CyricZ, the GameFAQs guide writer known for comprehensive walkthroughs of nearly every modern Yakuza game, has announced he will not play or write a guide for Yakuza Kiwami 3. The decision comes in light of Sega and RGG Studio casting Teruyuki Kagawa, an actor who has admitted to sexual assault, in the role of Goh Hamazaki.
With over two decades of walkthrough and guide writing under his belt, CyricZ’s work has become a go-to resource for many titles. His Yakuza guides are no exception, with many considering them the gold standard when trying out for 100% completion, as the guides cover everything from substories to complex minigames like mahjong and shogi.
However, CyricZ won’t be posting such a guide for Yakuza Kiwami 3. The writer announced this over on Bluesky, stating that he’ll be skipping the game in solidarity with the #REMOVEKAGAWA movement.
In the announcement, CyricZ wrote “After giving myself time to reflect on my options, I’ve decided that I will not be writing a GameFAQs guide for Yakuza Kiwami 3 / Dark Ties. I will not be purchasing the game, nor playing it in any capacity.”
He then further explained that “With the hiring of known sexual harasser Teruyuki Kagawa to the face and voice cast of Yakuza Kiwami 3, I do not find myself inspired by the game. The Like a Dragon series has a long-standing history of opposing sexual misconduct in all its forms and I feel this casting goes against that message.”
CyricZ added that he reserves the right to make case-by-case decisions on any future Yakuza games, as well as the right to reassess should RGG change course with Yakuza Kiwami 3. Moreover, CyricZ also explained that his previous guides for games in the series will remain available.
Kagawa admitted to sexual assault
Kagawa was involved in a widely reported 2019 incident where he sexually harassed a woman at a nightclub. According to Japanese media, including The Japan Times and KBIZoOm, Kagawa publicly acknowledged wrongdoing in 2022 via his talent agency Lotus Roots, saying that, “It is true that Teruyuki Kagawa’s inadequacy caused displeasure to the woman.”
Kagawa has not been convicted for this admitted case of sexual assault.
Following the scandal, Kagawa was effectively frozen out of Japanese entertainment for several years, with no roles from 2022 to 2025. His casting in Yakuza Kiwami 3 represents a return to high-profile work, complete with his facial likeness scanned into the game.
It’s no surprise, then, that fans have been making their voices heard over this casting. While Sega and RGG Studio have stuck to radio silence, fans have been spreading #REMOVEKAGAWA across social media, alongside resources that link to a brief on the situation, as well as further allegations against Kagawa.
This indifference in the face of sexual violence is all too common in the games industry, with major scandals coming out of companies like Blizzard and Ubisoft in recent years. It’s likely that CyricZ’s withdrawal from the series won’t be the last example of an individual withholding support from Yakuza 3 going forward.
