Summary

• A visually stunning adaptation of Yakuza is coming to Prime Video, promising a gripping crime drama experience.
• Lead actors Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku spoke with Screen Rant about adding depth to their characters while staying true to the game's legacy.
• Fans can expect Easter eggs and nods to the original Yakuza game series in the show, set to debut on October 24.

San Diego Comic-Con, where the series made some exciting casting announcements and released a teaser for the show.

A slick and stylish production, coupled with a strong recreation of the neon glow of past decades, gives the show a grounded touch that flows well with the crime drama's intense tone. It's all bolstered by a strong cast, led by Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku, who play Kiryu and Nishikiyama respectively.

During SDCC 2024, Screen Rant got the chance to sit down with Ryoma and Kento to speak about bringing the game universe to life in Prime Video's Like a Dragon: Yakuza and finding unique edges in their approach to the iconic Yakuza characters. Note: Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku spoke with Screen Rant through a translator.

Balancing Yakuza's Legacy With New Approaches

Screen Rant: What was it about this project and this series that really drew you to Like a Dragon: Yakuza?

Ryoma Takeuchi: The most attractive point of this is that knowing that the franchise has a very long history. There aren't so many chances you get to tell a story from the beginning again. So reintroducing the story to broader audiences is is one of the biggest elements that draw [me] in.

[Our Director Masaharu Take] has always been talking about sort of embodying a new version of the character. The [adaptation of the character] is more on a spiritual sense. Having that, and not just mimicking the video game, is one of the other things that really drew him in into Like a Dragon.

Kento Kaku: I love [Nishikiyama] because he's a very multi-dimensional character. He has a lot of emotions, that'll sometime make him sometimes be too harsh. He has two faces — there are two versions of him across two timelines. For example, in 1995, [Nishikiyama] is more emotional and instinctive. Then, in my portrayal in 2005, he's cold and dry and hard, he doesn't let expressions out. That choice was really fun, and what I focused on.

Screen Rant: Looking at Kiryu, how did you both approach the characters that was reflective of the original games as well as your own views on the character?

Ryoma Takeuchi: What I think I added to the character is really focusing on what the character lacks... Filling in the gaps between this masculine, strong comionate, almost perfect character in the games, versus how he is when it starts in1995. He's imperfect then. He didn't have a family, he's an orphan, he's craving for love.

That's at the core essence of the character. He wants a lot of connections and relationships. Trying to build that out is probably the baseline of what the character needs to be. Having that in mind, knowing the game character fully and starting from there to embody the character arc and the trajectory of the characters growth... it resonates.

I think it's really important as an artist, when you deal with characters that has a long history in franchise that's already established, I think it's really important to actually not try to follow or chase the character. It's more about having the the spirit of the character transcend onto yourself. Having the axis on yourself, rather than trying to follow the character or embody the character — there's a big difference between that and making sure that you have your own self while performing, which is quite important.

Bringing Kiryu & Nishikiyama's Fallout To Life

Screen Rant: The divide between Kiryu and Nishikiyama is such a potent one for them. Sometimes, it can feel like a splintering friendship hurts more than even a romantic break-up.

Ryoma Takeuchi: I totally agree with you with regards to a friendship breaking up is more painful than a romantic one. Maybe it's something about men, I don't know if it's also with women, but there's this... lack of intricacy between friendship. You don't actually explain to each other in that sense. With break-ups, you always get explanations. The lack of communication [between male friends] kind of creates this big disparity between friendship.

Kento Kaku: The production actually helped in its own way by filming in scene-order. There was this trajectory of actually learning each other and bonding with each other at the beginning, and then the parting ways. It's actually happening in that scene. So at the same time, the production was so hectic, and it was just really rigid.

In that sense, we didn't actually have the time to think about this stuff. We only had these few conversations here and there, the essential ones when it was needed. It was just not about logic, it wasn't about things, it was very intuitive in that sense. We actually bonded spiritually, to make sure that knew that we were going to be able to perform it in the right way.

Screen Rant: Are there any Easter eggs fans of the videogame series that should keep an eye out for?

Ryoma Takeuchi: The original voice cast actually appear in the show in a sense. Pay attention to that and the background.

Kento Kaku: There's this quality in the [set design] that makes you feel more familiar with the city and the story. There's so many things that pop into your eyes. If you are a fan fan of the game, you'll definitely recognize a few things in the frame. So I think in that sense, just having that sort of familiarity with the property should give you something that you can look out for.

The Biggest Surprises Of Like A Dragon: Yakuza

Screen Rant: What would you say were the biggest surprises you experienced during the production of Like a Dragon: Yakuza?

Kento Kaku: When I stepped onto the set, it really felt like I went back in time to the 90s. Even though I've never experienced living in the 90s as an adult, I could feel that [1995 vibe]. It wasn't just us and the story, but the costumes and atmosphere. It's the background, the extras selling food really look like those people you'd see in the '90s. People who would speak to me suddenly and started yelling randomly, it was very chaotic. I think that added to it. That was interesting.

Ryoma Takeuchi: The art design and set design are top notch... nice warm days, that kind of harken back to every single drama that happens after that. So like that, that sort of warmth, that [Kiryu] experienced, it kind of felt feels like he's experienced another teenager period all over again. That kind of is the key element that that [fueled] the performance.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza debuts October 24 on Prime Video.

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