Yakuza Actors' Unexpected 'Like a Dragon' Revelation

Like a Dragon: Yakuza cast members confessed to not playing the game before or during filming. Discover what the cast shared about this and how fans responded to the announcement.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Cast Didn’t Play the Game‘We Would Do Our Own Interpretation,’ Actor Says

Like a Dragon: Yakuza lead actors Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku offered a surprising revelation at SDCC last July: neither had played any game in the franchise they were adapting. This was intentional; the team aimed for a novel interpretation of the characters.

"I'm familiar with these games—everyone knows them. But I haven't played them," Takeuchi stated through a translator, as reported by GamesRadar+. "I wanted to, but production halted me. They wished to—for the script's characters—begin anew. Therefore, I chose not to play."

Kaku shared this viewpoint, stating, "We opted to craft our own rendition, reinterpret the characters, absorb their essence, and embody them independently. We aimed for a distinct approach, yet maintained utmost respect for the source material."

Fans Question if the Adaptation Will Convey the Games’ Essence

This move has sparked varied reactions among fans. Some worry that the show will deviate excessively from the source material. Others contend that fans are overreacting. Numerous factors contribute to a successful adaptation, and the actors’ familiarity with the series isn't crucial.

Last week, fans already faced the fact that Like a Dragon: Yakuza wouldn't feature the game’s iconic karaoke minigame. The recent disclosure has exacerbated fan concerns about the show’s faithfulness to the games. While some fans remain hopeful about the adaptation's potential, others are questioning whether the series will truly capture the spirit of the beloved game franchise.

While playing the game isn't mandatory for a successful adaptation, lead actress Ella Purnell of Prime Video’s Fallout TV series believes immersing oneself in the game world is advantageous. It seemed to yield positive results, as the show attracted 65 million viewers in just two weeks. Purnell stressed in an interview with Jake's Takes the importance of understanding the world they're creating, while also acknowledging that creative decisions ultimately reside with the show’s creators.

Despite the decision to keep the lead actors from playing the game, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama was confident in the vision of the show’s directors, Masaharu Take and Kengo Takimoto, for the adaptation.

"When I talked with Director Take, he was speaking to me as if he was the original author," Yokoyama said in a Sega interview at SDCC. "I realized then that we’re going to get something enjoyable if we fully entrust him with the project."

Regarding the actors’ portrayal of the game’s characters, he added, "to tell you the truth, their portrayal… are quite unlike the original story, but that’s what’s excellent about it." Yokoyama emphasized his desire for an adaptation that surpasses mere imitation. According to him, the games had already perfected Kiryu, so he welcomed the show’s novel interpretation of the iconic character.

For more on Yokoyama’s thoughts on Like a Dragon: Yakuza and its first teaser, check out the article below!