The official Netflix Japan Twitter account has shared the first image of Kanata Hongo as Hiei in the live-action Yu Yu Hakusho series. In addition to the image, Hongo’s comments about his new role had been shared.
“I will build it with a fighting style that takes advantage of speed, a cool but friendly personality, and I will assemble a Hiei that fans will like,” Hongo said.
Playing Hiei is just one of Kanata Hongo’s huge roles in a long and impressive career. Having started out as a child actor, Hongo has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, most of which are adaptations of manga and anime. He is known for playing Armin Arlert in the live-action film adaptation of Attack on Titan. Hongo recently reprised his role as Envy in Fullmetal Alchemist: Final Chapter - The Avenger Scar and Fullmetal Alchemist: Final Chapter - The Last Transmutation.
Kanata Hongo is the third cast member to be officially announced for the Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series. It was previously confirmed that Tokyo Revengers star Takumi Kitamura will play Yusuke Urameshi while Kimi wa Petto: You’re My Pet actor Jun Shison is taking on the role of Kurama. With that in mind, we’re expecting the Kazuma Kuwabara actor to be revealed tomorrow.
The Netflix Yu Yu Hakusho live-action series has not yet been given an official release date. However, the new show is expected to premiere on Netflix in December 2023.
