Netflix’s announcement spotlighted the extraordinary triumph of the live-action adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi’s revered Yu Yu Hakusho manga. Securing the top spot on Netflix’s global non-English-language charts in its inaugural week, the series garnered an impressive 7.7 million views, accumulating an astounding 32.1 million viewing hours from December 11 to 17.
Making its worldwide debut on December 14, the series swiftly ascended into the top 10 in 76 countries, including a noteworthy #5 position in the U.S., maintaining a firm grip as the #1 choice in Japan and several other nations.
Robot Communications, recognized for their success with ventures like Parasyte, Assassination Classroom, Godzilla Minus Zero, and Alice in Borderlands, spearheaded this ambitious adaptation. Under the direction of Sho Tsukikawa (renowned for the live-action Let Me Eat Your Pancreas) and guided by Tatsurō Mishima’s script, the series boasted the expertise of VFX supervisor Ryō Sakaguchi (famed for The Lord of the Rings and X-Men).
Beyond the live-action spectacle, the Yu Yu Hakusho franchise has seen a resurgence in recent years. A new OVA premiered during a screening event in October 2018 and later graced the 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Box collection, marking the milestone on January 31 of this year. This special release, available in both Japanese and English with the original actors reprising their roles, included the “Two Shot” bonus chapter from the manga’s seventh volume and culminated with the penultimate chapter, “All or Nothing.”
Moreover, the franchise’s enduring popularity was further underscored by a captivating Yu Yu Hakusho stage play that enthralled audiences in Japan from August to September 2019, solidifying the enduring legacy of Yu Yu Hakusho across various mediums.
