Yokoyama: For our studio, 'Kiwami' signifies a total remake. The originals for Kiwami 1 and 2 were PS2-era titles, making the leap in quality obvious and giving them a sense of rebirth. We decided on Kiwami 3 because technology has advanced significantly, allowing us to modernize past works and make them more engaging. We intend to continue the Kiwami project, and this title marks the beginning of that journey.

Yokoyama: Kanda hasn't changed much. He remains the same stubborn, reckless, and self-centered individual from the original. However, you will get a glimpse into the personal life of this 'trash' of a human being in the Gaiden, seeing how he actually lives.

Yokoyama: We pondered the release strategy quite a bit. Launching them together serves the fans well and generates significant buzz. We wanted to capitalize on that attention. But ultimately, we are a game company, and we always think about how to keep our users entertained and engaged.

Yokoyama: Truth be told, the Gaiden was made simply because 'Mine is cool.' You don't truly know which characters will be beloved until three or four years after a game's release. Mine has enjoyed immense popularity for 16 years, and there is high demand for merchandise. When creating Kiwami 3, we wanted to fill in the gaps regarding his story.

Mine’s appeal isn't just his face or voice; it’s the sense of inferiority and solitude he harbors. While that was present 16 years ago, taking on the protagonist role allows us to explore his past and loneliness more clearly. This is reflected in his combat through 'Dark Awakening.' By unleashing his inferiority, players will feel a deeper connection to him.

Horii: His combat style is cool, stylish, and quintessentially 'Mine,' based on shoot boxing. Despite his calm exterior, there is madness hidden within. We captured this in 'Dark Awakening,' an element that allows players to experience the release of that inner turmoil.

Yokoyama: We settled on 'Dark Ties' as a reference to dark connections. We debated between Japanese and English titles for a long time. Titles like 'The Man Who Erased His Name' have unique subtitles, and we wanted to highlight that this Gaiden is distinct from the main 'Like a Dragon' series. We had many candidates. We scrapped them all and kept the one that best represented the game. 'Black Ties' was a contender, but in the US, it implies formal neckwear, so we changed it.

Horii: Remaking Kiwami 3 brought many challenges. Since so much time has passed since the original, we had internal feedback on where to improve. We wanted to ensure the story is delivered effectively for modern fans. Setting and ending changes follow this logic. Whether main or sub-content, we kept what worked and changed what needed to be updated. For instance, the interactions with the children at the Morning Glory orphanage have been significantly revamped.

Yokoyama: Since it is based on Yakuza 3, we aren't changing the overall enemies or the core premise. Instead, scenes that were previously depicted simply are now fleshed out with more detail, backstory, and updated voice acting. Of course, since our concept is 'a legend evolving,' there will inevitably be some changes.

Yokoyama: The factors explaining Mine and Kanda's relationship are primarily in Dark Ties. In Kiwami 3, they are still together for mutual benefit, just like in the original. The Gaiden will flesh out why Mine listens to Kanda and how their relationship reached that point.

Horii: Mine rose through the ranks incredibly fast. Dark Ties chronicles the incidents during that period. Think of Mine as acting like a secretary, improving Kanda's reputation and status to elevate his own position.

Horii: You start as 'Complete Garbage' and move up to 'Quite Trashy.' Since Mine entered the scene through Kanda's introduction, he manages Kanda's reputation to increase his standing. If you push it far enough, you can elevate Kanda to near 'God' status. Even then, he remains a piece of work, though he becomes slightly more polite and well-mannered.

Yokoyama: The level can go quite high. However, this is just how he is perceived from the outside; the fact that Kanda is a 'human piece of trash' doesn't change. Mine’s evaluation of him remains the same, but Kanda's reputation in the underworld shifts.

Horii: The game is set in 2009, so you can feel the atmosphere of that time. Every title depicts the same Kamurocho differently as time flows. Regarding Okinawa, we addressed the map inconveniences from the original. We’ve made it not just visually appealing, but easier to traverse and enjoy.

Sakamoto: Reviewing the development data from Yakuza 3, we found elements that would be considered 'uncomfortable' today. We optimized those areas so players can enjoy the play spots more naturally.

Horii: There are many mini-games during the life at Morning Glory. For example, there’s sewing. At first, Kiryu makes pouches for babies, but later, you can see him embroidering or stitching heart shapes—it really highlights Kiryu’s domestic side.

Yokoyama: In the past, we struggled with how to portray Kiryu—as a kind father, a caregiver, or something else. His relationship with Haruka hadn't fully solidified. It wasn't until the later series, 5 and 6, that the 'father' role was firmly established. In Kiwami 3, we will naturally portray this 'kind father' image through sewing and cooking.

Horii: The Dragon of Dojima Kiwami style was perfected in Like a Dragon Gaiden. In Kiwami 3, since Kiryu is younger and less restrained, you can expect a much wilder, more emotional combat style.

The Ryukyu style is based on Okinawa, inspired by 'Kobudo.' While the Dragon of Dojima is his signature, the Ryukyu style focuses on fun with various weapons. The kicks following the tonfa usage are also derived from Kobudo. You can even switch weapons by holding buttons. We put a lot of effort into 'Heat Actions' and maintaining a fluid combat flow.

Horii: The actor has changed, but the character essence remains. Naturally, a different actor brings a different performance, and with the story enhancements, we’ve added scenes that express his sense of inferiority. I hope you accept this new Rikiya.

Yokoyama: It’s not a legal issue or an intentional removal. We just include smoking when it fits the situation. Even for bad guys, it's strange to see them smoking while just walking down the street, so we adjusted for context. When writing Like a Dragon 7, I simply forgot to include smoking scenes.

Horii: The stage for Mine is Kamurocho. Most mini-games Kiryu played are also playable for Mine. Mine is colder and more serious than Kiryu, so seeing him play karaoke or taking photos will feel quite fresh and different.

Horii: Since the original is still playable, we wanted to make Kiwami 3 feel like a completely new game. We’ve added many fresh elements not found in the original. The Gaiden will shed light on Mine, a dark hero and a serious character, offering a different kind of fun.

Sakamoto: This time last year, we introduced a game where Majima becomes a pirate. Now, we’re presenting a title that combines a numbered entry with a Gaiden. It’s like a gift set, and we will continue to make attempts that exceed your expectations. We’ve packed both value and fun into this, so please look forward to it.

Yokoyama: Yakuza 3, released 16 years ago, was for Japanese fans only. Now, it has become a global title with localization and international strategies. As time passed, the scale of our development grew. Thus, despite being a remake, it has been upgraded and changed significantly. Kiwami 3 is the first step in the globalization of the Like a Dragon series. Through titles like 'Stranger of Paradise,' we will continue to expand the series' reach.