The studio’s long-term plans suggest a clearer break from the current structure than some fans expected.
RGG Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama has revealed during a recent livestream that Yakuza Kiwami 3 will conclude the Kiwami remake series.
Speaking in a livestream interview (shared by X user @Dastanovich_), Yokoyama explained that although several projects have already been announced, the studio are also planning further ahead. “I think Yakuza Kiwami 3 will be the last one, and the Kiwami line will come to an end,” he said, adding that he does not see it continuing as the Kiwami series.
More notably, he clarified that the next title will not simply be Like a Dragon 9. Instead, Yokoyama described “a new series on a different line, with a different meaning,” signalling a clearer break from the current structure of the franchise. He suggested that players may better understand that direction once they experience Yakuza Kiwami 3, framing the decision as part of his “long-term planning” and thinking about “where things are headed.”
Yakuza fans question Ichiban Kasuga’s future after Kiwami series ends
The livestream comments quickly circulated on Reddit, where fans began speculating about what this could mean for the established canon, particularly for Ichiban Kasuga, who stepped into the lead role in Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
“Ichiban found dead,” Redditor arturzinj_ joked, reflecting the uneasy humour in the thread.
ExpressStep7260 also shared a familiar timeline meme, suggesting the franchise may pivot more heavily towards the Daidoji faction, which they believe is “no longer a joke.”
For those unfamiliar, the Daidoji Faction is a covert alliance made up of influential Japanese politicians who collaborate to retain their grip on the nation’s political and economic landscape. Founded by Minoru Daidoji in the aftermath of World War II, the group was established to preserve the power and influence of Japan’s pre-war political elite during the post-war era. The faction first appeared in Yakuza 6, where it provided Kiryu with funding and protection for the Morning Glory orphanage in exchange for his services, and has since featured across much of the Like a Dragon series.
Meanwhile, Muscat95 questioned what happens after Like a Dragon 9 in practical terms, asking whether RGG might run parallel timelines or “bin off the Ichiban saga.” Muscat95’s question gained a lot of traction among fans, with some believing Ichiban would still remain in the series, or that there’s something bound to happen in between to bridge the Yakuza series with the Daidoji.
For now, however, fans can only speculate about what’s next for RGG, especially with the cryptic comments Yokoyama has left behind.
