Video games typically don’t have great TV or film adaptations. But that seems to be changing. Lately, we’ve seen things like “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” do really well. And over on TV, “The Last of Us” is one of the most beloved shows. Hoping to ride that wave of good will is “Like a Dragon: Yakuza.”
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As seen in the trailer, “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” tells the story of Kiryu, a young man who gets involved with the Japanese criminal underworld. The series is based on a popular video game franchise from SEGA. And it would appear the show is leaning into the action-heavy video game by including quite a bit of fighting and death. 
The series stars Ryoma Takeuchi, Kento Kaku, and Munetaka Aoki. “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” is set to debut on Prime Video on October 24. You can watch the trailer below.
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Here’s the synopsis:
This Japanese action drama plunges into the dark underworld of the yakuza, exploring the universal theme of family not only through bloodline but also through ties between yakuza bosses and their underlings, orphans and their caretakers, as well as mentors and students. These relationships are marked by deep affection at times, and by intense conflict at others, all intricately intertwined. Set in the fictional town 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 heist at a local arcade. However, the arcade is under the control of the Dojima Family, a powerful yakuza organization that rules Kamurocho. They dive into the yakuza-controlled underworld of 1995 Kamurocho. Meanwhile, in 2005, Kiryu is set to 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 boiling point.