Yakuza Kiwami 3 Director Defends Casting Actor Facing Allegations
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Yakuza Kiwami 3 director Ryosuke Horii defends casting Teruyuki Kagawa despite 2022 sexual assault allegations, citing the actor's creepy presence for the role of Goh Hamazaki as community backlash grows.
The director of Yakuza Kiwami 3 has addressed ongoing fan backlash regarding the inclusion of actor Teruyuki Kagawa, stating that the controversial casting was intentional due to the actor having the right vibe for the role. According to an interview with Japanese outlet GAME Watch translated by IGN, director Ryosuke Horii explained that the team wanted someone who naturally conveys a creepy presence to play secondary antagonist Goh Hamazaki. Kagawa faced public scrutiny following a 2022 report by Shukan Shincho detailing sexual assault allegations, which led to a public apology from the actor at the time, though the specifics of the allegations were never formally confirmed.
Horii acknowledged that choosing a safer route to avoid online criticism was an option for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, especially when handling morally complex characters. However, he stated that the development team felt there was no use being afraid of backlash. Sega has declined to comment on the matter, leaving Horii's remarks as the only official response from the studio so far. Meanwhile, community pressure continues to mount ahead of the game's release, with a fan petition calling for Kagawa to be recast accumulating nearly 10,000 signatures from players demanding accountability.
For a community that deeply values safe, inclusive spaces both in games and across streaming platforms, this situation puts players in a frustrating position. As modern gaming continues to bridge entertainment and culture, developers face rising expectations regarding who they elevate in their projects. This story was originally reported by Mark Warren at Rock Paper Shotgun, highlighting how real world controversies increasingly intersect with high profile game releases.
Tags: Yakuza Kiwami 3, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, Gaming News, Industry Controversy, Sega
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun