“Exciting Revelations from RGG Summit: ‘Yakuza 8: Pirates in Hawaii’ Set to Expand Series Universe!”[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHui_T50w8M[/embed]

On September 20, 2024, Sega aired a program called “RGG SUMMIT 2024” (hereinafter referred to as the RGG Summit) to announce the latest information from the “Ryū ga Gotoku Studio.” During this broadcast,the latest installment in the ‘Ryū ga Gotoku’ series, titled ‘Ryū ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden: Pirates in Hawaii’ (hereinafter referred to as Ryū ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden), was announced.

This installment features the extraordinarily popular character, former yakuza Gorō Majima, as the protagonist, with a plot where Majima takes on the role of a “pirate” set in Hawaii. The release date is scheduled for February 28, 2025, and it will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.

[Summary of RGG Summit 2024] The main character is Gorō Majima in ‘Ryū ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden: Pirates in Hawaii’, scheduled for release on February 28, 2025, with Takaaki Aoki playing the role of Majima. Collaboration with Yohji Yamamoto as well.

Starting from 19:00 on September 20, 2024, Sega will stream the latest information from the “Ryū ga Gotoku Studio” in the program “RGG SUMMIT 2024” (RGG Summit). Not only will there be new information related to the Amazon Original drama ‘Ryū ga Gotoku: Beyond the Game,’ but other new development topics could be revealed, making it a must-watch. Famitsu.com will continuously update new information in line with the stream.

At the RGG Summit, along with the surprising game details, the luxurious cast led by Hidenari Ugaki, who voices Gorō Majima, was also a hot topic. For specific announcements and content from the program, please refer to the article or video above, and here we will deliver comments from a joint interview conducted after the program with the cast members.

Comments from 7 Cast Members and Masayoshi Yokoyama after the RGG Summit

Hidenari Ugaki (as Gorō Majima)

The game’s information has finally been announced, but there are actually many more elements packed in, and I still have tons of things I want to say. I’m the type who tends to spill details, but since I’ve been told not to, I’m still not feeling entirely relieved (laughs).

Hidenari Ugaki

Gorō Majima washed ashore on a deserted island, having lost his memory

First Summer Wika (as Noah Rich)

I’m thrilled to be aboard such a wonderful ship and to embark on a grand adventure. I’m itching to play the game as soon as possible. I believe everyone around the world feels the same way, so I hope you all look forward to the day you can play it.

　

As a fan of the ‘Ryū ga Gotoku’ series, there were many surprises at this announcement event, but I still can’t understand the live-action part featuring Akiyama… Is that really something we play in the game? I still can’t grasp what that means (laughs).

　 While there wasn’t much information revealed during today’s meeting, aside from the fact that we can jump, I thought, “this will definitely hold a lot of surprises once we actually play.” Unlike Daitō, I haven’t played the game yet, so I’m honestly looking forward to being filled in on the details later.

First Summer Wika

Noah Rich, a boy from Rich Island (from the RGG Summit)

Takaaki Aoki (as Teruhiko Shigaki)

Although I participate in visual works regularly, it felt very fresh and exciting to create a game together for the first time.

Takaaki Aoki

Shigaki Teruhiko, former head of the Tōjokai Shigaki group (from the RGG Summit)

Ryūji Akiyama (Robert as Masaru Fujita)

I haven’t played games for a while, but I think I’m going to suddenly get back into gaming! After all, someone like me is appearing in it. It was amazing to see the production process, and it made me really want to play. I want to explore the streets of Hawaii in the game. The last time I went to Hawaii was when I was in first grade for a relative’s wedding (laughs).

　 In the live-action recordings in Minato Ward, I played many roles. By the way, there were some amusing recording scenes, like when I was about to go to the bathroom, and right in front of me was a tank with a clownfish. Isn’t that amazing?

Additionally, there were many beautiful women during the recordings… It wasn’t a romantic reality show, but the atmosphere made me feel somewhat misled into thinking I was popular (laughs).

Ryūji Akiyama (Robert)

Masaru Fujita, a cook and bodyguard (from the RGG Summit)

Ayumu Tanida (as Rodriguez)

I think, “This is going to be an amazing quality game.” My recording was early on, but I never expected it to turn out this impressive… I’m looking forward to playing it myself.

Ayumu Tanida

Rodriguez, a member of the Pale Kana cult (from the RGG Summit)

Shunsuke Daito (as Mortimer)

I’m the only one among the cast who has played the game a little. The ‘Ryū ga Gotoku’ series always has new surprises… But a while ago, Yokoyama-san told me very seriously, “Don’t say anything,” so I can’t (laughs). Anyway, there’s going to be a new ‘Ryū ga Gotoku’ world that we’ve never seen before announced ahead, so I hope everyone looks forward to it. By the way, I didn’t know Akiyama-san had a live-action part (laughs).If I had to say anything, the charm of ‘Ryū ga Gotoku’ is its realistic representation of cities. In that sense, this ‘Ryū ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden’ will provide an interesting experience with scenery we’ve never encountered before. Specifically, the Mad Atlantis, a ship graveyard, was particularly fascinating. I hope everyone looks forward to those unique stages from the gaiden.

Shunsuke Daito

Mortimer, head of the Mortimer Pirates (from the RGG Summit)

Kenji Matsuda (as Jason Rich)

I am proud to have had the opportunity to be involved with the ‘Ryū ga Gotoku’ series and to play such an important role. I was surprised by how thick the script was, but I was happy.

Kenji Matsuda

Jason Rich, Noah’s father who runs a bar on Rich Island

Masayoshi Yokoyama (Representative of the “Ryū ga Gotoku Studio”)

Games take a long time to produce, which means there’s often a long period when we can’t say anything. Therefore, being able to announce it in such a setting feels refreshing, and this time I feel particularly relieved.

Regarding the volume of this title, compared to ‘Ryū ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name’ (hereafter referred to as Ryū ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden), the story is about 1.3 to 1.5 times larger. We are not even sure about the exact area of the city itself where the game takes place… Of course, Honolulu City from ‘Ryū ga Gotoku 8’ is included, along with various other stages like Mad Atlantis, so I believe the game volume is considerably larger than in ‘Ryū ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden’. The concept that gaiden titles are compact works seems to be fading away from us little by little.

Additionally, Akiyama’s recording was interesting. He continuously performed while the camera was rolling. In fact, he could have kept going even without the camera, making it hard to call “cut” (laughs). Ultimately, I think only about one-tenth of the footage shot is used in the final game. If possible, I would like to release the unused footage a year after the launch.

Incidentally, the Minato Ward women will appear not only in live action but also in CG within the game. After having conversations with Majima, he will take the women to drink, showing that Masaru is quite a troublesome person (laughs).

Masayoshi Yokoyama