How Yu Yu Hakusho and One Piece show Netflix is overcoming past mistakes with live-action manga adaptations such as Cowboy Bebop – and striking gold
- The live-action adaptations of Yu Yu Hakusho and One Piece have been embraced by global audiences as newer fans discover anime on streaming services
- Netflix has released more than 10 TV and film adaptations based on popular Japanese manga or anime as global originals in the last five years
When Netflix executives decided to do a live-action adaptation of the popular manga Yu Yu Hakusho, they knew it would have a built-in audience.
After all, the story – about a teen misfit who is sent from the underworld to solve crimes and fight monsters – has developed a global following since its 1990 debut in a Japanese magazine, and later as an animated series on the Cartoon Network.
So it wasn’t a surprise when the show became a hit with viewers after it debuted on December 14. The Japanese production was the most-watched non-English-language show for the week of December 18 to 24, generating 6.2 million views, and has ranked in the top 10 for non-English-language TV in 80 countries on Netflix.
A live event for its series premiere was the most-watched for Netflix Japan, with 14,000 viewers tuning in simultaneously and more than 4 million views as of December 19, the streamer said.
Kaata Sakamoto, Netflix vice-president of content for Japan, says he grew up on and loves Yu Yu Hakusho.
“And 20 years later, even the 19 volumes of manga is still super popular here. People love it because the character is super attractive and also the stories are attractive.”