A new poster for the Yu Yu Hakusho in November 1990, taking inspiration from occult and horror films, as well as Buddhist mythology. The comics proved to be a hit among readers, and in 1992, a 112-episode anime adaptation was also debuted, which proved to be equally popular.
Although it's been a while since the manga and the anime ended, the franchise continues to be beloved by many, prompting Yu Yu Hakusho for a live-action series in 2020. The new show will follow the same story as its source material, where the leading teenage delinquent, Yusuke Urameshi, is killed in a car accident while rescuing a child. But since Yusuke doesn't fit in either hell or heaven, he is given a second chance at life to prove his worth. Upon revival, Yusuke becomes an underworld detective and the Netflix series will chart his new adventure as he encounters humans, demons, and spirits while trying to unravel the supernatural mystery of his life. It was previously announced that the live-action show would include both Japanese and international talent, and now there is a major casting update.
On Saturday, IGN revealed the first-look image from Netflix's Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series, confirming that Tokyo Revengers actor Takumi Kitamura has been chosen to play Yusuke. The new poster spotlights Kitamura in character as he gives the iconic Yusuke stare against a radiating green aura in the background. Take a look at the picture below.
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Kitamura's casting as Yu Yu Hakusho's Yusuke seems faithful to the manga and the anime, and it's evident that great attention to detail has been given when transforming him into a live-action hero. Kitamura's Yusuke has jet black hair with greenish highlights that have been slicked back. The actor is also wearing lenses that bring out the character's glistening brown eyes. Kitamura is additionally wearing a green jacket, which was a signature part of Yusuke's ensemble. Overall, his entire look seems to align with Togashi's original vision for the character.
Kitamura gives off the same intimidating vibe as Yusuke, and there are also some hints of the temperamental, impulsive, and rough aspects of the protagonist's personality. Since the source material ended up being somewhat of a global phenomenon, it seems the creative team is keeping all the crucial elements of the story and characters intact to deliver a faithful adaptation. For now, Kitamura is the only star announced for the show. But fans should keep an eye out for additional news as Yu Yu Hakusho will likely cast more characters in the coming days.
Source: IGN