Netflix Japan and Netflix Anime unveiled the teaser photos for the upcoming live-action adaptation of YuYu Hakusho.
YuYu Hakusho, also known for its English title Ghost Fighter, will have a live-action series premiering in December 2023. Moreover, on July 16, Netflix Japan revealed teaser photos for the series on their social media pages. In fact, the adaptation will have a star-studded Japanese cast.
Takumi Kitamura is an A-list Japanese actor, singer and model. The 24-year-old star is the leader of the Japanese pop-rock band DISH//, which Stardust Promotions manage. Takumi will be taking on the main role in YuYu Hakusho. He is set to portray Yusuke Urameshi.
He will be joined by renowned Japanese actors Jun Shison as Kurama, Kanata Hongo as Hiei and Shuhei Uesugi as Kazuma Kuwabara.
In particular, the upcoming Netflix series is based on the serialized manga written by Yoshihiro Togashi. This legendary Japanese manga was first released in Weekly Shounen Jump in 1990. For 32 years now, about 50 million copies of the manga have been sold. For that reason, the fans from both the older and younger generations anticipate how the live-action will turn out.
unveiling the cast of the live-action Yu Yu Hakusho over the next few days! stay tuned to this thread pic.twitter.com/2LUzsDhM3r
— Netflix Anime (@NetflixAnime) July 16, 2022
YuYu Hakusho Character Sketches
Yusuke Urameshi
In detail, Yusuke is a student in junior high school student who likes to engage in fights. One day, he dies in an accident while attempting to protect a small child. Subsequently, he struggles to accept the fact that he is looking down on his dead body. Incidentally, a woman named Botan, who describes herself as the spirit world guide, tells him a revelation.
Apparently, no one predicted that a delinquent like Yusuke would die doing an act of goodness. As a result, there was no place for him in either heaven or hell. As a result, Yusuke is brought back to life. He then becomes an underworld detective after passing a trial. Since then, Yusuke has been drawn into the unknown that encompasses the human, demon, and spirit realms.
This is not the first time Takumi Kitamura will star in an adaptation of a Japanese manga or anime. He has been starring in numerous Japanese series since 2008. Moreover, he started doing guest and support roles until he eventually became renowned for his main roles.
To enumerate, he has starred in live-action series, including I Want To Eat Your Pancreas (2017), Love And Lies (2017), Waiting For Spring (2018), You Shine In The Moonlit Night (2019), Love Me, Love Me Not (2020) and Tokyo Revengers (2021).
Not only that but he is also known for his splendid performances in non-adaptation movies such as Overdrive (2018), 12 Suicidal Teens (2019) and Our 30 Minute Sessions (2020) and Tonbi (2022). Not to mention, he has starred in a Japanese BL series (Boys Love genre), Tonari No Kazoku wa Aoki Mieru (2018).
Kurama
To illustrate, Kurama has been alive for centuries. He has honed his skills as a strategist, tactician, and analyst through countless years of fighting experience. In particular, Kurama was once a master thief and an A-Classed Demon Fox during his previous life. Before, in his thieving career, he and Yomi, his second in command, stole valuable items from the secure facilities of Makai to gain power. Thus, he formed a group of individuals.
Jun Shison will be playing as Kurama. The 27-year-old Japanese actor is a member of the male actors’ group D-BOYS & D2, which is affiliated with Watanabe Entertainment. He is known for his role as “Akamiya Masaru/Masa” in the live-action movie adaptation of The Way Of The House Husband (2022).
Furthermore, he has been starring in various Japanese series and movies since 2012. This includes his main role in the live-action of anime and manga, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2015) and HiGH&LOW THE WORST (2019.) Soon, fans will witness the acting prowess he has in store in portraying the well-loved anime character, Kurama.
Hiei
Kanata Hongo is known for his role as Echizen Ryoma in the live-action of The Prince Of Tennis (2006) and as Armin Arlert in the two Attack On Titan (2015) live-action movies. What is more, the 31-year-old Japanese actor and model played as Envy in the live-action movie of Full Metal Alchemist (2017).
This time, he is set to become Hiei. One of the four main characters in YuYu Hakusho. His character is a spiky-haired fire demon.
In detail, Hiei is arguably the fastest fighter in YuYu Hakusho. He is able to cut and stab an opponent sixteen times in a blink of an eye. Despite his small stature, Hiei has a slender yet muscular physique. To illustrate, he wears a white headband that hides his Jagan Eye.
It is a third eye located on his brow with a purple iris. Meanwhile, the upcoming series seemingly modified Hiei’s appearance a bit. His eyes are crimson (blood red) in the manga or anime. However, in the recent photo teasers, Hiei’s eyes are blue. Additionally, he wears all-black clothing to match his classic villainous persona. As a result, Hiei often exudes a sinister aura.
Kazuma Kuwabara
Shuhei Uesugi is a 30-year-old Japanese actor. He will be transforming into the character of Kazuma Kuwabara. He made his acting debut in the 2015 television drama “Hotel Concierge.” Kazuma Kuwabara mostly called Kuwabara, is among the main characters in Yu Yu Hakusho. In particular, he is Yusuke’s classmate in Junior High School.
This character has an unusual fondness for kittens in anime and manga. Nonetheless, he is the school’s second toughest delinquent next to Yusuke. At first, he constantly picks fights with Yusuke to prove that he is stronger. However, not once did he win. Later on, Kuwabara’s frustration toward Yusuke turns to respect. What is more, although he enjoys fighting, Kuwabara is righteous.
He never steals nor extorts money. More importantly, Kuwabara possesses a highly developed sixth sense and is well-versed in the supernatural. As a result, he becomes Yusuke’s assistant. Ultimately, he gains the ability to conjure an Aura Sword.
Meet the characters of the upcoming live-action of YuYu Hakusho “Ghost Fighter”. The series will premiere on December 2023 on Netflix.
Source: Netflix | Photos: Netflix
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