No need to build clanking mech armour or deploy CGI sleight-of-hand to convincingly remove your leading man’s nose.
So far, so quotidian.
Around every corner, another potential distraction.
To get the most out of the screen adaptation, though, it is probably best to recalibrate expectations.
This lanky urban ronin awkwardly reconnected with old allies and enemies along the way.
This raid on a Kamurocho arcade also efficiently establishes the outlaw spirit of the setting for anyone unfamiliar.
(While trying to pick a lock, Nishiki is interrupted by a security guard hefting a shotgun.
“Why do you have that!?”
“Because this is Kamurocho,” replies the guard, matter-of-factly.)
The stakes and tension are similarly cranked up every time we crosscut to 2005.
It also builds up an impressive head of steam as it thunders toward a large-scale but psychologically cathartic finale.
There are other satisfactions to be found.
The series has also captured something of the anarchic spirit of the source material.
I can think of no higher praise.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza episodes 1-3 are available on Prime Video now.
Episodes 4-6 launch October 31st.
Amazon Prime provided a screener for this review.
