Netflix has officially revealed Bet, its live-action adaptation of the popular anime Kakegurui, and fans are already voicing concerns. While the original manga by Homura Kawamoto and illustrator Tooru Naomura delivered a dark, eccentric look into the world of high-stakes gambling, Bet appears to be taking a very different approach. The new series makes bold changes not only to character appearances but also to the heart of the story itself, shifting away from what made the original so unique.
Major Changes to Yumeko’s Character and Story
One of the most talked-about changes is to the main character, Yumeko Jabami. In the original series, she’s portrayed as a mysterious transfer student with a compulsive gambling addiction, driven purely by the thrill of high-stakes games and her masterful observation skills. In Bet, however, her motivation has been rewritten and she’s now gambling to uncover the truth behind her parents’ murder.
This shift dramatically alters Yumeko’s entire personality and undermines the eerie unpredictability that made her so captivating. While adding a revenge element may seem like it raises the stakes, many fans feel it entirely removes the psychological edge of the story.
New Setting, New Name, New Identity
Netflix’s Bet doesn’t just change Yumeko’s backstory, it also relocates the story’s setting to the United States. Instead of attending Hyakkaou Private Academy, Yumeko is now a transfer student from Japan entering an American high school. This change not only impacts the cultural context but also how the story’s disturbing social hierarchy, where low-ranking students are treated as pawns or slaves, is received.
Even the title has been changed. The original name Kakegurui translates to “compulsive gambler” and reflects the core theme of the series. Renaming it to Bet strips away that nuance, leaving fans to wonder whether the show will maintain the same thematic weight or just go for something more surface-level.
Visuals and Casting Spark Mixed Reactions
The cast for Bet includes Miku Martineau as Yumeko, along with Rami Khan, Ryan Sutherland, Eve Edwards, and Ayo Solanke. While fans appreciate the diverse casting, there’s concern that the visual identity of the original anime, especially its eccentric costumes, facial expressions, and psychological intensity will be hard to replicate in live action.
Anime adaptations often struggle to bring over-the-top character designs and theatrical moments into a grounded, realistic setting. Kakegurui in particular thrived on its visual extremes, which may not translate well without becoming unintentionally awkward or losing their original impact.
Japan’s Versions Set a Higher Standard
Netflix’s adaptation isn’t the first live-action take on Kakegurui. Japan released a faithful version in 2018, followed by two movies: Kakegurui and Kakegurui 2: Ultimate Russian Roulette. These versions stayed close to the manga and anime in terms of both story and character design, and while they weren’t perfect, they effectively preserved the twisted charm and emotional intensity of the source material.
With that in mind, fans are questioning why Netflix felt the need to reinvent the wheel. If the Japanese adaptations succeeded by staying true to the original, why take such a different route this time?
Will Bet Win Fans Over or Come Up Short?
With Bet releasing on May 15, 2025, anticipation is high but so is skepticism. Netflix has had mixed results with anime adaptations in the past, and Kakegurui fans are understandably cautious. Reimagining a beloved story is always a risk, and right now, many feel that Bet is deviating too far from what made the original special.
Whether this gamble pays off or falls flat will depend on how well Bet balances creative freedom with respect for its source. For now, fans are keeping their expectations in check and hoping the odds turn out better than they look.
About Kakegurui
Kakegurui is an anime based on a manga of the same name written by Homura Kawamoto and illustrated by Toru Naomura. It is directed by Yuichiro Hayashi and is animated by MAPPA.
Hyakkaou Private Academy, a regular school for ultra-rich kids by day and a grotesque gambling den by night, has an inbuilt social hierarchy.
Based on how one performs in gambling and manipulating their peers, students are ranked best to worst, the top rankers being the most powerful.
Yumeko Jabami, a transfer student who gambles just for the thrill of it, becomes the new challenger and the talk of the Hyakkaou’s elite student council.
Her insane love for gambling presents her with new challenges as she climbs her way to the top.
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