Is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth canon? Timeline explained

Joaquín Frere
Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga in Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest entry in the long line of games in the Yakuza series. Since the trailer showcases some returning characters, fans are wondering if the new story set in Hawaii is canon to the rest of the franchise or not.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the biggest releases of 2024, and one of the most anticipated Japanese RPGs in this first semester. Players will have to spend tons of hours exploring the new Hawaii map, a first for the series that was mainly set in Japan.

As the game continues to showcase Ichiban Kasuga, the series’ new protagonist, the Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth trailers show some returning characters. With this in mind, players are wondering if the game is canon to the long line of games that used to be called Yakuza.

So, here’s if Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is canon to the Yakuza series or not.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Is it canon?

Yes, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is canon and is the eighth numbered game in the Yakuza series, now called Like a Dragon.

Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon introduced Ichiban Kasuga as the new protagonist in the series, which continues its adventures in Hawaii after the events of the last game set in Yokohama, Japan.

Ichiban Kasuga in Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth.
Ichiban Kasuga, the series’ new protagonist, wakes up naked in Hawaii in the game’s first trailer.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth timeline explained

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth continues the Yakuza timeline and the adventures of Ichiban Kasuga, but also brings the series’ longest-running protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu into the main party. This means that Infinite Wealth is canon to all Yakuza games, including 2023’s Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Main Who Erased His Name.

As stated by Ryu Ga Gotoku, the series developer, Gaiden acted in 2023 as an introduction to Kazuma Kiryu and the Yakuza timeline for players who haven’t been up-to-date with the series that started in 2005.

The Main Who Erased His Name is available on Xbox Game Pass and helps players experience the past of Kiryu, as well as his ties to Ichiban’s story in Yakuza 7 and why is he present in Hawaii on Infinite Wealth.

For more on Ryu Ga Gotoku’s latest adventure, check out the Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth PC requirements. Also, 2024 has more upcoming games in stock, and you might wonder if Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is open world or not.

About The Author

Joaquín is a new Senior Writer for Charlie Intel with years of experience on games journalism. Focusing on all things JRPGs and a videogame developer at heart. Graduated from Game-Dev School and Public Relations, his current work is Charlie Intel and Infobae for LATAM. You can contact Joaquín at [email protected]