Netflix’s 5-Part Martial Arts Show Brings Its Best Fights to Live-Action Anime History

A compressed adaptation

Netflix’s Yu Yu Hakusho is based on Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga of the same name. Its five-episode run condenses the source material and glosses over several important developments. Even with those omissions, the series captures elements of the manga and anime, including supernatural monsters and their emphasis on fights. Its visual effects can sometimes feel campy, but the choreography helps sustain the action.

Yusuke faces Gouki

A widely shared scene pits Yusuke against Gouki, a giant red demon whose size and build recall the MCU’s Hulk. Gouki’s CGI is less detailed and realistic than the Marvel character’s, but the fight still draws on familiar blockbuster showdowns.

The encounter is grounded in street-brawl mechanics. Yusuke relies on fists and quick reflexes, uses his surroundings to gain an advantage, and trades forceful blows with the demon.

Distinct styles shape fights

Other battles across the five episodes use choreography to balance realism with the source’s fantastical world. The combat also gives each character a recognizable visual identity. Yusuke fights with rough, chaotic brawling, while Hiei moves in and out at remarkable speed. Kurama’s style is more fluid and elegant, helping each confrontation feel different.

A model for adaptations

The series carries over techniques associated with anime action, including rapid zooms and slow-motion cuts. It uses visual effects for elements such as yokai and spirit guns, while placing greater emphasis on fight choreography than glossy spectacle.

Its battles also advance the story. Rather than treating each showdown as spectacle alone, the series shows Yusuke’s desperation when he faces powerful opponents such as Toguro. The article points to Netflix’s One Piece as another adaptation that avoids relying heavily on CGI.