EntertainmentStreaming ServicesAmazon Prime VideoLike a Dragon: YakuzaThe star of Like a Dragon: Yakuza hasn’t played the games - and I couldn’t be happierWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentStreaming ServicesAmazon Prime VideoLike a Dragon: YakuzaThe star of Like a Dragon: Yakuza hasn’t played the games - and I couldn’t be happierWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Prime Video)
If ever there was a game series ripe for a live-action streaming show, it’s Like a Dragon. Also known as Yakuza, theSegafranchise has immense quality in both its characters and world, with developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio delivering some extraordinary stories since the original game released in 2005. So, when Amazon announced its upcoming showLike a Dragon: Yakuza, it was a big day for fans. Then, lead actor Ryoma Takeuchi announced he hadn’t played any of the games.
When the newsbroke, residents of the Internet voiced their concerns. The series has a loyal, protective fanbase, and this apparent disregard for the titles was perceived as a negative. However, as a committed member of said fanbase, I’m arguing the opposite. Iwantan adaptation that offers something different to what we, as players, already have. After all, the games have plenty of cutscenes with world-class acting that we can revisit whenever we like (most of them are even onGame Pass), so why ask for a strict reenactment?
This sentiment is clearly present in the decision making of the showrunners. Takeuchi, who plays protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, explained that they specifically asked him, and his co-star Kento Kaku, not to play the video games, with the idea being to “explore from scratch.” Takeuchi respected the decision, confirming that’s why he “decided not to play.”
Prime example
(Image credit: Prime Video)
Choose your fighter(Image credit: Prime Video)Like a Dragon: Yakuza cast on how Kiryu evolves between the Prime Video series’ two timelines – including a difference in fighting styles
Choose your fighter
(Image credit: Prime Video)Like a Dragon: Yakuza cast on how Kiryu evolves between the Prime Video series’ two timelines – including a difference in fighting styles
(Image credit: Prime Video)
Like a Dragon: Yakuza cast on how Kiryu evolves between the Prime Video series’ two timelines – including a difference in fighting styles
When you considerWalton Gogginsdidn’t play any Fallout games before working on thePrime adaptation, it’s hard to argue against this approach. Yes, his character Cooper Howard – AKA The Ghoul – wasn’t directly lifted from any title, which contrasts Takeuchi and Kaku (the latter plays Akira Nishikiyama), but nobody could argue against the success of his portrayal.
Then there’s the show’s length of only six episodes which, even if we’re talking an hour each, still wouldn’t compare to the average Like a Dragon campaign playtime. Of course one could argue that this wouldn’t directly affect Kiryu’s portrayal, but if the story is going to have to change to accommodate the potentially shorter runtime, then the characters will also need to adapt. We can’t have our leading man running off on side quests every five minutes now, can we?
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”