Yakuza Actor Ryoma Takeuchi Shares His Take on the Younger, Emotionally Vulnerable Version of Kazuma Kiryu

Sega Like a dragon series, known mainly as Yakuza in the West, it has been entertaining audiences for nearly 20 years with its mix of martial arts action, character-driven storytelling and deliciously complicated crime drama plots. Now, the story of the original 2005 title is being adapted into a Prime Video original series called Like a Dragon: Yakuza.

Although apparently based on the main plot of the original 2005 film, Like a dragon game, the series borrows elements from different games in the series, including Yakuza 0 and Yakuza 4. The series takes a lot of creative liberties with the story in order to present a more character-driven story, but one that features plenty of unexpected twists that will surprise even longtime fans. Like a dragon fanatics. The series stars Ryoma Takeuchi as series hero Kazuma Kiryu, although this version of the character is significantly younger than his video game counterpart. Additionally, the show oscillates between various time periods, showing a version of Kiryu that is even younger, hungrier, and more desperate than audiences have ever seen before.

SscreenRant spoke with Ryoma Takeuchi about his role in Like a Dragon: Yakuza. He talks about exploring corners of Kiryu’s character that haven’t been fully explored in the games until now, and how he feels the video game incarnation of the character inside him every time he dons the character’s iconic white and red costume. He also talks about the series’ numerous fight scenes and how they didn’t have many stunt doubles to lean on, so he had to do most of the fights himself.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Actor Ryoma Takeuchi on What Makes His Version of Kazuma Kiryu Different and Special

“We started with respect for the original game. Then we created something new.”

Screen Rant: Kazuma Kiryu is one of my favorite characters in all of fiction. Were you aware of its cultural significance when preparing for the role?

Ryoma Takeuchi: When I try to imagine who Kiryu is, I wanted to pay attention and appreciate who he is, especially when he was a child. I looked into that and how he was born, what kind of environment he was in and what kind of family he was surrounded by. All of these details really brought him to who he is today as an adult human being. These are the types of details that aren’t fully portrayed in the game. I had to come up with this idea myself to play the role of Kiryu.

I love this depiction of a younger Kiryu than we usually see. Tell me about not being so precious or feeling the need to buy into the game version and the freedom to make it your own.

Ryoma Takeuchi: Thank you for that question. For this, of course, from the beginning and as a fundamental value, we respect the original game. There are many different styles of live-action adaptations of the game series. Firstly, we set a goal for this particular drama. We start from respect for the original game. So we created something new there.

We respect all the good elements the game has. Together with the production team, including myself, for the drama, we added and focused a lot and paid attention to the human element of the game. This is a live-action adaptation of a series or franchise that has been extremely loved and has a huge fan base across the world. It’s a difficult task for us to adapt this. However, we took on this mission and took the risk. If I want to put it into new words, give it new life, we will. We really value this mentality among the team.

Kiryu’s costume. His style is a very important part of the character. I think he’s been wearing his suit for 30 consecutive years in games. Tell me, when it comes to that famous white and red suit, did you feel like you became Kiryu when you put on that suit?

Ryoma Takeuchi: Yes, thanks for the question. The costume he wears in the game symbolizes who he is, his character and personality in the game. When I actually wear this suit, it’s very complex. I don’t really become Kiryu on the surface, but I’m trying to say that Kiryu enters my heart and enters my unconscious in a way. So whenever, during filming, I hit a wall and went through some difficult moments and maybe felt like I couldn’t make it, he’s inside me when I put on the suit.

The game’s Kiryu is there to support and empower me. That’s how I felt. And for Kiryu, this suit itself is, in a way, like armor. He’s a human being, of course, and he’s not strong all the time. There is weakness in everyone. And when these weaknesses appear, or almost appear, he is protected by this armor. I think Kiryu himself also uses this costume for this purpose.

Ryoma Takeuchi in Like a Dragon: Yakuza’s Representation of Chosen Family Ties

“He is fighting for the love of his family. And he’s fighting to bring back the love that was stolen.”

In the show, we see Kiryu meet up with Haruka. Can you tell me a little about working with that young actress and character who fans of the game know will become the most important person in Kiryu’s life going forward?

Ryoma Takeuchi: Thanks for bringing this up. Talking about the drama itself, the show deals with the importance of family, the value of family and the bond between family members. They could be connected by blood, but in this case, they are not connected by blood. In this case, everyone grew up together since childhood. However, they are not actually related in terms of DNA or blood. They are not biologically familiar. But along the way, they are trying to fill that gap. Living in Kamurocho, they are going through difficulties, they have conflicts and they go through all these things together. They are not related by blood, but they try to overcome that through all these struggles. And that’s the value I would say comes out of this drama.

I love the drama, all the interpersonal relationships, the emotions and sadness that surround Kiryu… But also, a big part of the appeal is seeing Kazuma Kiryu kick ass and beat up some bad guys. Can you tell me a little about playing this side of the character, about being the Dragon of Dojima?

Ryoma Takeuchi: We have the underground fighting arena. This fight sequence leaves a strong impression among viewers. And this is one of the key points you want to see in the drama. But there is another way to interpret this. The fight sequence itself could also show that Kiryu inherently doesn’t want to fight. He wants to avoid it as much as possible.

But he has to do it and is dragged into fights because of the dragon on his back. This struggle within him is also something we want to portray in the series. So he is fighting for the love of his family. And he’s fighting to bring back the love that was stolen in all those fights. Also, I just want to add that there aren’t many stunt doubles in the fights. We didn’t use stunt doubles much, so I had to play the role myself most of the time. It was quite difficult. It was a challenge.

More about Like a Dragon: Yakuza

This Japanese action drama delves into the dark underworld of the yakuza, exploring the universal theme of family not only through bloodlines, but also through the bonds between yakuza bosses and their subordinates, orphans and their caregivers, as well as mentors and students. These relationships are marked by deep affection at times, and by intense conflict at others, all intrinsically interconnected. Set in the fictional city of Kamurocho, the story unfolds across two intersecting timelines – 1995 and 2005. In 1995, eager to escape their restrictive lives, Kiryu and his friends, Nishiki, Yumi and Miho plan a robbery at a local arcade. However, the arcade is under the control of the Dojima Family, a powerful yakuza organization that rules Kamurocho. They delve into the yakuza-controlled underworld of Kamurocho in 1995. Meanwhile, in 2005, Kiryu will be released from prison. He learns from Detective Date that his friends are in danger and decides to return to Kamurocho to protect them. However, their friendship has deteriorated, as tensions between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance are at a boil.

The first 3 episodes of Like a Dragon: Yakuza are now streaming on Prime Video, with the remaining three episodes debuting on November 1st.