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[Cyberpunkd]

Maybe YY is paying them, because at this point it is inexplainable why he got the job.

Nah, they probably have the internal data showing almost nobody plays in English so why not sell a few thousand extra by marketing to YY simps?

Alternative explanation - they don’t give a fuck about English dub period, so it’s all the same for them who voices the characters.

 

[xrnzaaas]

I refuse to believe Yokoyama didn't need a cigarette break or laughed himself out of the office in Shinagawa after listening to YongYea Kiryu.

It's more likely he just doesn't care about the English dub and SEGA's American branch has free reign.

 

[saintjules]

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, but it's interesting to see so many people that prefer the english dubs versus japanese dub + english subtitles for Yakuza games. I always felt that was the definitive way to play Yakuza games, no? Though I also do get the laziness of reading subs.

The hate for Yong Yea is starting to be a bit out of hand I think.

 

[Comandr]

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, but it's interesting to see so many people that prefer the english dubs versus japanese dub + english subtitles for Yakuza games. I always felt that was the definitive way to play Yakuza games, no? Though I also do get the laziness of reading subs.

The hate for Yong Yea is starting to be a bit out of hand I think.

The argument really doesn’t make a lot of sense right? A dub enjoyer might say “I have to read everything they say? Ain’t nobody got time for that.”

But then I would say like over 70% of the dialogue in the game is not voice acted at all so… where’s the line? You can’t be bothered to read but then basically all side quest and non cutscene dialogue is not voice acted. Is that not acceptable? You just gonna skip all that? Or you’re going to read all that because otherwise you won’t be able to do large portions of the game but now you’re reading anyway so why not just get a good experience with the best voice acting?

 

[Arsic]

How does reading everything make the game better?

I like how an army of guys who beat their meat to Chinese cartoon porn with waifu body pillows is trying to lecture you on how to play your games. “I know better. Please play how I do.”

I do dubs and subs for various things . Prefer dubs if well done.

Like a Dragon has fantastic English voices but I switched to Japanese half way in myself because infinite wealth Id have to put up with Yong Yea. Instead I’m just doing Japanese so I can enjoy Kiryu voice instead.

I wish I could do mixed lol. All English except Kiryu.

I can’t imagine there wasn’t better people for the task for the English voice. The guy who voices Armstrong in full metal could’ve done it with some small tweaks in pitch .

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Pretty sure this just means the Yong has connections with the Yakuza now, I wouldn't be talking shit if I were you

 

[wvnative]

The argument really doesn’t make a lot of sense right? A dub enjoyer might say “I have to read everything they say? Ain’t nobody got time for that.”

But then I would say like over 70% of the dialogue in the game is not voice acted at all so… where’s the line? You can’t be bothered to read but then basically all side quest and non cutscene dialogue is not voice acted. Is that not acceptable? You just gonna skip all that? Or you’re going to read all that because otherwise you won’t be able to do large portions of the game but now you’re reading anyway so why not just get a good experience with the best voice acting?

For me, its distracting to read subtitles WHILE the Japanese audio is playing, i'm hearing gibberish while trying to read what they are saying. It's why i will always prefer english if it's an option. Less of an issue for non-voiced scenes.

Got used to it playing through the series though.

For yongyea, i feel a little bit bad for him. It's an awful choice, he sounds terrible and nothing like what Kiryu should sound like. But its not his fault he isn't suited for the role, it's a complete and utter failure of Sega's localization team, and all blame should blasted towards them, not yongyea. He got paid to do a job, i don't see how anyone can blame him.

It's also a very confusing situation, given that both judgement and yakuza like a dragon had both excellent casting and voice direction/performances. I cannot fathom how the same people responsible for that found it a good idea to hire yongyea.

Bad situation all around, wanted to play in english but with him sounding so horrible i'll stick with subs. Maybe do NG+ in english for lols.

 

[Gambit2483]

For me, its distracting to read subtitles WHILE the Japanese audio is playing, i'm hearing gibberish while trying to read what they are saying. It's why i will always prefer english if it's an option. Less of an issue for non-voiced scenes.

Got used to it playing through the series though.

For yongyea, i feel a little bit bad for him. It's an awful choice, he sounds terrible and nothing like what Kiryu should sound like. But its not his fault he isn't suited for the role, it's a complete and utter failure of Sega's localization team, and all blame should blasted towards them, not yongyea. He got paid to do a job, i don't see how anyone can blame him.

It's also a very confusing situation, given that both judgement and yakuza like a dragon had both excellent casting and voice direction/performances. I cannot fathom how the same people responsible for that found it a good idea to hire yongyea.

Bad situation all around, wanted to play in english but with him sounding so horrible i'll stick with subs. Maybe do NG+ in english for lols.

I hate to say it but something tells me if YongYea wasn't Japanese he wouldn't have gotten this role, if recent Industry rumors are true.

I'm all for diversity and inclusion but voice acting should be based purely on talent and how well the voice fits the role and nothing else.

How the hell did no one at SEGA realize he sounds NOTHING like a battle-weary 55 year old man?

 

[Banjo64]

I keep hearing

‘We’re breaking the law!’

In my head at random times

I’m now thinking this is so bad it’s good territory

 

[Soltype]

I keep hearing

‘We’re breaking the law!’

In my head at random times

I’m now thinking this is so bad it’s good territory

I sing his version more than the original song, it's too funny

 

[PsyEd]

How the hell did no one at SEGA realize he sounds NOTHING like a battle-weary 55 year old man?

That is why we need the OG...Darryl Kurylo back as the English Dragon of Dojima...and the fact I love PC version for mods. Here's one I made for LJ


And thanks to A.I. any dedicated modder can just re dub the whole game with anyone's voice.

 

[Bridges]

I like how an army of guys who beat their meat to Chinese cartoon porn with waifu body pillows is trying to lecture you on how to play your games. “I know better. Please play how I do.”

I haven't even played this game yet so I take no sides in this debate but this comment really got me good haha

 

[ahtlas7]

I don’t need to tear into YY. He auditioned, I assume, and got a hard sought va job. Good for him. It’s not his fault he was a poor choice for Kiryu. I put the blame on production. YY voiced the character as he understands Kiryu and within his limited range. If you’re upset, take your anger out on the decision-makers or this will just repeat. …unless Yea really is Yakuza and forced his way into the audio booth.

Regarding sub or dub arguments, I appreciate both where necessary. If the dub is well done and sounds authentic then I’ll choose it but subtitles don’t bother me either. I’ve also been known to cross the streams: dub and sub simultaneously.

 

[violence]

My YouTube algorithm used to recommend his videos all the time. I’m not sure why. Every video I’ve seen of his it has had a negative slant.

 

[El Muerto]

I think Sega hired him to appeal to younger folks. Most of us Yakuza fans initially played this on PS2 and PS3 so we're a bit older and with 7 mainline entries newcomers will be overwhelmed. Also under 25 somethings love youtubers. If Sega appeals the game to a younger audience then you have another age group that gets into the series to effectively boost sales. It's definitely a poor casting choice, but Sega is becoming the old guy that has no idea how to relate to the younger crowd.

 

[wvnative]

I hate to say it but something tells me if YongYea wasn't Japanese he wouldn't have gotten this role, if recent Industry rumors are true.

I'm all for diversity and inclusion but voice acting should be based purely on talent and how well the voice fits the role and nothing else.

How the hell did no one at SEGA realize he sounds NOTHING like a battle-weary 55 year old man?

Even if they must diversity cast, I find it basically impossible they couldn't find someone that suited the role. There are no english speaking Japanese actors in their 50s? (or with a voice that sounds like a guy in his 50s?)

Every possible excuse I come up with in my head is total fucking horseshit.

 

[Holdfing]

I hate to say it but something tells me if YongYea wasn't Japanese he wouldn't have gotten this role, if recent Industry rumors are true.

I'm all for diversity and inclusion but voice acting should be based purely on talent and how well the voice fits the role and nothing else.

How the hell did no one at SEGA realize he sounds NOTHING like a battle-weary 55 year old man?

I remember him talking about being raised in South America but his parents are Korean.

edit: Yep https://www.yongyeavo.com/bio

 

[NanaMiku]

I think Sega hired him to appeal to younger folks. Most of us Yakuza fans initially played this on PS2 and PS3 so we're a bit older and with 7 mainline entries newcomers will be overwhelmed. Also under 25 somethings love youtubers. If Sega appeals the game to a younger audience then you have another age group that gets into the series to effectively boost sales. It's definitely a poor casting choice, but Sega is becoming the old guy that has no idea how to relate to the younger crowd.

Well, LaD8 has a vtuber that becomes your enemy. That's an appeal to a younger audience lol.
Does the younger generation really prefer dub? I'm not from the US, but most of the younger generation is already really familiar with Japanese content/language in my country