Yu Yu Hakusho Netflix Live Action Adaptation Review – A Classic Shonen Re-envisioned

From the same production company that brought us Alice in Borderland and Robot Communications comes Netflix’s adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho, breathing new life to a beloved classic series.

This live action series spanning across 5 episodes adapts the Spirit Detective and Dark Tournament arc from the manga, with events such as Yusuke Urameshi being hit by a car after saving a child, being recruited as a Spirit Detective, engaging in battles with Yokais, training under master Genkai, to facing Toguro being present in this adaptation.

Straying from the Source Material

Addressing the elephant in the room, while Netflix’s adaptation retains the core elements of Yoshihiro Togashi’s creation, it ultimately ventures into uncharted territories, deviating from the source material in ways that many long-time fans of the series may have mixed feelings about.

One of the most notable departures from the source material is the altered pacing as well as the restructuring of the overall narrative. The decision to condense two arcs into five episodes results in a loss of the gradual character development and meticulous world-building that characterised the original series. Some of the character motivations were either rewritten or were not thoroughly explained, such as Sakyo’s reasoning to open a portal from the Demon World to the Human World. Long-time fans may find themselves missing the depth and nuances that made Yu Yu Hakusho a beloved classic.

A lot of the characters especially from the Dark Tournament arc were cut out as well since it is not much of a tournament, but instead it is just Yusuke and the gang going to an island to save Yukina and Keiko, eventually fighting Bui, Karasu, Elder Toguro and Younger Toguro, but not as a team but individual one-versus-one fights.

Finding the balance between adapting the series for a new audience and at the same time preserving the essences that captivated fans of the original title remains a challenging task for many modern adaptations; resulting in both long-time fans and newcomers to the series feeling that the live action series is lacking when it comes to translating the magic of the original source material.

Is it Still Worth it?

The casting choices for the live action adaptation manages to deliver solid performances overall. Whether it’s Yusukue Urameshi’s brashness, to Kurama’s stoicism, Hiel’s intensity, or even Kuwabara’s endearing clumsiness, the cast successfully nails the nuances of each character.

For the most part, the implementation of CGI in the series showcases the fluidity of movement during action sequences, the dynamic use of camera angles, and the overall vibrancy of the supernatural elements quite well. Yokais are brought to life with a level of detail that adds a modern flair to the classic series. However, the real challenge emerges when the CGI intersects with the portrayal of human faces, especially during moments that demand emotional expression and subtlety. It can sometimes feel unnaturally rigid in the CGI format. This discrepancy becomes particularly noticeable during close-ups or scenes that are emotional.

Netflix’s adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho faces the formidable challenge of condensing a substantial amount of source material into a mere five episode, resulting in a narrative that while engaging, feels rushed and can leave fans struggling to fully absorb the depth of Yusuke’s journey, the complexities of the Spirit World, and the intricacies of the relationships between the main characters.

In a rush to cover the major plot points, some of the nuances and subtleties that endeared fans to the original characters are lost. Both long-time fans and newcomers may find it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper emotional level, and the impact of certain moments may be diminished.

This adaptation may serve as a brief introduction to the Yu Yu Hakusho universe, but it lacks the depth and richness that made the original series a timeless classic.

Verdict

It is difficult to recommend Netflix’s condensed take on Yu Yu Hakusho, especially for newcomers as while it does offer a quick and accessible overview of the beloved series, it inevitably sacrifices the depth and intricacies that made the source material a fan favourite.

While for long-time fans, they may find the adaptation lacking in terms of detailed exploration of the world or the character development of the characters and their journeys or just a faithful adaptation, but it is a decent watch if they would like to imagine what a Yu Yu Hakusho live action adaptation would look like.

The Yu Yu Hakusho live action adaptation is available to watch on Netflix on 14th December 2023.

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