Exploring Like A Dragon: Ishin's Quirky Substories

If there's one thing I've always said about the Yakuza series it's how engaging its characters and story are. Every time I play a new entry in the series I am surprised the writers manage to maintain the same, if not better quality than the previous. The same can of course be said of Like A Dragon: Ishin, though the thing that really stood out to me this time are the many intriguing substories and how they effortlessly weave together the themes of the game, in addition to feeling like a main feature, not just optional or filler content. Here's why I think Like A Dragon: Ishin's substories are the best in the series.

Like A Dragon: Ishin's ability to inspire curiosity in players about the historical period they're playing in is a testament to the game's immersive storytelling and attention to detail. It's a window into a chapter of Japan's past that many players may not have otherwise known about. The game sparks an interest in history and culture, bringing the player closer to understanding Japan's rich heritage. Although the main story arc offers a broad perspective of the Bakumatsu era and the impending changes for a Japan preparing to abandon its isolationist policy, it's the substories that offer a more detailed and intimate view of this time period.

Global Fraud sees the main character Ryoma helping a teacher answer questions from his young students about the world map. The excellent thing about these types of quests is that Ryoma only knows as much as the player, so if your geography sucks then it can lead to some comical situations. It's harder than you'd expect too, because the world map we're shown isn't exactly accurate to what we know today. This was also the first time I learned of the rising tensions between Japan and Great Britain. Something which plays a key part in the main story and is complimented perfectly by Ishin's side content.

Several substories involve British travellers that have come to appreciate what Japan has to offer, yet they are met with fear and hostility from many Japanese citizens. Our hero Ryoma, of course shows these xenophobic people the error of their ways.

Naval skirmishes did take place between the two empires, with many characters throughout the game commenting on rumours of "black ships" on the horizon. When one of these so called black ships disembarks in Fushimi though, it is little more than a raft with a single seasick passenger aboard. Ryoma must cure this sickly sailor by finding the right remedy and it turns out sake doesn't help too much. Luckily, an old man suggests a local delicacy: umeboshi - a pickled plum with sour and salty flavors. Not only does it fix the sailor up, but he makes it his purpose to export the treat back to his home country.

Another character on the recieving end of Japan's apparent hostility to foreigners is Creek, a man who likes nothing more than to get lost in all of the roughest parts of town. The game provides insight into genuine reasons for this hostility: traders taking advantage of Japan's gold and silver values at the expense of the Japanese people. However, our hero realizes that not all foreigners are bad news - and he makes sure to communicate this to the thugs in a way they can understand (hint: it involves violence). Creek sees the value in establishing mutually beneficial relationships between Japan and other countries, proving that not everyone is there to take advantage.

This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where anti-refugee and anti-immigration sentiment seems to be on the rise. The game's teachings can remind us that instead of fearing what's different, we should embrace diversity and celebrate the unique contributions that people from all backgrounds can bring to society.

There are many characters in Like A Dragon: Ishin whose lives are governed by the class system and traditions upheld in 19th century Japan. One such character is Uchitaro, a 'heyazumi' which is the feudal Japan equivalent of a 'NEET.' Traditionally, only the first born son of a samurai family can inherit, and so, being a second-born son, Uchitaro sees no benefit in leaving home and making something of himself when he can stay in his room and have his mother cook his meals. Ryoma tries to uncover Uchitaro's passions in life and make him realise that there can still be a place for him in society. He can carve his own path. We learn that he actually has some skill with a sword, but only after showing Uchitaro how this skill can be used to protect the people he cares for, does Ryoma finally convince him that he can move forward.

I feel like this substory is also one of many in the game that can be seen as relatable to people today. Like Uchitaro, those in modern society who may feel held back by their circumstances and societal expectations can also find inspiration in exploring their passions. The message that Ryoma delivers to Uchitaro about finding his place in the world is a timeless one and these are exactly the kind of messages the Yakuza series as a whole excels at.

Several substories got me right in the feels and I'll Miss You Miho is one such story. It revolves around childhood friends Shinta and Miho, who are forced apart when Miho's father moves away for work. After overhearing an argument between them, Ryoma helps the friends reconcile and say their goodbyes before Miho must leave. The story ends on a bittersweet note, leaving players to wonder if the two will ever meet again. The unexpected emotional impact of this substory made it a standout moment for me.

Another standout, though for entirely different reasons, is The Mochi Mystery, where Ryoma is tasked with working out which of five men stole someone's packed lunch. Each man gives a testemony and by that you need to work out what is truth and what is a lie. I fully expected to fail this one but I played it on stream and found that talking it out with a potential audience massaged my brain in all the right places. It reminded me of what I expected from the Yakuza spinoff title Judgment but never really got. Yagami was supposed to be a detective but spent more time chasing or fighting people than solving mysteries. This substory scratched that itch of being challenged beyond the action packed combat of the game and I hope to see more like it despite it being only a brief encounter.

One of the game's many features is the farming done at Haruka's house. (A house that Ryoma promised to pay the debts on but throughout my playthrough never came close to affording it.) It's a look into the rural life of a Japanese citizen, what kind of things they grew, dishes they cooked and their daily routine. It also plays in to a hilariour running joke that many characters have an absolute obsession with veggies. Whether it's a sumo wrestler trying to bulk up, a young boy who loves the taste, or a lonely housewife missing her husband, (Wait, why does she need an eggplant so bad?) I'd be willing to bet around 30% of side characters Ryoma encounters, to his surprise and frustration, are happy if he has some veggies to spare. Making it a worthwhile trip to go visit Haruka every now and then. For platonic meetings only as the game likes to stress. Platonic back scrubs, platonic ear cleaning...100% platonic.

My favourite side quest by far has to be Talkin' Tosa. It's no new thing that attention to detail in the Yakuza series extends to the various and distinctive dialects heard around the island. This can be comparative to the dialects here in the UK. Someone from Wakefield, a city that is literally right next to mine, will usually have a different accent to me. If you go just a bit further South, to the dark place...Doncaster, you will discover a dialect that is rarely understood by any outside of it's unhallowed borders.

And so in Like A Dragon: Ishin, Ryoma comes across a man who has fallen in love with a woman whose Tosa dialect is just as difficult to understand. Ryoma is from Tosa so offers a hand in deciphering her letters. Although this plays opposite to what made Global Fraud good, as there is now no reason for Ryoma to get the answers wrong, here's where I have to give particular praise to the localisation team. The way the woman was written was very reminiscent of a broad North Yorkshire or Middlesbrough accent and in a lot of cases used phrases that my Great Grandma actually used unironically. Phrases such as: "Been a spell, right as rain, I pray?" "In a twinklin" "Thisn's" or "Thysen" as is commonly used across Yorkshire. When I read these letters as part of this substory, I could hear them in my Great Grandma's voice. "Yer words ne'er fail to touch me heart all tender like." It showed once again that great care goes into the representation in these games and whilst we can still laugh and enjoy the humour that comes of these situations, the comedy comes from a place of endearment.

The original dialect from this story was of course a Japanese one, Tosa Ben, so I felt I should dedicate some time to learning more about it and if it really can be compared to my own local dialect. After watching some videos and listening to Japanese speakers, it seems the localisation team were spot on with this pairing. Both Tosa ben and the Yorkshire dialect have distinct regional accents and vocabulary that are not commonly used in other parts of their respective countries. Tosa ben is spoken primarily in the Kochi Prefecture of Japan. Speakers of Tosa ben might elongate certain syllables, consider how Yorkshire people say things like "Snow". We elongate the O and kind of just throw the W in the bin.

Both dialects have a strong cultural identity associated with them. The Yorkshire accent is often associated with hardworking, down-to-earth, and friendly people. (I love the accent but I also associate it with racism and chavs.) Similarly, Tosa ben reflects the identity of the Kochi Prefecture and its people, and is spoken with pride by those who identify as Tosa ben speakers who may be stereotyped as having a laid-back, rural lifestyle.

The story of Like A Dragon: Ishin's protagonist Ryoma Sakamoto is based on the real historical person from the Kochi Prefecture whose life has been retold throughout Japan in various forms, including a TV series, Jin. Likewise, we had the true story of Jon Snow retold in HBO's game of thrones. Unfortunately Kit Harrington, the actor portraying Jon, is in real life a Southern Fairy who forgot what accent he was doing half way through the show.

One more interesting point. Instead of using standard Japanese honorifics like "-san" or "-sama," Tosa ben speakers use "-hige" which means "beard." This is because in the past, men with facial hair were considered more respectable and authoritative. There's also a unique way of addressing people in an informal setting. Instead of using "you," which is "anata" in standard Japanese, Tosa ben speakers use "pe" or "ppo." Similar to how in Yorkshire we say lads n lasses. I mean, I personally would never say something so ridiculous but I've heard old men in pubs say it.

Nah then lads n lasses, ah've been a Yakuza fan fer as long as tha' can imagine, and lemme tell thi', Like A Dragon: Ishin's substories have gone and toppled me previous favorite in't franchise, Yakuza 5. They're nowt like owt else. That attention to historical detail, the characters who just seem to jump reet outta the screen, an' them unexpected emotional punches - it's a recipe fer a reet belter of a game.

Even if you're not normally an 'istory buff, these quests'll still have thee hooked from t'minute yer start playing. They're that immersive, tha' forgets tha' not actually a Japanese samurai durin't Bakumatsu era. And, let's be 'onest, tha' probably didn't even know what t'Bakumatsu wa' before playin' this game! But now, thanks to some brilliantly executed storytelling, tha' could probably sit down and 'ave a chat about it with anyone who'll listen. It's as educational as it is entertaining, and tha' can't say that about many games, can tha'?

Now, ah know what tha's thinking - “but is it worth playing just for the side quests?” Well, put it this way - ah'd happily play 'em again and again, just for the crack. There's nowt like helping out a seasick sailor with a pickled plum or solving the mystery of who stole someone's packed lunch. And if that's not enough reason to give Like A Dragon: Ishin a go, then ah don't know what is. So, whether you're a long-time fan of the Yakuza series like me or a newcomer lookin' to be introduced to one o' the best franchises in gaming, this game's got it all - (h)istory, (h)umor, and (h)eart. Just don't blame me if you end up addicted to it like a proper Yorkshire pudding!