Leading Japanese actor Kaku Kento has officially announced his role in the upcoming series “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” which is a live-action adaptation of the popular Sega video game. Kaku shared the stage with co-star Takeuchi Ryoma at the San Diego Comic-Con, where they revealed a teaser trailer for the highly anticipated series.
Directed by Take Masaharu and Takimoto Kengo, known for their work on “100 Yen Love” and “Kamen Teacher” respectively, the six-part crime-suspense-action series promises to deliver an action-packed storyline. The screenplay was written by Sean Crouch and Yugo Nakamura, with a Japanese adaptation by Yoshida Yasuhiro and Yamada Kana.
Set in the fictional entertainment district of Kamurochō, inspired by Tokyo’s Kabukichō, the series will explore the lives of fierce gangsters and residents of Kamurochō during two different time periods, 1995 and 2005. The focus will be on a Yakuza warrior with a strong moral compass and his relationships with childhood friends.
Kaku Kento, known for his roles in “House of Ninjas” and “Tokyo MER,” will portray Akira Nishikiyama, also known as Nishiki, in the series. His character will have a close connection to Takeuchi’s character, who has appeared in multiple “Kamen Rider” titles.
During the Comic-Con panel, Kaku and Takeuchi presented the official teaser trailer alongside James Farrell, the head of international originals at Amazon MGM Studios, and Erik Barmack, the executive producer of the show. They discussed their creative contributions to the series and shared insights into their characters.
The first three episodes of “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” are scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on October 24th. Fans of the video game and newcomers alike can look forward to an immersive and action-packed series that delves into the world of Yakuza and the complexities of loyalty, justice, and friendship.
For a sneak peek at the upcoming series, you can watch the official trailer on the Prime Video platform. Get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the streets of Kamurochō and witness the dramatic tales of the Yakuza warriors unfold before your eyes.