Komaki Knockback (古牧流 弾き返し, Komaki-ryū Hajikikaeshi), known as the Komaki School Parry in the PlayStation 2 games, is one of the 3 Ultimate Komaki Techniques, the other two being Komaki Parry and Komaki Tiger Drop. It is commonly associated with students of the Komaki school.
Description
Use a heavy attack while blocking an enemy's attacks. Kazuma Kiryu will raise his fist, parrying the enemy and stopping their combo. In the PS2 games, this technique is used by guarding as soon as Kiryu is hit by an attack.
Enemies will flinch from the Knockback and receive a pint of damage, interrupting their combo. This Technique is useful for stopping attacks and following up with your own. After the knockback, you can choose to either sidestep to space yourself, or you can try to follow up with an attack of your own.
Sometimes enemy attacks will have either invincibility frames or super armor, so use of this technique is worthless.
Some enemies even have their own version of their own knockback, such as Daigo, who can interrupt combos by stepping back and performing a haymaker which cannot be interrupted, or Kanai, where he has a stun property to his knockback.
Unlocking and Usage
Yakuza
This technique requires 7 points in Shin, Gi and Tai and is learned in Komaki's fifth lesson. It can also be used while holding a one-handed weapon.
Yakuza Kiwami
Komaki Knockback is learned in the substory Komaki Style: Knock Back after obtaining the Image of an Elephant.
Yakuza 2
Kiryu is able to remember Komaki Knockback at the Acupuncture Clinic after completing the substory Try and Hit Me and having Skill at level 8. Starting with this game, Knockback doesn't blow enemies away like in the previous game.
Yakuza Kiwami 2
Kiryu is able to remember Komaki Knockback at the Acupuncture Clinic after fighting Komaki in the Coliseum, who is be able to use the counter as well.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!
Komaki Sozaemon does not use knockbacks. But Miyamoto Musashi/Kiryu Kazumanosuke can learn skills 慙愧流・弾き斬り(Zanki School - Knockback Strike) and 二刀陰陽斬(Double Sword Knockback Strike). They are Swordsman-style and Double Sword-style skills, but the moves are almost identical. After the skill has been successfully used, he can press the keystroke to append the attack.
Yakuza 3
Kiryu remembers the Komaki Parry after fighting one of Komaki's former pupils in Kamurocho, specifically the one located near Sushi Gin. The pupil will use the technique during his fight. Starting with this game, one-handed weapons can no longer use knockbacks. Knockbacks can be increased by the Southpaw Bracelet.
Yakuza 4
The Komaki Parry is unique in Yakuza 4 as it is not learned through training with Komaki. Instead, Kiryu can unlock this skill with soul orbs earned through leveling up, though he must be at level 10.
In Taiga Saejima's boss fight against Kiryu in Part 2, he is able to use the Komaki Knockback. Kiryu also uses Komaki Knockback against the player in the "Legendary Blue Dragon" boss fight in IF7-R.
Saejima is also able to unlock a technique similar in usage and function called "Knock Back" for 2 Soul Orbs.
Yakuza 5
In Yakuza 5, Kiryu re-learns Komaki Knockback through Sosuke Komaki as his first lesson, where Sosuke will also attempt to use the technique on Kiryu. Sotaro Komaki can also use all three Ultimate Komaki techniques during the breakthrough fights for the male characters.
Saejima is able to unlock a technique similar in usage and function called "Tiger Roar" through his second training session with Tendo.
Several enemies in the coliseum are able to use this move as well, though it is unknown if they are affiliated with the Komaki school or not.
Jo Amon is able to use all three Ultimate Komaki techniques in his fight against Kiryu.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!/Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Sakamoto Ryoma can learn Knockback from Komaki Munemitsu. Komaki can also use this skill in the final training. Ryoma's swordsman style has a ability called 風見鶏(Fair Weather) that acts like Knockback.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Komaki Knockback is never learned nor mentioned in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, however, Kiryu starts off his fight against Ichiban Kasuga by using this technique to knock him away after being unfazed by his punch. Kiryu will also occasionally use this technique when Kasuga or his party members use a close-range attack against him while he is using Dragon of Dojima style.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
The Komaki Knockback chronologically makes a return in Gaiden, although, similarly to the Tiger Drop starting with Yakuza 6 , any reference to Komaki is removed due to no character related to the Komaki School appearing in the game, and is only referred to in-game as "Knock Back". It remains functionally unchanged from its previous appearances. It is exclusive to the Yakuza style.
Kiryu can acquire Knock Back by spending 1,800 Akame Points and ¥100,000 on a manual titled "Field Training".
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
When Soul reaches Level 4, Kiryu can use Komaki Knockback, which is similar to previous games. When performing a perfect guard, Kiryu can use knockbacks to fight back, possibly pushing the enemy back against Kiryu's allies, the environment, or other enemies in the process.