Although we can control a lot of characters in the Yakuza universe, our main character is Kazuma Kiryu.He got his nickname Dojima's Dragon from the tattoo on his back.It is the nobori-ryu (rising dragon) motif that is common in Japanese tattoos.There is no background.

Dragons are one of the legendary four creatures in the Chinese tradition. It is believed that they control the water, the sea, the air. In Japanese mythology, dragons have three claws, and the dragon on Kiryu's back has a sphere with a bonji (character) in its claw. According to the horoscope calendar, it is the year of the monkey written on the sphere.

In Japanese mythology, the dragon symbolizes leadership and ying yang, that is, light and darkness, good and evil. Kazuma Kiryu is a benevolent and very generous man who repents of evil. In fact, Kiryu's character is more like a role model than a human being.

Kiryu's back tattoo covers most of his back and ends just above his thighs. Dragon grasping a pearl symbolizing strength, wisdom, preservation and balance in Japanese culture.

Majima's tattoo features a large white Hannya mask and a white snake. It is unclear whether the mask's nickname Hannya comes from the name of its original carver or from the word Hannya (般若), meaning wisdom. Hannya masks can express different emotions depending on the angle from which they are viewed. However, this Hannya mask in Majima's tattoo actually reflects the character of Majima. In fact, it is directly identified with the character in other games, not with the character in Yakuza 0.

In Noh theater, red Hannya masks are usually for lower-class characters, while white ones are usually for upper-class characters. However, white snakes symbolize good fortune and there are even Shinto shrines dedicated to them. Snakes come out of hibernation in the spring, so they are often paired with spring flowers, symbolizing the beauty and transient nature of life. However, because snakes shed their skin, they were viewed as immortal in the past and lived for short periods of time. They make a fascinating comparison between lasting flowers and the eternal serpent in the tattoo.

The layout of Majima's tattoo is called hikae and covers the shoulders and arms. Notice how the armpits are not tattooed. There are two reasons for this: First, the inner arm is one of the most painful areas to get a tattoo. Two, criminals in the past have received tattoos depicting them covering the inner area of the arm.

Majima's nickname is Shimano's mad dog, and Shimano's tattoo is similar to Majima's tattoo.

Koi fish symbolize strength and courage. Fish are closely linked to the dragon, as there is a legend about Koi fish swimming in the Yellow River in China, passing through the currents known as the "Dragon's Gate" and turning into a dragon. To understand this tattoo, you actually need to play Yakuza 1 or Yakuza Kiwami. In Nishikiyama's Yakuza 0 game, the lines of his tattoo were drawn, but you will see it completed in other games.

Kuze's tattoo depicts Enma, the judge and ruler of Hell, on his back, while the guardians of the Hell's Eye (Ox-Head) and Mezu (Horse Face) adorn his left and right upper arms respectively. This points out how Kuze continues to fight and judge Kiryu, and also that Kuze is the only obstacle in Kiryu's path that keeps him in the Yakuza's hell.

Shibusawa's tattoo depicts a green Azure Dragon, or "Seiryu", one of the four Chinese celestial beings and the protector of eastern Japan. It is shown to be flying downward as a bringer of wealth and prosperity to the earth, befitting of Shibusawa overseeing the Dojima Family's financial matters and bringing in large amounts of money for his boss.

Unlike Kiryu's dragon tattoo, the Seiryu does not appear clutching a pearl — which represents its authority and control of water — indicating that it has not yet found one. This reflects Shibusawa's desire for the same glory, respect and authority that Kiryu would later go on to attain. Furthermore, the dragon is facing right, as opposed to Kiryu's facing left, thus reflecting the inevitable clash between the two.

Hiroki Awano's tattoo depicts Momotaro, the main character of a popular Japanese folk tale, who travels to the island of a demon who threatens Momotaro's village and kills them.

As the saying goes, "Ryuko aiutsu"*, this is an animal with strength that rivals even a dragon. [This is a proverb meaning that dragons and tigers are evenly matched; They are both such powerful creatures that neither can be said to be better than the other. Equivalent to "diamond cut diamonds"].

The character of Mizuki Sawamura appears for the first time in Yakuza Kiwami or Yakuza 1.

The flower tattoo on Mizuki Sawamura's chest is the Queen of the Night flower motif. The flower, which is a cactus type, blooms only once a year. To fully understand the meaning of this tattoo, you need to play and experience the game.

He is a character who appears for the first time in the game Yakuza Kiwami 2 or Yakuza 2.

Ryuji Goda was tall even when he was a child or in his school years. He has blonde hair and a large scar on his face. His tattoo depicts a golden dragon.

Ryuji Goda was nicknamed the Dragon of Kansai thanks to the tattoo on his back. Yellow is the color of the emperor in China. Even the color represents Ryuji's power.

Before designing this tattoo, the tattoo designer was asked to create a dragon more terrifying than Kiryu's dragon.

This dragon motif is actually a family heirloom of the Omi clan. Only Kazahori level tattooists have the right to use it. The Golden Dragon in the motif is the legendary lord of the four supreme gods.

He is a character who appears for the first time in the game Yakuza Kiwami 2 or Yakuza 2.

Daigo Dojima's back tattoo depicts Fudo Myoo, an intimidating defender of the Buddhist faith. His name means "King of Immovable Wisdom", who sits on a throne formed from a rock. While the sword represents knowledge and power, Fudo Myoo binds evil with the rope in his left hand. Fudo Myoo is surrounded by flames, representing cleansing. In esoteric Buddhism, there are purifying fire purification ceremonies to destroy the negative energy with which this deity is evoked.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 3.

Mine's tattoo covers most of her back and ends at her hips. It depicts Kirin, a mythical creature said to appear only in the presence of a benevolent leader and to become ferociously protective if a gullible person is threatened by someone with malevolent intentions, in keeping with her relationship with Daigo. Like the word Kirin-ji (麒麟児, lit. "wonder child"), the tattoo is intended to evoke the image of a genius.

The common image of Kiryu is where it actually has the face of a dragon, and this composition leaping upwards makes it look like Kiryu's tattoo.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 3.

The tattoo artist stated that this is the tattoo that he remembers the most, years later. He says that he worked very hard for this tattoo.

It is drawn in a method not often used in Japanese tattoos, and is boldly depicted simply representing Tennyo's upper body, Kanda's strength, and harmony with his "woman-loving and crazy" character.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 3.

His tattoo depicts a viper, most likely the Okinawan habu, a pit viper native to the Ryukyu Islands. His eye remains unfinished until Kiryu has it completed by Utabori.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 3.

We see Shisa, the guardian god of Okinawa, on the character's back. In terms of design, Shisa looks very similar to an artistic portrait of a lion, but there are subtle differences. The framing here is Okinawan style paired with hibiscus.

He is a character that appears for the first time in Yakuza 4.

Of course, a man named "Taiga" would have a "tiger" (タイガー or taigaa) on his back. Taiga Saejima's name is written as 大河 (taiga) in Japanese, meaning "great river". When translating into English, the word taigaa can be used to refer to the animal, but in traditional Japanese it is tora (虎).

Tigers came to Japan with Chinese art, so centuries ago, tigers were one of the legendary creatures for the Japanese, even though they were real.

Here we see a typical tiger depiction on a rock surrounded by bamboo. The rock represents strength, such as bamboo, which is known for both its durability and flexibility. In Japan, there was a belief that there could be only one tiger in a dense bamboo forest.

He is a character that appears for the first time in Yakuza 4.

Minami is a young and somewhat wild character. We see the coming together of Japanese and western styles and they blend beautifully.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 5.

His tattoo depicts a carp that, according to legends, can ascend into a dragon, symbolizing Aizawa's secret reason for switching to Kiryu.

Aizawa is a character with a large build that gives the impression that he is incredibly strong, which is why he uses black as his base color.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 5.

Masaru Watase's tattoo covers his biceps, upper chest and extends from his neck to his lower back. It depicts the Asura King on his back, a Vajra on his left arm and a Cakraratna wheel on his right arm. This is a depiction of a battle between Taishakuten and the Asura King, where Taishakuten uses a vajra and cakraratna to attack the Asura King.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 5.

Naoki Katsuya has a crane tattoo that symbolizes grace, wisdom, peace and love of life, which are representative of the qualities of being a calm and experienced person.

New main character after Yakuza: Like a dragon

Kasuga's tattoo covers most of his back and ends just above his thighs. It depicts a dragonfish (龍魚, ryūgyo), the in-between state of the koi in the legend of a koi that swims up to the top of a waterfall and is rewarded for its tenacity by being transformed into a dragon. The tattoo represents the strength and perseverance of the koi as it struggles upstream, as well as a greater destiny that lies ahead, as the koi has not fully finished its transformation into a dragon.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Online: Kasuga's inspiration for the tattoo was Jo Sawashiro, whose tattoo depicts the same creature. The two both hold a strong admiration for Masumi Arakawa and view him as the 'dragon' they aspire to be. Only the outlines of the tattoo are filled in up until Chapter 21, but it is seen in its completed state in the rest of the game.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza 6.

Tsuneo bares a tattoo of Bai Ze, or "hakutaku," a chimerical beast that originates in ancient Chinese mythology. While not much is relatively known about them, in Japanese mythology, a hakutaku is described as a being capable of predicting calamities, as well as devouring bad dreams and ill experiences. In Iwami's case, it's the reverse. He is directly causing calamities, devouring the dreams of others to empower himself, and inflicting ill experiences onto them.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza: Like a dragon.

Tendo's tattoo depicts a deep blue Azure Dragon, or "Seiryu," with red accents. It is surrounded by fire and water, and is clutching a pearl in one of its claws. The Azure Dragon symbolizes wisdom and patience as virtues of strength. The fire and water accompanying the Seiryu are a combination unique to his tattoo, representing action and flexibility respectively. The creature appears to have carp fins along its body, indicating that it was a koi that has recently transformed into a dragon. The pearl takes the shape of a dark gray swirl, the same color as the water. This could indicate the glory Tendo seeks will ultimately prove for nothing.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Yakuza: Like a dragon.

Jo Sawashiro never removes his shirt in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, exclusively doing so in Online.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Online: Sawashiro's tattoo covers most of his back and ends just above his thighs. It depicts a grinning dragonfish (龍魚, ryūgyo) swimming up a waterfall. It is predominantly white with black-and-white fins and scales, golden eyes, teeth, and horns, and a red underbelly.

A dragonfish is the in-between state of the koi in the legend of a koi that swims up to the top of a waterfall and is rewarded for its tenacity by being transformed into a dragon. The tattoo represents his devotion to Masumi Arakawa, who he views as the 'dragon' he aspires to live up to.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

Shishido's tattoo covers his back, his chest, and his arms down to his wrists. It depicts a shishi, a mythical guardian lion, leaping upwards on a background of clouds and waves and surrounded by red peonies with green leaves. The shishi has greenish-gray fur with white spots, a yellow belly, a curly orange mane and tail, and tufts of fur of a similar texture on the tops of its paws, the backs of its legs, its shoulders, and its flanks. Its eyes, teeth, and claws are a stark white with red accents lining its eyes, nostrils, mouth, and claws.

The first two kanji in the name he was given by Watase, 獅子 (shishi), mean lion. Lions and peonies, considered the king of beasts and the king of flowers respectively, have a long history of being associated with each other in East Asian cultures. Together, they represent the balance of power and delicate beauty as well as majesty, wealth, and masculinity. The lion represents Shishido's strength, pride, and grand aspirations, while the peonies represent his vulnerability and the fleeting nature of his aspirations.

One origin for the association between lions and peonies states the lion has no enemies other than the parasite that burrows into its flesh, which is killed when it comes into contact with the dew that drips from peonies at night. The peonies are a safe haven to the lion. As the parasite, left unchecked, can bring down the lion that provides for it, the story alludes to both the idea even one person can bring down an organization and the idea of a person who repays a favor with an act of betrayal.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

Ebina's tattoo provides major symbolism. It depicts an Oni, a demonic yokai in Japanese mythology. An Oni is a bloodthirsty demon known for their superhuman strength and power. The oni was syncretized with Hindu-Buddhist creatures such as the man-devouring yaksha and the rakshasa, and became the oni who tormented sinners as wardens of Hell (Jigoku), administering sentences passed down by Hell's magistrate, King Yama (Enma Daiō). The hungry ghosts called gaki (餓鬼) have also been sometimes considered a type of oni (the Kanji for "ki" 鬼 is also read "oni").

A snake is also depicted on the tattoo, and snakes in Japanese mythology are often associated with intelligence, transformation, cunning-ability, but also rebirth and regeneration. With the snake breathing out fire, in can be inferred that it symbolizes eternal suffering, which fits Ebina as a bloodthristy man who seeks to kill and take revenge against the Yakuza by condemning and isolating the Yakuza on the Palekana Island, much like how Oni would torment sinners in Hell. The three pronged flame also resembles the Palekana's flame, which provides his connection to the Palekana.

He is a character who appears for the first time in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

Dwight has several Western-style tattoos. He has a capital letter "B" on the left side of his forehead, the word "Barracuda" written on top of an ornate pattern on his left forearm, and a machete between thorns and two butterflies on his right forearm. He also has a variety of symbols tattooed on his fingers.

Dwight Méndez's Forehead Tattoo



Dwight's Left Forearm Tattoo



Dwight's Right Forearm Tattoo