Yakuza: Like a Dragon marks a huge departure from the previous entries in the long-running series as it changes from real-time action brawling into a turn-based JRPG. That also includes party members and its own twist on job class systems.
A lot has been made of being able to swap around to a variety of real-life jobs but each character also has their own starting job that’s unique to them, and while it’s fun to try your hand at being a breakdancer or chef, your starting job can be just as important, with skills you don’t want to neglect.
Job rank levels are separate to character levels. As your job rank increases, you will learn new skills related to that job. While it’s possible to max out your job rank to Lv.99, you will learn all skills by Lv.28, and thereafter levelling up further simply improves other stats.
One thing worth noting is that as you learn new job skills, a couple of skills are classed as Character skills, which means once you’ve learned it, your character can use it irrespective of what other job they have at the time.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon Starting Job Guide
In this guide, we’ll outline each character’s starting jobs while also listing their unlockable skills, starting with the game’s main protagonist.
Ichiban Kasuga
Ichiban actually has two exclusive jobs. He starts as a Freelancer fighting with just his fists and can learn terrain-based attacks. He eventually defaults to Hero in Chapter 4, using bat-based attacks but can also learn a mixture of offensive and healing skills. Take note that Freelancer remains a separate job that you can always switch back to.
Freelancer
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 2 | Tenacious Fist | Punch attack that may leave enemy stunned | Job skill |
| 4 | Rock Swing | Puts enemy in headlock and throws them | Job skill |
| 5 | Headbutt Barrage | Damage an enemy with headbutts | Job skill |
| 8 | Hyper Swagger | Boosts evasion and attack for 2 turns | Character skill |
| 12 | Dropkick | Flying kick attack with high chance of critical hit | Job skill |
| 16 | Ruffian’s Kick | Heavy kick attack | Job skill |
| 20 | Atomic Drop | High damage with high chance of critical hit | Job skill |
| 24 | Release German Suplex | Suplex move that may instantly KO enemy | Character skill |
| 28 | Essence of Roadside Weapon | Extreme damage on enemy with an improvised weapon in environment | Job skill |
Freelancer
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 1 | Bat Buster | Swing bat at enemy | Job skill |
| 1 | Mega Swing | Damage enemy and anyone within attack area. Damage is higher when HP is lower | Job skill |
| 4 | Fearless Command | Boost allies’ attack | Job skill |
| 6 | Bat Breaker | Heavy damage with a bat swing | Job skill |
| 8 | Hero’s Vigor | Revive ally from KO – does not always succeed | Job skill |
| 10 | Hero’s Compassion | Restores HP to all allies | Job skill |
| 12 | Giga Swing | Heavy damage to enemy and anyone within attack area. Damage is higher when HP is lower. | Job skill |
| 16 | Peerless Resolve | Allows you to survive a hit that would otherwise result in KO. | Character skill |
| 18 | Indomitable Courage | Removes all allies’ status ailments | Character skill |
| 22 | Essence of Bonecrushing Bat | Extreme damage to an enemy | Job skill |
| 23 | Hero’s Embrace | Restores all allies’ HP | Job skill |
| 28 | Essence of Full Swing | Extreme damage to enemy and anyone within attack area. Damage is higher when HP is lower. | Job skill |
Nanba
You meet Nanba in Chapter 3. An ex-nurse who is living in Yokohama’s homeless camp, his hobo-based skills includes using alcohol to light up enemies with fire, bad breath to cause debuffs and summoning attack pigeons.
Homeless Guy
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 1 | Pigeon Raid | Attacks enemy with flock of pigeons | Job skill |
| 1 | Gnarly Breath | Lowers enemy defence | Job skill |
| 1 | Pitiful Look | Chance of making enemy hand over an item | Job skill |
| 4 | Pyro Belch | Fire attack that affects enemy area and may inflict burn status | Job skill |
| 6 | Push and Shove | Attack that may leave enemy stunned | Job skill |
| 10 | Pyro Breath | Heavy fire attack that affects enemy area and may inflict burn status | Character skill |
| 12 | Nauseating Breath | Lowers enemy attack | Job skill |
| 16 | Pigeon Storm | Heavy attack on enemy with flock of pigeons | Job skill |
| 18 | Stunning Cane | Heavy damage that may leave enemy stunned | Job skill |
| 22 | Malodorous Stench | Lowers attack and defence of all enemies | Character skill |
| 28 | Essence of Pigeon Migration | Extreme damage to all enemies using pigeons | Job skill |
Koichi Adachi
You meet Adachi in Chapter 2 though he’s not properly part of the party until Chapter 4. A washed up detective on the verge of retirement, he’s quite tanky and able to dish out heavy attacks.
Detective
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 1 | Beatdown | Attack that may enrage enemy | Job skill |
| 1 | Slick Tongue | Provoke all with chance to enrage | Character skill |
| 3 | On Guard | Defend and counter-attack any close-range attacks that turn | Job skill |
| 4 | Heavy Beatdown | Combo of attacks | Job skill |
| 6 | Detective’s Determination | Chance of striking fear into an enemy | Job skill |
| 10 | True Grit | Allows you to survive a hit that would otherwise result in KO. | Job skill |
| 12 | Helmsplitter | Damage that may leave enemy stunned | Job skill |
| 16 | Detective’s Eye | Boost accuracy | Job skill |
| 18 | Arrest | Restrain enemy and if successful will instantly KO | Job skill |
| 22 | Grand Helmsplitter | Heavy damage that may leave enemy stunned | Character skill |
| 24 | Essence of Bulldozing Throw | Extreme damage | Job skill |
| 28 | Essence of Body Stacking | Extreme damage to two enemies | Job skill |
Saeko Mukoda
Joining the party in Chapter 5, Saeko is a hostess turned bartender who’s as tough and witty as any of the guys. She specialises in physical attacks on single enemies while using a range of cosmetics to buff herself.
Barmaid
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 1 | Clobberbag | Attack that may leave enemy stunned | Job skill |
| 1 | Boxercise Blow | Attack combo | Job skill |
| 1 | Sharp Perfume | Raises attack | Job skill |
| 4 | Beautician’s Finesse | Raises defence | Character skill |
| 6 | Powderpuff Press | Attack that may lower enemy accuracy | Job skill |
| 10 | Clobberwheel | Damage to enemy area | Job skill |
| 12 | Tweezer Toss | Throw damage that may leave enemy afraid | Job skill |
| 16 | Yoga Meditation | Recover HP and heal burn or bleeding status | Character skill |
| 18 | Branding Blow | Damage that may burn enemy and seal skills | Job skill |
| 22 | Curler Throw | Attack that may lower enemy accuracy | Job skill |
| 24 | Essence of Handbag Hurricane | Extreme attack to single enemy | Job skill |
| 28 | Essence of Facial Gone Wrong | Extreme throw attack to enemy that may cause debuffs | Job skill |
Joon-gi Han
Second-in-command of secretive Korean gang the Geomijul, Joon-gi Han is actually the body double of the man of the same name who once led the Jingweon Mafia (for those who played Yakuza 6). Though an adversary to begin with, he later joins the party and can provide gun skills that damage multiple enemies.
Hitman
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 1 | Head Trauma | Damage enemy | Job skill |
| 1 | Combo Beat | Attack combo | Job skill |
| 1 | Sniper Shot | Ranged attack | Job skill |
| 4 | Banshee Bayonet | Disappear for a turn then unleash powerful attack the next turn | Job skill |
| 6 | Rapid Shot | Ranged attack combo | Character skill |
| 10 | Point Blank | Close gun attack that can stun or even instantly KO | Job skill |
| 12 | Cheap Shot | Stomp on enemy foot then strike | Job skill |
| 16 | Neck Twister | Heavy throw damage | Job skill |
| 18 | Divine Shot | Damage multiple enemies within range | Job skill |
| 22 | Essence of Phantom Drive | High blade damage that may leave enemy bleeding | Job skill |
| 24 | Phantom Shift | Boosts accuracy and evasion | Character skill |
| 28 | Essence of Trick Shots | Heavy damage to all enemies but damage is higher when there are less enemies | Job skill |
Tianyou Zhao
The young leader of Chinese mafia, the Yokohama Liumang, Zhao joins the party late in the game but offers fierce blade-based attacks as well a dose of martial art kicks.
Gangster
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 1 | Falling Fang | Blade attack that may leave enemy bleeding | Job skill |
| 1 | Dragon’s Vortex | Combo attack | Job skill |
| 1 | Blinding Viper | Attack that may lower enemy accuracy | Job skill |
| 4 | Whirling Blade Dance | Attack enemy area and may cause bleeding | Job skill |
| 6 | Dragon’s Ascension | Attack combo that may leave enemy stunned | Job skill |
| 10 | Shell Shatter | Attack that may lower enemy’s defence | Character skill |
| 12 | Rapd Crane Kick | Damage an enemy and may leave stunned | Job skill |
| 16 | Sanguine Blade Dance | Combo attack that may cause bleeding | Job skill |
| 18 | Seismic Shockwave | Builds up power on first turn followed by devastating attack the next that damages enemy area | Job skill |
| 22 | Drunken Tiger Fist | Damage enemy, critical hit more likely when drunk | Character skill |
| 24 | Essence of the Phoenix Blade | Extreme attack that may leave enemy burned | Job skill |
| 28 | Essence of the Ladder Acrobatics | Extreme attack to all enemies, may instantly KO the last enemy hit | Job skill |
Eri Kamataki
Eri is an optional character you meet towards the end of Chapter 5. While her story is focused on the management mini-game, you’re advised not to ignore this if you want to make a lot of money in the long run. Upon reaching the Top 100 in the management mini-game, Eri joins the party, bringing the pain using blade-based attacks – based on a variety of office supplies!
Clerk
| Job rank | Skill | Summary | Skill type |
| 1 | Healing Vibrations | Restore HP to self | Character skill |
| 1 | Rolling Kick | Attack that deals more damage to enemies with status ailments | Job skill |
| 1 | Flying Crane | Blade attack that may leave enemy bleeding | Job skill |
| 4 | Thumbtack Scatter | Sharp attack affecting enemy area | Job skill |
| 6 | Inkblot Nocturne | Lower enemy and nearby enemies’ accuracy and evasion | Job skill |
| 10 | Shadow Stitch | Heavy blade damage that may lower enemy evasion | Character skill |
| 12 | Sealing Lamp | Attack that may silence enemy | Job skill |
| 16 | Stapler Striker | Attack combo that may leave enemy afraid | Job skill |
| 18 | Paper Drop | Heavy damage that may leave enemy stunned | Job skill |
| 22 | Papercut Reversal | Heavy damage that may leave enemy bleeding | Job skill |
| 24 | Essence of Flying Swallow | Extreme attack that may leave enemy afraid | Job skill |
| 28 | Essence of Telephone Nunchaku | Extreme attack to all enemies, may cause silence and fear | Job skill |
Yakuza: Like a Dragon Guides & more from TheSixthAxis
-
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon Review
- Every Yakuza game ranked from worst to best
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – quick XP and levelling guide
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – how to improve friendship bonds
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – all mini-games and where to find them
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon starting jobs guide
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – all female jobs and skills
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – all male jobs and skills
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – find all Kappa Statues
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – find all Missing Cats
- Tokyo in video games: a brief history
