Amazon has officially announced Like a Dragon: Yakuza, a live-action series based on SEGA’s open-world franchise that ranges from 3D beat-em-ups to turn-based RPGs. This opens the door for more shows and movies down the line, as SEGA is home to a number of IPs that could gain attention from fans.
Like a Dragon developer RGG Studio announced that the Amazon series would be debuting this year, launching on Prime Video on October 24. The press release (via IGN) claims that this will be a loose adaptation of SEGA’s first Yakuza game, following series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu from 1995 to 2005. RGG boss Masayoshi Yokoyama also claims that fans won’t have to play the games to enjoy this series.
“While the games let you experience their world through the subjective lens, this adaptation will be the ultimately objective way to enjoy the show,” Yokoyama said. “I have no doubt that fans of the series will be drawn to how it brings the games to life and adds new surprises. Newcomers, I'm sure, will find themselves invested simply in the gritty realism of the show.”
It will be interesting to see how Amazon adapts Like a Dragon to the small screen, as the series’ appeal can be hard to explain. Although the crime drama plays a major part, fans also love how the games balance all of that grit with goofy gameplay. From anime-esque combat moves to singing in Karaoke, we hope the Amazon series can manage this balancing act.
SEGA is reportedly planning more shows based on their IP, with insider Midori claiming that Persona and Shin Megami Tensei adaptations are also planned. Considering the success of SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog movies, we wouldn’t be too surprised if we get more adaptations from the studio.
Fallout proved that Amazon has the right idea when it comes to video game adaptations, managing to give fans the series’ dark world-building and goofy sense of humor. We hope that SEGA’s Like a Dragon show can do that as well.