Bakamitai (Taxi Driver Edition) LP

Known for its emotional portrayal of a woman unable to forget her former lover, this classic ballad was penned by SEGA's Ryosuke Horii and composed by Mitsuharu Fukuyama. First appearing in "Yakuza 5," it has been performed by various characters across the series and has become a beloved favorite among fans. Numerous arrangements exist, including the acoustic "Baka Mitai - Aishuu." The meme "Dame Da Ne," featuring lip-sync videos, sparked a massive international trend, further cementing the song's popularity beyond just "Yakuza" fans. The A-side of this single features the original "Taxi Driver Edition" of "Baka Mitai," while the B-side includes the well-received acoustic version "Baka Mitai - Aishuu." This marks the first standalone 12-inch single of "Baka Mitai," set for release on November 3rd as part of "Record Day."

About the "Yakuza" Series: Launched in 2005 under the concept of "entertainment for adults," the "Yakuza" series is a flagship Japanese game franchise. It portrays the lives of passionate men in a bustling entertainment district, highlighting themes of love, human drama, and betrayal. The series is praised for its immersive storytelling and exhilarating combat, along with the inclusion of real-life locations and contemporary social issues, offering a realistic depiction of modern Japan that had never been explored in games before.

About "Kazuma Kiryu": One of the main protagonists of the "Yakuza" series, Kazuma Kiryu rose to become the 4th Chairman of the Tojo Clan, the largest yakuza organization in Eastern Japan, only to retire immediately to live as a civilian. Despite leaving the yakuza life, he remains entangled in numerous large-scale conflicts involving the Tojo Clan, earning the title "The Legendary Ex-Yakuza." In Hiroshima, he uncovers a dangerous secret held by a shadowy fixer controlling Japan from the shadows. To protect his loved ones from harm, he fakes his death, erasing the name "Kazuma Kiryu" and living as an agent under the codename "Joryu."

Specifications

• Record Day Japan 2024 release
• "Bakamitai" (ばかみたい) from Sega's "Yakuza" game series on 12" vinyl
• Wine red colour vinyl to match the color of Kazuma Kiryu's shirt
• Six tracks in total, including full, short and karaoke versions on each side
• Japan import