Yakuza All-Stars Explore the Origins of 'Like a Dragon'

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Adaptation – A Fresh Perspective, or a Risky Gamble?

The lead actors of the upcoming Like a Dragon: Yakuza adaptation, Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku, recently revealed a surprising detail at SDCC: neither had played any of the games before or during filming. This deliberate decision, according to the production team, aimed for a fresh interpretation of the beloved franchise.

Takeuchi explained, via translator, that while aware of the games' global popularity, he was intentionally prevented from playing them to maintain an unfiltered approach to the character. Kaku echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's desire to create their own version, respecting the source material's spirit while forging a unique on-screen identity.

This revelation has ignited a passionate debate among fans. Concerns about deviations from the source material are countered by arguments emphasizing the multifaceted nature of successful adaptations, suggesting prior gameplay isn't necessarily crucial. The omission of the iconic karaoke minigame from the show further fueled these anxieties.

Ella Purnell, lead actress in Amazon's successful Fallout adaptation, offers a contrasting perspective. While acknowledging the creative autonomy of showrunners, she highlights the benefits of immersing oneself in the source material's world, citing the positive impact it had on Fallout's impressive 65 million viewer count in its first two weeks.

However, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama expressed confidence in the vision of directors Masaharu Take and Kengo Takimoto. He praised their approach, describing Director Take's understanding of the source material as akin to that of the original story's author. Yokoyama highlighted the adaptation's unique portrayal of the characters, emphasizing the value of a fresh interpretation rather than mere imitation, especially given the games' already established portrayal of Kiryu.

The Like a Dragon: Yakuza adaptation remains a fascinating case study in adaptation strategies. Whether its unique approach will resonate with fans remains to be seen.