Finishing Hold

A Finishing Hold (also known as Bounding Throw in the PlayStation 3 games) is a recurrent move in the Like a Dragon (formerly Yakuza) series. It is commonly associated with Kazuma Kiryu.

Explanation[]

The Finishing Hold is a grand throwing technique executed with the grab button immediately following a Finishing Blow. The type of throw changes depending on the amount of Rush Attacks performed before the finishing blow.

Unlike a Double Finishing Blow, a Finishing Hold cannot be blocked (provided that the initial finisher move didn't get blocked), and it works against any type of enemy, even those who are usually impervious to grabs such as Mr. Shakedown. It usually requires Heat to execute, but in some games it does not. Thrown enemies will damage other enemies if hit.

Kazuma Kiryu does not need to be, initially, in Heat mode to perform the move. If one of the previous hits fills the Heat gauge enough to enter Heat mode, the move can be performed.

In Yakuza 5, Tatsuo Shinada can also perform Finishing Holds, and although the animations and the name are different, the properties are exactly the same.

Appearances[]

Yakuza[]

The Finishing Hold has existed since the beginning of the franchise. It can be learned after investing ten points in Gi. To execute it, Kiryu must be in Heat mode, and then use a light attack from one to three times, followed by a heavy attack and then a grab command. The first finishing hold has Kiryu grab the enemy by one leg and throw them overhead. The second has Kiryu pick up the enemy and break their back, then throw them to the floor, damaging both the enemy and any other ones hit by them. The third has Kiryu catch the enemy while they're airborne by their 2 legs, and perform a giant swing that damages enemies in a radius, then tosses the held enemy. It consumes Heat upon use.

Yakuza 2[]

The Finishing Hold is present in the sequel. Kiryu can learn this technique after investing 6 points in Gi. It works the same as the previous game.

Yakuza 3[]

In the third mainline entry of the franchise, the Finishing Hold, now called Bounding Throw can be learned after investing 75 levels in Tech. Just like in previous entries, it requires Kiryu being in Heat mode, and it consumes Heat upon use. Kiryu also gains a new Bounding Throw after his 4th finisher, which is a wrestling powerbomb.

Yakuza 4[]

After investing 4 Soul Points in the Tech skill tree, Kiryu can learn the Bounding Throw. It works exactly the same as in Yakuza 3, including the consumption of Heat.

Yakuza 5[]

The Bounding Throw can be learned by both Kiryu and Shinada. Kiryu requires 8 levels of Tech (a total of 13 Soul Points). Shinada's version (named My Explosive Finish) requires just one Soul Point on his Tech skill tree to unlock, and has 3 variations for each finisher: a knee strike to the gut, a headbutt, and a leg sweep.

For the first time in the series, neither version consumes Heat; they fill it just like a normal attack.

Yakuza 0[]

Kiryu can perform a Finishing Hold in his Legend style. It requires being in Heat mode, and it consumes heat upon use. In addition, there is another skill similar to the Finishing Hold that can be unlocked for Kiryu's Brawler style called "Snatching Strike".

Yakuza Kiwami[]

The Finishing Hold (known as Finishing Hold Reborn here) is also present in the remake. To learn this movement, Kiryu must reach Rank S in the Majima Everywhere system, learn all previous abilities from that rank and then receive Nishida's e-mail. After that, Kiryu must defeat Majima at MesuKing a second time. Regardless of victory or defeat, the move will be learned.

The Finishing Hold can cancel the bosses' healing, in the same way as a Heat Action.

Yakuza 6[]

Finishing Hold can be unlocked for the cost of the specified number of experience: 70 red, 40 blue, 30 green, 45 purple.

Here, there are only 2 Finishing Holds: one that has Kiryu swing the enemy by grabbing their torso, and one that has him swing the enemy by a single leg in a very similar fashion to Saejima's Tiger Cyclone. Both throws damage other enemies that are hit, and the enemy that was picked up will receive damage upon landing on the ground. However, if the spun enemy hits a wall, the move will be canceled.

It doesn't require being in Heat mode and it does not consume any Heat.

Yakuza Kiwami 2[]

Unlike in previous games, the Finishing Hold can be learned quite early. It is present in the Battle skills menu, from the beginning, and it can be learned by investing 34 Red experience points and 22 Green experience points. Every variation of the Finishing Hold here simply spins the enemy around for a while, damaging other enemies that are hit, and the enemy that was picked up will receive damage upon landing on the ground. However, if the spun enemy hits a wall, the move will be canceled.

An upgrade called Finishing Hold Mastery can be learned as well, by investing 655 Red experience points and 437 Green experience points, which increases the damage of the move.