#tatsuro mishima

[stuff-diary]

Yu Yu Hakusho

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2023

Yu Yu Hakusho (2023, Japan)

Director: Sho Tsukikawa

Writer: Tatsuro Mishima (based on the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi)

Mini-review:

Wow, this surpassed all my expectations. I don't know much about the original manga/anime, but this live-action adaptation was thrilling, engaging and incredibly fun. I do think it was too short and the characters were underdeveloped, but the superb cast goes all in and makes you care about them despite the rushed writing. On top of that, the production values are top-notch. This drama has arguably the best CGI I've ever seen in a Japanese production (the Spirit World looks stunning), and the action scenes are just jaw-droppingly awesome. Seriously, Takahito Ouchi proves once again that he's one of the best action choreographers/stunt directors in the whole world. I really hope we get more seasons, cause it's clear that a lot of passion, talent and skill went into making this Yu Yu Hakusho adaptation, and these five episodes just fly by. Anyway, this is IMHO a must-watch for action/fantasy lovers.

[geekcavepodcast]

Yu Yu Hakusho Teaser

Teenage delinquent Yusuke Urameshi surprises everyone when he saves a kid from being hit by a car, at the cost of his own life. Even the son of the ruler of the Spirit World is shocked, and so offers Yusuke a job as a Spirit Detective and a chance to be revived.

Based on the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, Netflix's live-action Yu Yu Hakusho adaptation stars Takumi Kitamura (Yusuke Urameshi), Jun Shison (Kurama), Kanata Hongô (Hiei), Shûhei Uesugi (Kazuma Kuwabara), Ken'ichi Takitô (Older Toguro), Gorô Inagaki (Sakyo), Gô Ayano (Younger Toguro), Keita Machida (Koenma), Kotone Furukawa (Botan), and Sei Shiraishi (Keiko Yukimura). Shô Tsukikawa directs from a screenplay by Tatsuro Mishima. Robot Communications is the production company behind the adaptation.

Yu Yu Hakusho hits Netflix on December 14, 2023.

[yyh4ever]

Live-Action Series "Yu Yu Hakusho" Premieres Worldwide on December 14, 2023

Netflix has finally confirmed the premiere date and released two teasers on their twitter and official site. The soundtrack and the spirit gun seems cool. We're still waiting for a trailer and the rest of the cast announcement. I was surprised to know it took 5 years to produce this first season.

Furthermore, it has been decided that a special event called "The Eve of the Decisive Battle - Worldwide Fastest Screening Meeting” will be held in Tokyo on the eve of the distribution, December 13! Detailed information including guests and how to apply will be announced at a later date on the official site of the event: yuhakuevent.com. The applications start in about 30 days, so I'm wondering if that's when the trailer and full cast will be unveiled as well.

They might show an advance screening of the first episode. I'm assuming the guests are going to be the actors and director, but it would be a dream if Togashi-sensei showed up.

More info from Netflix:

More than three decades after "Yu Yu Hakusho" first captured the imagination of readers, the beloved manga gets a live-action adaptation that will debut exclusively on Netflix on December 14.

The original manga by the legendary Yoshihiro Togashi made waves when it was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump for four years from 1990. The series breathes new life into the story, and fans old and new can expect to encounter their favorite characters in ways that have never been seen before.

Utilizing a unique global one-team production strategy that spanned both Japan and the United States—the same approach to adapt the acclaimed “ONE PIECE” manga—Netflix took the same level of commitment to quality and authenticity in the live-action ONE PIECE to the production of Yu Yu Hakusho.

An international dream team was also assembled to bring the epic tale to the screen, tapping into the most advanced CG and VFX technologies from around the world. Known as “the most innovative VFX studio in the world” and lauded for their work on major Hollywood productions, Scanline VFX was instrumental in giving life to all the characters, both human and yokai (spirits), while delivering realistic battle action sequences.

Taking five years to complete the production of Yu Yu Hakusho, the team painstakingly ensured that the subtleties of every character’s emotions were accurately depicted in the adaptation. The fusion of state-of-the-art technology and a passion for staying true to the source material promises to make this adaptation a standout in the world of live-action anime.

Project Details:

Based on the manga: Yoshihiro Togashi “Yu Yu Hakusho” (Shueisha Jump Comics)

Director: Sho Tsukikawa

Cast: Takumi Kitamura, Jun Shison, Kanata Hongo, Shuhei Uesugi

Screenplay: Tatsuro Mishima

VFX Supervisor: Ryo Sakaguchi (Scanline VFX)

Executive Producer: Kaata Sakamoto (Netflix) 

Producer: Akira Morii

In Association with：THE SEVEN

Production: ROBOT 

Produced by: Netflix

Source: Netflix

[moviereviews101web]

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023) Movie Review

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead – Movie Review ABC Film Challenge – Action – Z Director: Yûsuke Ishida (Afuro Tanaka) Writer: Tatsuro Mishima (Screenplay) Writer: Haro Aso, Kotaro Takata (Manga) Cast Eiji Akaso (Kamen Rider Amazons) Mai Shiraishi (Stolen Identity) Shuntaro Yanagi (Alice in Borderland) You Ichikawa (Jo On: The Grudge) Kazuki Kitamura (The Raid 2) Plot: Bullied by his…

[newsintheshell]

▶️ SIETE PRONTI A METTERE PIEDE ANCORA UNA VOLTA NELLA SHINJUKU DI TSUKASA HOJO? IL NUOVO FILM LIVE ACTION DI CITY HUNTER ARRIVA SU NETFLIX DAL 25 APRILE!

La pellicola è stata diretta da Yuichi Sato (Kasane: Beauty and Fate, A Corpse is Buried Under Sakurako's Feet) e sceneggiata da Tatsuro Mishima (Yu Yu Hakusho, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead).

[mes-envies-de-culture]

Une nouvelle bande annonce du prochain City Hunter sur Netflix

Histoire de patienter et de se faire plaisir pour en savoir plus sur la prochaine sortie événement de Netflix. Séquence Nostalgie...

La plateforme de streaming a donc dévoilé une nouvelle bande annonce pour le prochain film en live action City Hunter, qui débarque sur le 25 avril 2024 sur la plateforme de streaming. Un énième remake d’un des plus célèbre détective imaginé par Tsukasa Hojo. Cette fois, l’histoire de ce héros légendaire nous emporte dans les bas-fonds de Shinjuku.

Aujourd’hui, City Hunter c’est plus de 50 millions d’exemplaires vendus dans le monde. La version qui est visible sur la plateforme de streaming semble être plus fidèle au manga. En France, nous avons fait la connaissance de ce héros grâce à la mythique émission Club Dorothée dans les années 1990.

Pour mémoire, Philippe Lacheau avait déjà proposé en 2018 un remake original et convaincant avec Nicky Larson et le parfum de Cupidon. Sauf que la version qui nous est proposé par la plateforme de streaming semble être plus fidèle au manga. Le scénario est signé par Tatsuro Mishima qui est également dans l’écriture de Yu Yu Hakusho (également sur Netflix).

Au regard de la bande annonce, on risque d’assister à de nombreuses scènes d’action avec à la réalisation Yûichi Satô. Le rôle de Ryo Seaba est confié à l’acteur japonais Ryohei Suzuki.

La bande son est déjà prometteuse avec le thème final de TM Network Get Wild Continual.

[filmjrnl365]

#112 Funeral Bed of Roses (1969)

Director: Tashio Matsumoto

Director of Photography: Tatsuro Suzuki

Japan

Gerow: While you eventually ended up a filmmaker, I heard that you originally wanted to be a painter. I wonder if you could talk about the relation between cinema and painting and why you decided on a career in film.

Matsumoto: Well, I loved painting. I had been painting since middle school, but Japan was very poor at the time I was about to enter college in the early 1950s. To do painting meant you weren't going to eat. Even so, I wanted to paint, but my parents were bitterly opposed to me going to an art school and said they wouldn't pay for art school examinations or tuition. In those days, there weren't part-time jobs around like there are today, so there was no way I could have done it on my own. So I gave up on art school and entered the medical course at the University of Tokyo because I was interested in the brain and problems like schizophrenia.

But even though I didn't necessarily grow to dislike that, I thought I had only one life to live and I wanted to pursue art. Without telling my parents, I changed my major half-way through to art and art history in the literature faculty. Tokyo, however, didn't really have any classes teaching you how to paint, so I studied art theory and history in school and learned painting on my own. In my studies, I learned for the first time that there was an avant-garde cinema in Europe in the 1920s that visually was deeply related to contemporary art--a fact that struck me like a bolt out of the blue. Though I couldn't see these films in Japan, I was strongly stimulated by foreign books and articles about them. I felt that this, an area where issues of art and cinema overlapped, was what I had been searching for.

Of course, I loved movies and went to see them a lot from the time I was in middle and high school. I was even treated like a juvenile delinquent and was arrested twice by the Shinjuku police because I skipped school. Well, I was that much in love with film, and I asked a friend of mine who had a stock holders pass--his father was in the theater business--to lend it to me, telling him I'd return it whenever he wanted to go. I'd go to school until noon and then go straight to Shinjuku where I'd see one movie after another, going into every first-run theater in Shinjuku from one end to another. To see all the first-run films in Shinjuku meant that I was seeing almost all the releases.

Source: yidff.jp: Matsumoto interview with Aaron Gerow

I’m not going to reconstruct the plot, because it might be more helpful for a first time viewer to reign in their expectations. So here’s my shopping list of divergent visual cues / associations that I encountered in this film:

Andy Warhol’s factory, Twiggy, Psychedelics, Victor Moscoso, Stanley Kubrick, Oedipus, Slasher films, Dada and Surrealism, Transvestites, Cinema verite, Pop art, Porn movie sets, Yukio Mishima, William S. Burroughs, David Lynch, Kitsch, Men as Geishas, Drug culture, and acid rock / carnival soundtrack.

Now, splice all this up into a non –linear narrative, and capture it in great black and white cinematography, and that’s what you’re going to get hit with for the duration of the film.  Funeral Bed of Roses is an unforgettable movie on several levels.

One: This is a movie way ahead of its time. As a film that puts homosexuality front and center, this movie was half a century ahead on a topic that has only now made it safely into mainstream media, the fact that it emerges from Japan, is in some ways more startling. True, Japan does have a rich artistic tradition of merging sexuality, violence and the grotesque, but it is also known as a very traditional and highly repressed culture. Japan was also a culture struggling to artistically re-identify itself after being leveled by the fire bombings of World War II. Japan had to come to grips not only with its own past cultural heritage, or what was left of it, but also come to terms with its immanent and rapid post-war modernization.

Two: As an example of taking a somewhat bizarre and unorthodox approach to a classic myth (Oedipus), it’s not the first work of art to excavate this ominous Greek tragedy, but certainly one of the more unexpected adaptations you’ll ever see. The Oedipus translation emerges more clearly toward the end of the film, but our main character, Eddie (Pita) has issues with his condescending / abusive mother and his absent father. Because of the collage format of the film, these connections at first appear as abstract visuals with no context, but the story slowly gathers the fragments together into narrative cohesion.

Three: Stylistic treatment. From the opening visual, and really through to the finish- the cinematography is excellent. It is strong in terms of image, tonality, composition, cropping and graphic innovation, where it puts its black and white palette through a strobe -like psychedelic montage. If that wasn’t enough, there are passages of film where the male / female actors are interviewed about their homosexuality, and how they fit into this rarified part of Japanese subculture. These passages are quite beautiful, and rather disarming when we hear the blunt and deliberate answers to probing, personal questions. But these narrative and stylistic breaks add to the overall variety of visual texture in the film. Additionally, the movie is a joy to watch when it spills out onto the Tokyo streets, camera in tow. The reactions of bystanders as transvestites are filmed in a mock gang fight adds yet another unique layer to an already bizarre scenario.

Four: Picturesque eroticism. While not straightforward in its graphic representation of sex as a film like Realm of the Senses ( #31), it does treat the theme of eroticism and obsession in a visually alluring manner. Making sexuality and its accompanying psychic impulses into a visually intriguing confrontation has been with art forever, but in this film, its close stylistic counterpart is Surrealism. Literary stories like Georges Bataille’s Story of the Eye, or the sexual juxtapositions of the paintings of Rene Magritte, or Marcel Duchamp, come to mind when viewing this film. I’m not sure of the weight Matsumoto’s gives to his visual references, but whether he was channeling them or not, the Surrealists would have embraced this film immediately. They would have loved it, not only for its taboo subject matter, but for its cut-up compositional methodology.

The onset of the twentieth century saw the artistic avant–garde in both Europe and America taking the position to critique industrial culture, conservative institutions, and adapt the language of the machine age to explore emotional / sexual /psychic territory that culture uniformly tagged as forbidden. Abrasive content and uncomfortable depictions became the means for modern art to divest itself of sanitizing its messages in nineteenth century classicism, and confront its audience, however small, with some of the tangible and psychic brutalities of the modern era. With Matsumoto’s initial calling as a painter, for a film like Funeral Bed of Roses to emerge during the 1960’s makes perfect sense. At the last half of the twentieth century, two world wars, and conflict in Asia provide perfect conditions for this avant-garde film to freely pull from the file cabinet of counter-cultural iconography to piece together its unique contribution. The fifties and sixties saw the emergence of counter-culture and drugs making their way into mainstream consciousness, and this film is clearly a byproduct of this phenomenon. From its cinematic, self-referential passages to its historic allusions, it is in many ways a fledgling product of post modernism. This category /term would have been in its infancy at the time Matsumoto made this picture, but the historical and stylistic earmarks are there. Andy Warhol is often cited as the first post-modern artist. One who consciously adapted to and utilized images from commercial mass media, not merely as process, but in terms of content as well. They are very much products of the advertising / television age. Funeral Bed of Roses comes across in much the same manner, a transvestite geisha on a street corner as traffic speeds by serves as a very modern study in contrasts. Scenes of drug use and sexuality form a good deal of footage, topics and images that only a few decades prior would have been met with stringent censorship.

We get comfortable with certain expectations we have from movies. We want them to deliver certain things in certain ways, and to break these expectations is to invite scorn from the audience, or even worse, all out neglect. This is not always an easy movie to watch. Many won’t like the subject, many won’t like the treatment, many will be confused, some won’t even be patient with it being in black and white. But, this film is unique and certainly has more than its share of kooky and beautifully alluring visuals. It might be better to see it while you’re on psychedelics, I’m not really even sure about that, but that’s yet another layer this quirky film has to offer.

One of a kind.

https://filmjrnl365.tumblr.com

[retro-vgm-revival-hour]

Debuting in the arcades in 1987, the original “Street Fighter” was at best a moderate success.

Although it is generally agreed among gamers that the first Street Fighter was the fighting game series that kicked off the popularity of the fighting game genre, it was Street Fighter II – The World Warrior that truly took the world of video games and the world in general by storm.

Each title improving in roster depth, fighting mechanics, and overall experiences is what has made the Street Fighter name one of the most recognizable and beloved game series in the history of video games.

And this is why This STAGE of the Retro VGM Revival Hour is dedicated to some of the most amazing tracks from the various games, sequels and spin-offs in the street fighter legacy to celebrate this franchises 30th anniversary!

        =====Game - Composer - Title - Year - Company - System====

1.) Street Fighter (Fighting Street)- Yoshihiro Sakaguchi – “Choose Country, Retsu Stage Theme, Geki Stage Theme & Eagle Stage”  – July 13, 1987 – Alfa System/NEC – PC Engine/TurboGrafx CD & Arcade

2.) Super Street Fighter II Turbo – Isao Abe & Syun Nishigaki – “U.S.S.R (Zangief), U.S.A 3 (Balrog), U.S.A 2 (Guile), U.S.A 1 (Ken), Akuma & Japan (Ryu)”- February 23, 1994 – 3DO, PC DOS, Amiga, Dreamcast, Arcade & Game Boy Advanced

3.) Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams (Street Fighter Zero) – Isao Abe, Syun Nishigaki, Setsuo Yamamoto, Yuko Takehara, Naoaki Iwami & Naoshi Mizuta – “Guy Theme, Rose Theme & Charlie (Nash) Theme” – June 5, 1995 – Capcom – Arcade, Sega Saturn, PSN & Sony Playstation

4.) Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Street Fighter Zero 2) – Setsuo Yamamoto, Syun Nishigaki & Tatsuro Suzuki – “Sakura Theme, Birdie Theme, Rolento Theme & Sagat VS Ryu Theme ” – February 27, 1996 – Capcom – Arcade, Sony Playstation, Sega Saturn, SNES & Windows PC

5.) Street Fighter Alpha 3 (Street Fighter Zero 3) – Takayuki Iwai, Yuki Iwai, Isao Abe, Hideki Okugawa & Tetsuya Shibata – “Guile Theme, Fei Long Theme & T. Hawk Theme“ – June 29, 1998 – Capcom – Arcade, Sony Playstation, Sega Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, Gameboy Advance, PSP & PSN

6.) Street Fighter EX3 – Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Takayuki Aihara & Yasuhisa Watanabe- “Rising Dragon (Ryu’s Theme), Sakura Mankai/Cherry Trees in the Evening in Full Bloom (Hokuto’s Theme), Precious Heart (Sakura’s Theme), Amusementive Crime (Skullomania Theme), Arabesque (Pullum Purna’s Theme), Spinning Bird (Chun-Li’s Theme), Guardian of Light (Ken Theme) & Garnet Sky (Cracker Jack’s Theme)” – March 4, 2000 – Arika/Capcom – PS2

7.) X-Men vs. Street Fighter – Yuki Iwai & Yuko Takehara – “Player select, Wolverine Theme, Cyclops Theme, Gambit Theme & Cammy Theme ” – September 1996 – Capcom – Arcade, Sony Playstation & Sega Saturn

8.) Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes – Masato Kouda & Yuko Takehara – “ Captain America, Wolverine, Captain Commando & Jin” – January 23, 1998 – Capcom – Arcade, Sega Dreamcast, Sony Playstation, PSN & XBLA

9.) Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes – Tetsuya Shibata & Mitsuhiko Takano- “ Swamp Stage, Cave Stage & Clock Tower Stage” – March 30, 2000 – Capcom – Arcade, Sega Dreamcast, PS2, Microsoft Xbox, XBLA, SPN & IOS

10.) Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds/Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 – Hideyuki Fukasawa – “ Morrigan, Iron Man, Phoenix Wright & Deadpool” – November 15, 2011 – Capcom & Eighting/Capcom – PS3, Xbox 360, Playstation Vita, PS4 & Xbox One

11.) Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 – Satoshi Ise – “Scrap Beats (Stage of SAKAZAKI), B.B. (Stage of SNK) & Player Select Theme 2” – September 6, 2000 – Capcom & Studio 1/Capcom – Arcade, Sega Dreamcast & Sony Playstation

12.) Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 (Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001) – Satoshi Ise – “NEBUTA (AOMORI Stage), Stimulation (NEW YORK Stage), Theme of GOUKI remix (SHIN AKUMA Stage) & This is true love makin’ (LONDON Stage)“ – August 1, 2001 – Capcom – Arcade, Sega Dreamcast, PS2, Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Xbox & PSN

13.) Street Fighter X Tekken – Hideyuki Fukasawa – “Main Menu, Urban War Zone, Mishima Estate Round 3 (Bottom Floor), Pitstop 109 – Round 1 (Day), Mad Gear Hideout – Round 3 & Opening (Black Tide “ honest eyes”)“ – March 6, 2012 – Dimps & Capcom/Capcom – PS3, Xbox 360, Windows PC, IOS & Playstation Vita

14.) Street Fighter III 3rd Strike: Fight for the Future – Hideki Okugawa – “China Vox (Chun Li Theme), The Beep (Remy Theme), Beats in my Head (Elena’s Theme) & Crazy Chili Dog (Urien’s Theme)“ – May 12, 1999 – Capcom – Arcade, Sega Dreamcast, PS2, Microsoft Xbox, PSN & XBLA

15.) Super Street Fighter IV – Hideki Okugawa – “Crowded Downtown Stage (China), Snowy Rail Yard Stage (Russia), Cruise Ship Stern Stage (Europe), Drive-in at Night Stage (U.S.A.) & Theme of C. Viper“ – April 27, 2010 – Dimps & Capcom/Capcom – PS3 & Xbox 360

16.) Street Fighter V – Masahiro Aoki, Hideyuki Fukasawa, Keiki Kobayashi, Takatsugu Wakabayashi & Zac Zinger – “Ryu Theme, Ken Theme, Nash Theme, Necalli Theme, R. Mika Theme & Rashid Theme“ – February 16, 2016 – Simps & Capcom/Capcom – Windows PC, Linux & PS4

Edgar Velasco: @MoonSpiderHugs FB: www.facebook.com/groups/vgmrevivalhour/ Official Site: nostalgiaroadtrip.com/ AND NOW AVAILABLE ON GOOGLE PLAY: play.google.com/music/m/I2uvnfvy4…_VGM_REVIVAL_HOUR

[geekcavepodcast]

City Hunter Trailer

In Shinjuku, Tokyo, Ryo Saeba is a playboy, marksman, and a "Sweeper" who cleans up trouble in the city's underworld. He forms a reluctant alliance with his late partner's sister to investigate his partner's death.

City Hunter, based on Tsukasa Hojo's manga, stars Ryohei Suzuki (Ryo Saeba), Misato Morita (Kaori Makimura), Masanobu Ando (Hideyuki Makimura), and Fumino Kimura (Saeko Nogami). Yuichi Satoh directs from a screenplay by Tatsuro Mishima.

City Hunter hits Netflix on April 25, 2024.

[moviereviews101web]

City Hunter (2024) Movie Review

City Hunter – Movie Review Director: Yûichi Satô Writer: Tatsuro Mishima (Screenplay) Writer: Tsukasa Hôjô (Manga) Cast Ryohei Suzuki (The Blood of Wolves II) Misato Morita Masanobu Ando (Battle Royale) Fumino Kimura Plot: An exceptional marksman and hopeless playboy, private eye Ryo Saeba reluctantly forms an alliance with his late partner’s sister to investigate his death. Runtime: 1…

[yyh4ever]

Yu Yu Hakusho Live Action Series by Netflix

The main cast has been officially announced by Netflix:

Takumi Kitamura as Yusuke Urameshi

Jun Shison as Kurama

Kanata Hongo as Hiei

Shuhei Uesugi as Kazuma Kuwabara

Sho Tsukikawa was also unveiled as the director.

On July 16, Netflix has finally announced Takumi Kitamura as the main character Yusuke Urameshi. Takumi is the leader of the dance-rock band DISH, and recently starred in the live-action adaptation of Tokyo Revengers. His casting is not a big surprise, as some photos of him were leaked in 2021 during the shootings in Shimonoseki city.

A local merchant had taken the photos and posted on Twitter. Although she was asked to deleted them, they were already all over the internet.

Takumi left some comments to the press (source: cinematoday), in which he admits he couldn't believe it when he was cast as Yusuke. He initially thought it was a joke, because Yu Yu Hakusho is such a famous work:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

The original work is such a masterpiece that I couldn't help but laugh at first, thinking it was a big joke. But, this time, I was really excited to be able to challenge myself again with Director Tsukikawa on Netflix.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho", which has been loved for over 30 years

I believe that this work is so historic that it's no exaggeration to say that it is a reason why Japan is so proud of its strong manga and anime culture. It is a universal and unique masterpiece.

Q: About your role as Yusuke

I think there's definitely a darker atmosphere compared to the original work. I'm playing the role of Yusuke with both feelings of the bad boy who goes against the rules of school and society, and the kind-hearted boy who doesn't look away when something bad is happening right in front of him.

Q: About the shooting site

It is a friendly atmosphere. I think it's been a challenge for the entire cast and crew, so I always keep that in mind, while enjoying working there.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

I am happy to share the masterpiece of "Yu Yu Hakusho" with the world. I hope the Japanese entertainment industry will continue to expand, and that we can create a work that people everywhere will enjoy.

Sho Tsukikawa, who had previously worked with Takumi in the movie You Shine in the Moonlight (2019), has also been revealed on July 16 the director of the series.

He also wrote some comments:

Q: How did you feel when you heard about the live-action version of "Yu Yu Hakusho"?

When I first heard about Yu Yu Hakusho receiving a live-action adaptation, I honestly wondered if it would even be possible, but after being presented with the producer’s vision and possibilities with Netflix, my expectations grew and I found myself burning with passion to make this project come to life.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho", which has been loved for over 30 years.

I think the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho" is above all the charm of its characters. I'm still moved by the characters I was obsessed with as a kid. Even if you read it again as an adult, you can discover new charms. Also, the story encompasses themes that will never get old. For example, even though Yu Yu Hakusho is depicted in a fantastical setting of youkai and humans, there are also universal questions lying dormant, such as: "Can people of different races understand each other?".

Q: What were the challenges in making a live-action adaptation?

For the live-action adaptation, we aimed to create a video work that could be simply enjoyed as entertainment, while keeping those universal themes as its foundation. In the early stages of screenwriting, we focused on selecting themes that are relevant today, but the appeal of "Yu Yu Hakusho" lies in the relationships between the characters and the battles, after all. So, we also steered in that direction and included plenty of action. The VFX are quite challenging, but we are working to achieve the highest quality possible at the present time by investing in cutting-edge technology.

Q: About the lead actor, Takumi Kitamura

I asked one of the most trustworthy actors, Mr. Takumi Kitamura, to play the role of the main character, Yusuke. This is the fourth time we work together, but I feel that his acting skills have been refined even more. He embodies Yusuke Urameshi with his body and soul, from the delicate emotional expressions to the way he moves his body in action scenes of various sizes.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

From the very beginning of this project, we have been working with a strong awareness of "delivering it to a global audience". Just like when I first heard about the live-action adaptation, there may be many who feel that "it's an impossible undertaking", but no matter how many words I use, I believe the work will speak for itself and prove it's possible. We will put our hearts and souls into this work to the last, so that we can deliver the finest quality of entertainment, from Japan to the world.

On July 17th, Netflix announced that Jun Shison will play the role of Kurama. Here follows his comments to the press:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

I watched and loved "Yu Yu Hakusho" when I was a student, so I never thought I would be offered the chance to work on it. Of course I was happy, but at the same time I felt the pressure to play the character Kurama in a work that has many fans all over the world. However, the director is Tsukikawa, who also directed the first film I played the leading role. I wanted to show how I have grown over the past 10 years, and I am very eager to help the work that Director Tsukikawa is helming, so I was grateful when I was asked to join it.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho," which has been loved for over 30 years.

In every era and in any environment, everyone is fighting. For money, for status, for friends... However, in this work, they are fighting for something or someone, and even though they clash sometimes, they respect each other, each one with their different feelings. The times have changed, but I feel those are things that people can relate to, no matter what age they live in.

Q: About the shooting site

I have experienced so many things that I don't think I have ever been in a shooting environment like this before. We have spent about two to three years just on the visuals, exploring the smallest details through trial and error together. The enormity of the filming sets, the scale of the work that goes into each scene and each cut. It is all new to me, I've been having a personal experience that reminds me how immature I am. This shoot, where we are all exploring creativity with the theme "From Japan to the World", has been very fulfilling, and I don't want it to end.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

This work was first serialized more than 30 years ago. I am sure that many of you have many feelings for this work, and there are many different interpretations of it. That's why we are all working together with everything we got to create a work that can be expressed in this era, from Japan. I hope you will look forward to it.

On July 18, Netflix announced that Kanata Hongo will play the role of Hiei. Here follows his comments to the press:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

I have known this work for a long time, so I was very happy when I got the role. It features flashy battle scenes with various characters, so I was really looking forward to shooting it, because I thought it would definitely be a big production.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho," which has been loved for over 30 years.

The wide variety of characters and ingenious special techniques are of course interesting, but the way the main characters grow and confront difficult enemies, I think this work is an example of the basic principles of Shounen Jump: "Friendship, Effort and Victory". I think the heat from the readers who are constantly excited about this work, is the charm that has made it so loved.

Q: About the role of Hiei

I intended to construct the character with Hiei's nature in mind, so that people who like Hiei can be convinced of his fighting style, that makes the best use of speed, and his cool but actually "someone who cares about his friends" personality.

Q: About the shooting site

First of all, my honest impression was "The scale is just so big…!". I can't go into details, but there are a lot of flashy things going on. There are all sorts of battle scenes on a scale never before seen in Japanese video productions. The action team's spirit is tremendous, so this going to be a very powerful battle scene.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

"Yu Yu Hakusho" is one of Japan's most popular manga works. I believe that we will be able to create a powerful visual work using the latest modern technology, while cherishing the image of the popular original work. I am sure that the work will exceed expectations, so please look forward to it.

Lastly, on July 19t, Netflix announced that Shuhei Uesugi will play the role of Kazuma Kuwabara. Here follows his comments to the press:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

I never thought that I would be able to appear in a work that I was reading in elementary school. I was very happy to be able to play the coolest character, Kazuma Kuwabara, who is honest and rustic, full of love, and straightforward. At the same time, I felt a lot of pressure and worry about how I would face the live-action adaptation of this work, which has many fans around the world, and what role I would play in making it a work that would be loved by everyone. Also, I was very excited to be involved in a Netflix production, a format with a global market.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho," which has been loved for over 30 years.

Each character has a distinct personality. I feel that these characters are the major charm of this work, as they are unforgettable at first sight. It was more than 20 years ago that I picked up this work at a friend's house to read, but even as a child, I felt the indescribable fear and eeriness of Elder Toguro, and the overwhelming strong man and charisma of Younger Toguro. Even now, as an adult, I remember those days with a strange feeling. Besides the fascinating charm of the enemies, all the allies and characters have their own unforgettable scenes and stories that stick in your mind. I believe that many of these factors are one of the charms that have made this work supported by many people.

Q: About the role of Kuwabara

I faced Kuwabara's kindness, who wants to become strong in order to protect someone important, while cherishing his straightforwardness. At the same time, I realized that trying to do so was a very difficult, solitary, and lonely thing. Kuwabara is not the type who is good at acting and hiding his emotions, so I played the character while discussing with the director and cast members how Kazuma Kuwabara would feel and act in each scene and each cut.

Q: About the shooting site

I was feeling euphoric on a daily basis as I headed to the movie set, because it was a magnificent scale and a shooting schedule that I had ever experienced before. Although it feels like a very luxurious site, with sets of a size I had never seen before, shooting methods for CG on a scale I had never experienced before, and filming on locations all over the country with a top-notch team, I was also spending every day excited to be a part of it. It was the best shooting site where not only the cast but also the whole team communicated with each other and everyone involved was seriously committed to making a great film.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

I am beside myself with joy that the live-action adaptation of "Yu Yu Hakusho", a work loved by people all over the world, will be available on Netflix to all over the world to watch. I can assure you that this is a work that can be enjoyed regardless of national borders. This live action is a work which not only those who love the original, but also those who have not read it, can enjoy the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho" to the fullest. Please look forward to it.

According to an article published on cinematoday.jp, Ryo Sakaguchi, Academy Scientific and Technical Award Winner will be joining the live action series.

Sakaguchi, who has more than 20 years of experience in the Hollywood VFX industry, has worked on numerous Hollywood productions and is currently a VFX supervisor and CG director at Scanline VFX, a north american-based company. This is the first time he takes part in a japanese production.

"Yu Yu Hakusho" is a work he read and became familiar with when he was in junior high school. He mentions the difficulty level of the live action adaptation of "Yu Yu Hakusho" is high: there are various youkai, humans versus youkai, and transformations. From a VFX perspective, it is as difficult as the most difficult films in North America.

Project Details:

Director: Sho Tsukikawa

Screenplay: Tatsuro Mishima

VFX supervisor: Ryo Sakaguchi

Executive Producer: Kaata Sakamoto (Netflix) 

Producer: Akira Morii (ROBOT)

Production: ROBOT 

Produced by: Netflix

On July 25 2022, the Weekly Shounen Jump N°34 dedicated a page to the live action, summarizing the actors' comments.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho is expected to premiere worldwide in December 2023.

[geekcavepodcast]

Live-Action “Yu Yu Hakusho” Begins Casting

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi’s Yu Yu Hakusho has begun casting. Takumi Kitamura will star as Yusuke and Jun Shison will star as Kurama. Sho Tsukikawa will direct the series from a screenplay by Tatsuro Mishima.

“The manga revolves around Yusuke Urameshi, a junior high school student who spends his days getting into fights and dies in an accident while trying to protect a young child. As he grapples with the fact that he is looking down on his dead body, a woman named Botan, who calls herself a guide to the spirit world, relays to him the shocking truth: no one expected a delinquent like Yusuke to die performing an act of goodness, and there was no place for him in either heaven or hell. Thus, Yusuke is given a chance to be revived, and after passing his trial, he becomes an Underworld Detective. From there, Yusuke becomes entwined in a mystery that envelopes the human, demon and spirit worlds.” (Netflix)

(Images via Netflix - Takumi Kitamura as Yusuke and Jun Shison as Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho)

[newsintheshell]

🔴 YU YU HAKUSHO: SARÀ TAKUMI KITAMURA AD INTERPRETARE YUSUKE NELLA SERIE LIVE ACTION DI NETFLIX!

Kitamura fa parte della band DISH// e si è già calato nei panni di Takemichi nel film live action di “Tokyo Revengers”.

L’adattamento del celebre manga di Yoshihiro Togashi (Hunter x Hunter, Level E), diretto da Sho Tsukikawa (Let Me Eat Your Pancreas, My Little Monster) e sceneggiato da Tatsuro Mishima, dovrebbe arrivare in streaming sulla piattaforma a dicembre 2023.

Autore: SilenziO)))

[scarlettelathyrus]

Reading these interviews give me a little more hope for this, if corporate greed doesn't ruin it.

Yu Yu Hakusho Live Action Series by Netflix

The main cast has been officially announced by Netflix:

Takumi Kitamura as Yusuke Urameshi

Jun Shison as Kurama

Kanata Hongo as Hiei

Shuhei Uesugi as Kazuma Kuwabara

Sho Tsukikawa was also unveiled as the director.

On July 16, Netflix has finally announced Takumi Kitamura as the main character Yusuke Urameshi. Takumi is the leader of the dance-rock band DISH, and recently starred in the live-action adaptation of Tokyo Revengers. His casting is not a big surprise, as some photos of him were leaked in 2021 during the shootings in Shimonoseki city.

A local merchant had taken the photos and posted on Twitter. Although she was asked to deleted them, they were already all over the internet.

Takumi left some comments to the press (source: cinematoday), in which he admits he couldn't believe it when he was cast as Yusuke. He initially thought it was a joke, because Yu Yu Hakusho is such a famous work:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

The original work is such a masterpiece that I couldn't help but laugh at first, thinking it was a big joke. But, this time, I was really excited to be able to challenge myself again with Director Tsukikawa on Netflix.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho", which has been loved for over 30 years

I believe that this work is so historic that it's no exaggeration to say that it is a reason why Japan is so proud of its strong manga and anime culture. It is a universal and unique masterpiece.

Q: About your role as Yusuke

I think there's definitely a darker atmosphere compared to the original work. I'm playing the role of Yusuke with both feelings of the bad boy who goes against the rules of school and society, and the kind-hearted boy who doesn't look away when something bad is happening right in front of him.

Q: About the shooting site

It is a friendly atmosphere. I think it's been a challenge for the entire cast and crew, so I always keep that in mind, while enjoying working there.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

I am happy to share the masterpiece of "Yu Yu Hakusho" with the world. I hope the Japanese entertainment industry will continue to expand, and that we can create a work that people everywhere will enjoy.

Sho Tsukikawa, who had previously worked with Takumi in the movie You Shine in the Moonlight (2019), has also been revealed on July 16 the director of the series.

He also wrote some comments:

Q: How did you feel when you heard about the live-action version of "Yu Yu Hakusho"?

When I first heard about Yu Yu Hakusho receiving a live-action adaptation, I honestly wondered if it would even be possible, but after being presented with the producer’s vision and possibilities with Netflix, my expectations grew and I found myself burning with passion to make this project come to life.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho", which has been loved for over 30 years.

I think the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho" is above all the charm of its characters. I'm still moved by the characters I was obsessed with as a kid. Even if you read it again as an adult, you can discover new charms. Also, the story encompasses themes that will never get old. For example, even though Yu Yu Hakusho is depicted in a fantastical setting of youkai and humans, there are also universal questions lying dormant, such as: "Can people of different races understand each other?".

Q: What were the challenges in making a live-action adaptation?

For the live-action adaptation, we aimed to create a video work that could be simply enjoyed as entertainment, while keeping those universal themes as its foundation. In the early stages of screenwriting, we focused on selecting themes that are relevant today, but the appeal of "Yu Yu Hakusho" lies in the relationships between the characters and the battles, after all. So, we also steered in that direction and included plenty of action. The VFX are quite challenging, but we are working to achieve the highest quality possible at the present time by investing in cutting-edge technology.

Q: About the lead actor, Takumi Kitamura

I asked one of the most trustworthy actors, Mr. Takumi Kitamura, to play the role of the main character, Yusuke. This is the fourth time we work together, but I feel that his acting skills have been refined even more. He embodies Yusuke Urameshi with his body and soul, from the delicate emotional expressions to the way he moves his body in action scenes of various sizes.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

From the very beginning of this project, we have been working with a strong awareness of "delivering it to a global audience". Just like when I first heard about the live-action adaptation, there may be many who feel that "it's an impossible undertaking", but no matter how many words I use, I believe the work will speak for itself and prove it's possible. We will put our hearts and souls into this work to the last, so that we can deliver the finest quality of entertainment, from Japan to the world.

On July 17th, Netflix announced that Jun Shison will play the role of Kurama. Here follows his comments to the press:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

I watched and loved "Yu Yu Hakusho" when I was a student, so I never thought I would be offered the chance to work on it. Of course I was happy, but at the same time I felt the pressure to play the character Kurama in a work that has many fans all over the world. However, the director is Tsukikawa, who also directed the first film I played the leading role. I wanted to show how I have grown over the past 10 years, and I am very eager to help the work that Director Tsukikawa is helming, so I was grateful when I was asked to join it.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho," which has been loved for over 30 years.

In every era and in any environment, everyone is fighting. For money, for status, for friends... However, in this work, they are fighting for something or someone, and even though they clash sometimes, they respect each other, each one with their different feelings. The times have changed, but I feel those are things that people can relate to, no matter what age they live in.

Q: About the shooting site

I have experienced so many things that I don't think I have ever been in a shooting environment like this before. We have spent about two to three years just on the visuals, exploring the smallest details through trial and error together. The enormity of the filming sets, the scale of the work that goes into each scene and each cut. It is all new to me, I've been having a personal experience that reminds me hoe immature I am. This shoot, where we are all exploring creativity with the theme of "From Japan to the World", has been very fulfilling, and I don't want it to end.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

This work was first serialized more than 30 years ago. I am sure that many of you have many feelings for this work, and there are many different interpretations of it. That's why we are all working together with everything we got to create a work that can express this era and Japan. I hope you will look forward to it.

On July 18, Netflix announced that Kanata Hongo will play the role of Hiei. Here follows his comments to the press:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

I have known this work for a long time, so I was very happy when I got the role. It features flashy battle scenes with various characters, so I was really looking forward to shooting it, because I thought it would definitely be a big production.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho," which has been loved for over 30 years.

The wide variety of characters and ingenious special techniques are of course interesting, but the way the main characters grow and confront difficult enemies, I think this work is an example of the basic principles of Shounen Jump: "Friendship, Effort and Victory". I think the heat from the readers who are constantly excited about this work, is the charm that has made it so loved.

Q: About the role of Hiei

I intended to construct the character with Hiei's nature in mind, so that people who like Hiei can be convinced of his fighting style, that makes the best use of speed, and his cool but actually "someone who cares about his friends" personality.

Q: About the shooting site

First of all, my honest impression was "The scale is just so big…!". I can't go into details, but there are a lot of flashy things going on. There are all sorts of battle scenes on a scale never before seen in Japanese video productions. The action team's spirit is tremendous, so this going to be a very powerful battle scene.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

"Yu Yu Hakusho" is one of Japan's most popular manga works. I believe that we will be able to create a powerful visual work using the latest modern technology, while cherishing the image of the popular original work. I am sure that the work will exceed expectations, so please look forward to it.

Lastly, on July 19t, Netflix announced that Shuhei Uesugi will play the role of Kazuma Kuwabara. Here follows his comments to the press:

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to perform in this series?

I never thought that I would be able to appear in a work that I was reading in elementary school. I was very happy to be able to play the coolest character, Kazuma Kuwabara, who is honest and rustic, full of love, and straightforward. At the same time, I felt a lot of pressure and worry about how I would face the live-action adaptation of this work, which has many fans around the world, and what role I would play in making it a work that would be loved by everyone. Also, I was very excited to be involved in a Netflix production, a format with a global market.

Q: About the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho," which has been loved for over 30 years.

Each character has a distinct personality. I feel that these characters are the major charm of this work, as they are unforgettable at first sight. It was more than 20 years ago that I picked up this work at a friend's house to read, but even as a child, I felt the indescribable fear and eeriness of Elder Toguro, and the overwhelming strong man and charisma of Younger Toguro. Even now, as an adult, I remember those days with a strange feeling. Besides the fascinating charm of the enemies, all the allies and characters have their own unforgettable scenes and stories that stick in your mind. I believe that many of these factors are one of the charms that have made this work supported by many people.

Q: About the role of Kuwabara

I faced Kuwabara's kindness, who wants to become strong in order to protect someone important, while cherishing his straightforwardness. At the same time, I realized that trying to do so was a very difficult, solitary, and lonely thing. Kuwabara is not the type who is good at acting and hiding his emotions, so I played the character while discussing with the director and cast members how Kazuma Kuwabara would feel and act in each scene and each cut.

Q: About the shooting site

I was feeling euphoric on a daily basis as I headed to the movie set, because it was a magnificent scale and a shooting schedule that I had ever experienced before. Although it feels like a very luxurious site, with sets of a size I had never seen before, shooting methods for CG on a scale I had never experienced before, and filming on locations all over the country with a top-notch team, I was also spending every day excited to be a part of it. It was the best shooting site where not only the cast but also the whole team communicated with each other and everyone involved was seriously committed to making a great film.

Q: A message to fans all over the world

I am beside myself with joy that the live-action adaptation of "Yu Yu Hakusho", a work loved by people all over the world, will be available on Netflix to all over the world to watch. I can assure you that this is a work that can be enjoyed regardless of national borders. This live action is a work which not only those who love the original, but also those who have not read it, can enjoy the charm of "Yu Yu Hakusho" to the fullest. Please look forward to it.

According to an article published on cinematoday.jp, Ryo Sakaguchi, Academy Scientific and Technical Award Winner will be joining the live action series.

Sakaguchi, who has more than 20 years of experience in the Hollywood VFX industry, has worked on numerous Hollywood productions and is currently a VFX supervisor and CG director at Scanline VFX, a north american-based company. This is the first time he takes part in a japanese production.

"Yu Yu Hakusho" is a work he read and became familiar with when he was in junior high school. He mentions the difficulty level of the live action adaptation of "Yu Yu Hakusho" is high: there are various youkai, humans versus youkai, and transformations. From a VFX perspective, it is as difficult as the most difficult films in North America.

Project Details:

Director: Sho Tsukikawa

Screenplay: Tatsuro Mishima

VFX supervisor: Ryo Sakaguchi

Executive Producer: Kaata Sakamoto (Netflix) 

Producer: Akira Morii (ROBOT)

Production: ROBOT 

Produced by: Netflix

Netflix's live-action adaptation of Yu Yu Hakusho is expected to premiere worldwide in December 2023.