Netflix has announced that the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the classic manga Yu Yu Hakusho will be released on the streaming service on December 14, 2023. The series will be available in 190 countries and will be dubbed and subtitled in 40 languages.
The series will be directed by Sunghoo Park, who is known for his work on The God of High School and Sweet Home. The cast includes Takumi Kitamura as Yusuke Urameshi, Jun Shison as Kurama, Kanata Hongo as Hiei, Shuhei Uesugi as Kuwabara, Sei Shiraishi as Keiko Yukimura, Kenichi Takito as Botan, Goro Inagaki as Genkai, and Go Ayano as Yorimitsu.
The series will follow the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is killed after saving a child from a car accident. He is then given a second chance at life by becoming a Spirit Detective, tasked with investigating cases involving yokai, or supernatural beings.
In addition to the live-action series, Netflix will also be releasing a live-action movie based on the Yu Yu Hakusho franchise. The movie will be directed by Takashi Miike, who is known for his work on Audition and Ichi the Killer. The cast includes Takumi Kitamura as Yusuke Urameshi, Jun Shison as Kurama, Kanata Hongo as Hiei, Shuhei Uesugi as Kuwabara, and Sei Shiraishi as Keiko Yukimura.
The movie will be a retelling of the Dark Tournament arc from the original manga. The arc follows Yusuke and his friends as they compete in a tournament held in the Dark Tournament, a dangerous realm inhabited by powerful yokai.
The Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series and movie are sure to be a hit with fans of the original manga and anime. The series will be a faithful adaptation of the source material, while the movie will offer a new take on a classic story.
Here are some additional details about the live-action series and movie:
Series
- Episodes: 12
- Director: Sunghoo Park
- Cast: Takumi Kitamura, Jun Shison, Kanata Hongo, Shuhei Uesugi, Sei Shiraishi, Kenichi Takito, Goro Inagaki, Go Ayano
- Plot: Yusuke Urameshi is a teenage delinquent who is killed after saving a child from a car accident. He is then given a second chance at life by becoming a Spirit Detective, tasked with investigating cases involving yokai, or supernatural beings.
Movie
- Title: Yu Yu Hakusho: The Dark Tournament
- Director: Takashi Miike
- Cast: Takumi Kitamura, Jun Shison, Kanata Hongo, Shuhei Uesugi, Sei Shiraishi
- Plot: Yusuke and his friends compete in a tournament held in the Dark Tournament, a dangerous realm inhabited by powerful yokai.
The Story
The series begins with Yusuke’s death, which is caused by his saving a child from being hit by a car. Yusuke is then taken to the Spirit World, where he meets Koenma, the son of the ruler of the Spirit World. Koenma offers Yusuke a chance to be resurrected if he agrees to become a Spirit Detective.
Yusuke agrees, and he is sent back to the human world to investigate cases involving demons and other supernatural beings. He is joined by a team of friends and allies, including Kurama, a fox demon; Hiei, a fire demon; Kuwabara, a martial artist; and Botan, a ferrywoman who guides the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
The series follows Yusuke and his friends as they battle demons, solve mysteries, and learn about themselves. Along the way, they also face off against some of the most powerful demons in the Spirit World, including Sensui, a former Spirit Detective who has gone rogue.
The Cast
The cast of the series is led by Takumi Kitamura as Yusuke. Kitamura is a popular Japanese actor who has starred in a number of films and television series. He is known for his action roles, and he brings a lot of energy and charisma to the role of Yusuke.
Jun Shison plays Kurama, a fox demon who is a skilled strategist and martial artist. Shison is a rising star in Japanese cinema, and he has won praise for his performances in a number of films, including the live-action adaptation of the manga series Rurouni Kenshin.
Kanata Hongo plays Hiei, a fire demon who is known for his cold and calculating personality. Hongo is a veteran Japanese actor who has starred in a number of films and television series. He is known for his intense performances, and he brings a lot of menace to the role of Hiei.
Shuhei Uesugi plays Kuwabara, a martial artist who is Yusuke’s best friend. Uesugi is a popular Japanese actor who has starred in a number of films and television series. He is known for his comedic timing and his physical presence, and he brings a lot of heart to the role of Kuwabara.
Sei Shiraishi plays Botan, a ferrywoman who guides the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Shiraishi is a popular Japanese actress who has starred in a number of films and television series. She is known for her expressive eyes and her ability to convey emotion, and she brings a lot of warmth to the role of Botan.
Kenichi Takito plays Koenma, the son of the ruler of the Spirit World. Takito is a veteran Japanese actor who has starred in a number of films and television series. He is known for his comedic timing and his ability to play a variety of roles, and he brings a lot of humor to the role of Koenma.
Goro Inagaki plays Genkai, a powerful Spirit Detective who trains Yusuke and his friends. Inagaki is a veteran Japanese actor who has starred in a number of films and television series. He is known for his intense performances, and he brings a lot of authority to the role of Genkai.
Go Ayano plays Sensui, a former Spirit Detective who has gone rogue. Ayano is a popular Japanese actor who has starred in a number of films and television series. He is known for his intense performances, and he brings a lot of menace to the role of Sensui.
Conclusion
The live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho is a mixed bag. The action sequences are well-choreographed, and the cast is talented. However, the pacing is slow at times, and the series is not always faithful to the original manga.
Overall, the series is a decent adaptation that will appeal to fans of the original
