Hello!

{i'm LOVING Yakuza: Like A Dragon, and I hope you are too!}

Things are getting serious in the world of Yakuza: Like A Dragon. While the first four chapters were no walk in the park, the corruption and drama deepens as we learn more about the threads that weave the Ijin Three -- the three criminal syndicates with a tenuous stalemate -- and local political figures and organizations -- like Bleach Japan and governor Ryo Aoki -- more closely than one may initially anticipate.

The start of the game establishes that one's circumstances doesn't necessarily determine one's character: your morality is not tied to your place in society. Folks seen as criminals may do the wrong thing for the right reasons...and people who we look towards to uphold the law can be more than willing to bend or break the rules to serve their self interests.

Bleach Japan, a right-wing group we met in Chapter 3, is a prime example of what we'll be exploring further through this second section of the game. They (publicly) hold a morally absolute perspective when espousing their hatred: their slogan is "to bleach the grey areas white". They claim that that there is a universal "right" and "wrong" way to behave, and no life circumstances, cultural contexts, or general situations can excuse anyone for choosing the "wrong" behavior. They use this way of thinking to spread their anti-sex worker, anti-immigrant, and generally xenophobic ways of thinking. Of course, the irony that their behaviors -- which, in some cases moves into that "grey area" -- directly conflicts with their supposed values.

Outside of the game, there are numerous real world examples we can point to where laws absolutely don't align with justice: slavery in the United States, Apartheid in South Africa, and Nazi Germany. In the United States today, we're seeing regressions and changes in laws related to the trans community and immigrants (just to name two groups currently targeted). People, in the name of doing what is "right" and "moral" continue to use the law to perpetuate harm and restrict rights from the people who they deem as lesser.

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that law isn't the arbiter of morality. Rules can be legal yet deeply immoral and harmful. Laws and legislation can (and, unfortunately, often do) reflect the biases and injustices that benefit those in power. It's important to ultimately think about -- and follow through with -- ways we can challenge those laws and systems that don't serve us and change them to provide protections for the people who those laws claim to serve.

As you play over the next two weeks (going through Chapters 5 - 10), think about each of the groups and characters we interact with. What is their perceived social standing? How do they utilize their power, especially in relation to others? How do they attempt to gain power and/or control? And what is their overall goal?

Today's Episode ☕

{what we covered in today's podcast}

Ichiban's journey begins, and we fully discuss Chapters 1-4, so be prepared for full spoilers through the beginning of the game! While originally our plan was to cover Chapter 5 as well, I (admittedly) had to jet off to a evening class as our time was running short, so we'll include it in the next episode! And remember, if you haven't yet, be sure to check out and follow Matt's work!

Conversation topics include:

• Examining the ideals Ichiban holds dear - loyalty, hard work, heroism - and how that compares to the ways that he views life differently than some other key figures in the game.
• How the absurdity of Yakuza: Like A Dragon ranges from feeling strangely complimentary to its emotional narrative moments, but also often feels at odds with itself.
• What we currently feel "Life is" after seeing various characters share their perspectives on life as a whole.

If you have thoughts on any of these topics (or just want to share what your experience has been like playing so far), please leave a voicemail here by September 9th or email me at jenny@geeksandgrounds.com, and it could be featured in the next episode!

If you have thoughts on the game or related topics you'd like to share, please leave a voicemail or email me at jenny@geeksandgrounds.com. It could be featured in a future episode!

Pour Over

{supplementary materials, resources, and questions to expand your understanding and get you thinking about the game and it's world}

Supplementary Links

• Side Quests (which is organized by this month's co-host, Matt) has a spoiler-free episode discussing Yakuza: Like A Dragon, hosted by Matt Sowinski! [link]
• We originally met Bleach Japan as they were protesting sex workers, attempting to kick them out of their homes and close their place of work. Check out these resources from the ACLU about decriminalizing sex work, how it benefits communities as a whole (not only sex workers), as well as what's being done right now in this area. [link]
• Corrupt versus fair, "good" versus "bad" -- while we grapple with these concepts over the next two weeks, it may be helpful to consider some philosophies to help ground your thinking. This syllabus from an Intro to Philosophy course has handy summaries of key concepts. [link].
• If you'd prefer listening to bite-sized podcast episodes, Philosophy: The Classics is a great intro into some Western philosopher's perspectives (it IS a little dry, but works well as summaries to get you started). I'd recommend the episodes on Mill, Kant, Aristotle to kick things off. [link]

Reflection Questions (Chapters 5-10)

• How do those in power often draw from feelings of fear and insecurity to influence those they seek to control? What are ways that we can resist that type of influence?
• Is corruption ever ethically permissible? Why or why not?
• Do your feelings about Namba change throughout this section? If yes, what specifically impacts these changes? If not, why?
• What have been your favorite substories so far? What about them have really stuck with you?
• How does Ichiban's belief in second chances impact those around him (whether main party members or other characters he interacts with)?
• Loyalty, gratitude, mercy, and debt play a role in Ichiban's feelings towards Arakawa. How do we see these similar events and themes paralleled in what we learn from Hoshino at the end of Chapter 10?

Brewing For Next Time ☕

{look forward to more discussion coming your way}

• August 29th - Our monthly hangout in Discord kicks off at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET! Join for an hour-long discussion of the game (thus far) and general catch-up!
• September 11th - Podcast: Discuss Chapters 5 - 10
• September 23rd - Podcast: Discuss Chapters 11 - 15
• October Brew: Look Outside​

Thanks for reading and responding ~ I hope you're having a great last couple of weeks of summer (I am SO ready for rain and cold weather).

💌🌻 Jenny

PS: If you made it this far, here's a bonus link. It made me feel Big Feelings with it's Big Exploration of playing Big Walk, solo. Part comedy, part tragedy, I really did get emotional watching this video because playing Big Walk with my friends is probably one of my favorite gaming experiences this year.