Kill Bill's Gogo Yubari Pimps Resident Evil in Japan (Yahoo 13/2/09) (Yahoo Again..Holy Jeysus)

Microsoft is known for using stars to promote its Xbox 360 product over in Japan. But this latest spokesperson would probably be just as effective overseas.

In Japan, Chiaki Kuriyama will feature in commercials for the Xbox 360 version of Resident Evil 5, Microsoft announced today. She'll be joined by actor Yoichi Nukumizu in a spot that shows the two playing co-op.

Kuriyama is known internationally for her role as Gogo Yubari in Volume 1 of Kill Bill. Nukumizu, while not known on the international scene, is a major star in Japan, with numerous movies and dramas under his belt.

In comments shared today, Kuriyama said "I've played Biohazard [Resident Evil] in the past, but was looking forward to the release of this, the latest entry. I was able to play prior to the shoot. The visuals are so beautiful that you forget it's a game."

Kuriyama, incidentally, will be playing the game as Sheva, with Nukumizu controlling Chris.

It might be odd to see Resident Evil 5's news coming from Microsoft rather than Capcom. This tie-up with Kuriyama will be used exclusively for the Xbox 360 version of the game.

Coinciding with this announcement, Microsoft shared a few Resident Evil 5-related stats today. That RE5 demo that recently became unlocked for Xbox Live Silver Members has been downloaded two million times worldwide since first becoming available in Japan late last year. In Japan alone, 53% of Gold Members have downloaded the demo.

We presume those 53% will be picking up the final with or without Kuriyama's support.