Kazuma Kiryu
In 2006, Takeshi Miyasaka directed a prequel "" (龍が如く 〜序章〜, "ryu ga gotoku -joshou-") with mixed martial artist and puroresu wrestler Masakatsu Funaki as Kazuma Kiryu. A film adaptation "Like a Dragon" (龍が如く 劇場版, "ryu ga gotoku: gekijoban") was directed by Takashi Miike in 2007. Kazuma Kiryu's role is played by actor Kazuki Kitamura, known outside of Japan for his roles in Shohei Imamura's "The Eel", Takeshi Miike's "Dead or Alive" and Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill".