The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story - meet the cast

The new live action detective adventure is brought to life by a talented cast of actors, some of which play multiple characters! We asked them to share their thoughts on the game.
By Duncan Heaney

If you’re in the mood for a gripping detective yarn, you won’t find better than The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story.

This brand-new live action investigative adventure tasks players with solving five challenging cases across multiple time eras. You have to rely on your skills of observation, deduction and reasoning as you help Haruka Kagami uncover the mysteries of the Shijima family.

These tangled tales are performed by an exceptionally talented troupe of actors, many of whom play multiple roles across the game. We invited the cast to share their thoughts on the game, and send a message to the fans who are about to start playing it.


Nanami Sakuraba

Nanami Sakuraba

My name is Nanami Sakuraba, and I play Haruka Kagami.

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a game that takes the form of a live-action drama surrounding the murders within the Shijima family that have taken place over a century, which the player will help the characters to solve.

The in-game videos have been filmed in live action, so please keep an eye out for the subtle expressions, gestures and movements that can’t be captured in games that use CG graphics!

I hope you’ll enjoy unravelling the mysteries behind the incident together with Haruka.


Yuta Hiraoka

Yuta Hiraoka

I’m Yuta Hiraoka, the actor playing Eiji Shijima and Josui Kusaka in The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story.

My first impression of this story that spans different time periods was to think, “Is this even possible?” and, “This script is really something!”

The sheer volume of lines and the tight filming schedule were dizzying, but I think the choice to intentionally film sections that could quite plausibly have been created with CG in an analogue style lends a wonderful retro feel to the game and gives a greater sense of realism to the performance.

I’d love for players to fully experience this story about the mysteries of the Shijima family, the murders, and love, that transcends time and space.

I’m sure the ending will take you by surprise.


Wakana Matsumoto

When I was first approached about The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, I wasn’t quite sure. I thought, “How are they going to shoot it? Can you even do this in live action!?”

But I thought it was fascinating how the drama and the game world were connected, and it really moved me.

The story unfolds across multiple points in time, with a complicated web of relationships between characters. One of the other great things about the game is how the entire reasoning process that leads you to a “solution” as you progress through the game is depicted through live action.

Even incorrect solutions have been properly filmed, so I think the game is still fun even if you get the wrong answer. I almost want people to get things wrong on purpose to see the incorrect versions as well, lol.

I hope you’ll play The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story and enjoy immersing yourself in the game’s world!


Sei Matobu

Sei Matobu

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story has a plot full of twists and turns, and that jumps back in time - my advice to everyone is to pay close attention so you don’t get lost with the fast-paced developments!

The character I play is a doctor with a somewhat mysterious air about her.

All of the characters in the game have really eccentric, well-developed personalities. I hope people will find them amusing as they play through the game!


Motoki Fukami

Motoki Fukami

The eldest son of the Shijima family, Kazunaga, is incredibly full of himself - so he was enormously fun to perform.

The same cast members played other roles in different eras as well. The atmosphere was like being part of a theatre troupe, and I had a great time.

Having said that, the script was heftier than anything I’ve ever seen before, split into multiple volumes...the sheer amount of lines to learn was a real challenge for everyone! But I imagine that will make the game all the more fun to play.

Some of the scenes following incorrect answers will give you a chuckle, and there might even be some ad-libs in there! I hope you’ll enjoy those parts of the game as well.


Megumi Yokoyama

Megumi Yokoyama

The interesting thing about working on The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story was how the same story explores different points in time and space, which meant I got to play three women of different ages and personalities.

Since I wasn’t particularly familiar with the concept of a live-action game to begin with, I initially wondered if I’d be filming three avatars in different costumes, which would then start moving around and beeping away by themselves...?!

The time I spent getting into character for each role was incredibly meaningful and enjoyable - I spoke to the production team about all kinds of aspects including clothing, hair and makeup, right down to the manner of speech.

Personally, I was really impressed with the beautiful cinematography when I saw the trailer. I can wholeheartedly recommend the game!


Gaku Sano

Gaku Sano

Hello to everyone eagerly awaiting The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story! This is Gaku Sano ♪

It’s an epic game that goes beyond the genre of a mystery game!

You can experience a story that follows the choices you make - in other words, I think you could say it feels somewhat like watching your own personal film.

And another appealing point of the game, I believe, is the immersion you get from having real actors perform different characters in each time period! It’s an authentic mystery story that transcends time.

Come, and join me in connecting the path of logic in the game ♪


Mansaku Ikeuchi

This is the first opportunity I’ve had to work on a game.

Since The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a mystery game, there isn’t just the correct storyline to consider - we also had a large amount of filming for the incorrect routes. Filming took place from early morning until late at night, and with filming multiple days in a row, I ended up travelling a total of 2700km in one month!

Although the filming was tough, having the opportunity to play multiple roles alongside the other cast members was a really fun experience.

It would be my great pleasure if the fun we had in creating the game transfers to those who play it, in the form of excitement and exhilaration.

Everyone, please enjoy the new, unique mystery adventure game, The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story!


Mariko Tsutsu

I had great fun taking on the different characters in the Taisho, Showa and Reiwa eras, during each of the parts in the game - Incident, Reasoning and Solution.

Take a peek into a world where agelessness exists, in The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story.


Takaaki Enoki

Takaaki Enoki

For The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, we had to perform the live-action version of several different paths for each answer pattern. It was taxing for everyone involved.

Astounding advancements have been made with AI in recent years, so I’m sure the day will soon come when we’re all replaced by AI actors - but we can’t entrust the subtleties of human expression to AI just yet.

I played the imposing head of the Shijima family. In the way the live action allows you to feel the emotion of the performers as you step into the world of the game, I’m sure that The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story will provide a greater sense of realism than any game that has come before.


Yuki Kaji

Yuki Kaji

My name is Yuki Kaji, and I had the pleasure of performing in The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story.

In my opinion, The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a new, unique mystery adventure that can only be experienced in this distinctive format, packed full of the best parts from live-action drama and games.

Makoto Nishimari is an elusive and mysterious man. I joined the project after receiving a very compelling offer - that is to say, a request to use my distinctive tone and style of speaking as a voice actor as a trait of the character.

I hope I’ve portrayed the character in a way that captures his mysterious air. In a certain sense, he’s an important character that holds the key to the story - so pay close attention to him!


Momo Asakura

Momo Asakura

Kanako, the character I played in The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, is a young woman who idolises the singer, Saya. Due to her straightforward nature, she can sometimes take drastic action.

To portray Kanako as a charming character, I took a lot of care with her subtle expressions during my performance, which I hope people will pick up on.

This game is an authentic mystery story - everyone, use your powers of reasoning to assess events and consider potential culprits as you try to pin down the killer!


Manao Kagawa

Manao Kagawa

Shogi and mysteries feel similar to me, in the way that you have to seek out a truth that hasn’t yet been revealed.

This is one of the reasons I’ve always loved mystery games - so it was an absolute dream to be given the opportunity to appear in this privileged role, as guest member of the cast.

During the performance, I was completely engrossed with the question of how I should perform my role... so I’m looking forward to delving into and solving the intricate story once the game has been released!


Many thanks to the wonderful cast for sharing their thoughts - and their performances in the game. You can see them for yourself in The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, available now for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam)!

We hope you enjoy unravelling the mysteries of this detective adventure! To stay up to date with information on this and other Square Enix titles, make sure you follow us on social media:

Share