Sega and Prime Video have delighted fans with the first teaser for the eagerly awaited live-action adaptation of the beloved Yakuza series, titled *Like a Dragon: Yakuza*. This exciting reveal took place at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, offering a glimpse into what promises to be a fresh take on the iconic franchise. Dive in to discover more about the series and hear insights from Masayoshi Yokoyama, the Director of RGG Studio, on this groundbreaking project.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza to Premiere on October 24
A Fresh Take on Kazuma Kiryu
The teaser introduces Japanese actor Ryoma Takeuchi as the legendary Kazuma Kiryu and Kento Kaku as the primary antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. Masayoshi Yokoyama, in a Sega interview at SDCC, praised the actors for bringing unique interpretations to their roles. "To tell you the truth, their portrayal of the characters are totally different from the original story," he said, "But that’s what’s great about it." Yokoyama appreciated the new perspective on Kiryu and Nishikiyama, despite the game's established perfection of Kiryu's character.
The teaser offers tantalizing glimpses of the show, including the iconic Coliseum in Underground Purgatory and Kiryu’s confrontation with Futoshi Shimano. The series promises to "depict the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people living in a huge entertainment district, Kamurochō, a fictional district modeled after the violent Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō." Loosely inspired by the first game, it aims to explore facets of Kiryu's life that previous games have not touched upon.
Sega’s Interview with Masayoshi Yokoyama
Addressing fan concerns about maintaining the game's unique blend of gritty and goofy moments, Yokoyama reassured that the Prime Video series would capture "aspects of the original’s essence." He expressed his fear that the adaptation might simply imitate the game, but instead, he wanted viewers to experience Like a Dragon as if encountering it for the first time. "To be honest, it was so good to the level I was jealous," Yokoyama admitted. "We created the setting 20 years ago, but they were able to make it their own… Yet they didn’t neglect the original story."
Yokoyama shared that the series would offer something for everyone: "If you’re new to the game, it’s a new world. If you know it, you’ll be grinning the whole time." He hinted at a thrilling surprise at the end of the first episode that left him ecstatic.
Although the teaser doesn't reveal much, 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.
