Prime Video are ramping up for the release of their upcoming video game adaptation, Yakuza: Like a Dragon. But the show’s star, Ryoma Takeuchi, says that the live-action version will be a different take on the beloved video games. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a long-running gaming franchise first released in 2005 by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and SEGA. The multi-award-winning franchise follows the Tojo Clan Yakuza family and one of its members, Kazuma Kiryu, who looks to leave his criminal past behind him.
Ryoma Takeuchi recently sat down with IGN Japan about Prime Video’s upcoming adaptation and discussed the process of adapting the beloved video game into live-action. The actor first revealed that he was unsure about taking on the role in the first place. Takeuchi revealed that he had already played the first game in the series before being offered the part and was anxious about portraying such a beloved character in the new series. He explained:
“I was surprised to be offered this role. I knew about the game series and had played the first game at my uncle’s home. It’s a real challenge to play a character from an existing work, and I considered very carefully whether I was suited to portray Kiryu, and whether it was right for me. From the beginning, I knew I would have to give it everything I have, or I’d never pull it off. [I had to create my version of Kiryu] from scratch.”
Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s Kiryu Will Be Different From the Video Game
As much as Takeuchi is a fan of the games, and he respects the franchise’s massive fan base, the actor said he had to bring something new to the character in the show. The version of Kazuma Kiryu in the show isn’t changed entirely from the video games, but the actor said he wanted to embody the character’s traits in his own way. Takeuchi continued:
“I have great respect for the feelings of the fans. But when I play a character, I have to express them in my own way, so I can’t pay attention to the preconceptions of others. I researched the games for myself, to identify Kiryu’s qualities and embody them in my own way. Of course, I hope the fans will be happy with my portrayal – but I can say with confidence that I’ve done my best to play Kiryu. There’s no point in trying to surpass the original game; rather I wanted to show respect to the games while making something new as an artist.”
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Prime Video have already built the foundations of creating great video game adaptations with their critically acclaimed Fallout series, which released earlier this year. As exciting as it feels to know that a live-action Yakuza series is on the way, director Masaharu Take has a tall task in adapting the show’s constantly bouncing tone. As well as being a dark, violent crime story, the Yakuza games are also filled with hilarious minigames and side-quests, including disco dancing, spearfishing, pocket car racing, running a ramen stand, and babysitting. While the listed activities might not feel like they fit into the world of a show titled Yakuza, these bonkers elements are part of the games’ essence, and fans will likely be upset if they are excluded entirely.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
streams on Prime Video on October 25, 2024.