What does Kiwami mean in Japan?

Hey there fellow gaming enthusiast! As a long-time fan of Japanese games like Yakuza, I‘m thrilled to provide an in-depth look at the meaning of "Kiwami" and how it relates to Sega‘s acclaimed action series. Strap yourself in, because we‘re going to dive deep into the Yakuza games and what makes the "Kiwami" releases so special.

Overview of the Yakuza Series

Let‘s start with a high-level overview of the Yakuza franchise so we‘re all on the same page. Yakuza, known as Ryū ga Gotoku (龍が如く) or "Like a Dragon" in Japan, is an action-adventure series set in the criminal underworld of the Japanese mafia known as yakuza.

The main protagonist across most of the series is Kazuma Kiryu, an orphan who joins the yakuza. He‘s sometimes called the "Dragon of Dojima" after the clan he belongs to. The games follow Kiryu across decades of his life as he navigates the code of honor and complex dynamics within the Yakuza.

Here‘s a quick chronological look at the major releases in the Yakuza series so far:

As you can see, the series has grown to 8 mainline titles across multiple PlayStation consoles. There are also several spinoff games set in the Yakuza universe.

Origins of the "Kiwami" Remakes

In 2016, Sega released Yakuza Kiwami on PS3 and PS4. This was a complete remake of the very first Yakuza game from 2005, rebuilt from scratch for modern platforms.

The word "Kiwami" (極み) means extreme, ultimate, or peak in Japanese. So these remakes take the original games to the ultimate level with major graphical, gameplay, and story improvements.

Following the success of Yakuza 0 in 2015, Sega remade the second game as Yakuza Kiwami 2 in 2017 for PlayStation 4. This Kiwami treatment gave a similar head-to-toe overhaul to Yakuza 2 using the latest graphics engine.

Let‘s explore the key enhancements that make the Kiwami versions the definitive way to experience these Yakuza stories.

Yakuza Kiwami – Extreme Remake of Yakuza 1

Yakuza Kiwami completely revamped the 10+ year old original game for modern consoles. It was built using the Dragon Engine from Yakuza 6 to achieve a smooth 60 FPS framerate alongside 4K resolution on PS4 Pro.

Here are some of the major improvements compared to 2005‘s Yakuza:

• Visuals – Higher resolution textures, new lighting, advanced character models. Kamurocho looks better than ever.

• Loading – Near instant area transitions thanks to all data being stored on the SSD.

• Combat – Upgraded to the seamless battles and multiple fighting styles from Yakuza 0.

• Story – Additional cutscenes and context flesh out the narrative and characters even more.

• Majima – The crazy one-eyed demon plays a bigger role with the Majima Everywhere system providing entertaining and challenging encounters.

• Minigames – More activities like batting cages, casino games, SEGA arcade, etc. Kamurocho is now a vibrant entertainment district.

On top of those technical and gameplay upgrades, Kiwami also adds 30+ new side missions featuring fan-favorite characters like Goro Majima. The Majima Everywhere system is a highlight, with him constantly popping up to fight Kiryu using various disguises like a police officer, bartender, or construction worker.

These frequent battles keep you on your toes and unlock Dragon Spirit abilities. Combining the zany antics of Majima with the serious drama of Nishikiyama‘s tragic arc makes Yakuza Kiwami an incredible remake worthy of being called the "extreme" version.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 – The Peak Yakuza Experience

In 2018, PlayStation 4 owners were treated to Yakuza Kiwami 2, a stunning recreation of Yakuza 2 with the same Kiwami enhancements. This also utilized Sega‘s Dragon Engine to completely overhaul the graphics and gameplay.

Some standout improvements over the 2006 original:

• Graphics – 4K resolution with HDR support makes this one of the best looking Yakuza games yet. The Dragon Engine allows for seamless transitions indoors and outdoors.

• Gameplay – Kiryu and his allies now have multiple fighting styles to switch between, adding new combat depth. Enemies are tougher and there are more Heat actions and brutal finishes.

• Story -Expanded with new narrative elements and cutscenes, especially related to Kiryu‘s friendship with Sayama. These additions bridge the gap nicely to Yakuza 3.

• Minigames – Improved golf, batting, arcade games and the return of the highly addicting Cabaret Club simulator featuring Yuki and the Pleiades girls.

• Sotenbori – The Dotonbori area in Osaka is faithfully recreated down to the smallest details like the Glico Man sign. Visitors feel like a tourist in this lively nightlife district.

• Side Content – Tons of bonus missions like helping a dominatrix damsel in distress, a-rrifying zombie outbreak, and fighting off a wild bear in the mountains with nothing but your fists!

The dev team went above and beyond to transform this classic brawler into a modern tour de force. Yakuza Kiwami 2 stands at the pinnacle of the series with its engrossing story, brutal combat, and seemingly endless activities in Kamurocho and Sotenbori. For me, it‘s the peak Yakuza experience and a must-play.

Yakuza 0 – The Origins of Kiryu and Majima

In 2015, Sega changed up the formula by releasing Yakuza 0, an all new prequel title set in the bubbly 1980s. It serves as the origins story for protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima before the first Yakuza game‘s events.

Let‘s look at some key story highlights:

• We follow Kiryu as an upstart yakuza who mistakenly kills a civilian, drawing the wrath of his clan. To repay this debt, he‘s forced to collect funds from delinquent borrowers until he‘s fully forgiven.

• Meanwhile, Majima is desperately working to rejoin the yakuza after being exiled. But to prove his loyalty, he must manage a cabaret club and assassinate a designated target.

• Their paths cross and twine as they get embroiled in a nationwide conspiracy involving 10 billion yen that the larger clans are scheming to get their hands on.

• The climax sees Kiryu and Majima working together to foil this sinister plot, cementing their brotherly bond in the process.

Yakuza 0 fleshes out events referenced in later games like how Kiryu earned the nickname "Dragon of Dojima" and Majima got his signature dog collar. It‘s an origin story worthy of these two icons.

Gameplay-wise, Yakuza 0 revamped combat to use four switchable fighting styles for each character. The dynamically shifting prospero and ritual periods added a fun strategic layer to the activities and businesses. Sega went all-in on crafting an authentic late 80s atmosphere with appropriate music, technology, and culture lovingly recreated in Kamurocho and Sotenbori.

For these reasons and more, Yakuza 0 is considered one of the best games in the series and an ideal entry point for newcomers. It lays the foundations that the amazing Kiwami remakes would later build upon.

My Take – Why Kiwami Rules

As a long-time Yakuza fan, I‘ve relished watching this series grow into one of Japan‘s most beloved franchises worldwide. The intricate crime drama and endearing characters never fail to pull me in. After playing every mainline entry, here‘s my personal take on why the Kiwami remakes are so special:

• They preserve the iconic stories while modernizing the graphics and mechanics to match current standards. You get the best of both worlds – the original narrative along with smooth 60 FPS action.

• Content and context is expanded with new cutscenes and missions that improve story connections and character depth. A remake done right should enhance the source material, and Kiwami does exactly that.

• The Majima Everywhere system in Kiwami 1 is simply hilarious and adds so much entertainment value. Those wacky encounters never get old!

• For new players, Kiwami 1+2 represent the most polished and accessible way to experience the earliest Yakuza games that put this franchise on the map.

• Visiting Kamurocho and Sotenbori with today‘s level of graphical detail makes these settings feel more alive and bustling than ever before.

• Combat is massively elevated thanks to seamless transitions, multiple fighting styles, environmental weapons, and expanded Heat moves.

The "Kiwami" in the titles says it all – these are the ultimate, peak versions of Yakuza 1 and 2 that build on the originals in every way. I hope Sega continues the tradition by giving Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 the same remake treatment in the future!

Closing Thoughts

Well, I think that just about covers the meaning of "Kiwami" and why it signifies the very best that the iconic Yakuza series has to offer. As a tech geek and avid gamer like yourself, I‘m sure you can appreciate all the craft and effort Sega pours into these remarkable remakes. The Yakuza dev team deserve major kudos for their work.

Whether you‘re a newcomer looking to dive into the criminal underworld of Japan, or a seasoned fan eager to revisit Kiryu‘s early adventures in style, the Kiwami remakes are clearly the premier way to experience the Yakuza series roots. I hope this guide gave you some insight into the history and meaning behind these definitive editions.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I could talk Yakuza all day. For now, I‘ll sign off and get back to scouring the streets of Kamurocho for my next substory. Kanpai!