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

 

Selah's Manga Mania Reviews: Failed Princesses Vol. 1 by Ajiichi

Failed Princesses Vol. 1

できそこないの姫君たち | Dekisokonai no Himegimi-tachi
by Ajiichi
August 11, 2020
Publisher: Seven Seas
Genre(s): Romance, Yuri, Teens & Young, LGBT
168 pages

Volume 1 of 3
Fujishiro Nanaki is super cute, super popular, and super annoyed with anyone as plain as her classmate Kurokawa Kanade. When Nanaki finds out her boyfriend's cheating on her, however, her life makes a complete 180 -- as does her relationship with Kanade.
Opposites attract in this new high school yuri manga!

Amazon

Fujishiro Nanaki is super cute, super popular, and super annoyed with anyone as plain as her classmate Kurokawa Kanade. When Nanaki finds out her boyfriend’s cheating on her, however, her life makes a complete 180—as does her relationship with Kanade. This all-new yuri manga series explores the budding romance between the cool girl in school and the “plain” girl she once brushed off!

Friendship is an integral part of manga, but it can take a lot of forms. Tropes still reign, and so often, you get used to the popular girl and unpopular girl being at odds with each other.

And then there’s Failed Princesses.

Nanaki is popular and always has to be cute. While this seems obsessive at first, as the first volume goes along, you learn she actually has to put a lot of effort in. This is something she works at because it’s how she sees herself. Even so, it doesn’t prevent her boyfriend from dumping her. Kanade is the quiet, shy, ugly ducking otaku (fangirl) type and overhears the breakup. While she dislikes Nanaki because of a bad encounter with a popular girl in her past, she empathizes and reassures Nanaki that the situation isn’t her fault. Nanaki latches onto this and decides that they need to be friends. Kanade has absolutely no idea what to do with that.

The good: There’s a lot of emotional exploration and shifting in this one. The characters are decently self-aware while still being a bit ignorant of others’ feelings, which works. Kanade just wants to live her life even if Nanaki intrigues her. But the moment Nanaki befriends her, the popular girls laugh it off, thinking she just wants a servant and Kanade’s friends drop her. This possibility had never occurred to Nanaki, and so there’s a learning moment there as their friendship develops. In turn, Nanaki helps Kanade update her wardrobe and slowly gain a smidge of confidence. Kanade was under the impression that looks and popularity just happen, and Nanaki destroys that illusion as they bond over bad eyebrow grooming experiences. In the first volume alone, there’s just enough growth between the two of them to be interesting without shifting the dynamic too much too fast. The punchline at the end is Nanaki takes Kanade clothes shopping and then suddenly discovers that she may actually out-cute Nanaki, herself.

There’s also a great relationship between Nanaki and her brother. While Nanaki has things come somewhat easily to her because of her popularity and is a little insulated, she’s not a bad person. Her relationship with her brother really showcases her ability to have normal relationships. She’s also invested enough to want to borrow manga from Kanade and learn about her, in turn. It’s also a cool choice to not make Kanade totally friendless. Hence, she actually has stakes to lose due to the friendship with Nanaki. While she may not care about her appearance, she is intrigued by how Nanaki is so well put together, and her epiphany that people aren’t just born that way is honestly really nice to see in a teen series. The fact that it’s addressed makes the obligatory makeover scene feel truer than it would in a 90s movie sequence. I was impressed that Nanaki’s friends' snideness is very minimal compared to a lot of bullying scenes in other titles, and Nanaki immediately shuts it down. There’s no going back and forth for her. She does not stand for it, which is really refreshing. If anything, it’s Kanade trying to tell her how the world works and Nanaki reinforcing that it doesn’t have to be that way and that they both can learn from each other.

The bad: Nothing, really. The characters are still a bit tropey, but this is just the first volume, and it’s obvious that the intent is to have them grow.

Things to be aware of: Nothing so far. I haven’t fully researched this one, so I’m not totally sure if the intent is they become besties or end up together. But honestly, I could see it working well either way.

All in all, a fun title that takes standard plotlines and dares to do something a bit different without taking It completely away from the feel of a shojo title.

Four made-over sheep

About the Author:

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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.

Selah's Manga Mania: Laid-Back Camp Vol. 1

Laid-Back Camp Vol. 1
March 27, 2018
Written by Afro
Genre: Adventure, Iyashikei*, Slice of life, Sports Manga, Teen & Young Adult

Seinen

Publisher: Yen Press
Volumes 11 (List of volumes)
Setting up a tent, starting a fire, and eating noodles with Mt. Fuji in view...Rin and Nadeshiko absolutely love to camp! Enjoy their zest for travel and maybe even pick up a tip or two about roughing it in the great outdoors. You might just want to go camping yourself!

Amazon

*genre specific to Japanese works, primarily manga and anime. It is a sub-genre of slice of life, portraying characters living out peaceful lives in calming environments, and is intended to have a healing effect on the audience. The word iyashikei means "healing" in Japanese. - Wikipedia

Sometimes you just need something relaxing with low stakes. Sometimes you want to read about characters enjoying themselves, having friendships, and eating good food. Thankfully, for as many manga titles that focus on adventure and drama, there’s also plenty that focuses on really low-stakes situations and relaxing environments.

Beautiful people, you need Laid Back Camp in your life. No, really.

Nadeshiko is a peppy, energetic girl who meets Rin, who is quieter and likes to camp by herself after being given a lot of supplies by her aging grandfather. They develop a friendship, and intrigued by Rin’s hobby, Nadeshiko seeks out the Outdoor Activities Club at her school, widening their friend circle. The girls plot out possible trips, save for camping gear, plan menus, and have quirky adventures while camping. This is balanced by Rin going off on her own and slowly being drawn into the group. Initially an outsider, she slowly relaxes and develops a friendship with Nadeshiko and the others. Conversely, Nadeshiko slowly comes into her own and tries to take more responsibility and do more on her own as she can.

The good: It’s cute. The art is cute, the stories are fun, there’s a lot of detail about locations, food, and Japanese culture in general. It’s a great introductory series because while not episodic per se, there’s no giant arc where you need to know every single detail. The author is pretty good about referring back to past storylines to avoid confusion. The pacing isn’t slow, but it takes its time. Because this is more about relationships, personal growth, and camping, it just feels super relaxing compared to the tensions in everyday life. All the girls have their own personalities. They meet different people during their trips, slowly widening their social circles and drawing them into different experiences on their own. I identify a lot with Rin but also appreciate that they give her a roommate and that she’s not some tragic lonely figure. All of the girls have stable family relationships in what I’ve read so far. Although problems arise, they’re mostly because of poor planning or other outside circumstances. What’s cool is that the plots come from them having to actively think on their feet to solve these dilemmas, and seeing young women do that in real-world situations is really empowering.

Yes, there’s also a lot involving yummy food. Please, this is me; I’m going to find a good food manga even if it’s buried in a snowstorm and I have to fight a Yeti for it.

As I get ever into my dotage, high school titles get harder to read, not necessarily because I can’t remember and empathize (I’m not that decrepit yet), but because they’re often romance based and really over the top plots. I just find it hard to invest a lot of time reading that. This, though, is fun, sweet, and has become a title I curl up with if I’ve got a lot on my mind. I love how the girls are presented. They’re goofy, sure, but not stupid. The challenges are believable, and they rely on and help each other and others. It’s a sweet, positive title. There’s enough comedy to keep you laughing and enough warmth to get you out of a bad mood.

The bad: If you want something with a ton of adventure or drama or romance, this ain’t it. Not a con, but know what you’re getting into here—otherwise, nothing.

The weird: Really, nothing. Some of the situations are a smidge unrealistic but still believable in this world.

If you need a mental holiday, definitely curl up in a sleeping bag, make some ramen, and check out a volume of this.

4 sheep

About the Author:

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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.

Selah's Manga Mania Review: Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 1 by Natsuya Semikawa (Author), Virginia Nitouhei (Artist)

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 1
by Natsuya Semikawa (Author), Virginia Nitouhei (Artist)
September 18, 2018
164 pages
Publisher: Udon Entertainment
Volumes: 6 (book 7 releases 5/20)
A Japanese style pub called “Nobu” exists in a back alley of the fictional medieval European city of Eiteriach. Its customers? A pair of slacker soldiers, a spoiled heiress, an uptight tax collector, and more... When the citizens of this strange world sit down to enjoy some unfamiliar Japanese cuisine, their troubles simply melt away…


The curtain rises on this otherworldly eatery and the gourmet fantasy about to unfold within!

I love food manga. When it's done well it's relaxing and the culinary elements add to the characterizations and overall story. There are only so many ways to set up characters needing to cook, though...or are there?

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu takes a Japanese tavern and links it down in a medieval(ish) fantasy German town. Soldiers, tax collectors, children, artisans all gather to eat this strange new food and drink an ale called whatsontap. I've only read two volumes, but in the second we get a glimpse that the Izakaya is actually a gateway to modern Japan, which is how the owner and waitress can secure ingredients found nowhere else. No matter what, Nobu, the owner/chef, and Shinobu the waitress greet everyone with open arms and feed them unfamiliar dishes catered to their preferences, causing them to fall in love with Japanese cuisine.

The good: This is such a relaxing, sweet title without being overly saccharine. Obviously, the characters are a vehicle for the food, but they all are fleshed out and are recurring, which I love.

Every chapter focuses on a different person with a personal problem to solve or a desire that needs fulfilling and they all find some sort of satisfaction at Izakaya Nobu. There's a real sense of community that slowly builds as the town accepts this strange place. It's also great that the food is referenced in Japanese and German terms, so both cultures are referenced.

Food titles either tend to reference dishes very quickly like an itemized list or take time building it into the story. Here, the dishes are the star, but the author does a fantastic job of using the creation of the dishes to develop Nobu and Shinobu and the consumption of the food to really show how people can appreciate and be changed by food. It's relaxing and exciting to see these dishes come together and strangely satisfying to see people light up when they describe what they're eating. You really feel like you understand what the food tastes like and how it transcends these villagers' lives.

It'll also leave you really hungry.

As of vol 2, the nature of the portal is briefly shone, and I hope it gets referenced more in the future. Still, the village and the food are what I want to see.

The bad: Nothing. This is a great all-ages title, though be aware that though it's a loose interpretation of medieval Germany things like marrying very young and being on the streets are referenced, so parents may want to read the first volume to gauge the feel. Honestly, you either love something like this or you don't. This is one of my favorite types of titles because it makes me slow down and relax, and reminds me to appreciate things like what's on my plate and who's around me. If you prefer fast-paced plot and drama, this won't be your thing.

The Ick: Nothing.

5 sheep hungry for yakisoba and whatsontap

About the Reviewer

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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.

Selah's Manga Mania: Dragon Goes House-Hunting Vol. 1 by Kawo Tanuki (author), Choco Aya (Illustrator)

Dragon Goes House-Hunting Vol. 1
Author: Kawo Tanuki
Illustrator: Choco Aya
September 11, 2018
182 pages
Volumes: 3
Publisher: Seven Seas
Genre: Young adult, fantasy, scifi, manga, humorous, 
Letty is not very good at being a dragon. Actually, he's so terrible at it that his dad went and kicked him out of the house! What's a skittish monster of myth to do in a world where everyone sees him as material for their next suit of armor? Why, find a safe place to call home, of course. With the help of a slightly evil elvish architect, Letty's quest for the ultimate draconic domicile begins!

We all have needs. Food, companionship, and a place to lay your head at night. But what about that age-old dilemma of being a dragon and getting kicked out of the house? What to do then?

Go house hunting!

Okay, that could have been a better segue, but this title is hilarious.

Letty is a dragon and not good at it. He isn't on his guard when eggs are stolen right under his nose, so his dad kicks him out. Like anyone, all he really wants is a quiet place of his own. After trusting the wrong beings and nearly getting himself killed a few times, he meets Dearia, elf lord and realtor. While Letty is a bit of a downer on his own, Dearia sets him up for all sorts of situations in the name of house-hunting. They explore haunted territory, build him a house that ends up being overrun by tenants who worship Letty as the Flame Dragon King, shop for furniture with some questionable crimes, and inadvertently get Letty involved in a gladiator fighting operation.

The good: it's hilarious. Dearia can be either hands-off or diabolical, but his antics push Letty out of his comfort zone. The different types of houses they check out and the drama they cause keeps things fun and interesting. Letty is a bit much at first, but over 2 volumes he grew on me.

He's kind and tries hard, but isn't the sharpest crayon in the box and is a bit too trusting. At times this made me feel protective or could be downright exasperating. It's a nice twist for a dragon story, though, and the pacing and plot are handled well. The gags are funny without being too out there, and plenty of fantasy tropes are subverted. There are hints of past history between Dearia and another dragon, so that's nice nuance, too.

The bad: Nothing, per say, it just depends on what your sense of humor is and if you want lots of plot or joke setups.

The ick: Not really much. There are a couple of buried innuendos and I caught a threesome joke when talking about bed size, but that's all I really remember. I was fine with it, ymmv.

Overall, this is a fun, light fantasy title that's a little something different.

4 house-hunting sheep

About the Reviewer
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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.

Selah's Manga Mania: Hakumei & Mikochi, Vol. 1 by Takuto Kashiki

Hakumei & Mikochi, Vol. 1
by Takuto Kashiki (Author, Artist)
July 24, 2018
192 pages
Genre: manga, young adult, fantasy
Seinen
Book 1 of 7 in the Minuscule Series
Deep within a lush, green forest live Hakumei and Mikochi. Making their home in trees, using leaves for umbrellas, and riding bugs for transportation is just part of everyday life for these tiny spirit pals!

These days, sometimes we just need a break from drama. It's magic when I find a slow, soothing title I really like, and this series is adorable.

Hakumei and Mikochi are two tiny forest spirits that westerners would probably equate to fairies. They live in the woods and their adventures consist of finding fabric at the market or making yummy food or fixing things. Occasionally there will be a bigger drama like needing their house repaired or mediating between groups of talking animals or competing at a singing competition.

Overall, the pace is leisurely, the drawings are detailed and beautiful, and it harkens back to simple pleasures we tend to forget about.

The good: I love that both leads are ladies and they have different skillsets and tastes. The cast is rounded out with other sprites and talking animals, and the day-to-day approach means there's a ton of possible material, especially centering around how characters relate to each other and work together. The market and town scenes are bustling with loads to look at and the forest scenes are lovely and lush. New inhabitants are added with each volume, so while the pair of friends is the main focus, there is a whole little world being built here. There are some bigger adventures, but they're pretty much solved within a chapter.

Altogether, this is a charming series that makes me feel like I'm reading picture books but for a higher reading level. This is definitely all-ages appropriate (there is some drinking, so keep that in mind for little kids depending on your preferences) and a beautiful series.

The bad: Nothing. If you don't enjoy it, it's probably because you prefer more action-oriented stories, and that's totally fine.

The ick: Nothing.

This would be a great starter series because you pretty much can pick up anywhere and not feel like you're missing anything. It's a great read to curl up with after a long day and feel cozy and secure.

Five forest-dwelling sheep

About the Reviewer

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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.

Selah's Manga Mania Reviews: Uzumaki (3-in-1 Deluxe Edition) by Junji Ito

Uzumaki (3-in-1 Deluxe Edition): Includes vols. 1, 2 & 3
by Junji Ito
October 16, 2018
Volumes: 3
648 pages
English publisher: NA Viz Media
Seinen horror manga
Genres: Visual novel, Simulation Video Game, Dark fantasy, Horror fiction, Occult Fiction
Appearing as a serial in the weekly manga magazine Big Comic Spirits from 1998 to 1999. 
Kurouzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but a pattern: UZUMAKI, the spiral—the hypnotic secret shape of the world. The bizarre masterpiece horror manga is now available all in a single volume. Fall into a whirlpool of terror!

It's time to think about stories that freak us out, and Japanese horror has a certain something that just pushes things over the edge and down a cliff. Today, we're looking at one of the greatest authors in the genre and one of his most infamous titles. Today, we're looking at Uzumaki by Junji Ito.

We follow teenager Kirie and her boyfriend Shuichi as they slowly realize something is very wrong with their town and the people in it. It all begins with Shuichi's father's fascination with spirals that becomes an obsession, and then something otherworldly.

The good: This is a freaky series and I really like that the omnibus version collects it all in one place. While this is more surreal than other Ito titles which are more classic horror, the scare factor is definitely there. As the spiral obsession and paranoia jumps from person to person and then starts to physically affect the structure of the town and people's bodies in inhuman ways, the reading experience becomes really disturbing. My stomach dropped at scenes like Shuichi's mom puncturing her ear because she realized there was a spiral in the bones in it. The debate as people turned into snail creatures as to whether they could be used for food or if they were still human is intense. How villagers take shelter in the bunkhouses lets you know you've passed the point of no return.

Ito portrays the line between rational and madness very well, both in his pacing and art. You can physically see the moment where characters fall over the edge or give up, adding to the feeling over impending doom that builds through the story. As the town changes, you realize that this is way bigger than a few peoples' obsessions. I'd call it cosmic horror with patterns instead of monsters, honestly. And the ending took the breath out of me because it's quieter than I expected, but it really capped things well.

Ito's art is exceptional, and the vast amount of ways he incorporates spirals into body horror, architecture, and natural landscapes are impressive. It feels like he's really in his element.

The bad: if you want definite logic as to why things are happening, this will likely frustrate you. There is a reason, but it's vague. I would say the story is more about the effect the spirals have on people and the futility of their fight and just how wrong the decision to stay in town is. This is more surreal vs outright horror compared to something like Tomie, but it still has that Ito feel.

Some of the characters are a little one-dimensional, but in this case, it all pushes the plot forward and showcases the insane vignettes and variations on the spiral theme. He's taking you on a tour via these scenes, and it's your job to see how you feel about them. It won't be everyone's cuppa.

The ick: While a lot of the dramatic violence is off-screen, this is Ito, which means body horror. Contorted anatomy, mutations beyond the realm of physics, melty bodies, and characters in agony - it's kinda his thing. If looking at this isn't something you want to see, this title isn't for you.

Overall, while I would have liked a little more characterization and at times the pace can feel a little meandery, I felt the story super-fascinating and the art insane. I read it all in one night if that tells you anything. If you're looking for a story to get under your skin and never want to see spirals innocently again, this is for you.

5 spiralized sheep

About the Reviewer

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Selah Janel is a writer who is trying to start doing that again instead of reading manga all the time.