In an announcement that has come quite out of the blue but no less welcome, Amazon’s Prime Video have announced that their service will be premiering the Japanese Original series of Like a Dragon: Yakuza starting on 25 October 2024. This series comes off the back of SEGA and Ryu ga Gotoku Studio’s long running Ryu ga Gotoku video game series, originally known as Yakuza in the west before taking the localised name Like a Dragon in recent years.
This series will be a live-action adaptation with an original story, directed by Masaharu Take. It will feature Ryoma Takeuchi as the lead character, Kazuma Kiryu, although here’s hoping they find a way of bringing the character’s long-time voice actor, Takaya Kuroda into the fold.
Originally released in 2005 by SEGA, the Yakuza game series targeted adults and gained significant popularity. The series portrays the lives of intense and passionate gangsters in Kamurochō, a fictional district inspired by Tokyo’s Kabukichō in Shinjuku ward. Like a Dragon: Yakuza seeks to explores modern Japan and the dramatic lives of characters like the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, delving into stories that the games could not.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza will be an Amazon Original ‘Crime Action’ Series, and premiere exclusively on the Prime Video subscription service worldwide starting 25 October 2024. Here’s hoping the creative team manage to capture the charm of this long-lived video game series, both the intensity of its narrative but also creative vision around being a little bit quirky.
Expect to hear more about further casting in the coming months. While seemingly not required given features an original story, if you are new to the Like a Dragon franchise and wish to play the full line-up of games, you have hundreds of hours of gameplay awaiting you. Check out our review of the latest game in the series, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Commenting on taking the mantle of the iconic character in live-action form, Ryoma Takeuchi shared:
I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to play the role of Kazuma Kiryu, a beloved character and the game series. I strongly felt that I was willing to put my life on the line. Audience will enjoy the show’s human drama and conflict that unfolds around Kazuma Kiryu. Moreover, please take a look Kiryu’s intense fighting scenes with the Dragon tattoo on his back
The director, Masaharu Take, also shared their take on the new live-action series:
I have poured out my heart, soul, and the experience that I have garnered over 35 years into Like a Dragon: Yakuza. The unbridled passion, talent, and countless hours of efforts from the entire team have helped bring this spectacular story to life in the form of a riveting series that will be launched this year, the year of the dragon. Please look forward to Kazuma Kiryu, played by Ryoma Takeuchi.
James Farrell, Head of International Originals, Amazon MGM Studios also shared:
We are thrilled and extremely excited to announce the Amazon Original action-drama Like a Dragon: Yakuza, based on the popular Japanese game series. The unfettered appeal for Japanese content from within Japan and other parts of the world has been growing exponentially. While Prime Video Japan continues to offer a variety of content across genres, adapting an internationally popular game franchise that has such deep resonance and layered characters presents a unique charm and makes for an extremely compelling watch. We are committed to augmenting our content library and are confident that Like a Dragon: Yakuza will strike a chord with audiences all over the world.
and finally, Masayoshi Yokoyama, Head of series creator and developer Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, also added:
Since the day I first put pen to paper on the original “Yakuza“’s script, I’ve never once thought about revisiting any of my work on the series. It’s because I understand all too well the challenges and hardships that come with remaking a finished title. However, if I were ever sent to the past through some kind of cosmic joke, this is the experience I’d want to create. If I had to go through the wringer anyhow, I’d want to make the most engaging versions of Kamurochō and Kazuma Kiryu I could —and this show has it all. There is no question that Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza will become another landmark release for the Like a Dragon series. While the games let you experience their world through the subjective lens, this adaptation will be the ultimately objective way to enjoy the show. I have no doubt that fans of the series will be drawn to how it brings the games to life and adds new surprises. Newcomers, I’m sure will find themselves invested simply in the gritty realism of the show. If anything, I’d love to watch this version alongside audiences all around the world—experiencing all of its intensity and soaking in every single second.
