Yakuza Kiwami 3’s Recast Controversy Explained

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Okay, so look, I love the *Yakuza* series, but *Yakuza 3* is… different. It was the first one on the PS3, and honestly, it felt like they were still figuring things out. A lot of fans, myself included, jokingly call it “Blockuza 3” because seriously, *everyone* just blocked all your attacks! It made fights really frustrating and less fun. Plus, the story felt a bit slow, and I wasn’t a huge fan of having to manage an orphanage – it just felt like a forced gameplay element. It’s not *bad*, but it definitely stands out as the odd one in the series.

Fans have long requested a remake of *Yakuza 3*, hoping to address issues with the original, and RGG Studio has now delivered. Announced at this week’s RGG Summit, *Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties* is a complete rebuild of *Yakuza 3*, and it includes a brand-new side story focusing on the villain, Yoshitaka Mine. While most fans are excited about the reveal of *Yakuza Kiwami 3*, some have expressed disappointment with certain changes made to the game’s characters.

Some of Yakuza 3’s Characters are Getting a Complete Redesign for Kiwami 3, and Fans Aren’t Happy

When Yakuza Kiwami 3 was announced, RGG Studio also shared the Japanese voice cast list. While most of the original actors from Yakuza 3 are returning, a few roles have been recast. Specifically, Shigeru Nakahara, Rikiya Shimabukuro, and Goh Hamazaki-three supporting characters-will be voiced by new actors in the remake. This change is particularly noticeable because the characters’ appearances are also being significantly updated, which may disappoint some fans.

Similar to recent *Yakuza* titles, *Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties* will feature an English voiceover, something the original *Yakuza 3* didn’t have.

In the original *Yakuza 3*, the characters Nakahara, Rikiya, and Hamazaki were all created from scratch, meaning their designs weren’t based on real people – unlike some other characters in the *Yakuza* series. However, the *Kiwami 3* remake will change this by modeling all three characters after the actors who voice them. Ryo Ishibashi will be the basis for Nakahara’s appearance, Sho Kasamatsu (known from *Tokyo Vice*) will be used for Rikiya, and Teruyuki Kagawa will be the model for Hamazaki.

Comparing Yakuza 3’s Old VAs to Yakuza Kiwami 3’s New VAs

Character Old VA New VA
Rikiya Shimabukuro Tatsuya Fujiwara Sho Kasamatsu
Shigeru Nakahara Shigeru Izumiya Ryo Ishibashi
Goh Hamazaki George Takahashi Teruyuki Kagawa

Rikiya’s New Design Has Beared the Brunt of Criticism from Fans

RGG Studio has significantly changed the appearances of these characters, and they barely resemble their original designs from *Yakuza 3*. This has frustrated many fans, particularly regarding Rikiya. A lot of players feel his new look and overall design are a major step down from his first appearance. The original Rikiya was memorable with his distinctive perm and somewhat goofy, endearing face, making him stand out among the *Yakuza 3* cast. Some fans now see the new Rikiya as just another generic *Yakuza* thug, and the performance of the actor playing him, Sho Kasamatsu, has also faced some criticism.

Many Fans are Also Disappointed that Kiryu’s Red Hawaiian Shirt isn’t Returning in Yakuza Kiwami 3

Beyond the changes to character models, some fans have also reacted to the updated look of Kazuma Kiryu. He’s known for wearing a red Hawaiian shirt in *Yakuza 3*, but it’s been changed to green in *Yakuza Kiwami 3*. Some players feel this new color doesn’t quite match Kiryu’s usual red and white, and they question the change, especially since the original red shirt was a nod to the iconic 1993 yakuza film *Sonatine*. However, despite these concerns, most fans are still looking forward to *Yakuza Kiwami 3*.

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2025-09-25 19:17