Yakuza Fans Select Official Merch: From Cult Clothes to Traffic Cones

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the beloved Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is inviting fans to join in the celebration by voting on the next official merchandise. With a diverse selection of over 100 items to choose from, fans have the chance to see their top two picks become real products within the next two years. Voting is available on the official website, despite the competition being listed only in Japanese.

The merchandise lineup ranges from typical celebratory items, such as a 20th anniversary hoodie and a Yakuza-themed pencil case, to the more eccentric pieces drawn from the franchise's notorious history. Some of the standout options include the cult outfit from Yakuza 0 worn by Munan Suzuki, the traffic cone used by Majima in Yakuza Kiwami, and the intriguing "Puffy Gold Pants."

Other quirky items up for vote include the sake Majima sips in a shack in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Akiyama's gold watch, Kiryu's fountain pen from Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Kashiwagi's tambourine from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Kiryu's wrestling mask from Yakuza 3, and Saejima's prisoner uniform from Yakuza 4, among other unique offerings.

As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, fans can look forward to the release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, set to launch on February 21, 2025. While the studio celebrated its 10th anniversary with the release of the cherished prequel Yakuza 0, no additional celebratory projects have been announced for later this year.

Despite the possibility of two releases in one year seeming ambitious, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is no stranger to swift development cycles. Over the past five years, they've released an impressive lineup including Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Judgment Remastered, Lost Judgment, Like a Dragon: Ishin, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, as well as two Super Monkey Ball games and an enhanced remaster of Virtua Fighter 5, totaling nine games.