SEGA resolves licensing issues with Judgment lead actor, series releases on Steam
Yesterday, SEGA stealth-released both games in the previously console-exclusive Judgment series on Steam.
As recently as July 2021, the future of the series was in question after issues arose with lead actor Takuya Kimura's talent agency. Kimura, a former boy band member and one of the biggest stars in Japan currently, is represented by Johnny's, a talent agency known for keeping a short leash on their talent and for being particularly guarded regarding the internet, stopping the release of press photos on the internet and stopping their stars from using social media. According to an anonymous insider speaking to Japanese publication Nikkan Taishu, as reported in the West by Kotaku, Kimura's talent agency had been blocking the release of the games on PC. Because of Sega's belief in releasing on PC, it was reported by Nikkan Taishu that Lost Judgment would be the last in the series as this disagreement could not be resolved.
It appears, however, that progress is being made, with the Judgment series' release on Steam yesterday. It's still unclear if Sega will pursue more games in the series with Kimura in the lead role, but this shows a little bit of progress.
In other news, Judgment developer Ryu Ga Gotoku held a livestream yesterday and announced three new games in their Yakuza - or Like a Dragon - series.
Judgment on Steam
Lost Judgment on Steam