Extremely UNFAITHFUL adaptation of the game series. Yakuza 0... never gonna happen because they shat all over that potential.
This first episode is riddled with errors and weird "corrections" that never needed to happen. Yes, it's true that Kiryu wanted to join the Yakuza despite Kazama's wishes, but it was out of admiration and reverence to Kazama. Not some stupid teenage angst.
On the topic of weird changes... did we need to know why Kiryu is called the dragon of Dojima? And why is it the stupidest thing ever now? Underground fight club... really? The colosseum has always been an interesting tangent in the games but that's all its been. A way to get stronger and introduce the quirky (literal) underground. Speaking of quirky, all of that is missing. It's all serious. In the worst way.
There's a fundamental misunderstanding of all of Yakuza here. So blatant that it hurts. Also, why do people feel the need to speak all the time. Even when they're alone in a scene. It's like they think their audience is a bunch of bumbling morons that can't think for themselves.
"Quick say something or they'll go back to tiktok!"
The developers of this show forgot the two underlying principles of Kiryu's character: respect and loyalty.
