Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima (, Saejima Taiga) is a recurring major character in the Like a Dragon series. He is featured as a protagonist in Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5. He is also featured as a supporting character in Yakuza 6, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
After slaying eighteen members of the Ueno Seiwa Clan and surviving to receive the death penalty, Saejima earned the nickname "18-Counts Saejima" (, Jūhachinin-goroshi no Saejima Taiga). He is the former patriarch of the Saejima Family and a former lieutenant of the Tojo Clan.
== Profile ==
=== Appearance ===
Saejima is tall and powerfully built. He has an immense size and his brute strength rivals and may even surpass Kiryu. He uses his size to his advantage in combat, often charging and overpowering his opponents with brute force. In Yakuza 4 he has dark, shoulder-length hair. After returning to prison in Yakuza 5, his head is shaved and he retains a hairstyle in all of his subsequent in-game appearances. He usually sports a military-esque outfit. In Infinite Wealth, he's grown a light beard.
==== Attire ====
Saejima's attire typically consists of a heavy olive green jacket over a black t-shirt with camouflage cargo pants, a black leather double grommet belt with a silver double prong buckle, and black ankle length leather combat boots. In Yakuza 4 he wears an olive colored, military-style long coat given to him by Kazuma Kiryu after escaping Okinawa Penitentiary No. 2 along with a silver chain necklace with a pendant and a black leather belt with a gold buckle. In Yakuza 5, he wears an olive colored given to him by Okudera after being rescued from the mountain. In Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon he wears a sage colored . For formal occasions, such as the end of Yakuza 4, Saejima wears a double breasted 4 button black suit with a white dress shirt, black tie, and black dress shoes. During the Ueno Seiwa hit, he wears a single breasted black suit with a white dress shirt, black leather silver buckle belt, black leather oxfords, and a silver watch with metal band on his left wrist.
==== Tattoo ====
Saejima's tattoo features a roaring tiger surrounded by bamboo grass. This is primarily representative of his stark opposite traits to Kiryu and being similarly skilled in battle; in Buddhism, the tiger and dragon are said to be equal to each other, representing different symbols of power. The tiger is more headstrong and relentless, while the dragon is more patient and wise. Their polar opposite personalities and fighting styles shine throughout the series and as they confront each other, with Saejima powering through nearly every opposing attack and Kiryu always waiting for the right moment to strike. The grass symbolizes his place in the Sasai Family, as the kanji for bamboo grass () is used in Sasai ().
=== Personality ===
Saejima is exceedingly blunt, and is never one to beat around the bush in a conversation. This can lead to him sounding harsh or pessimistic, but his words are usually meant with the best of intentions.
Saejima's selflessness surfaces often in the series, especially apparent in his willingness to return to jail prior to the events of Yakuza 5 and Yakuza 6 in order to clear his name for the good of the Tojo Clan, as well as in his speech after the fight in Purgatory's coliseum, refusing to kill his opponent even with the promise of information from The Florist of Sai. During his youth, he gave up his dream of becoming an elementary school teacher in order to take care of his step-sister, Yasuko Saejima, even though he was just 15 at the time.
Throughout the series, he is shown to be incredibly loyal, seeking out both his old patriarch and his oath brother immediately upon his escape from the penitentiary where he is held during the events of Yakuza 4. This nature inspires intense admiration from friend and foe alike; on multiple occasions, Saejima has foiled potential traitors simply by winning them over. However, his ability to encourage others has also been met with fierce opposition later on when situations escalate.
Of all of the protagonists in the series, Saejima is the most sensitive, being described as "delicate inside" in contrast to his outward appearance. He cries frequently, and appears to have PTSD from the trauma caused by his actions during the Ueno Seiwa Clan hit. He describes the experience as "terrifying", and says that he has nightmares of the men he killed.
He remains silent in the face of a death penalty after the Ueno Seiwa hit, believing that his brother Majima had betrayed him, he planned to atone for his crime in solitude, only breaking out after Goh Hamazaki provoked him with false information about Majima.
Due to the long period(s) of time spent in prison, he is often confused by technology and current slang. Saejima speaks , having spent much of his life in Osaka.
Though Saejima often comes across as a strict, no-nonsense individual, he has shown his moments of light-heartedness and wisdom. He has been known to use somewhat deep metaphors in conversation, particularly with his sworn brother Goro Majima. He also shows an artistic side not seen in the other protagonists as he enjoys woodcarving, which he is surprisingly skilled at.
== Background ==
Saejima was born in Kansai to unnamed parents. At a young age, his parents divorced, and his father took sole custody of him. At some point between 1970 and 1975, Saejima became the older stepbrother to Yasuko after his father married another woman. In his youth, he hoped to one day attend college and become an elementary school teacher. However, his mother passed away suddenly when was twelve, and he and Yasuko were taken in by distant relatives, but both children felt they were a burden on their surrogate family. Saejima left, and took Yasuko with him. The two struggled financially on their own; Saejima was denied a loan, and remained unable to get a proper job due to his age.
Their situation was further complicated when it was discovered that Yasuko was in need of a kidney transplant, and the only compatible donor was her estranged birth father. Saejima traveled to Osaka to find his stepfather - a low-ranking member of the yakuza - who refused to donate his kidney without being paid for it. With few options left, Saejima turned to a life of petty crime to help finance the operation. It was not long before he came into contact with Hideki Sasai, who, after besting Saejima in a street fight and hearing of his struggles, offered him a place in his family in exchange for the funds for Yasuko's procedure. It is likely that during this time, he met his oath brother, Goro Majima, who was working with the allied Shimano Family.
In 1985, Saejima was tasked with assassinating key members of the Ueno Seiwa Clan in a ramen shop alongside Majima. Later that year, on April 20, Saejima was visited by Majima and received six handguns from him. Despite Majima's insistence, and his concern for Yasuko's safety, Saejima made it clear he did not intend to tell his step-sister of their inevitable fate, telling Majima that it was "bad luck".
On April 21, Saejima parked outside of the ramen shop, waiting for Majima. With the Ueno Seiwa Clan arriving before Majima did, Saejima took all six handguns, entered the ramen shop, and gunned down every member of the Ueno Seiwa Clan inside. By 6:05 P.M, Saejima had turned himself in to the police, though he remained silent throughout the entirety of the interrogation.
A few months later, Saejima received the death penalty, and was immediately transferred to the Tokyo Penitentiary.
== Involvement ==
=== Yakuza 4: 2010 ===
On March 3, 2010, Saejima is suddenly transferred to Okinawa Penitentiary No. 2, where he meets Goh Hamazaki, who persuades him to break out together after telling him Majima is alive and well and now a patriarch of his own family. Wanting to find out what has happened after 25 years and his boss, they attempt a prison break together two days later at midnight using a grappling hook created by Renta Kamiyama. After staving off multiple guards, including one persistent Saito, the two men come to see each other as oath brothers, but just as they are about to escape, Hamazaki is shot by Saito and they plunge into the ocean together. Distraught, Saejima jumps off with them but ends up drifting away.
That same day, Saejima washes up on Morning Glory Beach where he is found by Haruka Sawamura in the afternoon. Saejima gives his name as "Suzuki" to Haruka and Kazuma Kiryu. Kiryu confronts Saejima on the beach about his prison time when he asks for some money to get to Tokyo, saying that the 30,000 yen Saejima is asking for will not get him very far in the present day. He also says that Haruka told him about how Saejima fell on top of her and supposes that Saejima must not have been with a woman for a very long time. Kiryu challenges Saejima to a fight in return for the money, which ends in a draw. However, after Haruka gives him a briefcase Kiryu claims to have found alongside him on the beach containing a change of clothes, plane tickets to Tokyo, some money and a letter, Saejima leaves Okinawa. 
Meeting Takeshi Kido, a member of the Shibata clan and Arai's protege, he offers his help in finding an information broker who knows about the disappearance of his Patriarch. The Florist offers his help but as Saejima lacks the funds, he is forced into a fight to the death with an undefeated fighter in the ring. When told to finish off his opponent, Saejima refuses and calls them out for their disregard for what it is like to truly kill somebody and spares his opponent. The Florist reveals it was a test to show that Saejima was here for the truth of the events and not an excuse to murder those he thought abandoned him and has a tragic reunion with the now demented Sasai. He returns to his hideout to find Minami trashing his hideout and offering a chance to meet his oath brother. He proves his worth to Majima and he finally explains to him why he wasn't there that day and more importantly, the man behind everything was murdered.
Shortly after Isao Katsuragi fails to kill Masayoshi Tanimura, he goes after Saejima in hopes of trading him and Yasuko for the audit file that Hamazaki obtained during their prison escape. Now waiting in Purgatory for Yasuko, Katsuragi explains to Saejima the details of the plans he made to ensure his survival and rise to power and his manipulation as well as learning of Kido's treachery in a bid to rise in the ranks. Shortly after, Yasuko arrives and is also taken hostage, but she finally meets Saejima for the first time in 25 years.
After Kiryu hands the file over to Kido, Katsuragi orders Kido to kill them both only to have Kido shoot Katsuragi and reveals his allegiance was not to the Shibata but to Arai himself. Arai arrives and shoots Kido to see if he was a plant by the Tojo to spy on Munakata and him and leaves with the file and returns the money back to Akiyama. Turning his attention towards the man he failed to kill years ago, Saejima leaves him there to lament his fate as his clan was destroyed like Sasai's and wanted him to suffer for as long as he live only for Katsuragi to recover from the shock of the bullet, having worn a bulletproof vest in anticipation of Kido's betrayal and attempts to kill Taiga. Yasuko is fatally shot protecting Saejima but not before killing Katsuragi for the suffering and pain he had inflicted on both of them and to avenge Tanimura's father's death by his hands. In her dying moments she tells him unlike Saejima she indeed murdered people to find her brother and she never could repay the kindness he has given her and dies in his arms.
After the death of Yasuko, he remained aimless as Majima was arrested and he had no reason to return to the Tojo as he had avenged his betrayal but was left with nothing to live for. 
He was given bad news from Haruka that Hamazaki had died from his injuries and his final request is to protect the Tojo from the cops, Arai included and decided to help fulfill Hamazaki's final wish. With the help of Kiryu, Akiyama and Tanimura they head to the Millennium Tower to avenge those close to them and expose the true culprit. Facing off against Kido who had only learned that Arai was a plant by the police but since have become independent and willing to throw Kamurocho into chaos for the sake of becoming the successor to Kamurocho, he defeats Kido as proof of his commitment to the Tojo and finally bringing the man who exploited the situation to justice. With his name restored, he becomes the new head of his own family at last.
=== Yakuza 5: 2010-2012 ===
Being offered the position of Tojo Clan captain, Saejima accepts. However, he decides "he needed to cleanse himself of all past sins" before receiving the position, and lands himself an assault charge, voluntarily returning to prison. On his last day on the outside, Saejima spends the day with Majima. He ends the day by having one last fight with the Majima family before going to prison to complete his sentence, so his brother could be sure he could still handle prison life.
In Hokkaido's Abashiri Penitentiary, Saejima is serving out his sentence. He is attempting to keep on his best behavior in order to get an early parole but is repeatedly beaten by the gang of Hiroshi Kugihara. Seiji Kosaka, the Deputy Warden, offers the chance for Saejima to serve out the rest of his sentence in solitary confinement but Saejima declines as he fears Kugihara will turn his attention to his cellmates whom he has befriended.
The following day, Shigeki Baba, one of Saejima's cellmates, is accused of stabbing one of Kugihara's gang members. Believing in Baba's innocence, Saejima discovers that Kugihara framed Baba to which Saejima confronts him. Kugihara reveals he'd be trying to get Saejima to fight him to delay his parole. Saejima is brought before Kosaka who gives Saejima a letter detailing that he's been excommunicated from the Tojo Clan. Saejima also finds out that Goro Majima has been murdered.
Later that night Kosaka meets with Saejima and Baba. He details that Saejima's parole was denied by the Ministry of Justice and the Warden was murdered outside of Sapporo Airport. He also says that there are one-hundred inmates scheduled for transfer into the prison and they are likely assassins. He gives Saejima a snowmobile outside the southwest exit and urges him and Baba to escape to figure out why Saejima is being targeted. Saejima and Baba escape after a protracted brawl with Kugihara and the new prisoners but wreck their snowmobile and Saejima is attacked by a monstrous bear called Yama-oroshi. He and Baba are saved by Okudera, a hunter in the nearby village who has a grudge against the bear.
Saejima and Baba head to Sapporo to meet with Taizo Kitakata, who is supposedly Majima's killer. They manage to kidnap him during the Snow Festival via the sewer system and he talks with Saejima. Majima was brought to Kitakata to negotiate an equal alliance in spite of the Tojo Clan being the larger entity, however, after Kitakata agreed to it Majima then advised him to decline the offer as he suspected it was being made for foul purposes. Before Kitakata can say who the mastermind is, he is shot by Baba. Baba hesitates in killing Saejima, having grown to respect him and they fight to stop Baba from committing suicide.
Saejima is then detained by Serizawa who tells him about the turmoil in the Tojo Clan. With Daigo missing, Majima murdered in Sapporo, and Tojo Lieutenant Azumi murdered in Nagoya, the clan is in an uproar. He hypothesizes that someone is manipulating the whole ordeal and that Saejima is the key. He offers Saejima the opportunity to go to Kamurocho to figure out what's going on if he provides information to the police.
Once there, Saejima is told that Naoki Katsuya of Ousaka Enterprises has also arrived at Kamurocho, and is suspected to be behind the plot to take down the Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance. He moves to Purgatory to find answers, but finds Masato Aizawa instead. After briefly fighting him, Saejima encourages him to not lose faith in his oath brother, except that Yu Morinaga had already been killed prior to their meeting.
Saejima chooses to go up Kamurocho Hills, hoping to find Katsuya. He meets up with Kiryu, Katsuya, and Masaru Watase, who all conclude that the real enemy will only show up if they all fight each other. Saejima fights and defeats Katsuya, and then faces Kiryu once more, which results in yet another draw. Serizawa suddenly appears from the other tower and shoots Kiryu and Saejima, with the Omi men properly recognizing him as Tsubasa Kurosawa, the 7th Chairman of the Omi Alliance. Kurosawa explains his plot to them and then attempts to kill Watase, but Katsuya takes the shot for him. He tries to use his last shot on Watase before being stopped by Daigo Dojima, who was previously missing, but Daigo is subsequently shot by Kamon Kanai, who had now betrayed Katsuya. Saejima restrains a heavily distraught Kiryu from rushing to the other tower.
Saejima brings Kiryu to New Serena, as he could not approach a hospital due to being an escaped convict. Makoto Date enters and they discuss the circumstances that brought them all together. Shun Akiyama also arrives and they go over what Kurosawa has planned for Haruka Sawamura at her concert. Kiryu regains consciousness and tells them to not cancel the concert. When mentioning the danger she could be in, he heads to the rooftop for some air, and Saejima follows. Kiryu discusses his worries and loneliness, and Saejima comforts him, also telling him that he has allies to ensure Haruka's safety.
Kiryu and Saejima regroup along with Akiyama and Tatsuo Shinada at New Serena. When they receive news that Majima is actually alive and being held hostage, they advance onto the Millennium Tower, with Saejima going up to the tower alone after splitting up with Shinada. He finds Kurosawa and Majima, half beaten to death and chained, along with four guards, as Majima states he is only in this position because he refused to kill Haruka. Kurosawa unchains Majima on the condition that either one of them dies, or Haruka is shot during her concert. The two oath brothers fight once more, but stall out just long enough for Shinada to intercept Baba before Kurosawa can give the order. They are then saved by Daigo and Katsuya before they can be killed by Kurosawa's guards.
=== Yakuza 6: 2012-2017 ===
Saejima is first seen waiting outside Kiryu's hospital room. Because he had not carried out his full sentence in Hokkaido, he is approached by police officers and decides to turn himself in to serve the remaining 2 months. Majima is infuriated with this, but Saejima reassures him that he can take care of things. 
However, he ends up staying in prison for much longer, as he is not seen again until just over four years later, where he is freed from prison along with Daigo and Majima. Discussions of war with the Yomei Alliance brew within the Tojo Clan due to Kiryu's supposed death, but Daigo refuses, as Kiryu's will requested for him not to swear revenge. The three men agree to form an alliance with the Yomei Alliance, which is now headed by Kanji Koshimizu after Heizo Iwami's death and Tsuneo Iwami's imprisonment.
=== Yakuza: Like a Dragon: 2017-2019 ===
Saejima, along with Daigo Dojima and Goro Majima, had been in Nick Ogata's care since the announcement of the Kamurocho 3K Plan, which put heavy pressure on the Tojo Clan. At Daigo's behest, Masumi Arakawa leaked info about the Tojo Clan to let the plan succeed, became the acting captain for the Omi Alliance, and caused its influence to expand to Kamurocho. The four men then rendezvoused at the Omi Headquarters, where Masaru Watase had previously agreed to disband the Omi Alliance (with Daigo mirroring the decision with the Tojo Clan) in order to thwart Ryo Aoki's attempts at completely controlling the yakuza before being sent to prison sometime in 2017.
Saejima first appears alongside Majima when he stops Ichiban Kasuga's party from breaking further into Omi Headquarters. Wondering why two Tojo officers would be at the Omi Headquarters, Kasuga's party has a lengthy battle with Majima, and Saejima jumps in when Majima starts having trouble. Just as Majima and Saejima are about to get serious, Arakawa stops the battle, acknowledging that they are all on the same side and have plans to end Aoki's stranglehold on the yakuza.
Saejima is among those defending Daigo and Watase when they announce the disbandment of both the Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance. When Kazuma Kiryu returns as reinforcements, Saejima is delighted, addressing him as the Dragon of Dojima.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name: Saejima joins Majima, Kiryu, Tsuruno, Daigo, and Watase in leaving the headquarters, where they are attacked by Kosei Shishido and Omi loyalists in one last desperate attempt by them to keep the age of yakuza alive. They hold the loyalists at bay while Kiryu fights Shishido, after which they leave the premises.
In the days following, around the time Arakawa is murdered by Yosuke Tendo, attempts to kill Daigo and Watase take place, but Saejima, Majima, and Kiryu successfully defend them.
Saejima is present at the Arakawa funeral. He plans to join other former Tojo Clan and Omi Alliance members who decided to leave their yakuza life to form a security service company. They offer Kasuga a job there, but he politely refuses, saying his place is in Isezaki Ijincho.
===Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: 2023===
With the security company having failed due to slander from the Tatara Channel, Saejima now lives as a fisherman in a remote village alongside Majima and Daigo in order to prevent the former Tojo yakuza from rising, as they believe their influence would be enough to start a revival. They are soon visited by Kazuma Kiryu and his newfound party, who explains to them that he has cancer. After some convincing from Majima, the four sit down to share drinks as they did in the past.
Kiryu asks that the trio assist Jo Sawashiro in defeating Seiryu chairman Masataka Ebina, which would prevent the yakuza from being shipped to Nele Island to die of radiation poisoning. After refusing this request, Kiryu attempts to rile their fighting spirits by insulting their pride - causing Daigo to snap and Majima to intervene. After a long battle, both sides are completely floored, with yet another draw between Saejima and Kiryu occurring. Kiryu attempts to rise his friends one last time before leaving, telling them that they must be responsible for their actions. The three beg Kiryu not to throw his life away, but he leaves for Tokyo without saying another word.
After some time, the three decide to take Kiryu's advice to heart, and arrive in the nick of time at the Millenium Tower to assist Kiryu and his party. Saejima rescues Kiryu and his party from a helicopter with a gatling gun by firing a rocket launcher at it, and assists Kiryu in a heated battle against the former Omi officers. Though the officers put up a good fight, Saejima, Kiryu, Daigo, and Majima easily triumph, and the three instruct Kiryu to go forth and defeat Ebina while they take on the remaining Ex-Omi officers. In doing so, the three triumphantly state they are done hiding.
After Kiryu defeats Ebina once and for all, Saejima, Majima, and Daigo burst through the doors, having defeated all of the Seiryu Clan. They witness a heavily battered Kiryu tearfully beg Ebina not to pursue a pointless revenge, before collapsing due to exhaustion. Saejima distraughtfully begs Kiryu to wake up as he passes out in Daigo's arms. 
Saejima, Majima, and Daigo later witness Kiryu be taken away in a helicopter to a hospital. 
== Other Media ==
=== Yakuza: Dead Souls: 2011 ===
Saejima is in China for Tojo Clan business.
== Fighting Style ==
Unlike his more technical counterpart Kiryu, Saejima relies almost entirely on his natural prowess in combat. His fighting style appears to be based on professional wrestling combined with heavier elements of Muay Thai such as brutal elbow and knee attacks, making use of his inhuman strength and durability to violently crush his opponents.
=== Yakuza 4 ===
Saejima is considerably more durable in combat than the other fighters as his charge attacks grant him super armor during the charge and attack animations, resulting in staggering him during an attack being very difficult. He has low movement speed and many of his attacks have longer wind-ups than other characters. His heavy attacks can be charged to deal more damage, and can be used to set up Heat Actions in battle when they are knocked midair or against the wall. His Heat aura is blue, though his soul orbs are green. 
He is also the only protagonist (up until Yakuza 0) that can grab heavy objects like motorcycles and scooters and use them as weapons, which do even more damage than regular two-handed weapons. He has a huge health bar that covers a quarter of the screen, but his Heat gauge is smaller compared to the rest of the other characters, and he uses up more Heat per Heat Action than any other character.
===== Combos =====
:Saejima's Rush Combo is only 3 hits: a right body hook, a left body hook and a right haymaker. Finishers include a left elbow bash followed by a right uppercut, a right hook followed by a right push kick and a flying right knee followed by a downward hammerfist and an upward hammerfist. When his charged attacks are released, he gains invincibility frames.
===== Basic attacks =====
:Saejima's heavy attack is a front push kick. Holding the heavy attack button will make him do a double spinning backfist (Wind-up Top), and holding the heavy attack button for even longer will make him do a jumping uppercut (Great Bomber). His running attack is a left shoulder bash, which can be followed up with a grab-and-throw by holding the heavy attack button. His downed attack is a stomp.
===== Grab attacks =====
:From a grab, Saejima can light attack to do Kiryu's 3-punch combo, heavy attack to violently knee the opponent (this can be charged with the upgrade Charging Knee) and grab to lift the opponent overhead and slam them into the ground, causing them to rebound.
===== Blocking, dodging and reversals =====
:Uniquely, Saejima cannot quickstep; instead he rolls to avoid attacks. He has a knockback similar to Kiryu's. Herculean Spirit makes him far less likely to stagger when in Heat Mode, though it wears off once his charged attacks are released.
:However, Saejima's AI (Iron-Armed Tiger in Dr. Minamida's IF7-R) is capable of quickstepping. It uses Kiryu's quickstep attacks.
===== Counterattacks =====
:Saejima does not have any counterattacks in this game.
===== Heat Actions =====
:Saejima's unique Heat Actions include Essence of Bell Ringing, which has Saejima throw an enemy head first into a wall, Essence of Clotheslining, where he throws the enemy into the air and clotheslines them before smashing them into the ground, Essence of Super Heavy Weapons, a Heat Action for the aforementioned heavy weapons, and Essence of Smashing, which breaks clean through enemy guards with a massive front kick and stomp. By playing IF7-R, he will gain Kiryu's Essence of Head Press.
=== Yakuza 5 ===
Saejima plays the same as he does in Yakuza 4, but even more powerful due to some new additions to his moveset.
===== Combos =====
:Same as Yakuza 4.
===== Basic attacks =====
:Same as Yakuza 4, with the exception of the downed attack now being a right leg kick instead of a left leg kick. The Great Bomber (renamed to Super Uppercut) now precedes Wind-up Top as a charging heavy attack.
===== Grab attacks =====
:Same as Yakuza 4.
===== Blocking, dodging and reversals =====
:Same as Yakuza 4. Herculean Spirit is improved in Yakuza 5, making Saejima completely immune to flinching during all animations as long as he is in Heat mode. If an enemy attempts to grab Saejima during this state and he is not attacking, he takes very minor damage while lightly flinching, effectively also making him immune to grabs.
:Saejima's AI, once again, is capable of quickstepping where he is not. As before, it uses Kiryu's quickstep attacks.
===== Counterattacks =====
:Saejima gains a counterattack called "Tiger Dragon Drop": this headbutt deals massive damage, but does not send enemies flying; instead, it stuns them, leaving them open to attack. Its input is the same as Kiryu's Tiger Drop (lock-on + heavy attack).
===== Heat Actions =====
:Same as Yakuza 4, along with 3 Climax Heat Actions: Tiger Essence of Shockwave, a punch to the ground that sends a massive shockwave that blasts multiple enemies off the ground; Tiger Essence of Braining, a massive power bomb on a grabbed enemy; and Tiger Essence of Blitzing, a shoulder tackle into 3 other enemies and a shoulder throw on the last enemy. His revelation in this game is Essence of the Snowman, which has Saejima instantly KO an enemy by rolling them up in snow and making a snowman out of them. He requires a carrot or a wooden idol to perform it while grabbing them. This does not work against bosses.
===== Special attacks =====
:Saejima learns a new special attack called "Tiger Puppetry" where he swings an enemy around by their legs to deal massive damage to them and any surrounding enemies. He can start this from a normal grab or cancel into it from a combo once he is in Heat mode. Further training grants him "Tiger Iron Hammer", which allows him to rip poles and electric panels from the ground and use them as weapons. After a breakthrough, holding heavy attack while grabbing an enemy by the leg produces a shockwave upon releasing the button.
=== Yakuza: Like a Dragon ===
:Saejima's default attack is his old front push kick. His skills include Rush Combo, which includes a right hook, left hook, right hook, and flying knee finishing blow, Shoulder Tackle (), which deals high damage and knocks over enemies, Tiger's Spirit (), which buffs his attack and prolongs the buff (can only be used once and causes his upper body to glow and emanate green flames), and Double Backhand (), which will have him perform his heavy charge attack, a double spinning backfist. Saejima can perform Blade Kill () immediately after Tiger's Spirit, and any time afterwards if Majima is still alive; he swings Majima around while he slashes Ichiban Kasuga's party, then throws him at a wall to double team Kasuga with a punch and flying knee from both of them. Tiger's Spirit and Blade Kill must be performed before Saejima can be defeated.
:Saejima has an extreme resistance to Blunt, Slash, and non-elemental Magic damage, takes regular damage from Firearm, Magic Fire, and Magic Lightning damage, and his weakness is Magic Ice damage, opposite to Majima's weakness to Blunt/Magic Fire and non-elemental Magic damage.
:Once Saejima is defeated, Kasuga will gain access to Saejima's Poundmate ability, Raging Tiger Cyclone; Saejima uses a manhole and spins in place rapidly to form a cyclone, leveling all the objects around him, and throws the cyclone at the enemy. This attack deals massive damage to all enemies and lowers their defense by 20%.
:In the True Final Millennium Tower, his thought entity is weak to Lightning rather than Ice, and it can perform Raging Tiger Cyclone once it hits its final phase. 
:Oddly, Saejima will perform quicksteps rather than his usual roll. This is in spite of the fact that Kiryu will roll when using Beast style during his fight.
:His Heat aura is green and yellow, though his attack trails are blue as they were in Yakuza 5. 
=== Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name ===
:Saejima fights with his Yakuza 4 and 5 moveset, though it is somewhat simplified. Though he cannot use his counters or his charged uppercut, his AI bossfight strangely does, and will perform these if Joryu attacks him too much, discouraging attacking him too often. Saejima has the second most healthbars out of any Platinum arena challenge, and deals the most damage out of all of them.
:Heat aura is yellow.
=== Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth ===
:Saejima uses his Yakuza 5 style for all of his attacks and skills. He is weak to Ice elemental damage, and has more health and deals more damage than Daigo and Majima. He has lost access to Shoulder Tackle and Blade Kill from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but has gained more powerful skills to compensate. In addition, he has lost access to Tiger's Spirit, but this is likely due to his massively increased damage. In addition, Saejima will constantly block throughout the fight, rendering non-grapple or back attacks ineffective on him.
:* His default attack is his heavy kick.
:* Rush Combo, which consists of the first three hits of his rush combo, and the first charged flying knee finisher. It has been aesthetically upgraded to knock opponents upwards, compared to Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
:* Double Backhand, which is his charged heavy attack. 
:* Herculean Toss, which is his grab and throw, immediately followed by Tiger Puppetry from Yakuza 5. Saejima can deal collateral damage to any party members unfortunate to be caught in the attack's radius.
:* Braining Smash, which is Tiger Essence of Braining from Yakuza 5. Compared to its appearance in that game, Saejima appears to have improved the technique of the move, as he now throws his opponent several feet into the air before catching them and slamming their head into the ground, which shatters it. A fiery image of his tattoo appears at the start of the move, similar to when Majima and Daigo use Hannya's and Acala's spirit, respectively. It is his highest damaging move, and has the additional property of being able to do massive damage to any party members nearby the attack. It additionally has the chance to inflict stun.
:* Mountain Crusher, which is Tiger Essence of Shockwave from Yakuza 5. Compared to its appearance in that game, Saejima appears to have made the move even stronger, as he now completely shatters the ground in front of him when he uses it. Like Herculean Toss and Braining Smash, it can deal heavy damage to any party members caught in the crossfire. It additionally has the chance to inflict stun.
:* Tiger's Desperation, which is his own version of Kiryu's Dragon's Resurgence. Saejima can only use this move when he reaches 1% of his health. During it, he has access to Rush Combo and Double Backhand, and he can attack freely. 
:* Shoulder Tackle, which is his running heavy attack. Saejima's AI is never programmed to use this move, though it still exists in the game's files.
:* Tiger's Spirit, which is his taunt. Compared to its appearance in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, it now triple buffs Saejima's Attack, similar to how Majima's Hannya's Spirit triple buffs his Evasion. Saejima's AI is never programmed to use this move, though it still exists in the game's files. 
:Saejima can also follow up and do combo attacks with Daigo and Majima, similarly to how Kiryu's own party can. His combo attack is his final rush combo double uppercut. As an AI partner, he has access to all of his moves except for Tiger's Desperation. 
:As in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Saejima will cosmetically quickstep rather than roll as he used to. He will, however, perform rolls whenever dodging an attack. 
:His Heat aura is fiery pink and magenta. Compared to other bosses in the game with pink Heat auras, his has more reddish tones.
== Trivia ==
*Yakuza Kiwami adds two allusions to Saejima by Majima during the Majima Everywhere fights.
** After Kiryu beats Majima in Club Asia in his "welcome back party", Majima says that 10 years in prison is just "a walk in the park" (compared to the sentence Saejima got).
** After Kiryu beats Majima in one of their fights in Yoshida Batting Center, Majima says Kiryu packs a tough punch just like Saejima.
* In Yakuza 4, visiting certain places (such as the pawn shop) as Saejima will prompt dialogue about his younger days in Kamurocho. The same mechanic appears in Yakuza 5 once the city is accessible.
* In Yakuza 5, Saejima fights every final boss except Kamon Kanai.
* Saejima's Alpha Industries N-3B parka from Yakuza 6 and Like a Dragon is identical to the one worn by Wen Hai Lee (and potentially by Majima if his outfit is changed in Premium Adventure) in Yakuza 0.
* Saejima appears as a guest character and a playable hero in the crossover mobile game, SEGA Heroes.
* Saejima's likeness was featured in Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight as a DLC costume for Makoto Niijima.
* In Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Kiryu claims that Saejima is the strongest person he has ever met, and states that his strength has set "absurdly huge standards" that he isn't close to reaching.
* As a guest on Dondoko Island in Infinite Wealth, Saejima will often hum to himself. 
== Notes ==
== References ==
Category:Sasai Family
Category:Saejima Family
Category:Tojo Clan
Category:Sodachi Dojo
Category:Coliseum Fighters
Category:Yakuza 0 Characters
Category:Yakuza 0 Supporting Characters
Category:Yakuza 4 Characters
Category:Yakuza 4 Supporting Characters
Category:Yakuza 4 Playable Characters
Category:Yakuza 5 Characters
Category:Yakuza 5 Supporting Characters
Category:Yakuza 5 Playable Characters
Category:Yakuza 5 Bosses
Category:Yakuza 6 Characters
Category:Yakuza 6 Supporting Characters
Category:Ryu Ga Gotoku Online Characters
Category:Yakuza: Like a Dragon Characters
Category:Yakuza: Like a Dragon Bosses
Category:Yakuza: Like a Dragon Poundmates
Category:Yakuza: Like a Dragon Supporting Characters
Category:Yakuza: Like a Dragon Sujimon
Category:Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Characters
Category:Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Playable Characters
Category:Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name AI Partners
Category:Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Characters
Category:Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Bosses
Category:Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Support Characters