Mild spoilers ahead for Netflix’s Yu Yu Hakusho (2023).
Summary
It’s no secret thatNetflix’s roster of live-action anime adaptations have varied wildly in quality. Despite starring big names like LaKeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You) and Willem Dafoe (Poor Things), the streamer’s 2017 adaptation ofDeath Note, a beloved supernatural crime thriller, received backlash for its rushed and watered-down story. More recently, the 2021 live-action adaptation of the classic animeCowboy Bebopreceived mixed reviews, nailing some of the original show’s charm while failing to soar to its great narrative heights. In 2023, Netflix’s live-actionOne Piececompletely upended the streamer’s disappointing anime track record.
Universally acclaimed, Netflix’sOne Piecepulled off the impossible: It largely appealed to longtime fans of the anime and manga, all while drawing in new audiences too. The live-action anime adaptation ofOne Pieceset multiple Netflix viewership records. Impressively, the Netflix original appeared in the top 10 most-viewed shows in a whopping 93 countries, and garnered an impressive 140 million hours watched by 18.5 million viewers within the first week of its release. However,with all theOne Piecefanfare, Netflix seems to have forgotten about its other hugely successful live-action anime adaptationfrom 2023.
Yu Yu Hakusho Live-Action Was Among Netflix’s Biggest Non-English Shows Of 2023
The Biggest Japanese Show On Netflix In 2023 Was Yu Yu Hakusho
In the wake ofOne Piece’s success, another major anime adaptationhit the streaming platform. Based on writer-illustrator Yoshihiro Togashi’s hugely popular manga-turned-anime of the same name,Yu Yu Hakushocenters on teenage delinquent Yusuke Urameshi. After he’s struck and killed by a car while saving a child’s life, Yusuke is confronted by Koenma, the son of the ruler of the afterlife, who presents the late teen with a series of tests. Revived and made a Spirit Detective,Yusuke is tasked with investigating cases that involve demons and other supernatural phenomenain the human world.
[Yu Yu Hakusho became] the biggest Japanese show to hit Netflix in 2023.
FromYu Yu Hakusho’s memorable cast of charactersto Yusuke’s iconic Spirit Gun technique, the series has an enduring and timeless appeal that made it perfect for live-action translation in the eyes of Netflix execs.Yu Yu Hakusho’s impressive tonal blend and exhilarating action sequences landed it with a whopping 17 million viewers, making it the biggest Japanese show to hit Netflix in 2023 (viaNetflix). AlthoughYu Yu Hakushodidn’t see the staggering success of other non-English shows like Dear Child, it was the fifth most popular non-English Netflix show of the year.
One Piece Season 1 Was Great, But Netflix’s Real Live-Action Test Starts Now
Netflix’s One Piece season 1 is the best live-action anime adaptation made by Hollywood by a large margin, but the real challenge begins in season 2.
Why Yu Yu Hakusho Season 2 Isn’t Happening
A Self-Contained First Outing Left Little Room For Future Yu Yu Hakusho Seasons
Even though the premiere ofYu Yu Hakushomarked the first time in Netflix’s history that a Japanese production topped the non-English rankings (viaAnimation Business Journal), the streamer hasn’t green-lit a sophomore outing of the show. One of thebest live-action Japanese shows on Netflix,Yu Yu Hakushoavoided setting up a sequel hook or cliffhanger ending, opting to tell an incredibly self-contained storyinstead. While not needing a follow-up outing hasn’t dissuaded streamers and networks from forging ahead in the past, Netflix has not renewedYu Yu Hakushofor season 2.
Every Yu Yu Hakusho Fight, Ranked Worst To Best
From Yusuke vs. Kuwabara to 100% Toguro vs. Yusuke and his friends, Netflix’s Yu Yu Hakusho live-action show featured some great fighting scenes.
Netflix’s Live-Action Yu Yu Hakusho Condensed The Anime Like A Movie Would
Despite its slight five-episode order,Netflix’sYu Yu Hakushocovered a lot of anime ground. While it covers the Spirit Detective and Dark Tournament sagas, it skips other key arcs. The Tournament arc, for example, plays out in one episode, resulting in major character deaths and a pretty wrapped-up narrative. By merging different storylines and changing the chronology of the series,Netflix’sYu Yu Hakushospoils major moments that could have been used in a second season. Much like a movie,Yu Yu Hakushocondenses the four-season anime, making a compelling season 2 nearly impossible.
The live-actionYu Yu Hakushoseries is now streaming on Netflix.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho is a live-action adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi manga series of the same name. The series focuses on a teenager who dies while trying to save a young boy only to be resurrected and become a supernatural investigator. The series stars Takumi Kitamura, Shuhei Uesugi, Jun Shison, and Kanata Hongō.
