Fans of the "Like a Dragon" series were rocked by the revelation of Kazuma Kiryu's cancer diagnosis, but it turns out even Kasuga Ichiban's English voice actor, Kaiji Tang, was caught off guard! Tang recently revealed in an interview that he only discovered this massive plot twist while recording his lines.
Tang explained that while the "Like a Dragon" series boasts a sprawling, complex narrative, the recording studio usually preps him thoroughly for each scene. This includes diving into the characters' emotions, past events, and how Kasuga Ichiban should react. This guidance helps him nail the performance, even when he's only seeing rough scene outlines without finished game visuals.
However, Kiryu's cancer storyline was a rare exception. Tang recalled that he stumbled upon the shocking news within the script itself while recording a scene where Kasuga learns about Kiryu's illness. He recounted reading the line, "What do you have?" then immediately turning to the crew, genuinely stunned, and asking, "He has WHAT?!"
Tang admitted the discovery hit him hard, as he's a huge fan of Kazuma Kiryu and considers him an iconic figure in the series. Given Kiryu's current health, Tang believes the character deserves a break rather than being constantly thrown back into the fray.
He expressed his hope to see Kiryu in future "Like a Dragon" stories and would be happy for the character to continue appearing. However, he'd find it incredibly heartbreaking if Kiryu, despite his illness, had to keep fighting enemies relentlessly.
This interview once again highlights that while the "Like a Dragon" series is famous for its over-the-top comedy and absurd side quests, the emotional weight and character destinies remain crucial reasons why players adore the franchise. Kiryu's cancer isn't just a plot shocker; it symbolizes the long-standing protagonist facing a genuine predicament that even his fists can't solve.
via： TheGamer