Kazuma Kiryu

Kazuma Kiryu (桐生一馬) is a character from Yakuza series, making his debut on the first Yakuza game as the main protagonist.

Profile
A former member of the Tojo Clan, a criminal organization based in Kamurocho, Tokyo. He has a tattoo of a dragon on his back and his been called the "Dragon of Dojima".

Although nominally he's a "tough guy", his strong sense of duty leads some to judge him as an easy mark. Still, his rugged masculinity and fighting strength have also won him many fans, and he is one of the most charismatic residents of Kamurocho.

An orphan, Kazuma was raised in the Sunshine Orphanage. It was there he started down the criminal path. After taking the rap for a murder perpetrated by his childhood friend Akira Nishikiyama, Kazuma spent 10 years in prison. He was released only to find the Tojo Clan in chaos. After a chance meeting with Haruka, the "10 Billion Yen Girl", he too was pulled into the conflict.

Once the crisis was resolved, Kazuma found himself with the title of Chairman of the Tojo Clan, but he immediately relinquished the position and left to establish the Sunshine Orphanage in Okinawa, where he now raises a group of orphans.

Biography
Born on June 17, 1968, Kiryu lost his parents at a young age and was raised in the Sunflower Orphanage where he met Akira Nishikiyama ("Nishiki"). During their time at the orphanage, the two became best friends and sworn brothers.

Shintaro Kazama, Captain of the Dojima Family and later Patriarch of the Kazama Family, became the foster father of both Kiryu and Nishiki by virtue of his ownership of the orphanage. Kazama took these parenting duties seriously, raising Kiryu like his own son. When Kiryu graduated from junior high school, with Kazama's support and guidance, he and Nishiki were introduced into the Dojima Family, the Tojo Clan's most powerful subsidiary.

By the time Kiryu was 27 years old, he had managed to significantly climb the ranks of the Family. The dragon tattoo on his back earned him the nickname "The Dragon of Dojima" (堂島の龍 Dōjima no Ryū). Kiryu had planned on starting his own subsidiary group within the Family, but those plans were thwarted when he took the blame for the murder of the Dojima Family Patriarch, Sohei Dojima, to protect Nishiki, and was imprisoned for ten years. Shortly before his release from prison, he received a letter from Kazama, prompting him to return to Kamurocho.

Early Life
One of Kiryu's earliest misadventures occurred on Christmas Eve in 1980, when Kiryu, out of concern for Kazama, followed Kazama to the scene of a raid on the Korean Jingweon Mafia. While there, Kiryu interrupted Kazama's negotiations with two Jingweon members. In the confusion caused by Kiryu's sudden appearance, Kazama was forced to protect Kiryu by killing one of the Jingweon.

Later, shortly after their graduations from high school, Kiryu and Nishiki aged out of the Sunflower Orphanage. Tempted by Shintaro Kazama's wealth, influence, and fame, the two asked him to be inducted as members of the Tojo Clan. However, they were violently rebuffed with fight in an attempt to dissuade them from a life of crime. Because of their determination and resolve during this fight, Kiryu and Nishiki were allowed to join the Dojima Family.

Yakuza 0
At the time of Yakuza 0, Kiryu is 20 years old and is working as a debt collector for the Dojima Family. The main plot of the game is triggered by the murder of a man in the Empty Lot. Because Kiryu had recently collected a debt from this man, Keiji Shibusawa, Daisaku Kuze, and Hiroki Awano (the three Lieutenants of the Dojima Family, and therefore Kiryu's superiors) blame him for the murder. However, Kiryu learns that the man had died from a gunshot wound, and not from the simple beating that Kiryu had given him. This motivates Kiryu to attempt to prove his innocence, rather than simply taking the blame and spending time in prison, as was demanded by his superiors.

During this time, Shintaro Kazama, who is at the time of Yakuza 0 the Captain (or second in command) of the Dojima Family, is in prison for an unrelated incident. Sohei Dojima, the Dojima Family Patriarch, promises the three Lieutenants that anyone who can complete a special task for him would be awarded Kazama's post. Specifically, Sohei instructs his lieutenants to discover and bring to him the owner of the Empty Lot. To reclaim his honor with the clan, Kiryu is instructed to find this owner.

However, Kiryu cannot stomach giving Kazama's post to any of the three Lieutenants, and requests that he instead be expelled from the Dojima Family. After a fight with Kuze, who wants Kiryu executed for what he views as insubordination, Sohei agrees to expel Kiryu.

After his expulsion, Kiryu accepts an invitation to meet with Tetsu Tachibana at the latter's office. Tachibana informs Kiryu that his company, Tachibana Real Estate, and the Dojima Family are having an all-out war over the purchase of the Empty Lot. This lot is standing in the way of a major redevelopment project planned in Kamurocho - the building that would become the Millennium Tower. Kiryu agrees to side with Tachibana in this war and begins a new life as an employee of Tachibana Real Estate.

In this role, Kiryu works with Jun Oda, a more senior employee of this company, to attempt to locate the owner of the Empty Lot. Various Dojima Family members are not pleased that Kiryu has aligned himself with the enemy, and they employ a variety of intimidation tactics on Kiryu, from blackmail to attempted murder. This intimidation goes so far that Nishiki is moved to take Kiryu out of the city to mercy kill him, believing that would spare Kiryu from an inevitable painful death. After Nishiki is unable to go through with this plan, Kiryu returns to the city as a hunted man, with his apartment burned down and Dojima's men searching for him at every turn. Kiryu is eventually cornered by Kuze and forced into another battle before being rescued by Tachibana and escaping Kamurocho.

Kiryu, a hunted man knew they will never be able to leave Tokyo without some form of insurance so Tachibana appeals to the Tojo Clan with the promise of retrieving the land for them in exchange for Kiryu's safety. This allows Kiryu to work with Oda to go to Soutenboori to find the landowner in the Camilla Grove. There they meet Masaru Sera who has Makoto Makimura waiting for them and imparts her with a walking stick as they drive out the city. However, by then Shibusawa has already caught wind of the situation through Nishitani and after disposing of the loose end in the Kijin family attempts to kill Kiryu and Makoto in the car chase of Osaka's highways. While taking a breather, Oda was revealed to be a traitor and was nearly killed by him if not for Makoto's cane being a concealed blade that leaves Oda vulnerable as Kiryu leaves with Makoto and lets Oda die for his betrayal of the Tachibana family.

Returning home at last, he keeps Makoto in hiding and reveals the information to Kashiwagi and Nishikiyama as he goes back to pick up Tetsu, however they were soon outted by the Dojima who have finally found them both and nearly killed by Lao Gui. Seeing no other option he hands himself over to Dojima's custody and Tetsu was tortured by Yoneda. Kiryu comes to Tachibana's rescue only to see him die in his arms and brings his corpse to his sister.

After the failed reunion, he was contacted again by Sera who reveals that now Shibusawa has found Makoto and proven that the land belongs to her as it would upset the balance in Kazama's favor. However the Dojima family rewarded Kazama's position to Shibusawa for finding the landowner as Shibusawa now begin an all out purge of the Kazama family, Kiryu and Nishikiyama included. Fighting off the men sent to kill them and Kazama's loyalists he faces Kuze one last time who reveals Shibusawa intended for Makoto to survive so he can chase them down to the Consortium's HQ as they would launch a raid with the intention to kill Makoto and cement his authority. Kiryu and Nishikiyama head there alone to find Shibusawa as they were rescued by Kashiwagi. Kiryu eventually faces Shibusawa who intended to make his mark by killing Kiryu as they face off with Kiryu emerging victorious. Kiryu in his anger savagely beats up Shibusawa for the deaths of Oda and Tetsu and countless others as he was stopped from making the killing blow on Shibusawa. With most of the Dojima family defeated Kiryu has emerged victorious.

A couple of days after the incident, Kiryu was finally cleared of all charges as he makes his decision to return to the Dojima under renewed oaths. Celebrating with Nishikiyama, he makes the change from the standard Tojo clan suit to his signature red and white suit as the Dragon of Dojima.

Yakuza/Yakuza Kiwami
27 years old, Kiryū has just completed his final job as member of Dojima Family collecting money from Peace Finance Company. In several days, he is to be promoted to have his own small clan, Kiryū Family which will be working as a small division of the Kazama family. To celebrate his promotion, he, along with Akira Nishikiyama, Yumi Sawamura, and Reina threw a party at Serena.

However, on the following morning, Kiryū was informed that Yumi has been kidnapped by Patriarch Dojima. By the time Kiryu arrived at the scene, Nishikiyama was already there. He murdered Boss Dojima and Yumi went into a deep shock. Knowing Nishikiyama's younger sister was in a hospital bed, Kiryu volunteered to take the fall for Nishikiyama, allowing the other two to escape.

10 years later, now 37 years old and after his release in December 2005, Kiryū returned to Kamurocho for answers and was told to search for Yumi. However, what was waiting for him was an unfriendly welcome by Nishikiyama. On top of that, the Tojo clan was also in disarray from losing 10 billion yen, which was stolen from a safe after the 3rd Chair-Man of the Tojo Clan, Masaru Sera, was assassinated.

Kiryū finds himself in the middle of the incident during the funeral of Chairman Sera, being accused for attempted murder of Shintaro Kazama. While on the run, a mysterious 9-year-old girl named Haruka appears before him during in the wake of the incident. She then comes to rely on him as they search for her mother, who was also being targeted by Tojo Clan for unknown reasons.

However, there was a glimmer of light welcoming Kiryū. Makoto Date, Inspector from Kamurocho Police Department's fourth division, agreed to work together with Kiryū in exchange for the truth behind the incident which happened 10 years ago.

The odd team of a former Yakuza, a dishonored inspector, and a 9-year-old girl, search for who or what is behind all of the incidents that take place in the middle of Kamurocho.

Yakuza 2
It has been a year since, Kiryū became 4th Chairman of Tojo clan, resigned from Tojo Clan on same day, and decided to say farewell to his Yakuza-life to live in peace with Haruka.

Now, Kiryu is 38 years old when the fifth Chairman of the Tojo Clan, Yukio Terada, is assassinated on December 15, 2006. Kazuma Kiryū wants Sohei Dojima's son, Daigo, to take the clan's leadership and prevent an upcoming yakuza families war between Tojo Clan of the Kanto region and Omi Alliance of the Kansai region, which was Terada's wish.

But the young man called Daigo Dojima does not want such a responsibility. Kiryū convinces him to travel to Sotenbori, Osaka. Here he encounters a new enemy named Ryuji Goda, also known as the Dragon of Kansai who is none other than the son of the 5th Chairman of Omi Alliance, Jin Goda.

Ryuji's father wants to avoid unnecessary bloodshed with war and makes preparation for a peace treaty. However, Ryuji does not wish for peace and neither does the majority of members of Omi Alliance, and decides to interrupt the treaty by starting a riot.

At the same time, the Osaka Police Department assigned Kaoru Sayama, an investigator from the police department's fourth division to watch/protect Kiryū from escalating incidences, but got caught up in the riot herself.

The former Yakuza and Female Inspector are now working together to prevent the war between two of the biggest Yakuza clans, as well as a mysterious Shadow group who seems to be working behind the scenes for some other motivation.

Yakuza 3
Kiryū is now 40 years old, and he and Haruka have moved to Okinawa after the feud with the Omi Alliance and run an orphanage called Asagao by the beautiful beach.

While their lives were peaceful, it only lasted for a few months when their orphanage received an eviction notice from a local Yakuza family, the Ryudo Family, who owns their land. Kiryū has decided to personally confront the local Yakuza on his own to understand the meaning of the eviction. Despite the clan's threat, Kiryū's strength was superior even to their strongest Rikiya Shimabukuro on streets of Okinawa. Afterward, Kiryū won the verbal charismatic battle with Boss Nakahara of Ryudo Family to demand to leave the land alone.

Several days later, Rikiya arrives at the Sunshine Orphanage for a request. Rikiya informs his boss Nakahara's adopted daughter Saki has been kidnapped by her biological mother who could be tied to their rival family; Tamashiro Family. Rikiya begged for Kiryū's assistance to calm his boss Nakahara down and some how defuse this situation.

After talking with Nakahara who was drunk and filled with sorrow, understanding the situation Kiryū raided into Tamashiro headquarter on his own defeating every member of Tamashiro clan and rescued Saki.

When Kiryū has returned to headquarter of Ryudo Family after the rescue, Daigo Dojima, now 6th Chairman of Tojo Clan, walks into Ryudo Family, which surprises both Kiryū and Nakahara. Daigo did acknowledge that it was Tojo Clan's job to research land and productivity of Okinawa for the sake of military base expansion and hotel/resort expansion. For this job, Tojo clan did hire local Go-Ji-Dan-Tai (basically temporary group that is not directly connected to Tojo-clan, but just to do a small job) however, he was informed that their method was very severe and he has personally traveled to Okinawa to put stop to it including Ryudo Family and Tamashiro Family.

Daigo and Nakahara who finally came to his true senses agreed that he will not touch Kiryū's orphanage land for the time being, and the peaceful life to Asagao returned.

But 6 months later, another incident takes place. Nakahara was shot by a man who resembles Kiryū's mentor Shintaro Kazama and the deed to the land was also stolen from Ryudo Family's office. In Tokyo, Daigo Dojima was shot by a man who also resembles Kazama according to Kashiwagi, who requested his presence back in Kamurocho.

How could the dead man Kazama Shintaro exist in 2 places, Tokyo and Okinawa almost same time? Where did the deed to the land go? Who is behind all of this incident who is pulling this trick? Is this someone from Tojo clan who is trying to start the process of military base and resort expansion again?

Yakuza 4
While still running the Sunshine orphanage, one day Kiryū and Haruka found a man who is washed up onto the beach of their home. The man has a tiger tattoo on his back and calls himself Suzuki and, after being nursed back to health, requests money to travel to Kamurocho. Kiryū suspected this man was an escaped convict and initially, resists his request. But after Haruka convinces him otherwise, Kiryū sent him with clothes and money to Kamurocho after learning the man's true name is Saejima.

A few days later, another man washes up on the beach. This man was Hamazaki Goh, the man who stabbed Kiryū in the stomach with a knife one year ago. Despite their terrible history and strong protest from Haruka, Kiryū nurses him back to health. When Hamazaki recovers, he reveals that he and Saejima escaped together from prison, and the prison he was staying in is a stronghold of all of the underworld money laundering and corruption by using all of top criminals as their pawns by making inside deals. In the document that Hamazaki had with him, it was revealed that there was a transaction from Kyohei Jingu's account for a sum of 10 billion yen, the exact amount of money that was lost from Tojo Clan back in 2005. It was also revealed that Ueno Seiwa Clan was planning on stealing Kamurocho Hills project from Tojo Clan and selling all of them to an unknown group.

Then Kiryū meets another person in town. Her name is Saejima Yasuko, who was looking for her brother who was transferred in Okinawa. Kiryū suspected something was at work in Tojo clan, and before things get out of control he decided to leave to Kamurocho to figure out what is going on.

Yakuza Dead Souls
In Kiryu's chapter, he's first seen walking towards a small rally in front of a bordering wall between the safe zone and quarantine zone. After a futile attempt at calling Haruka, two dump trucks charged past him at high speed and crashed into the wall, much to the anger of one of the riot police. He then walks past the damaged wall to the quarantine zone and found himself a small mob of zombies and proceeded to fight them bare-handed. After defeating them, Kiryu instantly remembers Haruka's words that Kamurocho is falling apart.

The next scene shifts to Okinawa, where Kiryu received a letter which states that the headmaster of the school that Haruka attend is retiring and invites Haruka to her farewell party. Haruka heads for Tokyo to attend the invitation.

Returning to the zombie outbreak, Kiryu's surprised that the zombies are still pretty much alive after trying hard to fend them off. Not so long after, a female SDF soldier named Asagi took Kiryu to a safe spot at the Underground Mall, where she told that she was surprised seeing Kiryu survived without a gun. She offered him a handgun, which Kiryu declined. Kiryu told her that he's looking for Haruka, and the soldier told Kiryu to investigate Kamurocho Hills, where a group of people are holed up and set a barricade. A short while later, a gunshot sound is heard and Kiryu promptly followed her to the underground car park complex to locate a civilian, who turns out to be Nagahama, who went to Kamurocho to look for Kiryu. Unfortunately, both were too late, and Nagahama turned into a zombie shortly after succumbing from his injury. Asagi initially tried to shot the zombified Nagahama, but Kiryu prevented her from doing so and decided to fight him bare-handed with futile results. After knocking down the zombified Nagahama, Asagi pulled her gun again, but Kiryu stopped her and took her gun and performed what appears to be a mercy kill to Nagahama before heading to Kamurocho Hills.

After exiting the basement car park, Hasegawa met Kiryu and told him a few things, namely the zombie outbreak and an arms dealer named Kamiyama. After meeting him, Kiryu received a message about a back door at Pink Street and the recently quarantined establishments.

Having been equipped with weapons from Kamiyama, Kiryu and Asagi now made their way to Kamurocho Hills. Inside, Asagi realized that the place is swarming with zombies, but Kiryu suggests to go inside to see what's what. After reaching the supermarket at the 2nd floor, Asagi and Kiryu encounter a now-zombified Hiroshi Hayashi, a former Omi Alliance yakuza. Much to Asagi's fear, there are also zombified SDF soldiers along with the zombified Hayashi. Asagi felt saddened after defeating the zombified SDF soldiers. Kiryu tried to approach her, but was interrupted by a suspicious noise that turns out to be Majima.

Outside the tower, Kiryu and Majima had a short talk, where Kiryu revealed that the invitation was fake and only meant to lure Kiryu out and that Haruka's kidnapped at the moment. Majima told Kiryu that a man named Nikaido of the Omi Alliance took Haruka and caused the zombie outbreak in Kamurocho. A little while later, Asagi bid farewell to Kiryu and asked about the survivors. Majima told her that the survivors are evacuated to Purgatory and that Haruka might be there as well. Later on, Kiryu and Asagi made it into the Purgatory, where Kiryu met Akiyama, where Akiyama told about a man named Nikaido and that The Florist has a new lead about the zombie outbreak, which is a Japanese-American man who goes under the alias of DD and a popular figure in the arms trading business. He explained that DD's busy weaponizing a certain bacteria that he recently found and that the Omi Alliance is on a revenge against Tojo in general and Kiryu in particular. However, during the reveal, one of the Florist's goons spotted zombies coming from the sewers. Kiryu and Akiyama managed to fend off the zombies while the Florist secure the Purgatory's inhabitants and head for the sewer's exit with Asagi. Outside, the exit leads them to a public park, where the three encountered a gargoyle-like prototype. After defeating the prototype, Daigo encountered Kiryu and told him about a master gunsmith in Kamurocho, located in Kurogane Building on Senryo Avenue. Along the way, they found an APC and used it to their advantage.

Inside the building, Kiryu met Ryuji Goda, who told Asagi that it was Kiryu who caused Goda to have a prosthetic arm. A short while later, the Florist phoned Kiryu, telling that Nikaido's hiding in the penthouse in Millennium Tower, along with Haruka and DD. After the phone call, the gunsmith gave Kiryu a heavy rifle and proceeded to Millennium Tower with Goda.

At the tower, they faced Hayashi, now a zombified prototype. After defeating him, Kiryu's surprised that Hayashi still recognizes him even in zombie form. The scene cuts to a flashback where Hayashi got shot by Nikaido and received the mutagen from DD.

At the penthouse, Goda and Kiryu faced Nikaido and prompted him to release Haruka, which he did. However, when Haruka was running towards Kiryu, two mutants approached both Kiryu and Goda, forcing both men to fight both mutants. After defeating the mutants, Nikaido admitted defeat and was about to be killed by Goda, but then DD turned and infected him with the mutagen, turning him into a mutant and making Kiryu and Goda having to fight him. Initially, the fight went well, with Nikaido showing signs of defeat, but then the mutagen evolved, causing him to transform into a gigantic mutant and destroying the penthouse in the process. In an attempt to save Haruka, Goda hold himself against the rubble while Kiryu proceeds to fight the mutated Nikaido once again. In the middle of the fight, Asagi aided Kiryu by dropping two crates to him, one contains a bunch of grenades while the other contains an anti-tank missile.

Yakuza 5
Kiryū is now 44 years old. He has resigned from the orphanage job and now lives in Fukuoka on his own without Haruka, as a taxi driver at Nagasu Taxi Company. Kiryū has changed his name to Suzuki Taichi to hide his identity, and is living with a girl named Mayumi, but he is not in a romantic relationship with her.

One day while Kiryū was on the clock, Daigo approaches Kiryū's taxi and tells him about how Tojo clan will now sign a treaty with a very small clan in Fukuoka called Yamagasa Clan. There is strong protest from many executive officers of Tojo Clan, due to the fact that Yamagasa clan carries only 500 men, while Tojo clan is over 30,000 men. In addition, Tojo Clan has managed to flow in steady financial gain in last several years.

After having a chance encounter with Daigo, Kiryū decides to call it a day. However, he inadvertently ended up ticking off a rival taxi firm, so he must somehow make amends. Afterwards, he heads out on the town with his boss Nakajima, and the events of the night include touching conversations about how Kiryū got hired and brutal violence. The two workmates eventually head to a hostess club, where Nakajima's attempt to cow two hostile members of the Yamakasa group ends up with Kiryū being dragged into another fight. After the two head their separate ways, Kiryū heads back to his apartment to reflect on the events of the day. Suddenly, an unknown woman enters his apartment, and it's revealed to be one of the hostesses from the hostess club and has a chat with girl named Mayumi. After work the next day he is met by Yuu Morinaga and Masato Aizawa, members of the Tojo Clan who were running security for Daigo during his visit to Fukuoka. They inform Kiryuu that Daigo has gone missing and that the last person he had contact with was Kiryu. Aizawa and Morinaga show up at Kiryu's house the following day, having gotten into a brawl with Yamagasa men. They learn Aoyama has taken up being the interim chairman of Tojo clan.

While going to retrieve his boss Nakajima from a diner Kiryu is met by Kazuhiko Serizawa, an Osakan detective with the Organized Crimes Unit. He warns Kiryu that he needs to meet with Omi Alliance Lieutenant Watase unless Aizawa and Morinaga act first and cause a war. Kiryu meets with Watase who reveals he has no interest in Daigo and thus doesn’t know where he is, but he does reveal a lot of information was leaked by Aoyama. Kazuma rushes to the hotel where Madarame and Aoyama are only to find Madarame stabbed after trying to shoot Aoyama. Aoyama was planning to take over the Tojo Clan and thus frames Kiryu for attacking Madarame and shooting Morinaga. Kiryu fights his way out, but Aoyama sets off the explosives in the hotel and eliminates any evidence.

The following morning Kiryu finds Mayumi at his apartment who it turns out is Madarame's daughter and was tasked with watching Kiryu as a favor to Daigo to keep Kiryu's life peaceful. He reveals Daigo also was never abducted but has instead gone into hiding as he believed that Aoyama was making an attempt on his life. With Daigo sorting out affairs incognito, Madarame gives Kiryu a letter for Yahata. Kiryu meets with Yahata and shows him the letter ordering the dissolution of the Yamagasa Family. Yahata agrees but he's still intent on fighting the Tojo. Kiryu tears up the letter, saying that the Yamagasa need to remain intact to keep the peace in Fukuoka. As such, he has Yahata call up Aoyama demanding to meet at the docks for a war.

Instead of having the Yamagasa and Tojo fight, Kazuma proposes he take on Aoyama's forces by himself as that won’t be a war. He battles his way through Aoyama's men and savagely beats Aoyama as a warning. Aoyama confesses his ploy wasn’t to take over the Tojo but to lure Kiryu out of hiding. Before Aoyama can reveal his master's identity he's shot in the head by Morinaga who was in on the plan from the start. He admits to murdering Aizawa and declares that Kiryu go to Kamurocho for answers.

Two days later Kiryu meets with Serizawa who informs him they found Aizawa's brutalized body and wonders if Kiryu is going to Tokyo. Kiryu says he’ll follow his own path, but the detective tells him to listen to the news. On the car radio Kiryu hears that a murder victim has been found in Sapporo with it being none other than Goro Majima by this Kiryu got pretty pissed and made his decision to go to Kamuroch. Then Kiryu dons his grey suit and heads to Tokyo, bidding farewell to the photograph of the children at his orphanage.

As Kiryu arrives in Tokyo, he quickly realizes that he's being followed by none other than Baba who admits that he's an accomplice in the Omi Alliance's plan and that the main objective of the plan was to draw out Saejima and Kiryu due to them being seen as the pillars of the Tojo Clan. However, Baba is not working with Morinaga whose actions in Fukuoka were the doing of him and Aoyama. Currently three main families are vying for the Chairman position with the Watase, Katsuya, and another.

Then Baba and Kiryu see a broadcast saying Haruka's concert has been canceled, making Kiryu even more certain of Katsuya's guilt which Saejima and Aizawa also see. Kiryu tells Baba to relay a message to Haruka and heads off the Kamurocho Hills. Kiryu and Saejima fight their way through the Omi Alliance members separately until they reach Katsuya in his suite with Watase following after. On the roof of the hotel Katsuya admits he is not the mastermind, but had to trick Kiryu, Saejima, and Watase into showing up in order to lure out the culprit. Saejima fights Katsuya while Kiryu fights Watase. Both Kiryu and Saejima defeat Katsuya and Watase. Then Kiryu and Saejima fight and have a draw. They are then shot by Detective Serisawa who Watase and Katsuya say is Tsubasa Kurosawa, the Seventh Chairman of the Omi Alliance. Daigo shows up to intervene, but is shot by a traitorous Kanai. Then later, Akiyama and Shinada then meet with Kiryu and Saejima at New Serena, Akiyama coming to the conclusion that Majima, Katsuya, and Park worked behind the scenes to draw out Kurosawa and that they need to cancel Haruka's concert lest her life be in danger. Kiryu refuses to let that happen and the four plan a way to protect Haruka during her concert. Kurosawa is then met by Majima.

The Kurosawa's men, disguised as members of the Majima Family, arrive at Millennium Tower and begin opening fire. With Majima at the top of the tower and Haruka's concert underway Akiyama and Kiryu stay behind to fend off Kurosawa's men while Shinada and Saejima go through the tunnels to the Japan Dome with Shinada fighting Baba. Then later Kiryu gets a call and goes to the Tojo clan to find who is the culprit for taking over the clan and killing its members.

At Tojo Clan Headquarters Kiryu finds Aizawa who is Kurosawa's son, his legacy and the culprit. Kurosawa, panicking after his terminal diagnosis returns, wanted to leave Aizawa the entirety of the Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance as a legacy, though Aizawa is only interested in besting Kiryu in battle to prove who's stronger. After an arduous battle Kiryu emerges victorious despite his wounds opening.

At the concert Haruka confesses to her audience about her past and how Kiryu was previously a yakuza. She announces she's retiring from the entertainment industry before running out of the Japan Dome. Kiryu collapses in the snowy streets of Tokyo, but is found by Haruka, the two of them finally reunited.

Yakuza 6
After the events of Yakuza 5 in December 2012, 44-year old Kiryu is brought to the hospital after being severely injured when his wound opens up while fight and then defeating Aizawa. Kiryu was found almost unconscious by Haruka who bought him to the hospital and the police showed up to arrested Kiryu for assault on Yakuza in Kamurocho. But, Kiryu accepts the fate of being arrested after he woke up in the hospital because he wants to be a new man and wants to live peacefully with the children in Okinawa after he returns from prison 4 years later. In June 2013, now 45-years old, he is prison for the crimes he committed in the past and Haruka came to talk to Kiryu about the situation in the orphanage. After that, Kiryu was released from prison in 2016.

Upon returning to the orphanage, Kiryu learns that Haruka disappeared from the orphanage three years ago, in order to keep the orphans safe from the paparazzi who were spying on Haruka. This urges Kiryu to return to Kamurocho to found out what happened to Haruka. In order to do that, he tried to track down Shun Akiyama.

Kiryu first heads to Sky Finance, but he's nowhere to be found. After gathering enough leads, he finally found Akiyama's whereabouts: he's hiding in the sewers in order to avoid the Triads, who have been on his tail due to his connection to the yakuza, especially Tojo Clan. Upon finding Akiyama, Kiryu was greeted with a bunch of Triads, making Akiyama suspect that he's been followed. Both managed to defeat the Triads in a fight.

After exiting the sewers, Kiryu got a call from Date who informed that the police had found Haruka, who is being hospitalized after an accident, urging both men to go to the hospital, only for Akiyama to be prohibited to enter it due to his dirty appearance. Inside, Date told Kiryu that Haruka was protecting somebody which turned out to be her son, Haruto, much to his surprise.

Kiryu intended to take Haruto away with him, much to Akiyama's disagreement because it may harm both Kiryu and Haruto, since Akiyama prefer him to let the child services take care of him until Haruka regained consciousness, leaving him no choice but to fight him in the children's ward. Eventually, Akiyama accepted his intention, allowing Kiryu to take Haruto away. Later on, Kiryu was informed that the child services office lets him take care of Haruto under Date's personal guarantee.

The scene moves to New Serena where the bar's Mama lends a hand to take care of Haruto, while Date told Kiryu that the police have recovered Haruka's smartphone and that they revealed that Haruka was in Hiroshima for the last three years after managing to locate the location of one of her photo.

Kiryu heads for Hiroshima with Haruto, specifically to a small town named Onomichi. There, he encountered Tsuyoshi Nagumo, a member of a local yakuza family, and met Kiyomi Kasahara, owner of a local snack bar. Both Kiryu and Nagumo got into a fight after Nagumo got pissed at Kiryu acting like a yakuza rather than a civilian.

During the visit at the bar, Kiryu asked if Kiyomi knew Haruka, by which she responded no. Kiryu also revealed that the reason of his visit is to find Haruto's father. Upon hearing it, Kiyomi told him that there's an apartment that he can use to stay.

After beating Nagumo and returning to the bar, Kiryu asks Kiyomi if knew Haruka, which she denies, after which Kiryu reveals that he is also looking for Haruto's father. Kiyomi then tells him that there's an apartment where he can stay at, and calls Kazuaki Ino, who owns a small block of apartments. As Kiryu and Ino are walking towards the apartment, Ino reveals that he and Nagumo have both been crushing on Kiyomi, and how they fought each other to win over Kiyomi's love before Kiyomi left to Tokyo. They then arrive at the apartment, before Ino reminds him that he only did this because it was Kiyomi who asked. Kiryu thanks him and enters the apartment. A bit later, Kiryu changes Haruto's diapers, who then he starts crying and makes Kiryu think he must be hungry. Kiryu then goes out to look for some milk, which proves out to be quite difficult as it is night already and stores close down early in Onomichi. After running around for a while, Kiyomi comes over to help him. Kiyomi then explains that Haruto was actually tired and puts him to sleep. She then apologizes to Kiryu for lying to him, before revealing that Haruka had in fact been in Onomichi, and she was loved by the people of their community until she disappeared.

The next morning, Kiryu arrives at Kiyomi's bar; she asks Kiryu to play baseball. He accepts to play as substitute for a member who was unwell. Then Kiryu arrives to baseball background where he met Nagumo as usual he was very pissed and wanted to defeat him which he expressed it by injuring all of the Kazuaki's team named as Satomi Warriors. Then it was Kiryu's turn for batting. Nagumo very pissed threw a ball at Kiryu's face which he dodged in return Kiryu threw his bat at Nagumo's face which he dodged but with a shock in his face due to it being very unexpected. Then Kiryu came towards Nagumo. Then Matsunaga and Yuta teamed up with Nagumo to defeat Kiryu. After trouncing the belligerent players for foul. The Satomi Warriors acknowledges Kiryu's strength and ask if he wants to hang out with them, but he rejects because he wanted to find Haruto's father in return Kiyomi also rejected for going to the party.

Later, Kiryu went to Kiyomi's bar where Nagumo showed up again to fight Kiryu. As always, they went to the field to have a fight and Kiryu defeats him again. Kiryu said to Nagumo that he does not have time to fight him and tells him to pick on someone else. After Kiryu went to the Kiyomi's bar, the Masuzoe family ambushed Nagumo and gave him a good beating and dragged him to Kiyomi's bar to make him collect the bar's earnings. However Nagumo rejected taking money from Kiyomi. Then the Masuzoe family dragged him so they could beat him more to death. After this scene, Kiryu responded to Kiyomi that he's gonna get some fresh air and heads out to save Nagumo from Masuzoe's thugs. Defeating Masuzoe and his men, Kiryu gains the respect of Nagumo and is brought back to the Hirose Family office, where he is introduced to the patriarch before Tagashira tells them about trouble in Moreno and Kiryu follows him and Yuta there to fix the issue. Matsunaga is not pleased with the recent developments, but Kiryu picks up Haruto and from Kiyomi's bar and returns to his apartment.

The next day, he goes to the Hirose family office to ask about Haruka. Kiryu notices them react strangely when he shows them her picture and realizes they are keeping a secret from him. They all leave the office and, after he greets Hirose, Kiryu heads to Ryunan Shrine with Kiyomi, where he tells her he will wait until they are ready to talk about Haruka, as he has taken a liking to them. He leaves Haruto with her and heads to Moreno, where Matsunaga mentions the bar fight from the previous day landed him in trouble with the Yomei Alliance higher-ups. Kiryu offers to help him, but he says to stay out of it and tells Yuta and Tagashira to hold him in. After he beats the duo, he tells them he intends to help them out so they tell him about Haruka. Yuta says he could just beat them up, to which Kiryu jokingly replies that he did not think of that. After he beats Masuzoe's men at the Hirose Family office and talks to the Yomei Alliance captain Kanji Koshimizu, he returns to his apartment, where Nagumo meets him. Outside, Kiryu at last he learns that everyone knew of Haruka and her past but chose to keep the secret to themselves, but they don't know who Haruto's father is and directs him to Kiyomi, whom she worked for before she disappeared again.

Kiryu visits the office again the next morning, where Yuta changes Haruto's diaper and they all discuss the recent events. Kiryu leaves Haruto with them and heads to the ropeway station. One the way up, he reminisces about Haruka. At the top, Kiyomi tells him about Haruka's life there and tells him the day before she disappeared, she came to her with tears in her eyes. Kiryu guesses that's when Haruka became aware of her pregnancy. Before they can discuss Haruto's father, they are interrupted by Someya, who is there on a business trip and reveals he was with Kiyomi in the past. When he leaves, Kiryu decides to end their conversation as Kiyomi had been shaken up by the reunion. Kiryu returns to the Hirose family office and tells the Hirose Family what he learned, then Ino enters to tell them Kiyomi had been kidnapped. They discuss their course of action and Hirose gives them masks to sneakily break into the Tojo's residence for a rescue.

They begin the heist and eventually fight their way to the top floor, where Kiryu clashes with Someya after chasing him around. Someya reveals he has no tattoo on his back, as it is a hindrance in this day and age, to which Kiryu states a tattoo should represent the person and be a symbol for others to follow. Following Someya's defeat, he enters the room Kiyomi is in and meets Heizo Iwami and Tsuneo Iwami, and is taken on a boat to bear witness to an alliance between Someya and Koshimizu. Kiryu refuses, as doing so would be betraying the currently-arrested sixth chairman. Kiryu and the Hirose members return to the office, where they discuss the failed plan and Kiyomi states her suspicion of Shu Tatsukawa being Haruto's father, as she overheard a phone call where he was talking about an abortion. They discuss what they know about Tatsukawa and Yuta asks to go along with him to Kamurocho, as Tatsukawa was a long-time friend of his and he wanted to beat him up for what he presumably did to Haruka. Nagumo also decides to come along as staying with Kiyomi was too painful for him.

The three arrive in Kamurocho and search for a restroom after a parfait gives Yuta stomach issues. In a visit to the Tenkaichi Street Poppo Nagumo shows him a newspaper stating Daigo is being sent to prison. They try Stardust and are turned away by the new ownership, but meet Yuya who takes them to Kanrai. He tells them that Stardust was bought out by the Jingweon Mafia after struggling due to a slump in the entertainment industry and Kazuki is trying to raise funds to buy it back, and has no info on Tatsukawa. Joon-gi Han enters and burns the face of the man who turned them away before inviting them. On the way, they are fought by Jingweon members and Nagumo stays behind to fend them off. When they arrive, they see the changes made to Stardust and Han asks to fight in the new ring exchange for information on Tatsukawa. Kiryu steps in and defeats Han after Yuta fought in his sttead and was effortlessly beaten. Han shows respect after being defeated and tries to get information out of Kiryu, but concedes when reminded the promise was only for info on Tatsukawa. He learns he is on Senryo Avenue and remarks it is close to the site of Haruka's accident. When they regroup with Nagumo and arrive, they find Tatsukawa's rotting corpse.

Kiryu join the other two in Serena, having told Date the details, learning he is a suspect to Honjo, and that the Saio Triad may be involved. Akiyama calls Kiryu and directs him to APA hotel, then Kiryu fights men wearing Tojo Clan crests who were following him. He meets Akiyama then returns to Serena for Nagumo and Yuta before heading to Little Asia. Akiyama gives them masks and they sneak inside, eventually fighting the Saio Triad before Kiryu reaches and defeats Ed. Masuzoe arrives after Ed's defeat and reveals his loyalty to the Saio before being joined by the triad's leader, Big Lo. Lo orders his men to let them go after saying something in Chinese. Kiryu is told to meet Lo alone in Shangri-La.

Back at Serena, Date reveals they have little information surrounding Tatsukawa and Yuta tells them he understood what Lo was saying, that there is a secret in Onomichi that must be protected. Someya arrives, wanting to meet Lo. Kiryu accepts out of worry for Someya's actions had he refused. They head there and Someya states the soapland's decrepit state is due to Kiryu. At the top, they meet Lo, who Someya intends to kill, but Kiryu fights him, as Someya is the reason Daigo is behind bars. Someya leaves after being defeated and Lo states he is satisfied learning who Kiryu is. He tells him he has information on Tatsukawa, but does not need it as he is not Haruto's father. He receives a call from Yuta who tells him Hirose has kidnapped Haruto.

They immediately return to Hiroshima. Kiyomi fills them in on what happened and Kiryu tells her about his encounter with Someya, but she states he does not matter. They do some searching and Kiryu learns from a bar owner that Hirose is at Ryunan Shrine. Kiryu fights through the Yomei Alliance members also looking for Hirose, one of them being Koshimizu. Nagumo knocks him out with a bottle and, with the other Hirose Family members, joins Kiryu and heads to the shrine, where Hirose reveals his involvement with Haruka's second disappearance as well as Haruto's father: Yuta Usami.

Yuta confesses he and Haruka briefly dated and slept together once, but thought Tatsukawa was the father. Kiryu asks how Hirose knows this when  Yuta didn't. Masuzoe walks in and reveals Yuta is a heihaizi and the illegitimate son of Big Lo and the heir to the Saio Triad now that Jimmy Lo is dead. He states he and Tatsukawa were aware of Yuta and Haruka's tryst and pressured her into an abortion as they did not want Yuta to have heirs yet, but Haruka disappeared with Hirose's help. Tatsukawa lured her to Kamurocho after finding her and ran her over by accident. The Jingweon Mafia and Joon-gi Han arrive for Haruto. Kiryu fends them off while the Hirose Family try to keep Haruto away from them. He meets Yuta and they wait for Nagumo at the Hirose Family office. Nagumo arrives, informing them of Haruto's abduction by the Jingweon, and then telling them they have a boat they can give chase with. Yuta is reluctant to go, still processing the information he learned. Nagumo's attempt at disciplining him is stopped by Kiryu, who punches Yuta through the door of the office and chews him out for his unwillingness to save his son.

At the docks, Yuta arrives, having changed his mind and begging to join them, Kiryu accepting his apology. On the way, Hirose reveals how heihaizi were being smuggled into Onomichi and Matsunaga suspects Minoru Daidoji in involved with the secret of Onomichi. When they arrive, Hirose apologizes for hiding what he knew and told him Haruka intended to return to Okinawa with Haruto when she could confidently raise him. Kiryu swears he will retrieve him. He and the other Hirose Family members fight through the Jingweon members, Kiryu eventually being called by Han. Han states he will safely return Haruto if Yuta kills Big Lo, but Kiryu changes the deal to Haruto being returned if they fight alone. He defeats Han, who is killed by a hidden assassin after almost revealing the secret of Onomichi. Kiryu returns Haruto to Yuta and they all return to Onomichi soon after.

The group is now in the Hirose Family office, where Hirose reveals he knows Heizo Iwami personally, and that he does not plan for Tsuneo to inherit his dealings. He also states he does not know of the secret of Onomichi. Kiryu returns to his apartment, inviting Yuta along as he should be with his son. At the apartments, Yuta tells him he didn't have family ties until joining the Hirose Family, and how he could tell by her mannerisms that Haruka's upbringing was similar to his. He states he wants to go to Kamurocho to settle things with Lo to put Haruto out of danger, and Kiryu tells him he was planning the same thing. The next day, they inform the Hirose Family of their plan and head to Kamurocho, meeting with Date at Serena later. Yuta sneaks out during their discussion and Kiryu heads to Little Asia, receiving a phone call along the way from Nagumo telling him they found Yuta's will. Kiryu fights through a burning building and confronts Yuta at the top, telling him he will not allow him to let Haruto grow without a father. They leave with Big Lo in tow, who tells them Tsuneo had ordered Tatsukawa to take the child even though he recalled the order, and Hirose is pulling the strings behind the secret of Onomichi.

Lo wakes up at Serena and beckons Kiryu to the roof. Before he leaves, Date tells him that Haruka may wake up soon. Kiryu joins Lo on the roof and is handed a memory drive with the information he has on the secret on Onomichi, telling him he has little time left as he will be assassinated for dismissing Yuta as his heir before leaving. Back downstairs, Yuta asks to join Kiryu's investigation at Onomichi because he cannot stand Lo's accusations against his patriarch, but Kiryu tells him he needs to be with Haruka. When Yuta insists, Date handcuffs him and takes him to the hospital. Kiryu returns and convinces the Hirose members to help him investigate Hirose. They are led to a shipyard and split off to fight Yomei members, Kiryu and Tagashira arriving at an open space when Hirose confronts them. Tagashira heads deeper while Kiryu fights and beats Hirose, eventually revealing the secret of Onomichi: the Yamato Mark II. Heizo arrive and explains that, while not operational, it is evidence of Daidoji's crimes and was used as leverage against him. Hirose is unable to kill his foster children and Heizo shoots him before departing. Hirose reveals he took them in after killing their parents and states he hoped they would be the ones to kill him, before he passes. Kiryu is shaken by Hirose's similarity to his own foster father Shintaro Kazama.

The Hirose Family, along with Kiyomi, mourn Hirose's death when Kiryu receives a call from Yuta that Haruka has woken up. He meeta Someya at the harbor after receiving a call from him. Someya leaves after telling him the Yomei Alliance is hunting him and the Hirose Family, and Sugai is looking for Haruka. Kiryu informs Yuta and learns from him that Haruto was able to stand by himself. He and the other Hirose members fight the Yomei Alliance and join him in heading to Kamurocho. When they arrive, Kiryu asks them to wait at Serena. They object, but Nagumo makes them comply. He heads to the hospital and reunites with Haruka for the first time in years. Yuta was about to give them space, but Kiryu tells him he is okay with him being there. He tells Haruka he thought he would lecture her for disappearing, but he is far too relieved to see her alive and well, and Haruka apologizes for her actions. He calls Someya after Akiyama arrives and learns that he should head to the Millennium Tower to face Tsuneo and Sugai. Someya asks if he is planning to kill them, Kiryu stating he was never a saint in response. Akiyama and Yuta head to Serena to wait for him and Kiryu tells Haruka he is taking Yuta, promising to bring him back safe, then expressing his pride in her and departing.

Kiryu returns to Serena, where Akiyama and the Hirose Family wait. They head to the Millennium Tower and fight their way up, with Yuta being stabbed near the summit and Akiyama staying behind to take care of him. Kiryu reaches the top alone, facing Someya who has seemingly betrayed him and finding that Sugai and Tsuneo are communicating by TV screen as they had already fled. After defeating Someya, Kiryu learns he turned because they had Kiyomi hostage. Tsuneo says he will spare her if Kiryu kills Someya, who stabs himself after Kiryu hesitates. Nagumo arrives in time to witness Someya's sacrifice being pointless, as Tsuneo had already finished counting down and has Koshimizu apparently shoot Kiyomi. Someya bleeds out, entrusting his daughter to Kiryu and Nagumo. Kiryu punches the screen in rage.

They return to Serena and mourn Kiyomi. Nagumo heads to the roof and tells the others to disappear for a while. Akiyama correctly guesses Kiryu was planning to Kill Iwami and Sugai and tells him he is willing to kill in his place. Kiryu joins Nagumo on the roof and they decide to head to where Tsuneo and Sugai are, alone, to not involve the others. They return to Onomichi and pay a visit to Snack Kiyomi before reaching the warehouse where their enemies wait. Kiryu defeats Koshimizu but is helpless as they reveal they had Haruka and Haruto taken hostage though Honjo. Tsuneo orders him and Nagumo to hold still if they don't want them killed. Sugai beats Kiryu with a pipe to no avail so Tsuneo punches him hard enough to bring him to his knees. The remaining Hirose Family arrive and rescue Haruka and Haruto. Kiryu stands up and tells "Little baby Iwami" he is about to understand the fight he picked. Kiryu defeats Tsuneo and refuses to show any mercy, but the latter orders Sugai to shoot the hostages. Kiryu punches him out cold and runs in front to Haruto, Haruka, and Yuta to take the bullets, protecting the three of them. Sugai shoots himself after realizing he has no way out. Kiryu lays in Yuta's arms and tells him to protect his new family. Haruka begs him to not die, but he tells her with a smile to bring Yuta and Haruto happiness. Then, he passes out.

In a hospital, he wakes up with an unnamed politician by his side and Date looking in from outside the room. The politician introduces himself as someone mentored by Daidoji and tells him of the uproar the Yamato Mark II's reveal has caused. He attempts to bribe Kiryu into silence, but Kiryu refuses. He uses his knowledge of Daidoji's ties to the battleship as leverage to make the politician accept his conditions: free Daigo from prison and forge his death certificate. Date barges in, attempting to dissuade him from this course of action as he will never see his loves ones again, but Kiryu affirms his decision, stating he will die for them if it meant keeping them safe. Near the end of 2016, Kiryu is officially declared dead.

Early 2017, one month after Tsuneo's defeat, Haruka has fully recovered and moved back to Okinawa with Yuta and Haruto, and Daigo is freed from prison, Kiryu having written him a letter to apologize for failing him as his father figure and telling him not to go to war with the Yomei Alliance. Daigo follows his wishes and approaches the Yomei with a pact of alliance. At Morning Glory Orphanage, Kiryu takes one last look at everything he built and quietly bids his loved ones a forever farewell. As Haruto takes his first steps to his family, Kiryu takes his final steps away from them and walks off to parts unknown.

Sega All-Star Heroes
Kiryu is the only character facing Yakuza series in the game.

Sega vs. Capcom
He is one of the characters from Sega side.

DC vs. Sega: Chaotic Justice
He is one of the characters from Sega side, his rival is Vigilante from DC Comics.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale 2 (TheProjectXZoneFan1997)
Kiryu is the only character facing Yakuza series in the game, his rival is Heihachi Mishima from Tekken.

Project X Zone 3: War of Infinite Worlds
Kiryu appears as a Pair Unit teaming up with Goro Majima.

Project X Zone 3: Sacred Destinies
Kiryu appears as a Pair Unit teaming up with Goro Majima.

Project X Zone III (RedTheHedgehog140)
Kiryu appears as a Pair Unit teaming up with Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue.

Project X Zone 3 (TenchiMuyoFan97)
Kiryu appears as a Solo Unit.

Heroes Infinity
He is one of the characters from Sega side.

Trivia

 * Since Yakuza 3, his face has been modelled after his voice actor, Takaya Kuroda.
 * In Yakuza 4, protagonists representing the 4 Eastern Gods. Kazuma Kiryu is obviously the Azure Dragon, as he is the most balanced of the characters and also the most wise. He also has the Dragon Tattoo.
 * YandereDev, creator of Yandere Simulator confirms that the creation of some things that we can do with Ayano Aishi aka Yandere Chan are based/inspired from Yakuza series, mostly from Kazuma Kiryu's gameplays in the franchise.