Yakuza's fanbase found themselves embroiled in a heated debate once again, this time over the performance of Kiryu Kazuma's new voice actor, Yong Yea (via IGN).
With the nearing release of "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth," clips of Yong Yea's English voice-acting performance surfaced, causing discussion within the community. However, a particular karaoke clip set the internet ablaze, igniting a flurry of opinions, criticisms, and passionate defenses.
The Voice Actor
Yong Yea, known not only as a voice actor but also as a prominent gaming news YouTuber, showcased his take on the iconic character's voice.
The online discourse swiftly divided fans, some expressing disappointment in the performance while others leaped to Yong Yea's defense. The clip, featuring the popular Yakuza karaoke tune "Judgment," became a focal point for praise and criticism.
Omg it sounds horrible 💔 pic.twitter.com/aFW6vtNKhH
— Judgment Kazzy 1988 (@2005Dojima) November 9, 2023
Critics pointed out that the voice seemed incongruent with Kiryu's character, especially considering the age difference. At 51 in "Like a Dragon Gaiden" and 56 in "Infinite Wealth," Kiryu's character is perceived to be significantly older than the 28-year-old voice actor, sparking concerns about authenticity.
Online platforms became battlegrounds for differing opinions, with some fans urging for respect and understanding toward the actor despite their disappointment. Yong Yea himself addressed the concerns, acknowledging the adjustment period and expressing a desire for fans to have options that suit their preferences.
My ears still hurt byu/RainBoyThatBoy inyakuzagames
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More Criticism
Even before the controversial video clips, the voice actor already faced criticism in June for being a YouTuber. Many people questioned why a YouTuber was given a major role just because of his online fame. Yea quickly hit back that he had been a voice actor for a longer amount of time than he was a YouTuber.
But IGN tells us that this is not the first time Yong Yea has been under scrutiny for his portrayal of Kiryu. His premiere of the voice at Anime Expo 2023 faced immediate criticism, prompting the actor to clarify that the performance was not finalized and to ask fans to reserve judgment until the game's completion.
However, despite the anticipation for the English dub of "Like a Dragon Gaiden," the game's launch on November 9 only featured the Japanese audio with English subtitles. The absence of the English dub update has left fans eagerly awaiting further information from SEGA.
"Like a Dragon Gaiden" bridges Yakuza 6 and "Infinite Wealth," offering a glimpse into Kiryu's life as a retired figure within the Yakuza world. The spin-off introduces new characters and a storyline that delves into Kiryu's covert activities under the pseudonym "Joryu."
Yong Yea's extensive voice-acting experience in anime and gaming, including roles in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean," underpins his casting as Kiryu.
On November 9, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name was released on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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