Trouble seems to follow the hardboiled Taiga Saejima wherever he goes. In Yakuza 5, he finds himself back in prison to start his journey.
During a yakiniku dinner (Korean BBQ) with his close friend, Goro Majima, Saejima spoke of his promise with Kazuma Kiryu. He promised him that he would strengthen the Tojo clan, but to do so, it would require returning to prison for another year or two, to serve his sentence and cleanse his mind. However, Goro’s concern was that he might have lost a step and was no longer fit to live the harsh prison lifestyle.
In order to help his old friend, Goro got his gang to “test” out Saejima, to see if he still had it in him. Their worst fears came true, as it was evident that Saejima has indeed lost his fierce touch over the years. Regardless of the result, as a man true to his words, Saejima turned himself in to keep his promise.
Several new characters are introduced to the Saejima saga. He befriends his two cellmates Heihachiro Oshima and Himura. A dangerous man by the name of Hiroshi Hara is on a constant prawl after Saejima, and the shady prison warden, Kitakata Taizo.
After enduring two years in prison, Saejima receives devastating news. Reported in the daily paper, he sees “Goro Majima, dead”. The event changes his original intention to serve his sentence, as he decides to make a run for it. However, the prison warden, Kitakata Taizo, who also knows the truth surrounding Majima’s death, isn’t about to let him off easy. And thus begins Saejima’s journey of Yakuza 5.
… and somehow Saejima’s story ends up with him chasing a giant bear.
