In a surprise announcement, the official Ryu Ga Gotoku Twitter account and Amazon revealed a live-action series titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza, based on the life of Kazuma Kiryu from the video game series.
Similar to the concept of Majima Everywhere, the series aims to explore aspects of Kiryu’s life that the games haven’t explored, offering fans a fresh perspective on the iconic character’s journey.
The upcoming live-action series, Like a Dragon: Yakuza, boasts a talented team behind the scenes, with Masaharu Take, known for The Naked Director, directing the project.
The scripts will be penned by Sean Crouch from The 100 and Yugo Nakamura, alongside Japanese writers Yasuhiro Yoshida and Kana Yamada.
Adding to the excitement, Ryoma Takeuchi, recognized for his roles in Kamen Rider Drive and as the Red stand-in in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, will portray the iconic character Kazuma Kiryu.
Masayoshi Yokoyama, the head of Ryu Ga Gotoku and longtime writer for the Like a Dragon franchise since its debut in 2005, expressed confidence that fans will be enthralled by the series’ ability to bring the games to life while introducing new surprises.
With its gritty realism, Yokoyama believes both longtime fans and newcomers alike will be interested by the unfolding story of Like a Dragon: Yakuza.
Director Masaharu Take has poured his decades of experience and passion into Like a Dragon: Yakuza, emphasizing his commitment to the project.
The series is slated for global streaming on Amazon Prime Video, consisting of six episodes. The release strategy involves premiering the first three episodes on October 24, followed by the remaining three episodes a week later.
To ensure accessibility for a diverse audience, the series will be available with dubbing and subtitles in 30 different languages.
This ambitious endeavor aims to bring the world of Like a Dragon: Yakuza to audiences worldwide, showcasing Take’s dedication and the team’s effort to make the series accessible to a broad range of viewers.
With its global streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video, the series promises to interest the fans and newcomers alike with its immersive storytelling and multilingual approach.
About Like a Dragon: Yakuza
Like a Dragon: Yakuza is a crime-suspense-action series that unfolds in two distinct time periods, 1995 and 2005.
Centering on the life of Kazuma Kiryu, a formidable Yakuza warrior known for his strong sense of justice and humanity, the series explores his relationships with childhood friends and the consequences of his decisions.
With its focus on Kiryu’s journey and the intricate dynamics of the Yakuza world, the series offers a compelling story that spans across two decades.
