Baka Mitai! Like a Dragon: Yakuza Live-Action Series Won’t Have Karaoke

The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the Yakuza series will notably omit the beloved karaoke minigame, a decision that has sparked discussion among fans. This article explores producer Erik Barmack's comments and the resulting fan reaction.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza – Karaoke on Hold

Karaoke's Potential Future

Executive producer Erik Barmack recently confirmed that the live-action series will initially exclude the popular karaoke minigame, a staple of the Yakuza franchise since its introduction in Yakuza 3 (2009). The minigame's fame extends beyond the games themselves, with its iconic song, "Baka Mitai," becoming a widely recognized meme.

However, Barmack hinted at the possibility of karaoke's inclusion in future installments. He stated (via TheGamer) that "singing may come eventually," explaining that condensing the extensive game content into a six-episode series necessitates prioritization. This openness is further supported by actor Ryoma Takeuchi (Kazuma Kiryu) who reportedly enjoys karaoke.

The decision to omit karaoke in the initial season likely stems from the need to focus on the main narrative. Adapting a 20+ hour game into six episodes requires careful curation, and side activities like karaoke could potentially detract from the core story and director Masaharu Take's vision. While disappointing some fans, this omission leaves room for future expansion and the possibility of iconic moments like Kiryu's karaoke performances.

Fan Reactions – A Mixed Bag

While anticipation remains high, the absence of karaoke has raised concerns among fans that the series might adopt an overly serious tone, potentially overlooking the comedic elements and quirky side stories that define the Yakuza franchise.

Successful video game adaptations often strike a balance between faithfulness to the source material and creative adaptation. Prime Video's Fallout series, for example, achieved significant success (65 million viewers in two weeks) due to its accurate portrayal of the game's world and atmosphere. Conversely, Netflix's 2022 Resident Evil series faced criticism for deviating significantly from the source material.

RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama described the live-action series as a "bold adaptation" at SDCC, emphasizing a desire to avoid simple imitation. He expressed his hope that viewers will experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter with the franchise. Yokoyama's assurance that fans will find aspects that will keep them "grinning the whole time" suggests that the series will retain some of the original's distinctive charm, even without the karaoke minigame.

For more details on Yokoyama's SDCC interview and the Like a Dragon: Yakuza teaser, see our related article.