Like a Dragon: Yakuza actors revealed a surprising fact: they hadn't played the games before or during filming. Let's delve into their reasoning and the fan reaction.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Actors: A Gameplay-Free Approach
A Fresh Perspective
At San Diego Comic-Con last July, lead actors Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku dropped a bombshell: they'd never played the Like a Dragon games. This wasn't an oversight; it was a deliberate choice. The production team aimed for a fresh interpretation, unburdened by preconceived notions.
"I know these games are globally famous, but I haven't played them," Takeuchi explained through a translator, as reported by GamesRadar+. "I wanted to, but the production team stopped me. They wanted a fresh approach to the characters, so I started from scratch."
Kaku agreed, stating, "We decided to create our own version, to inhabit the characters' spirits and embody them uniquely. We drew a clear line, but our foundation was always respect for the source material."
Fan Reactions: A Divided Fandom
This revelation sparked a wave of mixed reactions. Some fans worried about deviations from the source material, fearing a loss of the games' essence. Others countered that this wasn't necessarily a deal-breaker, highlighting the many factors contributing to a successful adaptation. The omission of the iconic karaoke minigame, announced previously, further fueled these concerns. While optimism remains among some fans, others question whether the show will truly capture the spirit of the beloved franchise.
Ella Purnell, lead actress in Prime Video's Fallout series, offered a contrasting perspective. While acknowledging the creative freedom of showrunners, she highlighted the benefits of immersing oneself in the game world, noting the positive impact this had on the Fallout adaptation, which attracted 65 million viewers in just two weeks.
Despite the actors' lack of gameplay experience, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama expressed confidence in directors Masaharu Take and Kengo Takimoto's vision.
"Speaking with Director Take, it was as if he were the original author," Yokoyama shared in a Sega interview at SDCC. "I knew we'd get something special by entrusting him fully."
Regarding the actors' portrayal, he added, "Their interpretations are vastly different from the original, and that's what makes it exciting." Yokoyama emphasized his desire for a unique adaptation, not mere imitation, welcoming a fresh take on the iconic Kiryu character.
For more on Yokoyama's insights into Like a Dragon: Yakuza and its initial teaser, see the linked article below!
