The actors portraying the characters in the live-action adaptation of Like a Dragon: Yakuza revealed a surprising fact: they never played the games. This decision and its impact on fans are explored below.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Actors: A Game-Free Approach
A Fresh Perspective
At San Diego Comic-Con last July, lead actors Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku confessed they’d never played the Yakuza games. This wasn't accidental; the production team aimed for a unique interpretation.
Takeuchi explained (via translator, as reported by GamesRadar+), "I know these games – everyone knows them. But I haven't played. I'd like to, but they stopped me. They wanted a fresh start for the characters in the script."
Kaku agreed, stating, "We wanted our own version, to experience the characters anew, capturing their essence and embodying it. We drew a line, but always with respect for the source material."
Fan Reactions: A Divided Community
Fan reactions are mixed. Some fear the show will stray too far from the games, while others believe this concern is overblown. A successful adaptation involves many factors, and prior gaming experience isn't necessarily crucial.
The omission of the iconic karaoke minigame further fueled fan anxieties. While some remain hopeful, others question if the series will truly capture the spirit of the beloved franchise.
Ella Purnell, from Prime Video's Fallout series (which attracted 65 million viewers in two weeks), offers a contrasting perspective. While acknowledging creative freedom rests with the showrunners, she highlighted the benefits of immersing oneself in the source material for a deeper understanding of the world.
Despite the actors' lack of gaming experience, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama expressed confidence in directors Masaharu Take and Kengo Takimoto's vision. He stated (in a Sega interview at SDCC), "Director Take spoke to me as if he wrote the original story. I knew we'd get something great entrusting him."
Regarding the actors' portrayals, Yokoyama noted, "Their interpretations are totally different, and that's fantastic." He welcomed this fresh take, believing the games had already perfected Kiryu and a new interpretation was exciting.
For more on Yokoyama's views and the show's initial teaser, see the linked article below.
