On Thursday, December 14, 2023, the highly anticipated Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series premiered worldwide on the Netflix streaming service to great acclaim from fans. While some are displeased with the final product, many viewers are praising it as a fantastic addition to the anime live-action genre.
In fact, some are even going as far as to claim that the Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series surpasses the One Piece live-action series, which had been hailed by many as breaking the live-action anime curse. While few are making this comparison directly, it does seem that the series is receiving a reception as positive as, if not better than, the One Piece live-action series.
Yu Yu Hakusho Live-Action’s first episode doing a much better job at sucking viewers in than One Piece’s
The first episode of the Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series has captured the attention of fans more effectively than One Piece's did. This may come as a surprise to those who were impressed by the first episode of One Piece's live-action adaptation, but there are valid reasons for this consensus among fans.
The series’ immediate popularity, explored
Most fans are praising the first episode of the Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series, especially when compared to the One Piece live-action series. The fast-paced and gripping opening stages of Yu Yu Hakusho seem to be the key reason for the positive feedback. The series closely follows the source material, with protagonist Yusuke Urameshi killed in a car accident and returning as a spirit in the first episode. It’s no wonder fans are excited about the live-action adaptation being superior.
The Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series has higher stakes in its opening episodes compared to the One Piece live-action series. The former, both in its live-action adaptation and source material, is a grittier and more action-based story, while the latter is a more whimsical adventure series. As a result, some fans believe that the Yu Yu Hakusho Netflix series is surpassing the One Piece Netflix series. Although not everyone is making direct comparisons, it is generally agreed that the former is currently outperforming the latter.
Fan reaction
Fan reactions to the Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series (Image via Our Website)
There are fans who are already claiming that the Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series is better than One Piece, even before watching the entire first episode. Some are waiting until finishing the first episode to make that comparison but are still doing so. Those who aren't comparing the two series are still enthusiastic about Netflix's Yu Yu Hakusho adaptation and are eager for more episodes. Some are hoping that it will be as good as the One Piece adaptation, but are waiting until they finish the five available episodes before making any comparisons.
Be sure to keep up with all anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 progresses.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I'm thrilled about the success of the Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series on Netflix. The first episode has exceeded my expectations, capturing the essence of the original anime while adding a fresh and exciting perspective. The fast-paced action, compelling storyline, and faithful adaptation of the source material have left me eagerly anticipating the next episodes.
In comparison to the One Piece live-action series, Yu Yu Hakusho seems to have struck a chord with fans more effectively. The darker and more mature themes, combined with the high-stakes action, set it apart from the whimsical adventures of One Piece. While both series have their merits, Yu Yu Hakusho's strong start has certainly made a lasting impression on me and many other fans.