The release ofYakuza: Like a Dragonmarked a significant shift in the series by transforming itswell-known brawler gameplayinto a unique turn-based RPG system. This new direction is heavily inspired by the protagonist Ichiban Kasuga’s favorite game series,Dragon Quest. Kasuga often reflects on this game fondly, and it has greatly influenced his personality and ambitions, aligning with the classic hero archetype seen in many RPGs.
There are many features inYakuza: Like a Dragonwhich are very clearly inspired by classic RPGs. The game’s turn-based combat is the most obvious of these, along with the introduction of a party system allowing Ichiban to band up with his allies to overcome the evils across the game’s fictional version of Japan. The game also introducesa job system, allowing party members to switch between an assortment of special roles, each offering unique abilities and varying styles of gameplay.
Yakuza: Like a Dragonfeatures another prominent RPG trope, though it’s one more commonly associated with games in theFinal Fantasyseries rather than those of Ichiban’s belovedDragon Quest. Early in his adventure, Ichiban unlocks the ability to befriend and call on the aid ofPoundmates,Y:LAD’s version of summons. Except, instead of summoning apowerful eidolon or reigning god, Ichiban gains the ability to call allies he’s met during his adventure, including a feisty crawfish, alarge man wearing a diaper, and other powerful fighters.
How to Unlock the Poundmates Battle Ability
Ichiban will first encounter the Poundmates systemduring Chapter 4, Substory 05: Trip to Pound Town. This substory starts in Isezaki Ijincho, where Ichiban and Adachi come across a man on Ohama Street in the city’s Red Light District.
The man is handing out fliers promoting what appears to be asexy phone service, and the first call is free. While Ichiban is skeptical, Adachi is totally on board and calls the number immediately. The boys don’t have to wait long before they are introduced to the legendary Gary Buster Holmes, courtesy of the Poundmates service.
It turns out that Poundmates is actually aservice of mercenaries for hirethat Ichiban can call on in battle when things get tough to unleash powerful special attacks for a price. After completing a short battle accompanied by Gary, the Poundmates feature is unlocked, and Ichiban is now able to access it during battle. Gary Buster Holmes is added to the Poundmates roster, ready to join the fight when called.
How to Get & Summon Poundmates in Battle
Yakuza: Like a Dragonfeatures14 unlockable Poundmates, the majority of which are obtained by completing specific substories. There are also5 additional Poundmateswhich are unlocked through progressing in the game’s main story and through special means in later chapters of the game. Every Poundmate features its own unique ability that is accompanied by adelightfully over-the-topcinematic when executed. Ichiban can summon a Poundmate once per battle by selecting the “Etc.” option in battle, then selecting “Poundmates.”
Each Poundmate charges a fee for their services, and some have unique conditions that affect their qualifications to perform in battle. The Poundmates menu lists these details, giving Ichiban the opportunity to choose which summon is the right man, woman, or chicken for the job.
All Unlockable Poundmates in Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Here is a full list ofall unlockable Poundmates inYakuza: Like a Dragonand full details on each of these allies, including how to unlock them, their summoning fee, special ability, and any restrictions placed on their use in battle.
Gary Buster Holmes
Gary Buster Holmesis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 04: A Trip to Pound Townunlocked in Chapter 4 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by passing by Otohime Land in the Red Light District and accepting the man’s flyer.
Tosanoyama
Tosanoyamais unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 09: Persimmon Premonitionunlocked in Chapter 4 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by traveling to the park southwest of Survive Bar during the daytime.
Patriarch Gondawara
Patriarch Gondawarais unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 07: Baby Don’t Cryunlocked in Chapter 4 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by heading down Ohama St., past Otohime Land, and interfering with an altercation between two men.
Mr. Masochist
Mr. Masochistis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 24: Fifty Shades of Playunlocked in Chapter 7 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by interfering with a group of women harrassing a dominatrix in a parking lot directly north of Otohime Land. After dealing with the ladies and experiencing an interesting cutscene at the nearby soapland, head to Fukutoku Park south of the Kinka Pharmacy near the Residental District cab stop. At the park, speak with the man assaulting the tree to continue this lengthy but very worthwhile substory.
Kiyoe Shirakawa
Kiyoe Shirakawais unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 17: A Love Worth Fighting Forunlocked in Chapter 5 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by interacting with some men near Kiyoe’s soup kitchen, located near the Homeless Camp in the Commercial District. Afterwards, speak with the man named Kuroi and revisit him as he works to develop a relationship with Kiyoe.
Nancy-Chan
Nancy-Chanis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 16: The Crawfish Caperunlocked in Chapter 5 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by finding a crawfish on Sunrise Bridge, near the Homeless Camp, and releasing it into the river. After speaking with a nearby homeless man, Ichiban learns that the crawfish was his pet and is set on a mission to recover the missing crustacean.
Chau Ka Long
Chau Ka Longis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 36: Whispers of the Underworldunlocked in Chapter 9 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by speaking with Iroha at Survive Bar and learning about a company called Zhou Long Trading, then following up on this rumor. Ichiban will have to reach Confidence Level 7 before he can complete the substory.
Taka the Striker
Taka the Strikeris unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 34: Bros Till the Endunlocked in Chapter 9 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by speaking with a group ofbōsōzokugang members at the south side of Hamakita Park and helping solve their beef with some local Yakuza.
Jiei-san
Jiei-sanis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 26: The Masked Murdererunlocked in Chapter 9 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory by heading east of Eomeoni’s Vow, past Isobe Alley in Koreatown and, after overhearing a startling rumor, speaking with a local business owner.
Il Yu-Jin
Il Yu-Jinis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 25: A Fading Starunlocked in Chapter 7 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory inside Eomeoni’s Vow in Koreatown, where he’ll get involved with a unruly customer.
Ono Michio
Ono Michiois unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 30: Fauxno Michiounlocked in Chapter 9 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory after completingSubstory 29: The Michio Minefield, which he can start in a park located on the western end of Chinatown, just south of Club SEGA and The Bun Sauna.
Megumi
Megumiis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 23: Warmest Wishesunlocked in Chapter 9 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this Substory after completingSubstory 22: An Act of Kindnesswhich he can start by speaking with a girl asking for donations found near Jinnai Station. After completing this Substory, Ichiban can encounter Megumi again by visiting Akaushimaru on Isezaki Road and start Substory 23: Warmest Wishes.
Robson
Robsonis unlocked as a Poundmate after completing thePart Time Hero Support Quest “Please Find My Cat 2"unlocked in Chapter 5 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban can start this quest after meeting Hiro and joining his Part Time Hero initiative, then visiting him at his office located on the second floor above Café Brave at the northwestern corner of the map.
After Ichiban has left the building, he will receive a call from Hiro asking him to locate hismissing cats, starting the Support Quest “Please Find My Cat 1.” Once this mission is complete, the second quest will unlock and finishing it will unlock Robson.
Omelette
Omeletteis unlocked as a Poundmate after completingSubstory 15: Ijincho’s Safety Netin Chapter 5 ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. Ichiban will start this substory automatically during the story as it unlocks the Business Management minigame.
Special Gold Rank Poundmates
Note: Some of the Poundmates below are directly involved inYakuza: Like a Dragon’s main story. Therefore, we have included them in their own section to avoid story spoilers. Please consider this before proceeding!
Masaru Watase
Masaru Watasecan be unlocked as a Poundmate as early asChapter 13ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. However, unlike the previous legends, privilege of summoning Masaru Watase must be purchased for50 Tojo Clan Crests. Tojo Clan Crests, introduced in a previous chapter, are collectibles found hidden throughout each ofYakuza: Like a Dragon’s major cities.
Tojo Clan Crests appear as sparkling items on the ground and have a chance to drop from enemies later in the game. Once Ichiban has acquired enough Tojo Clan Crests, he should head to the Gran Blu Marino Hotel on the eastern end of Hamikita Park Avenue. Inside the building, Ichiban can speak with the mascot of Kamurocho, Kamulop, and exchange Tojo Clan Crests forvarious equipmentand, most importantly, the Masaru Watase and Daigo Dojima Poundmates.
Daigo Dojima
Daigo Dojimacan be unlocked as a Poundmate as early asChapter 13ofYakuza: Like a Dragon. The privilege of summoning the Sixth Chairman as a Poundmate also requires Ichiban to exchange50 Tojo Clan Crestswith Kamulop in the Gran Blu Marino Hotel, as described above.
Kazuma Kiryu
Kazuma Kiryuis unlocked as a Poundmate automatically after completingChapter 14ofYakuza: Like a Dragon.
Goro Majima
Goro Majimais unlocked as a Poundmate automatically after completingChapter 12ofYakuza: Like a Dragon.
Taiga Saejima
Taiga Saejimais unlocked as a Poundmate automatically after completingChapter 12ofYakuza: Like a Dragon.
