The Yu Yu Hakusho anime series is one of the few tournament style shows from the 90s that really managed to make me an enthusiastic fan – even with Funimatin initially bringing it out here with over thirty volumes of three-episode discs. Now, the show is going in a new direction as Netflix has revealed that a live-action adaptation is in the works. No casting or significant production information was revealed with the announcement.
Kazutaka Sakamoto of Netflix had this to say: “Growing up as the original generation, the enthusiasm and shock of that time remains as a vivid memory. Even after 20 years, the momentum has not slowed down, and as fans continue to spread throughout the world, including Asia, we will make the most of Netflix’s highly flexible expression platform to create works. In addition to story development in each episode without scale restrictions, we are delighted to be able to maximize the charm of the magnificent world view of the original by gathering the best teams from home and abroad.”
Sakamoto serves as the content acquisition director for Netflix and will serve as an executive producer on this with Akira Morii who is producing at Robot.
The series comes from the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi which ran from 1990 to 1994, culminating in nineteen volumes. Togashi’s also well known for his work on the Hunter X Hunter series that he created as well as the short series Level E.
The anime TV series originally aired back in 1992 to 1997 with Studio Pierrot animating it. FUNimation picked up the North American license in the early 2000′s and has released it on both DVD and Blu-ray here.
Plot Concept: From cutting classes to brawling in the streets, Yusuke Urameshi is not your typical role model. In fact, this kid’s nothing more than a fourteen-year-old delinquent with a talent for trouble. But in a single selfless act Yusuke dies while saving another. For such noble sacrifice he is given a second chance at life, but it’s to be a life far different than the one left behind. Now a Spirit Detective, the young man must track down demons and humans alike who desire to rule over the three realms of reality.
Granted with amazing new powers to be used in the cause of good versus evil, Yusuke sets out on his first assignment. He will gather together those who will fight alongside him: Kuwabara, Yusuke’s intellectually challenged formal rival from high school; Kurama, an infamous thief from the Demon World who inhabits a human body; and Hiei, a hot-headed demon skilled with both the sword and the third eye.
