It’s a pretty good time to be an anime fan as you are spoilt for choice. But without some series laying the groundwork, like the wonderfully made Yu Yu Hakusho series, it would not be achievable.
When you ask anime fans what their favorite shows are, odds are you’ll hear Yu Yu Hakusho of Yoshihiro Togashi among their numerous answers. There are many reasons why this series remains at the top in both Japan and the US.
Every day there is a bunch of action anime produced, but fans are still longing for Yu Yu Hakusho. The series was first seen in 1992 and remains popular because it flawlessly nails almost everything an action anime series should be.
Storyline
Yu Yu Hakusho is based around the adventures of 14-year-old Yusuke Urameshi. He was killed but allowed to return with a new responsibility demanding more action than he could ever have imagined.
Yusuke became a fighter for the human race, serving as the new spirit detective, to battle enemies of the demon world and keep the balance between both.
The audience was welcomed to a strong team of unlikely allies as the series advanced, running for over 100 episodes of intense action.
Three Reasons to Watch Yu Yu Hakusho
Here are the three reasons why the show is still hard to dethrone 28 years after its initial release.
The Action Is Top-Notch
In Yu Yu Hakusho, the fight scenes have always been outstanding. They aren’t prepared to give up the distinction of the greatest ever action series.
For instance, during the flashback OVA, Hiei and Kurama face an enemy together and the quick-paced combat, intensified by the unique score of the anime, is undeniably legendary.
Somehow after more than two decades, YYH hits a new stage of brilliantly animated battle sequences and does not pull any punches.
Yusuke Is a Strong Main Character
Yusuke is a powerful main character deserving of the highly emotional first arc of the series. His introduction is distinct from many other action anime heroes.
Yusuke is portrayed as a kid in one of his very first acts, who does not run into danger automatically for no reason but does so anyway. Like several other high school troublemakers in anime, he begins the series.
As the series continues, viewers discover that Yusuke had to deal with an awful childhood. He had an alcoholic mom and absentee dad, and literally horrible teachers out to get him.
Yusuke, even though he’s talking salty, is just a kind boy who wants friends. The series shows his affection for his “girlfriend” Keiko, his eventual teacher-pupil relationship with Genkai, and even his peculiar teacher/pupil relationship with 2 villains.
The Series Has Great Villains
While some are probably more unmemorable than others like Sensui’s Seven Psychics, Mukuro and Yomi in the Demon World Tournament Arc, or even Rando, the show still has power in its depictions of its two main antagonists: Toguro and Sensui.
They are both portrayed as the villains of the series, but their acts make them more of an antagonist as their motives frequently conflict with Yusuke’s. For instance, Toguro once traded his humanity in order to become an all-powerful demon.
He is constantly in search of a tough war that would place him at peace. Sensui, on the other hand, was a former Spirit Detective, who discovers the “world” has been lying to him.
He finds that out through a gruesome and unsettling discovery and tries to remove what he sees as the real threat.
Conclusion
An anime series that keeps you excited for over 100 episodes is difficult to find. Returning to Yu Yu Hakusho whenever you get a chance is always an exciting trip.