Decoding the Climactic Ending of Yu Yu Hakusho on Netflix: Fate of Toguro Revealed

Netflix's Yu Yu Hakusho has brought a host of surprises for fans. The first season of the J-Drama concluded with the fate of Toguro being revealed in the fifth episode.

The animanga Yu Yu Hakusho was already beloved by 90s kids, and the live-action adaptation has stirred up nostalgic feelings among fans. Although the Netflix series has been well-received by viewers, some loyal fans have expressed dissatisfaction. This is due to the fact that the five-episode series condensed a story that originally spanned 112 episodes in the anime.

The Netflix adaptation was unable to include every story arc from the manga due to time constraints, covering just five episodes compared to the 66 episodes in the anime series. As a result, certain elements were omitted in the live-action adaptation, including important aspects of Toguro's character. While the condensed format may have appealed to new viewers, it ultimately did a disservice to Toguro, who is widely regarded as one of the most compelling and multifaceted characters in the world of Yu Yu Hakusho.

Does Toguro Die in Yu Yu Hakusho live-action?

Yes, Toguro meets his dark fate in Netflix’s Yu Yu Hakusho. The final episode of the J-Drama sees his defeat at the hands of Yusuke.

The final episode of the live-action version of Yu Yu Hakusho featured multiple intense fight scenes, with the most significant being the battle between Yusuke and Toguro. Initially, Kurama, Yusuke, and Hiei join forces to take on Toguro, but even together they struggle to defeat him.

Eventually, Yusuke taps into the power of the Spirit Orb bestowed upon him by Genkai, enabling him to unleash devastating attacks on Toguro. Despite successfully overcoming Toguro's human form, Yusuke is unable to prevent Toguro from transforming into his Yokai form.

YU YU HAKUSHO Live Action is now streaming on Netflix! More: https://t.co/CGCjBh2jaI pic.twitter.com/KxGWebj3l5

— AnimeTV チェーン (@animetv_jp) December 14, 2023

After transforming into his Yokai form, akin to My Hero Academia’s Muscular guy, Goto Imasuji, Toguro takes control of the fight. Instead of finishing off Yusuke, he opts to push the boy to unleash his true potential by threatening to kill his friends and nearly succeeds in killing Kuwabara. In a decisive move, Yusuke concentrates all his energy into a single spirit gun attack, and like the classic anime fighter, Toguro confronts the attack head-on.

To everyone's surprise, Yusuke’s spirit gun proves too powerful for Toguro to handle. Eventually, the Yokai concedes to Yusuke’s strength before disintegrating into ash. Shockingly, Koenma reveals that Toguro and his elder brother embraced their Yokai forms to grow stronger after witnessing their loved ones being killed by a Yokai.

Even after seeking revenge, Toguro was unable to forgive himself, leading to a life of torment. Purposefully seeking out stronger opponents, he longed for the release of death. Ultimately, Toguro chose hell for himself after bidding a final farewell to his former peer, Genkai.

Yu Yu Hakusho anime vs. live-action

As mentioned earlier, the live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho differed significantly from the anime. The Netflix series combined or altered several story arcs, such as the absence of the dramatic final battle between Yusuke and Toguro during the Yukina's rescue arc in the anime.

In this version, the initial face-off between Yusuke and Toguro occurred, with both characters surviving due to Kuwabara's intervention. It was Kuwabara's decisive strike that allowed Yusuke to escape. Following this encounter, Toguro later returned to invite Yusuke and his friends to participate in the Dark tournament.

I really enjoyed the Netflix version of #YuYuHakusho. The cast was perfect, especially Team Toguro, and it is definitely action-packed. Although they condensed a lot, which wasn't terrible. However, I do have an issue with their decision to change one big arc. Overall, I'd give it an 8/10 🫢 pic.twitter.com/87qRX1RRfN

— EDEN (@TheLilEden) December 14, 2023

However, the live-action adaptation quickly said goodbye to Yusuke’s master, Genkai, who remained present until the Dark Tournament in the anime. This decision to condense the story into five episodes was certainly unique, but it also resulted in the unfortunate killing off of major characters like Genkai and Toguro, which may limit the potential for a Season 2.

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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 the live-action series, I can't help but feel disappointed with the way Toguro's character was handled.

The anime did an excellent job of developing Toguro's character, making him one of the most complex and intriguing villains in anime history. His backstory, motivations, and inner struggles were all explored in great detail, making him a truly memorable character. In contrast, the live-action series seemed to rush through Toguro's character development, leaving me feeling like I didn't get to know him as well as I would have liked.