Summary
In most cases, the amnesia trope commonly used in video-game, film, and television stories is considered rather cliche due to its predictability and overuse as a narrative shortcut. However, the trope itself isn’t inherently bad, as it’s the execution of that story choice that matters at the end of the day. Fortunately,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s use of the trope falls on the better side of execution, and it turns out to be theLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseries' boldest story choice yet because of that.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiibegins with fan-favorite character Goro Majima washing up on a beach on Rich Island, shortly after which he discovers that he is suffering from amnesia. From there, he meets an ambitious and kind boy named Noah Rich, who kickstarts Majima’s journey to recover his lost memory. The story as a whole is far more than a memory-recovery journey, however, as the amnesia trope that is so often viewed as cliche plays a pivotal role in Majima’s character development, particularly due to the nature of his past throughout the series prior toLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Amnesia Trope Pays Off
Majima’s Amnesia Allows the Game to Explore a Different Side of His Character
When it comes toLike a Dragon/Yakuzacharacters, Goro Majima is one of the series' most iconic individuals. This is largely due to the complexity and depth of his character, which has gradually increased throughout the series. Majima began as little more than a villain-like figure inYakuza 1/Kiwami, but his madness and sheer unpredictability has since become one of his most beloved features. BeforeLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Majim was equal parts terrifying, hilarious, and deeply compelling. This is ultimately whereLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s amnesia trope comes into play.
By giving Majima amnesia and therefore stripping him entirely of his memories,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiopens the door for a fresh perspective on who he is, allowing players to see facets of his personality that were previously overshadowed by his notorious reputation. Since Majima has no memory of who he was before he washed up on the beaches of Rich Island, his actions cannot be directly affected by the choices and trauma of his past, thereby allowing a more innocent version of himself to surface than players have ever seen before.Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiis one of those cases where theamnesia tropeworks in its favor, offering a level of character development that organic storytelling might not be capable of.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Amnesia Trope Makes Majima’s Journey Relatable
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s amnesia trope also makesGoro Majima’s journey of self-discovery more relatable, thereby connecting players to him in a more intimate way. As he rebuilds his sense of self and confronts challenges without the influence of his past, Majima is bound to be more easily understood by his audience. Any new relationships he forms with others are also likely to be viewed by players through an untainted lens, as Majima’s previous biases and affiliations largely mean nothing to him now.
By giving Majima amnesia and therefore stripping him entirely of his memories,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiopens the door for a fresh perspective on who he is, allowing players to see facets of his personality that were previously overshadowed by his notorious reputation
Finally, the amnesia plot ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiialso introduces an element of unpredictability into the mix to give players a renewed interest in Majima’s character and the overarching narrative. Players get to experience Majima’s journey of self-discovery at the same time as he does, thereby fostering a much stronger connection between the beloved character and the players at the helm. These elements, combined with the opportunity it offers for deeper character development in Majima, makeLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s amnesia trope theLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseries' boldest story choiceyet, as it is a massive risk that ultimately pays off.
