Yakuza Actors Immerse in Game for Authenticity

The actors portraying the characters in the live-action adaptation of the Like a Dragon series revealed a surprising detail: they never played the games before or during filming. This decision, and the fan reaction to it, is explored here.

Like a Dragon: A Fresh Take on Familiar Characters

A Conscious Choice for a Unique Interpretation

At San Diego Comic-Con last July, lead actors Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku confessed to never having played any of the Like a Dragon games. This wasn't an oversight; it was a deliberate choice by the production team. They aimed for a fresh perspective, unburdened by preconceived notions of the characters.

Takeuchi explained (via translator, as reported by GamesRadar+), "I know these games – everyone knows them. But I haven’t played them. I’d like to, but they stopped me. They wanted to explore the characters from scratch, so I decided not to play."

Kaku agreed, stating, "We decided to create our own version, reimagining the characters, capturing their essence and embodying them uniquely. We drew a line, but everything we did was rooted in respect."

Fan Reactions: A Balancing Act of Hope and Concern

This revelation has caused a stir among fans. Some fear the series will stray too far from the source material, while others believe the concerns are overblown, arguing that actor familiarity isn't the sole determinant of a successful adaptation.

The absence of the iconic karaoke minigame, announced earlier, further fueled fan anxieties about the show's faithfulness. While optimism remains, questions linger about whether the adaptation will truly capture the spirit of the beloved game franchise.

Ella Purnell, lead actress in Amazon Prime Video's Fallout series, offered a contrasting perspective. While acknowledging the importance of understanding the source material (her immersion in the Fallout world contributed to the show's 65 million viewers in two weeks), she also emphasized the ultimate creative control of the showrunners.

Despite the actors' lack of gaming experience, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama expressed confidence in directors Masaharu Take and Kengo Takimoto's vision. He described Director Take's understanding of the source material as that of an original author, highlighting the potential for a unique and enjoyable adaptation.

Yokoyama emphasized that the actors' portrayals, while different from the games, are precisely what makes the adaptation compelling. He welcomed a fresh interpretation of the iconic Kiryu character, believing the games had already perfected his original version. This desire for originality, rather than mere imitation, is at the heart of the adaptation's approach.

For more on Yokoyama's perspective and the show's first teaser, see the linked article below.