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Unfinished Work Ahead! |
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I'm a yakuza by blood. (...) I just want to prove I've earned it. Prove I can tough it on my own without relying on my clan. |
"Yakuza" (JP), also sometimes known as "Gokudou" (JP), is a term for a character who is part of a professional organized crime syndicate in Japan and engages in various large-scale illegal activities. They adhere to a strict, traditional code of honor and duty. They emphasize loyalty to the boss and to their family/organization, a dynamic reinforced by formal rituals. Visually, they are characterized by their clean-cut, sharp suits (or traditional Japanese kimono/yukata) which often conceal colorful, full-body tattoos. Their activities typically involve extortion, gambling, smuggling, and turf wars, often operating within a specific local or regional area.
Etymology
Meaning of the Term
Yakuza (ヤクザ) refers to the real-life crime syndicate in Japan.[1]
Origin
The term "yakuza" is said to have originated in 1755 from the fact that the weakest and worst combo in the Japanese card game hanafuda were the three cards assigned the numbers "8" (ya), "9" (ku), and "3" (za), meaning they were like the 893 (yakuza) in hanafuda.[1]
Characteristics
Yakuza are characters who are part of a professional organized crime syndicate. They will engage in various illegal activities, ranging from murder, extortion, fraud, to drug trafficking.
Differences From Other Archetypes
Yankii characters are similar to yakuza characters, but the difference is yakuza are adults who are part of a large-scale professional crime syndicate, while yankii are simply part of middle school or high school delinquent gangs. Yakuza are also far more dangerous and are typically completely covered in tattoos. Because they are still youth, the crimes yankii commit are relatively minor compared to the large-scale crime committed by yakuza groups.
Similar Archetypes
- Yankii: A term for a juvenile delinquent character who participates in rebellious or illegal actions in middle school or high school and has a specific fashion aesthetic.
List of Characters
Gallery
 Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu from Super Danganronpa 2: Sayonara Zetsubou Gakuen |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 What is Yakuza. Pixiv Encyclopedia. “Yakuza are organizations and their members that are engaged in organized violent crime in Japan.”