What we know so far about the 'Ghost Fighter' live-action Netflix series
If you're a 90's kid who grew up watching iconic anime such as Dragon Ball, Slam Dunk, or Sailor Moon, then chances are you're also a huge fan of the 1992 supernatural action series Ghost Fighter. And if you are, you'd be pleased to know that Netflix has a live-action adaptation in the works.
The streaming site first teased that it will be doing a new live-action version of the beloved manga by Yoshihiro Togashi back in 2020. The manga is considered a popular classic, selling 50 million copies in Japan and winning the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1993.
Welcome to the spirit world.
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 9, 2021
Based on the legendary manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, YU YU HAKUSHO - the live action series - arrives December 2023! pic.twitter.com/Wyu4RNiXo1
Bit by bit, Netflix is dropping more information regarding the adaptation, and here's what we know so far.
Cast
On July 16, a teaser poster for the series was unveiled, which shows the four main characters in their signature styles—Yusuke (Eugene) with his Spirit Gun, Kurama (Dennis) with his rose thorn whip, Hiei (Vincent) with his bandaged arm, and Kuwabara (Alfred) holding his uniform.
In a series of tweets, Netflix also revealed who will be playing the characters.
Takumi Kitamura will take on the role of the protagonist Yusuke, a teenage deliquent who becomes a Spirit Detective after an accident. The Japanese actor is no stranger to live-action projects as he worked on 2017's I Want to Eat Your Pancreas and the upcoming Tokyo Revengers film.
Kurama will be played by Jun Shison #yuyuhakusho pic.twitter.com/8l3QriYHjP
— Netflix Anime (@NetflixAnime) July 17, 2022
Meanwhile, Kurama, Hiei, and Kuwabara will be played by actors Jun Shison, Kanata Hongo, and Shuhei Uesugi respectively. Shison is known for his role in the television drama of The Way of the Househusband while Hongo had starred in 2017's Fullmetal Alchemist. On the other hand, Uesugi lent his talents for the 2017 film One Week Friends.
Kazuma Kuwabara will be played by Shuhei Uesugi #yuyuhakusho pic.twitter.com/iqgrWzOTrc
— Netflix Anime (@NetflixAnime) July 19, 2022
Story
The live-action work will likely revolve around the same plot as the manga. According to the synopsis, the show will follow Yusuke Urameshi, a junior high school student who suddenly becomes a ghost after dying in an accident while trying to save a child. He meets a spirit guide named Botan, who tells him that he will be given a chance to be revived since he performed an act of goodness despite his delinquency.
After becoming an Underworld Detective, Yusuke is then pulled into a spectacular adventure enveloping the human, demon, and spirit worlds.
In an interview with IGN, director Sho Tsukikawa said that he wanted to highlight the relationship and battles in Ghost Fighter and shared that there would be plenty of action scenes that use "cutting-edge technology".
"When I first heard about Yu Yu Hakusho receiving a live-action adaptation, I honestly wondered if it would even be possible—but after being presented with the producer’s vision and possibilities with Netflix, my expectations grew and I found myself burning with passion to make this project come to life. More than anything, I think the appeal of Yu Yu Hakusho (Ghost Fighter) comes from its characters, which is why I wanted to highlight the appealing relationships and battles in Yu Yu Hakusho," Tsukikawa said.
Release
According to teasers, the live-action adaptation is coming on December 2023.