Yoshihiro Togashi’s Yu Yu Hakusho has grown to establish itself as an evergreen anime series. Despite the Shonen series having avoided mainstream popularity, it has featured a memorable storyline with the most visually pleasing art style, that has left a lasting impression on its viewers.
As a result, the age-old series is still able to influence modern anime fans, who typically avoid watching classic series like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, Cowboy Bebop, and so many more. Togashi-Sensei’s magnum opus rode on the wave of success and received a live-action adaptation of the manga.
However, unlike the One Piece live adaptation, the mangaka was all in compromise with the quality of the live action. Typically, the authors are not comfortable with factors affecting their work, but this Togashi-Sensei we’re talking about, who was ready to let a video game affect it.
Yoshihiro Togashi Was Ready To Risk His Yu Yu Hokashi Live Action for a Video Game
In recent years, the idea of an anime live-action series has grown extremely popular, especially with the success of the One Piece live-action series. The adaptation became an instant hit from the very first episode, and fans could not believe how it was the first show that resonated with the very essence of the source material.
The series was meant to become a hit after all; Eiichiro Oda was closely involved with the show, and his approval played a key role in the progress of the TV series. Hence, he was delighted when the Netflix adaptation created a legacy of his own.
However, Yoshihiro Togashi was driven by other motives because he was not bothered by the adaptation and wanted to play a video game. During an exclusive interview, the manga artist was asked by the interviewer if he was involved like Oda-Sensei for the TV show.
The reply was somewhat surprising as he rhetorically asked, “Man, what do you think?” Before adding,
Of course not. There’s a new Dragon Quest game coming out in the not too distant future and I need to have some time set aside for that. …And my family.
Well, indeed, when Togashi-Sensei has achieved everything in life, he would not go further for higher fame and popularity as he has become a pretty big name in the anime and manga industry already.
Yoshihiro Togashi is The King of One-Liners
The fans of the mangaka consider him one of the founding members of the Shonen genre, as his immersive world-building and character design have kept him closer to the hearts of the fans. However, it was his one-liners that made him so popular.
In the same interview, the interviewer asked him if he considered himself to be “well-traveled?” He replied, “Yeah, well-traveled from my couch to the refrigerator! High five!” The interviewer then asked about his work ethic and “What inspires you to pick up the pen and draw?”
He replied, “My editors blowing up my phone.” Well, considering how mangakas are often burdened with work and following a strict timetable. Lastly, he was asked about his short-lived series titled Level E; he replied, “Level E? What the hell are you talking about?”
No wonder, the mangaka lives his life in the moment and is not bothered by what the critics or the fans thought about him. Hence, he tends to do or say things that please his heart.
Yu Yu Hakusho and One Piece live-action can be streamed on Netflix.
