🐯 Tyger Claws
“We were here before the corps. We’ll be here after.”
The Tyger Claws are Night City’s largest Asian gang, with roots in Japanese organized crime. They control Japantown and significant portions of Watson, running everything from legitimate businesses to human trafficking.
📋 Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Territory | Watson, Japantown, Westbrook |
| Focus | Organized Crime, Business |
| Members | ~2,500+ |
| Danger Level | High |
🎌 Appearance and Culture
Visual Identity
- Japanese-inspired fashion and tattoos
- Luminescent tattoos (popular)
- Katanas and traditional weapons alongside guns
- Motorcycle gang aesthetic
- Clean, professional appearance for senior members
Cultural Elements
- Yakuza traditions adapted for Night City
- Honor codes (selectively applied)
- Hierarchy and respect
- Japanese cultural pride
Placeholder: Tyger Claws member (pg. 312)
🏙️ Territory
Japantown
The heart of Tyger Claws operations:
- Control most businesses (legitimate and not)
- Protection rackets
- Entertainment district
- Traditional Japanese aesthetic
Watson
- Shared territory with Maelstrom
- Regular conflict over boundaries
- Control of ports and shipping
Westbrook
- High-end operations
- Corporate connections
- Money laundering through legitimate businesses
💰 Operations
Criminal Enterprises
| Operation | Scale |
|---|---|
| Protection rackets | Major |
| Human trafficking | Significant |
| Drug distribution | Major |
| Gambling | Major |
| Prostitution | Major |
| Smuggling | Significant |
| Gun running | Moderate |
Legitimate Business
The Tyger Claws also operate legal businesses:
- Restaurants and clubs
- Import/export companies
- Real estate
- Entertainment venues
🏯 Arasaka Connection
Historical Ties
The Tyger Claws have long-standing connections to Arasaka:
- Founded with Arasaka support
- Served as street-level assets
- Protected Arasaka interests in Night City
Current Status (2045)
- Relationship complicated by Arasaka’s exile and return
- Still serve as deniable assets
- Tensions with new Arasaka leadership
- Competing for territory with corporate forces
⚔️ Combat
Fighting Style
- Mix of traditional and modern weapons
- Katanas and smart weapons
- Organized military-style tactics
- Motorcycle-based mobility
Typical Loadout
| Member | Weapons | Cyberware |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier | Katana, SMG | Basic optics |
| Veteran | Mono-katana, Assault rifle | Reflex boosters |
| Lieutenant | Smart weapons | Full combat suite |
| Boss | Best available | Extensive |
👥 Structure
Hierarchy (Yakuza-inspired)
- Oyabun: Overall boss
- Wakagashira: Second in command
- Shateigashira: Regional bosses
- Kyodai: Senior members
- Shatei: Soldiers
Current Leadership (2045)
Multiple factions compete for control:
- Traditionalists (Arasaka-aligned)
- Modernists (independence-focused)
- Street-level bosses (territory-focused)
🎲 GM Resources
Using Tyger Claws
As Antagonists:
- Professional organized crime opposition
- Connected to corporate plots via Arasaka
- Range from street soldiers to crime lords
As Employers:
- Hire for jobs against rivals
- Need outside help for deniable operations
- Pay professionally but expect respect
Tyger Claws NPCs
| Type | Role | Threat |
|---|---|---|
| Street Soldier | Muscle, patrol | Medium |
| Enforcer | Combat specialist | High |
| Lieutenant | Operations manager | High |
| Wakagashira | Regional boss | Very High |
| Oyabun | Overall boss | Extreme |
Adventure Hooks
- Protect witness against Tyger Claws
- Negotiate business deal with gang
- Rescue trafficking victim
- Steal from Tyger Claws casino
- Play factions against each other
🔗 Related Topics
(Source: Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook, pgs. 311-313)