WithLike a Dragon: Yakuzaset to release on Amazon Prime on October 24th, it remains to be seen how close to the video game series this new show will be.The Yakuza gameshave long been known for their incredible stories, and many are hoping that the translation of these stories to television will be a smooth one. Still, after the success of Prime Video’sFalloutand othervideo game adaptations for TV, there is plenty to be excited about.
Released in 2005,Yakuzawas the beginning of what would go on to become a beloved series.Covering topics ranging from Yakuza politics to family dynamics, these games cover a wide array of what the human experience has to offer. These experiences and much more are only some of the things that the series has to tackle if it is going to fully adapt the franchise into TV.
10The Series Should Emulate The Look Of Nighttime Kamurocho
The Fictional District Is Based On Kabukicho
In order for a show to really get the feel of a video game series, one of the most important steps to take is to get the setting right. The Yakuza series ultimately visits a variety of different places, but it is initially based in the fictional district of Kamurocho.Based on the real-life district of Kabukicho, this place is full of bright lights and exciting nightlifewith plenty of trouble to be found around every corner.
If the show is going to nail the presentation of the setting, capturing all the nuances of Kamurocho is important. That sort of attention to detail would signal to fans that the showrunners have something special in store for them. So long as there are pulsing lights that keep the city awake as well as all the familiar locations from the game, it would be an exciting step in making the adaptation come to life. Fortunately, theLike a Dragon: Yakuzatrailersuggests the show is succeeding in that regard.
9Like A Dragon Should Be Set In The Period Of The Games
The First Game Begins In The 90s
Playing the first game in the series today, something that always comes across as striking isYakuza’sretro feel. The game begins in the 90s and certainly feels that way, with all the trappings and technology of 90s Japan. Without giving too much away, there is then a time skip that sends the game ten years in the future, bringing the year to match the one in which it came out, 2005.
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Though it might not feel like it to some of us, 2005 was 20 years ago already. If the series is to capture the same feeling that the original game does, it needs to have that same sense of 90s and early 2000s nostalgia. This would go a long way in not only matching the timeline to that of the games but also emulating the same feeling that the games so often give to players.
8Yakuza Is A Series Known For Its Fight Scenes
The Show Needs To Retain The Flashy Fighting Of The Games
At the end of the day, theLike a Dragonfranchise is a series of action games. Throughout each installment, it doesn’t matter if the player is taking control of Kiryu, Ichiban, or even Akiyama. They will be expected to fight through a variety of different enemies, most of which are members of other Yakuza families.
The fights inYakuzacan be pretty flashy, often with unrealistic effects and moves. This never takes away from the games in any way, and the television series should lean into that sort of fighting style.Yakuzahas never been something that was completely grounded in reality, and to create truly spectacular fight scenes, the showrunners should keep this in mind.
7The Series Needs The Ability To Not Take Itself Too Seriously
The Yakuza Games Are Known For Moments Of Levity
Despite being a game series about the drama and intrigue that comes with being a part of the Yakuza,Like a Dragonmanages to address everything it needs to without taking itself too seriously.It knows when to dig into a serious topic and when to let up, with pacing that is surprisingly well-thought-out. While it can have its heart-wrenching moments, it knows when to bring out its happier side with a little comedy and a little light.
The politics and Yakuza family dynamics as portrayed in the game series are not a simple affair.
ThePrime Video seriesshould reflect this sort of storytelling, even if it ends up being to a lesser degree. TheYakuzagames are not constant drama. It is important to have a balance of each, as the series will only bog itself down in plot and the pain of its characters if it removes the moments of levity the game series has become so well-known for.
6It Should Follow The Intricacies Of Yakuza Politics
This Is One Of The Most Important Story Elements
The politics and Yakuza family dynamics as portrayed in the game series are not a simple affair. There are always multiple people vying for power, with characters often getting in over their heads in an attempt to keep up with everything. It is a living story and a living system with lots of thought put into it, and this thought needs to be emulated in the upcomingvideo game adaptation.
WhileLike a Dragondoes have the opportunity to simply copy what came before, if they are going to write anything new into the show, this is something that needs to be kept in mind. An understanding of why and how is essential to altering the flow of the story for a television adaptation. If this does not happen, motivations could end up not coming across for new fans of the series who might not have played the games that came before.
5The Show Should Keep The Yakuza Series’ Unique Form Of Comedy
The Series Is Known For Its Goofy Moments
Although death and crime are topics that are not unfamiliar to theYakuzaseries, the games are also known for their unique brand of comedy.The series has spawned an entire fleet of memes, some of which, like the “Baka Mitai” meme, becoming so popular that some might not even know that it originally came about as a result of the series' karaoke minigames. When the games are goofy, they can get incredibly wild, and this is something that has endeared people to the series for years.
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While the Amazon Prime series does seem that it will be a more serious affair based on the trailers, hopefully, it will not completely remove these goofy moments that come from the games. They have become a part of the series' identity, andwithout them,Yakuzabecomes just another drama story.Removing such an important part of the series' identity would deal a significant blow to the television series, making it stand out as something less unique than the gems the games have become.
4It Should Address The Complicated Relationship Between Kiryu And Nishiki
Their Brotherhood Is The Crux Of The Early Series
One of the most important relationships early on in the series is between Kiryu Kazuma and Akira Nishikiyama, also known as Nishiki. The two are sworn brothers, growing up together in the same orphanage and eventually both joining the Yakuza. They are eventually forced into different roles, coming into conflict more and more as the earlyYakuzagames progress.
Even though the two end up fighting more and more, there is still a love between them that the television series needs to address.The two of them are family at the end of the day, put into a complicated situation by the life of crime they went on to live. This should be one of the strongest parts of the series, and since the trailers released that Nishiki will be playing a part in this series, it is hopefully something that has already been addressed.
3Majima’s Role And Personality Are Difficult To Get Right
It Would Be Easy To Write Him Incorrectly
Out of all the characters to come out of theLike a Dragonseries, Goro Majima is perhaps the most popular. Known for his zany antics and impossible-to-read demeanor, he can often come across as crazy for the sake of it.However, there is an emotional story that unfurls with Majima,and his love for the people around him is something that bleeds through his character despite the violence he tends to commit. This is especially true inYakuza 0,a game that shows more of his past and the ghosts that come with it.
Because of this, it would be incredibly easy for the Prime Video series to get his character wrong. They could fall into the trap of writing him as wild for the sake of it, never delving any deeper into his character than the surface level of what is going on. If the show is to successfully portray its characters and do the games their due diligence, they will keep in mind the different layers that go into a character as complex as Majima.
2Like A Dragon Should Replicate The Game Series’ Emotional Heart
Drama And Intrigue Are Second To The Emotions These Games Draw Out
At their core,theYakuzagames are about the people that are in them and the relationships they have.Family, love, and all manner of other things are addressed in one way or another, often used as emotional tethers to keep the player invested. And these games do keep players invested successfully, with gut-wrenching moments of pure love and pure hate.
The upcomingYakuzaseries will have to portray these moments, something that will be difficult to do. While both games and television shows are both visual mediums, these games are something that has had years to sit in the back of players' minds. It will be difficult to bring out the emotions that these games have left with those who experienced them, retelling stories that have already left their mark.
1Kiryu’s Kindness Should Be At The Forefront Of His Character
He Has The Biggest Heart Of Any Yakuza Protagonist
Even though he is a member of the Yakuza and a career criminal, Kiryu Kazuma can be an incredibly kind man. He shows this through both his words and his actions, acting tough to get the job done, but ultimately showing love and kindness to those around him. This can be seen especially with those he considers to be family, with this kindness extending perhaps in the largest part to Nishiki.
Like a Dragon: Yakuzaneeds to keep this in mind if it is going to portray Kiryu correctly. Without his signature brand of kindness, Kiryu is not as relatable as a protagonist. He might not be the same character at all. Getting this kindness right while also not making him a pushover is a fine line to walk, but fans will get to see how successful the Prime show was in walking it when the series releases on October 24th.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza
Cast
Former Yakuza member Kazuma Kiryu, fresh out of prison, returns to Tokyo’s underworld to find his kidnapped surrogate daughter. Navigating the treacherous streets of Kamurochō, he faces old enemies and new alliances, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the entire city.
