The creator behind the Yakuza franchise has said that the upcoming sixth numbered instalment in the franchise will mark the end of protagonist Kazuma Kiryu’s storyline.
Speaking in a recent interview with Japanese publication Famitsu (via SegaBits), Toshihiro Nagoshi confirmed that Kiryu’s story arch will come to an end in the hotly anticipated Yakuza 6, and that currently there have been no talks regarding a possible seventh chapter in the decade-old series.
“I’m not lying when I say that this is the final chapter in the legend of Kazuma Kiryu, however. Those are my true beliefs right at this moment. Usually – for example, right around this time as we’re making RGG6 (editor’s note: July 2016) – the staff generally have at least a bit of discussion amongst themselves about what we might do with RGG7. This time, though, there’s been nothing like that at all.”
Elsewhere, Nagoshi-san also touch on the process of bringing actor Takeshi Kitano on board the project:
“I was actually friends with Takeshi from before this, to the level of drinking companions, but I had trouble taking the plunge and beginning business negotiations with, “Would you appear in our game?” I really wanted to ask him, though, of course. I didn’t think it would be easy to get my wish, and sort of felt like he would get mad at me (laughs). It took years before I could say anything.”
SEGA announced a Yakuza 6 release date of December 8, 2016 for Japanese territories, although at the time of writing it’s unknown when (or indeed, if) the game will show up in the U.S. and Europe.
Fortunately, fans have Yakuza 0 to look forward too, which will be making its way to western territories in January 2017. Unlike the original Japanese version, which came on PS3 and PS4, the localised edition will be exclusive to Sony’s current-generation console.
Launched in 2005 on the PS2, the Yakuza franchise has sold over 7.5 million units worldwide, and is especially popular in its native Japan. SEGA recently admitted that it is considering remaking previous Yakuza titles for the PS4.