After years of anticipation, fans of the cult Yakuza game series (also known as Like a Dragon) will finally be able to see their beloved characters brought to life. Amazon has officially announced the production of an original series inspired by Sega’s popular video games.
The 6-episode crime drama is titled “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” and will be available for streaming in over 240 countries worldwide exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The premiere is scheduled for late 2024 – the first three episodes will be released on October 25, while the remaining episodes will be available on November 1.
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According to him, the filming crew managed to convey the contrast of Kiryu’s character in different time periods thanks to Takeuchi’s outstanding acting. “In 1995, the hero is still young and makes mistakes that lead to 10 years in prison and the consequences he will face upon his release in 2005,” the director explained.
Over the past 17 years, the franchise has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, was successfully adapted for the screen in 2007 by director Takashi Miike, and in 2016, a remake of the first game titled Yakuza Kiwami was released. The latest installment to date, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, released in January 2024, received the highest ratings – 9 out of 10 from leading gaming publications IGN and IGN Japan.
Thus, the “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” series aims to satisfy the expectations of the multi-million army of fans of the cult video game franchise and introduce its mysterious criminal world to new viewers. There’s not much time left until the premiere of this highly anticipated Amazon original!
Masaharu Take at the Helm of the Adaptation
The multi-part film is being directed by Masaharu Take, known to audiences for the gritty dramatic series “The Naked Director.” The shooting of the crime saga took place in Japan, where the original games are set. At the center of the plot is the charismatic hero Kazuma Kiryu, whose role is played by the renowned Japanese theater and film actor Ryoma Takeuchi. In the press release, Kiryu is described as “a formidable and unparalleled yakuza warrior with a strong sense of justice, duty, and humanity.”Timeframes and Plot Setup
The series’ storyline will unfold in two time periods: 1995 and 2005. Most of the events will take place in the Kamurocho entertainment district of Tokyo, familiar to fans of the video games. The creators promise to show the audience the consequences of young Kiryu’s actions in 1995 and their echoes a decade later in 2005. Notably, the crime drama will be based on an original script inspired by the storyline of the first Yakuza game, released in 2005.What Awaits the Viewers?
Fans of the Yakuza franchise can expect not only an engaging plot but also spectacular fight scenes that will become the hallmark of the project. “Having such a physically powerful actor as Takeuchi is crucial,” director Take said at a press conference in Tokyo.
According to him, the filming crew managed to convey the contrast of Kiryu’s character in different time periods thanks to Takeuchi’s outstanding acting. “In 1995, the hero is still young and makes mistakes that lead to 10 years in prison and the consequences he will face upon his release in 2005,” the director explained.
Immersion in Yakuza Culture
In preparing for the role, Takeuchi fully immersed himself in the atmosphere of the Japanese criminal organization, the yakuza. The actor not only built an impressive physique but also had traditional yakuza tattoos, including a massive dragon image, inked on his body. “It’s impossible to play Kazuma Kiryu without getting in shape,” Takeuchi admitted. “Working on this scene took two and a half hours of effort from the entire team.” He noted his close connection with his character: “It’s partly Kiryu, partly me. I identified so much with this role that I sometimes couldn’t tell where he ended and I began.” The producers of the adaptation are confident that the series will be able to win over not only the army of devoted video game fans but also a new audience. “While the games allow you to perceive their world through a subjective lens, the series will be an objective way to enjoy this spectacle,” emphasized Masayoshi Yokoyama, the executive producer of the project.A Successful Video Game Franchise
As a reminder, the original Like a Dragon game series (formerly Yakuza) is developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. The first installment, on which the ambitious adaptation’s plot is partially based, was released in the West in 2006 and was highly acclaimed by critics, receiving an 8.2 rating from IGN.
Over the past 17 years, the franchise has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, was successfully adapted for the screen in 2007 by director Takashi Miike, and in 2016, a remake of the first game titled Yakuza Kiwami was released. The latest installment to date, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, released in January 2024, received the highest ratings – 9 out of 10 from leading gaming publications IGN and IGN Japan.
Thus, the “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” series aims to satisfy the expectations of the multi-million army of fans of the cult video game franchise and introduce its mysterious criminal world to new viewers. There’s not much time left until the premiere of this highly anticipated Amazon original!
