The Evolution of a Fan Favorite: Dark Ties Was Nearly Just a Video

The announcement of Yakuza Kiwami 3 alongside the surprise spinoff, Dark Ties, starring the charismatic antagonist Yoshitaka Mine, sent ripples of excitement through the fan community. However, a recent interview with director Ryosuke Horii and producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto of RGG Studio has revealed a significant development secret: the Yakuza Kiwami 3 Dark Ties side story was originally conceived not as a playable game, but as “something that could be viewed like a video,” essentially a non-interactive cutscene compilation.

The transition from a passive video to a fully playable, action-adventure Yakuza spinoff game highlights the studio’s commitment to fan engagement and character appreciation. The reason for the change, according to the developers, was twofold:

• The Best Way to Tell the Story: The development team determined that the complex narrative of Mine’s descent into the underworld—from a successful businessman to a yakuza chairman—could only be fully realized by putting the player in his shoes. Making him playable was considered the “best way” to depict his story and the gritty reality of his relationships.
• Yoshitaka Mine’s Popularity: Despite only appearing in the original Yakuza 3 (and a cameo in Ishin), Yoshitaka Mine consistently ranks as one of the series’ top five most popular characters in fan polls. RGG Studio viewed Dark Ties as the final and best opportunity to honor this fan favorite with a substantial, playable storyline before the events of Yakuza 3.

This decision means players will not only receive a complete, updated remake of Yakuza 3 in the Dragon Engine but also a substantial, new prequel game detailing Mine’s early days, complete with a unique, boxing-based combat style and all the expected mini-games.

The Enigma Solved: Why Mine Sings to a Photo of a Bald Bloke

The Dark Ties trailer and early gameplay footage have given fans a glimpse of the classic Yakuza experience, including the mandatory karaoke. However, one peculiar detail captured widespread attention: protagonist Mine is shown belting out a ballad, not with friends or a love interest, but while gazing earnestly at a photograph of a bald bloke.

The developers have now confirmed the identity of the person in the photo and the context of the moment:

• The Bald Bloke is Tsuyoshi Kanda: The follically-challenged gangster in the picture is none other than Tsuyoshi Kanda, the belligerent Third Chairman of the Nishikiyama Family and another antagonist from the main Yakuza 3 storyline.
• The Relationship: The photo captures Mine alongside Kanda. In the lore of Dark Ties, which explores Mine’s early journey into the criminal world, Kanda is a crucial figure. Mine, the calculating and intellectual businessman, teams up with the more brute-force and volatile Kanda after a fateful encounter. The story will heavily focus on their tumultuous, co-dependent relationship and their shared ambition in the underworld.
• The Meaning of the Song: The moment in the karaoke booth is a quintessential piece of Yakuza melodrama. By singing a sad, intense ballad (likely a Like A Dragon classic such as “Baka Mitai”) while staring at the photo, Mine is reflecting on his complex bond with Kanda. Whether seen by fans as a “bromance or a romance,” this scene feeds directly into the “dark ties” of their partnership, showing the deep emotional connection, respect, or even obsession Mine harbors for the man who helped usher him into the yakuza.

This reveals that the Mine Kanda relationship will be the emotional anchor of the Like A Dragon Dark Ties narrative, adding significant, poignant depth to a character previously only seen as a final-act villain. The scene is a perfect example of the series’ ability to inject powerful, moving character moments into its often-absurd world.

High CPC Keywords Targeted for Fan Engagement

The inclusion of Yoshitaka Mine protagonist and the depth given to his character is a powerful piece of RGG Studio fan service designed to maximize player investment. This strategic move, along with the complete remake of the original Yakuza 3, creates a comprehensive and high-value package set for release on major platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, on February 12, 2026. This dual-game approach—a remake and a substantial, playable prequel—ensures that Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will be one of the most talked-about and high-performing titles in the series’ history.