Very few do well in the long list of video game franchises adapted for television. However, that doesn’t stop Hollywood from trying. Hollywood reignited hope with the overwhelming success of the first and second Sonic films. The Last of Us and Fallout shows soon followed suit, Now, we have the upcoming Like A Dragon: Yakuza series to hopefully continue this trend.
Welcome to Kamurocho, a bustling red-light district with stories to tell. Here, we meet Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, as he navigates his life as a part of the Tojo clan, a subsidiary branch of the Dojima Clan. Throughout the series, Kiryu struggles with his life as a yakuza member and his wish to leave, assimilate into civilian life, and run an orphanage.
The first Yakuza game came out in 2004 on the PS2. Since then it’s inserted itself into the cultural zeitgeist of video games and memes by celebrating the indomitable human spirit and Japanese lifestyle. 7 mainline games star Kazuma Kiryu followed by multiple spin-off games. The Like A Dragon series stars Ichiban Kasuga; however, many people from the first series appear.
While the stories are memorable, that is not where the game truly shines. That honor goes to the environment and side quests all around the cities. Whether playing Cabaret Club Management, getting down at the disco, singing Bakamitai at karaoke, or swinging at the batting cages, players can always look forward to playing these minigames and learning more about the world of Yakuza.
What We Know
This is not the first adaptation of the video game. In 2007, Yakuza: Like a Dragon was released as a loose adaptation of the game. The film is a one-night adventure based on the game at that time.
Multiple shows and a stage play based on the game have been released over the years. However, this upcoming show is the first time Americans have been involved in developing the series.
At the Like A Dragon panel, a video from the Director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Executive Producer Masayoshi Yokoyama shared his experience upon reading the screenplay as bold and innovative. Yokoyama tells us nothing concrete about the series itself. He promises it is a fresh take on the series and viewers are in for a treat.
The premiere trailer shows a tattoo needle piercing the skin as it lines Kiryu’s iconic dragon tattoo. However, it reveals nothing about the show. The panel followed suit, promising more information in the future.
Ryoma Takeuchi will play Kazuma Kiryu. Takeuchi’s most notable role is as Shinnosuke Tomari, the main character of Kamen Rider Drive. Kento Kaku will play Nishikiyama Akira, Kiryu’s best friend. Kaku has been in multiple live-action anime adaptations such as Saiki K, Wotakoi, and Princess Jellyfish.
Like A Dragon will be released on Amazon Prime on October 24.
Between now and then, there is time to get in on the action and play the games that inspired this show. On PSN, the Yakuza Series Starter Pack features the two games that inspired the show: Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2. The Like a Dragon Series Starter Pack is also available. It features the games with Ichiban as the protagonist: Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
