Although the Yakuza video game series is acclaimed for its genuine glimpse into the gangster narrative, the franchise is equally renowned for the ridiculous humor and side characters that make the streets of Kamurocho colorful and exciting.
Yakuza Kiwami is the remake of the first game in the series, following Kazuma Kiryu after his release from prison, where he spent a decade after taking the fall for his boss's murder. Kiryu has a lot to adjust to after his release, but along the way, he meets plenty of eccentric characters seeking his help. Some have better intentions than others, but despite their questionable morals, comedy is still a key part of many of the game's substories.
10 Memories Of The Bubble
Even Kiryu gets to take a trip down memory lane every now and then. In this substory, Kiryu must help an aspiring young actress looking to nail an audition for a role in a film that takes place during Japan's disco era. She asks Kiryu a series of questions so as to better understand the time period and thus her acting role.
It's more of a charming substory than a knee-slapping comedy, memorable for letting Kiryu relive some of his past adventures and recall his disco dancing days before prison.
9 Collection Call
Nobody likes receiving scam calls on their phone, but Kiryu is the kind of guy to actually do something about them. When Kiryu receives a weird call telling him to pay a massive sum for a loan he doesn't remember taking out, he decides to deal with the con man directly.
It's pretty comical how quickly Kiryu deals with the scam artist and it's even funnier how the mysterious debt is suddenly forgiven. Maybe they shouldn't have tried to scam a famed yakuza brawler.
8 Molestation Accusation
Kiryu is a man who prides himself on his strong sense of honor and morals. So when he has a run-in with a shady lady accusing him of touching her inappropriately, he is as shocked as the player is. Like so many other substories, it is one big scam.
Once an equally suspicious man gets involved and tries to shake Kiryu down for some cash, the protagonist decides he's had enough. It's an awkward situation that is of course solved with a beat down for the con man.
7 The Crane Game
The Yakuza series is just as acclaimed for its minigames as it is for its fluid combat. One of the most iconic minigames in Kiwami is the crane game, a classic arcade machine that is just as infuriating as it is fun.
In this substory, a businessman appeals to Kiryu to win him specific prizes from the machine, much to the confusion of the protagonist. It's a light-hearted mission with plenty of silly dialogue.
6 Bump And Scam
Kiryu seems to have pretty bad luck with con artists on the streets, or rather the con artists have bad luck by running into Kiryu. This substory is hilarious, following a couple of bumbling scammers trying to fake an injury after running into Kiryu.
Their mediocre acting is laughable and their attempts to fight are priceless too. Naturally, they change their tune after a good whooping, but they never seem to learn their lesson and appear several more times.
5 Man Scout
One of the more outrageous substories in the game, Kiryu is approached by a talent scout looking for male exotic dancers. Kiryu must do a silly interview to get the job but he later finds out that the club has closed.
It's a goofy change of pace without much brawling, but the absurdity of the mission is what makes it so memorable. Kiryu would have made a pretty good dancer too.
4 MesuKing
Yakuza is beloved for the minigames that spice up the gameplay. One such minigame in Kiwami is MesuKing, an arcade fighting game involving scantily-clad women designed as different insects.
The gameplay is a play-on rock, paper, scissors, with some additional elements added. Kiryu must face off against several competitors in what could be one of the strangest and funniest substories in the whole game.
3 Under Suspicion
This substory is pretty out there but also quite hilarious. Kiryu runs into a strange man who asks him to do a quick job for him in exchange for some cash. The man wants Kiryu to find a nearby woman and retrieve a package from her and bring it back to him.
Upon finding the woman and obtaining the bag, she calls Kiryu a pervert much to his confusion. After returning the bag to the awkward man, Kiryu watches him wipe out and drop the bag, revealing its contents. The woman's underwear!
2 Bad Ass Dads
Another odd substory, this one involves a bunch of tough dads. This isn't a combat-oriented mission either, just a conversation between a woman who really enjoys bad-boy older men and a couple of older guys who fit the bill.
The dialogue is beyond funny and the way Kiryu handles this unusual situation is pretty memorable too. Kiryu needs to prove that he is the ultimate bad boy.
1 Crisis On The Crapper
If there is one substory in Kiwami that sums up the humor of Yakuza, this would have to be it. Perhaps Kiryu's dirtiest job yet, the street brawler finds himself helping a man stuck in a bathroom stall without any toilet paper.
A frightening predicament no doubt, but still comically absurd for a video game. Being the helpful hand that he is, Kiryu assists the man in taking care of business and is rewarded with some pretty sweet items.