Sega and Prime Video have finally given fans a tantalizing glimpse of the upcoming live-action adaptation of the beloved Yakuza series. Dive in to discover more about the show and hear from Masayoshi Yokoyama, the Director of RGG Studio, about this exciting project.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza to Premiere on October 24
A Fresh Take on Kazuma Kiryu
At San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, Sega and Amazon unveiled the first look at the live-action adaptation of the Yakuza series, titled *Like a Dragon: Yakuza*. The teaser introduced Japanese actor Ryoma Takeuchi as the iconic protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, and Kento Kaku as the series' primary antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. Masayoshi Yokoyama, Director of RGG Studio, praised the fresh interpretations brought by Takeuchi, known for his role in 'Kamen Rider Drive', and Kaku."In truth, their portrayals of the characters differ significantly from the original story," Yokoyama shared during a Sega interview at SDCC. "But that's what's great about it." He expressed his appreciation for the new take on the characters, even though the game had already perfected Kiryu's portrayal.
The teaser provided brief glimpses of key locations such as the iconic Coliseum in Underground Purgatory and Kiryu's confrontation with Futoshi Shimano.
According to the teaser's description, the series aims to "depict the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people living in a huge entertainment district, Kamurochō, a fictional district inspired by the vibrant yet violent Kabukichō in Shinjuku ward."
The series, loosely inspired by the first game, will chronicle the lives of Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood friends, offering fans a glimpse into aspects of Kiryu "that games in the past have not been able to explore."
Sega’s Interview with Masayoshi Yokoyama
Addressing initial fan concerns about the show's ability to balance the game's gritty atmosphere with its quirky moments, Yokoyama reassured fans that the upcoming Prime Video series will capture "aspects of the original's essence."
During the Sega interview at SDCC, Yokoyama shared his biggest fear for the adaptation: "It would just be an imitation. Rather, I wanted people to experience Like a Dragon as if it was their first encounter with it."
He admitted, "To be honest, it was so good to the level I was jealous. We created the setting 20 years ago, but they were able to make it their own… Yet they didn’t neglect the original story."
After watching the show, Yokoyama noted, "If you're new to the game, it's a new world. If you know it, you'll be grinning the whole time." He also hinted at a major surprise at the end of the first episode that made him scream and jump to his feet.
While the teaser leaves much to the imagination, fans won't have to wait long. Like a Dragon: Yakuza is set to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 24, with the first three episodes dropping simultaneously. The remaining three episodes will follow on November 1.
