Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut – What the Japanese Voice Cast Thinks of New Scenes

Fans of the Yakuza series have a reason to celebrate as the launch of Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is fast approaching. Set to debut on the Switch 2 on June 5, this new iteration promises to deliver about 26 minutes of never-before-seen cutscenes that deepen the story and character relationships. Recent comments from the original Japanese voice cast offer some exciting insights into what players can expect from these additions.

New Cutscenes and Voice Talent Return

The voice cast, which includes familiar faces like Kazuma Kiryu’s Takaya Kuroda, Goro Majima’s Hidenari Ugaki, and Daisaku Kuze’s Hitoshi Ozawa, recently shared their thoughts on the new scenes added to the game. The official YouTube channel for developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio featured a video where the cast reflected on the enhancements made for the Director’s Cut.

Kuroda expressed excitement about the new material, stating that the original plot had some unresolved threads that both he and fans were keen to explore. He found the new script “refreshing” and believes it provides a satisfying conclusion to the story arcs that left players wanting more.

Goro Majima’s Character Depth

Hidenari Ugaki, known for his role as Goro Majima, provided additional context about the character’s dual nature. In the new scenes, Majima’s seemingly intimidating persona is reinforced with a more nuanced portrayal of his kind-hearted intentions, particularly regarding his relationship with Makoto. Ugaki elaborated, saying these additions illustrate “how dearly Majima holds Makoto and how much he wants to protect her.” This deeper exploration adds another layer of complexity to a character who has long fascinated fans of the series.

Unpacking Relationships

Hitoshi Ozawa echoed his colleagues’ sentiments, emphasizing how the new scenes enrich the narrative between Daisaku Kuze and Kazuma Kiryu. Ozawa noted, “Kuze’s new lines gave me a sense of ‘oh, so that’s how things are between them’.” These deeper connections and the emotional weight they carry are expected to resonate well with both new and returning players.

What to Expect in the Director’s Cut

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut will not only feature the extended cutscenes but will also introduce an English dub—marking a significant shift from the original offering, which only provided a Japanese dub with English subtitles. Coupled with this, the game is set to unveil a new Red Light Raid online mode, enabling up to four players to engage in thrilling gameplay with up to 60 characters to choose from.

While Yakuza 0 stands as the sixth main entry in the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, its plot precedes the events of all previous titles, making it a fantastic starting point for newcomers. As many fans suggest, beginning with Yakuza 0 provides critical context and sets the tone for the rich narrative that defines the series.

Final Thoughts

The Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut promises to deepen the emotional stakes and character relationships that fans love. With the original Japanese voice cast returning to enhance the storytelling, it’s a perfect time for both long-time fans and newcomers to dive into the franchise. As excitement builds for its June 5 release on Switch 2, players are encouraged to revisit the captivating world of Yakuza and discover the intricate stories woven within its gameplay.

For more information on Yakuza, check out our pages on Yakuza game mechanics, Yakuza character exploration, and upcoming game releases!