Netflix’s newest live-action anime adaptation, Kakegurui, the Japanese drama that was filmed shortly after the first season of the anime.

Kakegurui (2018) aired a year after the anime, releasing a total of 10 episodes on MBS (Mainichi Broadcasting System) and TBS, with a second season following in 2019 and releasing 5 episodes. Unlike Netflix’s live-action adaptation, the Japanese drama follows the same storyline as written by the author of Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler, Homura Kawamoto. Like the anime, it doesn’t manage to adapt the entirety of the manga, but its loyalty towards the original source is greatly rewarding in comparison to Netflix’s adaptation.

Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler Triumphs in Japan’s Live-Action Adaptation from 2018

Keeping Creator Kawamoto’s Story Intact Even if it Too Implements Small Changes

Kakegurui’s live-action may not be a 1-1 creation, but it does follow the story beats in accordance with Kawamoto’s manga perfectly. Like the manga, Yumeko Jabami enrolls in the Hyakkaou Private Academy and is immediately challenged to a game, starting off her journey to accept whatever gambling opportunities may come and seeking out those who are willing to bet it all for the sake of exhilaration. Kakegurui’s (2018) only defining traits that set it apart are how many of the games are explained in comparison to the manga.

While the characters could often monologue within the pages of the manga, Kakegurui’s live-action takes on more of a stage play direction where the characters directly shift to the audience in a way that breaks the fourth wall to voice their thoughts. Meari Satome is even depicted momentarily goading a frozen room of classmates as she explains how she’s been able to pull one over on Yumeko the whole time in their Rock-Paper-Scissors: Voting Edition match, yet maintains a sweet and caring facade when reality switches back.

The live-action doesn’t take much of a detour in creative liberty because Kakegurui is already an interesting narrative surrounding the simple motives of a compulsive gambler let loose in a school that thrives on the rise and fall of students as an elite few rise through the rankings or are lost to a system where their debt seals their fate years after graduation. Another glowing achievement is the 2018 live-action film’s abilities in costume design, recreating the outfits the students wore, as well as the appearance of the Kakegurui cast.

Kakegurui’s Japanese Drama Live Action Recreates the Cast in Its Entirety and Faithfully

There are no Replacements Nor Major Changes Involved

Appearances matter in this gambling anime. First impressions are not meant to be how you should perceive that character, especially as your opponent. Yumeko is meant to look innocent, but her gambling addiction brings out a demonic disorder in line with a curse that has been the downfall of her family for generations. Mary Saotome is meant to rival her appearance, often coming off as conceited, vindictive, and unhinged, yet she is a very careful and intelligent player when in her element.

Even aside from the gambling aspects, much is revealed based on their character’s design. Riri Momobami is infamous for her mask and is depicted as a very shy and introverted character, since from a very young age, she was trained to be a reflection of Kirari, her sister, and thus has no real identity to call her own. In later chapters, when she’s allowed to remove the mask, she is seen to exhibit more personality, making her all the more endearing to the audience and fellow classmates.

Kirari is especially important as she’s depicted as almost god-like in her position of power, yet remains ethereal and angelic despite the hellish environment she’s created within the school. In the live-action, Kakegurui often teases her appearance on a chair separate from the other student council , surrounded by flowers as if she were in the Garden of Eden. Each character in Kakegurui’s 2018 version is faithfully adopted with some changes to the hair, since blonde is typically a difficult color to achieve for darker hair, yet characters like Meari (Mary) are still exceptionally easy to spot.

From Game to Game, Kakegurui’s Japanese Live-Action is an Exceptional Retelling of Kawamoto’s Story

While Not Perfect, it is Faithful and Wins Among Kakegurui Fans For a Decent Live-Action

From the story to the characters to even the games depicted in Kakegurui, Japan’s live-action recreates them beat for beat, faithfully adapting Kawamoto’s story in a new medium. While the TV series takes small liberties in showcasing some changes, they mostly arise in the form of alternate point-of-views from other characters that flesh out their perspectives outside of just Yumeko’s, only enhancing the experience by featuring Kakegurui’s beloved cast.

Though the 2018 live-action may have excellent costume design and a faithful script, the drama does tend to lend itself to extremes by trying to replicate the exaggerated expressions and movements anime is known for. This can result in rather cheesy performances that can feel over-the-top for actual people to act out in real life, and take audience out of the gravity of the stakes that gambling places on each game. The drama is also in Japanese and will require the audience to use English subtitles, whereas the anime had English dubbing.

Coupled with the actor’s dedicated performances, it makes for an enjoyable watch that embeds little homages throughout Kakegurui's live-action.

However, the live-action does provide a lot more clarification on the games presented in Kakegurui, adapting each while exploring the gimmicks and cheats behind them. This is often done by the cheater, however, which can take away from Yumeko’s highlights as she describes how the cheat is performed. But she does elaborate further on the details either to her opponent or to Ryota Suzui, as seen in her match against Student Council Yuriko Nishinotouin, where Nishinotouin teases how the game is played, but Yumeko breaks apart how she uses her classmates to cheat.

While Kakegurui’s live-action may not be the best anime adaptation to have been produced, it plays to the strengths of a live-action’s success by keeping to the source material and making good use of its costume design. Coupled with the actor’s dedicated performances, it makes for an enjoyable watch that embeds little homages throughout that further expand on the original work by Kawamoto, honoring Compulsive Gambler properly.