Stranger Than Heaven has revealed its star-studded cast of actors that will star in the latest game by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, and the list includes the appearance of Bunta Sugawara.
In the new trailer, Bunta Sugawara is the only person to be credited to have another voice.
Bunta Sugawara was a legendary actor who passed away in 2014. Famous for his appearance in films including the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series, the face of yakuza films in Japan will once again grace a piece of yakuza-themed media.
Sugawara’s appearance in Stranger Than Heaven has the consent of his bereaved family, with his CG character recreated using archival footage and photographs from Toei Company, Ltd.
Takashi Ukaji, fellow actor with close relations to Bunta Sugawara, will be providing the voice for the character Bunta Sugawara depicts in Stranger Than Heaven.
Posthumous appearances in media usually happens when the person passed away before said media released. Though there is also an effort to bring back past names via sketchy ways, employing generative AI tech that the person and their family may or may not have consented to.
At least for now, this looks like a respectful homage to bring back a film star famous for being the face of post-war yakuza. Publisher Sega is saying the right things here.
On a related note, the upcoming Onimusha: Way Of The Sword will feature the likeness of Toshiro Mifune, another Japanese film star no longer with us, for its main character, Miyamoto Musashi.
Bunta Sugawara joins the main cast of Stranger Than Heaven which includes the likes of Yu Shirota, Dean Fujioka, Snoop Dogg, Moeka Hoshi, Tori Kelly, Akio Otsuka, Tokuma Nishioka, Satoshi Fujihara (OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM), Cordell Broadus and Ado.
Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven not only revealed a new trailer and a release window, but also various aspects of the next game including a new combat system and showbiz feature by the makers of Yakuza/Like A Dragon.
Stranger Than Heaven will be out “this winter” for the PS5, PC (Steam, Microsoft Store) and Xbox Series X|S.