Image: Amazon Prime Video
Sega’s beloved Yakuza game franchise is getting a series adaptation on Amazon Prime Video.
Amazon Prime Video has officially greenlit a live-action TV series adaptation of the Yakuza: Like a Dragon game franchise. The TV series will consist of six episodes, following the Sega game franchise’s lead character Kiryu Kazuma across two time periods: 1995 and 2005. Titled ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’, the series will hit Prime Video in two batches of three episodes starting this October.
Like A Dragon: Yakuza live-action adaptation heads to Amazon this year
Prime Video is making a live-action series adaptation of Sega’s beloved Yakuza: Like a Dragon game franchise. According to Variety, the series is directed by Take Masaharu (100 Yen Love) and Takimoto Kengo (Kamen Teacher), with Takeuchi Ryoma (Kamen Rider Drive) stepping into the lead role of Kiryu Kazuma - otherwise known as Kazuma Kiryu, for fans who play Western-localised versions of the games.
‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ will stream on Prime Video in two parts, each consisting of three episodes. Part 1 will hit the service on October 25 with Part 2 to follow on November 1. Both parts will be subtitled and dubbed in 30 languages upon release. Seeing as the series is set in two time periods, 1995 and 2005, each batch of three episodes will presumably follow a different period in Kiryu’s life.
Variety reported that the series’ story, “follows the life, childhood friends and the repercussions of the decisions of a fearsome and peerless Yakuza warrior with a strong sense of justice, duty, and humanity.” Most of it will likely take place in the fictional Japanese entertainment district of Kamurocho, which serves as the main setting of most games in the Yakuza franchise.
Prime Video states that the series, “showcases modern Japan and the dramatic stories of these intense characters, such as the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, that games in the past have not been able to explore,” suggesting that this adaptation will feature an original take on Kiryu’s origins. Hopefully, the series will still include some of the games’ many diversions from the main plot - such as Kiryu’s rambunctious karaoke sessions.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza hits Amazon Prime Video on October 25, followed by three more episodes on November 1.
