Ichiban Kasuga is a dork. Honestly, that’s the secret sauce. Most RPG protagonists are these brooding, "save the world" archetypes who wouldn't stop to help a kitten unless there was a legendary sword involved. But in Yokohama, things are different. If you’ve spent any time playing the 2020 soft reboot of Sega’s long-running crime drama, you know that Yakuza Like a Dragon substories aren't just "side quests." They’re the emotional and comedic backbone of the entire experience.
They’re weird. Really weird.
One minute you’re dealing with the heavy political fallout of the "Grey Zone" and the next, you’re literally protecting a crawfish named Nancy from being turned into dinner. It shouldn't work. On paper, it sounds like tonal whiplash that would ruin any sense of immersion. Yet, it's exactly what makes Isezaki Ijincho feel alive. While the main plot is a Shakespearean tragedy about betrayal and patriarchal legacies, the substories are where the game breathes.
The Absurdity is the Point
You ever find yourself fighting a bunch of grown men in diapers?
In "Be My Baby," one of the more infamous Yakuza Like a Dragon substories, Ichiban stumbles into a patriarch who finds solace in acting like a literal infant. It’s uncomfortable. It’s hilarious. But then, the game does something Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is famous for: it makes it weirdly poignant. These men are under immense pressure in the criminal underworld, and this bizarre roleplay is their only escape. It’s a recurring theme. The game uses the absurd to mask genuine social commentary about loneliness and the fringe members of Japanese society.
Most games use side content as filler. Fetch five herbs. Kill ten goblins. Go here, talk to that guy, come back for a gold coin. That’s boring. Ichiban doesn't do "boring." Whether he’s helping an old man realize his "kimchi" is actually just spicy cabbage or trying to help a guy who forgot to wear clothes to a job interview, there is always a punchline or a gut-punch waiting at the end.
📖 Related: GTA SA Cheats Xbox: Why We Still Use Them Decades Later
How Yakuza Like a Dragon Substories Build the World
The map of Ijincho is big, but it’s the people that make it feel dense. You can’t walk ten feet without some guy in a suit crying about his lost mascot or a woman needing help with a giant vacuum cleaner. It sounds chaotic because it is. But these interactions serve a mechanical purpose too.
Completing these missions usually unlocks "Poundmates." This is basically the game's version of summons. You call a character you've helped on your smartphone, pay a fee, and they show up to deal massive damage or buff your party. It creates a closed loop where being a "Good Samaritan" actually makes you a better fighter. You aren't just helping Nancy the Crawfish because you're nice; you're doing it because Nancy will eventually come back and summon a swarm of her friends to pinch your enemies' faces off. It’s brilliant design.
Then you have "The Masked Murderer." This one starts like a horror movie but turns into a story about a guy who just wants to make good soup. Seriously. This subversion of expectations is a hallmark of the writing. The writers at RGG Studio know you expect a fight. They give you the fight, but they also give you a reason to care about the person you just punched.
The Heavy Stuff
It’s not all jokes and diapers, though. Some of these stories stick with you. Take "Forget Me Not." It’s a substory involving a girl and a girl who looks exactly like her. I won't spoil the ending, but it deals with grief and the way we hold onto the past in a way that feels incredibly grounded for a game where you can also fight a giant wrecking ball.
This is where Ichiban shines as a character. Unlike Kiryu, who was a stoic "Dragon," Ichiban is an "Employee of the Year" type who wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s an optimist. When he encounters a homeless man struggling with his past or a sex worker trying to find a way out of the industry, he doesn't judge. He listens. This empathy makes the Yakuza Like a Dragon substories feel like actual interactions rather than just checkboxes on a completion list.
A Few You Can't Afford to Miss
If you're rushing through the main story, you're doing it wrong. Stop. Slow down. Look for the white speech bubble icons on your map.
- Substory 40: Happiness Broker. This involves a guy who wants to spread joy. It’s a multi-part quest that really tests your patience but ends with a very "Yakuza" twist.
- Substory 7: Baby Don't Cry. As mentioned, the diaper guys. It’s a rite of passage for any fan.
- Substory 19: Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble. Ichiban has to help a guy get to a bathhouse without getting wet because he’s covered in soap. It’s a physics-based nightmare in the best way possible.
These aren't just flavor text. They often provide the best gear in the early to mid-game. More importantly, they give you the "Personality" points needed to unlock better jobs. You want to be a Hero? You need "Kindness." You want to be a Chef? You need "Style." You get these by interacting with the weirdos on the street.
The Strategy of the Grind
Let's talk about the Sujidex. Yes, it’s a Pokémon parody. Substory 2 introduces the "Sujimon Sensei," a man who wants you to catalog all the creeps and weirdos in the city. While it’s played for laughs, completing your Sujidex is actually tied to some of the most powerful rewards in the game.
Managing these side stories effectively means you never really have to "grind" in the traditional sense. If you do the substories as they appear, you’ll naturally level up Ichiban’s charisma, intellect, and confidence. This unlocks new areas of the map and better dialogue options. It’s a seamless integration of narrative and mechanics that most Western RPGs still haven't quite figured out.
Honestly, the main plot of Like a Dragon is great. It’s a high-stakes crime drama about the "Great Wall of Muscle" and the changing face of the Japanese underworld. But the heart of the game? That’s found in the quiet moments. It’s found in the substory where you help a kid get a prize from a UFO catcher or when you help a veteran find a reason to keep living.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re currently playing or planning to start, don't ignore the white icons.
- Prioritize the "Dragon Cart" and "Business Management" side stories early. They aren't just fun; they are the primary way you make money. Without them, you’ll be broke for the first twenty hours.
- Pay attention to the requirements. Some substories only trigger at night or during the day. If a quest giver isn't there, try changing the time of day at Survive Bar.
- Check the "Part-time Hero" app on your phone constantly. It often overlaps with substory locations, allowing you to double-dip on rewards.
- Don't be afraid to fail. Some substories have dialogue choices. While most don't "lock" you out of the quest, picking the funny or "correct" answer usually gives you a bigger boost to your personality stats.
The Yakuza Like a Dragon substories are a reminder that even in a world of crime and corruption, there's room for a little bit of kindness and a whole lot of weirdness. Ichiban isn't just a hero because he can swing a bat; he's a hero because he's willing to help anyone, no matter how ridiculous their problem is. That's a lesson worth learning, even if it comes from a guy in a red suit fighting a giant Roomba.
Practical Next Steps for Players:
Start by focusing on Substory 15 (The Ijincho's Safety Net) as soon as it becomes available in Chapter 5. This unlocks the Pawn Shop, which is essential for selling all the junk you pick up during other quests. From there, head to the north side of the map to trigger the Business Management minigame (Substory 18). Completing the first tier of the business will give you a massive cash injection and Eri as a playable party member, making the rest of the game’s combat significantly easier.