SEGA has unveiled the cast for Stranger Than Heaven, a 50-year saga following Makoto Daito from 1915 to 1965 across five cities as he searches for a place to call home.

Born to an American father and a Japanese mother, Daito belongs fully to neither country. The narrative begins in 1915 when he stows away aboard a ship departing San Francisco, desperate to reach Japan after facing severe discrimination in America. Aboard the vessel, he encounters Orpheus, the ship's captain, and Yu Shinjo, another stowaway who shares similar circumstances. These meetings fundamentally alter Daito's fate as he and Shinjo decide to stick together to survive.

The Main Cast

Makoto Daito (Yu Shirota) is the half-Japanese, half-American protagonist who embarks on his journey after persecution in America. On the voyage, his encounters with Orpheus and Shinjo change his life forever.

Yu Shinjo (Dean Fujioka) is a half-Japanese, half-British man likewise seeking escape from persecution. Cool-headed and sharp-witted, he is often one step ahead of Daito.

Orpheus (Snoop Dogg) is a globe-trotting merchant with a flexible approach to the legality of his wares. After discovering Daito's stowaway status, he teaches him the harsh realities of life in Japan and recognizes his talent for music.

Supporting Cast

Heigo Yashima (Akio Otsuka) is a merchant and boss in Kokura who built his fortune through trade. Tae Matsumoto (Moeka Hoshi) works as a café waitress in Kokura while also serving as a yakuza's mistress. Suzy Day (Tori Kelly) is a talented singer who dreams of stardom and begins her rise in show business after meeting Daito.

Kiyoshi Otsuru (Tokuma Nishioka) is a stylish older man with unmistakable authority. Takashi (Satoshi Fujihara) is Daito's sworn brother and a gifted pianist whose talent rekindles Daito's passion for music. The Veiled Stranger (Cordell Broadus) is a man stationed in postwar Japan.

Keiko Shirai (Ado) is the diva of wartime Osaka. Genzo Iwaki (Bunta Sugawara/voiced by Takashi Ukaji) is the powerful boss of Kure with unmatched influence. The late legendary actor Bunta Sugawara appears in this role through CG character design based on archival footage and photographs, created with formal consent from his family and materials provided by Toei Company, Ltd., which produced many of Sugawara's films including the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. Voice actor Takashi Ukaji, who shared a close connection with Sugawara, performs the character's dialogue.

Tadashi Hataoka (Takashi Ukaji) is a swaggering, violent yakuza from Kokura. Takeo Godai (Takaya Kuroda) is a skilled craftsman and man of few words. Suekichi (Kouhei Tsuji) is Daito's sworn brother—carefree but dependable when it counts. Tetsuya Hama (Yasukaze Motomiya) is a young yakuza from Kure and Iwaki's right-hand man.

Amaru (Tupac) is a man in hiding in Japan. Tupac's portrayal is made possible with permission and ongoing supervision from his estate, Amaru Entertainment. RGG Studio crafted the character design based on archival footage and photographs without the use of AI, treating the integration with respect for his legacy. More details regarding his role will be shared later.

Kimura (Daisuke Shiba) is an easygoing nightclub worker in Kamurocho.

Gameplay and Release Details

Stranger Than Heaven shifts the series from the modern-day settings and established characters of its direct Like a Dragon predecessor into a standalone 50-year saga following Makoto Daito. It spans five historical Japanese cities between 1915 and 1965, while replacing the franchise's traditional button-mashing brawls with a more deliberate system in which players control Daito's left and right sides independently to attack, block and counter.