**Artistically Altering Gaming Narratives: The Case of Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Teruyuki Kagawa**
In the evolving landscape of video games, player engagement often transcends mere gameplay mechanics, delving into narrative and character portrayal. The recent mod for *Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties*, which replaces the likeness of actor Teruyuki Kagawa, highlights the powerful intersection of gaming and societal issues. Kagawa, who voiced and portrayed the secondary villain Goh Hamazaki, found himself facing backlash following allegations of sexual harassment reported by *Shukan Shincho* in early 2022.
Although Kagawa issued an apology, he did not specify the context or accept the allegations outright. As a result, his casting drew significant criticism from the gaming community, prompting questions regarding the responsible representation of actors in video games. Ryosuke Horii, director of *Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties*, explained Kagawa’s selection stemmed from a desire to evoke a “creepy” essence that fit the character’s role in the game.
In response to the controversy, Subcio060, a modder, developed the ‘Goh Hamazaki Restored’ mod, which substitutes Kagawa’s in-game model with one representative of Hamazaki’s original design from 2009’s *Yakuza 3*. This previous incarnation featured a different voice actor, Joji “George” Takahashi. The initial iteration of the mod focuses solely on adjusting the visual representation, but future plans include restoring Takahashi’s voice work and enhancing facial animations consistent with the original game’s aesthetics.
A major challenge for Subcio060 lies in reconciling the character’s differing narratives between the two game versions, particularly in relation to Hamazaki’s role in the unique ending scene of *Kiwami 3*. The possibility of restoring the original ending while maintaining enhanced visuals presents a compelling creative pursuit.
Further enriching this mod, the creator intends to develop “Yakuza 3 accurate shoes” to fully encapsulate the character’s essence. Players interested in exploring this mod are required to download the *Shin Ryu Mod Manager*, which serves as a foundational element for installation.
For gamers undecided about engaging with *Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties*, reviews are available, offering insights into its narrative complexities and gameplay experiences. As the conversation surrounding modding and character representation continues, it underlines the broader implications of casting choices within the video gaming realm, reflecting societal values and changing perceptions.
