Baka Mitai! Like a Dragon: Yakuza Live-Action Series Won’t Have Karaoke

The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the Yakuza series will notably omit the beloved karaoke minigame. Let's delve into producer Erik Barmack's comments and the fan reaction.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza – Karaoke Takes a Backseat (For Now)

Karaoke's Potential Future

Executive producer Erik Barmack recently announced that the live-action series will exclude the fan-favorite karaoke minigame, a staple since its introduction in Yakuza 3 (2009) and even featured in the 2016 remake of the first game, Yakuza Kiwami. The minigame's popularity, particularly its iconic song "Baka Mitai," has transcended the game itself, becoming a widely recognized meme.

However, Barmack offered a glimmer of hope, stating, "Singing may come eventually," according to TheGamer. He explained that condensing the expansive game world into a six-episode series necessitates prioritization. The team remains open to incorporating karaoke in future seasons, especially given lead actor Ryoma Takeuchi's admitted fondness for karaoke.

With only six episodes to adapt a game exceeding 20 hours of gameplay, including extensive side activities like karaoke could potentially detract from the main narrative and director Masaharu Take's vision. While disappointing some fans, the absence of karaoke leaves the door open for future seasons to include this beloved element. A successful first season could pave the way for expanded storylines and perhaps even the iconic "Baka Mitai" performance.

Fan Reactions: "Dame Da Ne, Dame Yo, Dame Nano Yo!"

While fans remain optimistic, the karaoke omission has raised concerns about the series' overall tone. There's worry it might lean too heavily into seriousness, potentially neglecting the comedic elements and quirky side stories that define the Yakuza franchise.

Adaptations often face intense scrutiny regarding faithfulness to the source material. Success hinges on this faithfulness; Prime Video's Fallout series, for example, attracted 65 million viewers in two weeks due to its accurate portrayal. Conversely, Netflix's 2022 Resident Evil series faced criticism for deviating significantly from the source material.

In a Sega interview at SDCC (July 26th), RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama described the live-action series as a "bold adaptation," emphasizing his intention to avoid mere imitation. He aimed for viewers to experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter. Yokoyama assured fans that the show will contain elements that will leave them "grinning the whole time," hinting at the retention of some quirky charm, though the specifics remain undisclosed.

Learn more about Yokoyama's SDCC interview and the Like a Dragon: Yakuza teaser in our related article below!