Another adaptation of a popular manga further emphasizes the trend, as seen in the recent One Piece. Since the 90s, much like Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho has been one of the best-selling manga series of its time. It has not only spawned an anime version but also various video game adaptations. Three decades later, this series has been adapted into a live-action series produced by the Japanese studio Robot Communication in collaboration with Netflix. This adaptation of the story created by Yoshihiro Togashi consists of five episodes with an average duration of 50 minutes, directed by Shō Tsukikawa.
For those familiar with the manga and anime series, the story of the live-action series remains quite loyal. Once upon a time, high school student Yusuke Urameshi (Takumi Kitamura) had an accident and died while helping a child. However, the god of death, Koenma, brings Yusuke back to life on the condition that he must help him eliminate the evil demon that descended on Earth. Yusuke is later assisted by Koenma’s assistant, a girl named Botan. His first task isn’t easy, as he has to face three powerful demons, two of whom, Kurama and Hiei, later become his close friends. Meanwhile, his schoolmate and rival, Kuwabara, and his childhood best friend, Keiko, also get involved in this supernatural incident.
The Yu Yu Hakusho anime series consists of 4 seasons from 1992 to 1994, totaling 112 episodes. This live-action story only covers the first season, summarizing 25 episodes. Of course, this is no easy feat. One significant note is the visualization of the characters, which is quite good, though not as impressive as the One Piece series. Unique characters like Kurama and Hiei (especially Koenma and Botan) do stand out in contrast to their surroundings, resembling cosplay, unlike Yusuke and Kuwabara, who are more down-to-earth. However, the antagonist figures of the Toguro Brothers should be appreciated for their similarity to the manga characters.
It could be that five episodes are too short to summarize the 25 episodes of the anime series. The plot is relatively rushed, but the main story continues. Some important moments feel less memorable because they are too short, such as the investigation and training processes. Yusuke and Keiko’s relationship also feels short, even though their chemistry is quite good. One moment when Keiko protects Yusuke’s body feels touching, even though it could be more impactful.
One thing that enhances the visualization is the setting. Although it’s not as colorful as the anime, the setting is dominated by dark colors and a gloomy atmosphere, fitting the story’s ambiance. The setting of busy city streets with shops is also reminiscent of the anime version. In terms of visualizing the fighting action, it does look artificial (dominated by CGI), especially the actions of Hiei, Kurama, and Toguro, but it’s not really bad. The visualization of the energy ball, which is Yusuke’s signature weapon, can also be impressively depicted.
Adapting anime/manga to live-action is not an easy task, but at least Yu Yu Hakusho provides a fresh perspective for the currently popular subgenre and its loyal fans. As time passes, CGI technology will help improve visualization. The 2D animated version for most popular manga adaptations is still the most ideal, as is the case with the Dragon Ball series. A 3D animated version might be an option, as seen with what Disney Animation is doing. The absurd and abstract aspects of the anime version’s visualization make it seem impossible to fully replicate in live-action. Just imagine if, in the future, Studio Ghibli’s animated films were made into live-action versions. Sometimes, it is wiser to leave a masterpiece as it is.
