Who plays the role of Akira Nishikiyama in Like A Dragon: Yakuza? Character role explored

Like A Dragon: Yakuza is a Japanese mini-series that debuted in 2024 on Prime Video. The series was originally titled Ryu ga Gotoku-Beyond the Game. It is an adaptation of Sega's popular Yakuza/ Like a Dragon video game franchise. This crime drama explores life entangled in Japan's criminal underworld, spanning the gritty backdrops of 1995 and 2005.

Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Like A Dragon: Yakuza is based on the story of a former Yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu, played by Ryoma Takeuchi. He returns to the underworld after a ten-year prison sentence.

The narrative unfolds around a conspiracy involving his best friend Akira Nishikiyama, played by Kento Kaku. Nishikiyama’s character begins as a devoted friend, deeply intertwined in yakuza life, ultimately facing his own internal battles and complex loyalties.

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Who plays the role of Akira Nishikiyama?

Kento Kaku brings Akira Nishikiyama to life, capturing the depth of Kiryu’s childhood friend and one-time brother-in-law. Nishikiyama is shown as a loyal, supportive friend who always has Kiryu’s back.

However, his character transforms, he evolves from a trusted companion into a powerful Yakuza boss, one who must constantly navigate shifting loyalties. As Nishikiyama rises in the ranks, he finds himself pulled in conflicting directions. He remains torn between old bonds and the ruthless demands of the Yakuza world.

Nishikiyama’s backstory is rooted in loyalty, he and Kiryu grew up together at the Sunflower Orphanage, creating a bond that felt unbreakable. Yet, as Nishikiyama rises in the Yakuza ranks, his path begins to shift, placing him in positions where he must weigh his loyalty to Kiryu against the demands of his powerful new role.

This rise brings him face-to-face with morally complex choices, illustrating how power can drive even the closest of friends apart. In Like A Dragon: Yakuza, Nishikiyama plays a significant role and gives the narrative depth. His relationship with Kiryu reveals a weak point in the Yakuza community. Nishikiyama faces difficult decisions and their effects while resolving several internal conflicts.

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A closer look at Like A Dragon: Yakuza

Like A Dragon: Yakuza trailer (Image via Youtube/@Prime Video)

Like A Dragon: Yakuza is a gripping Japanese mini-series that premiered on October 24, 2024. Key characters from the video game franchise are portrayed by several actors. The main character, Kazuma Kiryu, is portrayed by Ryoma Takeuchi, and the antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama, is portrayed by Kento Kaku. Goro Majima, a well-known figure renowned for his capricious actions, is portrayed by Munetaka Aoki.

Toshiaki Karasawa portrays Shintaro Kazama, Yumi Kawai plays Kiryu's romantic interest Yumi Sawamura, and Subaru Shibutani plays Makoto Date, a detective who stands by Kiryu. The appearance of Saki Takaoka as Reina deepens the story. To appeal to both series fans and a wider audience, this cast attempts to embody the action and character development of the franchise.

Like A Dragon: Yakuza showcases loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of friendships. It brings out the essence of Japan's criminal world. It has a total of six episodes, which will be out in two parts. The first three episodes released on Thursday, October 24, and the last three will be released on October 31. Each episode is about 40 to 45 minutes.

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Closing thoughts

The Amazon series adapts the gaming series, introducing complex characters and delving into issues of treachery. Nishikiyama is an important character in Kiryu's emotional journey, emphasizing the difficulties of their common past in the Yakuza culture.