Summary
Netflix is not doing too bad this year with its live-action adaptations unlike last year withCowboy Bebop. That probably made a lot of fans nervous but likeOne Piece,Yu Yu Hakushofans should be pleasantly surprised by the faithful treatment of the anime. What this show excels at are its costumes, fight choreography, and characters.
The voice acting for the dub is great too, if anyone is curious. Nearly every character inYu Yu Hakushohas a moment to shine from fights to saying something funny or poignant. This list will summarize some of these great moments with lines from the show. There will be spoilers.
8“Look, I’m Pretty Angry Right Now, Sure You Wanna Do This?”
Yusuke, Episode One
Yusuke has a heck of a day in the first episode and that’s not even counting the part where he dies. After getting kicked out of school, he runs into Kuwabara and his gang on the way home. Yusuke is not having it, so he gives them an out which they don’t take. The smash cut of going from this line to the gang getting whooped is priceless. It follows that traditional anime timing that makes forsome great comedy. Yusuke’s nonchalant attitude is pretty great overall.
7“It Might Be A Good Thing You Died.”
Botan, Episode One
For a teenager who just died, Yusuke is surprisingly okay with the whole situation. That’s when Botan comes in and introduces herself asthe Grim Reaper. As she goes into his list of misdeeds, Botan realizes that maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing he died. She says it in such a cheerful way too as a matter of fact statement. What she doesn’t realize is that Yusuke has a heart of gold and only comes across as some delinquent punk.
6“Huh?”
Koenma, Episode One
The god of the underworld, Koenma, offers Yusuke the chance of a lifetime. He will revive Yusuke if he becomes a Spirit Detective for the underworld, which is more than anordinary detective job. The obvious answer should be yes as no one wants to die but Yusuke says “No thanks” and peaces himself out.
Koenma is so awestruck that all he can say is “Huh” multiple times. He’s so out of touch with the human world that he can’t fathom anyone refusing a gift like this. Saying “Huh” and being stupefied is also a reoccuring joke between many characters in the show.
5“Dying Before Our Rematch Is A Sleazy Tactic!”
Kuwabara, Episode One
After this, Botan is still hellbent on trying to convince Yusuke that he should take the offer. She brings him to his funeral wherein he sees a lot of people caring for him like his mom, Keiko, and the young boy he saves. Even his rival, Kuwabara is there and he is not happy. Kuwabara makes a scene, screaming out loud this line and crying about wanting a rematch in the brawler arena. There weren’t a lot ofYu Yu Hakushogames made in the 90s when the anime came out, but there should have been a brawler. Kuwabara would have been good in that.
4“It’s The Rich Having Fun.”
Kurama, Episode Four
Getting away from episode one, this line is from episode four. Kurama says it to the group once they board the ship for the exhibition island which is being put on by Sakyo. He is pitting men against Yokai and Yokai against Yokai just for entertainment. This is a nod to the anime that this arc is based on wherein the four boys take part in amartial arts tournament. While that would have been fun to see in live-action, the change makes sense and it doesn’t feel cheap.
3“Look, I Will Drag You Out By The Neck If I Have To.”
Keiko, Episode Four
Everyone in the Netflix remake has at least one good line or moment. Keiko, the damsel in distress of this whole plot, even has a great moment when she is in the cell with Yukina. Keiko wants to escape but Yukina hesitates as she doesn’t want to see anyone else get hurt like her last bodyguard.
That’s when Keiko lays down the law and tells Yukina that she is basically not leaving without her even if that means she leaves kicking and screaming like a child. Keiko is secretly abadass girl of animeeven though she doesn’t fight.
2“Well, Who Can Say?”
Sakyo, Episode Five
Sakyo never raises his voice or shows much of any expression inYu Yu Hakusho. He is one of those cool and collected anime villains who know he is ahead of the game at all times. During the Yusuke Vs Younger Toguro fight, the viewing glass gets broken which startled the spectators. They think it is safe there and all Sakyo can do is shrug and say this line. He never really cared about his gambling buddies anyway. All he wanted was to see a fight and he indeed gets agood anime brawlafter this.
1“It Doesn’t Have To Genkai.”
Younger Toguro, Episode Five
Even though Younger Toguro is clearly a villain in the show, he has honor. After getting the final match he has been waiting for, he chooses to go to the lowest form of hell after death. Along the way, which is on the Snake Road also seen inDragon Ball Z, he meets Genkai who was seemingly waiting for him and isn’t necessarily angry even though he killed her. She says, “Death won’t heal you” which is when Younger Toguro says this line. He has his own way of dealing with things and this was his ultimate decision for better or worse.
