New apparel collection focuses on Like a Dragon’s rivalries and bonds
Yohji Yamamoto’s conceptual project, WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO, has announced its third collaboration with Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the developer behind the popular Like a Dragon video game series.
The new collection of apparel focuses on the intricate and meaningful tattoos that are a central visual and narrative element of the games.
The announcement of the new apparel collection follows the recent reveal of a range of tableware inspired by the series.
The Like a Dragon games, previously known as Yakuza, created by Sega, are known for their gripping crime-drama narratives, which explore the complex world of Japan’s criminal underworld.
Within this world, the large back tattoos worn by many of the characters are not just decorative, they represent a character’s identity, history, and allegiances.
The new WILDSIDE collaboration features three graphic T-shirts, priced at 12,100 yen (approx. $81.50 USD / £60.77 GBP), each dedicated to the relationship between two characters from the series, represented by a fusion of their respective tattoos.
One design focuses on the “sworn brothers” Goro Majima and Taiga Saejima, combining Majima’s Hannya mask with Saejima’s tiger.
A second T-shirt highlights the legendary rivalry between series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and the “Dragon of Kansai,” Ryuji Goda, by pairing their Azure Dragon and Yellow Dragon tattoos.
The third T-shirt represents the complex bond of loyalty between Tojo Clan leaders Daigo Dojima and Yoshitaka Mine, showcasing their Fudo Myo-o and Kirin tattoos.
Each of these designs is set against a backdrop of the series’ cityscapes, further grounding the art in the game’s world.
In addition to the T-shirts, the collection includes a short-sleeved, open-collar shirt made from rayon, priced at 59,400 yen (approx. $400 USD / £298 GBP), featuring a relaxed silhouette characteristic of Yohji Yamamoto’s designs.
This shirt is adorned with a subtle, monochrome collage print of various tattoo motifs from the series, including the Azure Dragon, the Hannya, and the Queen of the Night flower.
The new collection will be available for purchase at the WILDSIDE online store, as well as the WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO stores in Osaka and Harajuku, and the Yohji Yamamoto counter at Hankyu Men’s Tokyo.
The third WILDSIDE YOHJI YAMAMOTO and Like a Dragon collaboration is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.
Source: Official Website
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