"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 beloved Yakuza video game series, titled "Like a Dragon: Yakuza." Dive into the details of this exciting project and hear from Masayoshi Yokoyama, the Director of RGG Studio, about his vision for the series.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza to Premiere on October 24

A Fresh Take on Kazuma Kiryu

During San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, Sega and Amazon unveiled the first teaser for "Like a Dragon: Yakuza," showcasing Japanese actor Ryoma Takeuchi as the iconic protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and Kento Kaku as the primary antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. Masayoshi Yokoyama, the Director of RGG Studio, praised the fresh interpretations brought by Takeuchi, known for his role in 'Kamen Rider Drive,' and Kaku.

In a Sega interview at SDCC, Yokoyama shared, "To tell you the truth, their portrayal of the characters are totally different from the original story. But that’s what’s great about it." He emphasized that while the game had a perfected portrayal of Kiryu, he appreciated the unique perspective the live-action series offered.

The teaser provided brief glimpses of key locations such as the iconic Coliseum in Underground Purgatory and Kiryu’s tense confrontation with Futoshi Shimano.

The teaser's description promises an immersive experience, depicting the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and the vibrant residents of Kamurochō, a fictional district inspired by Tokyo's notorious Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō.

Loosely inspired by the first game, the series will explore the lives of Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood friends, delving into aspects of Kiryu's life that previous games have not fully explored.

Sega’s Interview with Masayoshi Yokoyama

Addressing initial concerns about maintaining the game's balance of gritty and goofy elements, Yokoyama assured fans that the Prime Video series would capture "aspects of the original’s essence."

In his Sega interview at SDCC, Yokoyama expressed his fear that the adaptation "would just be an imitation. Rather, I wanted people to experience Like a Dragon as if it was their first encounter with it."

He went on to say, "To be honest, it was so good to the level I was jealous. We created the setting 20 years ago, but they were able to make it their own… Yet they didn’t neglect the original story."

Yokoyama was effusive in his praise, noting, "If you’re new to the game, it’s a new world. If you know it, you’ll be grinning the whole time." He teased that viewers could expect a major surprise at the end of the first episode, one that had him "scream and jump on his feet."

While the teaser itself offered limited footage, fans won't have to wait long to see more, as "Like a Dragon: Yakuza" is set to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 24. The first three episodes will be available simultaneously, with the remaining three episodes following on November 1.