Summary
- Prime Video’s
Like a Dragon
, adapted from SEGA’s Yakuza game, promises a gripping mix of crime, suspense, and action in a 6-episode series. - Featuring beloved Kamen Rider actor Takeuchi Ryoma as Kiryu Kazuma, the narrative delves into a decade of Yakuza life against Kamurochō’s backdrop.
- The series will premiere in two segments on October 25 and November 1.
Prime Video is creating the series Like a Dragon, a live-action adaptation of the celebrated SEGA video game franchise Yakuza Like a Dragon. Directed by the accomplished Take Masaharu, known for 100 Yen Love, and Takimoto Kengo of Kamen Teacher fame, the series will bring a potent mix of crime, suspense, and action that is bound to grip viewers.
Like a Dragon will feature six episodes available in both subtitled and dubbed versions across 30 languages. Per Variety, the series will star Takeuchi Ryoma, a familiar face from multiple Kamen Rider titles, who steps into the complex role of Kiryu Kazuma. The narrative spans a decade, set in the years 1995 and 2005, and dives deep into the life of Kazuma—a formidable Yakuza member renowned for his unwavering sense of justice, duty, and humanity.
His story unfolds against the backdrop of Kamurochō, a fictional entertainment district inspired by Shinjuku ward’s notorious Kabukichō. This setting, familiar to fans of the game series, serves as a vivid canvas for the drama that ensues. Screenwriters Sean Crouch and Nakamura Yugo, alongside Japanese writers Yoshida Yasuhiro and Yamada Kana, craft a screenplay that explores the lives of these characters and their connections with childhood friends, marked by the consequential decisions they make.
The series will not only try to adapt the original game’s premise but also enhance it, giving a more detailed look at the personal trials and tribulations of its characters—elements that video games often touch upon only briefly. The depth of the story is further amplified by the vibrant, sometimes violent world of Kamurochō.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Depicts a Tale of Power & Redemption
Prime Video’s Like a Dragon will look into the emotional and ethical complexities of life within the Yakuza, exploring themes of loyalty, power, and redemption. Under the direction of Take Masaharu, known for his deep character studies, and produced by The Fool with Erik Barmack, Roberto Grande, and Joshua Long as executive producers.
The series’ plot will revolve between the past and the present, bringing viewers a panoramic view of its protagonist’s evolution from a fierce warrior to a man wrestling with his responsibilities and past deeds. This adaptation, according to Prime Video, “showcases modern Japan and the dramatic stories of these intense characters in a way past games have only hinted at.”
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James Farrell, head of international originals at Amazon MGM Studios, highlights the growing global demand for Japanese content, noting, “adapting an internationally popular game franchise that has such deep resonance and layered characters presents a unique charm and makes for an extremely compelling watch.” His comments points out the cultural and emotional impact the series is anticipated to have, drawing fans of the games and also uninitiated viewers who can appreciate its gritty realism.
Yokoyama Masayoshi, head of Ryugagotoku Studio and an executive producer on the project, shared his personal investment in the adaptation. “I have poured out my heart, soul, and the experience that I have garnered over 35 years into ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza,’” he said. Masayoshi’s remarks reveal his dedication to recreating the intricate world of Kamurochō and its inhabitants, striving to enhance the story that fans loved in the original games.
Like a Dragon
is set for release in two segments on October 25 and November 1.
