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Netflix has had a mixed history with live-action adaptations of popular anime. The streaming giant has a dark past of butchering popular series like Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, and more.
But it seems to have struck gold with theOne Piece2023 live-action adaptation. With this hugely applauded series, it feels like Netflix might have finally figured out the formula for the perfect anime to live-action pipeline, but has it?
Netflix Severely Mistreated its Top-Ranking Live-Action
Netflix debuted the five-episodeYu Yu Hakusholive-action series in December 2023. Adapted fromYoshihiro Togashi‘s manga of the same name, the series made quite a splash after its release. Not only did it receive praise for its fight sequences, it was a refreshing addition to the live-action list on Netflix.
“I didn’t feel like I was a part of it”: Yoshihiro Togashi is Such a Humble Soul He Categorically Refused to Let Yu Yu Hakusho Take Credit for Record Jump Sales
It was praised as one of the best live-action adaptations of any anime or manga series and even compared with theRurouni Kenshinmovies. It alsoreceived some criticismfor erasing a lot of the manga’s nuance, condensing the plot, and leaving no time for emotional moments to actually develop. But despite everything, Netflix announced thatYu Yu Hakushotopped the list of non-English rankings in its first week of release. It also ranked top in seven countries and came amongst the top 10 in 76 countries.
However,Yu Yu Hakushonever received a second season despite its success. Director,Sho Tsukikawa admittedthat the initial idea was to create three seasons, but ended up showing only a part of the story in five episodes. The show avoided setting up a cliffhanger or a hint at a second season, and the story seems self-contained. Season 1 skipped key arcs or condensed them, resulting in a warped narrative.
Netflix Should Not be in Charge of aHunter x HunterLive-Action
Netflix recently released two feature-length moviesHunter x Hunter:Phantom RougeandLast Mission. This led to fans speculating if Netflix was willing to adaptHunter x Hunterinto a live-action series as well. After the immense success ofOne Piece(2023), the streaming giant is bound to be looking for its next production, and what better project than Yoshihiro Togashi’s famous work?
But keep in mind that Netflix’s history of successful live-actions is extremely short. Sure, there is One Piece, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Rurouni Kenshin, but the list of failures is even longer. Furthermore,Hunter x Hunterhas small details in the story that make the series as fun as it is. If Netflix decides to condense the plot, it might not fare well for the series.
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Additionally, Netflix has already droppedYu Yu Hakushodespite its fame. So, who is to say they wouldn’t do the same withHunter x Hunter? This would only add to the pains ofHunter x Hunterfans, especially now that they are already suffering from frequent breaks of the source manga due to the author’s health issues.
Hunter x Huntermanga is available to read on Viz Media, and the anime is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Aaheli Pradhan
Anime Content Writer
Articles Published :1556
Aaheli is an Anime Content Writer at FandomWire with 1300+ published articles. With five years of experience under her belt, she is a living, breathing encyclopedia for anime and manga. From Shonen and Shojo to the most niche anime, nothing escapes her radar. Her poisons of choice are Assassination Classroom, Gintama, Ouran High School Host Club and every Ghibli movie ever. She believes in living a slow life, surrounded by incomplete art projects and her beloved cats.
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Hunter x HunterNetflixYu Yu Hakusho Live Action
