Kazuma Kiryu is the main protagonist in the Yakuza series of games. His nickname is the "Dragon of the Dojima Family," from the dragon tattoo on his back. His parents were killed by Shintaro Kazama (Shintaro Fuma in the US versions) when he was a child. He was then brought up at the Sunflower Orphanage, where he was later introduced into the Dojima Family. While at the orphanage, he met Akira Nishikiyama, who became one of his best friends.
He was born on June 17, 1968. In 1995, he was imprisoned for 10 years, when he took the blame for the murder of Sohei Dojima, his boss.