Edit: Ichiban video is here! How Ichiban Kasuga Replaced Kiryu Kazuma kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJmcp6uNa8-sm7c Even though his story has just begun, Ichiban is also an amazing character in his own right. Some day in the future i may do a character analysis type of video for him similar to this one, keep an eye on this channel. ❤
@alphanumeric6582 Жыл бұрын
I really like Ichiban's positive aura. He has all those mentioned traits as well but he's outwardly a very kind and cheerful person
@rohitharidas91 Жыл бұрын
Ichiban numba1
@Hymn_Ай бұрын
@@alphanumeric6582and how he’s the opposite of kiryu, he’s not gifted and full of privileges. hence why his title is called the rock bottom dragon
@alphanumeric6582Ай бұрын
@@Hymn_ I never knew that. It makes sense though. That guy has been through *everything*. I recommend listening to his song: "The Future I Dreamed Of"
@Hymn_Ай бұрын
@@alphanumeric6582 yea i already listened to it multiple times, pretty much sums up ichi’s character pretty well
@Garland846 Жыл бұрын
The strongest feat Kiryu did wasn't fighting anyone, it was having the strength to leave his old life behind so that his loved ones could be safe.
@Loonatoonies9 ай бұрын
yeah sure *TIGER DROPS A FUCKING TIGER*
@dragcoldbruh49818 ай бұрын
@@Loonatooniesnowhere near his strongest physical feat
@betard81042 ай бұрын
proceeds to help tojo clan almost every entry of the series
@ROBOHOLIC1 Жыл бұрын
Being a dad like Kiryu is my male fantasy. Minus the getting shot part and faking my death.
@Hirotara Жыл бұрын
And spending 10 years in the joint but some mad lads would say otherwise
@ROBOHOLIC1 Жыл бұрын
@@Hirotara 10 years...
@jvl5379 Жыл бұрын
@@ROBOHOLIC1in the joint…
@DissmnerRingoSlave Жыл бұрын
@@jvl5379 made you...
@justarandombluebird8222 Жыл бұрын
@@DissmnerRingoSlavea fuckin
@vert40k80 Жыл бұрын
Its kinda funny that we say it "redefines masculinity", it doesn't. This IS what masculinity has always really been. We just started to forget that
@TheStephaneAdam8 ай бұрын
I dunno, positive portrayals like Kiryu are really rare and always had been. And always been mocked. And no, I'm not talking about any stuff you'd call "woke". Marvel male leads are more often than not quippy manchildren, Walter White and the cast of his show are often idolized despite being very explicitly not people you should look up to. In media of all kind boys are abundant, men almost absent.
@vert40k808 ай бұрын
@TheStephaneAdam I see what you're saying, but that's moreso *modern* media.
@TheStephaneAdam8 ай бұрын
@@vert40k80 Oh no believe me, I'm in my forties. It was never good! It's just nostalgia goggles and not really seeing older characters through that prism. I wouldn't want John McLane anywhere near me, nor any Character played by Mel Gibson. You do get the occasional good role model. Optimus Prime when portrayed well, Captain America in his original movie, Morpheus from the Matrix trilogy. But overall it's selfish, thoughtless bastards as far as the eye can see.
@samuel.jpg.1080p Жыл бұрын
Kiryu is hands down one of the best protagonist in gaming medium. He's surprisingly nuanced when you look deeper into him. He's stoic, sure but he hides a much more vulnerable side to him, a side where he's much more caring to his loved ones, where he's socially awkward at times and naive at certain situations. He redefines what it is to be a man without being toxic or preachy. RGG created an icon and the same level of nuances can be applied to any other RGG protagonists
@Hymn_Ай бұрын
and the fact that he’s a boomer when it comes to technology
@MrSkillns8 ай бұрын
To simplify it; Kiryu is a good man who has done bad things (such as entering an organized crime system). He is not a bad man who does good things.
@ilovetiddies-q2x8 ай бұрын
And he has definitely not killed anyone
@A.c.e2.02 ай бұрын
@@ilovetiddies-q2x now thats debatable
@outlaw451Ай бұрын
Yes. The most interesting part being that his male role model and surrogate father was a bad man who ended up doing good things. A hitman who killed a lot of people, including both of kiryu's biological parents. Ironically, as a baby, kiryu save him and put him on a slightly better path. Seeing Lazama as a role model and father figure chose to follow his footsteps and live up to this sort of idealized version of him. Of what a man and yakuza should be. Striving and fight for and ideal that was basically a lie, only to become the kind of man he saw his father as in truth despite his misters. And then choosing to be a father like that to other children who had lost their families because that was Kazama's greatest legacy.
@KiasaeАй бұрын
@@outlaw451I’m having a hard time distinguishing a line between a “good man” and a “bad man” Ig Kiryu did idealise Kazama a lot. But when I first started playing the series I didn’t look much into his character so I’d like an explanation to what makes him bad and what makes Kiryu good. Kazama done bad things but tried to atone for that by having that orphanage. I think it doesn’t make him a good person since he’s done more harm than good to people. But for someone like Kiryu he really was a great person, a role model. I really like your point that Kiryu became that idealised version of Kazama that he saw. It is what he truly wanted to be all his life😢
@TheActualRealDrPepper10 ай бұрын
My favourite male characters fall into 3 categories: • The scowling men who are only trying to be good fathers (Kratos, Geralt, Joel, Kiryu) • The scowling men who regret being bad fathers (Dracula from Castlevania) • The scowling men who are absolutely atrocious fathers and couldn't care less (Vergil, Omni-Man)
@LennoxParsec4 ай бұрын
But Omniman does.
@TheActualRealDrPepper4 ай бұрын
@@LennoxParsec Yeah, I don't actually know why I put him in that category
@Astro_Crunch3 ай бұрын
I think you would really enjoy Lisa the Painful then (assuming you haven't played it already). The game has all three of those in some capacity.
@fishonmydish7774Ай бұрын
replace omni-man with Kazuya
@BananaBreadSwiperАй бұрын
john marston would take this as well
@aYtto Жыл бұрын
Kiryu is such a badass man, and an inspiration too. Maybe i can't now, but i'll give my all to be just like him when i grow up. Except for being japanese. And joining a mafia. And seing my sworn brother die before my eyes. Or running real estate.
@Kiryugaming486 Жыл бұрын
So you still want to get stabbed ?
@nickramantanis2649 Жыл бұрын
I was really happy to see this in my recommended, just the other day I was rambling like a madman to a friend of mine about how to me Kiryu is the ideal of masculinity, and what masculinity means to me. Not only because of the responsibility he takes on as a father, but all the suffering he bares for selfless reasons. Kiryu may honestly be one of my favourite protagonists in fiction.
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
Aw i’m glad you connected with my video ^~^ I think Ichiban holds that spot for me, i adore him so much honestly.
@3slicessenpai10 ай бұрын
Something that Kiryu constantly does that really cements his manliness is his ability to dive head-first into many things and give his all on everything he does, no matter how silly it may be. It sometimes is the point of the joke, that he's super into karaoke, dressing up the hostesses he manages, going to the arcade and being SUPER HEARTBROKEN when his Pocket Circuit car falls off the track. It shows that, if you love something, you shouldn't feel ashamed of it. Heck, he even watches romantic movies and reads shonen manga, driving away the stigma of manly man not caring for childish or soft stuff.
@BenAstridge10 ай бұрын
Yeah! It makes him super lovable as a character! It’s interesting that people find it amusing/funny but yeah the joke is literally just him having a great time being invested. I def think this is all part of that redefining of masculinity too, yeah you’re 100% right.
@uberhaxorzskelletorАй бұрын
Isn't it Majima who runs the hostess club? Kiryu is a real-estate mogul in 0
@3slicessenpaiАй бұрын
@@uberhaxorzskelletor In Kiwami 2, Kiryu goes to Sotenbori, meets an older Yuki-chan (the ditzy starting hostess from Zero) and becomes the manager of her new club, that is struggling against the evil rivals in town.
@ratt__mann9220Ай бұрын
Kiryu is a massive goober.
@darienb1127Ай бұрын
I was just about the leave a comment about this! Kiryu is a man with no shame and will always commit to the bit.
@user-mp9nn6fy1r5 ай бұрын
Kiryu is an interesting character. Sure he likes brawling and a good drink, but also enjoys karaoke and pocket racing and it's quite open about his feelings toward his friends and loved beings.
@moisesfreire6408 Жыл бұрын
All the jokes asides, Yakuza REALLY appeal to the real male fantasy.
@greyboi955010 ай бұрын
Another thing I really like the Yakuza games is Kiryu is okay being vulnerable and doing silly non masculine things and the games never look down on him for it
@TheStephaneAdam8 ай бұрын
THIS! Kiryu shows emotion and vulnerability. He's allowed to be silly and find himself in ridiculous situations.
@bigvirgin6709 Жыл бұрын
This is such a sweet message, and done in such a short amount of time! Nice Job bro
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton! If my vids can help spread positivity somehow i’m happy 😊
@baron-chan648410 ай бұрын
Kiryu puts other before himself, specially those who he considered friends and family... He even willing to "die" to protect his family, because they target him and don't want a crossfire
@Cneq10 ай бұрын
He doesn't redefine anything, this is what masculinity has always been.
@Daiyamaruu7 ай бұрын
man i played this games like three times each and never noticed this "being a caring father is what masculinity really is" subtext. I think i was so involved into the crazy over the top plots that i never paied attention to it. Great analysis!
@BenAstridge7 ай бұрын
Thanks so much 🙏
@judgementrizzy8 ай бұрын
He's literally my perfect man. I mean my role model. I mean all of the above.
@konraddavies4722 Жыл бұрын
Short and to the point, i like it. Good video man.
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
I appreciate it! 😊
@ShojiFlesh Жыл бұрын
I wnna be a loving fatherrr but yeah truly beautiful when u see those kind of characters take dad roles to good video 😊👍🏼
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 😀
@nadzb81069 ай бұрын
I never thought of that, but you are very much right. His masculinity comes from standing up for himself and protecting the people he cares araound and not as we usually see it as being a cocky arogant brute who is strong in physical way
@peanutmurgler Жыл бұрын
Loved the video. This is like the 10th British voice I’ve heard talk about Yakuza on KZbin ngl
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
Ahh thanks, i’m glad u enjoyed it! ^~^ I’m a huuuge fan of the series, played everything but ishin, the psp game and the zombie spinoff. Might end up making a few more on yakuza down the line
@Hirotara Жыл бұрын
Amazing video, you conveyed a concise and powerful message in such a small time frame. Can’t imagine what you could do provided with the length of a video-essay. Man’s woke up and spotted straight facts
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
Thank you so so much! I do try to choose my words in a way that deliver the point without wasting my audience’s time (i’ve seen a lot or rambling or repetitive video essays in the past) so it means so much to hear this feedback.
@FlufferpupАй бұрын
Another thing he does is never punch down, and treats everyone from every background as an equal. He doesn't care about being dominant or the toughest guy in the room, all he cares about is protecting himself and those important to him. He uses his strength for the benefit of others, not himself.
@NiCoNiCoNiColaАй бұрын
What I always loved about Yakuza 5 is how Akiyama is totally fine with helping Haruka for literally no reason, but keeping her safe. He didn't even intrude on Kiryu's whereabouts or why did Haruka leave the orphanage, he's basically a cool uncle
@jake9758 ай бұрын
Kiryu is legitimately my role model. I straight up started going to the gym because of this dude 😭😭
@Majimba_Enjoyer9 ай бұрын
damn those 3 minutes were packed with the perfect amount of information. you dont get to see this on here often hope the algorithm can push you out to more people
@ARB67696 ай бұрын
Nothing is more masculine than an adult playing toy car racing
@BenAstridge6 ай бұрын
That’s what i’m sayin! Enjoy what you enjoy 😎
@aaronsoundАй бұрын
Beautiful video and it echoes my thoughts exacly, that was one of the first thoughts I had about Kiryu when i've started playing as him.
@arthurv4039 Жыл бұрын
Real fathers throw their offspring off a cliff
@INeededANameForThisChannel Жыл бұрын
True masculinity
@jvl5379 Жыл бұрын
I like to imagine that this is the whole plot of the first Tekken game since I’ve never played a single Tekken game
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
@@jvl5379 you’re correct lmao
@Garland846 Жыл бұрын
real fathers send their sons to infiltrate the enemy fortress outer heaven then attempt to kill them
@TheActualRealDrPepper10 ай бұрын
Real Fathers are absent from their child's, only returning 20 years later to rip off their arm
@dopey473Ай бұрын
Holy shit video essay that isn't unecessarily long. Love these short form videos that say what they need to in short amount of time.
@SharpForceTraumaАй бұрын
Unironically, he is my idol. I strive every day to become like him. Sega couldn't make a better character if they tried
@wildguardian10 ай бұрын
Another thing Kiryu doesn't do is.. absolutely nothing a redpill "sigma male" does. He zero disrespects to anyone based on ideologies, professions, religion, gender, sex preferences, etc. The only thing that he values are people who behaves honorably. But then you would have to play substories etc..
@muhammadadityarachman8395Ай бұрын
I really do like these sort of 180 direction on masculinity. It challenges the ideas and fantasies we have on how men should act with today's standards or norms, and i think that's quite interesting and perhaps even needed in today's world. Especially with the rise of this "Hyper masculinity" shall we say that we see on social media. People glorifying unhealthy habits just to look more muscular or better, people glorifying unnecessary ideas to make all the money in the world or other unrealistic materialistic goals. It's stupid. that should not be the norm or the idea of masculinity. Times have changed, and that we should change too.
@klaus.sfc01official30Ай бұрын
I think this is why we all like kiryu so much. He is the dad and the chad we never had in our lives.
@politicalchair4877 ай бұрын
jokes on you Kazuma I'm middle-aged and single with no kids
@BenAstridge7 ай бұрын
Sounds like a nice freedom to have. As long as you're kind to everyone & happy. Some are married with kids but are unhappy & not good parents. Measure your own success by your own objectives
@bobbaseball5182Ай бұрын
nothing more badass than a father
@gowtham89098 ай бұрын
Bro is funny and stoic. Peak Perfection.
@EngineerTeamFortress213 күн бұрын
Don’t stride to be a sigma alpha male stride to be this specific Ex-Yakuza
@daygo7816 Жыл бұрын
Very cool, keep going strong 💪
@user-tw3rh9po4tАй бұрын
Was not expecting an absurdly shortass video essay like it’s a The4thSnake little length video😂
@BenAstridgeАй бұрын
@@user-tw3rh9po4t I don’t like long video essays where they repeat the same thing over and over in different words. I did what was explained in the title. No reason to make it arbitrarily long.
@WINSTONECHAN10 ай бұрын
oh bruh i thought this video was gonna be longer but thats the title lmao i didn't see the run time
@BenAstridge9 ай бұрын
Sorry brotherrr ahah 😅
@johnduchovnyugale8406Ай бұрын
Wholesome 💪💖
@lootbox90716 ай бұрын
Kazuma is indestructible in impossible ways and thats cool
@GnosisZX29 күн бұрын
Not indestructible but lacking flight part of fight or flight
@lootbox907129 күн бұрын
@@GnosisZX hav u seen how strong that man is? He shrugs off bullets and stabbings in the game and he can only really get hurt in cutscenes where he is either depressed or caught off guard. That man is definition of looney tunes style reality bending strength lol
@GnosisZX29 күн бұрын
@@lootbox9071 not really most of that is due to martial arts chi tricks and dumb as fuck enemies
@jjq9360 Жыл бұрын
do majima goro too
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
I've thought of it ahah mayyyybe ;p keep an eye out on the channel
@ItsStartedTo29 күн бұрын
😇
@ItsPlantsАй бұрын
Anoche thing I like about Kiryu is seeing him breake apart im Gaiden, not that I actually enjoy seeing that, I cried for around 30 minutes by the end But seeing someone like Kiryu in such a defeated way, he just wanted to die for once, for his pain to stop, and as someone who's sacrificed myself for my friends and family many times, seeing someone I feel attached to cry after seeing his family many years after his supposed death broke me, it made me realize there wasn't anything wrong about crying and letting my emotions go out
@metalslugfan70811 ай бұрын
At least he's a better father than the other characters such as the clueless goku and the angsty jotaro. Almost on par with kenshiro.
@gensal200311 ай бұрын
also beat dudes ass
@theunbeatable6598 Жыл бұрын
Mote yakuza 😊
@xtdycxtfuv9353 Жыл бұрын
I think masculinity is not an attitude or demeanour but a body. Kiryu is pictured tall and good looking and masculine, so all actions will be perceived so.
@BenAstridge Жыл бұрын
I personally disagree, interesting to hear this take though
@peanutmurgler Жыл бұрын
If that were true, half the characters in the Yakuza series would not be villains… Nishikiyama for example has a similar “ideal” masculine build, but not a single Yakuza fan agrees with his actions in Kiwami
@JackdotC10 ай бұрын
Andrew Tate brainlet mindset
@Aurora-bv1ys4 ай бұрын
@@peanutmurgler I agree with his actions to some degree. Especially the power seeking thing
@wildguardian10 ай бұрын
It's too late to change a generation of people who were fed ducktales, batman, and then iron man with cameos by elon musk on fiction such as already stated iron man and.. big bang theory.., to believe in a different value than "billionaires are good rich guys who deserve what they got and they are hard workers who don't sleep". if there's a thing that changed the way people think for the worse, this is #1