Netflix's live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho is finally coming next month, and the streamer has just released the first teaser trailer during its Geeked Week 2023 virtual event. The new trailer gives us our first look at the show's young protagonist/Spirit Detective named Yusuke Urameshi (played by Takumi Kitamura), his powerful team of fighters, his ultimate nemesis, Toguro, and his signature ability called Spirit Gun. Watch the first trailer for Netflix's live-action Yu Yu Hakusho series below:
The series is based on Yoshihiro Togashi's popular shonen manga series that was originally published n Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 1990 to July 1994, and it follows the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenager who is killed in a hit-and-run while trying to save a kid's life. However, his death just marks the beginning of his tale as he is given another chance to return back to life as a Spirit Detective tasked with solving supernatural mysteries on Earth.
An anime adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho began broadcasting in 1992, and it ran with a total of 112 episodes. The series has become one of the most greatest titles in the shonen genre along other popular anime titles such as Dragon Ball Z and Rurouni Kenshin.
Takumi Kitamura, who's best known for starring in the live-action Tokyo Revengers, will play Yusuke, and he will be joined by Shuhei Uesugi as the spirit sword-wielding warrior named Kazuma Kurabawa; Jun Shison (Battle of Supreme High) as the fox demon Kurama; and Kanata Hongo (Attack on Titan) as Hiei, the Master of the Evil Eye. The trailer also gave us our first look at the live-action versions of Genkai, Botan, and Koenma.
Netflix originally announced its live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Haksuho in December 2021, and it was revealed that it will be directed by Kazutaka Sakamoto, who's known for being the executive producer of Alice in Borderland, Rilkkuma and Karou, Devil Man Crybaby, The Naked Director, Ride or Die, Aggretsuko, and other exciting titles.
Toguro and other villains revealed in Netflix's Yu Yu Hakusho trailer
At this point, it's unclear how faithful Netflix's live-action adaptation will be to the beloved manga and anime series, but based on what we've seen in this trailer, it looks like Yusuke and his team of fighters will be fighting Toguro and other villains such as Young Toguro and Karasu outside of the Dark Tournament arena, so we might see the story approached differently in the live-action series. One thing we know for sure is that Netflix's Yu Yu Hakusho will feature a lot of spectacular fights that shonen anime fans will enjoy, and this action-packed trailer shows it.
Netflix's Yu Yu Hakusho is scheduled to premiere on December 14.
