A new fan mod for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties replaces the face of secondary villain Goh Hamazaki, removing the in-game likeness of actor Teruyuki Kagawa. The change follows lingering controversy over a 2022 magazine report alleging sexual assault, which prompted public pushback after Kagawa provided an apology without clarifying details.

  • The mod alters Hamazaki’s on-screen appearance, swapping out the actor’s facial model used in the remake while leaving other game elements intact.
  • Kagawa had been credited for both his voice and his likeness in the remake; the casting choice drew criticism from some players once the earlier allegations resurfaced.
  • The 2022 report from Shukan Shincho sparked debate; Kagawa issued an apology at the time but did not publicly confirm or deny the specifics described in the article.
  • Director Ryosuke Horii and RGG Studio have commented that casting choices aimed to create an unsettling antagonist, a decision that contributed to the controversy around the actor’s inclusion.
  • Fans and modders continue to use community tools to adjust content in modern remakes, demonstrating how player-driven changes can respond to ethical concerns surrounding real-world figures represented in games.

Source: Rock Paper Shotgun - https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/yakuza-kiwami-3-dark-ties-mod-swaps-goh-hamazakis-face-ditching-likeness-of-actor-accused-of-sexual-assault

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