Etsuko (悦子), also known as the Obatarian (オバタリアン), is a minor recurring character in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series first introduced in Yakuza 0.
Profile[]
Appearance[]
Etsuko has short purple hair styled in a punch perm.
Attire[]
Etsuko wears a long sleeve T-shirt, which has a cheetah face printed at the front.
Involvement[]
Yakuza 0: 1988[]
- Main article: The Obatarian Strikes
Just outside the Zuboraya there is a line of people, Goro Majima looks at the line and then Etsuko cuts the line. She causes a scene and Majima has to walk away.
Later, Majima returns the food stand and Etsuko cuts the line again with a friend, she also gives Majima a candy.
When Majima returns the stand again, this time Etsuko is harrassed by a yakuza. Majima beats him and Etsuko rewards Majima with a kiss.
After losing her part-time job at a supermarket, Etsuko hears of Majima's Club Sunshine. Standing outside the club, she asks Majima to be hired. Initially denied, she is hired after threatening with more kisses.
Yakuza Kiwami 2: 2006[]
- Main article: The Obatarian Strikes Again
When Kazuma Kiryu goes to the south of Four Shine, Etsuko bumps into Kiryu. Then the store manager appears and accuses Etsuko of shoplifting, but a store employee shows up and tells his manager this is a mistake. Later, a thug shows up and try to harm her, Kiryu beats the bad guy and Etsuko rewards Kiryu a kiss.
Afterwards, Etsuko joins Four Shine as a hostess after asking Kiryu.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon: 2019[]
- Main article: A Matter of Taste
Zhao mentions an older lady complimented his outfit. He elaborates, saying she was decked out head to toe in a loud leopard print. While her name is never mentioned, this is a clear reference to Etsuko, an older woman who lives in Sotenbori that wears leopard print that often compliments men much younger than herself. She can never be physically seen in the game.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name: 2019[]
Etsuko confuses Kiryu for her past lover, Juntaro. She causes Kiryu to lose his target twice before leaving. In their final encounter, when caught by Yakuza from the Omi, she pretends to be meeting him there for a date to prevent a conflict. She then mentions it's been "13 years" and once again overpowers Kiryu.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: 2023[]
Etsuko appears in the dating minigame "MIssMatch" as Etsu. She states she works as a nurse.
Trivia[]
- Obatarian is a term which refers to a middle-aged woman who is selfish and unwilling to abide by or is oblivious of socially acceptable behavior. A typical obatarian is short, stout, wears a perm, and is dressed unfashionably (house slippers optional); she will elbow her way through crowds, refuses to wait in line, run for empty bus/train seats, is loud and loves sales.
- Etsuko is one of the few hostesses available in both Cabaret Club Czar and Cabaret Club Grand Prix.
- Etsuko's name appears in the karaoke leaderboards in Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 6.
- In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a description for a Rose Blossom hostess named Emiko strongly suggests that she is the granddaughter of Etsuko, which stated "an obatarian who became a legendary hostess in Osaka."
Notes[]
- ↑ The given height of 165 cm (5′ 5″) is based on the character model's scaling factor within Yakuza Kiwami 2's data.[1] For Dragon Engine games, this method is believed to be very accurate (±2 cm). However, this is intended as an estimate, not a substitute for an official statistic.