"Like a Dragon: Yakuza Series Teaser Released"

Sega and Prime Video have unveiled the first glimpse of the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the Yakuza series, titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza. Dive into the details of this exciting project and hear directly from Masayoshi Yokoyama, the Director of RGG Studio.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza to Premiere on October 24

A Fresh Take on Kazuma Kiryu

At San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, Sega and Amazon thrilled Yakuza fans with the first teaser of *Like a Dragon: Yakuza*. The teaser introduced Japanese actor Ryoma Takeuchi as the iconic Kazuma Kiryu and Kento Kaku as the series' main antagonist, Akira Nishikiyama. Masayoshi Yokoyama, Director of RGG Studio, praised the actors for bringing fresh interpretations to their roles.

"In truth, their portrayals are quite different from the original story," Yokoyama revealed in a Sega interview at SDCC. "But that's what makes it great." He emphasized that while the game had perfected Kiryu, he appreciated the show's unique approach to both characters.

The teaser offered brief glimpses into the show, showcasing iconic locations like the Coliseum in Underground Purgatory and Kiryu's confrontation with Futoshi Shimano.

The teaser's description hints that the series will "depict the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people living in the vast entertainment district of Kamurochō, modeled after Tokyo's notorious Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō." Loosely based on the first game, the series delves into the lives of Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood friends, exploring facets of Kiryu's life that previous games could not.

Sega’s Interview with Masayoshi Yokoyama

Addressing fan concerns about balancing the game's gritty atmosphere with its humorous moments, Yokoyama assured that the Prime Video series will capture "key aspects of the original's essence." In his interview with Sega at SDCC, he shared his primary concern: "I feared it would just be an imitation. Instead, I wanted people to experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter with it."

Yokoyama expressed his admiration for the adaptation, saying, "To be honest, it was so good I felt jealous. We created the setting 20 years ago, but they've made it their own while still respecting the original story."

After viewing the show, he noted, "If you’re new to the game, it’s a fresh world. If you know it, you’ll be grinning the whole time." He also hinted at a major surprise at the end of the first episode that left him excited and enthusiastic.

While the teaser keeps much under wraps, fans won't have to wait long. Like a Dragon: Yakuza is set to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on October 24, with the first three episodes available immediately. The remaining three episodes will follow on November 1.