Visual novel game ROAD59: A Yakuza’s Last Stand will launch for Switch and PC via Steam on September 25 worldwide, publisher Bushiroad Games and developer Rocket Studio announced. It will support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options. In Japan, the Switch version will be available both physically and digitally.
Here is an overview of the game, via Bushiroad Games:
■ About
ROAD59 is a character-driven crime drama set in Tenkai Ward, a sleepless city floating in the Tokyo Bay of the near future.
The story follows modern-day yakuza who possess a supernatural power known as JINGI, passed down through the Grail of Blood ritual. Within this dark world of betrayal, desire, and turf wars, a reluctant young successor, Shou Himuro, is forced to take on the role of boss of the Hakurou Family. While burdened by a title he never asked for, Shou races through the dangerous underworld of Tenkai in order to protect the people he holds dear.
With its fusion of mythical elements like the Grail of Blood and JINGI, and the intense factional conflicts rooted in classic yakuza narratives, ROAD59 offers a gripping tale of honor, legacy, and survival.
■ Story Synopsis
A towering metropolis floating in Tokyo Bay—Tenkai Ward.
Here, beings known as Jingi wield inhuman powers and engage in brutal blood-soaked battles for survival.
Despite being born as the heir to Hakurou, Sho Himuro longs for nothing more than an ordinary and peaceful life. Yet, fate binds him to his duty as the new boss, forcing him to shoulder the burden of his family’s future.
As Sho hesitates to fully embrace the path of the yakuza, the conflict in Tenkai Ward intensifies over the legendary Power of Orochi, said to grant its wielder their deepest desire.
Meanwhile, the city’s largest gang, Kurojou, begins to move in the shadows as they seek to absorb the weakened Hakurou following the loss of its former leader.
To protect his family, Sho must navigate a world of betrayal and desire, forced to make impossible choices by his own hands.
Will salvation or ruin await him at the end of this path?
■ JINGI: The Yakuza Who Transcend Humanity
In Tenkai Ward, those who seek to forge unbreakable bonds with their comrades undergo the Grail of Blood Ritual. In this ritual, a child receives blood from their parent, and a younger brother from their elder, symbolizing their inauguration. This sacred exchange not only marks them as full-fledged members but also grants them an extraordinary power beyond human limits—the divine force known as Jingi. To share blood is to forsake the path of a mortal. Once one becomes Jingi, there is no return to normalcy. Their bodies are forever altered and they must server any ties to the world they once knew. Yet, despite this irreversible fate, they step forward, driven by unwavering resolve and the a desperation for power.
■ The Stage is Set: Tenkai Ward
National Route 59 cuts through Tokyo Bay. Beyond it lies a world glistening with desire, home to the most renowned skyscrapers in the world: Tenkai Ward.
Once a vast artificial island built upon a landfill site in Tokyo Bay, Tenkai Ward was redeveloped into a special economic zone. This area operates under special regulations and the district has seen rapid expansion as a casino resort and tourist hub.
Fueled by massive domestic and international investments, the new cityscape flourishes at an astonishing pace. Sleek high-rise offices and luxurious residential areas define the skyline. However, the old district suffers from worsening public safety and has become a hotspot for crime and social disparity.
■ The Power of Orochi and the Key of Orochi: A Wish Granted at a Heavy Cost
It is said that any wish can be granted by offering the blood of the Key of Orochi to the severed head of Yamata no Orochi buried deep underground. However, doing so will unleash a great calamity… The mere existence of this power holds the potential to upend the entire balance of power in Tenkai Ward, serving as the catalyst for an escalating conflict.
■ ROAD59: The Bar Where Secrets and Strangers Gather
Nestled quietly in the entertainment district of Tenkaiku, the bar “ROAD59” serves as a haven for customers with troubled pasts and a hub where valuable information flows. In the latter half of the story, the protagonist takes on the role of a bartender at ROAD59, working to save Hakurougumi while interacting with various characters and gathering intel. Don’t overlook the secrets that are spilled over drinks…! But be careful—if your hospitality is not up to par, you may lose out on critical information when your guest walks away!
(*Non-alcoholic drinks will be served to underage characters.)
■ Character Information
Shou Himuro
- Faction: Hakurou Family
A troubled ordinary young man who is also a gang member.
Unable to resist the expectations around him, he is burdened with the traditions and prestige of the gang, reluctantly walking the path of the yakuza as the young acting leader of the Hakurou Family.
Caught between a strict older sister and a selfish younger sister, it is difficult for him to voice his true feelings.
Suzuka Himuro
- Faction: Hakurou Family
A lively and cheerful high school girl who is the younger sister of Shou and Shizuka.
Due to the JINGI’s power, she possesses incredible strength despite her appearance. In combat, she swings a 100kg iron bat, decorated in a cute style.
Shizuka Himuro
- Faction: Hakurou Family
The eldest daughter of the Himuro family who effectively manages the Hakurou Family.
She pushes her still-inexperienced younger brother, Shou, determined to shape him into a great leader.
Fearless and sharp-tongued, she never backs down, even when faced with unreasonable demands, and is always ready to fire back with a bold retort.
Her commands are absolute within the gang, and the men of the Hakurou Family fear and respect her.
Shion Hyuga
- Faction: Hakurou Family
A good understanding supporter of Shou burdened with the fate of the family.
Although he usually has a soft and gentle demeanor, his dedication to the Hakurou Family is exceptionally strong, and he shows no mercy to those who speak ill of the gang.
When he was young, he was saved by Shou after being caught in a conflict and gravely injured, he still feels indebted to him to this day.
Kazuomi Kurogane
- Faction: Hakurou Family
A high-ranking member of the Hakurou Family and a childhood friend of Shizuka and Jin, Kazuomi is known for his unwavering composure and reliability in battle.
To the gang, he is an indispensable asset. To Shou, he has been like an older brother, always looking out for him since they were kids.
Though not the talkative type, his quiet words often carry a deep sense of care for the gang and its members.
Bakuto Yanagi
- Faction: Shinonome Family
He might come across as someone who handles everything half-heartedly, but when it’s time to get things done, he delivers. As the de facto leader of the Shinonome Family, he has a laid-back, almost mocking way of handling situations that leaves people bewildered.
His unpredictable and bold actions to resolve problems often annoy those around him, but at the same time, they rely on him for his ability to get things done.
Kensei Sumeragi
- Faction: Kurojou Family
Kensei Sumeragi is the formidable leader of the Kurojou Family, renowned for his arrogance and disdain for others. His confident smirk barely masks the cold, calculating glare in his eyes—a reflection of his ruthless nature.
On the surface, he is the CEO of a major corporation spearheading Tenkai District’s urban development, but behind the scenes, he forcefully seizes rival territories, turning them into towering office districts and extravagant casino resorts.
With an iron grip on power, he has skyrocketed to dominance in the criminal underworld, rapidly expanding his gang through sheer wealth and influence. However, his relentless and uncompromising methods have left a trail of bitterness and resentment among those he’s crushed along the way.
Masamune Niimi
- Faction: Tenkai District Special Police
A vengeance-driven former yakuza turned police cyborg. Falsely accused of assassinating the former Kurojou Family boss, Niimi was imprisoned—until he struck a deal with Sui Kadosaki. In exchange for aiding the police, he underwent cyborg surgery, determined to exact revenge on those who betrayed him. Despite his cooperation, Kadosaki treats him not as an equal, but as a disposable tool—electrocuting him into obedience whenever he resists.
“If disrespected, I kill. If challenged, I fight. And I always uphold the code of honor.” In many ways, he lives by the yakuza code more earnestly than anyone else.
Kyoji Serizawa
- Faction: Tenkai District Special Police
Known for his kindness and unwavering sense of justice, he was a role model within the police force. However, on the day of his daughter’s birthday, he and his entire family were murdered by a JINGI-affiliated gang. The coat he left on his desk at the station that day remains in Kadosaki’s possession—a treasured memento she carries with her to this day.
Sui Kadosaki
- Faction: Tenkai District Special Police
A detective in the JINGI Crime Division of the Tenkai District Special Police, an agency operating under special ordinances unique to Tenkai’s status as an economic zone.
To avenge the murder of her respected superior, Kyoji Serizawa, and his family, Sui Kadosaki arranges the release of former JINGI wielder Masamune Niimi, on the condition that he undergo cyborg surgery. Since Serizawa’s death, she has shut herself off from others, treating Niimi solely as a tool for apprehending the culprits—never as an equal or partner.
She continues to wear Serizawa’s coat, a keepsake that symbolizes both her unyielding pursuit of justice and her deep-rooted need for revenge.
■ Hakurou Family
A traditional and highly esteemed yakuza organization with roots in the Kansai region. The Himuro family has led the group for generations, and their bonds run deep—like a true family. Known for avoiding unnecessary conflict, the Hakurou Family prioritizes stability within their territory. However, their adherence to old ways has made it difficult to adapt to changing times. As a result, they’ve steadily lost ground to the Kurojou Family in recent years, and their influence is now in decline. With a troubled young acting boss and loyal members striving to uphold their legacy, the family now stands at a critical crossroads—its very survival hanging in the balance.
■ Kurojou Family
The largest yakuza organization in Tenkai Ward, the Kurojou Family has rapidly expanded its influence in recent years, backed by immense financial resources and manpower. At the heart of their rise is the powerful Sumeragi Conglomerate, which holds a dominant share in urban development projects throughout the district. The current boss, Kensei Sumeragi, seized control after surviving a fierce succession battle. It is rumored that he possesses the JINGI ability of Future Sight. While the Kurojou Family’s momentum seems unstoppable, dissatisfaction brews beneath the surface. Discontent grows among factions loyal to the previous boss, and the organization teeters on the edge of an internal power struggle, sparked by unrest under Kensei’s cold and authoritarian rule.
■ Shinonome Family
A yakuza organization known for its free-spirited nature, unbound by outdated traditions. While they may appear disorganized at first glance, they are a capable and responsive group that draws on each member’s unique strengths when trouble arises. Currently, the boss Kiyonobu Yutsuma has gone missing, raising concerns that something unusual may be unfolding behind the scenes. If a leadership transition becomes necessary, succession disputes or interference from rival gangs could arise. However, despite their small numbers, the Shinonome Family is known for its strong internal unity, and the likelihood of internal conflict remains low.
■ PHOENIX
An international alliance of foreign mafia groups operating on a global scale. While it boasts the largest presence in terms of size, information about its boss and executive members is tightly concealed, leaving the full extent of the organization shrouded in mystery. Led by rational and calculating leaders, PHOENIX has recently set its sights on Tenkai Ward, recognizing it as a critical hub for their cross-border business expansion. Their full-scale entry into the district has begun in earnest. With their influence steadily growing, PHOENIX has become a rising threat to the established JINGI organizations of Tenkai.
Watch the opening movie below.