{"id":34819,"date":"2018-12-21T21:27:26","date_gmt":"2018-12-21T13:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/?p=34819"},"modified":"2018-12-21T21:32:44","modified_gmt":"2018-12-21T13:32:44","slug":"qoo-otaku-faces-yakuza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/post\/34819\/qoo-otaku-faces-yakuza","title":{"rendered":"[Qoo Otaku] The Faces of Yakuza"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Yakuza Online, the world of Kamurocho is now\u00a0on your mobile devices. And with it, a lot of new and familiar faces! Each of these characters certainly has their own unique look, but some of them even look like certain famous actors! Which characters are created based on\u00a0their real-life counterparts?<\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Kiryu Kazuma (Takaya Kuroda)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Takaya Kuroda\u2019s Twitter<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

The very face of the Yakuza series himself, Kiryu Kazuma is an ex-Yakuza who just wants to live a quiet life running an orphanage and spending time with his kids. But he always seems to get dragged back into the underworld of the yakuza, where he has to teach the bad guys a lesson! Ever since the first game, Kiryu has been voiced by veteran voice actor Takaya Kuroda and the two even share a face! It\u2019s a rare sighting to see him without his signature hat and shades though!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b> You might have heard Kuroda-san from his many other roles, such as Yagyuu Koshinori from <\/span>Gintama<\/span><\/i>!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Goro Majima<\/b> (Hidenari Ugaki)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Moegirl<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

The ongoing rival and ally of Kiryu Kazuma, Goro Majima is a yakuza member from a different clan. He\u2019s best known for being a calm and cool figure willing to help others, but quickly switching to a crazy over the top personality when it comes to fighting his enemies. Majima is voiced by Hidenari Ugaki and while the two look exactly the same, they still share basically the same eyes and the same moustache.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b> There\u2019s a rumor that Ugaki-san was originally chosen to play Majima without the director\u2019s knowledge and was a surprise addition to the cast!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Haruka Sawamura (Rie Kugimiya)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>The Movie DB<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

The adopted daughter of Kiryu Kazuma, Haruka Sawamura is an optimistic young girl who dreams of being an idol. She\u2019s played by Rie Kugimiya, who has played many different idols in anime and games!\u00a0Both of them look really cute!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact: <\/b>Kugimiya-san is probably best known for her role as Taiga Aisaka in <\/span>Toradora!<\/span>, one of the roles that won her the Seiyuu Award!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Futoshi Shimano (Naomi Kusumi)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Moegirl<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

The Patriarch of the Shimano Family, Futoshi Shimano is a ruthless and violent yakuza who believes in brute force over diplomacy. He is voiced by Naomi Kusumi. They have similar facial features, but\u00a0the yakuza looks way more grumpy!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b>\u00a0Kusumi-san tends to play characters who are large in figure, such as Shimano here and Dudley from Street Fighter IV!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Daisaku Kuze (Hitoshi Ozawa)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Big Mountain<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

A junior lieutenant in the Dojima Family, Daisaku Kuze is one heck of a yakuza who never gives up no matter what the odds are. He always keeps on fighting to maintain a code of honor and respect. Kuze is played by and modeled after Hitoshi Ozawa, an actor well known for his roles in 80s yakuza movies! What a perfect fit!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b>\u00a0Despite being a tough looking guy, Ozawa-san is no stranger to silly stunts.\u00a0He\u2019s taken a punch and even a dropkick from a monkey for laughs!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Homare Nishitani (Keiji Fujiwara)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>My Anime List<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

Intelligent and wild, Homare Nishitani is the Patriarch of the Kijin Clan. \u00a0Always chasing after his desires, he doesn\u2019t take no for an answer! Keiji Fujiwara lends his voice and likeness to the role, although he\u2019s probably better known for his more wholesome role as Hiroshi Nohara, Shin-chan\u2019s father in the popular and long running series <\/span>Crayon Shin-chan<\/span><\/i>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b>\u00a0Fujiwara-san has appeared in numerous popular video games, animes, and shows, but Japanese audiences might recognise him as the dubbing voice for Robert Downey Jr., including all the popular Marvel movies!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Hiroki Awano (Riki Takeuchi)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Notre Cinema<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

The Patriarch of the Taihei Association, Hiroki Awano is one of the more laidback lieutenants, especially when compared to Daisaku Kuze. He enjoys the luxuries and riches that come with being a yakuza, but he still likes getting into fights! Awano is modeled after and voiced by Riki Takeuchi, another actor best known for his role in yakuza films.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b> Yakuza <\/span>isn\u2019t the first time Takeuchi-san and Ozawa-san have worked together, as the two of them appeared in Takashi Miike\u2019s 1999 yakuza film <\/span>Dead or Alive<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Makoto Makimura (Miyuki Sawashiro)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>IMDB<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

A young woman who has lost her eyesight, Makoto Makimura works as a massage therapist in Kamurocho.\u00a0Due to her mysterious past though, she becomes the target of the local yakuza! She is played by popular seiyuu Miyuki Sawashiro, who has appeared in countless anime and games!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b>\u00a0Sawashiro-san is completely fluent in English and regularly visits the United States.\u00a0She also enjoys English musicals!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Yuta Usami (Tatsuya Fujiwara)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Wall of Celebrities<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

A young member of the Hirose Family, Yuta Usami spends his time hanging out in the quiet seaside town of Onomichi alongside his fellow yakuza members. While normally laid back, Usami is quick to jump in and protect his friends and family! He is portrayed by Tatsuya Fujiwara, who had the leading roles in numerous films such as <\/span>Battle Royale<\/span> and the live-action <\/span>Death Note<\/span> films!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact: <\/b>This isn\u2019t the first time Fujiwara-san has appeared in the <\/span>Yakuza<\/span> series, as he voiced Rikiya Shimabukuro in <\/span>Yakuza 3<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Kiyomi Kasahara (Yoko Maki)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Asia Celebs<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

Kiyomi Kasahara is a hostess in a small bar in Hiroshima. Known for her warm and friendly personality, she is one of the first locals to befriend Kiryu Kazuma after he arrives in town. Kasahara is modeled after and voiced by Yoko Maki, who is best known for her leading role in the TV series <\/span>Mondai no Aru Restaurant<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b>\u00a0There is a rumor that Yoko Maki is one of Producer Nagoshi Toshihiro\u2019s favorite actresses! What better way to meet your favorite actress than having them star in your game!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Tsuyoshi Nagumo (Hiroyuki Miyasako)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"<\/span>Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>My Anime List<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

Captain of the Hirose Family, Tsuyoshi Nagumo looks out after the other members of his small yakuza family. Well more like he bosses them around! Hot-headed and quick to pick fights, Nagumo spends most of his time trying to win the affection of Kiyomi Kasahara. He is played by and designed after Hiroyuki Miyasako, whose best known as the <\/span>boke<\/span>,<\/span><\/i> or funny man, in the comedy duo Ameagari Kesshitai!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact: <\/b>According to Writer and Producer Masayoshi Yokoyama, Miyasako-san had difficultly recording his lines with an Onomichi accent. Every line he recorded required an Onomichi expert to coach him through it!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Takumi Someya (Shun Oguri)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Japan Times<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

A smooth talking and ambitious man, Takumi Someya is the Patriarch of the Someya Family. While he strictly focuses on yakuza business, Someya seems to have a mysterious connection to Kiyomi Kasahara! He is modeled after and voiced by Shun Oguri, who has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and even some anime \u2013 you might recognize him though as Gintoki Sakata from the live-action <\/span>GinTama<\/span> films!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact: <\/b>Oguri-san said as a child, he wanted to become an actor just so he could meet his favorite actress, Yuki Uchida!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Toru Hirose (Takeshi Kitano)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Variety<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

The elderly Patriach of the Hirose Family, Toru Hirose is a friendly and relaxed leader. While he\u2019s clever and quick to come up with solutions, Hirose spends his time coming up with quick money making schemes. He is portrayed by the legendary Takeshi Kitano (better known as Beat Takeshi) a man who has been in almost every form of entertainment ever created!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b>\u00a0Kitano-san\u2019s appearance in <\/span>Yakuza 6<\/span>, is the second time he has even been involved with a video game. The first time being the infamously difficult 1986 game <\/span>Takeshi no<\/span>\u00a0Chosenjo<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(The Ultimate Challenge from Beat Takeshi).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Akira Nishikiyama \/ Ichiban Kasuga (Kazuhiro Nakaya)<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Yakuza\"Source: <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Anime Planet<\/b><\/a> \/ <\/b>Yakuza Wiki<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

Last but not least, are two characters played by the same actor! First up is Akira Nishikiyama, the sworn brother and fellow yakuza member to our hero Kiryu Kazuma. \u00a0Second is Ichiban Kasuga, an older, street savvy yakuza who is set to appear in both upcoming games <\/span>Shin Yakuza<\/span> <\/i>and <\/span>Yakuza Online<\/span>. They are both played by Kazuhiro Nakaya and while neither character are modeled directly after him, Nakaya-san and Nishikiyama do look quite alike!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Fact:<\/b>\u00a0Nakaya-san played a more secondary role as Nishikiyama in the original <\/span>Yakuza<\/span>, but now he is\u00a0the lead in the Yakuza Online and\u00a0Shin Yakuza!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Those are just a few of the faces seen throughout the <\/span>Yakuza<\/span> series! You know, the series is also best known for having hostesses\u00a0starred by real porn stars! Did\u00a0<\/span>we miss any of your favorite characters or do you recognize any of the actors and actresses? We look forward to hearing from you!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Which characters are created based on their real-life counterparts?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34828,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[772,777],"tags":[5506,4,5675,3425,5508],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2018\/12\/18122112055018.jpg?fit=1052%2C542&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pe8G4K-93B","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34819"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34819"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34819\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.qoo-app.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}