"Like a Dragon: Yakuza Series Teaser Released"

Sega and Prime Video have thrilled fans by unveiling the first teaser for the much-anticipated live-action adaptation of the Yakuza series, titled "Like a Dragon: Yakuza." This exciting development was showcased at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, providing a sneak peek into the upcoming series. Dive in to discover more about the show and hear insights from Masayoshi Yokoyama, the Director of RGG Studio, on this ambitious project.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza to Premiere on October 24

A Fresh Take on Kazuma Kiryu

The teaser introduces Japanese actor Ryoma Takeuchi, known for his role in "Kamen Rider Drive," as the iconic Kazuma Kiryu, with Kento Kaku playing the series' primary antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. Director Masayoshi Yokoyama praised the fresh interpretations that both actors brought to their characters, emphasizing the value of these new perspectives.

"To tell you the truth, their portrayals of the characters are totally different from the original story," Yokoyama stated in an interview with Sega at SDCC. "But that's what's great about it." He appreciated the show's ability to offer a new take on characters that were already well-established in the game series.

The teaser, though brief, provided fans with glimpses of pivotal locations like the Coliseum in Underground Purgatory and scenes of Kiryu's confrontation with Futoshi Shimano.

According to the teaser's description, "Like a Dragon: Yakuza" aims to depict the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and the vibrant community of Kamurochō, a fictional district inspired by the bustling and sometimes violent Kabukichō in Tokyo's Shinjuku ward. The series, loosely based on the first game, will explore aspects of Kazuma Kiryu's life and his childhood friendships that previous games could not delve into.

Sega’s Interview with Masayoshi Yokoyama

Addressing fan concerns about balancing the game's gritty atmosphere with its humorous moments, Yokoyama reassured fans that the Prime Video series would capture "aspects of the original's essence." In his interview with Sega at SDCC, he expressed his desire for the adaptation to be a fresh experience, saying, "I wanted people to experience Like a Dragon as if it was their first encounter with it."

Yokoyama admitted to feeling a bit jealous of the adaptation's quality, noting, "We created the setting 20 years ago, but they were able to make it their own… Yet they didn’t neglect the original story." He further shared his enthusiasm for the series, suggesting that newcomers would find it a fascinating new world, while fans would enjoy the nods to the original.

Yokoyama hinted at a major surprise at the end of the first episode that left him "screaming and jumping on my feet." While the teaser itself was brief, fans won't have to wait long to see the full series, as "Like a Dragon: Yakuza" is set to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 24. The first three episodes will be available immediately, with the final three episodes following on November 1.