Like A Dragon: Yakuza Review – A Vapid And Flavorless Live-Action Adaptation

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As someone who grew up playing video games and appreciating the unique blend of action, humor, and narrative found in the Yakuza series, I must admit that my initial excitement for “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” quickly turned into dismay as I watched its lifeless adaptation on Amazon Prime.

It might be challenging to guess who Sean Crouch and Yugo Nakamura, the makers of Amazon Prime’s new crime action series “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” were aiming for as their target audience when they started creating a live-action adaptation of the popular Sega video game series, “Yakuza.” Although I haven’t played any games from this franchise myself, I understand their basic concept and allure. Essentially, these are role-playing, action-packed games with beat ’em up elements set in an underworld of Japan dominated by rival crime families fighting for control of Kamurocho, a fictionalized version of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district. The games successfully blend action, gangster stories, and a touch of exaggerated humor that has contributed to their commercial success.

Regrettably, the new adaptation fails to capture much of the original 2005 game or its 2016 remake. “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” appears to be predominantly a monotonous and unengaging narrative filled with personal drama, lacking many of the captivating elements the games were known for. Consequently, it’s unclear who this version is designed for.

Kazuma Kiryu (Ryoma Takeuchi) always wanted to be a dragon: a celebrated warrior and yakuza of the Tojo Clan. In 1995, he concocts a plan with his three teenage friends to rob an arcade that belongs to the organization. Though their heist goes successfully, soon after, the clan’s chairman Daigo Sasaki (Koichi Sato) finds out the thieves’ identities and sends his men to collect them and the money they stole. Instead of killing the four, however, Sasaki opts to make use of them in other ways to repair the damage they caused him. But then Kazuma claims he planned the robbery only to get the attention of Sasaki in the hope of becoming a member of his gang. For better or worse, he gets what he wants.

In two distinct storylines, we accompany Kazuma and his companions. One timeline starts with the theft in 1995, whereas the other jumps forward to 2005 when Kazuma completes a decade-long prison term. Despite distancing himself from the crime syndicate and having no desire for Kamurocho anymore, he chooses to revisit the district and its new leaders due to a friend’s predicament. However, his past adversaries who seized power during his imprisonment await him as well.

The show has a lack of effective drama and action

Yakuza” boasts a complex storyline with shifting elements, power struggles, and numerous characters. However, these aspects fail to captivate or intrigue. The initial excitement generated by the opening sequence gradually fades into a dull, unremarkable, and occasionally confusing narrative (due to the multitude of new characters and names). This narrative fails to provoke much emotional attachment from the player. What’s puzzling about “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” is the scarcity of action scenes. It’s perplexing why someone would adapt a game known for its combat mechanics if they had no intention to showcase those fight scenes.

As a devoted fan, I’ve got to level with you: there are indeed some fight scenes, but they fall flat for me. They’re monotonous, risk-free, uninspired, and often over so swiftly you might miss them if your eyes darted away for a moment. It’s disappointing coming from Japan, a nation renowned for its action cinema that consistently delivers raw, pulse-pounding, innovative fight choreography. The series has plenty of room to showcase these elements, yet it often dissipates tension with flimsy excuses and moves on, leaving me yearning for more action and violence in a narrative centered around gangs, crime, and retribution. It feels like a missed opportunity not to fully exploit the potential of such themes.

Good but entirely wasted performances

The series is commendable for its fashionably designed costumes, inspired by the games, and a committed cast. Yet, despite these merits, “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” fails to spark interest altogether. However, it maintains a polished and opulent appearance due to these qualities. It’s unfortunate that captivating performances like Ryoma Takeuchi as the brooding protagonist Kazuma, or Kento Kaku’s portrayal of a young boy’s transformation into a cold-blooded yakuza, are not fully utilized in the lackluster material they’re given. The actors manage to inject some style with their swagger, sharp attire, and confident personas, but they struggle to rise above the superficial character development.

Essentially, the original story was presented in an open-world format for a specific purpose: to allow players the freedom to engage with the main quest or explore other enjoyable activities within the game if they preferred. However, when watching an adaptation that’s strictly serious and humorless, viewers like us are limited to either enduring it or turning it off completely, as we lack the ability to choose alternative engaging elements.

Originally, “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” was planned as a movie rather than a TV series. Given its narrative depth, transforming it into six 40-60 minute episodes might have been challenging to maintain viewer interest. As a film, it would’ve needed a more action-focused and brutal approach to portray the ruthless, grimy, survival-of-the-fittest environment of Kamurocho. However, this could have resulted in an unsatisfying, bland, and dull production, which unfortunately seems to be its outcome.

“Like a Dragon: Yakuza” premieres on Amazon Prime Video on October 24. 

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2024-10-24 18:30