Dennis Lee – Google

Most of a low reviews mostly boils down to Gamers™ going "wah!!! it's not like the original!!!1!1" As a fan of the game series I love the show. Going in I know the story would not be the same as the games (nor should it be, because let's be honest the original early Yakuza games have pretty shit stories), so I thought of this like a story that happened in a parallel universe (or multiverse, w/e you want to call it). Knowing all the major plot points of the original game, the story still kept me guessing at least until episode 5, of what really went down in the pivotal 1995 moment. Quite a lot of emotional moments leading up to it too. The plot is way more believable and a lot more human now compared to the original. Highly recommend the show. If you are a Gamer™ who's expecting everything to happen exactly like the games, just do everyone a favor and steer clear.

I'm only two episodes in. Loved it so far. But just because "the internet" tells me the original book is so much better and the Chinese adaptation is so much more faithful and praised, I went and have a look at episode one of the Chinese adaptation. It was dry enough that I was constantly fighting the urge to fall asleep. (Chinese is my first language so it's not a cultural barrier in any way.) I had to go take a nap after the episode was over. I did not have any faith in D&D after GoT. But at least so far, this series had surprised me and managed to entertain me, kept me intrigued and wanting to continue watching. Can't really say the same for episode one of the Chinese adaptation.