Haruka visits Kiryu while he's in prison and tells him how much their bond means to her, and how hard it was for her to continue acting like they weren't connected when she was an idol.
Kiryu reuniting with the orphans after his time spent in prison, almost going to tears seeing how much they've grown. Taichi takes no time and gives ol' Uncle Kaz a hug with tears in his eyes. Keep in mind it's been over 5 years since Kiryu last saw them, taking the events of Yakuza 5 into account.
Though the circumstances are not the best, seeing how Kiryu interacts with his adopted grandson Haruto will surely bring a smile to many a player's faces.
Nagumo's Heel–Face Turn is both this and funny, having him call Kiryu "aniki" and swearing to help him no matter what.
The relationship between the Hirose Family members is such a joy to see, with how they act around each other. Despite being gangsters, they really give off a True Companions vibe. Kiryu joining in on their conversations shows a softer side of the Dragon of Dojima that is simply wonderful to see.
On that note, the reason he didn't beat them up for not spilling what they know of Haruka? Because he actually took a liking to them.
After being given a brutal lecture for his unwillingness to save Haruto, Yuta picks himself up and joins the others in rescuing Haruto, declaring him his son and tearfully asking to join them. Kiryu, of course, obliges.
Kiryu and the Hirose Family are at the site where Haruto was taken. Before they head off, though, Hirose mentions one important detail about what Haruka planned to do after coming out of hiding:
Hirose: By the way, yer girl told me something interesting. Apparently she wanted to go back to Okinawa once she was confident she could raise the kid. Kiryu: Haruka said that? Hirose: That's why she hadn't told you 'bout the kid. She wanted to be able to see you again with her head held high. Y'know? Kiryu: (Beat) I promise... I'm going to do what it takes to bring Haruto back safe, Patriarch.
In a flashback, Jimmy Lo is very happy to see his infant brother. Of course, the happiness does not last, as that infant needs to be sent away due to China's one-child policy.
In the hospital, Haruka finally wakes up and has Yuta and Haruto beside her. Date asked Kiryu to find Haruto's father and make sure he is present when she wakes up, which he was successful in doing.
Kiryu tells the Hirose family that in spite of the fact that Hirose killed their parents, he still cared for them. They were confused on whether or not to mourn him, but this clears up any confusion and they forgive him for what he did while allowing themselves to cry.
When the Yomei Alliance shows up to kill Kiryu and all the members of the Hirose Family for revealing the secret of Onomichi, Kiryu tells Nagumo, Tagashira, and Matsunaga to make them regret messing with "our family". When Nagumo questions him on his wording, Kiryu reveals that he's felt like a part of the Hirose Family ever since he was introduced to them by Nagumo.
Kiryu's reunion with Haruka in the hospital counts as this and Tear Jerker. Upon seeing Haruka awake after being in a coma for the majority of the game, Kiryu tells her that he thought the second he saw her again after she ran away from Okinawa, he would lecture her nonstop about leaving the orphanage kids and him behind without a single word. But after a quick pause, Kiryu admits that now that he's standing here before her, finally reunited after all this time, he can't find anything to say. He's just far too relieved to see her again. Before he leaves to take care of Iwami and Sugai, he expresses his pride in her becoming a mother and gives her one last pat on the head.
Kiryu's letter to Daigo, apologizing for having dragged him into the yakuza life only to then distance himself from the Tojo Clan, admitting he saw Daigo as a son he failed as he never spent enough time with him. Daigo ends up referring to Kiryu as his father and honors his wishes to not avenge his death at the hand of the Yomei Alliance.
Daigo: This letter revealed something to me... just how great a man my father was.
The finale; Haruka and her family return home to the orphanage and are recording Haruto learning to walk; he stumbles several times, but eventually succeeds, encouraged by his mom and a watching figure - finally revealed to be Kiryu, who slowly walks off into the distance seemingly content his family is safe. Haruka's final words - "You can do it. You can do this. Hang in there," seem as much intended for Kiryu and the audience as they are for her son.
Despite how miserable Kiryu was in 5 when he had to live alone, he decides to commit to that lifestyle so everyone at Morning Glory can be safe.
Other
"Stories of the Dragon"arethreepromotional videos about three of the many people Kiryu has helped over the years. The really heartwarming part is that all of them are actual substories in the games!Note The Bouncer and Prodigal Son are in 1/Kiwami, and Another Haruka was in Yakuza 5.
At the end of the alpha demo, an older Haruka appears before Kiryu, showing them reunited for the first time since 5.
If you decide to sing "Hands" while doing Karaoke, the song then later on shows scenes of Kiryu being what is essentially Haruto's father. It goes to show how much Kiryu has grown especially considering the earlier entry showing him at his youngest. It can certainly drive the viewer to tears, especially since you can only sing this song after clearing the game, further driving home how Kiryu has grown over his two decade-long journey.
"Tonight" has flashbacks of the time Kiryu spent with Nishikiyama in Yakuza 0. It's worth noting that all the memories shown in the video are from Yakuza 0 and not 1, as Kiryu chooses to remember the good times he had with Nishiki instead of the troubled man he became in the end.
The Imagine Spot for "Today is a Diamond" has Kiryu singing a happy Surf Rock song, and is eventually joined by a chorus of all the friends he made in Onomichi, including the regulars at Snack New Gaudi, the fisherman and fishmonger girl, and Pocket Circuit Fighter.
"Haruka's Biggest Fan" has Kiryu go up and down Kamurocho looking for rare merchandise of Haruka to give to a fan named Ayaka that met her at a handshake event. Even though her idol career was short lived, she still has fans who love her music. The end of the substory has her give Kiryu a picture of herself with Kiryu and Haruka after realizing he's Haruka's father.
Similarly, bringing up Haruka to some of the hostesses will have them comment that they loved her music and wish that she would make a comeback.
There are a number of small sidequests in-game that lean toward Kiryu being quite fatherly and thoughtful outside of his growing relationship with Haruto; these include connecting with a young girl over her love of Haruka, and dispensing wisdom to a young woman seeking to become an idol, but not wanting to leave someone she loves behind.
The New Gaudi bar's sidequest, where Kiryu becomes a regular and listens to the others trouble, they start referring to each other as a family by the end of the substory.
The ending of the substory "Sins of The Father". The cult from Yakuza 0 has been dissolved once more... and the true identity - and intentions - of Suzuki are revealed: He was the founder of Munan Chohept Onast all those years ago, and actually moved to Onomichi to reclaim his position as Guru.
And topping it off, Kiryu's last words. It reminds us exactly why Kiryu is despite all his rough attitude and brutality an All-Loving Hero. In Kiryu's eyes, those who seek redemption will always deserve a second chance to fix their mistakes and be better.
Kiryu: If there really is a divine being out there..... I'm sure he'll be lenient on a guy who faces his sins head on like that.
Shizuko: I don't wanna get hurt... Michio-kun, aren't you... scared of pain?
Kiryu as Ono Michio: Yeah. Pain really scares me, too.
Shizuko: Huh? You are, Michio-Kun? Even though you're so strong?
Kiryu as Ono Michio: Of course. Every day, I try to figure out the best way to avoid pain. But sometimes, life forces you to push ahead and keep moving forward, even though it hurts.
Shizuko: Why push ahead, though? Can't you just run away?
Kiryu as Ono Michio: Well, that's always an option. In fact, it might lead to a relatively easy life. But if you always run away from pain, you might outrun your dreams, too. And hurt those around you.
(Later in the conversation)
Kiryu as Ono Michio: If you don't get this surgery and end up dying, how do you think your mommy and daddy would feel?
Shizuko: Well... Probably pretty sad...
Kiryu as Ono Michio: Are you okay with making them sad, Shizuko?
Shizuko: No... I don't want that!
Kiryu as Ono Michio: Right? If you're brave now, you can protect them from all that sadness.
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