Prime’s new series Like a Dragon: Yakuza was recently fully released in November for the fans of the video game franchise to indulge in. 

The Yakuza franchise began in 2005 with the original game for the PlayStation 2. Developed by Sega, the plot of this game introduces the character Kazuma Kiryu, a former Yakuza member. This character navigates a city full of crime while searching for the truth behind numerous conflicts and betrayals. Prime’s Yakuza series is to be based on this game, with Actor Ryoma Takeuchi as Kiryu, dubbed by English voice actor Aleks Lee. 

In episode one of this new series, viewers are first introduced to Kiryu Kazuma in a jail adorned with a dragon tattoo. The episode takes audiences back to the year 1995 when a heist unravels with the characters Yumi, ‘The Lookout’, Miho, ‘The Pickpocket’, and Nishiki, ‘The Provocateur’.

As Yumi continues to inform Nishiki of any updates on their team’s plan to distract the police, Nishiki sets off the fire alarm of an establishment to have everyone evacuate. At that moment, he grabs a security guard’s gambling cash, only to be met by a heavily armed guard. As the guard fires and misses, he’s attacked by Kiryu, who saves Nishiki. The two ride off with the cash stuffed in a rice cooker and complete the mission.

Nishiki and Kazuma meet back up with Yumi and Miho to celebrate. They can finally survive on their own and leave the orphanage with the cash they stole. Kiryu recommends that the three leave first while he finishes up chores before he leaves. This plan eventually fell through as they all met for breakfast to help feed the children at the orphanage. Kiryu panics and urges them to leave immediately, though it is too late. A rich-looking man with bodyguards walks confidently into the orphanage, dragging an old man who witnessed the group’s crime. Miho gives the money back without a thought while they’re interrogated. The four didn’t just steal, but they stole from the Yakuza.

The head of the orphanage, Aniki Kazuma, rescues the four young adults, revealing he is a renowned gangster. After finding out what the group did, he agrees to meet with the gangster’s boss to discuss how the four should make amends. Kiryu bowed to the head boss, admitting he wanted to join the Yakuza, and planned the heist to prove himself. To further prove himself, he volunteers to be their fighter for the underground fight scene. The boss continued this conversation with Aniki, reminding him how much money he’s owed, wanting the two men to be put to work as fishermen and the women as prostitutes. Kiryu begs to be their fighter and win back the money for all of them. This offer was accepted, although Kiryu’s friends didn’t take it too kindly.

Not only is Kiryu condemned to be the Yakuza’s fighter for years, Shintaro Kazuma’s finger is taken as repayment. Aniki shows them what it’s like working with the Yakuza, showing his bandaged hand. He warns Kiryu that he made the worst choice he could’ve made. 

After years of serving the Yakuza and being left in prison, Kiryu is notified that he’s being pardoned. Not only is he being released, but he has been asked to stop a war between two gangs, the Tojo Clan and the Omi clan. The head of the Tojo clan is his old friend Nishiki, and Yumi is also involved with the Yakuza.

Yumi is shown as a confident, straight-edge woman when she meets with Nishiki who appears well-off. Nishiki mentions that Kiryu Kazuma is being released from prison, though Yumi is not interested. Nishiki hopes to bring Kazuma under his wing as he’s constantly surrounded by older gangs who want him home. As Kazuma was the star of the underground fighting ring, Nishiki and Yumi struggled. Both girls were sent to work in the clubs, while Nishiki was left abandoned and deemed useless. Refusing to accept his fate, Nishiki begged to join the Yakuza, which eventually adopted him. This is how he became head of the Yakuza clan. 

While Nishiki looked forward to Kazuma’s release, he became aware of the risk of his freedom. The release of an Oyagoroshi may cause discourse and problems for Nishiki and other older bosses. Kazuma isn’t the only one returning to the scene; Aiko, Yumi’s older sister, continues to be a thief and participates in heists.

As soon as Kazuma Kiryu is released, he’s instantly met by the yakuza. Kazuma politely refuses their offer for a ride and is instantly shown violence. Leaving one member standing, he leaves a warning that he is leaving Tokyo and not returning to the Kamurocho, wanting nothing to do with the Tojo clan. 

Kazuma steals the yakuza’s car to be met with a phone call. One of Nishiki’s henchmen reveals that one of his friends has stolen 10 billion won, giving Kazuma a reason to stay in the city. 

The series had a fast start, introducing many characters and establishing the past and the present. While Kazuma may have believed he saved his friends while achieving his dreams, he condemned them to a life of crime along with him. Kazuma will be reintroduced to a new world where his old friends may now be his greatest enemies. 

While this series offers action-packed scenes and plenty of character development, it still seemed underwhelming; it may be due to the cinematography or dull stage combat. This story holds an abundance of possibilities, seeing that it’s known as the Japanese Grand Theft Auto. With this, hopefully, the story becomes more intense and captivating as it continues.

Rating: 6.5/10