Like a Dragon: Yakuza Actors Have Never Played the Game

Like a Dragon: Yakuza actors revealed a surprising fact: they hadn't played the games before or during filming. Let's delve into their reasoning and the fan reaction.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Actors: A Gameplay-Free Approach

A Fresh Perspective

At San Diego Comic-Con last July, lead actors Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku dropped a bombshell: they'd never played the Like a Dragon games. This wasn't an oversight; it was a deliberate choice. The production team aimed for a fresh, unburdened interpretation of the characters.

Takeuchi explained (via translator, per 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, to relive the characters, embody their spirit independently. We wanted a clear distinction, but the foundation was always respect."

Fan Reactions: A Divided Front

This revelation ignited a mixed response from fans. Some worried about significant deviations from the source material, while others felt the concern was overblown. They argued that a successful adaptation hinges on many factors, and prior gameplay experience isn't paramount.

Adding fuel to the fire, fans recently learned the iconic karaoke minigame wouldn't feature in the show. This, coupled with the actors' admission, heightened anxieties about the show's faithfulness. While some remain optimistic, others question whether the series will truly capture the essence of the beloved franchise.

Ella Purnell, lead actress in Prime Video's Fallout adaptation, offered a contrasting perspective. While acknowledging creative freedom, she highlighted the benefits of immersing oneself in the game world, citing the show's 65 million viewers in its first two weeks as evidence. Her interview with Jake's Takes underscored the importance of understanding the world being built.

Despite the actors' lack of gameplay experience, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama expressed confidence in directors Masaharu Take and Kengo Takimoto's vision.

In a Sega interview at SDCC, Yokoyama stated, "When I spoke with Director Take, he spoke as if he were the original story's author. I knew we'd get something fun by fully trusting him."

Regarding the actors' portrayal, he added, "Their portrayal is totally different from the original, but that's what's great." Yokoyama emphasized his desire for an adaptation that transcends mere imitation, welcoming a fresh take on the iconic Kiryu character, given the games' already perfected portrayal.

For more on Yokoyama's thoughts and the show's first teaser, see the article below!