Sega and Prime Video recently offered fans a sneak peek at their upcoming live-action adaptation of the popular Yakuza game series, now titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza. This article delves into the show's details and highlights comments from RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Premieres October 24th
A Reimagined Kazuma Kiryu
At San Diego Comic-Con, Sega and Amazon presented the first teaser for the live-action series. Ryoma Takeuchi portrays the iconic Kazuma Kiryu, and Kento Kaku plays the antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. Director Masayoshi Yokoyama emphasized the actors' unique interpretations of these established characters.In a Sega interview at SDCC, Yokoyama stated, "Their portrayals are completely different from the game's originals, but that's the beauty of it." He acknowledged the game's perfected portrayal of Kiryu but welcomed the fresh perspective offered by the series.
The teaser showcased iconic locations like the Underground Purgatory Coliseum and a glimpse of Kiryu's confrontation with Futoshi Shimano.
The teaser description promises a portrayal of "fierce yet passionate gangsters and the residents of Kamurochō," a fictional district mirroring Tokyo's Kabukichō.
Loosely based on the first game, the series explores the lives of Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood friends, offering a side of Kiryu previously unseen in the games.
Yokoyama's Perspective
Addressing initial fan concerns about the adaptation's tone, Yokoyama assured viewers that the Prime Video series captures "the essence" of the original.
In his SDCC interview, Yokoyama explained his primary concern was avoiding mere imitation. He aimed for viewers to experience Like a Dragon as a fresh encounter, regardless of their familiarity with the game.
He commented, "Honestly, it was so good, I was envious. They took the setting we created 20 years ago and made it their own, without losing the original story."
Yokoyama hinted that the series will resonate with both newcomers and longtime fans, promising a surprising twist at the end of the first episode.
While the teaser offers only brief glimpses, the wait is short. Like a Dragon: Yakuza premieres exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 24th, with the first three episodes released simultaneously. The remaining three episodes will follow on November 1st.
