Shishiwakamaru

Roto

Genkai

Shinobu Sensui

Mukuro

Mitsunari Yanagisawa

Touou

Sasuga

Raizen

Uraurashima

Koenma

Chuu

Gouki

Shura

Fubuki Sato

Woman

Suzaku

Tsukihito Amanuma

Sakamoto

Asato Kido

Yomi

Keiko Yukimura

Rishou

Urameshi Yusuke, 14 years of age, is about as troublesome and violent as teenagers come. He is constantly ditching school, causing trouble, and getting into numerous fights everyday. One day however, he does the unexpected, sacrificing himself to save a young child. Such an action, was never ever expected, especially coming from someone as troublesome as Urameshi Yusuke. The afterlife is not prepared for Yusuke, as they never thought he would make such a sacrifice. Nowhere to go, and dead, Yusuke becomes a ghost and must earn his way back into existence. 
Yusuke is "employed" by Koenma, who is in charge while his father and ruler of the afterlife, King Enma, is away. Under Koenma's command, Yusuke helps to stop menacing demons that threaten the lives of people everywhere; whether by stealing priceless and invaluable items and destructive weapons, or by wreaking havoc on humans everywhere. 
Throughout Yusuke's journey, he is usually joined by; his arch-rival, and local bully, Kuwabara Kazuma. He is also joined by two demons named Hiei and Kurama, whom are ex-convicts of the afterlife that managed to escape from Koenma. 
This group of unlikely allies goes on to participate and struggle in battles that have outcomes that determine the fate of humanity! 
(Source: AniDB)

Yu Yu Hakusho is every aspect of shonen anime done right. If you're like most people, there's a very good chance that there are at least a few, if not several, shonen superseries gracing your list as you read this, but if Yu Yu Hakusho is not among them, you have not yet seen all that a shonen anime can truly be.



 __Writing:__ Let's get right into the thick of it... Yu Yu Hakusho's basic plot is a fairly simple one, as is the case for most of its brethren: It establishes a formula and tells you what to expect episode after episode. Yusuke Urameshi, a 14-year-old delinquent, is killed in a car accident, and given the opportunity to restore his life on the condition that he become the detective of the Spirit World, using his street-fighting prowess in combination with his newly-awakening "spirit energy" to trounce the bad guys. Simple enough, no?

As Yusuke faces one case after another, however, honing his abilities and gaining new allies along the way, he is confronted with increasingly perilous situations, threatening his own life and those of his loved ones, as he faces off against foes, friends, and even himself. What sets this series--along with other works by Yoshihiro Togashi (also including Hunter x Hunter)--apart, however, is the sheer level of development that takes place in the plotline and in the characters. Yu Yu Hakusho truly is a series that grows upon itself, and many of its viewers may find themselves growing with it. Every action has its consequence, every character his or her own life and feelings... in particular, Yu Yu Hakusho's villains are some of the deepest and oftentimes most sympathetic characters you'll find anywhere.

The series is the perfect length for what it is at 112 episodes, starting out in a fairly happy-go-lucky fashion with a new case and a new opponent week after week before expanding into an intricately-woven tapestry of character relations, ulterior motives, and a plain old romping good time had through it all.

 __Art:__ The art is a little dated, this being an early- to mid-90's series, but the style is recognizable as being unique to the show and something that any long-time fans of the series would recognize immediately. Many characters, shots, and effects are wonderfully detailed, but as a whole, the show doesn't have the most glorious artwork in the world. Is that a problem? I don't think so in the slightest. The art style adds to the charm of this series and makes it that much easier to grow attached to it.

 __Sound:__ The topic of sound is a very important one. Now, normally, if the Japanese and English dubs of a show are close enough in quality, I'll state as much and leave it to the individual viewer to decide which to partake in. The Japanese dub isn't a bad one, but Yu Yu Hakusho is one of those shows where I must heartily recommend the English version over the Japanese. The incredible amount of heart that FUNimation and the cast put into the dub of this series is inspiring, and second only to how much fun they had along the way.

Many of the lines are modified and ad-libbed rather than being fairly direct translations, and some characters have been given accents and/or had the pronunciation of their names altered... the first of which I know many people, myself included, are pretty adamantly opposed to. But in this one case, if no others, Mr. Justin Cook and crew have so splendidly captured the spirit of the show that watching the English version and the Japanese version are two entirely unique experiences, and for what my opinion is worth, the English one is where the heart of this series really shines.

...oh, and the music's okay, too.



Bottom line, you won't find another series with all the heart, growth, character development, action, drama, and above all, fun, wrapped so splendidly in a big, red, flippant-towards-authority bow. One Piece isn't a bad competitor, but Yu Yu Hakusho isn't quite as cartoony. If you have yet to watch this series, I highly recommend you do so, and if you're looking for something that's spirited and fun to watch but at the same time powerful and inquisitive, I urge you to pick up Yu Yu Hakusho as soon as possible.

Yu Yu Hakusho is shonen done right. If you haven't seen this show, you haven't seen shonen.


Ah YuYu Hakusho the series that spawned a generation right alongside Dragon Ball Z and honestly I can definitely see why cause in many respects it's right up there with the FMA franchise as a series that tells a simple story but by focusing on the struggles of it's characters you can easily find many deeper layers especially with the villains but lets not beat around the bush and jump right in starting with the story

~~~img220(http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb25/yuyuhakusho/images/8/89/Wiki-wordmark.png)~~~
~~~__Story__~~~
So the story starts off pretty simple the main character dies...So ya that's where we're starting people: 14 year old delinquent Yusuke Urameshi dies after saving a kid from being hit by an oncoming car. From there he meets the bright and chipper grim reaper Botan (geez never thought I'd use those words to describe the messenger of death) who offers him a second chance at life because get this apparently the kid he saved would've survived without his intervention essentially meaning Yusuke's death was POINTLESS...Okay real talk if that isn't the biggest Fuck You to a main character then I don't know what is

Anyway from there he's brought to the Spirit World where he's given several tests of character from Koenma, the son of King Enma and interim Ruler of the Spirit World in order to prove that he's worthy of being given a second chance at life. Now I will admit the first problem I ever had with the series in both anime and manga format is that Yusuke returned to his body a little too quickly but I suppose if they did expand on that one detail then the pacing would've suffered so it was a necessary sacrifice 

After Yusuke returns to his body he's once again approached by Botan who tells him he's been hired as a Spirit Detective; a supernatural investigator who hunts down all manner of apparitions, demons and even some humans who commit crimes that pose a threat to the balance between the Human and Spirit Worlds along the way coming across a colorful cast of characters, both friends  and foes alike. Now I have to admit when I heard about the whole Spirit Detective Concept it sounded like it was gonna be a pretty basic setup and while it is on the surface, the story does a good job of fleshing out and exploring the grey area with humans and demons through the Assignments Yusuke's given by Koenma and that the two races share more in common than you'd think

Now having said that I will admit there are some aspects to the story that the anime actually changes compared to the Manga and while they aren't necessarily bad they do in certain respects give the anime a slightly different identity particularly involving King Enma and Sakyo's roles in the overall plot but like I said it's not a problem just a noticeable creative change. 

Final thing I'd like to talk about with the story is the final arc and it's no secret that it is the weakest of the bunch but I think with that arc in particular we can blame more on Shonen Jump's interference more than Togashi himself as it's clear he had the pieces laid out for a Human/Demon World War Arc, hell he even confirmed it more or less in an interview but from my understanding once the magazine learned of his intent with the arc (Deconstructing the characters) they shut him down and he was forced to end the series with another tournament so the last arc really one of those unique times where you look back and wonder what could've been if Shonen Jump (And Togashi's ailing health) weren't contributing factors

~~~img220(http://static.tumblr.com/ca9cuas/8Zpm0p854/yyh.gif)~~~
~~~__Characters __~~~
So we now move on with the characters and my favourites are your favourites: Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Hiei, Genkai and Botan. Ya if you couldn't tell its one of the rare times in a Shonen where all the main characters are my favourites  but the beauty of YuYu Hakusho when it comes to its characters is that all the characters both main and supporting are both entertaining and memorable and majority if not all you remember cause there's something distinct about them that stands out be they human or demon. And I think a lot of that comes from the fact that the show keeps all the characters in such a grounded state where it portrays them as humans first, power junkies second. Some personal supporting favourites of mine are: Chu or as I like to call him the Demon Crocodile Hunter, Rinku who's the demon equivalent of Ness from SSB, Jin the Wind Demon who's so much like Yusuke you'd swear they're brothers Yukina the Ice apparition (and Hiei's sister) with the warmest heart you'll see and even a few human characters like Kuwabara's older sister Shizuru  who really worked her way up on my best girls in anime list quite quickly just from how much of a no nonsense chick she is. But lets start getting a little more in-depth with the main cast. In fact one thing I admire is how natural the relationships between all the characters develop, it always felt like there was a natural progression of their relationship throughout the show and never once felt forced


~~~img220(http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140127025639/yuyuhakusho/images/5/51/YusukeOfficial.png)~~~
~~~__Yusuke Urameshi__
~~~
Okay so starting off with the main protagonist we got Yusuke and honestly from the very first episode I was sold on him and not just as the protagonist but as a character in general cause most of my experiences with a Shonen protagonist nowadays  consist of the main character in a world where he feels unfairly treated and tries to prove them wrong which is still an admirable goal for a main character but with Yusuke it's kinda backwards. We are introduced to Yusuke in the environment that looks down on him but Yusuke's mentality towards his situation is simply: "This is me accept it or get the hell out of my face" which in many respects makes him all the more intriguing to watch as it shows the main character is flawed but he's okay with that and in a way makes him more relatable than most


~~~img220(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/yuyuhakusho/images/c/cb/KuwabaraOfficial.png/revision/latest?cb=20140127025746)~~~
~~~__Kuwabara__~~~
Now if we consider Yusuke relatable just from how much he loves to get into fights then Kuwabara is relatable from just how much he represent both the type of character Yusuke is as well as how well rounded he becomes because Kuwabara starts out much like Yusuke but over time the layers really start to peel away and we see just how much he values the simple things like loyalty, honor and friendship; all things you'd find in a typical shounen protagonist but still with that little twist 

It sounds like a simple description right? Well that's cause it is, Kuwabara is a character that doesn't need much of a reason or purpose to do the things he does, he just acts on what he feels is the right think to do. This of course forms the basis of his honor code as to him it doesn't matter if your friend or foe he's willing to help even if there are times where they might not want it. Another string but relevant trait is how much Kuwabara values the friendships he's made with the other three members of the main group especially his bond with Yusuke as they genuinely feel like they're brothers  as they roughhouse and tease eachother but still have plenty of room to respect each other as well

~~~img220(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/yuyuhakusho/images/f/f3/KuramaOfficial.png/revision/latest?cb=20140127025833)~~~
~~~__Kurama__~~~
Much like Kuwabara I like how Kurama can be simplistic but also complex just from the actions he takes. When we first meet Hiei he starts out as a villain alongside Hiei but as we go deeper into the story we start to realize that he has one simple desire: To protect his family and that's really all you need to know about him cause much like Kuwabara his desire to protect those he cares about is so real to the point where you worry of what he might do if you anger him 

One of the things I find interesting about Kurama is his fighting abilities and how a lot of his techniques are based around plant and flower manipulation which doesn't sound the least bit threatening on the surface but when you see it in action combined with Kurama's intellect and cunning it can actually be a very terrifying display to watch. Top it off with his ability to tap into the spirit of his former self; a fox demon bandit and Kurama's the whole package 

Speaking of which I may as well talk a little about his other side Yoko Kurama and initially upon watching the series the one thing that I thought was lacking is that I wanted to know more about Kurama's previous life as Yoko other than what we got with Yomi and it's one of those cases where I find myself split. I understand that sometimes less is more but in Yoko Kurama's case I actually want to know more but considering the way Togashi writes his stories I guess it was more than enough to keep us intrigued


~~~img220(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/yuyuhakusho/images/5/5b/HieiOfficial.png/revision/latest?cb=20140127025917)~~~
~~~__Hiei__~~~
The big bad and brooding loner of the group himself yep it's Hiei and I'll say this with absolute Certainty: One thing that always appealed to me about Hiei is how subtle yet obvious his character development was. In the beginning of the series he's very much the villain but after his encounter with Yusuke you do start to notice the changes in his demeanor and even his views. I feel the first real hint of this was after the mission to save his sister  Yukina from Tarukane where you could see a real sense of concern for her and a slight sense of mercy develop within him when he chose to spare Tarukane. I mean a portion of it could've been Yukina pleading with him not to kill but I like to think he still took something away from it. The next but slightly more obvious change was in the tournament where he loses his straight face demeanor a number of times in comedic fusion throughout the tournament  as well as a more sarcastic tone. It all came full circle for me in the battle with Sensui where he lashed out at Sensui with a little of the Dragon of the Darkness Flame action

Speaking of the dragon lets talk about Hiei's style of combat which in a word is brutal and he's definitely not afraid to show how much he loves tearing into his opponents with his swordsmanship skills and his flame powers. I think my favourite fight with him that showcased how uses all these talents is the fight with Bui where he learned to fully master the Darkness Dragon 

To end this portion of the review I wanna talk a little about Hiei's backstory. Now good old Hiei as we know was born a fire demon in a village of all female ice apparitions like his sister but from the moment he was born he was cast out by the elders of the village and thrown over a cliff cause he was considered a bad omen to the village...Geez Togashi really enjoys writing totally fucked up scenarios but at the same time that's also what makes it one of my favourites and it gives all we need to know about why he grew up so bitter yet conflicted when it concerns his sister

~~~img220(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/79/9c/4a/799c4a18126b2f5fe8010b8f68464ffc.jpg)~~~
__~~~Botan~~~__
Okay so Botan was originally one of those characters for me that when I first saw her I thought I'd hate her and while there are annoying moments with her neither are they enough to make me want to tear my hair out insufferable (Unlike another character Cynthia Cranz has played) so for what we get it's fairly enjoyable and she does still have her badass and emotional moments I can get behind

~~~img220(https://enterthecinema.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/08-l-genkai.png)~~~
__~~~Genkai~~~__
Genkai was a character that started off as the badass mentor but then by the time of the dark tournament I really started to feel more and more for her  right up to the point where her connection with Toguro was revealed and her death. If I'm being honest I would've preferred if she stayed dead but her resurrection was still handled better than how DBZ does it. And I really like her relationship with Yusuke as he feels like that annoying grandson she never wanted but puts up with him because of his hidden potential 

~~~img220(http://yuyuhakusho.webz.cz/images/misc/stwo/toguros_sakyo.jpeg)~~~
__~~~Toguro and Sakyo~~~__
And ya I think I should move on at this point with the antagonists cause this show has produced some really amazing ones in the form of Toguro, Sakyo and Sensui and the one thing I think that makes all these villains work so well is very much a similar logic that the main and secondary characters run on: They're human first, power junkies second, something that a lot of Shonen tend to miss the mark on. In Toguro's case it's very much a situation where once he became a demon he realized how much he actually cursed himself in his pursuit of power so he just wanted someone to kill him and he saw that possibility in Yusuke which formed the basis for his motivation in the Dark Tournament even if it meant killing the woman he loved. 

And with Sakyo he's truly one of those characters that personifies how flawed we as humans are because he recognizes and is aware how 'evil' he is but he's content with that because it's just who he is and every time he's on screen you can just tell he enjoys every minute of it

~~~img220(https://78.media.tumblr.com/1f4d9a27f30032f30814437d5c6a4c19/tumblr_n56x7jTqHq1qj5jqso1_500.gif)
~~~
__~~~Sensui~~~__
Sensui for me was one of those villains where much like Sakyo all it took was his motivations to get behind him because much like Thanos even though you know what he's doing is wrong there's still a strange part of you that can't help but agree with what he says because in one form or another you've seen the corruption he's talking about. And just from the fact that his mind was fractured into 7 split personalities that was brought upon by his work as a Spirit Detective does add even more to the tragedy of his character  and proves that there is never a black and white way of looking at things, there has always been and will always be shades of grey to the world no matter which way we try and justify it

Amd this might sound a bit scary coming from me but I think at the core of what makes me latch on to Sensui so much is that while not as radical there have been times where I do wonder if it is better if we as a human race were better off just wiped off the map, hell it feels we're headed in that direction already and to a degree even deserve extinction, ya I know dark but that's also what made me latch on to Thanos from Infinity War

~~~ img220(http://images.rapgenius.com/23ff45284207a9c22bf75309356caa23.446x262x199.gif)~~~
~~~__Animation and Artwork__~~~
Now art and animation wise I have to admit it does hold up very well but then again I've always had a soft spot for Cell animation over digital and I'm not gonna sit here and say it was perfect; there were definitely moments and episodes where the animation went from taking a slight dip to the occasional nose dive but I think majority cases in the latter category was due to a change in staff so it's somewhat of an understandable dip in quality. But with that being said for every two or three times where the animation doesn't exactly hold up there are just as many moments where it does especially when you see characters utilize their attacks which to me is when the colors just pop off the screen and the show becomes a truly visual wonder

So for those who are unaware the animation was done by Studio Pierrot who since then have become pariahs to the anime community for their handling of the Naruto/Boruto franchise and the Tokyo Ghoul anime adaptations and ya i'd be lying if I said I couldn't understand why I mean Boruto is fine but it's also a constant reminder that modern Pierrot feels like they're desperate to hold on to any franchise they can at this point but at the same time at least YuYu Hakusho is an example of what they could do before going in a very odd direction

youtube(https://youtu.be/WUW2hRQkegM)
~~~__Music/Soundtrack__~~~
Now the music, especially the opening is interesting because for a dark shounen series like this there are a lot of times where the music is surprisingly upbeat. I mean don't get me wrong there is music and soundtracks that perfectly capture the intensity of the more harsh and dramatic moments but the majority of songs in Yu Yu Hakusho have this generally upbeat feel to them whichj really feels like its luring by promising an upbeat experience only to dashj those hopes away with some of the most tragic and fucked up scenarios in an anime comparable to something out of the FMA franchise

Now focusing in on the opening for a bit, the title of it is called Smile Bomb and it is by far one of the biggest emotional traps the series has because the tune is catchy as hell with an overall rocking beat and the singers (Mawatari Mitsuko in Japanese and Sara White in English) do a good job at capturing the high energy of the opening but there is kind of an interesting aspect to this opening that lends itself to theories: As manga readers will know Yu Yu Hakusho was the first manga published in Shonen Jump by Yoshihiro Togashi who's currently the author of Hunter x Hunter (Hunter x Hunter 2011 anime wise) but where am I going with this? Well much like how Departure was the singular opening theme used in Hunter x Hunter's second anime adaptation with the only difference being a change in opening animation , the same also holds true for Smile Bomb which leads me to believe that one specific creative detail between the two anime was more than likely a choice Togashi made personally and if that is in fact the case then the man really likes to troll his audiences' expectations  

Now the ending songs I will admit I'm a bit more objective about cause while all relatively good songs I think the only ones I actually ended up liking are Ending 1 "The Homework Doesn't End" , Ending 3 "Unbalanced Kisses" and Ending 4 "The Sun Will Shine Again" and that's not to say I don't like the other ending songs  but it is a case where they started off hyped but then it fell flat in certain places as well but hey three out of five isn't bad

~~~img220(https://66.media.tumblr.com/415b0fb138a7c03150c45b02f33ce97a/tumblr_mwpkj1lRtw1sj5h7go1_500.gif)~~~
~~~__Conclusion__~~~
Time for the final thoughts and the biggest question is: Where do I stand on Yu Yu Hakusho? And has it Held Up?

Honestly I'd say yes cause I feel whether you read the manga or not this is an anime that everyone can find some manner of enjoyment in and as a manga reader myself I thouroughly enjoyed it even if I was aware of the differences that were made to the content of the story the changes themselves weren't distracting enough to make a difference to my overall enjoyment and as someone who became a fan of YuYu Hakusho about a year ago (Grew up more as an FMA Brat) I'm still glad I did watch it cause this series was definitely one of the first to present the idea that Shonen can be emotionally dark and tell a complex story without crossing over into the Seinen genre. Yu Yu Hakusho really is a gem and I highly recommend it to those very few who haven't seen it


And after tallying up all the facts on Anilist I can give it no more and no less than a glowing recommendation of 

8.7/10
87/100

LATER GUYS!! 

This review is spoiler free.

img600(https://i.imgur.com/rrNifVM.png)

In 2015 I was at my local convention enjoying the closing ceremonies, a certain AMV played and then I realized I had really been missing out. The video was for “Yu Yu Hakusho” the acclaimed adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi’s influential manga. And in that moment it was as if lightening had struck me and opened by eyes to something I should have seen a long time ago. I had always been aware of the series, in fact the reason I had decided to watch the 2011 “Hunter x Hunter” anime was because of people saying “it’s by the guy who did ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’”. However due to a variety of reasons including the fact that I didn’t have access to Cartoon Network when it was airing on American TV I just had not seen it for myself. But once I finally sat down to watch it I was completely blown away. Not only was it as good as “Hunter x Hunter”, it may have even been better. All throughout its 112 episode run I was hooked and when it came time for me to rewatch it I was impressed all over again. With its unique blend of action, horror, comedy, and fantasy it is easily one of the highlights of the 90s that helped inspire hits like “Naruto”, “Bleach”, and I even see some influence in “Kimetsu no Yaiba”. Not to mention the ways it helped pave the way for Togashi’s other big hit. More than that though, it is also one of the greatest anime to come from that decade. As someone who loves shonen anime and manga this is something I cannot recommend enough. 

Our protagonist is the fourteen year old delinquent Yusuke Urameshi. He’s brash, he’s aggressive, he’s sharp tongued, and he’s dead. While skipping school he has a moment of surprising selflessness and saves a small child from being hit by a car at the expense of his life. After meeting the Shinigami Botan he is brought to meet Koenma, the son of King Enma and ruler of the Spirit Realm. Koenma senses Yusuke possesses an unusually high spirit energy and upon having him complete a series of tasks he is resurrected and appointed as a Spirit Detective. Once granted his new chance at life he develops a new friendship with a previously rival delinquent, Kazuma Kuwabara, and undergoes the tutelage of the martial arts master Genkai. Through a series of missions he eventually builds relationships with the beautiful and benevolent fox demon Kurama and the dark and mysterious Jagan master Hiei. Together these characters make up our main cast and we follow them through rescue missions, to the epic splendor of the Dark Tournament, to a brewing war in the Demon Realm, and so much more in between.

img600(https://i.imgur.com/pgvDYOX.png)

When it comes to the characters I think Togashi really hit it out of the park. Yusuke is one of my favorite protagonists in all of anime and a perfect example of how to make an amoral character that isn’t placed on some pedestal because he’s the main character. Yusuke can be selfish, he makes mistakes in his relationships, he is impulsive, and he has little to no concern for being polite. Often someone has to tell him the way he’s behaving isn’t okay, usually with it being either Kuwabara or his childhood friend and love interest Keiko. The flaws that he possesses feel like genuine flaws, they aren’t distorted into feeling like something positive or ignored. What keeps him from feeling too far in one direction is the fact that Togashi understood where to place his good qualities and keep him balanced. Yusuke is a very funny and enjoyable personality despite his issues and we see on several occasions what he values and wants to protect. Despite his problems with his mother, Atsuko, he still couldn’t bear to see her grieve his death and his budding romance with Keiko offers a softer side to Yusuke. And as the series progresses you see him develop into a stronger version of himself. With a character like Kuwabara even though he’s another loud delinquent teen he is also surprisingly level headed compared to Yusuke, often acting as a voice of reason. He also possesses a romantic side that serves for some really endearing and lighthearted moments. As a full blooded human in a group containing two demons and someone who came back from the dead he sometimes has his struggles with fighting, but when the moment strikes he can surprise everyone with what he’s capable of. Kurama is a character who I think would have been very flat in the hands of a lesser writer, but thankfully Togashi is not that. He was once a legendary demon thief who suffered a near fatal injury and had to take refuge within the body of a human couple’s son. By becoming their child he found himself softening to humanity and even going as far as to offer his own life in exchange for saving his mother. But when things get tense we see the thorns beneath the elegant surface and get a taste for the demon Kurama once was. In the case of Hiei he is another that could have been dull in the hands of somebody else. Unlike someone like Vegeta, his most obvious predecessor, Hiei is given more depth of personality and isn’t purely defined by his lust for power. When it’s discovered that his sister Yukina has been kidnapped we see that Hiei is willing to go to great lengths for her even if he doesn’t gain anything from it. He guards his secrets with an iron grip, but when the viewer comes to learn about them Hiei is seen in a whole new light. And unlike the characters he would influence, like Sasuke Uchiha, he is also capable of having a dry humorous side and being used in some really enjoyable comedic scenes at his expense. This main set of four is just spectacular, one of the best main casts from a Jump series, and I can’t imagine the anime without them.

img600(https://i.imgur.com/yTSY7LT.png)

One of the reasons I like Togashi so much as a mangaka is how he is able to work with various shonen conventions and still provide a unique spin on them. Many have said he was subverting tropes in “Hunter x Hunter”, but what I really think he was doing was offering his own take on certain concepts and ideas. The same applies to “Yu Yu Hakusho” as well. One of the best examples is within the iconic Dark Tournament arc. Big arcs built around fighting tournaments were not a new concept when Togashi wrote this, but despite how common this type of arc is to a shonen fan he keeps it fresh. We see throughout the tournament that Team Urameshi was at a consistent disadvantage because the organizers of the event didn’t want them to succeed and neither did the audience. The people running it go to all kinds of measures to hinder their chances at winning and it can make the viewer feel rather frustrated along with the characters. This is a great thing though because in so many action heavy arcs like this I don’t feel as if the main characters are fighting against much of anything. They may fumble for a brief period, but they still end up winning in a way that doesn’t feel like it was earned and feels more like the plot dictating the events. With this arc there are times where Yusuke doesn’t get to fight and we see how the personal decisions Hiei makes end up hurting his ability to participate. There are also times where the rules of the tournament come back to bite the characters. It doesn’t feel like they had it easy for this arc and that’s why when they are victorious it feels amazing. Another shonen classic is having the antagonist parallel the main character, we all saw plenty of this in “Naruto”. However I feel like it gets explored better in this anime with the connection between Sensui and Yusuke. Sensui was once a Spirit Detective until he made a shocking discovery about those he was protecting and broke away from it all sinking further into darkness. Through him we are asked to confront if this job is going to benefit Yusuke in the long run, will he end up like Sensui? It feels very engaging because Yusuke has already shown that there is a certain risk with him, he isn’t a wholesome and perfect person and doesn’t listen to authority figures. So the thought of him going down a different path has weight. There are also the previously discussed ways Togashi worked with popular character archetypes and found ways to make them more than their tropes. I also think it’s worth mentioning how the audience sees a great deal of development between Yusuke and Keiko romantically, something so many shonen don’t bother with and treat like an afterthought. When it comes to Togashi’s writing choices it never feels like he’s showing off or trying to deconstruct things. What I gain is this sense of someone who really loves shonen anime and manga providing his own twist on the familiar.

img600(https://i.imgur.com/QbuXLjv.png)

The anime ran from 1992 to 1995 and was produced by Studio Pierrot and what they accomplished with it feels truly miraculous. To have a long running TV anime in the early 90s be as consistently well animated as “Yu Yu Hakusho” is no small feat. Something that a lot of people need to realize is that the 90s was a rough period for the anime industry due to a period of economic stagnation that hit Japan around 1991 and lasted throughout the decade, which has since led to it being referred to as the Lost Decade. The effects that this had on Japan were so large that the economy is in many ways still recovering and the anime industry took a very massive blow. Some have even called this the biggest moment in anime history along with the release of the original “Astro Boy” TV series. Due to this many TV anime from the 90s experienced production and budget issues and the ones that we all know and love as animation marvels are outliers. Many anime fans will often cite shows like “Neon Genesis Evangelion” as proof that anime in the 90s were all amazing, but what those people fail to realize is Hideaki Anno experienced many problems during its production and its higher quality episodes don’t really speak for other anime of that time.  Shows like “Evangelion” and “Yu Yu Hakusho” are ultimately the exception, not the rule, when it comes to 90s anime. This show was directed by Noriyuki Abe who would go on to direct “Bleach” as well as serving as chief director for the first 104 episodes of “Boruto” and I can’t begin to imagine what it was like for him to make this anime. To have an anime air consecutively for years and to keep the animation this consistent and fill it with some of the best sakuga of the decade feels unreal. Among its staff was a then up and coming director by the name of Akiyuki Shinbo. Since then he has gone on to be the brain behind the “Monogatari” series, “Puella Magi Madoka Magica”, “Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei”, and “Sangatsu no Lion”. You may have heard of them. He directed and storyboarded several episodes during the anime’s run and they are among the best in the entire show. Episode 30 in particular stands out for both Shinbo’s direction and one of my all-time favorite animation cuts done by Atsushi Wakabayashi, who went on to do amazing work in “Naruto”.

EPILEPSY WARNING, FLASHING LIGHTS

~!webm(https://sakugabooru.com/data/e4721982d928ee31bc5a5c4f1330ba50.mp4)!~

 The episodes directed by the other staff members don’t slack off either, some of them are so top notch that they feel like one big series of sakuga moments in a twenty-three minute run time. Whether its body horror like in the fight between Kuwabara and elder Toguro or character animation like what we see between Sensui and Yusuke in their climactic battle, there are so many memorable scenes thanks in part to the effort and talent of the animators. I would go so far as to say this is the best animated Jump adaptation of all time. It really is that good.

img600(https://i.imgur.com/LTo42o3.png)

“Yu Yu Hakusho” is an anime that reminds me of why I enjoy shonen so much. The action, the characters, the creative fighting styles, the settings, the humor, the drama, I feel like it encapsulates so much of what keeps me going back to Jump. While it isn’t offering the same sort of thought provoking themes I would find in a Naoki Urasawa manga, it also doesn’t need to do that to be great. It does have its fair share of interesting plot threads and character arcs, but I don’t think it ever felt like that was disrupting the tone that originally brought me to it. What Togashi laid out in his story was so chock full of fun and entertainment that I didn’t want it to stop. It speaks volumes of the anime’s quality that I found myself saying “after this episode I’ll turn it off” and then I’d end up watching several more. I didn’t want to put it down and when I decided to rewatch it I was actively excited to watch it every night. Like I had said when I reviewed “Gintama”, it really says a lot to be able to go back to a long form anime and still be in your seat and engaged like you were when you first watched it. I still laughed and cried at all the places that I did on the first viewing and found myself paying even closer attention to the stunning visuals. Not to mention the seiyuu cast consisting of Nozomu Sasaki, Shigeru Chiba, Megumi Ogata, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Mayumi Tanaka, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara, Norio Wakamoto, Tesshou Genda, in the main and supporting cast there are so many wonderful performances. We were very fortunate to have an adaptation like this for the manga that Togashi infamously burned himself out making. All the efforts of himself and the staff of the anime paid off and left us with a masterpiece for the ages. It truly is an anime worth seeing whether you love shonen as much as I do or not. After all, the other world isn’t watching for nothing.

img600(https://i.imgur.com/XMprPF3.png)

How Yoshihiro Togashi redefined battle shonen.

~~~ 
Spoiler Free! 
#Genre and Summary
 
Action, Adventure, Comedy and Supernatural. Yu Yu Hakusho or YYH for short, is another anime from a different time where the emphasis on certain aspects of anime was clearly different than it is now. It follows the harrowing story of our lead [Yusuke Urameshi](https://anilist.co/character/729/Yusuke-Urameshi) as he leaps first into uncharted waters to become Earth’s Spirit Detective. Its an unorthodox shounen style series, as there are many tropes that are unfamiliar to the genre itself, however it is one of the greatest story saga’s out there. 

img250(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/901f1ae5-a6fe-48cb-a9df-7fb74b219983/dcaqepr-9136d6b4-3516-491b-9b04-ba411d61edde.png/v1/fill/w_900,h_1322,strp/yusuke_urameshi_by_flavio_ruru_dcaqepr-fullview.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.8U1ZymwW7dIrhhiM070u7FEiaDQrijgzcv5AOJdiRuE)

#What I loved about the series
 
I will preface this by saying that I originally saw when I was younger but unfortunately forgot quite a lot about the show, so I thought it deserved a rewatch!

There is so much to love and appreciate with YYH. Originating in the early 90s meant that anime as a medium wasn’t nearly as popular as it is today. The following was scarce, and for good measure. For the most part it was untested. However with the arrival of YYH and its counterpart Dragon Ball/Z, the landscape of anime was changed for the better. YYH was one of the gateway stories that served as a springboard for many of the various shows and stories to come in the future. I appreciated YYH for its service as one of the greatest series to ever establish itself. I’ve always considered it to be the big brother that took the brunt of the hits so that the little brothers could move on to greater heights! 

img300(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/e78a2447-5df7-4340-8043-87bb0bf57c45/d30lzcb-deac8a33-52c9-4cde-9ea9-54ff0743c7bd.gif?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2U3OGEyNDQ3LTVkZjctNDM0MC04MDQzLTg3YmIwYmY1N2M0NVwvZDMwbHpjYi1kZWFjOGEzMy01MmM5LTRjZGUtOWVhOS01NGZmMDc0M2M3YmQuZ2lmIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.21O3PgafB67X36bGzJ_urK0Jp3HKnT3b8KKm_uK3UYQ)

When we look at Yu Yu Hakusho specifically we note several great qualities. The story first and foremost is one of the best out there. To be able to take a concept such as death and the afterlife, one that is criticized and theorized so heavily by several religions and cultures, and be able to turn it into a beautiful story about belonging, and findings life’s values is a testament to everyone who worked on the story. The show essentially can be divided into 4-5 major arcs with each one getting progressively better and better. And for a show that is 112 episodes long, that statement alone is impressive. The story is thought provoking, yet subtle, as it can provide us with the emotional balance we desire yet question our own thoughts and trials within ourselves. 

GREATEST TOURNAMENT ARC IN ANIME HISTORY!

Now lets dive into the meat and potatoes. The cast of characters was as strong as I’ve ever seen in any show. The main cast obviously included Yusuke, but what set him apart was his willpower and determination. Typical shounen’s would always use the “plot armor” trope that a MC could pull something out of a hat to win or excel, but this is the exception. We see the painstaking effort it takes for Yusuke to become who he is, and its as grueling as it is exciting! Joined by our main cast members [Kazuma Kuwabara](https://anilist.co/character/730/Kazuma-Kuwabara), [Kurama](https://anilist.co/character/731/Kurama), and [Hiei](https://anilist.co/character/732/Hiei), the foursome makes for a fantastic “team” dynamic. Kuwabara brings the heart to the team with his strong dialogue, warm aura, and of course witty comedy! Kurama brings a cautious yet calculating persona, which when combined with his skills makes for a formidable foe for anyone. And of course Hiei, who is as cold and ruthless as can be, however he too has some very redeeming qualities.

img350(http://pa1.narvii.com/5843/b122685cd42465380859ba7f9f81c5619d25f5c8_00.gif) 

The bonus here is that we have one of the strongest female casts along for the ride too! [Genkai](https://anilist.co/character/735/Genkai) is an anchor to the show and for good reason. Without her, the show very well would’ve never lifted to the heights that it was able to. And she serves as a pillar of strength and knowledge for the gang! [Botan](https://anilist.co/character/734/Botan) was also an integral member of the group while also being comedic in her own right. [Shizuru](https://anilist.co/character/8595/Shizuru-Kuwabara) was a strong presence as a more mature member of he cast, despite her lack of fighting prowess. She served as a ground for the others, especially [Keiko Yukimura](https://anilist.co/character/733/Keiko-Yukimura). Keiko’s importance to the show can’t be understated, however I won’t get into details to ruin the story. And lastly we have our baby faced ruler [Koenma](https://anilist.co/character/2305/Koenma), who without, the show would’ve never even started! 

Img350(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/HeartfeltMetallicAustraliankelpie-max-1mb.gif) 

What helps separate YYH from other shows were the antagonists and villains! These dudes and dudettes were some of the strongest, harrowing villains I’ve seen in anime, and were easily able to invoke sheer terror into our heroes. Without them, YYH would have surely failed as a show and a story. 

TOURNAMENT ARC IS AMAZING!

Lets talk other show logistics.

With regards to the art style and the animation, I can say for something that was hand drawn completely, it was gorgeous by even today’s standards. It gives off the old school vibes that anime was founded on, where extreme detail was given to all aspects of each individual scene. The art style was variably well received as the color tones shifted from light to dark at a moments notice. I will say that the use of strobe lighting was a little over the top, and of course some of the fight animations were re-used, but that was traditionally expected with how anime was constructed back then. Despite this, the animation was smooth, and always felt alive! There were very few moments where I believed that a scene fell flat and I would attribute that to the excellent cinematography that the directing crew implemented when choosing the angles, and views that they wanted to capture. 

And no show is complete without its music! The most impressive thing about YYH is that there was 1 opening, and 1 ending for the entire show, and I never felt that it was dry. The opening is fantastic in its own right, and featured a Japanese and English version for the respective sub and dub’s of the show! Smile Bomb is as iconic as an opening as I’ve ever heard, and its catchy vibe never ceases to get me to sing along! The grit of the show is emphasized by its OST. Using traditional instruments, with different beats and cadences, made for some very intense and heart pounding moments throughout the show. Despite it being a smaller soundtrack by today’s standards, it has very well stood the test of time, in how well it was utilized and how easily it was able to evoke an emotional response from the audience! 

The story teaches us that everyone in life walks a different path but there is always a crossroad where differing sides can come to an agreement and coexist in several ways. It shows us that the best way to understand one another is to try, whether that be via action or words. And of course that there is always something worth fighting for!

img350(https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/d222a773-9164-4f73-9553-16142e668848/thumbnail-down/width/1280/height/720)

#What I would have liked to have seen
 
I’m not gonna spout here and tell you the show was perfect. I’d say the the final arc in the show is a bit shorter than I think it should have been, and therefore it loses some of the oomph that the other arcs in the show bring in. I would also say that the buildup for the show is a bit slow too, as I had initially stopped my rewatch in the early teens, only to pick the show back up a few months later in reverence and charge toward the finish line.

 Of course there are some limitations to what 1992 animation can do, so honestly something that I think would be great to see is if the show is remade with today’s animation prowess. Who doesn’t want to see THE SINGLE GREATEST TOURNAMENT ARC IN ANIME HISTORY animated using today’s technology! But of course there is a trade off, as the show may lose its unique charm, but I guess that’s in the eye of the beholder! 

#Recommendations

The DUB is the go to choice for Yu Yu Hakusho, as [Justin Cook](https://anilist.co/staff/95203/Justin-Cook) really brought life to Yusuke’s persona! There is a particular scene in the show where his voice acting is at its peak and is on the precipice of being one of the single greatest voice acting moments in anime history! Having heard both sub and dub I can say this with 100% certainly, the dub is the choice watching method! Oh and do yourself a favor and buy the Blu-ray of the series!

Hold on tight for an unforgettable roller coaster of a ride and enjoy one of the greatest anime journeys you will ever experience! This is one of those choice few shows I wish I could go back and watch for the first time. Thankfully in my case, a rewatch after many years did just the trick! 

img(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/ea/50/ffea503129648e98ed7aa49bf669dccc.gif)

BANG!!!
~~~

A show that served as the gateway to the golden age of anime! 

img220(https://i.imgur.com/IxA9IZt.jpg)
 الكثير من الأفكار هنا رائعة من الأساس كما هي بس توغاشي تفنن و أعاد صياغتها و أصقلها بمهارة و إتقان بعمله التالي هنتر، على سبيل المثال فيه نظام الطاقة، واللي أسمه "الريكي" أظن على حسب المترجم اللي تابعت منه الأنمي، هو نظام لابأس فيه مثله مثل أي نظام بأنني شونن آخر بس لما تجي تحطه مع النين من هنتر رح تشوف أنه مافي مجال للمقارنة، النين يتفوق في رأيي على كل أنظمة الطاقة اللي شايفها بأنميات الشونن للحظة.

 الكاست بيو يو هاكشو أكثر من رائع و يتفوق على هنتر ببعض الشخصيات، يوسوكي ⁦❤️⁩ أبرز مثال عن كيف تسوي شخصية رئيسية مثالية بأنمي شونن.

 توغاشي تفنن بصناعة الڤيلينز هنا، ساكيو، توغورو و سينسوي أعتبرهم من أفضل الأنتاغنست، مشاكلهم الداخلية مثيرة للٱهتمام و تعطي عمق لهذي الشخصيات، و بالنهاية  رح تلقى نفسك محتار  مين تشجع لانه لما تجي لأسباب كل واحد بتلاقيها منطقية للغاية، طبعاً هذا الكلام ماينطبق على ساكيو للأسف، بالرغم من انه مازال يملك صفات إنسانية وهذا الشيء واضح لما انقذ أخت كوابارا بآرك البطولة بس بعدما جابو الفلاش باك حقه أيقنت انه irredeemable ببساطة.

 بالنسبة للآرك الأخير فيه شيء جلي و هو  مافي بناء كويس للقتالات مثل ذي قبل تحس و كأنه المؤلف جاي ينهي العمل بأسرع طريقة ممكنة بالرغم من أني حبيت بعض الأشياء فيه على غرار عالم الشياطين و قد ايش هو متنوع و مافيه حدود لكمية شساعته ينفع كتغيير ممتاز عن العوالم اللي شفناها بالآركات اللي فاتت وبس هذا اللي أعجبني صراحة.

 شغل أستوديو بيرو يذكر ف يشكر على عكس كل التوقعات، كنت متخوف من أنه بيعاني من نفس مشكلة ناروتو بس شيء جيد انه ذا الشيء ماحصل ابداً،  حرفيا أكثر من 112 حلقة من الامتاع البصري،  الجهد،الإبداع، و الشغف.


 أغاني النهاية من أحسن ماسمعت و شفت، بالتحديد الإيندينق الثانية و الثالثة جماليتهم سواء كأغنية أو كأنميشن و إخراج لا يغنى عنه.

 حبيت الأوب رغم أنهم استعملوه طول ال ١١٢ حلقة بس اذا هذا دل على شيء فهي الجودة اللي يتمتع بها 


بالختام يويو هاكشو من أفضل أعمال الشونن و لولا إنهائه المفاجئ و السقطة اللي أتت بآخر آرك كنا بنشوف شيء آخر لكن ياحسرتاه ?
لحسن الحظ توغاشي مافقد لا الأمل و لا الشغف و أعطانا شيء يعتبره الكثيرين بما فيهم أنا أحد أفضل قطع الميديا على الإطلاق، هنتر ⁦♥️⁩





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Yu Yu Hakusho is an anime about a teenager who hates authority figures becoming an authority figure to fight other guys and demons who also hate authority figures. 
<hr> 
#**How To Watch Yu Yu Hakusho ?**
1. Watch it in Dub ( I will explain why later ) 
2. Skip the part of each episode where they talk about the next episode, spoils the next episode smh. 
3. Don't watch it slowly, Yu Yu Hakusho's pace is very slow. If you watch it slowly, it starts feeling slower. Just try to binge through it imo. 


<hr> 
#**Most Of The First 20 Episodes Are Shit** 
~~~img(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQrIY4cIUlyMhdMQ3HxM7sH_GbS8k1MVer2SByvrQQ9Aw&usqp=CAU&ec=48600112)~~~

Not The first few episodes about Yusuke's death, I thought those were quite interesting. I mean after that, they take a lot of time to establish these characters and their relationships. The "The Beasts of Maze Castle" is probably the most boring arc in the show, the fights take way too long and the introduction to each character's powers could have been done faster. "Genkai's Tournament" is pretty boring too, I remember I fell asleep watching it. It gets good from the "Rescue Yukina" arc. Also, the first half of the show isn't as good as the second half. 
<hr>
#**Too Much Emphasis On The Main Character**

The Story focuses on Yusuke's development into a more complex being and watching him become more mature. That's cool, many anime do that but Yu Yu Hakusho has other cool characters apart from Yusuke and I want to see their fights and stories too. Yusuke gets way too much screen time and the other characters deserve more time in the spotlight and fights IMO. Imagine if HxH only showed you Gon's story wouldn't that be boring?

<hr>
#**Art, Animation and Aesthetic is Cool But Feels Very Old & Dated**

The Animation and Art-style of Yu Yu Hakusho feels very dated and old. The 1st season's animation isn't that good with awkward character movements and direction but the animation improves over the course of the show and becomes fairly competent over time.
~~~
img(https://pa1.narvii.com/6619/235619556b89ddde71b35fe6788b7425f3421d2a_hq.gif) 
*1st Season* 

img(https://i.imgur.com/kkqUy5Y.gif) 
*Later In The Show*
~~~
It's animation and art style improve a lot over the course of the show becoming more fluid and vibrant. It must have and great back in 90s but in the year 2023, ***eh it's okay***. Animation has improved a lot over the years and compared to today's shonen anime, Yu Yu Hakusho's animation is kinda dull. Even in the 90s, there are anime which are better animated than Yu Yu Hakusho. 

I don't hate the show's animation, I just think it is okay. It has some great shots, and few of the fights are really well animated. I did like the 90s vibe of the anime and it felt like I was watching something of the past. It's art-style suits the show quite well and I even saved some screenshots on my pc. 
~~~
img(https://files.catbox.moe/5k512e.png) 
img(https://files.catbox.moe/hixzdq.png)
img(https://media.tenor.com/dGdBc0zDy-EAAAAC/yu-yu-hakusho-yusuke-urameshi.gif) 
img(https://i.gifer.com/HYOY.gif) 
~~~
<hr> 
#**The Fights** 

In my experience, the fights were inconsistent. Some Fights followed this "checkmate" format, which goes,

*** Yusuke meets bad guy -> Talk -> Bad guys beats Yuyuske -> Bad guys beats Yusuke more -> Bad guys beats Yusuke more -> Bad guys beats Yusuke more -> 
Yusuke beats bad guys once -> Bad guy dies. ***
Needless to say, these fights were boring. Many fights in the first half of the show followed such a format ***combine this*** with the animation issues I said earlier and it is not very fun. 

The fights in the second half of the show are fairly good. There is no strict power system in the show so, most of the time anything goes. This allows a lot of creative freedom in the fights, with people having abilities and powers according to their character and personality. ( like HxH ) Especially, the most important fights in the show were quite good and hype / exciting. 

Another plus point is that the fights have gruesome deaths, blood, bones-shattering and are quite violent. 

<hr>
#**The Pacing**

Yu Yu Hakusho is probably one of the slowest paced show I have ever seen. The plot of Naruto moves faster than the plot of yu yu hakusho. The show could have been skipped or sped up in a lot of parts. The fights take way too long, every fight shouldn't last 1-2 episodes, just end it. A few episodes could have easily been cut and it hurts even the good arcs of the show, dragging the quality of a good arc down. It shouldn't be 112 episodes long. 

<hr>
#**A Graph Of My Enjoyment ( lol lol )**
 
img(https://files.catbox.moe/7bnonz.png)

I feel a lot of my issues with the show ( the pacing, the fights, the animation ) could be easily fixed, in a modern remake of the show. 

#**Okay I feel spirit guns pointing at me, but look at HxH.** 
Yu Yu Hakusho was more popular than Hunter x Hunter before 2011. After the remake, Hunter x Hunter is one of the most popular anime ever made. Though the chances of a modern remake of Yu Yu Hakusho is slim, it did get a live action announcement by Netflix though. . 

img(https://preview.redd.it/s6mm3dpyqvb91.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=30a669e53a033a7c04ee3dbe8d22f885929be28b) 

<hr>Okay let me tell you what I enjoyed about the show 
<hr>
#**A lot of emphasis on pain**
One thing I really liked about the show was the fact that Yusuke ( The MC ) goes through a lot of pain and more pain and more more pain. Every fight was filled with his beatdown, bones breaking and screams from Yusuke. Now it sounds like I am maniac, but in modern shonen anime I feel pain and struggle are being forgotten and fast-forwarded, for eg Jujustu Kaisen's training arc was just the MC watching movies. So whenever Yusuke did win, it felt as it he deserved it considering the pain and struggle he went through in the fight. 
<hr> 

#**The Characters**

The characters in Yu Yu Hakusho are simply outstanding. Each one is fleshed out with depth and development, bringing so much to the show. More than the fights, I enjoyed the time they spent hanging out with each other, they have good chemistry together ( despite the characters being drastically different from Kuwabara's classic chivalry to Kurama's cunning to Hiei's sinister nature ) . I wanted more banter between the characters. The show probably has one of the best "gang" in all of shonen anime. Even the character descriptions on Anilist show the care and detail put into each one.

The female characters are cool but sadly, they don't do much in the story. the romance is okay but it could have been explored more (let's face it, Yusuke wasn't exactly a great boyfriend) . Botan is the best girl . I feel Sakura's personality from Naruto can be made by taking the annoying parts of Botan and the annoying parts of Keiko lol and Botan is Sakura done right tbh. Also, I find it funny that Yusuke's personality is the literal opposite of Gon's personality from HxH lol. 

~~~img50%(https://i.redd.it/t5wg70g3sdq61.jpg)~~~
<hr>

#**The Dub Is Great**

Yu Yu Hakusho's dub is probably one of the greatest anime dubs ever made. There is swearing and the characters actually talk like real teenagers. You can tell that the dub cast was having a fun time while recording, the show is packed with many great lines and there are just so many good moments because of the dub. I cannot recommend the dub highly enough, please watch it. 

<hr> 

#**Dark Tournament Arc Is Very Good**

1. While some of the fights in the tournament arc of Yu Yu Hakusho may seem predictable, the addition of corruption and cheating within the tournament adds an intriguing element that makes the arc more interesting. The last few fights are epic. 

2. Toguro is a cool antagonist. In the beginning, he appears 2D and simple but as the arc goes on, layers are added to him and he eventually becomes a captivating antagonist and 3D. 

3. The fights in this arc are very good.

img(https://preview.redd.it/h32xyvbmylw91.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=39f832587b59534b08e56857f2bd116283b2d0fb) 

<hr>

#**Chapter Black Arc Also Very Good**

1. An arc in which teenagers really do be hanging out with grandma. 

2. I like that some of the minions of Sensui get some screen time and personal moments. Giving these minor characters a chance to shine and develop helps to build a more cohesive world and makes the arc feel more fleshed out.

3. While not quite as great as Toguro, Sensui is still a good villain with a compelling backstory and motives.

4. This arc is Yu Yu Hakusho's attempt to be fast-paced and compared to other arcs, this one definitely moves faster than the rest though still at normal pace. 

<hr> 

#**The Ending**

Some ppl say the ending is good, some ppl say it is terrible and some ppl say it's okay. I think it's okay tbh, some complain that it is rushed and "wasted potential '', while others praise it. I agree with both, the end arc could have been great but the author's health was worsening so it had to be completed sooner but the end does have a mature yusuke and a good backstory of Kurama and Hiei so I am not complaining. Ultimately, while the ending may be rushed, the final few episodes are quite good and do a decent job of wrapping up the series.

<hr>

#**Masculinity** 

Promotes Masculinity 
1. Big tough Men
2. Brutal 
3. Discipline and Struggle 

But Also Promotes 

1. Men can feel emotions too 
2. Conveying Emotions is important. 

The show's portrayal of male characters struggling with their emotions and learning to communicate them is a refreshing and important aspect that promotes healthy masculinity. 

<hr> 

#**Conclusion**

Honestly, I don't feel Yu Yu Hakusho is better than the popular shonen anime we have today, I would recommend you rather watch Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, etc.
I recommend only if you enjoy shonen battle anime a lot / want to experience an older shonen anime. 

I know I have spent some time hating the show. I do believe some of the fights were really boring and some parts of the story was badly paced / could be removed / needn't be so long but overall, I feel Yu Yu Hakusho is a shonen anime like no other. An experience like no other, a classic and influential anime that paved the way for many of the popular shonen anime we have today. It has endearing, believable and relatable characters who have wonderful friendships with each other and with nice character depth and feel so different at the end of the show despite being the same people. I don't think Yu Yu Hakusho is one of the best shonen shows I have seen, but it definitely was worth a shot.

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Yu-Yu Hakusho Series Watch Order

Season 1 – Spirit Detective Saga

Season 2 – Dark Tournament Saga

Season 3 – Chapter Black Saga

Season 4 – Three Kings Saga