Summary
There’s one big decision that might have to be made for Kazuma Kiryu once his role inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthreaches its end. With Kiryu being the longtime protagonist of the series, andLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthlikely to be his swan song, his story’s closing chapter will be very important. After all, even though he’s taking a step back from the main hero’s role to let Ichiban Kasuga take the reins, he’s still an important member of the cast.Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthcan’t afford to mess up Kazuma Kiryu’s final chapter.
One of thesaddest twists inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthhas already been revealed in early trailers, showing that Kazuma Kiryu is suffering from cancer. For someone who has spent decades fighting people from all levels of the criminal underworld, it’s a strikingly human plight. Despite this, he’s still able to join up with Ichiban and help him fight. Unless something drastic happens in the story though, this will almost certainly be Kiryu’s last adventure as an active participant. It will be sad to see him go, especially after so many adventures, but at least Ichiban is more than prepared to take up his role. However, the existence of the Morning Glory Orphanage makes it difficukt to determine where exactly Kiryu will end up.
Like a Dragon 8 Could Determine What Kind of Ending Kiryu Gets
Morning Glory Orphanage is Kiryu’s Main Concern
It was made very clear inLike a Dragon Gaiden’s heartbreaking endingthat Haruka and the kids of Morning Glory Orphanage are the most important people in Kiryu’s life. His tearful reaction to getting a video message from two of them drives that home. It’s painfully clear that, if he had the chance, he would have happily retired to spend his twilight years there instead of working for the Daidoji faction, although his circumstances ended up dictating the opposite. With Kiryu still having one more adventure to go on, there could be a chance for his fortune to change.
Returning to the Orphanage Would Make Kiryu Happy
It would be a satisfying ending for Kiryu to go back to the orphanage afterreturning inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. After all, if he really does only have a short time left to live, he should be able to spend it at his happiest. Going back to the orphanage would give him the chance to reunite with Haruka after so many years apart, as well as see how she has been doing since he had to leave at the end ofYakuza 6. While he got to hear some news secondhand inLike a Dragon Gaiden’s ending, he would certainly be happier reuniting with her face-to-face.
It was made very clear inLike a Dragon Gaiden’s heartbreaking ending that Haruka and the kids of Morning Glory Orphanage are the most important people in Kiryu’s life.
It May Be Too Late For Kiryu to Go Home
Despite everything, Kiryu might not be entirely convinced to go back. As shown inLike a Dragon Gaiden’s post-credits scene, four years had passed between the two games, furthering the length of time that Kiryu had been away. Some of the kids from the orphanage may have moved away in that time. Not to mention, Kiryu may worry that him returning after so many years, knowing that he would be dying soon after his return might keep the situation from being as merry as he may wish. It’s a sad thing to think about, but Kiryu may not be able to go back home at his journey’s end.
Kazuma Kiryu’s finale in the Like a Dragon series is approaching, and his final fate is still in the air. WhileLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s impressive lengthis sure to give players plenty of time to spend with Kiryu, he’s not guaranteed the ending that he might desire. He would clearly be happiest at the orphanage, but circumstances have kept him away. Clearly, Ryu Ga Gutoku Studio has a tough decision to make with the final fate of Kazuma Kiryu.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
WHERE TO PLAY
EPIC EMOTIONAL DRAMATwo larger-than-life heroes brought together by the hand of fate, or perhaps something more sinister…Ichiban Kasuga, an unstoppable underdog who’s no stranger to crawling up from rock bottom, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days.BEST-IN-CLASS RPG ACTIONExperience one-of-a-kind combat with dynamic, fast-paced RPG battles where the battlefield becomes your weapon, and anything goes. Adapt your party’s skills to the situation with outlandish jobs and customizations to strategically subdue enemies with over-the-top moves.INFINITE ADVENTURELive it up in Japan and explore all that Hawaii has to offer in an adventure so big it spans the Pacific. Unforgettable moments await at every step of the journey with a unique mix of quests and activities to enjoy at your leisure.
