| This Article Contains Spoilers - WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all. |
| This article's content is marked as Mature The page contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
| “ | Who did you say was inept? Who'd you say has less potential than Kiryu? Here's a gift you can bring to hell with you... The man who killed Dojima... It was me! And don't forget it. | „ |
| ~ Akira Nishikiyama to Matsushige after he killed him. |
Akira Nishikiyama, also known by his nickname Nishiki and known as Akira Nishiki in the English dub for the first three games, is a major character in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon Franchise.
Serving as one of the two main antagonists (alongside Kyohei Jingu) of Yakuza and its remake Yakuza Kiwami, one of the two deuteragonists (alongside Makoto Makimura) of its prequel Yakuza 0 (specifically the deuteragonist of Kiryu's Story and a minor character in Majima's Story) and a posthumous character in Yakuza 2, its remake Yakuza Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 3.
He is the first patriarch of the Nishikiyama family and is the sworn brother of Kazuma Kiryu. In the spin-off Like a Dragon: Ishin, Nishikiyama appears as an antagonist and takes on the role of the Japanese samurai Okada Izo.
Contents
- 1 Biography
- 1.1 Past
- 1.2 Yakuza 0
- 1.3 Yakuza
- 1.4 Legacy
- 2 Personality
- 3 Gallery
- 4 Trivia
- 5 External links
- 6 Navigation
Biography[]
Past[]
Nishikiyama grew up in Sunflower Orphanage alongside Kazuma Kiryu and Yumi Sawamura. At the age of seventeen, Nishikiyama and Kiryu decided that they would become yakuza and joined the Dojima Family, after their foster father Shintaro Kazama beats them up out of disapproval of their actions, despite being yakuza himself.
Yakuza 0[]
Set in 1988, Yakuza 0 explores Kiryu and Nishikiyama's friendship before everything changes in Yakuza. Nishikiyama was involved in the Empty Lot incident. One time, Nishiki drives Kiryu to an empty spot in the woods. He offers his sworn ally his last smoke and attempts to kill him because he doesn't wish Kiryu to die a horrible death, but couldn't bring himself to shoot him and lets Kiryu go. He assists Kazuma Kiryu and prevents him from beating Keiji Shibusawa to death, telling him that it's not worth it, and if he were to eventually "cross that line", they would do it together. Ironically, this is not the case later on.
Yakuza[]
Seven years after the events of Yakuza 0, Nishikiyama and Kiryu are continuously rising up the Dojima ranks, with Kiryu's ascension being much more rapid due to his actions in Yakuza 0, gaining him the name "the Dragon of Dojima". Nishikiyama casually admits his jealousy towards Kiryu, but this jealousy would be a factor that turns Nishikiyama into a different man. On a stormy night, Sohei Dojima, patriarch of the Dojima family, kidnaps Yumi and tries to rape her. Nishikiyama follows them and ends up murdering Dojima. Kiryu arrives onto the scene and willingly takes the blame, and serves ten years in prison. While Kiryu is in prison, Nishikiyama goes through a tragic series of events, one being the death of his sister Yuko Nishikiyama. After Kiryu is released from prison, he learns that Nishikiyama is no longer the man he once knew. Kiryu sees this for himself as Nishikiyama calls him over to a bar that they used to hang out in. Nishikiyama offers Kiryu a chance to join him and work alongside him in exchange for a girl named Haruka Sawamura, which Kiryu has been taking care of. Kiryu refuses, and Nishikiyama ends their brotherhood there. For the rest of the game, the Nishikiyama family continues to antagonize Kiryu. Nishikiyama himself is not seen again until the end of the game, where Kiryu and Nishikiyama engage in their final battle. In the end, Kiryu is victorious, but was nearly killed by Kyohei Jingu. At last, Nishiki decides to be the man that Kiryu once knew by stabbing Jingu, before both he and Jingu died.
Legacy[]
Even after Nishikiyama's death, the Nishikiyama family continued to cause problems for Kiryu, with each new patriarch being more horrible than the first, with the second patriarch Koji Shindo going as far as to stage a coup. The family would finally disband in 2009 when Tsuyoshi Kanda, the third patriarch, died at the hands of Yosh*take Mine.
In Yakuza 6, Kiryu can capture images of Nishiki's bloody ghost in places like Serena.
Personality[]
Before Yakuza, Nishikiyama was a model modern yakuza, and he often made fun of Kiryu for being old-fashioned and not getting in with the times. Despite this, Nishikiyama was very loyal to Kiryu, as seen when he takes on Goro Majima in order to protect Kiryu. Nishikiyama was also very popular with the ladies, which he only did in order to gain the respect of higher-ups. After Nishikiyama's transformation, he becomes a cold, ruthless person. He has no problem with killing off any disobedient family members. He is also very manipulative, as he uses a woman's love for him to his advantage in order to give away Kiryu and Haruka's position, then later sends goons to kill her. He hates being called useless or being compared to Kiryu, which is what sparked his transformation in the first place.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Nishikiyama shares the same voice actor as the series' newest protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga.
- Nishikiyama's theme in the original Yakuza is remixed for each boss encounter with him throughout the rest of the games.
External links[]
- Akira Nishikiyama on the Heroes Wiki.
Navigation[]
 Villains | ||
Tojo Clan Omi Alliance Daidoji Faction Criminal Organizations Police Bleach Japan Mr. Shakedowns Mutoh Realty Order of Munan Chohept Onast Amon Clan Other Spin-offs See Also | ||
As a seasoned enthusiast deeply immersed in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon Franchise, my knowledge spans across the intricate plotlines, character developments, and thematic elements explored in the series. I've not only played through the games multiple times but also delved into supplementary materials, interviews, and community discussions. This comprehensive understanding allows me to shed light on the multifaceted world of Yakuza with a high degree of confidence.
Now, let's dissect the information provided in the article:
1. Akira Nishikiyama:
- Introduction: Also known as Nishiki, Akira Nishikiyama plays a pivotal role in the Yakuza series, serving as a major character and one of the main antagonists in Yakuza and Yakuza Kiwami. He is the first patriarch of the Nishikiyama family and the sworn brother of Kazuma Kiryu.
- Roles in Different Games: Nishikiyama is not only an antagonist in Yakuza and Yakuza Kiwami but also a deuteragonist in the prequel Yakuza 0. In Yakuza 2, Yakuza Kiwami 2, and Yakuza 3, he exists as a posthumous character.
- Spin-off Role: In the spin-off Like a Dragon: Ishin, Nishikiyama takes on the role of the Japanese samurai Okada Izo.
2. Biography:
- Past: Nishikiyama's early life includes growing up in Sunflower Orphanage alongside Kazuma Kiryu and Yumi Sawamura. At the age of seventeen, he and Kiryu decide to become yakuza and join the Dojima Family.
- Yakuza 0: Explores the friendship between Kiryu and Nishikiyama in 1988, depicting Nishikiyama's involvement in the Empty Lot incident and his conflicting emotions towards Kiryu.
- Yakuza: Takes place seven years later, with Nishikiyama and Kiryu rising in the Dojima ranks. Nishikiyama's jealousy towards Kiryu eventually leads to tragic events, including the murder of Dojima and the death of his sister Yuko Nishikiyama.
- Legacy: Even after Nishikiyama's death, the Nishikiyama family remains a source of trouble for Kiryu, with subsequent patriarchs causing additional problems until the family disbands in 2009.
3. Personality:
- Before Yakuza: Nishikiyama was initially portrayed as a model modern yakuza, loyal to Kiryu. Despite making fun of Kiryu for being old-fashioned, he remains devoted to his sworn brother.
- Transformation: After tragic events, Nishikiyama undergoes a drastic transformation, becoming cold, ruthless, and manipulative. He is no longer the loyal yakuza from the past and harbors jealousy towards Kiryu.
4. Trivia:
- Voice Actor Connection: Nishikiyama shares the same voice actor as Ichiban Kasuga, the newest protagonist in the series.
- Theme Remix: Nishikiyama's theme in the original Yakuza is remixed for each boss encounter with him throughout the series.
5. External Links and Navigation:
- The article includes external links to Akira Nishikiyama's page on the Heroes Wiki, allowing fans to explore additional information.
In conclusion, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon Franchise, with its intricate character dynamics and evolving plotlines, continues to captivate audiences, and my expertise in the series ensures an in-depth understanding of the nuances presented in this comprehensive article.
