"Like a Dragon Kiwami 3" (Ryū ga Gotoku Kiwami 3) has recently reignited heated discussions within the gaming community due to its casting choices. Japanese actor Teruyuki Kagawa, previously embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal, has been confirmed to play the pivotal character "Hamazaki Go" in the remake. This decision has not only displeased some fans but also raised questions about the development team's judgment and whether it clashes with the series' core values.
Teruyuki Kagawa was revealed to be involved in a sexual harassment incident in 2022, and he himself admitted to inappropriate conduct towards a hostess in 2019, publicly apologizing for his actions. Following the incident's exposure, multiple brands severed ties with him. However, "Like a Dragon Kiwami 3" still cast Kagawa for the role, making it difficult for many players to accept, especially given the series' long-standing protagonist image of zero tolerance for violence and harm against women.
Facing external criticism, previous statements have recently resurfaced from an old interview. According to an interview published in "Game Watch" in January 2026, producer Ryosuke Horii, when discussing the character design for "Hamazaki Go," admitted that the casting was intentionally geared towards someone "unsettling."
"Hamazaki is an obsessive, sleazy, combat-oriented yakuza character. He's not the decisive type; he's the kind of guy who makes you think, 'This dude is seriously disgusting'," Horii stated.
"When we considered who could embody this uncomfortable aura, Mr. Kagawa naturally came to mind." However, Horii's remarks have been interpreted by some players as the development team deliberately leveraging the actor's controversial real-life image to amplify the character's negative traits, thus sparking even greater backlash.
However, Horii did not directly equate the casting decision with Kagawa's real-life controversy. He pointed out that Kagawa has frequently appeared in horror and villainous roles in the past, already possessing experience in portraying dark characters: "This casting was based on the character's needs, not the incident itself."
Nevertheless, the player community continues to question the stance of SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Some fans have noted that while the official channels were quick to address demo performance issues, their prolonged silence on the actor's controversy has been disappointing. Others believe the casting itself creates a disconnect with the long-established values of the "Like a Dragon" series.
As the remake's release approaches, whether Teruyuki Kagawa's performance will impact the game's reception remains to be seen through market and player reactions. However, this casting controversy has already become an unavoidable focal point for "Like a Dragon Kiwami 3."
via： Game Watch