Kakegurui manga fans disappointed by its live adaptation Bet, slam Netflix for 'Asian erasure': 'Insulting and infuriating'

Time of India

18-05-2025

After the backlash surrounding Weak Hero Class 2, Netflix is now facing fresh criticism over another manga adaptation, this time, Kakegurui. The streaming giant's latest teen drama, Bet, inspired by the popular Japanese manga and anime Kakegurui, dropped on May 15. But instead of praise, it's drawing outrage from longtime fans who accuse Netflix of not only delivering a poorly written show but also whitewashing Asian representation.
What's the story of Bet?
Bet is a Western adaptation of Kakegurui, a manga set in a high-stakes high school where gambling determines social rank. The original is chaotic, stylised, and full of psychological thrills, with Yumeko Jabami, the risk-loving protagonist, at its centre. The Netflix version, created by Warrior Nun's Simon Barry, attempts to recreate that energy in a Western high school setting, but fans argue it strips away everything that made Kakegurui unique.
Kakegurui fans say the show completely misses the point
Despite Bet trending on the platform, viewers haven't held back in their criticism. On the Reddit subreddit dedicated to the manga, Kakegurui fans voiced frustration over the live-action's creative choices, calling it an insult to the original creation.
Another said, "They butchered the whole concept of kakegurui. Even if you take the plot and characters, at least try to retain their traits. Yumeko doesn't give an F about her parents or sister in the anime; she literally is a horny sex addict to gambling. The motivation to bring down the council was not even a subplot equivalent. All the members of the student council suck. This show is just garbage." "The black boy is a pet ... Seriously, no one at Netflix sees this as a problem??? The action is bad, just plain bad, even the main character," a third user said.
Accusations of 'Asian erasure' add fuel to the fire
Beyond the storytelling, fans are especially upset about what they see as a lack of Asian representation in a show based on an Asian property. While Bet stars Miku Martineau as Yumeko, she's one of the only Asian actors in a cast that many feel should have prominently featured Asian talent.
One user on Reddit vented, 'Hollywood really cast one Asian actor and called it a day. This happens in every Western remake — One Piece, Death Note, and now Kakegurui. It's always the same pattern. People love our culture but don't want to see us on screen.'
Another commenter echoed the sentiment, writing, 'The 'Westernization' of this show is insulting and infuriating. Bet feels like it was made for people who think Kakegurui is 'too Japanese'.'
Fans across communities chimed in with their personal perspectives. One Black anime fan shared, 'As a Black person, I know how it feels when people love your culture but ignore your people. Anime has always been a way for underrepresented folks to find community. So when a manga like Kakegurui gets adapted, it's an opportunity to spotlight overlooked Asian talent. And they just… didn't.'
Another added, 'It's not about needing all the characters to be Asian, but at least acknowledge where the story comes from. If it's based on Japanese content, why is it so hard to cast Asian Americans or Canadians in leading roles?'
However, not everyone agreed with the outrage, as some fans argued that when a show is relocated to a Western setting, diverse casting makes sense.
All eight episodes of Bet are now streaming on Netflix, with the show currently trending globally on the streamer.