Sega and Prime Video recently unveiled a captivating teaser for their upcoming live-action adaptation of the beloved Yakuza franchise. This article delves into the show's details and highlights comments from RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza – October 24th Premiere
A Fresh Interpretation of Kazuma Kiryu
At San Diego Comic-Con, Sega and Amazon treated Yakuza fans to their first glimpse of the live-action series, Like a Dragon: Yakuza, on July 26th.
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 emphasized the actors' unique approach to their roles in a Sega interview at SDCC.
"Their portrayals are vastly different from the game," Yokoyama stated. "But that’s precisely what makes it exciting." He acknowledged the game's perfected portrayal of Kiryu but welcomed the fresh perspective the series offers.
The teaser provided brief glimpses of iconic locations, including the Coliseum in Underground Purgatory, 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.
Loosely based on the first game, the series explores the lives of Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood friends, offering viewers a side of Kiryu previously unexplored in the games.
Sega's Interview with Masayoshi Yokoyama
Addressing initial fan concerns about the adaptation's tone, Yokoyama reassured fans that the Prime Video series captures "the essence of the original."
In his SDCC interview, Yokoyama explained his primary goal: "I wanted to avoid mere imitation. I wanted viewers to experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter."
"Honestly, it was so good, I was envious," Yokoyama continued. "They made the setting, created 20 years ago, their own… without sacrificing the original story."
Following a viewing, he commented, "For newcomers, it's a new world. For fans, it's a guaranteed smile-inducing experience." He even teased a major surprise at the end of the first episode that left him "screaming and jumping."
While the teaser reveals only a fraction of the series, 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 released simultaneously. The remaining three episodes will debut on November 1st.
