About this episode
We're joined by Erik Morrison to finally talk at length about one of the many on-ramps into Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's huge Like a Dragon franchise: Yakuza 0. Thank you to Erik for the doodles which became the basis of the episode art. Find more of their work here: https://erikmorrison.com/ Check out RiaDoodles' excellent Yakuza fanart! "Like a Gacha" "Animal Crossing Tomizawa" "Aliens" Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast --- Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social --- Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/ Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/ --- Timecodes: (00:00) - Yakuza 0 (Opening Theme) - by Hidenori Shoji, Yakuza 0 OST (00:50) - The Big Game of bonuses (02:03) - This segment will be spoiler-free! (02:13) - Histories with the series (21:34) - Framing the series for newbies (42:54) - Thoughts about Yakuza 0 (59:38) - How much of Kiryu's games to play before Infinite Wealth (01:05:48) - Trouble Shooting Star - Hidenori Shoji, Yakuza 0 OST (01:06:16) - The second Big Game? (01:06:43) - FULL SPOILERS FOR YAKUZA 0 (01:07:06) - Context for the setting and the plot (01:17:19) - Kuze and Kiryu (01:21:00) - Director's Cut scene #1 (01:23:05) - The series' habit of redeeming villains (01:26:39) - Director's Cut scene #2 (01:28:27) - Director's Cut scene #3 (01:30:41) - Kiryu and Nishiki (01:32:28) - Tachibana Real Estate (01:45:58) - Goro Majima (01:54:36) - Sagawa (01:56:38) - Sotenbori and the care for the people and places of Japan (02:05:20) - The food (02:08:15) - Back to Sagawa and Makoto Makimura (02:20:17) - Approaching the finale (02:30:35) - Director's Cut scene #4 (02:32:10) - Saving Makoto (02:37:29) - In Dojima HQ (02:49:14) - Kiryu's ending (02:50:53) - The ending of the video game (03:06:27) - Yaoi: A Presentation by Erik Morrison (03:19:56) - Taking a break (03:27:06) - Actually taking a break (03:27:10) - Try to have some fun for me!! - Hidenori Shoji, Yakuza 0 OST (03:27:43) - Listener questions! (03:27:54) - Lightning round! | From biscuitrogue (03:28:18) - Favorite substories (03:58:25) - RGG Summit? | From su (04:04:20) - ITA Yakuza AU | From Ponk (04:07:36) - What's your job and class? | From Brady (04:09:31) - Updates to the play order? | From GJ (04:16:53) - Hopes for the future | From GJ (04:20:33) - Wrapping up (04:21:06) - Follow Erik online! (04:22:02) - See you next time! --- Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members: Sam H North Hero Samantha D Snzzn Bertito J-Rock Gregory Mark S Cmndr Biscuit iceman Christian H Rydan B Caleb H Arden F Eye of the Duck Kale Nathan E J. H. A joelchrono Mellow Matthew B Robin LP SeekingSeaking Jimmers zoey! Vinny M Matt Kerry K Brian M Noah D Zach D Christopher TD Hugo W Todd Chris B Lukerfuffle Stephen Y Daniel G Eric F Taran W Brendan O Chris Z Clayton M Zach R Griffin Dylan N Federico V Tigerz Revenge Logan H Alan R John A Mike L mattjanzz David M HeavyPixels Kaleb H Tyler J Corey Z Susan H Barry T Robert R Chris J Brett Allen H Dan S Jack S Garrett C jimiibo John H Dirch F Jim E Jim W Tristan L Evan B AwfulHanzo min2 Aaron G Jean H Todd N red_wagon Neil Peter B John V v Erik M Redmage77 Joshua J Tony L Danny K Gibson G Kate Duncan B Richard M Daniel N Seth M James Andy H Demo Emma Lyn E Corey T Caleb W Jake L Jesse W Mike T Codes Matt B Wesley mebezac Alex L Sergio L ninjadeathdog Rory B A42PoundMoose Robert M Michael W Andrew this_JUSTIN Ryan O 14.3 billion years Brendan K Megan B SecretAgentKoala Noah O Arcturus Andrew W hepahe Chase A LoveDies Nick Q Chris M RB Karen H Adam F Scott H Alexander S Matt H Murray David P Jason K Micah O Kamrin H Andrew D Kyle S Philip N ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★