Prime Video has just released the official trailer for Like a Dragon: Yakuza, and it’s everything fans of SEGA’s popular video game series could hope for – and then some. This six-episode action series will finally bring the gritty underworld of Kamurocho to live action in spectacular fashion.
The series follows the journey of Kazuma Kiryu (portrayed by Kamen Rider’s Takeuchi Ryoma) across two central periods: 1995 and 2005. In 1995, we see a young, hot-headed Kiryu and his friends planning a heist at a local arcade. Little do they know, they’re about to cross paths with the Dojima Family, the powerful yakuza organization that rules Kamurocho’s underworld.
Fast forward to 2005, and we find Kiryu being released from prison, only to discover that his friends are in danger. True to his character, Kiryu must return to the mean streets of Kamurocho to protect those he cares about.
The trailer gives us a glimpse of the beat ’em up action that made the games famous. Expect fist fights, gun battles, and even cars crashing from above. But more than that, the upcoming series seems to capture the dramatic tension of the games and the inescapable nature of the yakuza life. As one character aptly put it, “You will never be free again. There’s no way out of this.”
While it’s unclear if the series will adapt the games’ famously quirky side, sharp-eyed fans might spot a nod to the cabaret club minigame. Who knows? We might even see Kiryu going on a city-wide tonkatsu tasting adventure between brawls.
The Yakuza franchise, which is developed and published by Sega, debuted in 2005 with its first game on the PlayStation 2. The series was inspired by Japanese crime cinema and was designed to offer a gritty, authentic portrayal of the yakuza lifestyle.
Despite early reservations about its niche setting, the series gained a dedicated following in Japan and internationally. As of last year, the franchise has sold over 19 million copies worldwide.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza is set to land on Prime Video on October 24, with the first three episodes available for streaming. The remaining three episodes will follow on October 31.
Gamers can also look forward to Secret Level, another Prime Video series that’s scheduled to drop on December 10. Each episode of the upcoming animated anthology will be inspired by popular gaming titles, including Armored Core, Warhammer 40,000, and PAC-MAN, among many others.
