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"Mature Content Warning!" |
| “ | I'll let you in on a little something. The yakuza game, it's not like boxing. The man who gets beat down isn't the loser. The guy who can't tough it out to the end, he's the one who loses. Eh? Don't you think? In the yakuza life, there are no KO's. I'll tell you what, Kiryu. To me, a finger or two don't mean shit. Having Awano or Shibusawa beat me to the captain's spot? Couldn't give a fuck... As long as I'm alive, I'll keep getting back up for more. Which is why you, a half-ass like you, is the the one thing I can't stand. Now DIE, you little shit! | „ |
| ~ Kuze's most iconic speech to Kiryu before their second fight, |
Daisaku Kuze is a major antagonist in the video game Yakuza 0, being the central antagonist of Kiryu's story. He is a member of the Tojo Clan, one of three lieutenants of the Dojima Family and the patriarch of the Kenno Clan.
He was voiced and modeled after Hitoshi Ozawa. In the English Dub for the Director's Cut of Yakuza 0, he's voiced by Keston John.
What Makes Him A Ensemble Dark Horse?[]
- His voice actor Hitoshi Ozawa gives an amazing performance for Kuze, making him sound imitating and cool.
- His first battle with Kiryu is difficult at first but it still memorable while his theme "Pledge Of Demon" plays in the background, causing hype for the players.
- Even after getting beaten by Kiryu and having his pinky cut, Kuze make it his quest to beat and overcome Kiryu which makes him both respectable and a huge meme in the eyes of the Yakuza community.
- His second fight with Kiryu involves him driving his motorcycle in the sewage where Kiryu is running from the Dojima Family all while yelling Kiryu's name and slamming the pipe into Kiryu's blocking arms, knocking the latter flat on his back.
- He tells Kiryu his iconic speech about the "yakuza game" and him backing up for more as long as he is alive (with Pledge of Demon building up in the background), making the second fight memorable.
- Despite being a Blood Knight who is shown and said to be violent, Kuze has some shown some standards, a notable example is when the Dojima Family captures Tatsu Tachibana and have the Kenno Clan torture him in order to get the whereabouts of Makoto Makimura, the owner of the empty lot. Kuze, realizing that torture won't work stops the torture and suggest to his subordinate Yoneda to think of something else, When Yoneda disrespects him by calling him soft, Kuze puts him in his place, showing that he is not a sadist unlike Yoneda.
- Kuze would kill Yoneda after the latter fatally strikes Tachibana with a sledgehammer, considering what Yoneda has done and acted, many fans felt like his death at the hands of Kuze was deserved.
- When Kiryu and Nishikyama come in the room and upon seeing Tachibana's condition, Kiryu, enraged, yells out Kuze's name followed by punching Kuze in anger, making yet another memorable moment in Yakuza 0.
- When Kiryu declares that he will crush the Tojo Clan if they harm Makoto and leaves with Tachibana's body. Kuze became impressed by Kiryu and remarks to himself that Kiryu has "finally turned into a real yakuza".
- He has one last fight with Kiryu alone. The fight is considered the best fight of Yakuza 0 from fans due to his final theme "Oath of Enma" which has a melancholier tone to it that makes it sound like Kuze is proud of Kiryu, fans has also considered Oath of Enma to be the best Yakuza 0 song.
- The QTE during the fight is breathtaking as Kuze and Kiryu trade blows and counters, encouraging the player(s) to press a button rapidly to succeed. Succeeding it leads to Kuze punching Kiryu in the head, only for Kiryu to not be damaged by it and punch Kuze back, sending him flying.
- Kuze has also tanked what looks like to be a prototype version of the Tiger Drop (The most powerful and iconic move from Kiryu's moveset), showing how tough Kuze is.
- When Kiryu wins, Kuze accepts his defeat and reveals Shibusawa's plans. Kuze then warns Kiryu that he has to be prepared to wade into "the deepest, darkest pit of the yakuza world". Kiryu affirms his resolve, then politely bows and addresses Kuze as "sir", gaining Kuze the respect from not just Kiryu but the fanbase as well who all grown to like him.
- In fact some fans would believe that Kuze played a part of shaping Kiryu into the man he is now.
- Despite appearing in one game, he became a fan favorite of the Yakuza community, with many initially disliking him, now loving him due to his determination, rivalry with Kiryu and character development. Many people wanted Kuze to return to a new Yakuza game to the point where some fans wanted him to be promoted to a playable protagonist in his own prequel game.
Trivia[]
- Kuze's currently the icon for the Spotlight Stealers category.
- Kuze's likeness would be used in Like A Dragon Ishin Kiwami, replacing Goh Hamazaki as Ito Kashitaro with Ozawa reprising his role as him.
External Links[]
- Daisuku Kuze on the Yakuza Wiki
- Daisuku Kuze on the Villains Wiki
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 Ensemble Dark Horses
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Yakuza 0 Yakuza Yakuza 2 Yakuza Kiwami 2 Yakuza 3 Yakuza 4 Yakuza 5 Yakuza 6 Yakuza: Like a Dragon Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth See Also | ||