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Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Name: Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Director: Takashi Miike
Released: 2007
Duration: 110 min

Representation Score

3.5/10

Limited

2007

Not Rated

Director

Takashi Miike

Runtime

110 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Takashi Miike’s film explores the Yakuza subculture with a strong emphasis on traditional masculine hierarchies and ethnic homogeneity. The narrative architecture reinforces these established patriarchal structures rather than challenging them. While the film offers high cultural authenticity, it lacks broader diversity and inclusion of non-Japanese characters or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Yakuza: Like a Dragon have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to a strictly heterosexual framework with no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Yakuza: Like a Dragon portray gender?

Limited

Male characters dominate the power dynamics, focusing on struggles for dominance and brotherhood. Female characters are limited to peripheral roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Yakuza: Like a Dragon?

Limited

The cast is predominantly Japanese, reflecting the specific ethnic context of the Yakuza subculture. This provides authenticity but lacks broader racial diversity.

How does Yakuza: Like a Dragon represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story emphasizes an internal code of honor over external legal systems. State institutions are portrayed as irrelevant in this world.

Does Yakuza: Like a Dragon include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative centers on physical strength and violence. Characters with disabilities are not present or influential in the plot.

Present on Screen

Provides high cultural authenticity by reflecting the specific ethnic context of the Yakuza subculture.

Limited or Absent

Lacks broader racial diversity and inclusion of non-Japanese characters.
Reinforces traditional gender hierarchies with female characters in peripheral roles.
Fails to include non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth gender identities or LGBTQ+ perspectives.
Does not feature characters with disabilities driving the narrative.

Official Synopsis

Former yakuza underling Kazuma Kiryū has recently been released from prison after a lengthy incarceration and is trying to piece his life together and distance himself from his yakuza past. Unfortunately, Kiryū's problems slowly escalate as he is pursued by a former associate, the baseball-bat-wielding psycho Gorō Majima, who has a grudge to settle with Kiryū.

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