TV Series Review: YuYu Hakusho (Netflix 2023)

YuYu Hakusho (Netflix)
First episode date: December 14, 2023 (Japan)
Based on: YuYu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi
Genre: Action; Adventure; Comedy drama; Fantasy
Network: Netflix
5 episodes
Original language: Japanese
Producer: Akira Morii
Cast: Takumi Kitamura, Jun Shison, Kanata Hongō, Shuhei Uesugi
Yusuke Urameshi, who died saving a little boy, is sent back to Earth and becomes a detective of the spirit world to fight all the demons found on Earth.

I tend to love live-action adaptations of manga/anime. Tokyo Ghoul, Bleach, Full-Metal Alchemist and now YuYu Hakusho! I had never head of this one before. The five episode series (yay for not drawing things out!) is based on the 1990–94 manga... I figured that out when I saw the outfits and hairstyles the characters had, lol, hammer-time pants everywhere!

 

 

The first episode was a little cheesy and I had my doubts but once the demons showed up and the fighting started...BOOM, I was hooked. They spared no expense on the choreography and special effects. So much fun! I've always loved the demons from manga/anime. Very creative and creepy.

If you enjoy supernatural Japanese series then check this one out. 

Look at the comparison of the live-action characters to the original... 

 

This guy bothered me a little. He looked like there was a pacifier in his mouth, lol

 

4.5 "spirit gun" Sheep!

 

 

 

 

SharonS

 

Sheep Movie Review: Tokyo Ghoul S (2019)

The ghouls return to North America this September with “Tokyo Ghoul S” the next thrilling live-action adaptation – true to the original manga and the sequel to the original 2017 movie. “Tokyo Ghoul S” opens Monday, September 16 in 400 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. The film will have a three-day limited theatrical run (September 16, 18 & 20) and will screen in Japanese with English subtitles.

Tokyo Ghoul S (2019)

September 16, 2019 (USA)
Directors: Takuya Kawasaki, Kazuhiko Hiramaki
Adapted from: Tokyo Ghoul
Story by: Sui Ishida
Cast: Masataka Kubota, Maika Yamamoto, Kang Jiyoung, Shota Matsuda, Nobuyuki Suzuki
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Runtime: 1h 47m
Now a member of Anteiku, Ken Kaneki grows closer to the ghouls around him. Determined to protect his new home against anti-ghoul forces, he trains his powers in secret. But when the infamous gourmet, Shu Tsukiyama, wishes to savor some half-ghoul flavor, Kaneki's training is put to test of a lifetime.

WHEN: Limited theatrical release - September 16, 18 & 20, 2019

WHERE: 400 theater locations across the U.S. and Canada.Check local listing for specific showtimes which vary by location.

I reviewed the first film Tokyo Ghoul (2017) when it came out and loved it! So I was excited to find there was a sequel. Like I said in my review of TG1 (Review: Tokyo Ghoul (2017), I haven't read the manga or watched the anime. But it's one I need to read because I love the horror and fantasy aspect. Point is, I went in without expectations and had a blast watching. So Tokyo Ghoul (S) had a lot to live up to.

Tokyo Ghoul (S) (2019) is not as good as the first, but it is still a rocking movie! The story is about The Gourmet, a psycho of epic proportions, and from what I can tell, sticks close to canon. Ghouls eat humans to survive and the morality of this is explored. Kaneki struggles with his ghoul half. He is learning ghouls, like humans, can be good or evil. The movie focuses on the relationships between Kaneki and his ghoul family as well as a ghoul/human relationships.

The Gourmet character is over the top crazy. He is fixated on eating Kaneki. His actions compare to someone with a sexual obsession. It is part creepy and part silly, but I liked him as a protagonist. The film is heavy on the gore factor...duh, it's about monsters that eat humans!

The Tokyo Ghoul (S) doesn't have as much humor as the first and I missed that. But this one is much darker, which I liked. There aren't as many special effects in TG(S) and the CGI quality is not as good as the first movie. We only see Kaneki use his kagune (defensive weapon) once at the very end.

Tokyo Ghoul (S) is worth watching if you loved this first one. If you love horror/fantasy movies check out both TG movies! Oh, there are subtitles if that matters to you. They don't interfere with my enjoyment of a movie.

4 "smelling" Sheep

SharonS

About Funimation

Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, is a global leader in the world of anime. A fully integrated, next-generation entertainment studio, the company's fan-first philosophy is anchored in its omnichannel approach to its immersive offerings. From streaming and home entertainment to theatrical distribution and broadcast, Funimation's commitment to character-driven storytelling, combined with tech innovation and key distribution partnerships, provides audiences with multiple and meaningful touchpoints to connect with this immersive world. FunimationNow, a next-generation streaming service, provides subscribers with instant access to their favorite sub and dub shows in ad-free HD on the widest array of platforms – including smartphones, tablets, TVs and gaming consoles. Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Funimation, acquires and distributes both anime and live action movies from prominent international filmmakers that appeal to the interests and passion of all types of fans. For more information about Funimation, visit funimation.com.

Sheep Movie Review: The Lion King (2019)

The Lion King (2019)
Jul 19, 2019
Directed By: Jon Favreau
Written By: Jeff Nathanson
Music by Hans Zimmer
Stars Danny Glover (grownup Simba), Beyoncé (grownup Nala), Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, James Earl Jones, Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Oliver, John Kani, JD McCrary (young Simba), Shahadi Wright Joseph (young Nala), (There are more voice actors, but this are the main ones.)

Rating: PG (for sequences of violence and peril, and some thematic elements)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama

Runtime: 110 minutes
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau's all-new "The Lion King" journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother-and former heir to the throne-has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

Yes, this is like the original animated film from 1994 (which my son and I saw back then). But as my husband pointed out to other people, he liked it more. The animals in this acted like animals should. They were computer CGI effects, but you wouldn’t know, except for a bit of the movement. And some scenes I bet were actual scenes maybe filmed in Africa whenever herds of antelope or zebra ran. But you cannot make animals act certain ways, especially wild ones, so I understand why CGI was used for this film. What made me happy is they used James Earl Jones to voice this Mufasa as he had for the 90s movie. Although his voice was not as deep as it was back then, then again, his Vader in Episode III was the same. I guess age gets us all. Still, I am glad they used him.

Whether taking your child to see or going yourself in memory of the animated film as a child, or even as an adult with a bit of child inside, this movie is worth seeing.

I give The Lion King (2019) 5 roaring sheep.

Pamela Kinney

Sheep Movie Review: Bleach (2018)

Bleach (2018)
Initial release: July 20, 2018 (Japan)
Netflix release: Sept 14
Director: Shinsuke Sato
Writers: Tite Kubo (manga), Daisuke Habara (screenplay)
Stars: Miyavi, Hana Sugisaki, Sôta Fukushi 
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Adapted from: Bleach
Genres: Adventure fiction, Occult Fiction

Ichigo Kurosaki is a High School student, living in Karakura town. He is able to see ghosts, as well as hollows. Later, he meets up with Rukia Kuchiki, a Death God or Soul Reaper (Shinigami in Japanese). Later, he finds out that he himself is a Soul Reaper as well. Ichigo Kurosaki, now with the power of a Soul Reaper, is able to protect Karakura town from hollows.

For those who don't know, Bleach is a Shōnen manga (teenage boy demographic) written and illustrated by Tite Kubo that started in 2001. There are currently 696 chapters collected into 74 volumes. It is the ninth best-selling manga of all time.

Bleach is about Ichigo Kurosaki, a high schooler, who can see ghosts. His ability lets him see Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper (Grim Reaper, Shinigami). She gets wounded fighting a Hollow (vengeful spirit) and must transfer her Soul Reaper powers to Ichigo to save them both. This leaves him with powers he doesn't know how to use and her in a human body. The new live-action movie is about how this happens and the repercussions for Ichigo, Rukia and a couple of others drawn into the story.

Ichigo and Rukia

Before watching the live-action Bleach movie, I knew nothing about the manga. I've seen it around, it is pretty iconic in the manga world and the characters are popular with cosplayers. So I went into this with zero expectations, except to see some awesome fantasy action. I enjoy live-action adaptations of manga/anime and love the Japanese film-making style. It can be a hit or miss, but Tokyo Ghoul live-action blew me away. Avatar: The Last Airbender...WTF?

 Ichigo from the manga

Ichigo, Rukia, and others from the anime

Bleach didn't have the killer special effects like Tokyo Ghoul, but it made up for its lack of CGI budget by focusing on the emotional side of the story. The connections between the characters and with the moviegoer.

Ichigo as a Soul Reaper. Rukia as a Soul Reaper vs human form

I should mention the movie is in Japanese with subtitles. Some people don't like subtitles.

I enjoyed the movie. There is a balance between the humor and the darker moments. I had no problem picking up on the world building mythos. So if you aren't familiar with the manga, you will have no problem understanding what's going on. There are cool weapons and sword fights. My favorite is the spirit-weapon used by the Quincy (humans that fight Hollows), a magical bow.

4 "Zanpakutou-wielding " Sheep 

SharonS

Sheep Movie Review: Tokyo Ghoul (2017)

Tokyo Ghoul (2017)
Tôkyô gûru (original title)
29 July 2017 (Japan)

Director: Kentarô Hagiwara
Writers: Sui Ishida (manga), Ichirô Kusuno (screenplay)

Cast: Fumika Shimizu as Tōka Kirishima

Masataka Kubota as Ken Kaneki
Nobuyuki Suzuki as Kōtarō Amon
Yo Oizumi as Kureo Mado
Yuu Aoi as Rize Kamishiro

1h 59min

Action, Drama, Horror
Ken Kaneki is a bookworm college student who meets a girl named Rize at a cafe he frequents. They're the same age and have the same interests, so they quickly become close. Little does Kaneki know that Rize is a ghoul - a kind of monster that lives by hunting and devouring human flesh. When part of her special organ - "the red child" - is transplanted into Kaneki, he becomes a ghoul himself, trapped in a warped world where humans are not the top of the food chain. (from manga)

Holy sheep this movie is a lot of flocking fun! Let me start out by saying I haven't read the Tokyo Ghoul manga or watched the anime. I'd seen some images online but didn't know anything about the plot. And from what I've heard, prior knowledge of Tokyo Ghoul could affect how much you like the movie.

anime Kaneki

live action Kaneki

Apparently, the movie doesn't explore the deep moral issues Kaneki has to deal with since he is part human and part ghoul. And the manga is a lot more violent and gorier than the movie. But by focusing on the action element they have made a movie that will appeal to a wider audience...like me! This is a case where the intensity of the trailer is a reflection of the movie.

Ghouls are human flesh-eating "monsters" that look human. There are some bad ghouls that see people as livestock but there is a group of ghouls trying to coexist with humans and have found an alternative method for getting flesh. An organization called the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul) hunts down and kills ghouls. Ghouls and their culture are a bit like vampires, but they need flesh instead of blood.

(left) Touka is one bad ass ghoul!

Ghouls have a special organ called a kagune that emerges from their back and can be used as a weapon (you can see them in the trailer). Ghouls can have different looking kagune. High-quality CGI effects were used to create the ghoul's kagune looks great.

There is some humor throughout, but Tokyo Ghoul is a drama/horror/action film. You are laughing one minute and then things take a drastic turn. There are some excellent choreographed fighting scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The writers went with lots of blood instead of gore. I don't remember seeing a rating, but it probably falls in the low R rating...some scenes are pretty intense.

The movie was action packed and exciting. Sui Ishida (creator of Tokyo Ghoul manga) has created a dark and exciting supernatural world.

And just in case you didn't realize. The movie is in Japanese with English subtitles.

Here are some YouTube links to scenes from the movie:
Exclusive Tokyo Ghoul The Movie Theatrical Clip - "Training with Touka"
Tokyo Ghoul: The Movie - Official Clip - Ghouls Among Us
Tokyo Ghoul: The Movie - Official Clip - Dinner Date
Tokyo Ghoul: The Movie - Official Clip - The Mask We All Wear
Tokyo Ghoul: The Movie - Official Clip - Flavor of Fear


4 1/2 "ghoulish" Sheep

SharonS