We Talked To YAKUZA and JUDGMENT Director Toshihiro Nagoshi

At E3 2019, I had an opportunity to sit down and talk to JUDGMENT (and the YAKUZA series) director Toshihiro Nagoshi. We talked about making games for a wide audience, the superstar appeal of actor Takuya Kimura, and Yves Saint Laurent jackets. Also, I asked him to give me haircut advice. You won't believe what he said. (Spoiler: he was polite.)
I also saw fit to mention F-Zero GX exactly twice. Both times, he smiled. Jordan Vogt-Roberts, if you're watching: I did the best I could.

[@Fleischer333]

I like how Tim is nice enough to let the translator do her job cos he speaks fluent japanese

[@AngeloCastelanJr]

Hey Tim, release the footage of Nagoshi giving you hair advice!

[@MrKeepItTrill]

The crane game footage that is overlaid while Nagoshi talks about working hard to achieve your goals was great

[@ShredST]

I was on the verge of going crazy during that part.

[@campkira]

@@ShredST don't worry the game will when you do investigation... that point and click part is just the worst...

[@technopriest8686]

Wanted to see Tim flex his Japanese and impress Nagoshi-san but I respect Mr. Rowgers for allowing the translator to do her job.

[@KennethWrites]

Remember, Tim "...you're almost pulling it off."

[@rootfifthoctave5336]

I did NOT expect to guffaw quite as raucously as I did when he started talking about your hair. F-Zero GX is one of my favourite games ever and it makes PERFECT sense that it was made by somebody this cool.

[@FatProfessorOak]

Tim Rogers, Part-Time Japanese Treasure, Full-Time Treasure in my Heart

[@ShyamalRuparel]

I'm looking forward to a video of your barber watching the 6 minutes of unedited footage about your haircut and then resolving all the outlined issues.

[@UziSuicide666]

Nagoshi is a fucking legend. This was a great interview.

[@johnny1max113]

Agree 🙂

[@CrouchingShiba]

I love how Tim Rogers managed to get Toshihiro san to talk about his own favorite topic (Tim Rogers) for so long.

[@stephenbyerly5887]

I came here because I was playing Lost Judgment, looked up Toshihiro Nagoshi, and was struck by how similar his fashion sense was to the main character Yagami. Mr. Nagoshi's sense of fashion is fascinating, so the haircut portion of the video was the best. I am sorry that management didn't think the same.

[@paragonparadox]

What a great answer to the fashion question. It explains how the series really nails the look of people on the street across many decades. Also, that six minute video has my click. I am pre-baited. Title it "Japanese Game Developer DESTROYS Kotaku Journalist" or something, do what you need to do to provide me with the content I crave please and thank you.

[@Scerttle]

Tianqi Sun I loved thus question and the answer it received.

[@RossardJames]

What a fantastic interview. Nagoshi is a god, such a creative force in gaming. Looking forward to playing Judgment (and more Yakuza).

[@damnyousalazar]

His teeth whitening is on another level. I had my brightness cranked on my screen and he nearly blinded me.

[@Heckler456]

That's one hundred percent veneers. Dude is barely able to talk around them!

[@rickylovesyou]

Damn, hes had some work done, caps on his teeth, tweaked brows, tan, dyed hair....dude really wanted to make an impression for E3. That VETEMENTS denim jacket is on point too. A cool 2.5k alone. Dude does not mess around. Such a perfectionist. 👌 Ironically, if Tim had been the one rocking VETEMENTS gear, his haircut would not be out of place in the slightest. Imagine if the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio teamed up with Ys Net to churn out a few future Shenmue titles, what fantasy that would be. 😱😱😱

[@ShapeyFiend]

He nails down the OG Sega design philosophy well there (or what I most associate with Sega) and that's being surprised. They haven't traditionally leant on their existing IP's too much (other than Sonic obviously) and kept trying to confound expectations. I'm glad you asked him about fashion because Nagoshi is a spectacularly cool individual. I used loved reading his Edge Magazine column that rarely mentioned games focusing instead almost entirely on Prada and whiskey.

[@dirty_chanterelle]

tim, you've definitely prepared for this one. i think this was a good compromise of not going too deep into the modern japanese pop culture lore/sensibility discussion thing, while still trying to convey a bunch of it to the outsiders. really appreciate the work.

[@dan.downing]

YES, YES, YES. This is the interview that no one else got. Tim I bet you loved talking to Toshihro Nagashi! I sure enjoyed it!

[@Rosamune]

You guys have a fantastic resource in Tim, you should really have him interview as many Japanese developers as possible, this was great!

[@GrayD_Fox]

I love that Tim doesn't interrupt or audially laughs or anything that distracts from the interviewee when doing a interview.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

There's no way this man is not really a gangster who has really killed real people

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

You'd be surprised how many people in movies, music and video games in Japan have stories about meeting or having run-ins with the yakuza.

[@sabrinarei3052]

Oh my god, I am THRILLED that you asked him about his fashion and his answer was epic. I finally bought a copy of Judgement/Judge Eyes this week because I stan Kimutaku but this makes me FEEL GOOD ABOUT MY PURCHASE.

[@justinpack2330]

Oh boy, comparing this interview to the experience the interviewer over at VG 24/7 had almost seems like two different people.

[@andrewhickinbottom1051]

What happened to the other person?

[@jackelman]

can't believe you got an interview with the guy who made F-Zero GX. good stuff!

[@esentis_x]

Tim you rock !! i was expecting to interview in Japanese ..

[@FelixWalton]

So Kiryu is Superman and Yagami is Batman?

[@Unknown-zn8cg]

Kiryu has always been batman. He solves crimes,doesn’t kill and has a rival similar to joker (Majima)

[@v-trigger6137]

@@Unknown-zn8cg it's ironic, because in the English dub of the first Yakuza game, Majima was voiced by Mark Hamil (joker VA)

[@Unknown-zn8cg]

@@v-trigger6137 I know

[@ask5118]

This guy is so insightful!!!

[@liamlopez3383]

Jeez you have no idea how willing i am to watch all of this footage unabridged for hours of my life

[@lonelyaddiction99]

can this please be a prototype for many more of these that are more meticulously produced and probably 300% longer please

[@erikjohnson1412]

Cmon Tim, feel like not doing this interview in all Japanese was a miss to show off those translation skills we love so much.

[@sabrinarei3052]

The music makes me classy for watching

[@GoshDiggityDang]

Toshihiro Nagoshi looks like a quirky Yakuza NPC who would give you some goofy ass side mission.

[@howlokami1]

I'm generally excited about judgement and then they are going to be releasing info for the next Yakuza next month cant wait!

[@jaebigc]

expected to hear Tim speak japanese.

[@dixego]

Fun fact: Tim Rogers is a National Treasure

[@TheInredibleMrH]

Such an interesting answer when asked about fashion. I love listening to people talk about things they are extremely passionate about. I would listen to strangers talk about the things they love for hours if I could find a way to do so.

[@MarcoLongoMusic]

So THAT’S his real voice! I knew it!

[@ForceHammerGaming]

Judgment seems like a cool change of pace for the Yakuza series!

[@AintPopular]

True. except the reuse of maps. im fed up of it

[@reanukeeves1164]

To be honest could be DLC for yakuza 6. Game is cool don't get me wrong I played all of them but besides the detective stuff it's basic the same as yakuza.

[@tripdeezy]

Son, that hair is apart of your identity now, you cannot cut it. People officially call it, "The Tim Rogers Cut"

[@Scerttle]

I look forward to the future hair video.

[@Saint_Cuthbert]

"operates under the philosophy of satisfying the fans" I love Japanese devs!

[@cantrip7]

He used many lengthy loan words. Unless I'm underestimating their usage in Japanese, it really adds to his stylish aura.

[@cantrip7]

I want ALL! 6! MINUTES!

[@krisirizarry]

Great interview! Really enjoying Judgment so far...

[@benmcmanus4154]

That was BEAUTIFL! Thank you Tim Rogers, you are the best.

[@nikicanplayguitar2790]

Ben McManus yes, yes Tim Rogers is absolutely beautiful. Or dare I say - absolutely fabulous! Or dare I say FABBY FAB!

[@adhityea]

Glad that Tim can meet a person behind his adored game

[@mithunselvaratnam4655]

I love this interview, two extremely cool people

[@KAMEHAMEHACHANEL]

Thank you for this vidéo :)

[@ricochandrachan]

Give us the haircut advice video!! And when Yakuza 3 release on PC?

[@Karanagi]

All of this reminds me of Gintama's Hardboiled Detective.

[@thefightscout]

im glad they bought this outside apan, it looked interesting when you guys played it awhile bback

[@tastyDungeon]

There's PINBALL in this game?? Holy fuck that's amazing. And the minigame with the detective who solves crime doesn't look bad either.

[@MediaphusioN]

This interview was fantastic

[@Pookie2112]

Asking the true questions. I can look up judgment news anywhere the real questions are the fashion questions and hair styling

[@Sophie_the_Sapphic]

We want Nagoshi trashing your hair.

[@irurwurst]

wow that was an accurate read tim, you got roasted

[@The2808erik]

Omg ! I would love to see him do F-Zero GX HD for Switch or better yet a new F-Zero and please bring Judgement to the PC audience.

[@empiredirt6530]

We're going to need that haircut advice man! ITS VITAL!

[@empiredirt6530]

its been four years and I still havent got a haircut. We need Nagoshi's wisdom.

[@TheNightWolf-WildCraft]

This man is a true gem

[@XSpImmaLion]

Did you go there, pretended that you didn't talk and understand japanese all the way, and just let it go? Dude

[@playerone8876]

Judge Eyes was amazing! 💯

[@mommyshane1435]

I really hope they make judgment into a proper franchise like yakuza it’s such a good game

[@Yellowjack17]

Downloading it right now!

[@andrewhickinbottom1051]

I was hoping to see Tim flex his superior Nihongo in this interview, but i guess he stuck to english for the viewer's sake. I'd like to think he translated it though! PS - Toshihiro Nagoshi cant judge Tim's eyes, cos of those darn sunglasses! Maybe Tim thought his teeth were too bright for his headaches. I love his description of Tim's style though! Toppoi - "Energetic and confident, though unrefined and not overly sophisticated"! Looking forward to part 2....

[@00levin]

Tim probably just didn't want to have to give his own questions subtitles. It was easier to let the translator translate his questions and only have to write the subtitles for the interviewee

[@kotaku]

we did speak a fair deal in japanese, though yes, for The Viewer's Sake™ and for the PR people present, i spoke all my questions in english . . . trust me though: we did speak some japanese off-camera . . . we are basically best friends now :-D (that's a lie . . . we're probably not best friends yet)

[@andrewhickinbottom1051]

@@kotaku I'm not gonna lie, i've grown to like Tim Rogers so much over the last year that getting a reply from him was something of a thrill for me. Thank you, Tim! (Please dont turn your teeth into cartoons though)

[@joelzicomcg]

Nagoshi has got some seriously white teeth

[@suriptokiman7077]

the man itself behind the fall of shenmue, rise the yakuza series

[@Agirmetal]

Nagoshi sama is a great man

[@jimmyqballs]

He is the King of Videogames, look at them teeth lmao! Also, why are you wearing sunglasses while talking to the King of Videogames

[@johnny1max113]

Love the yakuza games.

[@firerednaxela]

ooh they considered Kiryu AND Majima showing up!

[@famuel2604]

Having watched many interviews in Japanese I’m almost certain that they cut out the polite laughter after the fashion questions

[@psuedospike]

Owned, yea right...you kno Tim jizzed his pants when Nagoshi-san complemented his style. XD

[@kochcomic]

Jack's 99c will never compare to Don Quijote.

[@manapopsicle]

Your haircut is cool!

[@AsheCraftingCorner]

I really hope for a Judgement Eyes 2

[@lucianofutemma]

What a great guy

[@ShredST]

So can we expect a different haircut the next time you're on video?

[@ak2112]

I too love F-Zero GX

[@michaelmonstar4276]

Why does the character in both Judgment-games look like it's running on ice?... It's like it's animating like it's running faster than it's actually moving.

[@nicholaslovell3380]

release the footage! we demand the truth!

[@0perat0r]

Release the full interview video you coward! (great vid!)

[@malasdair]

give us the hair video or we riot

[@realsporting86]

Toshihiro Nagoshi the best ;) Viva SEGA

[@flfl]

We want the full video

[@arvzg]

16:15 omg is his teeth even real? it's like glowing white or something

[@mtsedita]

“outlaw aura”

[@nowez03]

cant wait for yakuza 3,4,5 ,6 for pc ~

[@SriLestari-nf8xm]

Xbox soon

[@tvmaskava]

soo max cool

[@LocalNekomi]

Im kinda sad that this entire interview wasn't done in japanese but then again placing subtitles is tiring. Edit:Also Mr. Tim I like ur hair but yes you do need a cut =(

[@Camdavis11]

This is some BS, came here just to watch him own your haircut, and you cut it off?! C'mon Kotaku....

[@crystyxn]

Wtf how old is this interviewer ?? I assumed hes like late 20s but then he mentions E3 2003 lol

[@ShredST]

He was 40 in this video i think.

[@Jacob-ss2sl]

Why was Tim wearing sunglasses the entire time he was at E3?

[@kotaku]

yeah. i got headaches, man . . . it's actually at the point where i am getting my optic nerves MRI'd this friday . . . :-O

[@BryBry2ply]

Hope it all works out for you Tim .

[@Jacob-ss2sl]

@@kotaku Thats rough, man. Hopefully you don't need to end up getting surgery!

[@ShapeyFiend]

Have you SEEN how blinding Nagoshi's teeth are?

[@masterofgames6754]

7:54, this didn't age well, thanks to Johnny.

[@codebreaker4087]

He should have asked when Yakuza 3, 4 and 5 rematered come to the west

[@Yablko]

The internal strength it must have taken to not do this in Japanse is the mark of a hero. Wait. DOOM Internal. There's something there...

[@bradystardust7708]

tim rogers

[@romiarkan450]

I feel if there's gonna be a John Wick game, the Dragon Engine would serve as the perfect platform for it.

[@codyrogers1011]

Hey my last name is Rogers

[@josephhall762]

Nice interview! But if you are going for that bold style and can't take constructive criticism then don't rock it man just saying...

[@mallonox]

You should have done the whole interview in japanese!