Netflix’s new live-action series Bet, based on the popular manga Kakegurui, has sparked major controversy since its release on May 15, 2025. Fans are upset with the casting choices, calling it the “worst casting ever” and comparing the backlash to the criticism Bella Ramsey faced for her role as Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us.
The show follows Yumeko, a mysterious new student at St. Dominic’s, an elite school where gambling skills decide social status. While the original manga and anime are loved for their intense, over-the-top characters, fans say the live-action version fails to capture the same energy. Many complain about changes in character appearances, race, and gender, which they feel stray too far from the source material.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“WORST CASTING I’VE EVER SEEN since Bella Ramsey as Ellie.”
Others defended Ramsey, saying her performance was far better than the casting in Bet:
“Don’t compare Bella Ramsey to that sht. Bella is sooo much better omg.”* “Bella Ramsey as Ellie is fine. This isn’t even comparable.” “At least Bella can act.”
Some fans pointed out that Ramsey’s only issue was her hairstyle, while Bet faces deeper criticisms, including weak acting and major character changes.
Major Changes in Netflix’s “Bet” Compared to Original Manga
The original Kakegurui manga, created by Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura, was first adapted into a Japanese live-action series in 2018 and a movie in 2019. Both stayed close to the manga’s plot and characters. However, Netflix’s Bet takes a different approach, changing key elements that fans say ruin the story.
One major complaint is the replacement of Mary, a fan-favorite character, with a male character named Ryan. Mary’s dynamic with Yumeko was a big part of the original, and her removal has upset many fans. Some also criticized the lack of Asian representation, despite the story’s strong ties to Japanese culture.
A Reddit user shared:
“The Asian erasure is wild. First thing I noticed was the lack of Asian cast in a story deeply rooted in Japanese themes.”
Mixed Reactions from Viewers
While many fans hate the adaptation, some viewers enjoyed it as a separate show rather than a direct remake. One fan who watched the entire series said:
“The cringe is horrible, but I found it interesting how they changed the plot. As a live-action adaptation, it’s better than most. As a standalone series, it’s worse than most.”
Others called it “mid”, saying it could have worked in 2020 but feels outdated now. A few even praised Miku Martineau, who plays Yumeko, for her performance, though they admitted the show declines after Episode 4.
Netflix’s History with Live-Action Adaptations
Netflix has faced criticism before for live-action adaptations of anime and manga, such as Death Note and Cowboy Bebop, which were both canceled after one season. Fans worry Bet will follow the same path.
One viewer commented:
“Netflix trying not to ruin a masterpiece impossible challenge.”
Despite the backlash, the show’s creator Simon Barry defended the changes, saying they wanted to “pay homage” to the original while creating something new.
Will There Be a Season 2?
With the strong negative reaction, it’s unclear if Bet will get a second season. Many fans would rather see a third season of the anime or more of the Japanese live-action series instead.
For now, all 10 episodes of Bet are available on Netflix, letting viewers decide for themselves.
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