Summary
- SEGA's iconic franchise Yakuza comes to screens with the international adaptation Like a Dragon, starring Ryoma Takeuchi as Kazuma Kiryu.
- The trailer showcases hard-hitting action and introduces Kento Kaku as Nishiki in Kiryu's origin story set in 1995-2005 Kamurochō.
- With its mix of stylish action and authentic casting, the show seems primed to not only continue Prime Video's game adaptation success after Fallout, but also live up to the international fandom that has grown around Yakuza.
One of SEGA's recent iconic franchises is finally getting its international due on screens with the first Kazuma Kiryu, a former member of the titular Japanese mafia in Kamurochō, as he and those around him are put on different paths due to Kiryu's decisions, with the story beginning in 1995 and going to 2005. Ryoma Takeuchi leads the ensemble Like a Dragon: Yakuza cast as Kiryu, with an October 24 premiere date set for the show.
Now, during the show's at San Diego Comic-Con, Prime Video has unveiled the first Like a Dragon: Yakuza trailer.
The video, as seen above, offers the first proper look at the adaptation of SEGA's hit game franchise, particularly its depiction of iconic protagonist Kiryu, and the hard-hitting action sequences to come from the show. The trailer also reveals that Kento Kaku has been cast as Akira Nishikiyama, also known as Nishiki, a major character in Kiryu's origins and subsequent journey.
Yakuza's Adaptation Could Work (But Is Missing A Few Things)
The Yakuza show adaptation comes in the midst of a renaissance for video game adaptations, particularly on the small screen with the likes of The Last of Us, Arcane and fellow Prime Video title Fallout. While the trailer may not show much of what's to come from Like a Dragon, it does offer some promising insight for how it will translate the SEGA games to live-action, particularly having a Japanese cast and some brutal fight sequences involving Kiryu.
With that said, fans of the franchise are sure to notice there are a few things missing from Like a Dragon: Yakuza to make for a more direct adaptation of the source material. One of the biggest is there are a few major character absences thus far, including Goro Majima, both an ally and rival to Kiryu, as well as Haruka Sawamura, a young girl in the original game who is being hunted by various yakuza clans, from which Kiryu protects her. Other major recurring characters not yet confirmed for the show are Makoto Date and Kage the Florist, major allies for Kiryu in Kamurochō.
Every Yakuza Game, Ranked Worst to Best
Over eight mainline games and 32 years of narrative, there's a lot of Yakuza to play. Here are the best (and worst) of the long-running franchise.
Though some of these characters are more important than others, they are all important for Kiryu's character development, as well as the games' unique mix of drama and offbeat comedy. Based on the Like a Dragon: Yakuza trailer, it's clear that the show's creative team are looking to accurately depict Kiryu's origin story, making it likely Haruka, at the very least, will appear in the show to tap into this serious side. With much of the cast list currently unknown beyond Takeuchi and Kaku, it remains unclear who else may appear, and how the games' tone will translate to the show.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza begins streaming on Prime Video on October 24.
Source: Prime Video
Like a Dragon: Yakuza
- Release Date
- October 24, 2024
Cast
Kento Kaku-
Ryoma Takeuchi
WHERE TO WATCH
Former Yakuza member Kazuma Kiryu, fresh out of prison, returns to Tokyo's underworld to find his kidnapped surrogate daughter. Navigating the treacherous streets of Kamurochō, he faces old enemies and new alliances, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the entire city.
- Seasons
- 1
- Main Genre
- Drama
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