Prime’s Like a Dragon Season 2 is at the top of our minds. With Like A Dragon: Yakuza’s Season 1 hit earlier this year with a mixed reception at best. While some critics enjoyed its take on the beloved Yakuza franchise, long-time fans, including myself, were less impressed.
I did like some of the changes in the narrative, along with the cast, but there are things I’d want to see in a potential season 2. The show’s core has the heart that the games are known for, but here are a few more things that could bring fans back for more.
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Like A Dragon Season 2 needs to bring the levity
One of the best and most unique parts of the Yakuza franchise is its ability to whiplash between super serious and dramatic main stories, with ridiculous comedy in its side content. Season 1 of Like a Dragon: Yakuza focused solely on the drama, leaving the absurdity behind for a more straightforward approach to story.
While I understand that an international audience may not be ready for a squad of dudes in diapers beating each other up, something inherent in the DNA of the franchise was lost in this decision. The absurd humor of Yakuza is more than just the comedy – it’s the heart that shines through despite it.
One of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth‘s best substories takes this and runs with it. It may start with a ridiculous chase and fight with the aforementioned diapered men, but it ends with those same individuals giving it all to help an elderly couple recreate a vacation from their youth. It’s easy to point and laugh at the comedy, but it’s the ability to showcase the heart of the main characters in these moments that make them special.
Yakuza hardly leaves the cheap laugh as is, instead choosing to show deeper and more nuanced takes than they first seem. Kazuma Kiryu is a stalwart and noble hero (sure), but he also treats everyone equally and does his best to see people for who they are. The levity opens up doors to showcase different sides of the characters we all know and love. Prime needs to leverage the comedy to do the same in a potential sequel season rather than just focusing on the drama.
Let Haruka & Kiryu start their journey in Season 2
Haruka had a small but important part in Like a Dragon: Yakuza, but she was largely alone or with Yumi. Haruka and Kiryu’s relationship is absolutely essential to the core of what makes the Yakuza series what it is. Watching their relationship grow and deepen as they learn to love, care for, and rely on one another is one of the best parts of the games. Their father-daughter-like relationship is instrumental in their growth, and leaving them largely separated during the first season was a missed opportunity.
The show makes massive changes to the source material, but this felt like a step too far for fans who know these characters. It explores a side of Kiryu that no one else brings out of him. His fights and straight faced approach to situations is important, sure, but Kiryu isn’t Kiryu without Haruka. I’d want a second season to allow these two characters to actually start their long and arduous journey together, bringing a central tenant of the games forward.
Make Goda feel like a proper threat
With the first season of the show very loosely adapting the original Yakuza game, the second season would hopefully bring the events of Yakuza 2 to life. The main antagonist of the game, Ryuji Goda, is absolutely instrumental in getting right.
He’s one of the series’ best villains – a massive physical threat that truly pushes Kiryu to his limits. His wild chaos is threatening and overwhelming, but you can’t not like the guy. Despite all of that, his backstory is rich, dark, and heart-wrenching. Like a Dragon: Yakuza did a lot of good with Nishikiyama and his arc, despite the unneeded masked killer angle. Here’s hoping that a second season could bring Goda to life with the same care for detail and character.
Like A Dragon – Yakuza Season 2 just needs: MAJIMA, MAJIMA, AND MORE MAJIMA
Goro Majima is absolutely essential in season 2, with Munetaka Aoki’s performance being a highlight of the first season. Even though his role was small, he was magnetic in every scene he was in. Season 2 just needs to give us a lot more of him, as his brand of ridiculous, violent chaos is unlike anything else in the series. His relationship and fascination with Kiryu is equally endearing and hilarious, another central pillar of the long running franchise. We just need Majima Everywhere.
With that being said, word of a second season is still unknown. The show has been nominated for Best Adaptation at the upcoming The Game Awards, hopefully giving it a boost to new audiences. Despite my issues with it, I did enjoy the first season of the show and have hope that a second season could elevate the best parts of season 1, while fixing where it went wrong. Here’s hoping it gets that chance.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza is available in full now on Prime Video.
