Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has announced that popular Youtuber YongYea would play protagonist Kazuma Kiryu in Like a Dragon: Gaiden and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The news was revealed as a tweet from RGG Studio and YongYea, along with more information about what to expect from Yea’s performance.
YongYea is Coming to the Like a Dragon Franchise
In a tweet, RGG confirmed the voice announcement and YongYea’s presence at the upcoming ‘Dragons of Japan’ panel at the Anime Expo. The conference will begin on Sunday, July 2, 2022, at the Los Angeles Convention Center at 5:30 PM PDT. In a quote tweet, YongYea confirmed the news, alongside a message conveying his passion for the role.
“I remember getting the audition and thinking I probably didn’t have a chance in hell,” He says. “But I also knew an opportunity like this came once in a lifetime. I recall clearing my schedule, spending days perfecting the peformance, and being very proud of my submissions. But I never really thought it could be me. I mean, what were the odds? Shock and disbelief doesn’t being to describe what I felt when I was informed I was chosen for the role, one of the most surreal and blissful days of my life. I can’t tell you how hard it was to keep this a secret for all these months.”
Additionally, he also confirms that he will be playing the role of Kazuma Kiryu in the “upcoming Yakuza/Like a Dragon games.” This statement hints that Yong Yea will be here to stay for many future entries in the franchise.
In the past, Darryl Kurylo depicted Kazuma Kiryu in English Dubs. He voiced the character in the first Yakuza game and Like a Dragon 7. However, this isn’t Yong’s first foray into anime voice acting, as in the past, he has depicted Enrico Pucci in JoJo Stone Ocean. Only time will tell how Yong Yea will fit into the legacy of the Yakuza series.
The Future of Like a Dragon
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will release on November 9, 2023. It will be available for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. On the other hand, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will release in 2024 on the same consoles as Gaiden.
Stay tuned to Final Weapon for more of our Like a Dragon franchise coverage.
