Some Yakuza fans are unhappy with the character redesigns shown for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, while others are excited or less troubled by the changes. The available discussions show a range of individual reactions—not a measured fan consensus—and one criticism goes beyond faces to argue that the remake loses distinctive details from the original designs.
What fans are saying about the new character models
A Reddit thread asking “What do you think about the new character models in Yakuza Kiwami 3?” includes commenters who are sad or critical about how characters look. Other responses offer different perspectives, including enthusiasm and qualifications rather than blanket rejection. The thread captures people who chose to participate; it cannot establish how the wider fanbase feels.
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A separate discussion, “My issue with the Kiwami 3 redesigns (it’s not the faces),” makes a more specific case: one fan argues that some of the original designs’ artistic choices and visual details have been lost. That is a fan’s interpretation, not an established account of what the remake changed or why.
Why a redesign can feel like more than a new face
When comparing an updated model with an earlier design, it helps to separate a few questions rather than treating every objection as a likeness complaint:
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- A LEGEND IS REBORN AND A NEW LEGACY BEGINS: Two men will walk different paths that converge to shake the very foundations of fate.
- Yakuza Kiwami 3: Continue the story of ex-yakuza Kazuma Kiryu as he fights to protect those he loves in an extreme remake of Yakuza 3 that evolves every aspect of the beloved game.
- Dark Ties: Experience the brand-new tale of Yoshitaka Mine from Yakuza 3 in an included separate game.
- Character continuity: Does the new look still feel recognizably like the character to you?
- Distinctive details: Which visual choices or small features do you think define the original design, and do they remain?
- Nature of the change: Are you reacting to a changed face, or to other parts of the character’s presentation?
- Personal preference: Do you prefer the earlier design, or does the updated presentation work for you?
These are useful ways to frame a comparison, not official design criteria or evidence of the studio’s intentions. SEGA’s announcement calls the project a “reimagining of Yakuza 3,” but does not give a named creator’s explanation for the character redesigns. It would be speculation to claim a particular reason for them.
What Kiwami 3 includes
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is SEGA’s reimagining of the 2009 game Yakuza 3, bundled with a separate, all-new story focused on Dark Ties. The character-model conversation concerns the Kiwami 3 reimagining; it should not be confused with the separate Dark Ties story. SEGA announced a February 12, 2026 release date and listed PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Check regional store listings for current availability and edition details.
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How much of the fanbase is reacting this way?
The cited threads provide examples of criticism and other reactions, not a poll or representative measure. They support saying that some fans object to the redesigns and that at least one critic focuses on perceived loss of original visual choices. They do not support saying that fans overall are “reeling,” nor do they show how common any opinion is.
For scale, SEGA said in its September 24, 2025 announcement that the Like a Dragon franchise had surpassed 27.7 million units sold worldwide. That is a franchise figure, not sales for Kiwami 3, and it says nothing about how players feel about the new designs.
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- Kyushi Yakuza Shadowrun Action Figure Game.
Rank #3
Sources
- SEGA’s September 24, 2025 announcement of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- Official game website
- Reddit r/yakuzagames discussion: “What do you think about the new character models in Yakuza Kiwami 3?”
- Reddit r/yakuzagames discussion: “My issue with the Kiwami 3 redesigns (it’s not the faces)”
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