A brand-new trailer for Amazon’s live-action adaptation of the popular video game franchise, Like A Dragon: Yakuza, has been unveiled, providing a closer look at the series’ “exuberant chaos” in anticipation of its 24th October debut on Prime Video.
The series, known as Like A Dragon: Yakuza, unfolds across two distinct time periods – 1995 and 2005 – as it chronicles the life of protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, described as a “fearsome and peerless Yakuza warrior with a strong sense of justice, duty, and humanity.”
Amazon’s synopsis explains, “In 1995, eager to escape their restrictive lives, Kiryu and his friends, Nishiki, Yumi, and Miho plan a heist at a local arcade. However, the arcade is under the control of the Dojima Family, a powerful yakuza organisation that rules Kamurocho… Meanwhile, in 2005, Kiryu is set to be released from prison. He learns from Detective Date that his friends are in danger and decides to return to Kamurocho to protect them. However, their friendship has deteriorated, as tensions between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance are at a boiling point.”
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Kiryu’s journey intertwines with “dramatic stories [the games] have not been able to explore,” all centered around the “dark underworld of the yakuza” and the “universal theme of family not only through bloodline but also through ties between yakuza bosses and their underlings, orphans and their caretakers, as well as mentors and students”.
In this live-action adaptation, Kazuma Kiryu is portrayed by actor and model Ryoma Takeuchi, with Masaharu Take at the helm as director.
While the series draws inspiration from the Yakuza games, it seems to prioritize a more serious and dramatic tone, focusing on the darker aspects of the criminal underworld. The trailer showcases intense action sequences, gritty violence, and a sense of impending danger, leaving little room for the lighthearted humor and quirky elements often associated with the games.
As one observer noted, “Like a Dragon: Yakuza unfolds across two ‘intersecting timelines,’ 1995 and 2005 and promises a descent into ‘the dark underworld of the yakuza, exploring the universal theme of family not only through bloodline but also through ties between yakuza bosses and their underlings, orphans and their caretakers, as well as mentors and students.'”
Another commented, “The series trailer is not as ambitious. Where are the press conferences? Where are Ichiban Confections? (Or Ichiban, for that matter?) Where are the puppy filters? Where is the silliness in Prime’s version?”
Despite the apparent shift in tone, the series still holds promise for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. The trailer showcases impressive visuals, compelling characters, and a thrilling plot, suggesting a captivating and action-packed viewing experience.
The first three episodes of Like A Dragon: Yakuza will premiere on Prime Video on October 24th, with the final three episodes streaming the following Thursday, October 31st.
