Yakuza Cast Unfamiliar with Source Material

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

Like a Dragon: Yakuza lead actors Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku made a surprising confession at SDCC last July: neither had ever played the game in the series they were adapting for the screen. The decision was a conscious one, as the production team wanted to approach the characters with a fresh perspective.

"I know these games—everybody in the world knows these games. But I haven’t played them," Takeuchi said via a translator, according to GamesRadar+. "I’d like to try them, but they had to stop me because they wanted to—for the character in the script—explore from scratch. That’s why I decided not to play."

Kaku echoed this sentiment by saying, "We decided we would make sure we would do our own version, relive the characters, take their spiritual elements and embody them on our own. There was a clear line we wanted to draw but everything on the bottom was respect."

Fans Question if the Show Will Capture The Games’ Spirit

This move has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Some worry that the show would deviate too far from the source material. Others argue that fans are overreacting. There are numerous factors involved for a successful adaptation, and the actors’ familiarity with the series isn’t that essential.

Last week, fans already had to deal with the fact that Like a Dragon: Yakuza would not showcase the game’s iconic karaoke minigame. The recent revelation has only added fuel to the fire of fan concerns about the show’s fidelity to the games. While some fans remain optimistic about the potential of the adaptation, others are beginning to question whether the series will truly capture the essence of the beloved game franchise.

While playing the game isn’t a prerequisite for a successful adaptation, lead actress Ella Purnell of Prime Video’s Fallout TV series believes immersing oneself in the game world can be beneficial. It looked like it paid dividends, as the show garnered 65 million viewers in just two weeks. Purnell emphasized in an interview with Jake's Takes the importance of understanding the world they’re building, though she also acknowledged that creative decisions ultimately rests with the show’s creators.

"When I talked with Director Take, he was speaking to me as if he was the author of the original story," Yokoyama said in a Sega interview at SDCC. "I realized then that we’re going to get something fun 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 totally different from the original story, but that’s what’s great about it." Yokoyama emphasized his desire for an adaptation that goes beyond imitation. According to him, the games had already perfected Kiryu, so he welcomed the show’s fresh 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!