SPOILER WARNING! I’m assuming you know the events of both Kiwami and 0!
Akira Nishikiyama is the main antagonist and final boss of the first yakuza game, and he plays the part well, with a boss fight that is as epic as it is sorrowful.
Kazuma kiryu and Akira Nishikiyama, both sworn brothers from sunflower orphanage, are low ranking yakuza grunts trying to make a name for themselves in the yakuza underworld.
Throughout the events of 0 we see Nishiki’s loyalty to Kiryu, and the Tojo Clan, get tested again and again. However, he ultimately stays loyal to his brother.
After the defeat of Keiji Shibusawa, Kiryu finds himself in a state of absolute rage. He thinks of everyone who has suffered, and lost their lives in the battle for The Empty Lot. Enraged, Kiryu prepares to deliver the final and fatal blow to a beaten Shibusawa.
However, Nishiki stops him before it connects. He tells Kiryu that he can’t cross that line yet, no matter what. He resolves that if Kiryu and him have to cross the line one day, they’ll do it together, as brothers.
He did not know of the fate that would befall on him 7 years later.
Kiwami: To Live Is To Not Run Away
In 1995, Kiryu and Nishiki, along with their barkeep friend Reina, and fellow sunflower orphan Yumi, are living a relatively peaceful life, 7 years after the events of 0. Kiryu has finally made a name for himself as the Dragon Of Dojima, and Nishiki is hyping Kiryu up at the prospect of starting his own yakuza family. Things seem great, until…
After Tojo Captain Sohei Dojima attempts to rape Yumi, Nishiki shoots and kills him, traumatizing Yumi. Kiryu arrives, and convinced Nishiki to let him take the blame, knowing Nishiki is some of the only family he has left. Nishiki take Yumi, and runs. This is the catalyst for the fallout between the brothers.
Nishiki’s downfall, The Koi’s upstream journey
After Kiryu goes to prison for patricide, Nishiki slowly changes over the course of 10 years. Subjected to Yumi’s disappearance, constant comparisons to his brother, and the death of his sister, Nishiki becomes a cold, and calculating man of ambition, only thinking of rising to the top, and ultimately besting his brother, taking control of his fate at last.
After everything, Kiryu and Yumi unexpectedly meet Nishiki in Yumi’s bar after the defeat of Jingu. Kiryu and Yumi attempt to talk him down, which sets off an inkling of doubt in Nishiki’s mind, until Yumi once again compares Kiryu to Nishiki.
At that point, there was no other way, the two brothers had to settle it, one way or another, which finally leads us to
The Fight: For Who’s Sake
Theres a lot going down here, so lets analyze this piece by piece, starting with…
Nishiki’s theme, For Who’s Sake, is a melancholic and masterful theme that represents the sorrowful fight between brothers, and the downfall of Akira Nishikiyama. There are 2 versions of this song, so I’ll analyze both.
The original and first final boss theme in the Yakuza series, this track represents both Nishiki’s determination to rise to the top, and Kiryu’s determination to take him down, and settle the score with his brother. Unlike the rock elements of the other songs in 1, For Who’s Sake has an acoustic guitar up front and center, creating a melancholic feeling throughout the song. There are electronic elements scattered throughout that emphasize the growing coldness of Nishiki towards his brother.
The extreme remix of the original song, this track shows the downfall of Nishiki, along with the reprise of some elements of the original song. The acoustic guitar takes a backseat for some melodic bells. The track starts off determined, and fierce, but corrupts throughout, showcasing Nishiki’s fall to ambition, and jealousy.
Nishiki’s Fighting Style: Koi At The Dragon Gate
He retains his fighting style from 0, with some additions. He gains some moves from Kashiwagi, and Joji Kazama’s moveset. His style is reminiscent of street fighting, creating a pseudo mirror of Kiryu’s Dragon Style. He’s also among the only bosses to use heat actions against you, further emphasizing this. He’s a tough foe, but can easily be overwhelmed by a skilled player.
Nishiki has the same heat aura from 0, albeit paler, showing his descent from so long ago.
The QTES here are mostly one sided, consisting of Kiryu pummeling Nishiki throughout the bar. They have unique flashback segments, showing Kiryu reflecting on their relationship, and what lead to this.
What makes Nishiki a good final boss?
Nishiki may not be the hardest boss from a gameplay standpoint, but from an emotional standpoint, especially after 0, every blow you land against Nishiki genuinely hurts. A stark contrast from the other final bosses in the series, this is not a battle of honor, but one of sorrow.
Welp, this is the first post, finished. I don’t expect it to be good or blow up by any means, but I hope I improve at this more and more.
If you have a suggestion on a final boss to analyze, don’t be afraid to leave a note or comment!
