All the Characters That Like a Dragon: Ishin Replaced From the Original Game

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The recently released Like a Dragon: Ishin is already proving to be a popular release for Ryu Ga Gotoku, with the much-anticipated title opening up the game's story to a much wider global demographic. The title is a comprehensive remake of an original 2014 release which was solely restricted to Japanese markets, meaning Western fans have been waiting almost a decade to experience the release's unique narrative.

Due to its nature as a remake, Like a Dragon: Ishin features brand-new content and better graphical fidelity than the original, but also makes the bold choice of changing the likenesses of many characters from the original title to those of much more contemporary and recognizable franchise figures. While this may be seen as controversial to dedicated fans of the original game, there is an undeniable utility in how these changes make for a more engaging and up-to-date experience befitting of a remake.

Like A Dragon: Ishin Producer Discusses Setting, Combat, New Content, and More

Since the original release of Ishin in 2014, one of the most successful titles to come to the franchise is 2015's Yakuza 0. Set in the 1980s, Yakuza 0 boldly told a prequel tale of a young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as duel protagonists, with the bombastic setting and narrative of the game being a massive hit for the IP.

It can be said that the three antagonistic Dojima lieutenants of Yakuza 0 were three of the best new characters to be introduced to the franchise, with all three being played by respected Japanese veteran actors. The characters of Daisaku Kuze, Hiroki Awano, and Keiji Shibusawa each played fantastic roles in Yakuza 0, and have rightfully been implemented into LaD: Ishin to replace older franchise characters.

Daisaku Kuze