Comparing Yu Yu Hakusho: Live-Action Adaptation - 5 Notable Distinctions

Yu Yu Hakusho’s live-action adaptation diverges from the anime in various ways, from trimming crucial story arcs to eliminating characters altogether. Condensing 66 episodes of the anime into a mere 5 hours of live-action was a daunting challenge, especially considering the iconic status of the source material.

When Netflix first announced the live-action version of Yu Yu Hakusho, fans were worried about how the streaming giant would preserve the essence of the beloved show. However, those concerns were unwarranted, as Netflix managed to capture the characters perfectly. The streaming giant's adaptation of this classic shonen series maintains the incredible fight scenes and magnetic characters that made the original anime so iconic. While there are some differences, from minor adjustments to major structural changes, Netflix's Yu Yu Hakusho stands apart from the anime we all know and love.

How Netflix’s version of Yu Yu Hakusho differs from the anime

There will be spoilers ahead. So, if you haven’t seen Netflix’s version, stop reading now.

The Netflix series only differs a little from the anime. However, the changes are noticeable.

1. Sakyo is the main villain

Sakyo got bored #yuyuhakusho pic.twitter.com/AXztDVoffj

— Xcomp (@xcompr) January 23, 2021

Sakyo is portrayed as a significant antagonist in the Dark Tournament saga of the anime. However, in the live-action adaptation on Netflix, his role has been expanded to make him a formidable villain throughout the entire series. In the live-action, Sakyo is revealed as the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Yukina. His motive is to extract her priceless tears in order to finance the efforts of his scientists to open a larger hole in the Demon World.

2. The Artifacts of Darkness arc is condensed

Just finished watching Episode 2 of the live action Yu Yu Hakusho on Netflix. The action scenes are still amazing, but now I'm really impressed with the writing. The way they seamlessly blend the Artifacts of Darkness arc with Rescue Yukina is just brilliant. It feels like they managed to keep almost all the important elements from the original story.

— Derrick Bitner (@Bitnerd_) December 16, 2023

The Artifacts of Darkness mini-arc had a huge impact on the events in the anime, enabling Yusuke to discover Kurama’s true motives

The basic premise of the arc remains unchanged in both versions. Koenma assigns Yusuke the mission to locate three stolen magical artifacts from the Spirit World: Goki stole the Orb of Baast, Kurama took The Forlon Hope, and Hiei absconded with the Shadow Sword.

However, beyond this point, the two versions diverge. The anime features a significant battle between Hiei and Yusuke, a scene that is absent in the live-action adaptation. While this exclusion means fans will miss some exciting action, it doesn't significantly detract from the overall story.

3. Genkai’s Tournament is cut

Genkai’s tournament was essential for the growth of Yusuke and Kuwabara. It introduced important elements such as Maze Castle and Puu, and having Toguro as the final boss too soon diminished the impact of the Dark Tournament. These factors, among others, detracted from the overall experience. But I won't dwell on it any longer.

— Bebop (@Bebop_YT) December 15, 2023

Yusuke undergoes training under the renowned spirit master Genkai in both the anime and live-action adaptations. Genkai, who is feared in the demon realm and respected by spirits, plays a crucial role in Yusuke’s growth.

4. Beasts of Maze Castle arc also doesn’t happen

However, the portrayal in the live-action fails to elaborate on her selection of Yusuke and Kuwabara as her disciples. In the anime, she orchestrates a potentially life-threatening tournament, in which the victor earns the right to train under her. Conversely, in the live-action adaptation, she simply agrees to take on Yusuke and Kuwabara as her students, almost giving the impression that Yusuke's journey is too effortless.

The Spirit World only controls a small part of the Demon World - specifically, half of the first underground floor. It is believed that the Demon City and the Maze Castle, which serves as the hideout of the Four Saint Beasts, are situated in this area.

The live-action adaptation outshines the anime by steering clear of unnecessary plot points, which is understandable given the limited number of episodes to adapt the source material. With Yusuke's strength established from the beginning, there's no need for further proof as the series unfolds.

5. Dark Tournament and Spirit Detective Arcs merged

Furthermore, with the introduction of the Makai insects (parasitic-like demons) in the initial episode of the live-action adaptation on Netflix, we were able to bypass the entire Maze Castle Arc. This decision has been lauded by many fans as a brilliant move, given the challenges of adapting these episodes into a convincing live-action sequence.

Everyone is familiar with Yu Yu Hakusho's Dark Tournament arc, but the arcs leading up to it are essential for building the story and enhancing the impact of the Dark Tournament. This, I believe, is the fundamental flaw of the Live Action Yu Yu Hakusho Netflix series.

The Dark Tournament arc is a crucial component of the Yu Yu Hakusho anime, showcasing the true strength of Toguro and Yusuke. However, the live-action adaptation presents a significantly altered version of the Dark Tournament, with fights occurring in different contexts that make the arc nearly unrecognizable.

Toguro returns in the anime a few episodes after his initial fight with Yusuke and invites him to participate in a secret tournament. However, in the Netflix version, Toguro is killed by Yusuke in their first encounter, resulting in viewers missing out on revelations about Toguro's past, Genkai's death, and his future battles with Yusuke.

The Dark Tournament arc is the most iconic saga of Yu Yu Hakusho, so condensing it to just a few fights was a risky move that has caused a backlash from many fans. Do you think it was worth it?

You can watch episodes of the Yu Yu Hakusho anime on Crunchyroll, and the live-action series on Netflix.

While you’re here, check out more of our anime coverage below:

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho on Netflix. I grew up watching the anime and it holds a special place in my heart. While I appreciate the effort put into bringing the beloved characters to life, I can't help but feel disappointed with some of the changes made to the original story.

The most significant difference is the portrayal of Sakyo as the main villain throughout the series. In the anime, Sakyo is a formidable opponent in the Dark Tournament saga, but his role is limited to that arc. Expanding his character to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Yukina and the driving force behind the entire series feels like an unnecessary deviation from the original plot. It takes away from the impact of other villains and dilutes the overall narrative.