What Majima’s Connection to the Goromaru in Pirate Yakuza Says About Him

There are plenty of things to like about Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, but nothing stands out quite like its emphasis on naval exploration and combat on board Majima’s ship, the Goromaru. Much like they can in Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, players can sail the sea in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii aboard the Goromaru, which Majima acquires early on in the story. However, while the gameplay benefits of doing so are clear — like exploring uncharted islands for treasure and engaging in action-packed combat with other ships — the Goromaru serves as a reflection of Majima’s character arc more than anything else.

The highlight of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii‘s story is the evolution of fan-favorite character Goro Majima as his amnesia opens the door for an unprecedented look at his character. Previously, Majima had been portrayed as a chaotic, brutal, and unpredictable individual, but Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii effectively wipes his notorious slate clean using the classic amnesia trope. From the moment he washes up on a beach on Rich Island, his character arc is developed in such a way that is parallel to the development of the Goromaru, and his new role as captain of the ship even reflects his newfound freedom to control his destiny.

Majima’s Connection to the Goromaru in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Says a Lot About His Transformation

Both Majima and the Goromaru Are Broken and Aged But Have Heart

There’s quite the symbolic connection between Goro Majima and the Goromaru in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, most notably in the way both of them transform throughout the game. Majima washes up on the shores of Rich Island this broken version of himself, 60 years old and having completely forgotten who he was. The Goromaru, as they point out later in the game, is in a similar state when Majima acquires it, and a big part of gameplay progression is restoring it. This is a significant element of the game’s narrative involving Majima as well, which is all about him restoring his lost memory.

However, something Clark says to Majima in Chapter 2 of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii‘s story is that, even though the Goromaru is in terrible condition, what really matters is whether the ship has a “heart,” which he then confirms to be the case. In the same way, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii‘s story reveals that Goro Majima does, in fact, have a heart, despite being old and having a checkered past. Much of this is made evident in his relationship with Noah, especially, who pushes him to be a better man in many ways than he has been in the past.

Majima’s Role as the Captain of the Goromaru Is Symbolic of His Freedom to Shape His Future

Upon acquiring the Goromaru in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Majima simultaneously becomes its captain, as the ship’s crew is fed up with the way their previous captain treated them. While Majima being the captain of the Goromaru does come with gameplay perks, it also serves as a parallel with his new role in his own journey. As the captain of the Goromaru, Majima can use it to go wherever he wants to go. In the same way, thanks to Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii‘s amnesia trope, Majima is now in charge of his own destiny and who he becomes, since the affiliations and biases from his past are now both behind him and forgotten.

By making the Goromaru central to its gameplay and narrative, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii reinforces its focus on the reinvention of Majima’s character. Majima’s journey, which was once defined by chaos and unpredictability, takes on a new layer as his amnesia forces him into unfamiliar territory. Just as the Goromaru must be restored, Majima is in the process of rebuilding himself, and the game effectively draws that parallel. Furthermore, while Majima has often been portrayed as a heartless villain, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii proves that, like the Goromaru, he does indeed have a heart.

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Released

February 21, 2025

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ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol

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