Upamanyu Biswas
Created by Simon Barry, Netflix’s ‘Bet‘ centers on an enigmatic teenager named Yumeko Kawamoto, who arrives at St. Dominic’s Prep, a private school for the elite, with a secret mission in mind. Haunted by a tragic event in her past, Yumeko seeks revenge against those who wronged her in her childhood, embroiling her in the dark secrets of St. Dominic’s, where gambling is a way to climb the ranks of a stratified social hierarchy. Her antics attract the attention of the school’s student council members, a privileged bunch of teens who are desperate to cling to their powers, even if it means going behind the protagonist’s back to do so. The thriller series delves into a high-octane narrative where high school drama and mystery remain centerstage to the overall premise.
Bet is an Adaptation of a Gambling-Centered Manga
While ‘Bet’ is not based on a true story per se, it is inspired by the manga series, ‘Kakegurui,’ drafted by Homura Kawamoto and illustrated by Tōru Naomura. The show’s script is co-written by creator Simon Barry, alongside Amanda Fahey, Laura Good, Kurt Mungal, Ashley Park, and Chris Roberts. For the most part, the creative team leans on the source material for the overarching elements of the narrative, such as the presence of an exclusive high school where one’s prowess in gambling is the sole marker of societal status. In ‘Kakegurui,’ the private institute is named Hyakkaou Private Academy, which differs from St. Dominic’s Prep. However, outside the changes to the name, the two institutes are identical in essence. Therefore, the live-action series faithfully represents the manga while taking a few creative liberties in some places.
In an interview with Netflix, Barry said, “When the Bet creative team set out to develop a series inspired by Kakegurui, we knew there was no point trying to reproduce the original, as it stands on its own and works perfectly. Instead, we chose to be directed by the spirit Kakegurui inhabits in tone, audaciousness, and fun.” The idea behind the project is to pay homage to the source material without adapting everything one-to-one. To that end, the creator described the show as an offshoot of the manga that takes inspiration without being a replica. As the show is targeted at a broader demographic, the changes are essential to revamping certain cultural aspects of the manga, making it more appealing to a Western audience.
One of the notable alterations within the show is the introduction of original characters who are not based on any preexisting figures within the manga, like Michael. While most of the people within the school try to embrace gambling as part of their daily routine, Michael shuns the entire establishment and tries to stay away. It constitutes the mystery behind his character and the complex reasons behind his decisions, hinting that there may be something more deep-rooted in his past. Hunter Cardinal, who plays Michael, found the character to be an intriguing blend of conflicting choices. However, it all stems from the show’s commitment to bringing nuance into the mix. “I felt like what we were trying to do is really intentionally honor the source material by honoring its spirit, and not trying to flatten it with, you know, games of mimicry,” Cardinal stated.
Yumeko Kawamoto is a Fictional Character at the Heart of the Story
A large chunk of the excitement in ‘Bet’ stems from the firecracker personality leading the series – Yumeko Kawamoto. She is a fictional character inspired by Yumeko Jabami, the protagonist in ‘Kakegurui.’ Miku Martineau, who plays the character, explained in an interview, “I absolutely read the manga and I studied her (Yumeko). There was no way I was going to play Yumeko without that manga side to her. I mean that’s our entire show, we’re bringing this whole new style to life and also humanizing it.” The actress acknowledged the differences between a manga’s tonality and projecting the same energy onto the live-action format. To that end, Martineau focused on “little physicalities” her character does in the source material that could be realized more authentically in the Netflix series.
The two versions share many similarities, including their seemingly unhinged and madcap love for gambling and a penchant for betting big. After seeing how the elite school students cheat their way to victory, Yumeko uses their arrogance against them by counteracting their deception and leveling the playing field. In the show, she constantly reiterates her desire to play a “fair game,” which is one of her prime motivations. However, her obsession with revenge is another central aspect of her character, which sets her up as a lethal figure. These different facets add to Yumeko’s enigmatic characteristics and how she can be an unpredictable presence. She can bend the rules to achieve what she wants, making her the most vital part of the show, even though she remains a fictional character with no ties to the real world.
