Fallout Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Fallout Wiki

Killing is an art form.— Common Yakuza motto

The Yakuza (ヤクザ, lit. gangster) are a minor group of martial artists and gangsters who operated in New Reno, New California, around the middle of the 23rd century.

Background[]

Little is known about the yakuza of New California. Seemingly descended from the Japanese criminal organizations, they hone their bodies to physical perfection, exhibiting heroic strength and very high endurance, and train with firearms, melee weapons, and martial arts extensively, becoming very capable fighters.[1]

They seem to follow some twisted form of bushido, considering killing to be an art form, believing in karma dictating the fate of one's life, that life and death are the same, and of course, hold honor in high esteem. Unlike the samurai of old, the post-nuclear yakuza are a lot more ethically flexible, and will readily retreat from battle if they face death, suddenly realizing that it's better to be a live coward, than a dead hero, and that dishonor is preferable to death. Some seem actually prepared to die, however, or that further study would make them more courageous in subsequent fights.[2]

Technology[]

They commonly wear black leather and use the traditional Japanese weapon, the wakizashi, in combat almost exclusively, supplemented by throwing knives.[3]

Notable quotes[]

  • "Killing is an art form." – Common Yakuza motto
  • "Life and death are the same."
  • "Die with honor!"
  • "It is your karma to die."
  • "Fleeing is dishonorable. Dying would be worse."
  • "Better a live coward than a dead hero."

Appearances[]

The Yakuza appear only in Fallout 2.

Behind the scenes[]

  • The Yakuza in Fallout 2 are based on a real world group of the same name, this Yakuza being a transnational organized crime syndicate originating in Japan.
  • Originally, the Yakuza seemed to have been planned for inclusion as regular gangsters, using Tommy guns and throwing knives. This was later changed, but the comments in the encounter data file were not updated.

References[]

  1. Yakuza statistics
  2. Yakuza: "{100}{}{Killing is an art form.}
    {101}{}{It is your Karma to die.}
    {102}{}{Life and death are the same.}
    {103}{}{Die with honor!}
    {104}{}{It is my time to die.}
    {105}{}{To die in battle is honorable. Yeah, right!}
    {106}{}{More study is required.}
    {107}{}{Fleeing is dishonorable. Dying would be worse.}
    {108}{}{Better a live coward than a dead hero.}"
    (Ecyakuza.msg)
  3. WORLDMAP.TXT
    Note: The comments are incorrect, the item IDs resolve to wakizashis and throwing knives.
Advertisement