Fans of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio games have a bright future to look forward to after The Game Awards revealed two new projects from the developer in the pipeline. Aside fromLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwhich is slated for a May 14, 2025 release, RGG Studio is also working on a newVirtua Fightergame as well as the brand-new titleProject Century. While little is known aboutProject Centuryat this point, fans have been abuzz with speculation regarding its potential connection to the broaderLike a Dragonuniverse.
From what few details can be gleaned from the trailer, players appear to be tackling the criminal underworld of 1915 Japan as a protagonist who is far more brutal than any theLike a Dragonseries has seen. While this level of violence is a departure for RGG Studio, the character’s likeness may be familiar to someLike a Dragonfans. Though it’s unclear ifProject Centuryis a part ofLike a Dragoncanon, this protagonist already has a link to the franchise.
Project Century’s Apparent Protagonist Actor Played Kiryu in Takashi Miike’s 2007 Yakuza Film Adaptation
Kazuki Kitamura Has a History with the Like a Dragon Series
While it hasn’t been outright confirmed, the unnamed protagonist shown in the trailer forProject Centurybears a striking resemblance to Japanese actor Kazuki Kitamura, likely meaning he provided the model for the character’s likeness. This wouldn’t be the first time Kitamura has worked with RGG Studio, as the actor lent his voice to the character Kurosawa in the 2012 third-person shooterBinary Domaindeveloped by RGG. However, Kitamura has an even more direct connection to theLike a Dragonfranchise.
BeforeAmazon Prime’sLike a Dragon: Yakuzalive-action adaptationof the franchise, director Takashi Miike produced his own take on the series with the 2007 filmYakuza: Like a Dragon. The film starred Kazuki Kitamura as iconic series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and followed the events of the originalYakuzagame. With this role under his belt, it’s great to see Kitamura potentially embrace this world once again shouldProject Centurybe a part of theLike a Dragonuniverse.
Despite being a prolific film actor, Kitamura’s only video game credit is for his work onBinary Domain.
Regardless of Canon, Project Century Has Clear Roots in the Like a Dragon Franchise
Until more information is shared aboutProject Century, its status within RGG’s widerLike a Dragonfranchise will likely continue to be debated. However, even if this title ends up as its own separate IP, it’s clear thatProject Century’s identity can be traced back to theLike a Dragonseries, as well as RGG’s other past work. The apparent role Kitamura plays as the game’s protagonist shows that RGG is willing to tap into its history and bring Kitamura back for a new project.
Beyond this apparent casting choice, the combat displayed in thetrailer forProject Centuryharkens back to the classic pre-turn-based days of theLike a Dragonseries that RGG has honed over the years. The commitment to retaining the identity of theLike a Dragonseries that RGG is known for while telling a new story bodes well forProject Century, regardless of whether it’s set within theLike a Dragonuniverse. Leaning on an actor like Kitamura also lends credence to the idea that RGG intends to useProject Centuryas a bridge to the classic style ofLike a Dragongame given his past portrayal of Kiryu, potentially setting the game up to be another path for the franchise to take, if not an entirely new franchise in itself.
