Yakuza, known in Japan as Ryū ga Gotoku (龍が如く, Like a Dragon, Japanese: [ɾʲɨᵝ: ɡa�  go̞to̞kɯ̟ᵝ]), is an action-adventure beat 'em up video game franchise created, owned and published by Sega. The series originated from Toshihiro Nagoshi's desire to create a game that would tell the way of life of the yakuza. Nagoshi initially struggled to find a platform for the project, until Sony showed interest in the prospect.[1]

The series primarily focuses on the yakuza Kazuma Kiryu from the Tojo Clan. While Kiryu often assists the Tojo Clan, the series has also featured him searching for another way of life in the form of raising orphans. The gameplay of Yakuza has the player controlling Kiryu (or another character depending on the title) in an open district where he can encounter an enemy or perform an activity in the city to obtain experience.

The franchise has become a commercial and critical success, and as of 2020, Sega has reported that the Yakuza franchise has sold a combined total of 12 million units in physical and digital sales since its debut in 2005.[2] Strong sales of the games in its original Japanese market has led to the franchise's expansion to other media, including film adaptations.