Ryoma Takeuchi: Bringing Kazuma Kiryu to Life in Like a Dragon: Yakuza!
From Action Star to Yakuza Legend: Ryoma Takeuchi's Journey
Video game adaptations are having a moment! Shows like HBO's The Last of Us and Prime Video's Fallout proved that games can deliver amazing stories for TV. And now, Prime Video is tackling Sega's legendary Like a Dragon: Yakuza series, bringing the iconic Kazuma Kiryu to life. We had the chance to chat with actor Ryoma Takeuchi about his incredible journey, transforming himself into this legendary character! His approach? Brilliantly unexpected, combining thorough preparation and a profound respect for this amazing story.
Takeuchi has already starred in many action thrillers with plenty of dramatic twists; making his transformation all the more noteworthy. The choice of actor was intelligent; selecting an actor well-known for prior actions-oriented and dramatic work makes a good deal of sense when considering the amount of high-octane action the character has. His own prior acting experiences contributed significantly and he highlights his prior approach by bringing something new for the role while keeping core aspects.
Crafting Kiryu's Fighting Style: Months of Training and Innovation
Takeuchi's method stands out: rather than replicating past fighting styles, he developed something completely unique! “I was trying to create a sort of new fighting style from scratch for Kiryu. And as you know, there's a 1995 Kiryu fighting style and a 2005 Kiryu fighting style (in the games), and there are distinct contrasts between the two. So I wanted to depict those differences well.” He hadn’t had formal martial arts training previously – only learning basics by going to a martial arts sensei and training himself! This dedicated process, combining this extensive preparation with creative intent, really helped to make something extremely unique; a brilliant blending of effort and creativity!
Becoming Kiryu: Research, Empathy, and a Unique Approach
Takeuchi didn’t aim to imitate Kiryu, he linked his acting with Kiryu’s essence! "I was not trying to get into the mindset of Kazuma Kiryu, but instead creating a version of Kazuma Kiryu in a way. I was linking myself as an actor portraying Kiryu in the drama to the Kiryu Kazuma from the game." He went deep, even visiting an orphanage to grasp Kiryu’s childhood and motivations; the result makes all the sense once we hear about Takeuchi’s commitment to this role!
He chose to look within for authenticity! "But actually that is me. Once again, the people who are familiar with the game, when they see the drama, they might think visually it won't be exactly the same as the Kiryu that they know of. But somehow, I believe and trust that they'll be thrilled to find some similarities to the Kiryu that they know in there, in the drama itself." This process emphasizes that Takeuchi didn’t want simply a mimicry of Kiryu’s exterior actions; it needed empathy, an understanding of emotions which ultimately matter! This highlights a new kind of acting!
The Yakuza World: Exploring Honor, Duty, and the Weight of a Code
The Yakuza games are known for this amazing contrast, blending a violent criminal underworld with an unexpectedly strong honor code. This specific storyline made the game and this storyline surprisingly unique, resulting in this appeal amongst an incredibly dedicated fanbase, this appeal makes the Yakuza franchise immensely popular and incredibly noteworthy. Takeuchi's understanding and portrayal is what helped highlight this contrast effectively, blending the two; combining external action sequences with the profound weight of emotions: those internal struggles, conveying those emotional weights surprisingly effectively, and is largely what separates this unique approach from previous approaches found in the gaming world, to translate this theme onto this specific adaptation for television. His insight demonstrates that even violence, if interpreted thoughtfully, conveys emotional realism.
"What needed to be portrayed in this drama is Kiryu himself, and Kiryu is there in the drama to actually fight his way through and go through all these struggles to bring back his value of love and his loving family. So that's the sort of worldview that I needed to concentrate on."
Takeuchi on the Games, Future Projects, and More!
We asked Takeuchi if he played the games; “Of course, I'd like to play the game. I do plan on playing the game myself once my schedule allows me to.” This kind of comment was to be expected and hints at his profound dedication and that sincere level of respectful commitment to the Yakuza world.
His current project remains unannounced; an important teaser that will keep everyone excited and watching for future developments! His comments generate additional excitement; a necessary step for all viewers.
Conclusion: Ryoma Takeuchi’s Kazuma Kiryu is already one to remember
Takeuchi’s approach to portraying Kiryu was anything but typical; It required intense levels of preparation; and combined intense dedication with profoundly creative methods that create something brand new! The process itself shows his profound respect for both the original story and its immense legacy, which makes Takeuchi's portrayal and transformation into Kazuma Kiryu deeply impactful! He understood the task, committed himself utterly. And fans are in for a truly incredible adaptation that does honor to both his acting skill and that vast game legacy. Go check out this exciting adaptation; available now for those needing another highly entertaining TV show! His commitment; his effort will keep fans returning!
