Master Akiyama's unique fighting style in Yakuza 5 with the Phoenix Talons guide. Learn about his speed, special moves like Launch Strike, and all Soul, Tech, Body, and Essence upgrades.
Akiyama is the speed character in Yakuza 5. While he's not all that damaging, he's capable of doing tons of quick attacks that can rack up the hurt given enough opportunity.
Akiyama has one unique innate technique: the Slash Kick. After pressing Light Attack three times, mash the button and you'll hammer your foe with a bunch of rapid kicks. Individually, they don't cause a lot of damage, but they add up and are hard to block.
Akiyama's special move, which he learns from Saigo not far into his Part, is the "Launch Strike". While in Heat Mode, hold down Heavy Attack to do a flip kick. You can do this as part of a combo, or while running. The important thing is to hold down Heavy Attack, not just tap it. You'll launch your foe into the air where he'll hang for a second. You can follow that up by mashing Light Attack to kick them multiple times in the air, or with certain Heat Moves you'll learn.
Soul Upgrades -
| Lv | Name | SP | Effect |
| 1 | White Tiger Spirit | 1 | Taunting raises the Heat Gauge. |
| 2 | Squat Taunt | 1 | Taunt near a downed enemy for Heat. |
| 3 | Scolding Glare | 1 | Grab an enemy, then taunt for a lot of Heat. |
| 4 | Downed Taunt | 2 | Taunt while getting up from the ground. |
| 5 | Goddess's Blessing | 2 | Earn more experience when you finish an enemy with a Launch Strike. |
| 6 | Boozer's Lore | 2 | Attack power up when drunk. |
| 7 | Tortoise Spirit | 2 | Blocking raises the Heat Gauge. |
| 8 | Taunt Mastery | 2 | Taunting raises the Heat Gauge more. |
| 9 | Phoenix Spirit | 2 | When health is flashing red, Heat will automatically raise. |
| 10 | Azure Dragon Spirit | 3 | Take less damage in Heat Mode. |
| After Breakthrough | Secret of Strife | 3 | Gain more Heat from strikes with well-timed attack button presses. |
Tech Upgrades -
| Lv | Name | SP | Effect |
| 1 | Double Finishing Kick | 1 | At the end of a combo, press Heavy Attack twice. |
| 2 | Rising Kick | 1 | Press Light Attack while down to kick at enemies' feet. |
| 3 | Break Guard | 1 | Certain attacks will break an enemy's guard. |
| 4 | Evasive Quickstep | 2 | As you attack, press Evade to cancel your combo and dodge around your enemy. This consumes Heat. |
| 5 | Triple Finishing Kick | 2 | At the end of a combo, press Heavy Attack three times. |
| 6 | Combo Speed Boost | 2 | Rush Combos are now faster. |
| 7 | Double Quickstep | 2 | Press Evade twice for a double quickstep. |
| 8 | Knockdown Reversal | 2 | Press Heavy Attack right before you get knocked down for a sliding reversal. |
| 9 | Evasive Quickstep Plus | 3 | Evasive Quickstep will not consume Heat. |
| After Breakthrough | Power Launch Strike | 3 | Launch Strike cannot be blocked. |
Body Upgrades -
| Lv | Name | SP | Effect |
| 1 | Boost Health | 1 | Increases maximum health. |
| 2 | Enhanced Evasion | 1 | Invincible time while Quickstepping is increased. |
| 3 | Knockdown Evasion | 1 | Hit Evade before getting knocked down to quickly get to your feet. |
| 4 | Enhanced Entangle | 2 | Do more collateral damage with thrown enemies. |
| 5 | Boost Health | 2 | Increases maximum health. |
| 6 | Enhanced Hold Escape | 2 | Easier to break enemy grabs. |
| 7 | Boost Health | 2 | Increases maximum health. |
| 8 | Enhanced Grab | 2 | Makes it easier to throw enemies. |
| After Breakthrough | Astral Quickstep | 3 | Quickstepping is now uninterruptible. |
| 10 | Secret of Critical Damage | 3 | Do more damage from strikes with well-timed attack button presses. |
Essence Upgrades -
| Lv | Name | SP | Effect |
| 1 | Essence of Knee Finish | 1 | Heat Action: Stand near a fallen enemy and press Heavy Attack. |
| 2 | Essence of Seizing | 1 | Heat Action: If unarmed and an enemy attacks you with a small weapon, press Heavy Attack. |
| 3 | Boost Heat Gauge | 1 | Raise Heat Gauge maximum value. |
| 4 | Essence of Triangle Jump | 2 | Heat Action: Run towards three enemies and press Heavy Attack. |
| 5 | Boost Heat Increase | 2 | Heat Gauge increases faster. |
| 6 | Essence of Comebacks | 2 | Heat Action: Press Heavy Attack when your guard is broken. |
| 7 | Alpha Drive | 2 | Heat Action: Launch Strike an enemy, then press Heavy Attack. |
| 8 | Essence of Loin Reaving | 2 | Heat Action: Face away from an enemy, then press Heavy Attack as they move to attack. |
| 9 | Beta Drive | 2 | Heat Action: Launch Strike an enemy, then press Heavy Attack, then match the button prompt. |
| 10 | Gamma Drive | 3 | Heat Action: Launch Strike an enemy, then press Heavy Attack, then match two button prompts. |
| After Breakthrough | Boost Heat Gauge | 3 | Raise Heat Gauge maximum value. |
Training/Revelations -
| Name | Source | Effect |
| Launch Strike | Special Move | Hold Heavy Attack in Heat Mode to launch enemies. Mash Light to attack. |
| Slash Kick Plus | Saigo | Can perform more Slash Kicks. Mash Light Attack on an enemy. |
| Quickstep Attack | Saigo | Quickstep, then press Heavy Attack for an attack. |
| Meteor Strike | Saigo | Climax Heat Action: Taunt an enemy, then press Heavy Attack when a red prompt appears. |
| Launch Strike Plus | Saigo | Increases the number of kicks during a Launch Strike. |
| Counter Kick | Saigo | Enter fighting stance, then press Heavy Attack just before an enemy hits. |
| Final Drive | Saigo | Climax Heat Action: Launch Strike an enemy, then press Heavy Attack when a red prompt appears. |
| Double Juggle | Cutscene Revelation | Heat Action: Launch Strike an enemy, then move towards another enemy and press Heavy Attack. |
| Enhanced Bike Attack | Weapon Revelation | Press Heavy Attack when wielding a bicycle. |
| Enhanced Beer Crate Attack | Weapon Revelation | Press Heavy Attack when wielding a beer crate. |
| Enhanced Bowling Attack | Weapon Revelation | Press Heavy Attack when wielding a bowling ball. |
| Gourmet in Training | Tatsuya | Unlock the second level o |
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