The Honor of a Yakuza

What is it about Kiryu Kazuma that makes me not want to hate his character? Although he is/was a Yakuza member, I can't find things about him that I don't like. Even though he's in the streets beating up people, brutally slamming their faces into walls, I want to be him.

In games like Grand Theft Auto we find characters who are admired for their complexity. People who are forced into tough decisions where they may not always have the happy ending. A trend in Western developed games is the ability to pick either the good or the bad. The choice between the two has become a staple. I have never been able to take interest in that choice. When you give it to me, I always want to play the good character. Those themes which are such a big part of games like Knight of the Old Republic and Fable never had much appeal to me. It was like the decision was already made for me.

As much as the evil stereotype for a Yakuza member exists. Kiryu Kasuma finds a way to turn it back on itself. He took the blame for a murder he didn't commit and went to jail protecting two people he loved. He was disowned by the Yakuza. He gets out ten years later and begins searching everywhere for his one true love. He finds her. And as she is dying in his arms he promises to raise her daughter, from another man, as his own. He gives up his position in the Yakuza to go clean and start a "family." It's all sorts of craziness. Do men like this actually exist?

Does this kind of story even make sense here. I love it to death. I can't find reason not to like this character. Beneath all the grime and filth world, there is this shine that I can want to identify with. Is this a case of East vs West? The way two cultures look at organized crime. I've never understood people's fascination with organized crime. Is anyone out there that may shed some light? Why are they so different? Are they different? Is this just a special case?

I want Yakuza 3. So can this story exist here and be appreciated?
David
BLES Foundation