

[@Ohmygawdddde]

Akiyama game when?

[@makotoamamiya2442]

Do they ever reference Tachibana

[@jusesc]

Yes. In the memoirs Kiryu remembers him and Oda

[@Ash_AA]

also the empty lot is mentioned too nearby the tower

[@youyou3172]

Does Rikiya ever get mentioned?

[@youyou3172]

Does Nagumo and Yuta ever get mentioned or shown?

[@amitojsingh7583]

Rikiya and yuta does get mentioned when you roam around the city. Don't know about nagumo

[@user-tk2ny2bk4c]

Nagumo yes

[@alexahegao842]

The other two Hirose boys show up tho

[@IlTavo]

Spoiler . . . . . . . . . . Yes, he is mentioned in one of his memories, when you go to Kamurocho and go to the hotel where they pretended to be a couple. Kiryu talks about that moment. And in one of the life Links (Matsunaga and the fat guy I don't remember his name) they talk about Nagumo. He couldn't make it to Yokohama

[@derpedfox]

Holy shit it's Markiplier

[@HUYI1]

Why hasn't Akiyama's Karma punches turned into a meme? 😂😂 It was hilarious the first time but it hasn't catched on, Date got it the worst 😂

[@Bup1t]

anyone got a video with akiyamas dub voice?

[@majorpeepo]

its not good

[@erphesoma]

New Gaiden game with Akiyama, please!

[@statesminds]

I hate they made it so annoying to level to get Akiyama and Haruka life links. I did all side content still not enough

[@gianncmedina7805]

I like to think that it was a mission you sorta had to earn. We had to work hard to earn Akiyama and Haruka. Kinda like Legend wit 0 lol :).

[@ROYALCONJUREMUSIC]

Its easy if you're already into the minigames and grinding levels out with the part time savior. Plus maxing out the Awakening skills are worth it. Makes Dragon of Dojima style OP

[@yo6285]

you have to fight, not sujimon but the other one where you're helping people for money. you'll get the points

[@portogamer1800]

Music name?

[@ffnbbq]

The reason Akiyama only shows up sporadically in the series is his voice actor Koichi Yamadera is super in-demand and very difficult to book. It's speculated that Nick Ogata, being a stylish rich guy who speaks english, was originally meant to be Akiyama. Yamadera is probably expensive too. Back when Sega released a bunch of RGG music on Spotify, Akiyama's songs were missing.

[@scarymeunster9095]

Most of the star VA Full Spec editions don’t get released for a mix of budgetary and logistical constraints. Plenty of characters - Nanba, Shinada, Hana, and most hostesses never got their Full Spec versions officially released for those reasons. It’s also one of the two main reasons that characters never get to sing karaoke at all, with the other being that the VAs ask not to sing for their own reasons, although the latter restriction typically gets waived in repeat appearances to thunderously positive reception (Saejima, Joon-Gi, etc.). Personally, I hope that, with the release of _Like a Butterfly (Red Eyes Edition)_ being universal on all general platforms being sung by First Summer Uika, we can start getting more full versions of cameo and star characters. She’s no small name, and she seems to have been enthusiastic to get a full song for the series, so I think there’s more hope now than there ever has been.