Yakuza Series Heads to the Small Screen in Live-Action Teaser

Sega and Prime Video recently unveiled a captivating teaser for their upcoming Yakuza live-action series. Discover more about the show and the director's vision.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Debuts October 24

A Fresh Interpretation of Kazuma Kiryu

The teaser showcased Ryoma Takeuchi as the iconic Kazuma Kiryu and Kento Kaku as the antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama highlighted the actors' unique interpretations.

"Their portrayals are vastly different from the game," Yokoyama shared in a Sega interview. "But that's the beauty of it." He acknowledged the game's perfected Kiryu but welcomed the fresh perspective the series offers.

The teaser briefly showcased iconic locations like the Coliseum in Underground Purgatory and a confrontation with 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, revealing aspects of Kiryu's story "never before explored in the games."

Yokoyama's Perspective on the Adaptation

Addressing initial fan concerns about the series potentially overlooking the game's lighter moments, Yokoyama reassured fans that the Prime Video series captures "the essence of the original."

In his SDCC interview, Yokoyama explained his primary goal: "to avoid mere imitation. I wanted viewers to experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter."

"The result exceeded my expectations," Yokoyama continued. "They've made the 20-year-old setting their own, while remaining true to the original story."

He added that the show is both a fresh experience for newcomers and a rewarding one for fans, teasing a major surprise at the end of the first episode.

While the teaser offers only a brief glimpse, Like a Dragon: Yakuza premieres October 24 on Amazon Prime Video, with the first three episodes available simultaneously. The remaining three episodes will follow on November 1.