Anime You Need To Watch If You Like Yakuza

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Key Takeaways

• Fans of
  Yakuza
  will enjoy the series
  Great Teacher Onizuka
  with its unique take on a former gang member turned teacher.
• Get a taste of crime drama and action-packed episodes in
  Gangsta
  as mercenaries navigate the criminal underworld.
• Delve into the intricate world of organized crime in
  Baccano!
  with immortality, heists, and mafia families blending in a Prohibition Era setting.

Fans of Yakuza enjoyed the “insider’s view” of life from the perspective of Japan’s infamous gangsters. The series offers a slightly exaggerated take on the yakuza story, inspired heavily by yakuza films and crime drama. However, aside from over-the-top action, Yakuza perhaps shines the most with its compelling story. After all, a game series that explores the life of a reformed gangster isn’t exactly a common find.

A lot of Yakuza fans might clamor for this game series to get an action/slice-of-life anime. After all, what better way to watch Kazuma Kiryu’s story than with the action and wackiness of modern anime? However, fans might be surprised to learn that anime similar to Yakuza already exists. Some of these anime might even be up their alley.

Updated on September 24, 2024, by Rhenn Taguiam: With a live-action Yakuza series about to make its way to Amazon Prime Video in October 2024, fans of Kazuma Kiryu and his companions might be interested how this live-action entry will translate his adventures to television. However, fans who can’t wait to see this Yakuza series might instead want to check out some anime that have a similar Yakuza flavor — either featuring gangs, Yakuza themselves, or gang-like setups with a hint of shenanigans in between. Such anime include a mystery series involving a small town embroiled in conflict, and the brutal hijinks among competing maid cafes, which are just a couple of examples of the series that have been added to this list in its latest update.

31 Kaze No Yojimbo

Witness An Accident Drag A Man Into A Turf War

When Jyouji “George” Kodama arrives in the small town of Kimujuku, his search for a Genzo Araki will put him in the crosshairs of two rival gangs. In the story of Kaze no Yojimbo, his investigation into the whereabouts of Araki will attract the interest of two factions — the Yakuza of the Ginzame clan, and the well-off Tanokura family. When Jyouji quickly realizes that things are amiss, he deliberately starts pitting the two factions against each other to unravel whatever mysteries the town actually holds.

While Jyouji is by no means an actual member of a Yakuza family, his interactions with both factions will instead reveal a more intellectual individual hiding beneath his rather perplexing exterior. The main story of the anime explores just what exactly happened to Kimujuku more than a decade ago, making all the present-day interactions between characters all the more interesting to unravel.

Kaze No Yojimbo: How Similar Is It To Yakuza?

Although Kaze no Yojimbo isn’t a hardcore Yakuza anime, its crime thriller approach certainly paints the genre in an interesting light. Seeing how the Yakuza can influence a small town is a change of pace, especially when this reveals how the Yakuza operates separate from other traditional powers at play in small-scale hamlets, such as rich families and, in the case of Jyouji, unexpected visitors.

30 Akiba Maid War

Maid Culture Is More Cutthroat Than Fans Anticipate

When Nagomi Wahira begins her new job as a maid in a pig-themed cafe, Akiba Maid War reveals a 1999 maid cafe scene rife with intense competition between rival maid cafes. An errand will give Nagomi her first taste of these “fights” in the form of maids using guns and knives just to get ahead of each other. This is just a “taste,” the rest of Akiba Maid War turns the crazy dial up to 100 — and this is simplifying things.

While there’s no “immediate” plot in Akiba Maid War, just watching every episode to see what absurdity Nagomi and her comrades are up to is a treat. The anime doesn’t expect viewers to take it seriously, and the maid cafe factions tend to be over the top, following in the footsteps of how traditional Yakuza stories often exaggerate their portrayal of the institution for the sake of driving the story forward (and, oftentimes, shock value).

Akiba Maid War: How Similar Is It To Yakuza?

While certainly more of an introspective and satirical take on maid cafe culture in Japan, Akiba Maid War certainly allows viewers to analyze its underlying themes from the lens of a hilarious “turf war” between rival cafes. Although not necessarily Yakuza-like in nature, the quirky way the anime frames maid cafes as separate “factions” competing for fame and customers can resemble the same day-in-the-life shenanigans that Kiryu and his pals encounter throughout the Yakuza games.

29 High School Jingi

An Older Take On The Gangster Teacher Concept

When former Yakuza member Aki Jouji is sent by his boss to become a teacher at Gokuraku Private High School, the High School Jingi initially found it difficult to adjust to his more youthful students. Such is Jingi’s initial apprehension at the idea that he often acts out of character as a teacher, resorting to stereotypical gangster behavior such as pulling out his guns when he doesn’t get his way.

However, his students often appreciate his antics, especially when he removes his sunglasses and reveals his cutesy “kewpie” eyes underneath. So affecting are his eyes’ innate charm that people often call him “Kewpie From Hell” — one of the many running gags in the series. Central to the anime’s comedy is Reiko Shiratori, Jingi’s crush and someone he desperately doesn’t want to find out about his gangster past.

High School Jingi: How Similar Is It To Yakuza?

Others may criticize High School Jingi for its lack of depth and focus on effective comedy scenarios, especially when taking into account its older animation and dry humor. While these elements have led Jingi to be compared to counterparts such as Gokusen and GTO, this classic OVA is one of the few instances of a gangster-turned-teacher story that revolves around an ordinary Yakuza member and not a Yakuza-adjacent protagonist. Similar to Yakuza, the story of Jingi adds slice-of-life elements that break convention from the tendencies of Yakuza stories that can become excessively violent.

28 Naniwa Yuukyouden (OVA)

A Classic Story Of Yakuza Hijinks

Also known as Osaka Tough Guys, Naniwa Spirit, the story of Naniwa Yuukyouden revolves around the hijinks of the Kinshu Group, whose leadership, under the watchful gaze of Taido Kaimon, often gets them in trouble with law enforcement, the ladies, and even with each other. Its Yakuza story comes with mild nudity, which was a common sight in older adult-oriented anime.

Its mature subjects aside, Naniwa Yuukyouden provides an interesting perspective on the stories tackled by older Yakuza media. This is especially prevalent with Naniwa Yuuykouden’s portrayal of Yakuza members as either cunning leaders, violent enforcers, and even comedic heartthrob-wannabes.

Naniwa Yuukyouden: How Similar Is It To Yakuza?

Despite its mature themes, the comedic focus of Naniwa Yuukyouden can give players more context to a potentially more “mature” dimension of stories set in the Yakuza universe. While Naniwa Yuukyouden’s approach to comedy can be questionable given its age, one can appreciate the OVA not only for its contribution to the evolution of Yakuza stories, but for how far the genre has come in telling more compelling stories with the backdrop of organized crime without becoming too hyper-violent.

27 Emblem Take 2

A Yakuza Story With A Time Travel Twist

Contrary to naming conventions, Emblem Take 2 isn’t the first part of an “Emblem Take” story, but rather is “Take Two” due to its premise: Kaeda Yakuza member Akutsu Jouji is given a second chance in life. When a fateful brawl with university students in 1983 caused his life to be miserable for the next decade, Jouji seemed to have no choice but to take his own life when his close friend was tasked with killing him. As such, when a dying Jouji in 1993 finds himself ten years in the past, he decides to live his life to the fullest with his newfound knowledge.

It’s not all the time that a Yakuza story gets a sci-fi spin with philosophical undertones, especially when it’s seen from the perspective of a protagonist like Akutsu Jouji, who is portrayed like a stereotypical gangster. While mature imagery is still present in Emblem Take 2, its attempt to tackle a subject like second chances with more depth can be a breath of fresh air.

Emblem Take 2: How Similar Is It To Yakuza?

While the Yakuza franchise has had its fair share of crazy stories, Emblem Take 2 is a decent take on a potential gangster story with lowkey sci-fi elements. The idea of Jouji going back in time to potentially correct his life’s mistakes makes for a decent reflection on how not all Yakuza members live their lives by choice, adding more nuance to Kiryu and his friends’ actions, motivations, and eventual fates throughout the Yakuza franchise.

26 Sanctuary

Friends Become Fierce Rivals

Best friends becoming rivals is a trope common in many shonen and seinen stories, and this narrative setup is also adapted by Sanctuary: Khmer Rouge massacre survivors Asami and Houjou travel to Japan from Cambodia to bring meaning back into their lives, a “sanctuary” to call their own, even if they had to build it for themselves. To achieve this desire, they take separate paths: one becomes a politician, the other becomes a gangster.

Taking these separate vocations will eventually put Houjou and Asami in each other’s crosshairs, especially when their goals to keep their positions and rise through the ranks will inevitably have them oppose each other. At a time when Yakuza gangs have had a complicated relationship with the Japanese government, and alongside the backdrop of the horrific Khmer Rouge massacre, Sanctuary adds a lot of depth to the Yakuza story.

Sanctuary: How Similar Is It To Yakuza?

The cop versus gangster trope isn’t anything new to the organized crime genre, and Sanctuary gives an older take on the narrative that is reminiscent of Yakuza stories set in the 80s and 90s. Seeing two friends eventually having to confront each other as members of law enforcement and the Yakuza might be a predictable part of the storyline. However, seeing their vigor and ambition lead to their survival makes their journey towards the confrontation a more fruitful and interesting experience.

25 Spy x Family

A Telepathic Adopted Daughter With Two Undercover Parents

The story of Spy x Family centers around Loid Forger, a supposedly-ordinary husband who is the secret agent Twilight. As an agent working for the nation of Westalia, he maintains peace between Westalia and its rival Ostania by spying on the latter’s Donovan Desmond, whose reclusive nature only lets others see him in his children’s private school.

After donning his new persona, Loid marries Yor Briar and adopts a child named Anya to infiltrate said school. Unbeknownst to Loid, Yor is actually a professional assassin and Anya is a telepath. Despite the hilarity of this triple deception, Spy x Family is a neat break from Yakuza with its secret agent focus. However, seeing how the likes of Yor and Loid interact with other unsavory factions while keeping their objectives is something players may notice in Yakuza as well.

Spy x Family: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

The light family dramedy moments of Spy x Family will make Like A Dragon fans feel right at home, especially when the unlikely pairing of Loid and Yor Forger have to protect their seemingly-innocent adoptive daughter Anya. While factions in Spy x Family are nowhere near the Japanese Yakuza, the anime’s Western-inspired criminal elements may be a welcome breath of fresh air for fans of the acclaimed game series.

24 Buddy Daddies

Assassins Tasked To Take Care Of A Child

For fans of Yakuza who want an alternate take on the weird family dynamic Buddy Daddies, an anime revolving around assassins Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa as they care for the child Miri Unasaka while managing their missions is a great option. With Miri’s father being the pair’s recent assassination target, the Buddy Daddies protagonists took it upon themselves to care for the child after what they’d done.

The backstory of someone in the criminal world caring for a youngster is reminiscent of Yakuza‘s Kazuma Kiryu eventually establishing Sunshine Orphanage throughout the series. It’s also interesting for viewers to get to know the dynamic between bubbly but info-savvy Kazuki and non-smiling but combat-intensive Rei as well as how they ended up being friends in the first place.

Buddy Daddies: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

The criminal duo of Kazuki and Rei of Buddy Daddies may give fans some recollections of the relationship between Kazuma Kiryu and his former partner Akira Nishikiyama, although this time the two anime assassins have a child to take care of. Juggling assassination errands while taking care of a child is similar to the life of a Yakuza always calling Kiryu while he helps with the Morning Glory Orphanage. While not prominently featuring the Yakuza, seeing Kazuki and Rei manage day-to-day life as contractors is reminiscent of Kiryu’s early days.

23 The Millionaire Detective — Balance: UNLIMITED

A Hilarious Police Story Involving Two Detective

It’s not always that an anime focuses on the activities of the modern police, with The Millionaire Detective — Balance: UNLIMITED tackling the misadventures of the comedic duo Daisuke and Haru. The story begins when extremely wealthy detective Daisuke Kambe is assigned to the Modern Crime Prevention Headquarters, the designation of officers who often cause trouble. Set as his partner is hot-headed Haru Kato, whose disdain for Daisuke’s penchant for bribing leads to hilarious exchanges.

Despite not immediately dealing with the Yakuza, The Millionaire Detective makes for an interesting watch due to its tackling of the Yakuza lifestyle’s immediate opposite: the authorities. The anime gives a fresh take on the activities of the police, providing a perspective on what it may be like on their end to chase the likes of Yakuza protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga.

The Millionaire Detective — Balance: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

The buddy-cop duo of Daisuke Kambe and Haru Katou of The Millionaire Detective — Balance: UNLIMITED gives a more “official” take on why Kiryu may have been a secret agent for the police and not the enigmatic Daidoji Faction. Likewise, the Modern Crime Prevention Headquarters may resemble the Ministry Intelligence Agency in the Like A Dragon games, this time giving viewers the perspective of detectives solving crimes and chasing criminals instead of Kiryu running away from them.

22 Bungo Stray Dogs

A Crime Story With Super Powers

An alternate take on exploring what investigators may think when chasing the Yakuza could be seen in Bungo Stray Dogs, this time revolving around the affairs of the Armed Detective Agency. Comprised of investigators with superhuman powers, protagonist Atsushi Nakajima and his partner Osamu Dazai eventually get involved in the affairs of other supernaturally-invested groups.

While not directly dealing with the Yakuza, Bungo Stray Dogs offers an exciting take on the detective concept from the perspective of power users. Organizations outside the Agency such as the Port Mafia, the Fellowship of the Guild, and the Decay of Angels also seem Yakuza-esque with their many activities that border on the illegal.

Bungo Stray Dogs: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

The illicit affairs depicted between Like a Dragon’s Yakuza families and organizations like the Ministry Intelligence Agency prove that groups at odds often find themselves walking thin lines to maintain balance. This is eventually revealed in Bungo Stray Dogs, where the protagonist’s Armed Detective Agency is just one of the three-part Tripartite Framework that manages Ability Users in their world, alongside the Military Police and the Port Mafia. Fans who appreciated the interplay between factions in Like a Dragon may appreciate Bungo Stray Dogs’s take on their factions.

21 Banana Fish

A High-Stakes Gangster Story Set In The West

In what appears to be one of the most riveting tales created in the 80s, Banana Fish is a critically acclaimed manga for tackling modern themes such as boy love in an age dominated by romance fantasy stories. Adapted into an anime in 2018, Banana Fish stars street gang leader Ash Lynx as he investigates the mysterious “banana fish” who leads him into a conspiracy theory that changes his life.

The anime explores Ash coming to terms with his past as an abused child of Corsican mafia boss Dino Golzine and his goal to dismantle this very group he was groomed to lead. While arguably more mature in its story than Yakuza, the New York-set Banana Fish is a breath of fresh air from the Japan-focused series.

Banana Fish: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

The personal stakes in the overall narrative of Banana Fish are similar to Kazuma Kiryu’s struggles across his stay in the Like a Dragon franchise, especially when they notice how Ash Lynx’s story as a gangster goes beyond his relationship with other criminal gangs. On top of the anime’s compelling depiction of Ash’s investigation into the “banana fish” phenomenon, fans of Like a Dragon can find Banana Fish an interesting take on gang life and culture from the perspective of the West, specifically the 80s United States.

20 Akira

An Iconic Sci-Fi Film With Biker Gangs

While appearing in more anime films than anime series, Akira back in 1988 remains a powerful icon in both the cyberpunk and general punk genres. Set in a dystopian 2019 future, the accidental destruction of Tokyo back in 1988 triggered a world war that engulfed today’s Neo-Tokyo with corruption, terrorism, and especially gang violence. Protagonist Shotaro Kaneda spends much of his days fighting rival gangs to establish the street cred of his gang the Capsules, but an unfortunate accident causes his friend Tetsuo Shima to crash into Takashi, an esper trying to escape a government research facility.

Unfortunately for them, this accident would have Tetsuo awaken his latent psychic abilities, which are at a level similar to Akira, the esper who destroyed Tokyo back in 1988. As a film that has both action and philosophical counterparts, the gang life aesthetic seems to be put on the sidelines. However, Akira remains oddly similar to the Yakuza series from the perspective of its narrative themes, where the group behaviors of the Capsules such as camaraderie and brotherhood become more front and center than its group aesthetic.

Akira: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

Juvenile groups calling themselves “gangs” is no surprise in numerous countries, and Akira’s depiction of the Capsules biker gang is an interesting take on a cyberpunk, post-World War version of the Yakuza. While Shotaro Kaneda’s Capsules is nowhere near vast enough to be properly considered a criminal family, Like a Dragon fans may appreciate concepts of bravery, camaraderie, and loyalty that friends-turned-enemies Kaneda and Tetsuo Shima would have for each other, much like Kiryu and Nishikiyama.

19 Kemonozume

A Guy From A Family Of Monster Killers Falls In Love With The Very Monster He Has To Kill

It’s not all the time that a Yakuza-themed anime centers around the supernatural, and this is exactly a theme that Kemonozume tries. In this 2006 anime, the Momota Family has dedicated itself to learning the Kifuken or Ogre-Sealing Sword martial arts in order to fight the growing threat of the Shokujinki, flesh-eating supernatural monsters.

However, what makes Kemonozume rather unique is its romance angle, especially between Toshihiko who is the recent Momota heir, and Yuka, a Shokujinki. This forbidden romance theme is a rather common sight in tales like Yakuza, where one’s background and involvement in the violent life of the Yakuza is often a deal-breaker for the “more mundane” things in life such as romance. However, Kemonozume highlights how love trumps all, despite the challenges one might experience.

Kemonozume: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

The secretive nature of the Kifuken School resembles a traditional Yakuza family as an institution, although Kemonozume’s primary faction deals with hunting down the horrific Shokujinki instead of a crime family’s illegal dealings. Perhaps more reminiscent of Like a Dragon would be Kemonozume’s cast from Kifuken School having quite the complicated relationship, much like how Kiryu’s stay in both the Dojima Family and Tojo Clan has led to having a rather complex network of friends and rivals.

18 Dorohedoro

Factions Go To War In This Supernatural Crime Anime

Despite being a manga written way back from 2000 to 2014, it’s only around 2019 that Dorohedoro got an anime adaptation, and it’s well worth the wait. Its dystopian modern fantasy format has all the elements needed for a Yakuza-like setting, particularly with its three major factions having their own version of a crime-ruled society. Hell, headed by demon lord Chidaruma, enjoys the reverence of Sorcerers, human-like creatures created by Chidaruma who are capable of casting magic through Smoke. Years of warfare had magic commoditized and sold by rivaling gangs, with the value of magic causing Sorcerers to be constantly kidnapped and harvested for magic had it not been for the crime boss En, who has united the Sorcerer’s Realm under his heel.

The story of Dorohedoro takes place in the Hole, a favela-like city inhabited by powerless Humans, who became helpless victims in the Sorcerer’s power struggle. Protagonist Caiman, who is a reptile-headed amnesiac, uses his proficiency with knives to hunt down dangerous Sorcerers to find out the truth about his past and reverse the curse that turned his head this way in the first place. However, his quest for the truth brings him along the path of the rebellious Cross-Eyes gang, alongside the wrath of En who wants to stop his quest for some reason. This intrigue caused by Caiman’s amnesia, alongside his involvement with warring gangs, is a good take on the Yakuza formula.

Dorohedoro: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

The amnesiac, reptilian-head Caiman of Dorohedoro is nowhere near Like a Dragon’s protagonists in terms of appearance, although institutions such as the En Family, the Cross-Eyes Gang, and the many rogues in the Hole introduce an interesting take on “criminal” politics in a magic-heavy society that is reminiscent of interacting clans in Like a Dragon games. Caiman being a skilled fighter out on a quest to discover his identity is something viewers can empathize with, much like how the personal missions of Kazuma Kiryu, Kasuga Ichiban, and Goro Majima add depth to their relationship with their respective criminal families.

17 Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

Gambling Is The Lucky Charm Of This Unfortunate Protagonist

Sometimes, a Yakuza-like story doesn’t necessarily have to involve rivaling gangs in order for it to work. In the case of Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, the mere idea of a protagonist thrust into the violent dog-eat-dog life rife with gangsters is enough to resemble a story like the Yakuza game. In Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, protagonist Kaiji Ito is forced into a ship called the Espoir in order to play games that will repay his debt to a violent loan shark. While Kaiji reluctantly agrees, his new life in the boat will force him to play various games, contend with other people eager to repay their own debts, and encounter various life stories along the way.

The idea of a gambling-focused “game of desperation” is a common theme in Yakuza stories, which often have outsiders making deals with the Yakuza that they don’t fully comprehend until it’s too late. While Kaiji doesn’t directly involve gangs, the premise of a civilian getting deep into a seedy underworld of criminals is enough of an equivalent.

Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

Gambling minigames are almost a requirement in a game like Like a Dragon which depicts the life of a Yakuza member, and the sheer tenacity Kiryu and other protagonists have to display is showcased a million-fold by Kaiji protagonist Kaiji Ito, and quite literally. While not necessarily trapped in dealings with the Yakuza, Kaiji’s rather unfortunate circumstances always tie him with criminal elements that he could only best with his wit and gambling skills, making each gambling match a sight to behold. With Kaiji not having the connections nor even the physical strength to go toe-to-toe with his opponents, seeing him continue to best games where the odds are stacked against him can make him reminiscent of a Like a Dragon protagonist.

16 Golden Kamuy

Factions Hunt For Sacred Treasure

The ongoing Golden Kamuy anime had a manga run that ranged from 2014 to 2022, with a premise enough to captivate fans of alternate history. In Golden Kamuy, protagonist Saichi Sugimoto is forced out of retirement as a veteran of the Russo-Japanese war as he embarks on a quest to find the Ainu people’s hidden fortune of gold. Aside from having actual Ainu language from an actual Ainu linguist, the idea that Golden Kamuy explores the ancient culture of the Ainu people in Japan provides a great way of putting culture into the spotlight of a mainstream story.

This rather unique treasure-hunting experience is reminiscent of a Yakuza-esque story where rivaling gangs contend with significant pieces of information or treasure to further their means. Joining Saichi in his journey are various individuals of varying interests and motivations, forcing readers to realize that not all their allies remain allies for long, and enemies may even become friends for the purpose of sharing the gold altogether.

Golden Kamuy: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

While not necessarily a crime story, Golden Kamuy’s interlocked factions chasing after a secret stash of gold resembles the conflicts of Like a Dragon’s crime families while avoiding getting unnecessary attention for their criminal enterprises as a whole. Seeing Saichi Sugimoto’s ragtag group get into fights and cooperative stints with other factions such as the rivaling team of Hijikata Toshizo and the Hokkaido 7th Division matches the perpetual ebbs and flows of partnerships and conflicts between Yakuza clans.

15 The Way Of The Househusband

A Former Gangster Becomes A Househusband

What happens when an infamous Yakuza boss marries a career woman? In The Way of the Househusband (or Gokushufudo), “Immortal Dragon” Tatsu retires from his life of crime to support Miku, his kyariauman (or career woman) wife. This slice-of-life manga (eventually anime in 2020) chronicles the hilarious adventures involving Tatsu’s mundane everyday life, which turns out to never be mundane at all.

As with the manga, episodes in the anime often show the intimidating Tatsu doing ordinary household work. However, his infamous reputation means frequent run-ins with his former colleagues in the Yakuza, as well as other rivals. Unlike other violent Yakuza anime, Gokushufudo is definitely the closest analog to the Yakuza games’ slice-of-life elements.

The Way Of The Househusband: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

Tatsu’s infamous reputation of being the Immortal Dragon always comes back to haunt him despite his retirement, with his life as a househusband often disturbed by appearances of former Yakuuza colleagues and rivals. The comedic nature of The Way of the Househusband is a dream come true for the likes of Kiryu, whose attempts at retirement in Like a Dragon often end in disappointing failures. Fans who want to see a Kiryu-like figure take it easy after a life of crime may want to watch The Way of the Househusband for a change of pace.

14 Salaryman Kintaro

An Ordinary Guy Becomes A Salaryman In This Slice Of Life

The 1994 manga Salaryman Kintaro offers one of the earliest looks into the “reformed gangster” trope in action stories. The eponymous character Kintaro Yajima made a reputation as a leader of a Bosozoku group. However, after the death of his wife, Kintaro departs from the Japanese subculture of biker gangs and customized bikes to become a salaryman. Albeit a fisherman at first, a run-in with a stranger gets Kintaro into the sales department of a construction firm.

Despite the serious premise, the anime adaptation offers interesting insights and comedic moments into Kintaro’s transformed life. The 2001 series offers a fresh perspective into life in the late 20th century. Salaryman Kintaro offers a welcome perspective to those looking for a Yakuza story with an older setting.

Salaryman Kintaro: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

Whereas Tatsu of The Way of the Househusband retires to a life at home, Kintaro Yajima of Salaryman Kintaro retires from the life of being a bike gang leader and becomes a salaryman instead. Kintaro working his way up the corporate ladder as a promise to his late wife makes his personality akin to the likes of Kiryu and other Like a Dragon protagonists, giving fans a fresh take on the “gangster retiree” trope from a salaryman’s standpoint.

13 Black Lagoon

Mercenaries With A Twist

Fans who want to see a pirate mercenary team doing business in the waters of Southeast Asia will love Black Lagoon. This 2006 anime adaptation of an ongoing manga chronicles the adventures of the Lagoon Company, a team of mercenaries, in the 1990s. The Lagoon Company often has run-ins with the Japanese Yakuza, the Russian and Italian mafias, the Colombian cartel, the Chinese Triad, and an assortment of other criminal entities. Episodes often end in hilarious outtakes and action-packed fistfights, firefights, and sea battles aboard the Black Lagoon ship.

Audiences will appreciate the sheer chemistry of the Lagoon Company. Salaryman Rock gets embroiled with the Company’s business after being abandoned during his kidnapping (funnily enough, by the Lagoon Company). Revy is everyone’s favorite fighter, who grows protective of Rock. Dutch is the Company’s captain, demonstrating diplomatic resolve and politeness despite the situation. Lastly, Benny is the team’s resident mechanic and research expert, with a love for computers.

Black Lagoon: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

Fans take it upon themselves to help Kiryu rise through the ranks of both the Tojo Clan and the Dojima Family in Like a Dragon games, giving them a sense of pride to see the Yakuza member succeed as a member of criminal organizations. The feeling of doing errands is something Black Lagoon immediately showcases, with action scenes between the Lagoon Company and their rivals as well as other criminal enterprises being reminiscent of Kiryu’s run-ins with rival families and the authorities in the games. Protagonist and former salaryman Rock’s “absorption” into the Lagoon Company makes him the de facto equivalent of the audience, giving viewers the impression of what Kiryu’s life would’ve been had he been dispatched to conduct maritime errands on behalf of the Yakuza.

12 Hinamatsuri

A Yakuza Ends Up Taking Care Of A Psychic

Mid-level Yakuza member Yoshifumi Nitta has a normal life with the Ashikawa-gumi, doing “typical” Yakuza things. However, his life gets thrown into chaos when an amnesiac girl from the future named Hina ends up in his apartment – with psychokinetic powers! Before Yoshifumi can fully grasp the situation, other girls from the future start to arrive to take Hina back or assassinate her.

Yoshifumi and Hina’s adventures are all detailed in the Hinamatsuri manga, which lasted for 10 years. Its anime adaptation in 2018 roughly told the manga’s story as well, much to the amusement of fans and newcomers. Fans of the Yakuza franchise will appreciate Hinamatsuri for its unique sci-fi and comedy take on the Yakuza concept.

Hinamatsuri: How Is It Similar To Yakuza?

Caring for a child is something that comes easy to Kiryu as a manager of his own orphanage in Like a Dragon, but Hinamatsuri takes things up a notch when Ashikawa-gumi member Yoshifuma becomes the de facto caretaker of the psychokinetic Hina. While Like a Dragon doesn’t have supernatural elements, Hinamatsuri makes for a decent interpretation of the concept, giving viewers a glimpse of what a Like a Dragon story could look like should a Kiryu-like figure end up having to take care of a psychic that both the Yakuza and government are interested in.