Did this game retcon the story? (Slight spoilers)

[Rocky McRockerson]

In the beginning, I recall Ichiban mentioning how he knows about Kiryu's situation, which brings two things - how does he know his name and how does he know his situation? My only guess is Kiryu could've told him which we never saw and I'm surprised no one else mentioned this, seems like an important thing to change since it's never mentioned

[Sedgendary]

Kiryu would have been a legend in the Tojo when Ichiban was coming up so he would know the stories and they weren't exactly subtle when Daigo and the others saw Kiryu

[Rocky McRockerson]

I think it was clear he didn't know the legend since he heard saejima call him the dragon of dojima and didn't react, even said "I don't know who you are", plus when Ichiban was in the Yakuza I'm pretty sure Kiryu was in jail.

Even if he did find out about Kiryu, there's no way he'd know his situation without being told

[Sedgendary]

Ichiban was 24 when he went to prison and joined the Awakawa family when he was 15, its also shown he knows of the big players when he calls on Awakawa's name to save himself and when he recognises Majima so there is no way he hadn't heard of Kiryu but had never met him which is why he didn't recognise him and we know he would have worked with Daigo between games while helping rehabilitate the ex Yakuza

[Giovs]

I've noticed that too. Thought it was weird.

[Ghosta]

My thoughts are once Saejima revealed he was the Dragon of Dojima in front of Ichiban, some sort of explanation would've been given off-screen within the time gap of 7 and 8. Most likely Adachi would've surely revealed something from his detective days seeing as he knows Date from way back it seems. Just my general perspective on things but in all honesty just another RGG plothole.