Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Yakuza 0 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Exploring Majima’s Role in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The upcoming title, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, is set to feature Goro Majima as the central character, this time portrayed as an amnesiac pirate captain navigating the enchanting Hawaiian islands. This quirky premise aligns well with Majima’s vibrant personality, offering a playful contrast to the more emotionally charged narratives seen in earlier installments, such as Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. However, the idea that a serious game focusing on Majima is off the table is debatable, especially considering his evolution in the franchise.
A Different Perspective on Majima’s Character
In a recent interview with TheGamer, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, the chief producer at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, remarked that “you can’t make a serious Majima game,”suggesting that any game centered on him will inevitably lean into the outrageous. While it’s true Majima often embodies a high-energy character, Yakuza 0 introduced a more complex version of him, showcasing his depth and maturity. This portrayal has solidified his status as a fan favorite, and overlooking it does a disservice to his character’s potential for future narratives.
The Balance Between Seriousness and Whimsy
While Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Whimsical Nature is a Treat, A Serious Majima Game Should Not Be Discounted
Fans have come to appreciate Majima’s vibrant personality, primarily framed as the Mad Dog of Shimano. However, his character history reveals a more nuanced side. In Yakuza 0, we find Majima constrained to the role of a cabaret club owner due to his failure associated with the Ueno Siwa Hit. This situation prompts him to embrace his “Lord of the Night”persona, a far more sophisticated character who caters to the desires of club patrons in a bid to absolve his past mistakes and reclaim his place within the Tojo Clan.
Majima’s Growth Throughout the Series
Although he was initially introduced as a quirky side character through the “Majima Everywhere”side quest in the original Yakuza title, the character’s progression in Yakuza 0 reveals his potential to be depicted with more depth. His reluctance to assassinate Makoto Makimura, defying orders, significantly enriches his character arc, transforming him from a caricature into a complex figure whose motivations resonate with fans. It is through this internal conflict that Majima reveals glimpses of a more serious side, particularly highlighted in various flashbacks across the series.
Missed Opportunities in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Amnesia as a Plot Device for Character Exploration
As the series shifts into the era following the Great Dissolution, Majima’s personality appears to be evolving once more. Working as a fisherman in Hokkaido alongside allies like Saejima and Dojima paints a picture of a matured character, differing from his previously manic persona. The setup of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, where Majima awakens on Rich Island with no memory, presents an intriguing opportunity to explore a more vulnerable side of him, potentially even stripping away the Mad Dog persona entirely. Instead, the game opts to amplify this persona, which, while entertaining, may overlook the chance to delve into a deeper narrative.
Without the memories that define his motivation, a return to a lost version of Majima could have provided an enriching exploration of his character. Such a premise is rarely showcased in the franchise, suggesting that even if Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii chooses not to explore this angle, there remains value in the idea of revisiting Majima in a serious context in future projects.
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