Yakuza Kiwami 3 Casting Draws Backlash

Yakuza Kiwami 3 was announced as the long-awaited new adaptation of the series. However, the game’s announcement gave way to controversy. The reason for this was the past behavior of the actor chosen to voice one character. This made Yakuza Kiwami 3 a production that fans both eagerly anticipated and criticized.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and the Controversial Casting

The recent announcement for Yakuza Kiwami 3 generated excitement among gamers. The new side story “Dark Ties” and character updates were particularly intriguing. However, the announcement that Teruyuki Kagawa would voice Goh Hamazaki sparked a major uproar. The well-known actor in Japan had previously acknowledged harassment allegations against him. This detail sparked outrage within the community.

Fans criticized this choice, pointing out that the Yakuza series is deeply rooted in the theme of “morality.” Reactions quickly grew on social media, prompting calls for a boycott. Many are even encouraging other players to cancel their pre-orders. A petition launched on Change.org quickly garnered thousands of supporters, demonstrating that the debate isn’t limited to gaming circles.

The backlash has targeted not only gamers but also Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Fans are questioning the studio’s decision to choose Kagawa despite knowing his background. Some argue this choice was driven by commercial considerations, while others argue it harms the brand. This has cast a shadow over Yakuza Kiwami 3’s launch.

While Yakuza Kiwami 3’s release date has been announced as February 11, 2026, it’s unclear how these controversies will impact the game’s future. The completion of the voice recordings reduces the likelihood of a change, but if community pressure increases, a different decision could be made. For now, all eyes are on the official announcement from Sega and the studio, and the game’s future seems to hinge on how the developers respond to this controversy.

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