Goro Majima's character turn

[Visuwyg]

Yakuza Zero was my first game in the series (just finished on PS4).

I really fell in love with Majima - his introduction alone, where he is the coolest and composed nightclub host in the universe - wow. He looks so cool with his ponytail, eyepatch and perfectly fitting suit. Then he had that tender relationship with Makimura Makoto... just great. Absolutely perfect.

But literally at the last minute, when the game is over, he randomly decides to become a crazy lunatic with a ridiculous haircut, wearing a snakeskin jacket shirtless, with cowboy boots. His first action is talking a random NPC into proposing to Makimura.

I get that this is who he is in the old games, but now I wonder if I'll enjoy those - the Majima I got to know and love seems like a completely different character. His turn seemed totally out of left field. It feels like they created a great character, but had to quickly regress him into his dumber, older version for continuity's sake.

Is there still something I liked about him left in the old games?

[ElvisDepressedly]

Majima has that wild ending demeanor and all in the other games, but underneath it he's still a calculating guy and smart businessman when he needs to be, some of the later games show he still has that thoughtful side to him much better than the earlier ones, so it's very come and go I'd say.

[Visuwyg]

Apparently he is only playable in Zero?

[Redblaze27]

Originally posted by Kaffeebohnson:

Apparently he is only playable in Zero?

He has a mini-story in Yakuza Kiwami 2 where he is playable, where it explains what leads up to him leaving the Tojo clan before the main events of the game and meeting Makoto one final time.

He's also playable in Yakuza: Dead Souls I believe, but that game is in a weird alternate continuity.

[Drakulas]

This is also my first game and I'm worried about his change too. I love the suave Majima that you play as throughout 0.
I really wish suave Majima and crazy Majima were 2 seperate characters.

[Redblaze27]

Originally posted by Drakulas:

This is also my first game and I'm worried about his change too. I love the suave Majima that you play as throughout 0.
I really wish suave Majima and crazy Majima were 2 seperate characters.

You get used to it, but remember the context its an act for the safety of people like Makoto, as well as a tribute to the spirit of the Yakuza he met on his journey in 0.

[Pablox010]

I'm kind of new to the Yakuza series too, i played 0 and Kiwami, i definitely like him more in 0, he was okay in Kiwami, it wasn't as amazing as everyone makes him to be at least to me, but i guess i have to play the rest of the series, PS:also if you haven't played Kiwami yet, i recommend you to do something first, lower your expectations right to ground, keep in mind that you're gonna play a game with the storywriting of a 2005 game with current graphics, there's a big change between Kiwami and 0, i should've known that, but for some reason i didn't and i ended up very disappointed.

[Redblaze27]

Kiwami feels like Yakuza 1 themed campaign expansion to 0 than its own independent game.

And yes, Majima (in the main plot) doesnt really showcase why he is so beloved. The most you get is there is more to him than being a loose cannon.

While some feel Majima Everywhere is a bit much, it does better represent the Majima people know than the main plot does, highlighting the weird relationship Kiryu and Majima have.

[Paposeco]

Man, crazy Majima is the best Majima, you'll love him, trust me. And yes there's a little bit of the calm one although its very rare and subtle.

[AN7AG0NIS7]

Head canon: Majima gets possessed by Nishitani's ghost.

[tsupertsundere]

Majima's character arc in that direction (turning from the Lord of the Night to the Mad Dog of Shimano) was really subtle - I myself was a little surprised there wasn't one Big Moment where he breaks. It's a lot of smaller moments leading up to the change.

Think about it like this: by the second half of the game, Majima's had it rubbed in his face that he's been used over and over again. By Sagawa, by Shimano - even when he thinks he's acting on his own free will, it's been accounted for already. His principles, his emotions - hell, even any romantic feelings. He's in a cage everywhere he goes, and there's no escaping it. He's going to be used.

The real switch is in one of the last scenes with him, then Shimano claps him hard on the shoulder and goes, 'After all, how can I lose when I have a weapon like Majima Goro?'

A weapon. A dog on a leash. Something to be used. So if he's going to be a weapon... he's going to BE a weapon. And a weapon that's unpredictable, uncontrollable - that makes it at least a little riskier to use. A mad dog might bite the hand that feeds one day.

Yakuza 0 Majima will always be 'my' Majima, but I can see how he turned from one to the other. He's been through a bunch.

[Blick Flair]

are you kidding? snake skin majima is best

[medion_no]

Majima learns that he had to live life to the fullest trough his campaign and the persons he met. There were various turning points like the old police that tells him that some nasty criminals are needed in this world to do true justice , Nishitani speech about his concept of what friendship is about, almost losing Makoto or the beating he gets for some random punks. -"You have the eye of a mad dog".
And at the begginning of the story if you pay attention he already had the haircut and the mad attitude when he was planning the hit with his brother. He always wanted to be a dangerous fearsome Yakuza, it was the whole point of all of what he does believe it or not. The whole night bussiness was more like a stop in the way. And see his face of joy when he does a heat move! He truly enjoy fighting unlike Kiryu. The campaign make emphasis on that, he want to exit it quickly and return to be a Yakuza for him and his brother sake.
Underneath it all he helps Kyriu when he can (Majima everywhere is at the core some form of crazy and hardcore training for him) and is the calculating/charming Majima we love. Kiryu know this somehow and for that is one of the few people he doest hit without asking when provoked and truly respect. You are gonna get some very funny moments with them together. -"I'm gonna have more fun ...and live crazier than any of 'em".

[medion_no]

Originally posted by Pablox010:

I'm kind of new to the Yakuza series too, i played 0 and Kiwami, i definitely like him more in 0, he was okay in Kiwami, it wasn't as amazing as everyone makes him to be at least to me, but i guess i have to play the rest of the series, PS:also if you haven't played Kiwami yet, i recommend you to do something first, lower your expectations right to ground, keep in mind that you're gonna play a game with the storywriting of a 2005 game with current graphics, there's a big change between Kiwami and 0, i should've known that, but for some reason i didn't and i ended up very disappointed.

I prefer Kiwami storywriting by far a mile. 0 is more like a startup for all the characters that at the great scheme of things only work as a prequel. A great prequel thats it. The original storyline for Y1 and Y2 was penned by Seishu Hase, a famed Yakuza novels author.

[Raxo]

just finished 0 and i got a bit disappointed by this as well, but i know they had to make him to fit the older titles lol.

[Doc Holiday]

Yakuza 0 also my my first and only Yakuza game. I was also a bit sad that Lord of the Night Majima had to go for Mad Dog of Shimano to enter the scene, but I admit they did a very good job at changing Majima to what he becomes, building up throughout all the game with his character relationships. And finally, his love for Makoto makes eveyrything all the more bittersweet. Majima was the heart and soul of this game.

The final scene, "Kiryu-Chan", doesn't even make sense in the context of the game but I guess it was a cool nod for the fans of other Yakuza games.