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fredlyfatchet-art · 2 months

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Yakuza/Like a Dragon AFAB*s, Part 2

*Assigned Fursona At Birth

Part two! You can find part 1 here. I should've been better about going in a specified order, but I just kinda. Ran out of space for the original guys/ main characters. This edition also comes with image descriptions! I may go back and add these to the first one, as well.

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Makimura Makoto and Tachibana Tetsu

[ Makimura Makoto and Tachibana Tetsu ]

[Above: Photograph of a brown Chinese hare sitting in grass, ears forward and eyes alert. It is facing the camera.]

Rabbits or Hares

(Rabbits were introduced to China long after they were part of their mythology, only as the endemic Chinese Hare)

Any particular notes or reasons?

Rabbits have a few interesting characteristics biologically and mythological I can connect to these two. Rabbits are universally known as prey animals. Both Tachibana and Makoto are sought after by threatening parties the entirety of Y0. Rabbits, in other parts of the world, are associated with being timid (if not overly cautious.) This comes with the territory of being prey animals. These attributes are also fitting for these two siblings. Watership Down, a western (British) novel published in 1972, features the harrowing adventures of a group of rabbits trying to find a safe home. One (abbreviated) proverb drawn from a tale they tell of their own origins is: "All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you." Not to mention, in Japan - much like cats and dogs in the west - rabbits and dogs (the species I most use to represent members of the Tojo) are mortal enemies. A final reason that I chose rabbits for them is because of a particular tale in Buddhist religion. See: The Rabbit on the Moon. I feel like it fits Tachibana well.

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continued...

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Kasuga Ichiban

[ Kasuga Ichibaan ]

[Above: Photograph of a Kai Ken, a breed of dog in the Spitz family. As is typical of this family, they have triangular, erect ears and a curled, curved, or spiral tail. This breed's famous tell is its brindle-patterned coat. The above dog has telltale subtle, rich brown ripples in its black fur. This one's coloration is, thusly, referred by Japanese breeders as "Kuro Tora".]

Kai Ken

Any particular notes or reasons?

Kai Ken are considered loyal dogs in Japan. They're also considered a rare breed - fitting for Ichiban, who is one-of-a-kind. Though they are eager to please, they are also described as "independent thinkers." And, even more important, "brave", despite being medium-sized dogs. (They're also considered intelligent. All these things seem to be an impossible concoction of personality traits. That is, before you meet Ichiban. (The Best Boy)

Seonhee

[ Seonhee ]

[Above: A photograph of a regal Siberian Tiger. Siberian tigers are the largest of all living subspecies of tiger and are/were endemic to China, Korea, and Eastern Russia. These amazing animals were actually eradicated from Korea in WWII, and may well be extinct in the wild everywhere else.]

(Siberian) Tiger

Any particular notes or reasons?

Seonhee is a force to be reckoned with! It's only fitting that she's represented by a rare, powerhouse of a creature. Definitely a creature that can keep at least 3 gangs in check. I also wanted the Geomijul to be primarily made of stealthy or sneaky animals, including ambush predators like felines. Tigers are one of a few wild cats in the Asiatic region. I wanted to choose a big one, though. Between leopards and tigers, tigers are more social, so I chose that one.

Han Joon-Gi (Like a Dragon/Y7)

[ Han Joon-Gi (Like a Dragon/Y7) ]

I have decided on what our Joon-Gi is, but it requires more details. Keep an eye out, okay? He's coming soon! EDIT: Here you go!

Saejima Taiga

[ Saejima Taiga ]

[Above: Photograph of a domesticated Asian water buffalo. It's all black, looking to its side; its horns are thick, 90 degree curves. There are a variety of ways these horns may look on others.]

Asian Water Buffalo

Any particular notes or reasons?

So, the animal I wanted had to be an absolute unit. I also wanted the animal to be from an area geologically close to striped hyena territory (around the India-ish area.) I feel like it's an interesting take to make his creature a domesticated one...what with being in jail in the beginning of his game and mostly resigned to his fate. I also wanted something close to an African/cape buffalo, one of my favorite animals. They're considered one of the five most deadly animals in Africa (if you're hunting them on foot.) The biggest reason they're in the same club as lions and leopards is because of their sense of altruism. (That, and, uh. A bulletproof skull.) Crocodiles, by the way, didn't make the cut. (If you're curious as to what I mean, I mean you cannot just fight one cape buffalo. You will inevitably be hunting the whole herd. These bovine will come running to herd members that are in distress. For any member, even the calves. And all the herd members join in. And what's worse, they hold grudges. They can recognize human faces. They can remember human faces.)

Zhao Tianyou

[ Zhao Tianyou ]

Some Options:

[Above: A photograph of a rooster (male chicken.) There's bright green foliage behind it and it's standing on a rough, rocky surface.]

A) Rooster

[Above: A photograph of a male golden pheasant (also called a rooster); it has elaborate, vibrant plumage featuring red, blue, green, and the signature yellow-gold.]

B) Golden Pheasant

I'll have a poll on which is better, if anyone wants to weigh in. I just know for sure that he's an avian.

I originally wanted to go with rooster, but I had the idea that I wanted Mabuchi to mirror him somehow...which gave me more ideas. :/

Any particular notes or reasons?

Birds, in the furry fandom, sometimes have an association with proud jerks, assholes, or glorious bastards. So, when I say Zhao (and Mabuchi, for that matter) has "bird energy", that's sort of what I mean.) All the birds in these options are also beautiful, which I'm sure, doesn't help beat the "convinced that he's better than you" allegations. Symbolism with these birds in particular also fit well; roosters are associated with favorability and successfulness. (Golden) pheasants are also associated with favorability/luck, as well as authority.

Lao Ma Parallel AFAB*s (in order):

🡇 (Both options have Green peacock in them, so here's just an image ) 🡇

[Above: Photograph (stock image) of a green, male peafowl. Its tail feathers are fanned out, showing off its impressive collection of eye-spots.]

(I'd also like to point out that green peacocks are associated with power, strength, and confidence in China.)

A) Green Peacock OR Mandarin Duck

[Above: Two images; the first depicts an arrow pointing upwards to draw attention to the green peacock. The second image is a photograph of a male Mandarin duck. Its plumage is elaborate; ashen-brown feathers cover most of its body while bright, exciting colors frame its face. Its beak is scarlet-red.]

B) Green Peacock OR Lady Amherst Pheasant

[Above: Two images; the first depicts an arrow pointing upwards to draw attention to the green peacock. The second image is a photograph of a Lady Amherst pheasant, a bird with elaborate plumage of dark green and blue, its belly and neck white. The neck feathers are also square-shaped and have black edges (this may be called a scaled coloration/pattern?) ]

Namba Yu

[ Namba Yu ]

[Above: Photograph of an ugly hateful beast. Natives somewhere in the range between the Caucasus to Central Asia call it a "manul." Westerners call it the "Pallas's Cat." I call it "stupid looking."]

Manul (AKA Pallas's Cat)

Any particular notes or reasons?

Look at it. Also, it's resistant to cold. Generally keeps to itself. Surly. There might be more? I feel like I really don't need to justify myself on this decision. Fucking look at it.

Please don't take it personally that I talk shit about Manuls.

Sawashiro Jo

[ Sawashiro Jo ]

[Above: Photograph of an Asian Koel; it's a black, compact bird with a white beak. Its visible eye is a stark, brilliant red. The bird is perched on the branch of a barren tree.]

Asian Koel

Any particular notes or reasons?

Well. Remember what I said about "bird energy" when I talked about Zhao? I feel like Jo's got bird energy. Look at it, it has red eyes?? Just mean, mean hateful looking bird. They also have loud calls, and I feel like that fits with him...being an angry foreman-type. Keeps the recruits in line. Interestingly enough, I see them described as "parasites" as well? Not sure what that's about, but Jo sure sucks the life out of a room if he's in it. ...Listen, I swear I put more thought into it. It's just something you notice about him in the story, best you play the game or watch a playthrough of "Like a Dragon" and check out his whole arc.

Hey, everyone, btw, do you think people who look into these interpretations know all the games, or at least play the whole game through before checking out fanon for that particular game? Can you spoil an old game? If someone checks out stuff before finishing a piece of media, is it on them if they find out something too early?

It's just been a thought I had in mind.

Anyway, do I have room for another one?

Haruka Sawamura

[ Haruka Sawamura ]

[Above: two photographs of Muntjac deer; The top one shows a Pu Hoat doe. Note that, despite being female, she has bumps on her head where males of her species would have fully-fledged horns. The bottom one shows a closeup of an unknown (to the writer) subspecies and sex of Muntjac deer, featuring its characteristic fangs.]

Muntjac (Not sure of subspecies) or Musk Deer (or basically any "Vampire Deer")

Any particular notes or reasons?

I wanted Haruka to be somewhat reminiscent of her mother in some way, so I made her an even-toed ungulate. (Spoiler alert: Yumi is a Sika Deer.) I also wanted her to have something that was "from" a carnivore, because Jingo is almost certainly going to be a predator. This can also be a "link" to Kiryu. So, Vampire Deer it is! Her animal also had to be something cute and/or cuddly, so it could emphasize how helpless and delicate she's seen as in the canon. I didn't really give it much more thought than that. There may be a day I change my mind on her species, but for now, I'm attached to a deer with fangs.

That's all for now...

See you in the next installment!