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The live-action adaptation of the popular Yakuza video game series has arrived on Amazon Prime Video, but disappoints with its lack of action and flavor. Despite a dedicated cast and elegant costumes, „Like A Dragon: Yakuza“ struggles to captivate viewers with its dull plot and superficial characters. This 6-episode series, based on the original 2005 game and its 2016 remake, proves to be a soulless adaptation that fails to do justice to the rich and dynamic universe of the franchise.
A Laborious Plot and Glaring Lack of Action
The story follows Kazuma Kiryu, a young man aspiring to become a respected yakuza within the Tojo clan. The narrative alternates between two timelines: 1995, where Kazuma and his friends organize a heist, and 2005, when he is released from prison after 10 years of incarceration. Unfortunately, the plot development proves to be laborious and unengaging. Viewers struggle to emotionally invest in this dark drama, which is sometimes difficult to follow due to the numerous characters introduced.
The most surprising and disappointing aspect is the glaring lack of action scenes. For an adaptation of a game renowned for its spectacular fights, „Like A Dragon: Yakuza“ offers very few confrontations, and those present are brief and unimaginative. This absence of dynamic action is all the more frustrating given that Japan is known for its creative and intense combat choreography in its audiovisual productions.
Performances Wasted by a Superficial Script
Despite these major flaws, the series can boast a dedicated cast and elegant costumes faithful to the games‘ aesthetics. The actors, notably Ryoma Takeuchi as Kazuma and Kento Kaku portraying a calculating yakuza, do their best to bring charisma to their characters. Unfortunately, their performances are wasted by a superficial script that doesn’t allow them to fully exploit their talent.
The adaptation also falls short with its excessively serious tone, devoid of the humor characteristic of the Yakuza games. This austere approach makes viewing monotonous and deprives the audience of moments of levity that could have balanced the heavy atmosphere of the mafia world.
A Missed Opportunity for a Successful Adaptation
„Like A Dragon: Yakuza“ illustrates the inherent difficulties in adapting a video game into a television series. The chosen format – six episodes of 40 to 50 minutes – seems too long for the content offered, diluting the plot and diminishing viewer interest. A cinematic approach might have better served this story, allowing for a more condensed and impactful narrative.
For fans of the Yakuza franchise, this adaptation is likely to be a major disappointment. The very essence of what makes the games popular – frantic action, offbeat humor, and immersion in the Japanese criminal world – is largely absent from this live-action version. Newcomers will find little to get excited about in this dull and lackluster production.
Have you watched Amazon Prime’s new live-action adaptation of the beloved Yakuza video game series? „Like A Dragon: Yakuza“ has left many fans disappointed with its lack of action and bland storytelling. What are your thoughts on this adaptation – does it capture the essence of the games or miss the mark completely? Share your opinion in the comments and let us know if you think video game adaptations can ever truly succeed on screen.
