Sega and Prime Video recently offered fans a sneak peek at their upcoming live-action adaptation of the Yakuza franchise, Like a Dragon: Yakuza. Read on for details about the show and insights from RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Premieres October 24th
A Fresh Interpretation of Kazuma Kiryu
At San Diego Comic-Con, Sega and Amazon unveiled the first teaser for the live-action *Like a Dragon: Yakuza*.The teaser showcased Ryoma Takeuchi (known for Kamen Rider Drive) as the iconic Kazuma Kiryu and Kento Kaku as the antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. Director Masayoshi Yokoyama highlighted the actors' unique approaches to their roles.
"Their portrayals are vastly different from the game," Yokoyama stated in a Sega interview at SDCC. "But that's the beauty of it." He acknowledged the game's perfected portrayal of Kiryu but welcomed the fresh perspective offered by the show.
The teaser featured brief glimpses of iconic locations, including the Underground Purgatory Coliseum, and a confrontation between Kiryu and Futoshi Shimano.
The teaser description promises a portrayal of "fierce yet passionate gangsters and the inhabitants of Kamurochō," a fictional district inspired by Kabukichō in Shinjuku.
Loosely based on the first game, the series explores the lives of Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood friends, revealing aspects of Kiryu's story "previously unexplored in the games."
Yokoyama's Perspective on the Adaptation
Addressing initial fan concerns about the adaptation's tone, Yokoyama assured fans that the Prime Video series captures "the essence of the original."
In his SDCC interview, Yokoyama emphasized his desire to avoid mere imitation. "I wanted viewers to experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter," he explained.
He expressed his surprise and delight with the final product: "It was so good, I was jealous," Yokoyama continued. "They took our 20-year-old setting and made it their own… without sacrificing the original story."
Yokoyama hinted at a major surprise at the end of the first episode, teasing a reaction of "screaming and jumping out of my seat."
While the teaser offers limited glimpses, fans won't have long to wait. Like a Dragon: Yakuza premieres exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 24th, with the first three episodes available simultaneously. The remaining three episodes will be released on November 1st.
