The first few episodes of the new Amazon Prime series Like a Dragon: Yakuza have finally hit the screens, introducing some fresh faces in familiar roles.
Based on the much-loved video game series by Sega and developed by RGG Studio, the series brings to life a new rendition of many iconic characters including Kazuma Kiryu and his journey through Japan’s murky underworld.
Originating in Japan, the franchise has since garnered immense popularity globally, with several sequels and spin-offs released since the original Yakuza game in 2005.
However, western fans may not recognise many of the cast members stepping into the lead roles in Amazon’s new series, reports the Mirror.
One such actor is Ryoma Takeuchi. But who exactly is he? Where might you have seen or heard him before? What about his personal life?
Here, we delve into the Yakuza star’s life so far, from his breakthrough to what he has said about his latest role.
Who is Ryoma Takeuchi?
Ryoma Takeuchi was born on April 26, 1993, in Machida, Tokyo and is the eldest of three siblings, with a younger sister and brother.
His birth name is actually Ryo, but he chose the stage name of Ryoma.
A keen footballer since the age of five, he was part of the Tokyo Verdy setup, a club in the top Japanese division, during his younger years.
While he attended college on a sports scholarship due to his skill in the game, it’s reported that an injury hampered his chances of ultimately pursuing it as a career.
In April 2013, when he was just 20, Takeuchi participated in the Mina Kare Grand Prix, a fiercely competitive modelling audition for the women’s magazine Mina.
He emerged victorious from a pool of 2,457 contestants, a win that propelled him towards an acting career.
What roles has he played before?
Up until now, Takeuchi has mainly featured in Japanese films and television series.
One of his most significant breakout roles was as Shinnosuke Tomari, also known as Kamen Rider, in several films and series of the Kamen Rider franchise.
Kamen Rider is a live-action superhero franchise that enjoys immense popularity in Japan.
However, there is one credit on Takeuchi’s resume that will be more recognisable to western audiences – he had two roles in the 2019 blockbuster Detective Pikachu.
Although he briefly appears on screen as an unnamed Male Pokemon Trainer, he lent his voice to the lead character of Tim Goodman, portrayed by Justice Smith, in the Japanese dubbed version of the film.
Now, Takeuchi is stepping into his biggest role yet, playing Kazuma Kiryu in Amazon’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza series.
What are his thoughts on portraying Kazuma Kiryu?
The role of Kazuma Kiryu in Like A Dragon: Yakuza could turn out to be both the most demanding and rewarding role for Takeuchi.
It’s reported that he underwent intensive training to execute the action scenes convincingly and even devised a strict diet plan for himself.
After all, with the original game series gaining popularity outside of Japan over the past 20 years, more eyes than ever will be on him.
In a chat with IGN Japan, the actor expressed his astonishment at being chosen to play the much-loved character of Kiryu, adored by fans of the game.
He revealed: “I was surprised to be offered this role. I knew about the game series and had played the first game at my uncle’s home. It’s a real challenge to play a character from an existing work, and I considered very carefully whether I was suited to portray Kiryu, and whether it was right for me.”
“From the beginning, I knew I would have to give it everything I have, or I’d never pull it off. Rather than me becoming Kiryu, I had to create Kiryu from scratch – that’s when he and I began to link together and become one.”
“I have great respect for the feelings of the fans. But when I play a character, I have to express them in my own way, so I can’t pay attention to the preconceptions of others. I researched the games for myself, to identify Kiryu’s qualities and embody them in my own way.”
“Of course, I hope the fans will be happy with my portrayal – but I can say with confidence that I’ve done my best to play Kiryu. There’s no point in trying to surpass the original game; rather I wanted to show respect to the games while making something new as an artist.”
Like a Dragon: Yakuza episodes 1-3 are available to stream on Amazon Prime now with the final episodes available on October 31