Yakuza 8 revealed via blurry off-screen video footage

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A very casual look at the new Yakuza game

Yakuza: Like a Dragon
(Image credit: Sega)

The first glimpse of Yakuza 8 has been unveiled by several off-screen camera shots.

Earlier today on July 19, Japanese publication Famitsu published the shots you can check out below. Those pictures are of the next Yakuza games, casually giving us our very first look at the follow-up to new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga's debut outing via some blurry off-screen photography.

What we can see in these shots are protagonist Ichiban sporting a brand new hairdo after his 80s-inspired afro in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, as well as returning sidekicks Nanba and Adachi, confirming that several members of the core group from Like a Dragon will be returning.

The new shots are supposedly part of a Famitsu article exploring the behind-the-scenes workings of developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio as it develops the next entry in the Yakuza franchise. Additionally, there's also the video just below, presented by MMA fighter Mikura Asakura touring the developer's offices, where the host reveals he'll actually be appearing in the new game.

This might be our first look at the new Yakuza games, but it's not the first time it's been openly discussed. In May 2021, just over half a year after Yakuza: Like a Dragon launched in the West, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio confirmed all future Yakuza games would be adopting the turn-based strategy battle system used by Like a Dragon.

Later in November, RGG Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that a new game in the Yakuza series was in active development, in the aftermath of previous studio head Toshihiro Nagoshi departing. There's no word on when this new game might launch, but if RGG Studio is showing it off to a publication, you've got to imagine a grand unveiling isn't too far off on the horizon.

Check out our upcoming PS5 games for a complete list of all the other titles coming to Sony's new-gen console. 

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.