Christmas is coming early for anime fans. Netflix announced today its live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho, a spirit detective anime that originally ran in the early 90s, is releasing on December 14.
Netflix announced the release date for the live-action remake of the hit anime on Wednesday night, nearly two years after the show was announced at Netflix Japan Festival. The show will present a new version of the manga and anime, respectively created by Yoshihiro Togashi and animated by Studio Pierrot, about a teenage delinquent who, after getting killed in a car accident while trying to save a child, begins a new afterlife investigating paranormal activities back on Earth.
More than three decades after Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi first captured the imagination of readers, the beloved manga gets a live-action adaptation.
— Netflix (@netflix) October 11, 2023
Yu Yu Hakusho premieres December 14! pic.twitter.com/KUpeSuLXPB
The main protagonist, Yusuke Urameshi, will be played by Takumi Kitamura, who played Takemichi Hanagaki in the live-action film adaptation of Tokyo Revengers. Kitamura told IGN last year that he's proud to be part of a live-action production of the anime that made Japan the manga and anime capital of the world.
"The original work is a universal and unique masterpiece and a reason why Japan is so proud of its strong manga and anime culture," Kitamura said at the time. "I am happy to share the masterpiece of Yu Yu Hakusho with the world and I hope we can create something people everywhere will enjoy."
Other cast members include Jun Shison (Bubble, Battle of Supreme High) as the fox demon Kurama; Kanata Hongo (Kingdom, Attack on Titan) as Hiei, the Master of the Evil Eye; and Shuhei Uesugi as Kazuma Kurabawa.
Netflix's live-action anime adaptations got off to a rocky start with Cowboy Bebop, but its fortunes recovered with One Piece, which proved popular with fans. Development on a second season is already underway.
Yu Yu Hakusho will be produced by Akira Morii, who handled location management for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 1 and produced Alice in Borderland, and directed by Shô Tsukikawa with a screenplay written by Tatsuro Mishima.
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.
