Netflix Releases First YuYu Hakusho Live Action Trailer

Geeked Week 2023 delivered a Netflix bomb, and by bomb, I mean a sneak peek at the live-action adaptation of YuYu Hakusho. The trailer hit me right in the nostalgia feels, but there’s one thing missing – the iconic “Smile Bomb” anthem. You know, the one that makes you involuntarily bob your head like you’re in an invisible mosh pit? Sadly, the teaser didn’t drop this auditory bomb, but here’s hoping for a remix that’ll bring back the head-bobbing glory.

Now, if you’re a seasoned anime enthusiast, the mere mention of “YuYu Hakusho” probably triggers a specific sound in your brain. And I bet it’s not the crickets chirping.

The teaser had its quirks, with wigs straight out of the Tyler Perry School of Cosmetology and visual effects that didn’t quite spark the bomb’s spirit in me. Hopefully, they get the Toguro brothers right, as I was initially hoping they would have casted Kenny G or Weird Al as Elder Toguro.

YuYu Hakusho, a timeless anime classic, etched itself into the hearts of fans 20 years ago when it graced Cartoon Network screens alongside Sailor Moon, Gundam, and the Dragon Ball series (it was more than 20 years for me, because it graced our countries TV screens in the mid-1990s). The Dark Tournament arc remains a shining example of the quintessential “shonen anime tournament” trope. Here’s hoping the Netflix adaptation can capture the essence of the classic and show us what a live-action Dark Tournament could look like.

In all honest, I’m among those that never felt any need for YuYu Hakusho getting the live-action treatment. But then again, I was among those that was skeptical of One Piece ever working in a flesh and blood medium. So, I will be giving this a chance. But if does turn out to be what fans feared it could be, then December 14th will finally be the day that I will understand how Cowboy Bebop fans felt when Netflix gave their franchise the good ol’ college try.