Amazon’s live-action series Like a Dragon: Yakuza starts today

Amazon Prime Video’s live-adaptation of Yakuza starts today.

The first three episodes of the series, titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza, will be released today at 8am PT / 11am ET / 4pm BST.

The final three episodes will then be released one week later, on October 31.

Directed by Masaharu Take (100 Yen Love) and Kengo Takimoto (Kamen Teacher), the series stars Ryoma Takeuchi (Kamen Rider Drive) as Kiryu Kazuma.

The series will be available in its original Japanese language with subtitles, or with a dubbed voiceover.

“This Japanese action drama plunges into the dark underworld of the yakuza, exploring the universal theme of family not only through bloodline but also through ties between yakuza bosses and their underlings, orphans and their caretakers, as well as mentors and students,” reads an official description.

“These relationships are marked by deep affection at times, and by intense conflict at others, all intricately intertwined. Set in the fictional town of Kamurocho, the story unfolds across two intersecting timelines—1995 and 2005.

“In 1995, eager to escape their restrictive lives, Kiryu and his friends, Nishiki, Yumi, and Miho plan a heist at a local arcade. However, the arcade is under the control of the Dojima Family, a powerful yakuza organization that rules Kamurocho. They dive into the yakuza-controlled underworld of 1995 Kamurocho.”

Earlier this year, the head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio said the first episode of the show made him scream when he saw it for the first time.

“There’s a major surprise at the end of episode one,” Masayoshi Yokoyama said. “When I saw the ending, I couldn’t help but scream.

“I jumped on my feet in my office, excited by the drama’s twist. My hands were trembling, as I took a smoke in our smoking room right after that. I was that affected. I thought it was amazing.”