[Interview] The "Choices of the Gangster" Depicted in Games – Cast Members of "ROAD59" Discuss the Expanding Story and New Dimensions of Their Characters
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/904/G090430/20250527028/
Writer: Tangsou | 2025/10/02 03:00 (UTC)
Bushiroad’s “ROAD59 -New Era Yakuza Special Zone-” is a multimedia project centered on the theme of yakuza meets near-future. The story unfolds in “Tenkai-ku,” one of the world’s most prominent skyscraper districts, located beyond the fictional National Route 59. Here, rivalries among special ability holders known as “Jin-gi”—the Shun’ou Group, Hakurou Group, Kurojou Group, PHOENIX, and newly introduced in-game Tenkai-ku Special Police—take center stage.
This project began with its first stage production in 2020, followed by a second installment in 2021. Since then, it has expanded into side stories and a manga adaptation that launched in 2024.
As part of the series’ latest expansion, “ROAD59 -New Era Yakuza Special Zone- Skyscraper Monochrome Conflict,” a visual novel starring Shou Hyō, acting leader of the Hakurou Group, was released on September 25, 2025, for both PC and Nintendo Switch. In this title, voice actors from the stage production reprise their roles, while new characters introduced from the game further deepen the story’s world.
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Game Review: The Kind-Hearted Acting Leader “Shou” Makes a Final Decision for His Family — A Visual Novel Depicting the World of Yakuza, “ROAD59 Skyscraper Monochrome Conflict”
The visual novel “ROAD59 -New Era Yakuza Special Zone- Skyscraper Monochrome Conflict,” part of the multimedia project “ROAD59,” is set to release on September 25, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and Steam. In this article, a writer who has seen the stage productions reports their impressions from an early preview.
[July 10, 2025, 12:00]
- Keywords:
- PC: ROAD59 -New Era Yakuza Special Zone- Skyscraper Monochrome Conflict
- PC
- Adventure
- Bushiroad
- Number of Players: 1
- Nintendo Switch: ROAD59 -New Era Yakuza Special Zone- Skyscraper Monochrome Conflict
- Nintendo Switch
- Play Report
- Writer: Tangasa
- Popular among women
This time, 4Gamer had the chance to interview Shuuya Sawa, who voices Shou Hyō, and Atsushi Shiramizu, who portrays the mysterious bartender. Here’s what they shared. Please note that this interview includes spoilers about key plot points such as “the true identity of the mysterious bartender.” Readers who wish to enjoy the game without prior knowledge are encouraged to play first.
From left: Shuuya Sawa, voicing Shou Hyō; Atsushi Shiramizu, voicing the mysterious bartender Thumbnail image No.017 / [Interview] “The Choices of Yakuza” portrayed in the game — Cast from “ROAD59” discuss expanded stories and new aspects of characters
Official Website for “ROAD59 -New Era Yakuza Special Zone- Skyscraper Monochrome Conflict”
No National Route 59? Because This Story Needed It!
4Gamer:
Nice to meet you! The project has previously expanded through stage productions and manga adaptations, but how did you feel when you heard it was being adapted into a game?
Shou Hyō / Shuuya Sawa (hereafter: Sawa):
We’ve already had stage plays, radio dramas, and manga — now finally, the game version. Since games come in so many genres, I initially wondered what kind of game this would become. I thought maybe an action game?
Mysterious Bartender / Atsushi Shiramizu (hereafter: Shiramizu):
Indeed, it could have been an action game too.
Sawa:
Yes, of course. With Jin-gi abilities like that, anything goes! But I liked how this visual novel allows players to explore multiple story paths — it fits perfectly with the series’ spirit. It lets us see behind-the-scenes moments and expand the world further, right?
Shiramizu:
Haha, haha (laughs). We’ve seen so many subtle details about characters and their stories now.
Sawa:
I love “ROAD59” deeply — I even read the manga — so this game adaptation feels like a great one to me.
Shiramizu:
I was really happy — “It’s finally here! The game is coming!” (laughs). But I also realized, “Wait a minute… I’ve done stage and radio dramas before, but never voice acting!” Even though I knew this project had multimedia expansion from the start, so I expected it. We even joked among cast members that “The game might happen!”
4Gamer:
So you were excited!
Shiramizu:
When the moment came, my motivation really kicked in! And I’m truly grateful to everyone who’s been supporting us. But one thing shocked me — I couldn’t play “Takaguchi Kōkyū” from the Shun’ou Group (laughs).
4Gamer:
The official site does refer to your character as “the mysterious bartender,” after all.
Shiramizu:
I was wondering, how should I even announce it? The illustration on the website clearly looks like Takaguchi Kōkyū (laughs).
Sawa:
People who know the stage version will instantly recognize “mysterious bartender = Takaguchi” (laughs).
4Gamer:
Fans of Takaguchi probably felt a bit nervous — “What’s going on?”
Shiramizu:
I think so (laughs). Some might have even worried, “Are you betraying us?”
4Gamer:
For longtime supporters, discovering new character portrayals and storylines in the game is an exciting experience. On the flip side, many players may be experiencing Tenkai-ku for the first time through this game. Could you remind everyone once more of what makes “ROAD59” so special?
Shiramizu:
The title itself is great — “ROAD59.” It’s not a real national route, and it almost feels like it was created specifically for this story! The number 59 even sounds like “Gokudō,” meaning “the forbidden path” or “a road without a name.”
Sawa:
Exactly. It’s so convincing — you start wondering if the government actually created this route for the story (laughs, jokingly).
Shiramizu:
I’ve even talked about that with Kuni-san (Yūki Kunizawa, who plays Baktō from Shun’ou Group) (laughs).
The story is a yakuza drama, but every character has their own sense of justice and firm beliefs. Each group values family in different ways — that’s part of the charm. The Shun’ou Group feels like a close-knit family with a relaxed vibe.
Sawa:
Each group really has its own distinct personality. For me, it’s simply because the characters are so appealing. They have Jin-gi abilities, which is cool sci-fi flair, and they also embody traditional yakuza honor.
When “Shin-sister” (Ice Room Shizuka, Shou’s older sister) appears on stage, that classic Japanese musical intro plays — it instantly raises the energy! As a fan myself, I get excited every time another character shows up. It’s just so captivating. Even in past interviews, I’ve said: once you know this story, there’ll be at least one character you end up loving.
Shiramizu:
There’s definitely someone for everyone. Also, the strong female characters are a big plus.
Shun’ou Group and Hakurou Group — A Tale of Two Similar Families
4Gamer:
Indeed, the male characters have strong beliefs, while the female ones are poised and cool. There are many compelling characters! You two play members from different organizations — what’s your impression of each other’s groups?
Sawa:
Although there is competition across Tenkai-ku, in reality, the Hakurou Group and Shun’ou Group aren’t really at odds.
Shiramizu:
I don’t see them as enemies. Both groups ultimately want to protect their families — they even give each other advice now and then. On stage, we’ve seen moments when they actually teamed up because their goals aligned.
Sawa:
At a fundamental level, they’re quite similar. The Shun’ou Group feels like an extended family with that easygoing atmosphere, while the Hakurou Group truly values blood ties.
Shiramizu:
Both groups have someone precious to protect — the Shun’ou Group has “Miss Jō” (Ketsumi Manaka, group leader’s daughter), and the Hakurou Group has Shou’s younger sister (Ice Room Ryōka, youngest in her family).
Sawa:
As the world expands and the story progresses, there might be moments when they clash fiercely.
Shiramizu:
They could end up fighting one day.
Sawa:
I’d feel sad if that happened.
Shiramizu:
The game already has some intense developments — I’m really curious about what comes next. But since you can replay the game, it’s a chance to try different paths (laughs). We want Shou to find his right way forward.
Sawa:
Looping through the story? That would be tough for sure.
Curious About “That Lie” and the Past “One Brother” —
4Gamer:
Besides the Shun’ou and Hakurou Groups, many other organizations and characters appear. Are there any you’re particularly curious about?
Shiramizu:
Kan Kōsei from the Kurojou Group. Fans might know this already — he’s been telling a big lie. How long can he keep it up? The Kurojou Group tends to get into some really shady stuff, don’t they?
Sawa:
They’re willing to do anything if it serves their purpose.
Shiramizu:
And Kan is even more of a con artist than Takaguchi. That makes the whole Kurojou Group really interesting to watch.
Sawa:
Whenever something big happens, it usually starts with the Kurojou Group.
Shiramizu:
It’s like every major trouble begins with them. In the stage show, two sisters — Shō Renka and Sae Aida, who once swore loyalty to Kan — left the story. But there are still many possibilities! Maybe they’ll return? Perhaps Kan’s Jin-gi ability could make that happen.
Sawa:
If we get a storyline where he fights for those two girls, now that would be intense!
Shiramizu:
Personally, I love Kan’s anime visual design the most.
Sawa:
He looks cool! And actor Shōta Inoue’s performance style is amazing too.
Shiramizu:
I’ve never seen a performer on stage fly drones before (laughs). When a character and an actor truly align in spirit, their charm multiplies. I haven’t met the police cast yet — I’m really looking forward to that.
4Gamer:
How about you, Sawa?
Sawa:
Me? Definitely “One Brother” (Kurotetsu Ichijin — former Hakurou Group member, now in Kurojou). He’s a fan favorite, after all.
Shiramizu:
True! And he’s strong too!
Sawa:
I especially liked the episode where he was still with the Hakurou Group. His Kansai dialect really charmed me as a fan.
Shiramizu:
It shows him in his purest, most peaceful era — no regrets.
Sawa:
A gentle and cool older brother (laughs).
See the Bunny-Eared Shou in the Shun’ou Route!
4Gamer:
Among all the voice recordings, is there a scene that stands out for you?
Shiramizu:
The moment when Shou puts on bunny ears (laughs). In the Shun’ou route, he’s working at a bar and gets tricked by Baktō and Takaguchi into wearing them. His look was so funny — it made me realize just how pure-hearted Shou really is (laughs).
Sawa:
Shou is incredibly innocent and adorable.
Shiramizu:
If you want to see that version of Shou, you’ll have to push through the route yourself — it’s not easy! You’ll need to play a lot to unlock it.
4Gamer:
So there are hidden “rewards” for players who dive deep into the game?
Sawa:
I also love one particular scene that shows Shou’s innocence. It revolves around the “Head of Yamata Orochi,” sealed within Tenkai-ku, said to grant wishes. At first, Shou prays simply: “I just want peace and a quiet life.”
That line perfectly captures who Shou is at the story’s beginning — in a world full of chaos, wanting nothing more than tranquility shows how good-hearted he truly is. Then his journey begins as he gets drawn into conflict and changes.
4Gamer:
Player choices shape Shou’s path — he can turn in many different directions. Early on, you might think “Shou wouldn’t do something like that,” but the game challenges that.
Shiramizu:
But if you choose a harsher path, you might just unlock the bunny-ear scene (laughs).
Sawa:
I haven’t played the final version yet (at time of interview), so I’m really excited to dive in. I’d love to share my route choices with everyone someday.
4Gamer:
This game presents many tough decisions — how do you two usually react when faced with such dilemmas? Are you bold and decisive, or careful and thoughtful?
Sawa:
Shiramizu seems like someone who jumps right in (laughs).
Shiramizu:
I’d charge ahead (laughs). I don’t play visual novels much, but if I did, I’d probably choose based on how it would affect my favorite character — “If I do this, will my push move that way?”
Sawa:
By the way, who’s your favorite?
Shiramizu:
Hard to say — but in this game, it’d be Shou. I’d think about what choices would make him happy.
Sawa:
I’m more of someone who wants to avoid getting dragged into drama — so maybe I’m similar to Shou. I just want a simple, peaceful life. But if I were playing the game, I might go against that and do something bold instead.
Shiramizu:
Even if peace makes Shou happy, other characters might suffer as a result.
4Gamer:
That’s part of what makes games so fun — multiple routes to explore! But it can also be stressful. In the game, Shou loops through paths again and again trying to make the Hakurou Group happy. If you two could go back in time, when would you choose?
Shiramizu:
Just to clarify — would we keep our current knowledge?
Sawa:
That’s important (laughs).
4Gamer:
Let’s assume yes.
Shiramizu:
Around 14 years old — middle school second year.
4Gamer:
The age when you start thinking about your future.
Shiramizu:
I’d focus more on planning my path and study harder than I did back then.
Sawa:
I’d probably still choose the actor route, so I wouldn’t study much. Maybe even aim for Tokyo University — give studying a serious try!
Shiramizu:
Getting into top universities requires talent too (laughs). But even if you pick the same path as before, with current knowledge, you could take different actions — your audition approach would change.
Sawa:
But auditions are tough. If I somehow got accepted to something I never thought possible, it might throw me off my original course! That’s a real dilemma when you have memories of past choices (laughs).
Shiramizu:
If you don’t go back and actually succeed, what was the point? So maybe around 20 would be just right.
Sawa:
It depends on whether I’m happy with my current life.
Shiramizu:
True. If you want to make big changes, going back to your teens might help — but if you’re content now, mid-20s feels ideal. It’s tricky! Realistically, like Takaguchi says: buy something that’ll increase in value long-term (laughs).
Sawa:
Maybe that is the right answer (laughs). I’d go back to high school. I still dream about it sometimes.
Shiramizu:
Sounds like a rich high school experience!
Sawa:
I really loved those years — if I could relive them, I’d choose high school again.
4Gamer:
Earlier you mentioned the bunny ears — in this game, gathering intel at bars is crucial. Do you enjoy drinking?
Shiramizu:
Yes (laughs).
Sawa:
Me too (laughs).
Shiramizu:
We sometimes go out for drinks together. But even when I’m tipsy, I don’t really change much. When I drink alone, it’s not about gathering info — but I find it interesting how conversations around me naturally catch my ear.
Sawa:
You’ve got that Takaguchi vibe! On stage, you always seemed to see the bigger picture and notice all sorts of details.
4Gamer:
What kind of drinks do you usually have?
Shiramizu:
I keep an eye on calories — so I go for highballs or tea mixers. As little distilled alcohol as possible.
Sawa:
Same here — highball is my go-to. Now that I’m over thirty, I need to be careful about liver health (laughs).
The Fun and Challenge of Acting with Voice Alone
4Gamer:
As voice actors, did you notice any unique joys or challenges compared to stage or film?
Shiramizu:
The “t” sound — and the “huff-huff” (laughs). I just couldn’t get that “huff-huff” right.
Sawa:
There were many different versions of “huff-huff.”
Shiramizu:
I literally couldn’t say it at all (laughs).
4Gamer:
True — you don’t hear that in real life much, only in anime and manga.
Shiramizu:
Exactly. Even if a script says “huff-huff” on stage, I’d naturally replace it with “ha ha” or something more natural.
Sawa:
We tend to change it into sounds we can actually produce.
Shiramizu:
I couldn’t figure out how to say “huff-huff,” and that tiny detail showed me just how hard this is. Even in longer lines, the director carefully explained whether each line connects forward or backward. It taught me that mastering voice acting techniques adds depth to performance.
Sawa:
It was a great lesson — I’d love to hear it (laughs).
Shiramizu:
In games, you can replay and listen as many times as you want (laughs). In fact, I even asked Maeda-chan (Seigo Narai from Shun’ou Group) after the recording: “How do you actually say ‘huff-huff’?” He showed me — and it was so perfect, instantly recognizable (laughs).
Also, while not funny per se, I realized there’s a style that suits me best. Whether standing or sitting during recordings? We tried both. For action scenes, moving your body helps — but for Takaguchi’s calm demeanor, sitting still might be better. It was an interesting discovery.
Sawa:
I also felt the true skill of voice actors firsthand. On stage, you use body language and visuals — but here, it’s all about your voice. I realized how hard it is to convey emotion without physical expression. Even though Shou usually keeps his feelings hidden, there are moments where he lets loose emotionally — playing those scenes was truly enjoyable.
Shiramizu:
On the flip side, the mysterious bartender doesn’t show much emotion (laughs).
Sawa:
It depends on the character.
4Gamer:
Also, since Shou’s group is based in Kansai, did you find the dialect challenging?
Sawa:
Extremely. I got help from Maeda-san, who’s from Osaka — he taught me a lot. In fact, he even read through all my lines aloud once.
Shiramizu:
Wait — really? That’s luxurious!
Sawa:
It was truly generous! Listening to Maeda-san’s voice helped me shape Shou’s performance. I’m so grateful.
4Gamer:
I’d love to hear Maeda-san’s guide voice too. As a gaming news site, I’ll ask one more question — do you both play games?
Sawa:
Yes, often! From rhythm games to mobile titles, I explore various kinds. Right now, I’m hooked on an older classic RPG.
Shiramizu:
I prefer solo-play style games.
Sawa:
Exactly — I tend to pick slower-paced, single-player experiences rather than group-based fun ones.
Shiramizu:
I don’t play many games, but if I do, it’s always alone. With multiplayer, I worry about bothering others…
Sawa:
So kind (laughs).
Shiramizu:
That’s why I usually go solo — even famous cooperative hunting games? I tackle them by myself (laughs).
4Gamer:
A true solo mastery style (laughs).
Shiramizu:
Yes! For those kinds of games, I aim to be the strongest and play through completely. Once I get into one, I’ll only play that. So this visual novel — with its multiple routes — is absolutely perfect for me. I might even try to complete every path.
Sawa:
I haven’t explored everything yet — I definitely want to dive in deeper.
Shiramizu:
Some fans of “ROAD59” might already know more than we do (laughs).
Sawa:
That’d be awkward! We wouldn’t have much to talk about with them.
Shiramizu:
So let’s make sure everyone knows — “Ah yes, that route!”
4Gamer:
Finally, any message for fans?
Shiramizu:
For those already familiar with the story, this game dives deeper into its world. I hope you enjoy it thoroughly!
And to newcomers: there are many fascinating characters waiting. Find your favorite one — play with a sense of wanting to protect and support them. That’ll make the experience even richer. Please give it a try.
Sawa:
Starting from stage productions, expanding through multimedia, now reaching new life in game form — “ROAD59” has truly grown wider. I believe this story is genuinely exciting, and games offer a uniquely immersive way to experience it.
Please find your favorite version of “ROAD59,” play it often, and keep supporting us!
4Gamer:
Thank you very much.
— Recorded on May 19, 2025