Cardboard Kazuma Kiryu Becomes The Center Of A Fan-Made Wedding In Tokyo

A Yakuza wedding staged around a cardboard cutout of Kazuma Kiryu has become one of the most visible moments from Sega’s Like a Dragon 20th anniversary celebrations in Japan. The scene unfolded at a themed exhibition in Tokyo, where fans were invited to participate in symbolic ceremonies inspired by the long-running series. One attendee arrived in a white wedding dress and posed alongside a life-size image of Kiryu, the franchise’s central character, treating the moment as a formal marriage ceremony.

The event took place during the Like a Dragon 20th Anniversary 'Weddings, Funerals, and Other Ceremonies Exhibition,” held at Shibuya BEAM Gallery from November 28 to December 22. Organized by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the exhibition was designed to reinterpret the themes of the Yakuza games through life rituals such as weddings and funerals. Rather than focusing on gameplay or announcements, the show framed the series as a dramatic chronicle of loyalty, loss, and personal bonds.

Photos of the Yakuza wedding circulated widely after being posted on X by the attendee, who uses the handle lala_nyan0617. In the images, she stands beside the Kiryu cutout, arm linked as if walking down the aisle. The photos were taken during the public exhibition hours and appear to have been encouraged as part of the interactive setup rather than staged privately.

“I’m so happy to have met a wonderful person like Kazuma Kiryu. From now on, I’ll always stay by your side and support you,”— lala_nyan0617

The statement accompanied the images online and was shared using machine translation. While the ceremony was symbolic and explicitly fictional, it aligned closely with the exhibition’s concept. Visitors were offered mock wedding and divorce paperwork as souvenirs, along with themed displays referencing key moments from the series’ storylines. The intent was not parody, but ritualized fandom, allowing participants to project personal meaning onto characters they have followed for nearly two decades.

The exhibition builds on a previous Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio event held last year, known as the Scattered Men exhibition. That earlier show functioned as a memorial space dedicated to characters who had died throughout the series’ timeline. The new exhibition expands that idea, presenting a broader range of life events and inviting fans to step into ceremonial roles. According to promotional material released earlier this year, the goal was to express the “essence” of the Like a Dragon series through symbolic representations of human drama.

Beyond the Yakuza wedding displays, the venue also features a chronological timeline of the franchise, character introductions, and curated quotes from both in-game figures and development staff. Some materials on display have not previously been released publicly. Visitors can also purchase exclusive merchandise tied to the exhibition, including acrylic standees and official sake cups branded for the anniversary.

Although the Kiryu wedding photos drew attention online, similar ceremonies were staged throughout the exhibition period. Attendees were encouraged to engage with different characters through funerals, memorials, and other formalized interactions. The format reflects the unusually strong emotional attachment many fans have developed toward the Like a Dragon cast, particularly Kiryu, whose stoic presence has anchored the series since its debut.

The exhibition remains consistent with Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s long-standing approach to its audience. Rather than reshaping the franchise to meet external expectations, the studio has continued to lean into the melodrama, sincerity, and ritual that define its games. This event extends that philosophy beyond the screen, translating narrative themes into physical space.

The Tokyo run of the exhibition concludes on December 22, but a second installation is scheduled to open in Osaka. That version will be held at the Osaka South Port ATC Gallery from February 6 to February 24, 2026. Fans who missed the Tokyo dates will have another opportunity to participate, including those interested in staging their own Yakuza wedding or funeral ceremony.

While the concept may seem unusual, the exhibition reflects how video game fandom continues to evolve. Characters like Kazuma Kiryu are no longer confined to their original medium. For some fans, they function as long-term companions, moral reference points, or symbolic figures. The wedding scene in Tokyo was not an isolated joke but a visible example of how those relationships are being reinterpreted in public, ceremonial forms.