Ryuji Goda
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is a fictional character from
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's
action-adventure game An action-adventure game is a video game hybrid genre that combines core elements from both the action game and adventure game genres. Definition An action adventure game can be defined as a game with a mix of elements from an action ...
''
Like a Dragon , formerly known outside of Japan as ''Yakuza'', is a video game franchise by Sega. It incorporates elements of the action-adventure, beat 'em up, and role-playing genres. Each installment is typically a crime drama, with plot lines inspired ...
'' series, previously known as ''Yakuza'' outside of Japan, first appearing in 2006's ''
Yakuza 2 is a 2006 action-adventure game developed and published by Sega for the PlayStation 2. The second installment of the ''Yakuza'' series and the sequel to ''Yakuza'', it was released on December 7, 2006, in Japan and in September 2008 in North Am ...
''. Goda also appears as one of the main characters in a spin-off title of the series, '' Yakuza: Dead Souls'', which does not follow the series' canon and is set in an alternate timeline where Goda survives his wounds at the end of ''Yakuza 2''. Goda is voiced by
Masami Iwasaki is a Japanese Voice acting in Japan, voice actor from Tokyo. Most but not all of his roles are minions or ruffians, but he is mostly known as the voice of Ryuji Goda in the Yakuza (franchise), ''Yakuza'' video game series. Filmography Anime *Ar ...
in all media. Within the series, Goda is the patriarch of the Go-Ryu Clan, an organized crime yakuza group that is a subsidiary of the Omi Alliance, the dominant yakuza association based in
Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
. Ryuji is the adopted son of Jin Goda, chairman of the Omi Alliance, and is often referred to as the due to the
tattoo A tattoo is a form of body modification made by inserting tattoo ink, dyes, or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. Tattoo artists create these designs using several tattooing processes ...
of a golden yellow dragon on his back. He expressed dissatisfaction towards the sobriquet however, as he believes that there could only be "one true dragon" in Japan. To this end, his primary motivation in ''Yakuza 2'' is to defeat series protagonist
Kazuma Kiryu is a fictional character and the initial main protagonist of Sega's action-adventure beat 'em up Japanese role-playing game franchise '' Yakuza / Like a Dragon''. He is popularly known as due to the tattoo of a dragon on his back and him origina ...
, the "Dragon of Dojima", who is presented as his premier rival. Goda has received a positive reception. The character's popularity in Japan has seen the character being periodically re-introduced into the franchise in spite of his death in ''Yakuza 2'' and its 2017 remake, ''
Yakuza Kiwami 2 ''Yakuza Kiwami 2'' is a 2017 action-adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. It is a remake of the 2006 video game '' Yakuza 2'' for the PlayStation 2, the second remake in the ''Yakuza'' series following 2016's ...
''. Many reviewers called Goda the best villain of the franchise and consider the character's depiction in ''Yakuza 2'' and its remake to be a series highlight.


Creation and development

Goda's concept as a character originated from the developers' desire to create an overwhelmingly powerful antagonist that makes players think that they may not be able to win in terms of raw power, strength, and organizational strength. His personality has been described by the head writer of ''ONLINE'' Kazunobu Takeuchi as arrogant and violent, as well as an enigma as he is the type of person who does not really disclose his true feelings. In his first appearance, Goda carries a
Japanese sword A is one of several types of traditionally made swords from Japan. Bronze swords were made as early as the Yayoi period (1,000 BC – 300 AD), though most people generally refer to the curved blades made from the Heian period (794–1185) to the ...
which he occasionally uses as a weapon, and is known for his dragon tattoo; the series' developers have used tattoos to provide characterization or highlight the relationship between friends or enemies throughout the franchise, and are designed by Kazuaki Kitamura, a Japanese tattoo artist better known as Horitomo. The character is redesigned for ''Dead Souls'', where his right arm has been replaced by metal prosthetic, and is later outfitted with a portable
gatling gun The Gatling gun is a rapid-firing multiple-barrel firearm invented in 1861 by Richard Jordan Gatling of North Carolina. It is an early machine gun and a forerunner of the modern electric motor-driven rotary cannon. The Gatling gun's operatio ...
. The segment of ''ONLINE'' which details Goda's life before he became the leader of the Go-Ryu Clan was released in March 2020. The character's popularity with the franchise's Japanese fanbase has encouraged the developers to present Goda in recurring appearances well after his canonical demise during the events of ''Yakuza 2''. When Goda was announced as the fourth and final playable character for ''Dead Souls'' on August 18, 2010, ''Yakuza'' producer
Toshihiro Nagoshi is a Japanese video game producer, director and designer. He was the chief creative officer for Sega until 2021 when he became creative director. He went on to be the general director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, and later became a member of t ...
acknowledged the demand for further appearances for the character, noting his "manly, brawny" appeal as a "rival character who gives off a powerful aura" and that his story arc would follow the events of ''Yakuza 2''. At the 2019
Tokyo Game Show , commonly known as TGS, is a video game trade fair and convention held annually in September in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publication ...
, Goda's actor Iwasaki stated in a Q&A session that he rarely gets to play the characters he wants to play in the voice acting industry, but he managed to land the role of Ryuji Goda whom he really wanted to play after having auditioned for it, and is thus very fond of the character. In an interview conducted by 4gamer staff with
Renji Ishibashi , born is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best supporting actor at the 15th Hochi Film Award The are film-specific prizes awarded by the '' Hochi Shimbun''. Categories *Best Picture *Best International Picture *Best Animated Picture ...
, the voice actor of an elderly
takoyaki Takoyaki ( or ) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter (cooking), batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus as food, octopus (''tako''), tempura scraps (''tenkasu' ...
cook who takes in Goda as an apprentice and serves as his father figure in ''Dead Souls'', he explained that Goda's arc explores how he deals with the conflicting identities of his past and present, as a former criminal who now carries on a legitimate trade as a tradesperson, and what kind of future would he end up with. Ishibashi said one of the most important things taught by Goda's mentor, who is only ever referred to as "Oyassan" (おやっさん, an honorific title for "father") and knows more than what he lets on about Goda's history, is how to dispatch a live octopus in one blow. He opined that it may seem cruel at first, but suggested that one's opponent would needlessly suffer if they are not finished off in the most efficient manner possible, and that what Goda learns from his master is in fact an act of compassion. Ishibashi suggested that while Goda during his youth is not the same violent crime boss he eventually becomes, a part of his nature embraced the gangster role because it felt right, noting that the events of the game tests Goda's resolve and reveals his inner conflict as he is pulled back into the criminal underworld which he no longer wants to be involved in. He considered Goda's relationship with his mentor as a character study of two men who are both trying to move on from a difficult past and the highlight of Goda's story arc, being an example of a positive bond between men in spite of its sad conclusion. On the developers' decision to shift the narrative of ''ONLINE'' away from current series protagonist Ichiban Kasuga to Goda as of March 2020, Takeuchi explained in an interview with ''
Famitsu , formerly , is a line of Japanese Video game journalism, video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly f ...
'' that he wanted to explore the story of a protagonist who is very different in temperament, and who is so strong he could effortlessly plough through his enemies. While other characters such as Shun Akiyama and Yoshitaka Mine were considered as candidates to succeed Kasuga, Takeuchi ultimately decided on Goda as he is a fan favorite whom he already has ideas for, and that the previous ''ONLINE'' sub story event involving the character was very well received, noting that the game itself was conceived as a form of
fan service , fanservice or Example: A frame (numbered "25") from the English opening sequence of '' New Cutie Honey'', in which character Danbei Hayami fires a Rocket Punch as main character Honey Kisaragi lies topless and prone in the background, i ...
for longtime fans who might want to see more of Goda's adventures. At a panel event for ''ONLINE'' at the
Tokyo Game Show , commonly known as TGS, is a video game trade fair and convention held annually in September in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publication ...
2019, panel members drew attention to the character's enduring popularity and his status as Kiryu's most impressive rival in the series as the reason for his renewed prominence, and noted that there are further opportunities to explore the character's backstory as he has not been featured much in franchise media outside of ''Dead Souls''.


Appearances


''Yakuza 2'' / ''Yakuza Kiwami 2''

In ''Yakuza 2'', Goda's initial introduction sees him conspiring with a gangster over the telephone to create chaos in Kamurochō (神室町), a fictionalized version of the real life
Kabukichō is an entertainment district in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. Kabukichō is considered a red-light district with a high concentration of host and hostess clubs, love hotels, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, and is often called the . Shinjuku Golde ...
district in
Shinjuku, Tokyo , officially called Shinjuku City, is a special ward of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the northern half of the busiest railway station in the world ( Shinjuku Station) as well as the Tokyo Metropol ...
. Kiryu encounters Goda for the first time in a
cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, casino, hotel, restaurant, or nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining or drinking, ...
establishment at Sōtenbori (蒼天堀), based on Osaka's real-life
Dōtonbori is a district in Osaka, Japan. Known as one of Osaka's principal tourist and nightlife areas, the area runs along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi, Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city's Chūō-ku, O ...
entertainment district, where he is drinking with his henchmen, and later lashes out and assaults one of them after he calls Goda the "Dragon of Kansai". Goda stages a coup when Kiryu meets his father Jin Goda at the Omi Alliance headquarters and attempts to broker a peace deal, and kidnaps his father and Daigo Dojima, wanting to start a war between the Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance. It is later revealed that Goda is the son of the Jingweon boss and his wife Suyeon, and that Kaoru is his half-sister. He wants revenge against Tojo Clan for the massacre of the Jingweon 26 years ago; to accomplish this, he collaborates with the Jingweon to destroy the Tojo and the city they operate in, though later states he hates associating with the Jingweon and has no interest in their agenda. At the end of the game, Kiryu and Goda fight on the top of the unfinished Kamurocho Hills. After his defeat, and the killing of Jin and Terada, he gets up and charges Takashima with a gun. Goda is shot multiple times before finally shooting Takashima in the head. He and Kiryu then have a final showdown, explaining to the protesting Sayama that both he and Kiryu are going to die anyway, either by succumbing to their wounds or the bomb exploding, which ends with a
cross-counter A counterpunch is a boxing punch that immediately follows an attack launched by an opponent. It exploits the opening created in an opponent's guard. Technique Counterpunchers are tactical, fighters who find the middle of offence and defence as w ...
. He then dies in Kaoru's arms.


Other appearances

In the zombie-oriented spinoff '' Yakuza: Dead Souls'', which follows an alternate timeline, Goda has been expelled from the Omi Alliance after losing his fight with Kiryu, and drifts around before settling down at a takoyaki shop as an apprentice to its cantankerous owner. He was set to succeed the owner as proprietor of the business, before returning to Kamurocho during the zombie outbreak, and discovers that the Omi Alliance is involved with the outbreak's origins. An adolescent Goda makes a brief appearance in ''
Yakuza 0 ''Yakuza 0'' is a 2015 action-adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. It is the sixth main installment in the ''Yakuza (franchise), Yakuza series'' and a prequel to the Yakuza (video game), original game. It was r ...
'', which takes place 18 years prior to the events of ''Yakuza 2'', as part of an optional sub story encounter with protagonist
Goro Majima Goro Majima (Japanese: 真島 吾朗, Hepburn: ''Majima Gorō'') is a main character in Sega's ''Like a Dragon'' video game franchise, previously known as ''Yakuza'' outside of Japan. He first started off as one of the secondary antagonists of ...
, where he starts fights with high school students and steals their pants as the "Bontan Hunter". Majima would encounter Goda years later in ''
Yakuza Kiwami 2 ''Yakuza Kiwami 2'' is a 2017 action-adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. It is a remake of the 2006 video game '' Yakuza 2'' for the PlayStation 2, the second remake in the ''Yakuza'' series following 2016's ...
'', where Goda is impressed by Majima's integrity after he announced the disbandment of the Majima Family as atonement to appease the strained relations between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance. Goda would also briefly run into Kiryu later on in another sub story, right after a fortune teller tells the latter that he will run into a young man whose fate would be entangled with his, foreshadowing the events of Yakuza 2. In 2020, Goda is featured as the central character of a prequel story arc in the mobile title ''Ryu ga Gotoku ONLINE'' (龍が如く ONLINE, lit. "Like a Dragon ONLINE"), a
freemium Freemium, a portmanteau of the words "free" and "premium", is a pricing strategy by which a basic product or service is provided free of charge, but money (a premium) is charged for additional features, services, or virtual (online) or physical ( ...
collectible card game spin-off exclusive to Japan. Goda is mentioned in the 2023 sequel game '' Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name'', which is set after '' Yakuza 6: The Song of Life'' and before, during, and after the events of '' Yakuza: Like a Dragon''. During ''Like a Dragon Gaiden'', Goda's battle with Kiryu is recreated in the title's in-game battle coliseum.


In other media

Ryuji Goda is portrayed by D2 band member Sho Jinnai for the stage play adaptation of the first ''Yakuza'' game. Directed by Takahiro Tamura, the stage play ran with eight performances from April 24 to April 29, 2015, at the Akasaka ACT Theater in Akasaka, Minato Ward in
Tokyo, Japan Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
. Goda's inclusion in the play's narrative was not an adaptation of any existing game media as the character does not appear in the first game or its
remake A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same s ...
; notable original content from the play included a confrontation scene between Goda and Akira Nishikiyama. Goda appears as a bonus character in '' Binary Domain'', and in the PSP game '' Taiko no Tatsujin Portable DX'' series alongside other ''Yakuza'' series protagonists as part of a crossover event. The spin-off title '' Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin!'' and its remake ''Like a Dragon: Ishin'' feature Saigo Kichinosuke, the commander of the Satsuma domain's army, whose in-game avatar is identical in appearance to Goda. In '' Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name'', Goda is alluded to multiple times, with Kiryu having to battle against a lookalike of Goda in the Castle's Coliseum arena as part of the main story. A substory mission also involves Kiryu hunting down a revived Go-Ryu Clan, which hired various fake Goda to spread the rumor of his survival and return. As part of the Coliseum activity, players can also hire a fighter named Li'l Ryuji Goda, who is another lookalike that bears striking resemblance to the real Goda.


Reception

Ryuji Goda has been very positively received, both as a charismatic villain which contrasts Kiryu's more reserved spirit, and for his character development in the spin-off sequel ''Dead Souls''. ''Kotaku's'' Heather Alexandra described him as the glue that binds the disparate elements of ''Kiwami 2'' together. They formed the view that the final battle between Goda and Kiryu is among the series’ finest moments. Jonathan Logan from ''RPGFan'' called Goda "a dark reflection of Kiryu", who possesses "layers of complexity and emotional depth that most villains lack", noting that his commanding presence sets the ideal standard for villains in the ''Yakuza'' series. Kelly Pask from ''PCGamesN'' consider Goda a highlight of the series, an unpredictable villain who relishes in causing chaos and violence for the sake of it, and said that "it feels like a make or break moment for Kiryu’s character" when they finally collide. Liana Ruppert from ''
Game Informer ''Game Informer'' (''GI'' is an American monthly Video game journalism, video game magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of video games and video game console, game consoles. It debuted in August 1991, when the video game reta ...
'' said that Goda's immense honor and fierce loyalty are his real redeeming qualities, and praised Masami Iwasaki's voice work as inimitable for imparting a sense of ''
gravitas () was one of the ancient Roman virtues that denoted "seriousness". It is also translated variously as weight, dignity, and importance and connotes restraint and moral rigor. It also conveys a sense of responsibility and commitment to the task ...
'' to Goda's characterization. Phil Kollar, also from ''Game Informer'', found Goda's motivation for hunting down undead monsters in ''Dead Souls'' as an act of honor and reconciliation interesting, since he had a hand in their creation. Chris Schilling from ''Eurogamer'' commented that the depiction of Goda running a takoyaki stall in ''Dead Souls'' is an occasion where the series "treats something ridiculous in such an earnest manner that it's impossible not to warm to it". Conversely, Peter Glagowski from ''Destructoid'' said that ''Kiwami 2'' tries to build up Goda as a menacing villain with an interesting backstory, but paradoxically does not afford him adequate screen time; as a result, he found the character to be unconvincing as an "ultimate threat" to Kiryu. Hayden Dingman from ''PCWorld'' agreed that Goda is underutilized, but is nevertheless a fantastic foil to Kiryu. In a 2013 popularity poll, held on the franchise's official website between July 9 to August 8, 2013, Goda was voted the 9th most popular character. In a 2018 poll organized to promote ''ONLINE'', Goda was voted the 6th most popular character.


Promotion and merchandise

Goda has been subject to various promotional campaigns and merchandise, which often features his signature golden yellow dragon tattoo as a motif or theme. Following the announcement of Goda as the fourth and final playable character for ''Dead Souls'', a large poster of him was erected across the east exits of the
Shinjuku , officially called Shinjuku City, is a special ward of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the northern half of the busiest railway station in the world ( Shinjuku Station) as well as the Tokyo Metropol ...
branch of
Don Quijote Don, don or DON and variants may refer to: Places *Don (river), a river in European Russia * Don River (disambiguation), several other rivers with the name * Don, Benin, a town in Benin * Don, Dang, a village and hill station in Dang district, G ...
, a shop that is featured throughout the series as a tie-in. To promote the Japanese launch of ''Kiwami 2'' for
PlayStation 4 The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013, in ...
, in late-2017 series publisher SEGA collaborated with food delivery website ''Takumen.com'' to offer character-themed
ramen is a Chinese noodle dish popularized in Japan. It includes served in several flavors of broth. Common flavors are soy sauce and miso, with typical toppings including , nori (dried seaweed), menma (bamboo shoots), and scallions. Ramen h ...
dishes for delivery orders and at select ramen noodle eateries for a limited time period. One of the dishes is a variant of the miso ramen inspired by Goda: the ramen's chashu topping is prepared to resemble Goda's yellow dragon motif in appearance, while the spicy flavour and foamy texture of the ramen broth is supposed to evoke his personality.


Further reading

*


Notes


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goda, Ryuji Fictional Korean people in video games Fictional crime bosses Fictional criminals in video games Fictional martial artists in video games Fictional murderers Fictional swordfighters in video games Fictional yakuza Fictional Zainichi Korean people Male characters in video games Orphan characters in video games Video game bosses Video game characters introduced in 2006 Yakuza (franchise) characters