Here’s something I never thought I would say — Netflix is making a live-action Yu Yu Hakusho.
Not much is known about the production yet. The IMDB only has three credits listed so far:
- Yoshihiro Togashi – Original Creator
- Akira Mori – Producer
- Kaata Sakamoto – Executive Producer
Sakamoto is also known by the name Kazutaka and is Netflix Japan’s Director of Content and Acquisitions. Mori works with the production company Robot Communications, Inc. Japanese producers imply that — at least for now — this is a Japanese production with a Japanese cast in mind.
This news is weird for me. Yu Yu Hakusho was a big part of my becoming an anime fan. I’m not so much worried about them messing it up. Even if it’s a total disaster, it won’t impact my ability to enjoy the anime. It just seems like a strange choice for a live-action series.
Almost like it’s too anime to be done in any meaningful way, but it could work if they make something intentionally over-the-top and campy with a tokusatsu-like approach. It’s a silly show about punching demons and shooting energy attacks; they should own that. Otherwise, it’s going to just another gritty demons and magic show like Charmed or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
If the stage play (which is where the featured image for this story comes from) is any indication of the direction they’ll take the series; things will probably be okay. In the meantime, let’s take a moment to enjoy the English version of “Smile Bomb,” the opening theme from the anime.
[Source: NXOnNetflix’s Twitter]
