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​​​​​​​Prime Video to Premiere Like a Dragon: Yakuza, an Amazon Original Crime-Action Series Adapted from the Popular Japanese Game Franchise; Streaming Worldwide from October 25

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​​​​​​​Prime Video to Premiere Like a Dragon: Yakuza, an Amazon Original Crime-Action Series Adapted from the Popular Japanese Game Franchise; Streaming Worldwide from October 25



Jun 03, 2024


Like a Dragon: Yakuza, a live-action drama is based on the globally popular game series

Teaming up for the first time, talented actor Ryoma Takeuchi plays the protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, under the expert direction of Masaharu Take

TOKYO, Japan—June 4, 2024—Prime Video today announced the exclusive premiere of the Japanese Original series, Like a Dragon: Yakuza, streaming from October 25 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The series is a live-action adaptation with an original story based on SEGA’s global hit game franchise, Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Directed by the critically acclaimed Masaharu Take, the series will feature Ryoma Takeuchi as the lead character, Kazuma Kiryu. Like a Dragon: Yakuza is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in Japan enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership.

Released in 2005 by SEGA, the ‘Yakuza’ game series was positioned as an entertaining game for adults, which found massive fanfare amongst its target audience. The series depicts the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people living in a huge entertainment district, Kamurochō, a fictional district modeled after the violent Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō, that acts as the backdrop of the gameplay. Like a Dragon: Yakuza showcases modern Japan and the dramatic stories of these intense characters, such as the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, that games in the past have not been able to explore. The much-loved game has captured the attention and hearts of fans not only in Japan but also internationally and will now be adapted, developed, and streamed worldwide on Prime Video. 

In 1995 and 2005, spanning across two time-periods, Like a Dragon: Yakuza, an original crime-suspense-action series, follows the life, childhood friends, and repercussions of the decisions of Kazuma Kiryu, a fearsome and peerless Yakuza warrior with a strong sense of justice, duty, and humanity. 

Playing the lead, Ryoma Takeuchi said, “I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to play the role of Kazuma Kiryu, a beloved character and the game series. I strongly felt that I was willing to put my life on the line. Audience will enjoy the show’s human drama and conflict that unfolds around Kazuma Kiryu. Moreover, please take a look Kiryu’s intense fighting scenes with the Dragon tattoo on his back.”

“I have poured out my heart, soul, and the experience that I have garnered over 35 years into Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” said director Masaharu Take. “The unbridled passion, talent, and countless hours of efforts from the entire team have helped bring this spectacular story to life in the form of a riveting series that will be launched this year, the year of the dragon. Please look forward to Kazuma Kiryu, played by Ryoma Takeuchi.

“We are thrilled and extremely excited to announce the Amazon Original action-drama Like a Dragon: Yakuza, based on the popular Japanese game series,” said James Farrell, Head of International Originals, Amazon MGM Studios. “The unfettered appeal for Japanese content from within Japan and other parts of the world has been growing exponentially. While Prime Video Japan continues to offer a variety of content across genres, adapting an internationally popular game franchise that has such deep resonance and layered characters presents a unique charm and makes for an extremely compelling watch. We are committed to augmenting our content library and are confident that Like a Dragon: Yakuza will strike a chord with audiences all over the world.”

Masayoshi Yokoyama, Head of RYUGAGOTOKU Studio and Executive Producer, further added,

“Since the day I first put pen to paper on the original “Yakuza“’s script, I’ve never once thought about revisiting any of my work on the series. It’s because I understand all too well the challenges and hardships that come with remaking a finished title. However, if I were ever sent to the past through some kind of cosmic joke, this is the experience I’d want to create. If I had to go through the wringer anyhow, I’d want to make the most engaging versions of Kamurochō and Kazuma Kiryu I could —and this show has it all. There is no question that Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza will become another landmark release for the Like a Dragon 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. 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. If anything, I’d love to watch this version alongside audiences all around the world—experiencing all of its intensity and soaking in every single second.”

Like a Dragon: Yakuza, an Amazon Original series based on the globally popular game, will be exclusively available on Prime Video worldwide starting on October 25, 2024.

Amazon Original series Like a Dragon: Yakuza Overview
Title:
Like a Dragon: Yakuza

Launch Date: October 25 (Fri) and November 1 (Fri)

Episodes: Six episodes (Episodic Release, distributed every three episodes)

Prime Video offers subtitling and/or dubbing available in 30 languages

Casts: Ryoma Takeuchi and more

Director: Masaharu Take, Kengo Takimoto

Executive Producer Erik Barmack, Roberto Grande, Joshua Long

Based on SEGA video game “Like a Dragon (Yakuza)” series

Screenplay/Story: Sean Crouch & Yugo Nakamura

Japanese Screenplay: Yasuhiro Yoshida, Kana Yamada

Production :The Fool
 

Copyright: ©2024 Amazon Content Services LLC OR ITS AFFILIATES.

*Membership registration is required to view the film. After the free trial period ends, the paid period will automatically transition to a paid period (for more information about Amazon Prime, visit amazon.co.jp/prime).

About Prime Video

Prime Video is a one-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one application available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Japanese Amazon Originals such as The Silent Service Season 1 The Battle of Tokyo BayAngel Flight, the movie JIGEN DAISUKE, the romantic reality show Love Transit, and The Bachelor Japan series produced by Prime Video. Also, Amazon MGM Studios-produced movie White & Royal Blue, dramas such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, Gen V, Red, the Academy Award-winning adapted screenplay American Fiction, the popular Korean drama Marry My Husband, in sports, Prime Video’s exclusive Prime Video Presents Live Boxing, and other movies and TV shows that are eligible for member benefits include the movie Doraemon series, ONE PIECE FILM RED, The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe, Godzilla Minus One, and the animated TV series Kaiju No.8. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles, including blockbusters such as Barbie, via the Prime Video Store. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favourite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.

Prime Video is just one of many shopping, savings, and entertainment benefits included with a Prime membership, along with fast, free shipping on millions of Prime-eligible items at Amazon.co.jp, ultrafast grocery delivery and pickup, unlimited photo storage, exclusive deals and discounts, and access to ad-free music, books, and games. To sign up or start a 30-day free trial of Prime, visit: amazon.co.jp/prime.

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Media Contact:
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