What are you talking about? He'd be the one doing everything he could to protect you if you needed help! That's the kind of guy Ichiban is. Even if it would cost him his life, he would gladly give it if it meant making sure that a innocent person was okay. He's a rare guy where when there's trouble, his first instinct is to protect other people instead of ensuring his own safety. That's what makes Ichiban "Number One"! The guy really is a true hero!
Ichiban, a deadbeat at 40, saying "it's too soon to judge your progress yet" is super inspiring and validating for people like me who feel like time has already passed me by.
Age it's just a number, but if you give your time to your dreams and make them real as Ichiban did, then age will be just a way to remind you how your fears were defeated in the past, the older you get, the more reasons you'll have to believe you're strong to do anything, and only you can decide if this is the future you deserve.
This song made me like Ichiban as kiryus' sucessor. This song also made me realize that even though Ichiban is in his 40s, hes still a kid at heart and I like that of him
@Shadowbomb05 I don’t see why they wouldn’t continue with Ichiban - after all, this isn’t his first game appearance (he was the protagonist of Like a Dragon Online, the Japan-only mobile game that came out a few years before Yakuza 7 was announced)
This is a genuinely good song fighting against depression and the feeling of worthlessness. A lot of songs like this give the message that it gets better, but this one straight up tells you to fight through it, be the hero you wish would save you.
I don't know if you're still going through this but Pride From Despair from Yakuza Kiwami 2 has a similar but bolder message, it tells you to fight through the pain and hardships and that it will all be worth it once you harvest the the fruits of your effort.
This "hope against all odds" mentality is usually the only thing that works when you're that deep. People try to fight depression with logic but no matter how reasonable we think we are, logic can never silence emotions. Only positive, genuine emotions can push back despair. Hope, excitement, friendship, love etc.
Hell, he restored my faith in myself. I'm only 28, no diploma, no real friends or partner, and a dead end gas station job. Between the stress and loneliness, years went by I started to think myself worthless. But after beating this, I got my GED and applied for online college. Its such a silly thought that a damn game could pick me up from the gutter but it happened... I'm ready to pursue my dream whether it actually works out or not
@@sentientmonke8265 I know it sounded cheesy as all hell but I'm dead serious. I've done nothing but coast through life with no real idea as to what I wanted out of it, that and my minor Asperger's left me feeling like I wasn't good enough, that I would never be good enough. While my mind adjusted growing up to solve most of old problems, the doubt still lingered. I intend to prove myself wrong from here on out
Ichiban is exactly the kind of hero we need in these times. Once i heard him sing that song, i immediately fell in love with him as character. He's like every one of us. He's forever dreamer that is loyal to his friends and just wants to be a Hero for everyone. He's too pure for us
What makes him so pure is ironically all the darkness he acknowledges and experiences. In these times a character who loudly and repeatedly makes it clear that there is NO reason to treat someone as anything less than an equal. It doesn't matter if there's an insurmountable rift in your ideologies, that doesn't excuse dehumanising the "enemy".
@angelusvastator1297 if not for the gameplay, what makes you think this is in the same level as yakuza 0? I've been thinking about it a lot and i think LAD is saved by the last chapter but yakuza 0 is just emmaculate through and through. it's a reeeaaallly strong game story wise, like fr a masterpiece. LAD story was boring for me in a lot of moments. so i rly wanna know opinion of people who like 7 that much
"On those nights you're hurting or feeling lonely, come and have a drink with me." This was the last game I bought for my ps4 before I nearly lost everything and became homeless. I worked my ass off and whenever I was feeling down and needed to cheer up, I would boot up LAD 7 and just be in the survive bar, listening to the cds or doing karoke as my own little comfort zone and this particular song kept me going for a long while. Ichiban may not be the protagonist I grew up with like Kiryu but he will always have a place in my heart as the hero who saved me from me.
Ichiban makes me happy because, really... it's not only like having Nishiki back. It's like having Nishiki, Kiryu, and Majima together for the duration of the game. Think about it: Ichiban has the will to keep going, despite the extreme difficulty and near impossibility. He has an undying loyalty to his friends and family, and an inherent need to do what's right even though it'd be easier to just lose his morality. And he beats people up with a baseball bat.
This breaks my heart to know that technically, nishki is singing this since I does show similar parts of his ark. It's as close as we'll get to having him back
What I love about Ichiban is that he highly respects the old school Yakuza. And yet I love him because he’s like an old school anime protag. He’s headstrong, stubborn, kinda dumb, and short sighted. But even with all of that, it’s his loyalty and willingness to be there for other people that makes everyone gravitate to him. It just reminds me of how I was a kid and loved those types of characters. He really is just a kid at heart, like most players.
And he is not a total idiot. Heck, in fact, he is actually pretty sharp. Both main story AND substories have proven how brilliant he actually is. There are moments where he is still pretty dumb and dense, of course.
Im on chapter 5 of this game and I loved everything about it. Ichiban couldn't be any more worthier to be a kiryu succesor. I liked Kiryu being the straight man in the comedic routine but Im really enjoying Ichiban's far more unpredictable and expressive self. Ichiban can be the crazy one himself as well as be the straight man. He shows his happiness and sadness openly, I really appreciate that of him. He feels like his own brand of Yakuza. Not overly serious but still beaming with stubborness and more idealistic righteousness
Honestly ichi feels like the hypeman to the jokes who puts in enough of his unique charm to make anything work From helping a jay walking reporter to fighting political conspiracys Hes just hyping everything in a way that makes it all work just like kiryu is such a straight man it makes everything work
Kiryu's serious karaoke: Songs about past regrets and wanting to do things over Ichiban's serious karaoke: Song about dreams and the future Even though he's older than Kiryu was at the start of his journey, he's so uniquely joyful and hopeful compared to all the other Yakuza protagonists. It really sets him apart, and makes you want to root for him like you would a flower growing out of concrete. Let's go dragon of rock bottom!
This game got me back into this series heavy. Ichiban is the character I needed for a really deep depression. The theme of hitting the bottom isn't game over and there is still hope is something you have to admire. I hope to see Ichiban moving forward he feels like a hopeful friend.
"Once you're at rock bottom, the only way forward is up. But the bottom doesn't always have to be all dark and gloomy. If you can stand and look up, you'll see the light of hope up there." - Ichiban Kasuga The Rock Bottom Dragon
It's pretty cool. He is like a good mixture of kiryu and majima. He is stern and loyal,but also a bit crazy and funny . Gotta say, didn't know how I was feeling going in but now it's pretty good.
He's part like everyone too, but more Nishiki than Majima. It's not that he's crazy, he's absolutely determined to do anything because his head is just a big ol rock, like majima's. But also constantly doubts steps and thinks (kind of) outside the box, like Nishiki And of course that never ending power to finish his goals, like Kiryu's strength
@@JohnBlobJohnSlime He's another timeline where Nishiki, from the ground up, didn't steer away from his path and made loyal friends that are as great as the bundle of lovable idiots Ichiban has.
@@angelusvastator1297 Not you forgetting how far Majima went for Kiryu in Y2,Y3, and esp in Y5, and how hard he went for Makoto and Saejima. Majima is nice, but in his own way
i usually dont comment but i feel like i need to. ichiban really connects with me, being jobless and all. its hard to find a job. its hard to keep a job. hell, i cant even drive yet. it makes me feel like a disappointment and failure to my family and myself. as someone with disabilities and mental illnesses like depression - its hard to look forward when things are like this. its hard to believe ill get anywhere. but this song lightens up that part of me. it makes me get up on my feet again. it reminds me of when i was young, naive and hopeful, nothing could ever bring me down. just like how ichiban's personality is. it makes me want to be that sort of person again, someone who can believe in themselves and help others do the same. i will keep trying, ichiban. i wont run away, i wont die, i wont give up. ill rise up and make it in this world. thank you.
Sure u will man, i have connected with this song as well and i also got that feeling of being useless specially thanks to my asperger wich makes really difficult the idea of socialize, but as the song says, is no fair to judge our potencial when we are at rock bottom, hope you are doing well
I'm just imagining Ichi and Kiryu at a Bar drinking like Bros. And Kiryu getting sentimental because he's getting reminded of Nishiki. And even better. Finally being able to sing Judgement.
I just finished the series and I can say that it is one of the best narratives so far. The Dragon of Rock Bottom is truly worthy of being a successor to the legend of the Dragon of Dojima. So bring me stronger villains, RGG Studios (as strong as Ryuji, Mine, Kuroiwa, and etc.), I will knock them down with Ichiban and friends.
I started with yakuza 0 early this year and I have now completed 0, kiwami 1, kiwami 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and I have no regrets. I just hope the series keeps going.
I love this song so much. As someone who has dealt with severe online bullying, I can resonate with the lyrics. I want to be the one who can dry more tears than anyone else. Even if, much like Ichiban, no one really knows me since I am separated by a screen, I want to be able to help people and make 'em smile, no matter what. I feel like in this day and age, all people need is someone they can look up to, and someone to lean on. Someone who will always be there to help. :D And also the fact this is Nishiki singing is boutta make meh cry. XD
Now I know why I love Kasuga so much. While other protagonist : Kazuma - 80-90s style protagonist,Badass with strong sense of justice. Majima - Two side of same coins,Can be crazy and scary but also being wholesome and friendly at same time. Akiyama - Cool uncle that rich and ready to support you Saejima - That uncle who had a lot of life lesson to teach you also being kind and wholesome. Tanimura - Your cool brother who might not being role model but try to keep you from harm. Shinada - Your lazy horndog but give it all he got to protect your dream. Kasuga is like friend. He's not meant to be cool like said protagonist,He just meant to be friend with us,Players. He's like your true friend that always stayed on your side no matter what. And like gamer friend that play lot of game like how he love to play rpg games like me(He played Dragon Quest,I played Elder Scroll.). I would cry like little baby,If some day,We have to play final Kasuga's game...
Who’s here for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth? How great is it to reunite with these amazing characters? Ichiban is such an amazing person. What a role model. One of a kind. Puts his principles above everything and never falters from them. Even when there is no longer incentive to do so.
“On those nights when you’re hurting or lonely, come have a drink with me.” What I tell my friends if they’re down in the gutters or just need someone to talk to.
When I heard that Ichiban was going to be the new protagonist I didn’t know if I would of liked him more than Kiryu. Now that I’m playing Yakuza 7 I love Ichiban I can’t wait to see how the rest of his story unfolds.
Ichiban represents kids inside of adults and gives hope for people in their late 20 to... well, look at Adachi, any age. Y7 made me look at this series better than I look on MGS. No other games give you messages like this, in such a great way.
Wow this song hits really hard especially now that I've beaten Yakuza 7 and the message of this song describes the way how I view and live my life. I still have a long way to go, but I aspire to be the coolest and the strongest hero in the world
I'm not going to lie, I watched this to see what Ichiban was singing about and it nearly fucking _broke_ me. Full on crying over this silly karaoke song. I fucking love Ichiban.
This song gives me hope, I've lost so much in the last few Years. Loved One's and Memories. The Yakuza franchise has helped me cope since they came to Xbox Gamespass around time when it all started. Thank You so much Sega.
This song has Ichiban vibes through and through. The optimistic views he has when he's in the most perilous situation mixed with the upbeat instrumentals along with Kazuhiro Nakaya's vocals makes it 10/10 song.
For me, he'll always be that goddamn snake Akira Nishikiyama. Throw his sorry ass in a snake pit like the snake he is. And nishiki is Japanese for snake.
I'm currently playing the final chapter of this amazing game, I hope I get to know more about Ichiban in a future, i don't know how the game ends. I just wait we could continue with the story of this amazing character.
@@arandominternetperson437 To be fair, Kiryu is not a great friend. He constantly pushed people away, rarely spoke his feelings and didn't care if he leaves people behind, expecting them to pull their weight no matter what. He does more "saving" than helping, which is a cause of most of his issues with people in the earlier games. He means best, but screws up on the technical part a lot. Nishiki had to grow up in constant shadow of a man he never could hope to reach, nobody could, and that's not a good thing for anyone. It really seems Kazama and Kashiwagi had clear favoritism.
@@skomolowski yep, he literally forced Daigo to be Tojo Chairman but didn't support or give him advice. my man has the experience but decided to ran away but the man who barely has any experience literally try his best and never back down.
I didn’t think I’d like Ichiban. I thought that he’d come off as one of those Gamer self-inserts that’s an easy appeal to the player. (Like Almost every isekai mc). Ichiban isn’t, in fact, he’s the opposite. He’s not the player, he’s the character you wanna play as. In the beginning, ichiban has no skill, get’s beat up by the random punks in the park, and he can’t stand up for himself or do anything. But, the game shows you how you can be a legend like him. Ichiban keeps fighting till he one shots enemies that would’ve been impossible, he goes to vocational school and learns everything there is. He’s not too prideful for work, be it collecting cash from under a vending machine or cleaning toilets. He’s a goofy fool, but he sees everyone as his equal. RGG has shown many ways of rising to the top, most of them being the villians. Ichiban is how you do it right.
God when I first played this game and got to this song in Karaoke in the English Dub, and I thought that translation had a good message. This song is like the exact moment I realised Ichiban was the best main character in this series since Majima
I like how the part before chorus almost sounds similar to 'I'll make a man out of you', but that song also fit similarly to this song, both songs are about not giving up.
For all those who say video games aren’t art, the Yakuza franchise is the perfect prove that video games are art. And to me, they are the most beautiful form of art because they are interactive and are longer than any movie, show, book, or painting could be.
It's a shame there's no english subtitles for the karoke songs when you play them in Japanese. Feel like a lot of the meaning is obscured when you can't understand what these amazing characters sing about.
Anyone else think this is kinda like Ichiban's 'Pride from Despair'? Like i feel like its got the same themes and message but its much softer and upbeat compared to Kiryu's somewhat solemn and aggressive take or is that just me?
Play Yakuza: Like a Draogn. Me: "Come on, after 6 games i'm not going to cry." Also me: "YES, KARAOKE FINALLY!" *Play "The Future i dreamed of"* ... .. .. Me: "Fuck off game T_T"
