They aren't just acting tough; they really are tough.

In an entertainment industry rife with crime shows, no one can supply villains quite like Takakura-gumi: Most of the talent agency's 62 members are former gangsters.

Take Yoshidamaru, for example, a son of a yakuza boss with an intimidating scowl who plays a violent, ill-tempered director in his latest role in a promotional video for a teenage actress and singer.