Yakuza: Like A Dragon is looking like one heck of a game, but did you know it also happens to star esteemed actor, George Takei? Takei has stepped into the world of video games for his role in Like A Dragon, where he plays patriarch of the Arakawa family, Masumi Arakawa.
In a new interview from SEGA and RGG Studio, Takei speaks candidly about his role in the game, and how he’s used his own personal life experiences to bring a humanness to the Yakuza boss.
He explains: “The relationship between Arakawa and Ichiban is a paternalistic one, he’s brought this young man who’s not his son, and grooms him to be a good member of the Yakuza.
“I have a horrific and unjust and unforgettable childhood experience – the imprisonment by my own country because of Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbour. I saw my parents go through incredible anguish but also their determination to get back on their feet and give their children a life. I have that personal life history and I wanted to bring a little bit of that into the humanity that I found in Arakawa.”
It sounds like Takei’s portrayal of Arakawa is going to be a moving one, so best get yourself prepared for the launch of Yakuza: Like A Dragon!
The game is set to receive its Western launch in November this year, with plans for the game to also release for Xbox Series X via Smart Delivery. A PlayStation 5 version is also expected, though there’s no solid date. Its description reads as follows: “Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.”
Check out the full interview with George Takei in the video below.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/SEGA America