Kiryu and Nishiki's Actors Talk Bringing Their Own Take To the Characters | Like A Dragon: Yakuza

[@kushagrachaturvedy2821]

I can’t be the only one who appreciates the irony of someone called Ryoma playing Kiryu

[@XLionscream]

Sakamoto Ryoma

[@ArchieGamez]

Ishin live action when? HAHA

[@poptartninja]

and his other name is takeuchi... takechi?

[@mikegaming5570]

I also appreciate it

[@ncstar24]

Yeah, but he doesn’t look like Kiryu Kazuma

[@dranzerjetli5126]

The guy who plays kiryu looks more like nishiki 😂

[@sharif47]

Dude's even dressed up more like Nishiki than Kiryu.

[@ThGaming69]

They should swap role, it will be more fit.

[@gleyno]

what if he actually auditioned for nishiki

[@dosven3495]

dude looks like ten years in the joint

[@angelusvastator1297]

Agreed. It’s ironic

[@shawziiz5031]

Fun fact - The actor who play Kiryu here is the same actor who play Kamen Rider Drive. Try checking out, Kamen Rider Drive is one of the best writing Rider story

[@krislasvegas5637]

I forgot that he did play in the kamen rider drive series. I've seen it a few years ago when it came out and it was great.

[@kymragay7493]

That series has been out for 10 years, My brain cells are in top gear!

[@tripleaces659]

Thank you for clarifying, I was hoping to ask then I read this comment

[@XenonRider7]

It’s so cool seeing Takeuchi from his beginnings in Kamen Rider to something as big as the Yakuza series

[@shawziiz5031]

@@XenonRider7 Well don't forget Mackenyu as well, the actor who play Zoro in live action One Piece. Mackenyu play Kamen Rider Dark Drive, Drive son from the future in the movie

[@Insomniac_1986]

Kento looks more like Kiryu here and vice versa, I can't wait for the show.

[@Seyno2-h0ck-9w3is]

He's also closer in build to Kiryu. He was ripped in House of Ninja.

[@GamerGoneMad]

Thats what i was looking specially due to his beard style. Its my favourite game I really dont want to see it ruined tbh

[@xtr.7662]

They only chose ryoma because hes tall

[@unnamedx2]

Really? I think he looks exactly like nishiki

[@aussieseal9979]

​@@GamerGoneMadthen don't go in with that expectation? You're bound to be let down

[@Asildeath]

10 years in the joint made you a handsome actor!!!

[@Alecs250]

6:12 they didnt translate it but Kiryu's actor says that Karaoke was part of the preparation at the beggining stages, there was some karaoke in the script but now in the final stage of the script theres none. (My japanese is not that good so it might not be 100% correct)

[@voxelbandit]

*kiryu hitting table and walking away gif*

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

to be fair karaoke has literally never actually been canon in the series aside from I think the opening sequence in Yakuza 0 and also a cutscene in Yakuza 8

[@Nekomon.]

​@@THENAMEISQUICKMAN Gaiden too. It wasn't a cutscene but it was a forced gameplay segment in the main story with the omi family. I also wouldn't write it off as non canon either considering LAD:IW has also made 2 other references to kiryu doing karaoke and being good at it. The first being when they are at the baseball cages where seonhee says "rumor says the dragon of dojima is also a master of the mic" and then later saying "the dragon of dojima can sing and then some" and the 2nd kiryu is making his bucket list, he writes "sing my heart out at karaoke." Seems pretty clear evidence that kiryu not only does it but actively enjoys and is good at it.

[@oOsillyrabbitOo]

Im assuming Nishikis actor was his translator, So he intentionally didnt translate it and instead said "Please find out in the show" right after telling the interviewers its "Confidential"

[@oOsillyrabbitOo]

@@THENAMEISQUICKMAN Nanba mentions how much Kiryu loves Karaoke, so its canon that that one time wasnt the only time theyve gone together.

[@Drstokely]

I know Akiyama debuts in Yakuza 4 and this story begins at Kiwami (or Yakuza 1) but I have to say he is my favourite character of the series so far. If this series reaches that point I would be so happy to see Akiyama on the silver screen!

[@vastolorde2861]

Akiyama is my favorite protagonist, too! They could maybe tease Akiyama at the end of the show? (When he collects the money falling from the sky after the explosion at millennium tower)

[@KrimsonDragoon]

Would be great if they tease and make nods to people like Saejima, Akiyama, Shinada, and Ryuji or even Daigo, Tanimura would be cool too but he’s too young at this point at least for the 95 part of the game, maybe they can reference his fathers or the other officers like Junji (speaking of if he appears let his actual actor play him) or Hisai and the maybe we can get a nod to Tanimura himself in the 05 part?

[@danuracula]

Hope to see Akiyama in post-credit scene

[@Drstokely]

Indeed! Maybe a cameo of young homeless Akiyama

[@AGirlAndAGame]

I'm excited and really curious how much they'll change for the TV show. Honestly as long as it makes sense and works well, I think I'll be fine with some changes from the games.

[@Omabatfartsbruh]

bro who's gonna be my favorite character shinada

[@irsyadiaryadiva9430]

That will take long for season 5

[@dragonkamran]

They're not getting him nor Tanimura

[@Brutalityisinyou]

if this show is consistently good, we will get. that 5th season and shinada

[@flashergoldpower15]

​@Brutalityisinyou it'll be awhile, but man, so worth the wait at the same time

[@DashinJason_]

Shinada YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@TheMaestro116]

Kiryu's actor looks like he would be a better fit as Kazuki (nightclub guy) rather than the Dragon of Dojima.

[@shawziiz5031]

His the actor who play Kamen Rider Drive before

[@عبدالوهابالبرغثي]

@@TheMaestro116 the man who doing the role of nishiki look like kiryu more than him

[@BIGBOYGAMING03]

He doesn't have to look like him to play his character

[@the_don0562]

@@BIGBOYGAMING03not necessarily his looks but more so his stature. It just doesn’t feel like kiryu at all. But it’s hard to find anyone like kiryu to be fair.

[@constipatedparker5879]

​@@the_don0562Hiroshi Abe (actor and model) looks like he could fit into Kiryu.

[@irsyadiaryadiva9430]

Ten years in the joint makes you fluent in English

[@carlosfernando9095]

It would be interesting if Takaya Kuroda play as Satoro Komaki, but probably Takaya will just be a cameo

[@YaM8Kraken]

I feel like Takaya would fit one of Majima's inspirations from Yakuza 0 instead. Namely, Fei Hu. I know(or don't know...) how awkward it feels to make the Japanese play as Chinese but only if he steals Masayoshi Yokoyama's hair😂

[@jnee]

Tam asks a crucial question about the silliness of the games at 3:35, judging by the response I have a bad feeling the series won't embody that side at all :( If that's the case it feels like a pointless endeavour to me - that balance of serious and silly is what makes those games special

[@lonelyshpee7873]

That balance works because it's a game imo

[@Drstokely]

I agree. If we don't get Majima shouting "Kiryu chan!" And then popping up randomly to have a round of fisticuffs, it sort of feels hollow

[@dranzerjetli5126]

Pocket circuit fighter

[@dranzerjetli5126]

​@@lonelyshpee7873its the story that matters

[@kray3143]

The silliness is mostly the side content though. If the series is just focusing on the story it makes sense to keep the tone more serious

[@Mando011]

I do wish they played the games to understand the vibes more but we'll see how it turns out

[@gnerus1972]

well Yokoyama said he's really invested in the production of the show, so he'll be there to point out stuff for them

[@ErikPT]

@@gnerus1972 yes! Please keep it faitful like how Nintendo had creative control. None of Amazon's studio interference

[@kanomee]

i will keep my expectations at the lowest, knowing that the producers doesn't even play the game or even trying to understand the whole lore of Yakuza series. "bringing their own take" means that they will change a lot of things in the live action. they won't get away with this, mark my words.

[@UNSTABLE111]

Im watching the show..and honestly, it tonally captures what the ps2 games were trying to do. Still gritty whilst capturing the heightened reality of kamurocho. Also, I do like that everything feels fresh..Do I agree with everything, no. I think its a little lame how majima loses his eye here..but there are characters that like Yumi that have a more prominent role and some character dynamics that surpise me .All I know is, i feel far more invested in this adaptation than Takashi Miike's adaptation...that film felt so soulless..just trying to hit all the high points without any build up..

[@gnerus1972]

6:01 "have you been asked to sing dame da ne?" The song's title is Baka mitai - jesus. Does this guy only know of Yakuza from memes?

[@radin2220]

I'm gonna bet Takaya Kuroda & Hidenari Ugaki gonna be in the show as cameos

[@Frexican54]

In the trailer there's a guy who sorta looks like Ugaki cheering in the fighitng pit, but im not sure if thats him.

[@zwete]

I bet Kuroda singing baka mitai at a bar or something will be the cameo.

[@Kiryu_Kazuma01]

That would be awesome!

[@Jun-zh9np]

Hoping hidenari ugaki appears as a convenience store clerk, and just say his punch line randomly "kiryu chan!"

[@nefy]

Knowing Kento Kaku was already in a Old school Delinquent TV Drama called "From Today, Its My Turn". He's gonna nail this role definitely.

[@S1eepy0w1]

Ok but who’s majima?

[@Parialated]

That is the real question....god what a great character he is...

[@DeathCrunch]

Stavros Halkias

[@jesperverkooijen9451]

A legend

[@xtr.7662]

Munekata aoki the guy who was in rurouni kenshin and godzilla minus one

[@irsyadiaryadiva9430]

Yet to be announced

[@return_h3669]

“10 YEARS IN THE JOINT MADE YOU LOOK LIKE ME!”

[@عبدالوهابالبرغثي]

I thought that the man with glasses is kiryu did they switch the role's or what and how cute man do the role of the most badass man in video games I hope they do it right 😢

[@adityayurangga4953]

Broo i got same thought as you 😂😂 first i saw i think the man with glasses is kiryu because the hair

[@عبدالوهابالبرغثي]

@@adityayurangga4953 he is almost like kiryu and the man who do kiryu role he is looks like nishiki I don't know how they do that 🤣🤣

[@shawziiz5031]

The actor who cast as Kiryu is Kamen Rider Drive

[@عبدالوهابالبرغثي]

@@shawziiz5031 oh man I don't like keman rider 😮‍💨

[@gnerus1972]

tbh he looks completely different in the trailer - characterization does a lot

[@thecruzer5856]

i find it funny that Kento and Ryoma both have the opposite Hair for the Character they played lol

[@ClearLampOil]

1:42 embody the spirit of kiryu yet I felt not a shred of intimidation in the trailer when he was shirtless in the ring compared to him in the games

[@Kiryu_Kazuma01]

Please be good Please be good Please be good This is one of my favorite franchises of all time, and I would love to see the game come to life in live action.

[@Dr.Gaming98]

It’s not gonna be. The directors told the actors to stop playing the video games because they want to make their own story with their own takes on the characters

[@azzimaz]

Drive Type - Dojima No Ryu !!! 😉😍 Shout out to fellow Kamen Rider Drive fans. I'm so happy they cast an actor of Ryoma calibre to play a deep nuanced character like Kiryu. Same goes for Kento as Nishiki. Having followed both actors various projects, both have grown to be tremendously talented actors in their industry. So this is a superb casting choice indeed 😍😉

[@cpt.zangscarlet1898]

I'm worried that it will just be "just entertaining enough" but won't get an enthusiastic reaction from fans of the games. Looks aren't everything when it comes to actors delivering amazing portrayals of known characters, yet I'm not completely sold on what we've seen so far. I hope Takeuchi's acting eclipses how young and innocent he looks.

[@Trane141Kingz]

AAAAYYYYYY it's the boys!!!! Kiryu, nishiki, what's good 😁👍🏻

[@andrewgunawan4502]

I saw the title, and the thumbnail and was like, “that’s not Takaya Kuroda” before realising they meant the upcoming Yakuza show

[@colcumbine]

10 years in the joint moment

[@xStanyyx]

My guy literally wears and looks like your pfp Nishki but plays Kiryu I just cant dude how are they so blind

[@werefoxhun3839]

Please don't ruin this i'm begging you

[@Dragonfury3000]

It's already ruined...just look at them even the voice actors from the games look more intimidating

[@livingcheese2910]

@@Dragonfury3000 Yes, because they right now aren't acting in an interview. That's the point of acting. Portraying yourself differently than your usual self. And we barely saw their portrayal yet. That wasn't even a real trailer yet, but a teaser. Some people really can't wait to throw everything in the mud before actually knowing anything of it yet.

[@kerahouse8663]

Please don’t ruin it with what? How would it be ruined? You people are just trying to find something to cry about. The show isn’t even out yet. Keep in mind this isn’t an American game or show nobody cares if you people don’t like it.

[@kratosaurion002]

@dumashouse6969 K weeeb

[@zeryuouros4411]

​@@Dragonfury3000oh, so you never saw their social media accounts then. Especially Kiryu's actor account. He's actually intimidating and buff underneath.

[@livingcheese2910]

The show is a retelling of the original game which got a remake called Yakuza Kiwami. They show gameplay from a later prequel... And they called the song Baka Mitai "Dame dane"... Videogame journalism, am i right? These things can literally be found out by one google search each. Come on guys...

[@Cyberdeathcore]

I Start playing the entire series, finished Yakuza 0 now I'm in Kiwami 💪

[@thattrickytrickster612]

I loved Kento Kaku was incredible in House of Ninjas. He played a good guy who had a lingering darkness in him, so him as Nishki will definitely be a treat. I also cannot wait to see how Ryoma plays a younger Kiryu.

[@zavi3rz]

Anyone else had alarm bells ringing off in their heads when they say they never played the game? 😨

[@irsyadiaryadiva9430]

Same here..

[@m4d4r1sLane]

Doesn't rly matter

[@fireaza]

Walton Goggins, one of the best parts of the Fallout TV series had never played the games either.

[@XSoldat13]

​@fireaza with the context that some, possibly most, of the other crew members have. You need a mix of both. What Goggins brought was a demystified view, and his experience. It's too early to judge.

[@WinterMadness]

Actors don't need to have played the games to be able to portray the characters. The writers and the directors however do have to familiarize themselves with the source material, in order to be able to faithfully bring the character to life.

[@Kuroiwa1988]

Not gonna lie this only brought me red flags:C

[@Bleofuse]

These guy's look awesome. Can't wait for the show.

[@skrishna3]

Man, you could have atleast put the full name for Nishiki like you did for Kiryu? Akira Nishikiyama?

[@Drums_of_Liberation]

No. Nobody but Kashiwagi and other yakuza call him Nishikiyama. To us and Kiryu he's just Nishiki

[@kendiaz89]

​@@Drums_of_Liberation And no one calls him Akira aside from maybe his sister since it'll be weird to call your older bro Nishiki when your surname is also Nishikiyama.

[@Callestere]

Im very interested to see how they do this. I don't expect it to be exactly like the game so im sure some liberties will be taken. I just hope they can manage to incorporate the seriousness with the goofiness too.

[@NotJollibee]

Kamen Rider Drive!

[@shawziiz5031]

Heck yea. Good to see others know too. Ryoma has come a long way now. Interestingly, Mackenyu the guy who play as Zoro in OP live action is Kamen Rider Dark Drive

[@NoBadsign]

Anyone who watched Kamen Rider Drive knows Ryoma Takeuchi can sing. I love Spinning Wheel.

[@CocoCrumbs03]

i can read subs, why would you put dubs for this set of great japanese actors?

[@thejileng55]

So this is young kiryu, huh? Kinda neat

[@l.a.wrecords6537]

Im so glad that they didnt hire yong yea to play kiryu again

[@Kiryu_Kazuma01]

😂😂 Got em!

[@AreUOkAnnie]

Lucy must be holding herself back a lot in this interview since its her favourite franchise

[@damage_incorp0rated]

please don't fumble majima's casting 🙏

[@Sylvaard]

Trying to change the character and remake him is not a good sign. Look at the Halo show.

[@spamton_main]

bruhh yakuza 0 footage when the show is gonna be abt yakuza 1

[@codekuch4192]

The trailer did show yakuza 1 video game only

[@Dr.Gaming98]

It’s not gonna be about either apparently, because the directors say they’re gonna do their own take on the story without playing the games.

[@angelusvastator1297]

They’re both so handsome

[@CheLovEkoShpRoT]

So can you tell us if its gonna be silly? - When is was born...

[@ThGaming69]

I think Kiryu and Nishiki's Actors should swap role.

[@Disrupt_]

ryuji should be an important character

[@derpedfox]

Just Nishiki not Akira Nishikiyama?

[@cheemslord9917]

this kiryu gonna henshin

[@xerion791]

haha kamen rider drive

[@andre51605]

ironic cuz his role here is the complete opposite of his role in Kamen Rider Drive

[@Darkcur]

I already hate Nishiki, but like in a good way, this is great casting.

[@poptartninja]

I do hope that some of the likeness characters from the games will get a small cameo

[@dck6381]

İts crazy how here they both more like each others roles rather than their own 😂

[@jinklez]

me and gang ready to binge watch this

[@MrShoryuken1]

He's almost too good-looking play Kiryu, surprised they didn't go for someone a bit more rugged.

[@rahmansepti540]

Ten years in joint make you fluent in English

[@accel1231]

Hey look, it's Kiryu Shinnosuke

[@scottlette]

I am putting this song in one of my novels, and really should contact the song's creator for permission if the corporate publishers actually allow such an awesome sung to be performed alone, in another galaxy.

[@majimadayoyoyo]

I'm glad Kento Kaku played as Nishiki, I am just disappointed with the staff not putting a wig on him to preserve Nishiki's bob hair on the series.

[@kirosera]

All I heard when I saw Ryouma was: "START YOUR ENGINE!!"

[@ghosthdizzle2846]

“bringing their own take to the characters” 🚩

[@KenjitsuHokori]

This is more a Japanese take so it still will be,hopefully, good

[@jaydenpatterson2490]

@@KenjitsuHokoriWhat does that even mean?

[@CS-om3kj]

@@jaydenpatterson2490He means that: as Like a Dragon was created for Japanese people by Japanese people, it would be better off being adapted by people who would understand the area and culture the best, which would be Japanese people. Rather than Americanizing it and killing one of the main appeals to it in the first place. Which a lot of adaptations over here in the states tend to do, even the original Yakuza 1 dub is guilty of this.

[@noirnut]

@@CS-om3kj Japanese people have made plenty of terrible adaptations of their own stuff so it doesn't mean anything, really. Ignoring the source material is always a red flag regardless, that's what leads to killing it's appeal, not nationality.

[@phelps9112]

@@KenjitsuHokori Amazon is involved. Expect black Majima.

[@hartantoanggoro]

The question that should be asked, will Ryoma feel the heat? And will Staminan X made him able to perform "Tiger Drop"

[@ryuichi3565]

sheesh kento kaku its gonna to be 10 years guy

[@Drawgonian]

I hope this interview is just a red herring and the live adaptation is golden

[@tensaimaoupeterng0178]

I wondering you guys in SDCC had Rider Fan in there excited to see Ryoma san appear and said Shinnosuke !!!!!!

[@boksunglee6954]

Not trying to throw shade since I dont know either of them but I feel like they shouldve bulked up a bit to play these characters.

[@Thedoodlrartist]

Tomari Shinnosuke Is Peak Character

[@Disrupt_]

will ryuji be in it?

[@水泡にKISS]

配役は「しょうがない」 Casting is "unavoidable"

[@Disrupt_]

rikiya cameo when?

[@Sad_KittenGaming]

Funny how they use Kiryu's full name, but not Akira Nishikiyama's. Hes just "Nishiki".

[@Drums_of_Liberation]

Because nobody but Kashiwagi, Reina, and no name goons use the full name. To everyone else he's Nishiki

[@Sad_KittenGaming]

@@Drums_of_Liberation same could be said about kiryu. Whats your point? Its a bit strange for them to use a character's full name, then use a shortened version of the other character's FIRST name right after. Its just a weird decision to make. Even more considering the context of where its used.

[@Gageeeee]

Who will be akiyama for season 4

[@Moveset-Mastery]

Is that Miyamoto musashi? The guy who beacame the Yakuza 0?

[@afiqazman6615]

Dang… I thought Ryoma would speak English. I’ve been following him since Kamen Rider. Kudos to Kento Kaku

[@suvidashetty812]

Kento speaks better English than him

[@afiqazman6615]

@@suvidashetty812 Ryoma doesn’t even tried… 🥲

[@Disrupt_]

rikiya at the club, kiryu dances with him scene. Please

[@ClearLampOil]

Jesus Chris how much do you like Rikiyu

[@Disrupt_]

@@ClearLampOil so much

[@darker102]

Why does the actor that plays kiryu look more like nishiki and the actor that play nishiki look like kiryu

[@angelusvastator1297]

Yeah pretty ironic 😂😂

[@Wolfsbane28C]

They need to keep some of the goofy elements

[@Avengers5leagueREBOOTo]

I hope the next yakua game they are watching a scene from this show on a tv then the protagonist turns off the tv a mutters what a disgrace

[@rafaelo1013]

I think they should have played a few of the games, it should be part of the preparation. And also, why are they so thin? they should’ve been hitting the gym hard to look like the characters.

[@dankbuster2181]

they said they didnt play the games because the director wanted them to have an easier time adapting to the script rather than the storyboard of the main game. Also the gym stuff, they definitely did that but in all sense originally, kiryu and nishiki arent studs and buff, they are lean, yet muscular and framed decently

[@lankyGigantic]

​@@dankbuster2181Just to add on to your conment, they're also both wearing quite baggy clothes, which can hide the muscles a lot

[@neoshenlong]

The guy playing Kiryu is definitely quite muscular in the preview we saw.

[@goonballoon]

@@neoshenlong yeah hes muscular but i hope he does build alot more if he can (doesnt have to ofc) bc kiryu's whole thing is that hes mostly brute strength, he didnt have any proper technique till he was like 50 smth

[@Squidward-jv7go]

@@goonballoon No, in Zero and Kiwami he’s muscular but very lean like this actor. He’s only massive from 2 or maybe 3 onwards and even then, Saejima is the designated “big strong guy” not Kiryu.

[@wanz100]

ryoma looks more like nishiki while kento has that majima vibes

[@CheLovEkoShpRoT]

Also interwiever called baka mitai dame da ne live execution when

[@om_ikis]

START YOUR ENGINE!!

[@statemonster]

NI-SHI-KI Oi! NI-SHI-KI Oi!

[@asutoshgantayat]

I want to know who plays Majima

[@Khr-xl3vi]

What I want to know is, will John ten years make an appearance?

[@hrgaming4plebs570]

bad guys are just doing fine until they hear Kiryu saying "Henshin!"

[@krakesh5915]

Peak series

[@Kraytor556]

Is there gonna be judgement Kazzy?

[@ClearLampOil]

They will have opinionated kazoo probably

[@Deejay_328]

The actor of Kamen rider drive...is kiryu kazuma

[@kleingelicht1988]

It's Hanawa and Nikishi...ill be Dam**d. I knew they were alive. .

[@maxcaines3568]

I got my back tattooed because of this game

[@Blazen77123]

So is this yakuza 1 or 0? Regardless I’m excited

[@Kiryu_Kazuma01]

Yakuza 1/Kiwami

[@mortcrimpjr]

It's important we do a live adaptation from scratch. Oh ok. So why make a Yakuza series other than it having a pre-established with a dedicated fanbase that you know will watch it? Oh right, because Amazon is creatively bankrupt.

[@KD44553]

no way they made Joint Man a Nerd

[@nassir_dinshay5865]

I have a bad feeling about this. Not to undermine or anything but the guy looks nothing like kiryu. I feel like they dont have a deep connection with the characters having not played the games in depth

[@Shadow-f7k6u]

kamen rider drive actors into a yazuka actor

[@Erricane]

I wish people would called him Nishikiyama Akira instead of Nishiki. Kinda feels unprofessional. Just my opinion is all.

[@goonballoon]

i mean yeah but nishiki is alot easier to say and its catchy

[@Erricane]

@@goonballoon I know but Nishiki is just his nickname. Something only Kiryu called him. I don't mind if players or anyone else calls him Nishiki. It's just this is an interview and I figured they should call him Akira Nishikiyama. Heck, even Masayoshi, the writer, calls him "Nishikiyama Akira". kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnynpoZprq6gp6ssi=knKcTfpKmfqVn71f