“Yakuza 6: The Song of Life” / 「龍が如く６ 命の詩。」, Original Japanese Video Game Promotional Poster 2016 — Featuring Takeshi Kitano — PlayStation 4, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA408

This is an original Japanese B2 video game promotional poster produced for the 8 December 2016 Japanese release of Yakuza 6: The Song of Life for PlayStation 4, developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA.

Dominated by an imposing close-up of Kazuma Kiryu, the design surrounds the series’ central character with six supporting cast portraits, including Takeshi Kitano, credited under his performing name Beat Takeshi / ビートたけし.

Kitano appears within the lower-left portrait panel, giving this ensemble design a distinctive connection to Japanese crime cinema while keeping Kiryu firmly at the centre of the composition.

Game background

Released in Japan as 「龍が如く６ 命の詩。」 / Ryū ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta, the game was promoted as the final chapter of Kazuma Kiryu’s legend.

Its story follows Kiryu as he investigates the circumstances surrounding a serious accident involving Haruka Sawamura and takes responsibility for her infant son, Haruto. His search for answers leads between Tokyo’s Kamurocho district and Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, drawing him into conflicts involving family, loyalty and the criminal underworld.

The game introduced the series’ Dragon Engine, bringing greater detail and continuity to its urban environments and street combat. Its mixture of dramatic storytelling, physical confrontation, everyday diversions and eccentric side stories continued the distinctive approach that had established Yakuza’s devoted following.

The poster preserves the original Japanese campaign’s emphasis on Kiryu’s story reaching a decisive moment.

Takeshi Kitano and the cast

Takeshi Kitano plays Toru Hirose / 広瀬徹, patriarch of the Hirose family in Onomichi.

His involvement creates a particularly appealing connection between Japanese gangster cinema and video games. Known internationally as both an actor and filmmaker, Kitano brings an established association with the yakuza genre to the game’s cast.

Here, his character appears as one of the six portraits arranged around Kiryu. His printed credit is clearly visible in the lower-left section:

「ビートたけし」

“Beat Takeshi.”

The poster also bills Takaya Kuroda, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Shun Oguri, Yoko Maki, Hiroyuki Miyasako and Nao Omori, with Toshihiro Nagoshi credited as general director.

This prominent presentation of the performers gives the advertising a cinematic character, reinforcing the importance of acting and narrative within the game.

Poster design

An enormous portrait of Kazuma Kiryu, wearing his familiar grey suit and open-necked red shirt, fills the centre of the sheet. Warm light catches one side of his face, emphasising his stern expression and the finely rendered textures of his hair, skin and clothing.

Six supporting character portraits occupy dark horizontal panels along the upper sides. Their arrangement recalls an ensemble crime-film poster, surrounding the protagonist with the people whose relationships and loyalties shape the story.

The oversized Japanese title stretches across Kiryu’s chest:

「龍が如く６ 命の詩。」

“Yakuza 6: The Song of Life.”

Cream-coloured lettering contrasts with the red-and-black numeral 6, whose upper outline incorporates a dragon motif.

The bold vertical slogan at right reads:

「桐生一馬伝説、最終章」

“The final chapter of the Kazuma Kiryu legend.”

This wording records how the game was presented at its original release.

Along the bottom, the announcement reads:

「2016年12月8日発売　予約受付中」

“Released 8 December 2016 — pre-orders now being accepted.”

The PS4 logo, SEGA branding, cast credits and original campaign website complete the design, identifying it as advertising for the game’s Japanese launch.

Collecting significance

This poster brings together Kazuma Kiryu, Takeshi Kitano and the original Japanese campaign for a major chapter in the Yakuza series.

Its strong central portrait, ensemble composition and prominent Japanese typography make it particularly appealing to collectors of Yakuza / Like a Dragon, SEGA, PlayStation promotional material, Takeshi Kitano and Japanese crime-related imagery.

Condition

Excellent overall condition, with localised edge damage.

The poster retains rich colour, clear character detail and strong typography. There is creasing along the lower-left edge and bottom margin, shown in the close-up photograph. Light handling creases and paper undulations are also visible, with some marks and discolouration on the reverse.

The central portrait and principal artwork retain strong display appeal.

Once framed, this poster will display very well.

Reference: ZA408.

Please review all photographs, including the edge close-up and reverse, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original Japanese B2 promotional poster from the game’s 2016 release campaign, measuring approximately 51 × 73 cm.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.