A brand new Yakuza live-action movie is on the best way from Sega, 1212 Entertainment, and Wild Sheep. While we have already had one movie adaptation with 2007’s Like a Dragon, the information was thrilling for a lot of followers of this iconic franchise. With no official details about what the upcoming film will probably be centered on, we could not assist however to already begin up our personal want checklist of who we want to see play a few of our favourite characters.
Assuming that the upcoming live-action adaptation will comply with the core franchise and never act as a spin-off, we first want our Kiryu! So, with out additional ado, listed here are our dream picks for who must be forged within the upcoming Yakuza film from Sega.
Kazuma Kiryu
Kazuki Kitamura initially performed Kiryu-san within the Like a Dragon movie, and regarded the half for those who squinted one eye and closed the opposite. But there was one thing about his efficiency that did not fairly match.
Instead, how about we attempt some Simu Liu on for measurement? Liu is a Chinese actor most identified for his work in Blood and Water, the Taken TV collection, and most just lately Kim’s Convenience. While his appearing chops are assorted, he additionally has that quiet power that Kiryu has with the underlying pure chaos that comes out infrequently.
He can do comedy, however he additionally has fairly just a few dramas underneath his belt. When he will get severe, he harnesses some main Kiryu vibes. He’s not a useless ringer within the face, however that did not cease the casting of Kitamura both, so I believe it is OK.
Haruka Sawamura
Haruka Sawamura does plenty of rising up within the Yakuza franchise, and we’re first launched to her as a younger pre-teen. We ultimately see her develop up and evolve by means of quite a few levels in her life, from being a pop star to changing into a mom.
Snakes and Earrings actress Yuriko Yoshitaka was born and raised in Japan and has been appearing professionally since 2006. She seems to be the a part of an older Sawamura, but it surely’s her appearing historical past that makes me assume that she might deal with the various aspects that this specific character reveals all through the franchise.
Goro Majima
The Like a Dragon film really had the proper Goro Majima. He regarded the half, he was a ache within the butt the entire time, and he actually nailed the whole vibe of this character. The actor even shares a part of the character’s identify: He’s Goro Kishitani.
Majima is one other primary playable protagonist from the collection, and his fierce perspective earned him the nickname “The Mad Dog of Shimano.” He’s a pacesetter and he’s very charismatic, however his historical past with Kiryu is what makes him distinctive. Once rivals, they ultimately turn into shut buddies with “Only I can kill you” hanging between them. This additionally has been an enormous supply of fan fiction within the Yakuza fandom, however that is neither right here nor there.
I’m not even going to make use of a headshot; here is a nonetheless from when he was in Like a Dragon for reference as an alternative:
See? Annoying but in some way good and we love him anyway.
Ryuji Goda
Yakuza 2’s primary antagonist is one which I’ve a love/hate relationship with as a fan. “The Dragon of Kansai” is extremely bold, and it is his ruthlessness that makes him both admired or downright hated. That being stated, his distinctive dynamic with Kiryu and his love for household actually makes that hate laborious to stay.
His actual redeeming qualities are that he has immense honor and he is fiercely loyal. The quickest approach to make this man see pink is to be underhanded and manipulative, or to harm his half-sister or Kiryu. The latter is as a result of he needs to be the one to take our primary man out.
Because of his distinctive character and muscled-up look, I personally really feel that not plenty of characters can do him justice when on the lookout for an actual lookalike. While his blond hair and scars make him positively distinctive, I really feel like his voice is the place his energy is and so I want to see his VA, Masami Iwasaki, take the function. We’d should dump some bleach on his head and tough him up a bit, however he is extremely gifted and is aware of each nook of Goda’s thoughts.
Shun Akiyama
Shun Akiyama is an clever entrepreneur, however he’s additionally type. He’s not the everyday mortgage shark; he is infamous for lending out cash to those who have nowhere else to go, even when it means he will not ever see it again. He additionally supplies checks for those who declare they’re in must see if they’re worthy. If they fail the take a look at, he strikes on, however that does not imply he is chilly.
To play Akiyama, Takeshi Kaneshiro tasks the sense of energy that this character has with out shedding that selfless edge. This Japanese actor is finest identified for his work in Hero and Fallen Angels. Not solely that, he additionally has a very beautiful musical voice too! So mainly, in the event that they embrace any of the hilarious minigame elements, this man can be good for karaoke.
Taiga Saejima
Here’s the decide that’s going to in all probability make lots of people upset and low cost this complete checklist. Taiga Saejima is a significant character each in Yakuza four and 5. He’s additionally insanely large in measurement.
The factor with this character is that with sure facial expressions, he seems to be virtually precisely like Dave Bautista. He’s not a Japanese actor, and I did actually wish to stick with that for essentially the most half with this checklist, however Bautista would make the proper Saejima: similar facial expressions, massive muscle mass, usually very blunt, can appear harsh however is admittedly only a selfless mushball—the checklist goes on.
I do know it is well-liked to to not like this man – we noticed that when he put his identify in to probably play a component in a Gears film – however he suits the invoice. I do not make the foundations, it is simply science.
Takayuki Yagami
Takayuki Yagami is an idealistic lawyer that finally ends up resigning over a case gone flawed. The now-private investigator is a beloved staple within the collection, regardless of his extra reserved nature in comparison with a number of the different faces within the franchise.
For his quieter nature, Tsuki no Koibito‘s Takuya Kimura can be the proper match. He’s a very talked-about actor in Japan, particularly proper now, and has a robust TV drama previous that would serve him nicely throughout this character’s arc with resolving his emotions about his profession path. Shag up that hair a bit and Kimura can be the proper match.
Ichiban Kasuga
And with the unique film reference being Like a Dragon (and the game of the identical identify popping out quickly), now we have to spherical out our checklist with Yakuza’s latest hero, Ichiban Kasuga himself! Loyal, goofy, and simply excitable, that is one character out of the whole franchise that I relate to essentially the most. He’s additionally presents a really stark distinction from Kiryu’s extra stoic fashion.
For this, function, we want a comic; somebody who’s used to laughing and making others snigger with him. It’s due to that humorous edge that I believe Crazy Rich Asians star Chris Pang can be absolutely the good match. His smile is infectious, he is not afraid to get bizarre, and may you think about him in a loud Hawaiian shirt? Because that simply sounds wonderful.
And that is a wrap! Those are our picks for who ought to play a few of our favourite characters within the upcoming Yakuza film! If you missed the preliminary reveal, you’ll be able to take a look at our earlier protection here to study extra concerning the upcoming adaptation. You can even study extra about what it took for Sega to create such an unimaginable franchise with our deep dive here!
