Yakuza Saga Blazes to Life in Live-Action Series

Sega and Prime Video recently treated fans to a sneak peek of their upcoming Yakuza live-action series. Dive in to discover more about the show and RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama's insights.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Debuts October 24

A Fresh Interpretation of Kazuma Kiryu

At San Diego Comic-Con, Sega and Amazon unveiled the first teaser for their live-action Yakuza adaptation, *Like a Dragon: Yakuza*.

The teaser showcased Ryoma Takeuchi (known for Kamen Rider Drive) as the iconic Kazuma Kiryu and Kento Kaku as the main antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama highlighted the actors' unique approach to the characters.

"Their portrayals are completely different from the game," Yokoyama shared in a Sega interview at SDCC. "But that's precisely what makes it so exciting." He acknowledged the game's perfected Kiryu but welcomed the fresh perspective the series offers.

The teaser provided brief glimpses of the iconic Coliseum in Underground Purgatory and Kiryu's confrontation with Futoshi Shimano.

The teaser's description promises a portrayal of "fierce yet passionate gangsters and the lives of those in Kamurochō, a fictional entertainment district inspired by Kabukichō."

Loosely based on the first game, the series follows Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood friends, exploring facets of Kiryu's story "previously unseen in the games."

Masayoshi Yokoyama's Perspective

Addressing initial fan concerns about the adaptation's tone, Masayoshi Yokoyama reassured fans that the Prime Video series will capture "the essence of the original."

In his SDCC interview, Yokoyama explained his primary concern was avoiding mere imitation. "I wanted viewers to experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter," he stated.

"Honestly, it was so good, I was envious," Yokoyama continued. "We created the setting 20 years ago, but they made it their own… without sacrificing the original story."

He revealed that the show delivers a "new world" for newcomers while providing a rewarding experience for longtime fans, even teasing a major surprise at the end of the first episode that left him thrilled.

While the teaser is brief, fans won't have long to wait. Like a Dragon: Yakuza premieres exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 24, with the first three episodes released simultaneously. The remaining three episodes will follow on November 1.