Ryoma Takeuchi details how he prepared himself to join Prime Video’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza adaptation, and the pressures he faced when bringing the video game series to television. Beginning in 2005, the Yakuza franchise revolves around the dealings of Japanese crime organizations, focusing specifically on the Tojo Clan in the fictional district of Kamurocho. Takeuchi is set to play Kazuma Kiryu, the series’ initial lead who seeks to put his complicated past in the Tojo Clan behind him, but a missing 10 billion yen drags him back in.

With Prime Video adapting Yakuza, Takeuchi opened up to VG247 about the pressures of translating a video game world into a television format. While he had some familiarity due to playing the original game, Takeuchi wanted to ensure that he would capture the core elements of Kiryu through extensive research and consideration. At the same time, he also wanted to add his own twist on the character. Check out Takeuchi’s explanation below:

I was surprised to be offered this role. I knew about the game series and had played the first game at my uncle’s home. It’s a real challenge to play a character from an existing work, and I considered very carefully whether I was suited to portray Kiryu, and whether it was right for me. From the beginning, I knew I would have to give it everything I have, or I’d never pull it off. [I had to create my version of Kiryu] from scratch.

I have great respect for the feelings of the fans. But when I play a character, I have to express them in my own way, so I can’t pay attention to the preconceptions of others. I researched the games for myself, to identify Kiryu’s qualities and embody them in my own way. Of course, I hope the fans will be happy with my portrayal – but I can say with confidence that I’ve done my best to play Kiryu. There’s no point in trying to surpass the original game; rather I wanted to show respect to the games while making something new as an artist.

Prime Video’s Yakuza Series Must Strike A Tonal Balance

Yakuza Is Known For Its Human Drama And Wackier Hijinks

As the sole leading character for the first three Yakuza games and one of the protagonists in four, playing Kiryu is undoubtedly a difficult responsibility for any actor to take on. Kiryu’s journey is one of a good, noble man evoking the typical tropes of a hero despite working in the dark side of the criminal underworld, making him admirable but complicated. As such, while he walks a narrow tightrope between good and bad, his struggle will help endear him to newcomers and preexisting fans alike.

However, beyond Kiryu’s heroism, there is also a tightrope that Prime Video’s Yakuza has to walk in order to properly capture what has made the games iconic. Each entry isn’t limited to being an action-oriented crime drama, as the world of Kamurocho has plenty of mini-games that give its cast the opportunity to partake in some light-hearted antics. While it is unlikely that the Prime Video series would dedicate an episode to Kiryu spending an evening in Club Sega, brief glimpses of him spending time in these activities could show his softer side while acknowledging the series’ lighter side.

While adapting Yakuza may be a difficult task, it is clear Takeuchi has taken great care to bring Kiryu to screen. Furthermore, Prime Video is already entering the promotional cycle of the series with goodwill from viewers due to their handling of Fallout. As such, with Prime Video bringing Like A Dragon: Yakuza as one of their main highlights to San Diego Comic-Con, it won’t be long until fans get their best glimpse at Takeuchi’s take on Kiryu.

Like A Dragon: Yakuza is set to release on Prime Video on October 25.

Source: VG247