Ai Sayama
Ai Sayama: performing inside a game
A filmed role with dialogue and reactions, described in her 2023 interviews.
Why the role appealed to her
Before the final audition, Sayama told Denfaminicogamer that she enjoyed games and watched gaming videos. The chance to participate in a game interested her. She had watched someone play the Like a Dragon series, and remembered its intense relationships and emotional scenes.
Speaking to the player
Her audition answer focused on drawing players into the encounter. She wanted them to enjoy the hostess interaction enough to spend time with it while progressing through the main story. This was an ambition for her performance in a fictional game setting.
A filmed performer, rather than a 3D model
In November 2023, Sayama told GAME Watch that some players had mistaken the performers for 3D models. She also described hearing players discuss the gifts and conversations they had chosen for her character. These were reactions to the game’s filmed performance and interaction system.