Kazuma Kiryu (Yakuza)
The hero of the Yakuza series is the definition of positive masculinity. He’s a bit stoic, but is undyingly loyal, protective, and supportive of people growing into their best selves. He becomes a surrogate father to several orphans, including a young girl named Haruka. All of this culminates in a beautiful scene at the end of Like a Dragon: Gaiden, in which the kids update him on what’s gone on in their lives since he saved them, and my man bawls in one of the best ugly cries I’ve ever seen in a video game. That’s how you know Kazuma Kiryu made a positive impact on these kids’ lives. They’ve grown up to do incredible things, and none of it would have been possible had he not cared for them and abandoned his name and identity to protect them.
