10 shows similar to Like a Dragon Yakuza that you need to see

‘Like a dragon: Yakuza’ is a Japanese action drama series focusing on the story of Kazuma Kiryu, told in a dual timeline almost ten years apart. As an older teenager in 1995, Kazuma accidentally leads his friends into the mouth of danger while trying to fulfill his dreams of becoming the Dragon of Dojima. As a result, Kazuma, Nishiki, Yumi and Miho trade their quaint orphanage for the nightlife of Kamurochō as the boys join the Dojima Yakuza family. Nevertheless, their lives quickly spiral out of control, leaving Kazuma imprisoned. Ten years later, Kazuma, now a grown man, returns to an all-new Kamurochō, where Nishiki now leads the Dojima family. As he navigates a new era for the Yakuza as conflict arises between clans, his past continues to viciously haunt his present.

Created by Sean Crouch and Yugo Nakamura, the show is an adaptation of the ‘Yakuza’ video game series and delivers an action-packed story about life as a Yakuza gangsterwhich explores two different eras for the crime organization. If Kazuma’s exploits in this captivating and entertaining world have caught your attention, here are a few other stories similar to ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ that you might enjoy!

10. House of Ninjas (2024-)

Created by Dave Boyle, ‘House of Ninjas’ presents a modern dive into some of Japanese history that could appeal to viewers who enjoyed the cultural insight in “Like a Dragon: Yakuza.” The show centers on the Tawara family, an intriguing couple who come from a long line of shinobi warriors. Nevertheless, an incident forces the patriarch Souichi to impose a normal life on his family, hidden from their roots. This threatens to change once the Tawara family’s old rivals, The Fumas, resurface and bring new problems with them. The show features a dynamic, action-packed storyline that tackles themes familyloss and ambition – all of which will resonate with fans who enjoy Kazuma and Nishiki’s storyline in ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza.’

9. The gentlemen (2024-2026)

Guy RitchiesGentlemen‘ is a spin-off show from the creator’s 2019 gangster film of the same name. In the show, Edward ‘Eddie’ Horniman is on the heels of a special legacy. When the former army man comes into possession of his father’s fifteen thousand acre estate, he soon discovers its connection to the Glass family’s infamous cannabis empire. Naturally, this leads to Eddie’s introduction to the precarious British underworld and the many dangers it brings. Throughout the show, the main character discovers the questionable partnership between his older brother and confessed coke addict Freddie, as well as the head of the crime syndicate, Susie Glass.

The trio’s venture to cement their presence in the criminal underworld delivers a fascinating tale of gangs and… crime in the middle. For the same reason, the show will become a source of curiosity for anyone who became a fan of the genre after ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’.

8. Smoking (2018-)

‘Smoking’ is a Japanese crime show that tells a unique story about meting out justice even when the path to revenge is outside the law. The story revolves around Uncle Sabe, who leads an operation that turns a group of homeless men into vigilantes. Through contract killings, this group of misfits – including Hifumin, Haccho and Goro – hunt down their targets and deliver pieces of their tattooed skin as proof of their deaths. The show features different storylines in each episode, bringing a new take on the themes of justice, revengeand honor. While the story is never directly and blatantly about the Yakuza, the exploration of crime in Japan, combined with the camaraderie between the main characters, will undoubtedly attract the intrigue of ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ fans.

7. High and low: the story of SWORD (2015-)

‘High & Low: The Story of SWORD’ is the first installment in the Japanese action franchise ‘High & Low’ and presents an in-depth introduction to a fictional, crime-driven world. The show follows the history of a city that becomes vulnerable due to the dissolution of the central gang. As a result, five new gangs emerge – Sannoh Rengokai, White Rascals, Oya Koukou, Rude Boys and Daruma Ikka – covering different areas of their patronage. Nevertheless, as the Kuryu group sets its sights on the city, the five gangs discover that their stories are inevitably linked in their shared struggle against their Yakuza-associated enemy.

This show offers a wealth of in-universe lore and will appeal to fans of ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ who are invested in the timeline of Kazuma’s 1995 story as a teenage delinquent. Thus, in the show’s diverse cast of characters, viewers will find numerous parallels to Kazuma and his friends.

6. Tulsa King (2022-)

Starring Sylvester Stallone, ‘Tulsa King’ charts the story of the rise of a mafia boss in the most unlikely places. The main character, Dwight “The General” Manfredibegins his story fresh out of prison after serving a 25-year sentence. However, upon his release, the New York mob boss realizes that his old days of rule are long gone and is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nevertheless, despite the adversities he faces in the new city, the general manages to build a new empire from the ground up and takes up the fight to preserve it.

Although Taylor Sheridan’s “Tulsa King” is a notable departure from the cultural context of “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” both shows explore the inner workings of various criminal organizations from the inside. So the two shows have numerous overlaps in theme and tone.

5. Information (2023-)

The Japanese show ‘Informa’ is a great choice for viewers interested in exploring the niche crime genre of stories revolving around the Yakuza. Mishima Kanji, a tabloid reporter, fills the role of the protagonist as he enters a phase of his career where pieces on the latest celebrity scandals become unappealing to the writer. Thus, he finds an entirely new – and potentially deadly – career path after making contact with Keijirou Kihara, an ex-Yakuza and a valued informant. As the duo’s storylines converge, Kanji finds himself accompanying Kihara on various missions in search of the next big scoop. “Informa” exists within a similar genre of action, comedy, and drama that builds the world of “Like a Dragon: Yakuza.” So if you’re looking for a similar story within the same genre with a compelling dynamic between the characters, this show will deliver what you’re looking for.

4. Tokyo Vice (2022-2024)

Created by JT Rogers, ‘Tokyo Vice‘ is an invigorating crime show, inspired by real life, that delves into the criminal underbelly of Japan. The show revolves around the ill-advised adventures of Jake Adelsteinan American reporter looking to make a name for himself at a news publication in Tokyo. But once the man starts investigating the local crime, he runs into Detective Hiroto Katagiriwhich opens up a world of welcome trouble for him. As Jake makes new allies (and enemies), his life turns into one setback after another.

As Jake navigates various contacts with crime bosses and the authorities, he gains unique first-hand insight into the reality of the Yakuza. That’s why ‘Tokyo Vice’ is the perfect show for anyone who has discovered a fascination with the Japanese mafia after watching ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’.

3. The Worst of Evil (2023-)

‘The worst of evil‘ is a K-drama that revolves around a growing criminal organization in Gangnam in the 1990s. It follows an undercover cop, Park Joon-mo, as he infiltrates rookie drug lord Jung Ki-cheol’s crime syndicate to gather evidence against his actions. Therefore, things are complicated when Joon-mo’s wife, Detective Yoo Eui-jun, accidentally joins the operation after revealing Ki-cheol as an estranged friend from her past. As Joon-mo grows closer to Ki-cheol and gains the other man’s trust, he inevitably struggles not to become entangled in his own vast web of lies.

The portrayal of gangsters in this show remains similar, yet different from the lifestyle of the Dojima Clan present in ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’. Additionally, the push-and-pull relationship between the story’s central trio remains reminiscent of Kazuma, Nishiki, and Yumi from the last show. So if you’re looking for something with a similar vibe in a drastically different context, this is the show for you.

2. Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)

Steven Knight’s critically acclaimed crime dramaPeaky blinders‘ is a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of organized crime and gangsters. The story, loosely inspired by reality, unravels around the titular street gang led by the excellent Thomas ‘Tommy’ Shelby. When the man returns from service in the First World War, he takes over his Irish Catholic and Roma crime family and establishes his presence on the streets of Birmingham. This naturally leads him and his gang down dangerous paths as they fight for survival and control.

‘Peaky Blinders’ is the perfect next watch for anyone fascinated by the crime family genre. If ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ has sparked a renewed interest in themes of loyalty, revenge, changing power dynamics and emotional arcs, depicted in a highly stylized context, then this show is for you.

1. Giri/Haji (2019)

Joe Barton’s cross-continental crime show, ‘Giri/Haji‘ presents a story about a fractured family deeply entrenched in the world of crime. The story begins with Kenzo Mori, a resident of Tokyo Detective who deals with all kinds of crime syndicates. However, the real trouble begins when rumors spread about his brother Yuto’s involvement in the murder of a man with Yakuza connections. To prevent a war, Kenzo goes on a hunt for his brother, which takes him to London. As a result, he joins forces with Detective Sarah Weitzmann and Rodney Yamaguchi.

This Japanese-English show offers a rich array of complicated dynamics and criminal storylines that maintain a connection to the Yakuza. As a story primarily about the complex relationship between two brothers, ‘Giri/Haji’ will also appeal to fans of Kazuma and Nishiki’s storyline in ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’.