SERIES REVIEW – Sega’s iconic games have always struck a delicate balance between melodrama and absurd humor. Translating that magic onto the screen demands a bold creative vision, something this adaptation lacks. Like a Dragon is a shadow of the franchise it tries to honor, losing the heart and soul that made it beloved.

When the six-episode Like a Dragon adaptation for Prime Video was unveiled, fans immediately wondered if the series could capture the essence of Sega’s beloved long-running saga of Japanese organized crime. The announcement that there would be no karaoke scenes sparked concerns that the creators hadn’t grasped what makes the games so special. Those fears proved justified. Gone is the humor and levity that counterbalances the gritty drama of the games. What remains is a slow-moving, somber soap opera that drags on far too long and relies entirely on its brand recognition to stay relevant.

The Charm of Yakuza, Nowhere to Be Found

The Yakuza games themselves are no strangers to melodrama, but they balance it with a playful absurdity that makes the heavier themes enjoyable. Protagonist Kazuma Kiryu (played here by Ryōma Takeuchi) is the embodiment of stoic integrity, and the games thrive on placing him in ridiculous scenarios that amplify the emotional stakes of the overarching story. This adaptation, however, misses the mark by stripping away any of the games’ joy.

The series follows a non-linear narrative that spans two timelines, tracing the journey of Kiryu and his companions—Nishikiyama, Yumi, Miho, and Aiko—from their beginnings in an orphanage to becoming embroiled in an illegal underground combat sports ring run by the Yakuza. It then leaps ahead a decade to show the aftermath of those events. The storytelling feels ethereal and unresolved, with plot threads introduced only to fizzle out without resolution. Scenes drift by like half-remembered dreams, and the series fails to ground its audience in the stakes of its narrative.

Loosely inspired by events from Yakuza 0 and the original Yakuza, the show takes significant liberties with its source material, often oversimplifying crucial elements. The central story of theft and revenge lacks both the depth and excitement of the games. Moving the events of Yakuza 0 from the economic bubble era of 1988 to the recession-hit 1995 robs the story of its satirical commentary on Tokyo’s real estate boom. The timeline shift feels oddly misplaced, creating a world awash in cash during a period when Japan’s economy was anything but flush.

A Beautiful Yet Soulless World

To the show’s credit, some aspects of Kamurochō’s detailed recreation are genuinely impressive. The worldbuilding shines in the little touches, like movie posters accurately reflecting the films that made waves in 1995 Japan (such as Forrest Gump). The bustling streets and lavish production values in the final scenes bring a sense of vibrancy to the fictional city. Yet, this visual richness fails to make up for the lack of life in the characters or story.

Kento Kaku delivers a compelling performance as Nishikiyama, particularly in the 2005 timeline, where his piercing, cat-like gaze exudes danger and mystery. His portrayal of the same character in the earlier 1995 scenes shows impressive range, even though the events themselves are far less interesting. Munetaka Aoki is well-cast as fan-favorite Goro Majima, but the script gives him little to do. His appearances are sparse, and his iconic “Kiryu-chan!” is frustratingly relegated to an off-screen moment—a glaring reminder of how underutilized Majima is in this adaptation.

Missing the Essence of Yakuza

Despite its occasional strengths, Like a Dragon: Yakuza ultimately fails to deliver a worthwhile viewing experience. The series feels like background noise—something you can half-watch without missing much. For those relying on subtitles instead of understanding fluent Japanese, the lack of engaging content makes it all the more tedious.

Without the Yakuza name attached, this series would likely fade into obscurity. It lacks the heart, humor, and soul of its source material, offering only fleeting glimpses of what made the games so beloved. While Kento Kaku and a few others give strong performances, their talents are wasted in a series that never finds its footing. Fans of the franchise deserve far better.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-