The much-awaited live-action adaptation of the Yakuza series, titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza, has stirred fans' emotions by deciding to forgo the beloved karaoke minigame. Dive deeper to understand producer Erik Barmack's perspective and how the community has reacted to this surprising news.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Forgoes Karaoke
Karaoke May Come Eventually
In a recent roundtable discussion, Erik Barmack, the executive producer of Like a Dragon: Yakuza, announced the omission of the iconic karaoke minigame from the upcoming live-action series. This feature, introduced in Yakuza 3 back in 2009, has not only become a cherished part of the franchise but also a cultural phenomenon, with the song ‘Baka Mitai’ becoming a meme sensation.
"Singing may come eventually," Barmack shared with TheGamer. He emphasized the challenge of distilling the expansive world of Yakuza into just six episodes: "When you start to figure out how to boil down this world into six episodes… there’s so much source material to pull from." Despite the initial exclusion, the door remains open for karaoke's inclusion in future seasons, especially since Ryoma Takeuchi, who plays Kazuma Kiryu, is known for his frequent karaoke sessions.
With the game offering over 20 hours of gameplay, including numerous side activities, the decision to omit karaoke aims to keep the narrative focused and true to director Masaharu Take's vision. While some fans may feel disappointed, the promise of potential future seasons brings hope for the return of this beloved feature. Should the series succeed, expanded storylines might allow Kiryu to showcase his vocal talents on ‘Baka Mitai’ once more.
Fans Cry ‘Dame Da Ne, Dame Yo, Dame Nano Yo!’
The fanbase remains hopeful yet concerned about the series' direction. The absence of karaoke raises fears that the show might skew towards a more serious tone, possibly overlooking the comedic and quirky elements that define the Yakuza franchise.
Striking a balance between fidelity to the source material and creative adaptation is a challenge many adaptations face. Prime Video’s Fallout series, for instance, captivated 65 million viewers in its first two weeks by staying true to the game's tone and world-building. On the other hand, Netflix's 2022 Resident Evil series faced backlash for straying too far from its roots, often being criticized as more of a teen drama than a thrilling zombie saga.
During a Sega interview at SDCC on July 26 last year, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama described the upcoming series as "a bold adaptation" of the original game. He stressed the importance of presenting Like a Dragon in a way that feels fresh and exciting, saying, "I wanted people to experience Like a Dragon as if it was their first encounter with it."
Yokoyama's comments suggest that while the series may take creative liberties, it will retain elements of the quirky charm that fans adore. He promised that viewers would find moments in the show that keep them "grinning the whole time," hinting at the preservation of the series' unique spirit.
To delve deeper into Yokoyama’s insights and catch a glimpse of Like a Dragon: Yakuza’s first teaser, check out our detailed article below!
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
