Like a Dragon: Yakuza season 1: Everything we know so far about Prime Video’s game adaptation

Prime Video is going to soon release a new series called Like a Dragon: Yakuza season 1 which is based on the SEGA game Yakuza Like a Dragon. They will release the series in two parts. The first three episodes will come out on October 24, 2024, and the next three will be released on November 1, 2024. Fans can watch it in 30 different languages, with subtitles or dubbed voices.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza is part of a trending wave of successful video game adaptations brought to television screens, following in the footsteps of series like Fallout and The Last of Us.

However, it’s not only about recreating the game; the series also aims to delve into deeper emotional narratives, bringing a fresh perspective while staying true to the original spirit of the game.

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Like a Dragon: Yakuza season 1: Plot, Cast and Characters

Set in the fictional but vividly rendered district of Kamurochō, which mirrors Tokyo's Shinjuku ward, the series dives into the lives of gangsters who are fierce yet driven by their passions.

The plot centers around the complex relationship between the main character, Kazuma Kiryu, and his childhood friend-turned-enemy, Akira Nishikiyama. Over the span of the series, themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption are explored, giving depth to the bustling crime backdrop.

The series features Ryoma Takeuchi, known from Kamen Rider Drive, playing the lead role of Kazuma Kiryu. Kento Kaku, celebrated for his role in House of Ninjas, stars as the complicated villain Akira Nishikiyama. Kaku discusses his character's emotional journey, from deeply emotional and instinctive beginnings to a more calculated and cold demeanor.

Takeuchi describes Kiryu as compassionate and complex, a man with a tough exterior but a longing for genuine human connections, striving to be a hero in a murky world.

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Filming and Visual Style

Like a Dragon: Yakuza season 1 unfolds in two distinct time periods: 1995 and 2005, each represented with specific visual styles to contrast between the two eras.

Director Masaharu Take emphasized using warmer colors for scenes set in 1995, while cooler, bluish tones mark the 2005 scenes. This choice reflects the evolving tone of the story and the characters’ development over a decade.

Adapting the Game

Unlike many adaptations that closely follow their video game blueprints, Like a Dragon: Yakuza season 1 veers into new narrative territories.

The show focuses intensely on character development and the core dynamics between Kiryu and Nishiki, using these relationships to drive the story forward. This approach allows the series to resonate emotionally with audiences, perhaps even more so than the video games.

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Unique Elements

Director Kengo Takimoto and his team have chosen to delve into the ‘spiritual elements’ of the characters, allowing the actors to shape their performances organically, thus bringing new life to their roles.

This method of character development might come as a surprise to fans familiar with the game’s storyline but offers a fresh take on a beloved franchise.

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With its talented actors and an inventive way of telling stories, the first season of Like a Dragon: Yakuza looks set to become a hit on Prime Video.

It doesn't matter if you're already a fan of the video game or if this is your first time hearing about the Yakuza series, this show plans to mix exciting action scenes with stories about its characters that will grab your attention and keep you glued to your screen.

Starting on October 24, 2024, get ready to dive into the risky but captivating world of Kamurochō, seeing things from the perspective of Kazuma Kiryu and Akira Nishikiyama.