Amazon has introduced an authentic live-action sequence for Prime Video based mostly on Sega’s profitable Like a Dragon sport sequence, beforehand referred to as Yakuza.
Merely titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza and together with six episodes, this authentic sequence is directed by Masaharu Take, finest identified for the drama sequence The Bare Director. Made in Japan, the sequence stars the vastly fashionable Japanese drama and stage actor Ryoma Takeuchi within the function of Kazuma Kiryu.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza can be out there on Amazon Prime in over 240 international locations and territories worldwide, launched in two batches on October 25 and November 1, 2024.
A brand new story loosely based mostly on the unique Yakuza
The live-action crime-suspense sequence relies on an authentic screenplay loosely impressed by the primary sport within the sequence, 2005’s Yakuza. It will likely be set primarily within the Kamurocho leisure district, straight from the video games, and follows Kiryu and three of his childhood mates in two time durations, 1995 and 2005.
Just like the video games, protagonist Kiryu is described within the present’s press launch as a “fearsome and peerless Yakuza warrior with a robust sense of justice, responsibility, and humanity”, and the story will take care of the repercussions of his actions within the two time durations. Takeuchi commented that the present will embody “intense combating scenes”, alluding to the wild motion the sequence is famed for.
The sequence was introduced as we speak at a press convention on the picturesque Resort Gajoen Tokyo. On the occasion, Takeuchi and Take mentioned the method of adapting the acclaimed sport sequence for a live-action drama.
Talking of the tattoo on his again and sculpting his physique for the function, as seen in the important thing visible picture launched as we speak, Takeuchi mentioned, “You’ll be able to’t play Kiryu Kazuma with out entering into form, so I knew I needed to throw myself into it. This was a job not just for me but in addition for the costume and make-up groups. It took two and a half hours simply to organize for this shot.”
He added, “It’s partly Kiryu Kazuma and it’s partly me. I received so near the half that it was exhausting to tell apart the place he ended and I started. That included entering into form for the half, the costume and so forth. Reasonably than appearing the a part of Kiryu, I really feel like he grew to become a part of the household.”
Director Take mentioned, “Having somebody with such a big bodily presence as Takeuchi makes all of the distinction. I understood that he is aware of his physique higher than anybody, so I left it to him to get into form. Takeuchi did all of the motion himself as properly. It was spectacular.”
Of Kiryu’s place within the story, Take mentioned, “In 1995, the protagonist continues to be younger and he makes plenty of errors, and these result in him spending a decade in jail and the implications he faces when he will get out in 2005. I attempted to indicate these variations within the two time durations, and the forged helped to realize this as properly.”
Taking their positions in entrance of a golden folding display emblazoned with a dragon harking back to the tattoo on Kiryu’s again, the actor and director made a symbolic prayer for the present’s success.
Meet the brand new Kazuka Kiryu
Takeuchi broke by way of together with his function as Shinnosuke Tomari in a number of Kamen Rider initiatives. His credit embody a cameo in 2019’s Detective Pikachu film adaptation as a Pokémon coach, in addition to offering the voice for Justice Smith’s character Tim Goodman within the Japanese dub. He additionally has a profitable profession in stage appearing, and earlier than that was a budding soccer participant.
In a press launch, Masayoshi Yokoyama, head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and govt producer of the brand new drama sequence, mentioned, “Whereas the video games allow you to expertise their world by way of the subjective lens, this adaptation would be the in the end goal approach to benefit from the present. I’ve little doubt that followers of the sequence can be drawn to the way it brings the video games to life and provides new surprises. Newcomers, I am positive, will discover themselves invested merely within the gritty realism of the present.”
The Like a Dragon sport sequence is developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and revealed by Sega. The primary sport, upon which the Amazon sequence can be partly based mostly, was launched in 2006 within the West, with IGN praising its story and awarding it 8.2/10. The sport spawned a globally profitable franchise, with a number of sequels and spinoffs, a film adaptation directed by Takashi Miike in 2007, and a remake of the primary sport titled Yakuza Kiwami in 2016.
The sequence was renamed Like a Dragon in 2022, and the newest entry, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, was launched globally in January 2024, receiving 9/10 scores from each IGN and IGN Japan.
Daniel Robson is Chief Editor of IGN Japan. Discover him on Twitter right here.
