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

The Yakuza series' highly anticipated live-action adaptation will omit the beloved karaoke minigame. Read on to learn more about producer Erik Barmack’s remarks and how fans responded to the news.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Skips KaraokeKaraoke Might Arrive Eventually

Like a Dragon: Yakuza’s executive producer, Erik Barmack, disclosed in a recent roundtable discussion that the live-action series will omit one of the game’s cherished features: the karaoke minigame.

The karaoke minigame is undeniably a fan favorite in the Yakuza series. Introduced in Yakuza 3 in 2009, it has become a mainstay of the franchise, even appearing in the 2016 remake of the first game, Yakuza Kiwami. The minigame’s popularity is such that its signature song, ‘Baka Mitai’, has transcended the game and become a widely recognized meme.

"Singing might arrive eventually," Erik Barmack stated, according to TheGamer. "When you begin to determine how to condense this world into six episodes… there’s so much source material to draw from." Despite this, the team stays receptive to incorporating karaoke later, especially considering Ryoma Takeuchi, the actor portraying Kazuma Kiryu, confessed to frequent karaoke participation.

With only six episodes to adapt a game that spans over 20 hours, including side activities like karaoke could potentially weaken the main narrative and obstruct director Masaharu Take’s vision for the series. While the omission of karaoke might disappoint some fans, the possibility for future seasons to include these beloved elements persists. If the live-action adaptation succeeds, it could open the door for expanded narratives and perhaps even to Kiryu performing ‘Baka Mitai’ enthusiastically.

Fans Lament ‘Dame Da Ne, Dame Yo, Dame Nano Yo!’

While fans remain optimistic about the show, the omission of the karaoke minigame has prompted concerns that the series may adopt a predominantly serious tone, potentially overlooking the humorous elements and eccentric subplots that characterize the Yakuza franchise.

Adaptations frequently contend with fan pressure to stay true to the original source material. As long as it is loyal, fans will view it. For example, Prime Video’s Fallout series attracted 65 million viewers in just two weeks because of its accurate depiction of the game’s atmosphere and world-building. Conversely, Netflix’s 2022 Resident Evil series faced criticism for its departure from the source material, with many viewers labeling it a teen drama instead of a gripping zombie show.

In a Sega interview at SDCC last July 26, RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama characterized the upcoming live-action series as "a daring adaptation" of the original game. He highlighted his aim to avoid a simple imitation, stating, "I wanted people to experience Like a Dragon as if it were their first encounter with it."

When asked about his opinions on the series, Yokoyama affirmed that fans will uncover aspects of the show that will keep them "smiling throughout." While specifics remain undisclosed, this might indicate that the live-action adaptation hasn’t entirely discarded the series’ signature quirky appeal.

Check out our article below to learn more about Yokoyama’s interview at SDCC and Like a Dragon: Yakuza’s first teaser!