The ninth main installment in the critically acclaimed Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, known as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, was released in early 2024. Therefore, "Yakuza 9" as the next sequential main title in the series has already been made available to players.
Understanding the Series Numbering
The *Yakuza* series, officially rebranded as *Like a Dragon* in the West, has a rich history with a clear progression of its main storyline. As of 2024, the franchise encompasses nine primary titles. While the naming conventions can sometimes be confusing due to Japanese vs. Western titles and the inclusion of a prequel, the main narrative arc consistently moves forward.The series includes:
- A prequel (Yakuza 0).
- Seven numbered main installments following Yakuza 0 (Yakuza 1-6, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon which is Yakuza 7 in Japan).
- The latest installment, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Yakuza 8 in Japan).
When counting all these as main narrative entries, from the prequel Yakuza 0 through Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the series indeed totals nine core games. Each installment, with the exception of the prequel Yakuza 0, generally follows the events of the previous title, progressing the overarching story.
The Current Mainline Installment: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
*Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth* serves as the latest and ninth primary game in the franchise's extensive timeline. It continues the story of Ichiban Kasuga, introduced in *Yakuza: Like a Dragon*, alongside the return of series icon Kazuma Kiryu. This installment launched globally in January 2024, marking a significant milestone for the series.To clarify the main series numbering and how Infinite Wealth fits in, consider the following list of main games:
| Game Title (Western) | Japanese Title | Main Series Number (Chronological) | Release Year (Japan/WW) | Protagonist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakuza 0 | Ryū ga Gotoku 0 | 1 | 2015 | Kazuma Kiryu, Goro Majima |
| Yakuza Kiwami (Remake of Yakuza 1) | Ryū ga Gotoku Kiwami | 2 | 2016 | Kazuma Kiryu |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Remake of Yakuza 2) | Ryū ga Gotoku Kiwami 2 | 3 | 2017 | Kazuma Kiryu |
| Yakuza 3 | Ryū ga Gotoku 3 | 4 | 2009 | Kazuma Kiryu |
| Yakuza 4 | Ryū ga Gotoku 4 | 5 | 2010 | Kiryu, Saejima, Akiyama, Tanimura |
| Yakuza 5 | Ryū ga Gotoku 5 | 6 | 2012 | Kiryu, Saejima, Akiyama, Shinada, Haruka |
| Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | Ryū ga Gotoku 6 | 7 | 2016 | Kazuma Kiryu |
| Yakuza: Like a Dragon | Ryū ga Gotoku 7 | 8 | 2020 | Ichiban Kasuga |
| Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | Ryū ga Gotoku 8 | 9 | 2024 | Ichiban Kasuga, Kazuma Kiryu |
As seen in the table, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is indeed the ninth primary game when counted chronologically from the prequel Yakuza 0.
Future of the Series
While *Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth* currently stands as the ninth main entry in the series, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is well-known for its continuous development and expansion of the *Like a Dragon* universe.- Ongoing Legacy: The Like a Dragon series remains a flagship franchise for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, suggesting its future continuation is highly probable.
- Potential New Main Installments: Although there has been no official announcement regarding a "Yakuza 10" or "Like a Dragon 9" (referring to a new main game beyond Infinite Wealth), the studio typically reveals future mainline titles closer to their development or release.
- Spin-off Titles: The studio often releases exciting spin-off games that explore different characters, time periods, or gameplay styles. Examples include Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, the Judgment series, and historical titles like Like a Dragon: Ishin!. These allow the franchise to expand without always adhering to direct numerical sequencing.
The Like a Dragon universe is dynamic and ever-evolving, ensuring that fans will likely have more content to look forward to in the years to come, whether through new main entries or captivating spin-offs.
