Yakuza Gaiden Substories: A Complete Guide to Every Side Quest Worth Your Time

Okay, so here’s the thing — I almost skipped the substories in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name during my first playthrough. Biggest mistake I ever made in a Yakuza game, and I’ve been playing these since the PS2 days! The Yakuza Gaiden substories are honestly some of the most entertaining, heartfelt, and downright bizarre side missions in the entire franchise.

If you’re anything like me and tend to rush through the main story, slow down. These side quests are where the real magic happens.

What Makes the Gaiden Substories So Special

In Like a Dragon Gaiden, you play as Kazuma Kiryu living under the alias “Joryu.” The main storyline is heavy and emotional, no doubt about it. But the substories? They hit completely different.

There’s roughly 20 substories scattered across the game, and each one feels like a tiny movie. Some are laugh-out-loud funny — like the one where Kiryu gets roped into helping a guy with his dating profile — while others genuinely had me tearing up at my screen at 2 AM. I ain’t ashamed to admit that.

What was really appreciated by fans is how these side quests tie into Kiryu’s identity crisis. He’s a man pretending to be dead, and many substories force him to confront what that actually means.

Where to Find Yakuza Gaiden Substories

Most substories are found in two main locations: Sotenbori and the Castle. If you see a small icon on your map that looks like a speech bubble, walk toward it. That’s your ticket to a good time.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where to look:

• Sotenbori streets — Several substories trigger just by walking around the entertainment district, especially near the river and Champion District.
• The Castle (Daidoji’s ship) — This floating hub has its own set of unique substories tied to the coliseum and various NPCs onboard.
• Akame Network requests — Some substories are actually disguised as Akame’s side missions, so don’t ignore those either.

I missed a couple during my first run because I didn’t realize the Akame Network missions were basically substories in disguise. Learned that the hard way when a buddy texted me about a quest I’d never even seen.

The Must-Play Substories You Can’t Skip

Look, they’re all worth doing. But if you’re pressed for time, here are the ones that absolutely floored me.

First, “The Man Whoستached His Name” — yes, the mustache substory. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds and perfectly captures that classic Yakuza series humor we all love. Then there’s the substory involving a young kid who recognizes Kiryu despite his disguise, and it just… man, it hits different when you’ve followed this character for years.

The coliseum-related substories on the Castle are also fantastic if you enjoy the combat system. They basically give you an excuse to experiment with both the Yakuza and Agent fighting styles, which was something I didn’t fully appreciate until these quests forced me to switch things up.

For a great visual walkthrough of many of these quests, check out this helpful video:

Like a Dragon Gaiden Substories Guide on YouTube

Tips for Completing Every Substory

After two full playthroughs, I picked up some habits that really helped. Always talk to everyone — and I mean everyone. NPCs that look like background decoration sometimes trigger whole quest chains.

Save often, especially before entering new chapters. Some substories become locked after certain story beats, and there’s nothing more frustrating then realizing you missed one permanently. Also, keep upgrading both fighting styles because several substories require you to win fights that can be surprisingly tough.

One more thing — explore at night. A handful of Sotenbori substories only appear during nighttime hours, and they’re easy to miss if you keep fast-traveling everywhere.

Why These Side Quests Are the Heart of the Game

At the end of the day, the Yakuza Gaiden substories are what transform a good game into an unforgettable one. They give Kiryu’s story layers that the main plot alone simply can’t provide. Whether you’re a longtime fan or jumping in fresh, take your time with them.

Everyone’s playthrough will look a little different, and that’s the beauty of it. If you enjoyed this guide and want more tips on games like this, swing by Glitch Lane — we’ve got plenty more where this came from!