The appeal and evaluation of "Yu Yu Hakusho": A classic anime that still stands out today

The appeal and evaluation of "Yu Yu Hakusho": A classic anime that still stands out today

Everything about Yu Yu Hakusho: The appeal of this classic anime and its background

In the early 1990s, there was an anime that captured the hearts of young boys. That was "Yu Yu Hakusho," commonly known as "Yu Yu Hakusho." This work was based on the manga of the same name by Yoshihiro Togashi, and aired as a TV anime from 1992 to 1995. Here, we will delve deeper into the appeal and background of this work, and explore why it continues to be loved to this day.

■Overview of the work

Yu Yu Hakusho was broadcast on Fuji TV from October 10, 1992 to January 7, 1995, every Saturday from 6:30 to 7:00 pm. It was a long-running series with 112 episodes in total, and as a 30-minute anime, it attracted many viewers. It was originally a manga by Yoshihiro Togashi that was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, and was a popular series that ran from 1990 to 1994. The anime was produced by Studio Pierrot and directed by Noriyuki Abe (now known as Abe Noriyuki).

■ Story

The story begins with the protagonist, Yusuke Urameshi, dying in a traffic accident. However, his soul is summoned to the spirit world and ordered to be resurrected as a spirit world detective. Yusuke grows as he solves various cases with his friends. The story is divided into four main arcs, each with a different theme and villain.

  • Spirit World Detective Arc : This is the episode where Yusuke begins his work as a spirit world detective. It depicts his encounters with his companions and his battle with his first enemy.
  • Dark Tournament Arc : Yusuke and his friends take part in the Dark Tournament and fight powerful enemies. While the bonds between the friends deepen, the growth of each individual character is also depicted.
  • Chapter Black : In this episode, Yusuke confronts a new enemy, Sensui. The story is deepened by depicting past trauma and the conflicts of his friends.
  • Demon World Unification Arc : Yusuke travels to the demon world, confronts his father, and aims to unify the demon world. This is the final chapter, and brings the whole story together.

■ Characters

The appeal of "Yu Yu Hakusho" lies in its characters. Below are the main characters.

  • Yusuke Urameshi : The protagonist. After dying in a traffic accident, he is resurrected as a spirit world detective. He was a delinquent at first, but grows up with his friends.
  • Kazuma Kuwabara : Yusuke's best friend. At first he was at odds with Yusuke, but they gradually came to understand each other. He grows into a warrior who uses the sacred sword.
  • Kurama : A beautiful boy with the blood of a fox spirit. He is knowledgeable and calm, but also cares deeply for his friends.
  • Hiei : A boy raised as an assassin. At first he is an enemy, but he begins to open up as he fights with Yusuke and the others.
  • Koenma : Prince of the spirit world. He gives Yusuke the task of being a spirit world detective. He can switch between a child and an adult appearance.
  • Keiko : Yusuke's childhood friend. She is always concerned about Yusuke. She grows as a psychic.

■ Behind the scenes of anime production

The anime adaptation of "Yu Yu Hakusho" was made possible due to the popularity of the original work. Director Abe Noriyuki focused on character design and story structure in order to maximize the appeal of the original work. Character design was handled by Kitayama Mari, Onishi Masaya, and Yamazawa Minoru, while art direction was handled by Ikeda Yuji and Takada Shigeyuki. Director of photography was Fukushima Toshiyuki, editing was handled by Falcon, Kuriyakawa Haruhiko, and Uematsu Junichi, sound direction was Mizumoto Kan, and music was handled by Homma Yusuke. This staff worked together to create a work that faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while adding the unique charm of anime.

■ Broadcast and viewership

"Yu Yu Hakusho" was broadcast in a 30-minute slot every Saturday from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. The ratings were extremely high, especially during the Dark Martial Arts Tournament arc. The audience was mostly young boys, but it was popular with a wide range of age groups. Even after the series ended, it continued to be rebroadcast, made into DVDs, and available on streaming services, and it has continued to be loved for many years.

■Subtitles and Episodes

The subtitles and episodes of all 112 episodes of "Yu Yu Hakusho" are shown below. These episodes depict the growth and drama of the characters as the story progresses.

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: Goodbye to this world!! (tentative) (1992/10/10)
Episode 2: Koenma in the Spirit World: The Trials of Resurrection (1992/10/17)
Episode 3: Kuwabara is cornered! A man's vow (1992/10/24)
Episode 4: Hot Flame! Lovers' Bonds (working title) (1992/10/31)
Episode 5: A New Mission (tentative) (1992/11/07)
Episode 6: Three Monsters! Hiei, Kurama, and Gouki (1992/11/14)
Episode 7: Kurama's Secret! The Bond Between Mother and Child (1992/11/21)
Episode 8: Keiko in Danger! Hiei the Evil Eye Master (1992/11/28)
Episode 9: Genkai Appears (tentative) (1992/12/05)
Episode 10: Deadly Battle in the Dark! Kuwahara's Spiritual Sword (1992/12/12)
Episode 11: Yusuke's Struggles! A Wounded Counterattack!! (1992/12/19)
Episode 12: Rando appears! Kuwabara's regretful defeat (1999/12/26)
Episode 13: Yusuke vs. Rando! Crazy Magic!! (1993/01/02)
Episode 14: The Four Sacred Beasts of the Labyrinth Castle! A Challenge to the Spirit World (1993/01/09)
Episode 14: The Four Sacred Beasts of the Labyrinth Castle! A Challenge to the Spirit World (1993/01/16)
Episode 15: Beautiful Rose Dance! The Magnificent Kurama (1993/01/23)
Episode 16: Stretch Out the Spiritual Sword! Kuwabara and the Man's Challenge (1993/01/30)
Episode 17: White Tiger: Hell's Roar (1993/02/06)
Episode 18: Hiei goes to battle! The slashing sword (1993/02/13)
Episode 19: The Last of the Four Sacred Beasts, Suzaku! (1993/02/20)
Episode 20: Clash of Secret Techniques! The Seven Suzaku (1993/02/27)
Episode 21: Yusuke's Life-threatening Counterattack (March 6, 1993)
Episode 22: Sad Beautiful Girl (1993/03/13)
Episode 23: Messengers of Darkness! Toguro Brothers (1993/03/20)
Episode 24: A Fearsome and Powerful Enemy! The Three Demons (1993/03/27)
Episode 25: Burn, Kuwabara! (1993/04/03)
Episode 26: Toguro's Resurrection (working title) (1993/04/10)
Episode 26: Invitation to the Dark Martial Arts Tournament (1993/04/17)
Episode 27: Departure of Death! To Hell's Island (1993/04/24)
Episode 28: A Small, Strong Enemy! The Secret Ritual of Suzukima (1993/05/01)
Episode 29: Kurama Blooms a Bloody Flower (1993/05/08)
Episode 30: Unfinished Secret: Flame Black Dragon Wave (1993/05/15)
Episode 31: Drunken Warrior! Chu's Drunken Fist (1993/05/22)
Episode 32: Knife Edge Death Match (1993/05/29)
Episode 33: Clash! The Top 8 are decided (1993/06/05)
Episode 34: A Deadly Battle with a 0.05% Win Rate! (1993/06/12)
Episode 35: The Masked Man!? Beautiful Warrior (1993/06/19)
Episode 36: Crushing Ambition! Baptism of Light (1993/06/26)
Episode 37: The Dark Ninjas and the Demonic User Team (1993/07/03)
Episode 38: Muzan Kurama! Death Makeup (1993/07/10)
Episode 39: Crushed! Yusuke's Iron Fist of Rage (1993/07/17)
Episode 40: Wind User Formation! Stormy Air Battle (1993/07/24)
・Episode 41: Spiritual Light Bullet: An Unexpected Conclusion?! (1993/07/31)
・Episode 42/Subtitle TBA (1993/08/07)
Episode 43: The Stern Face of the Masked Warrior! (1993/08/13)
Episode 44: The Greatest Challenge from the Genkai (1993/08/20)
Episode 45: Hiei's next battle! Shoot the Black Dragon Wave! (1993/08/27)
Episode 46: Horror! The Transformation of Black Momotaro (1993/09/03)
Episode 47: The Legendary Thief! Kurama the Fox Spirit (1993/09/11)
Episode 48: Dark Item: The Robe of Death (1993/09/18)
Episode 49: The remaining power! Genkai's deadly battle (1993/09/25)
Episode 50: Demon Warrior! Suzuki's Challenge (1993/10/02)
Episode 51: Fated Showdown (1993/10/09)
Episode 52: Genkai's Life-threatening Blow (tentative title) (1993/10/16)
Episode 53: Before the Storm! Stand with Anger (tentative title) (1993/10/23)
Episode 54: The turbulent final begins! (tentative) (1993/10/30)
・Episode 55: When Kurama transforms into a fox spirit! (tentative) (1993/11/06)
Episode 56: Kurama's Desperate Battle! The Last Measure (1993/11/13)
Episode 57: Threat! Takei Removes His Armor (1993/11/20)
Episode 58: The Ultimate Secret! Roar Black Dragon Wave (1993/11/27)
Episode 59: The Ominous Shadow of Toguro's Brother (December 4, 1993)
Episode 60: Risk Your Life! Sakyo's Proposal (1993/12/11)
Episode 61: The start of the deciding match between Yusuke and Toguro (tentative) (1993/12/18)
Episode 62: Toguro's 100% Form! (working title) (1993/12/25)
・Episode 63/Subtitle TBA (1994/01/01)
Episode 64: The Final Battle! Full Power (1994/01/08)
Episode 65: Ambition disappears with the arena (1994/01/15)
Episode 66: Toguro's Atonement and the Greatest Wish (1994/01/22)
・Episode 67/A New Prologue (1994/02/12)
Episode 68: The Trap in the Fourth Dimensional Mansion (1994/02/19)
Episode 69: The Power of Taboo! Kurama's Brain (1994/02/26)
Episode 70: The Terrifying Truth! A New Mystery (1994/03/05)
Episode 71: Approaching Fear! The Door to the Demon World (1994/03/12)
Episode 72: Messenger of the Demon World! Seven Enemies (1994/03/19)
Episode 73: The Doctor's Evil Hand Approaches (March 26, 1994)
Episode 74: Break the Territory!! (1994/04/02)
Episode 75: Seaman: A Trap in the Rain (1994/04/09)
Episode 76: Kuwabara's Return?! Awakened Power (1994/04/16)
Episode 77: The Spiritual Detective's Dark Past (1994/04/23)
Episode 78: Dark Angel (1994/04/30)
・Episode 79 / Subtitle TBA (1994/05/07)
Episode 80: The Target of the Blade Mist! The Cross Mark of Death (1994/05/14)
Episode 81: The Game World in the Cave (1994/05/21)
Episode 82: The Game Master's Terrifying Power (1994/05/28)
Episode 83: The only way out! Kurama's decision (1994/06/04)
Episode 84: Kurama's Rage! Who is the Real One?! (1994/06/11)
Episode 85: Spiritual Detective: Fated Duel (1994/06/18)
Episode 86: Yusuke's Struggles! The Decisive Difference (1994/06/25)
Episode 87: Koenma's Decision to Seal the Demon! (working title) (1994/07/02)
Episode 88: Sensui Clad in Holy Light (provisional title) (1994/07/09)
Episode 89: Premonition of Death! When Everything Stops (1994/07/16)
Episode 90: Enter the Demon World! Carry on the Will of Your Friend (1994/07/23)
Episode 91: Time for Awakening! Battle Begins Again (1994/07/30)
Episode 92: The Ultimate Battle! Evidence of the Demon Race (August 6, 1994)
Episode 93: The Final Showdown! A Deadly Battle in the Demon World! (1994/08/13)
Episode 94: Epilogue! Towards Tomorrow! (1994/08/20)
Episode 95: To the First Spirit World Detective (working title) (1994/08/27)
・Episode 96: Messenger from the Demon World: Turning Point of Fate (tentative) (1994/09/03)
・Episode 97: Journey to the Demon World!! (tentative) (1994/09/10)
Episode 98: To the Demon World! Meeting with Father (1994/09/17)
Episode 99: Unforgettable Memories - Birth (1994/09/24)
Episode 100: The Secret of the Evil Eye Revealed (1994/10/01)
・Episode 101: Demon World Thief: The Thousand-Year Reunion (1994/10/08)
Episode 102: Fox Transformation! Murderous Intent Creeping In (1994/10/15)
Episode 103: My Father's Will - Memories of a Long Time Ago (1994/10/22)
Episode 104: Unexpected Proposal: Changes in the Demon World (1994/10/29)
Episode 105: Fighting Parent and Child! Yomi and Shura (1994/11/05)
Episode 106: Fighting Parent and Child! Yomi and Shura (1994/11/12)
Episode 107: Fierce Battle! Men Betting on Their Dreams (1994/11/19)
Episode 108: Kurama's break with the past (1994/11/26)
Episode 109: Showdown! Hiei and Mukuro (1994/12/03)
Episode 110: My Power: This is everything! (1994/12/17)
Episode 111: Conclusion! At the end of a fierce battle (1994/12/24)
・Episode 112: Forever! Yu Yu Hakusho (1995/01/07)

■ Evaluation and impact

"Yu Yu Hakusho" was highly praised when it first aired. The story development, character growth, and powerful battle scenes all drew viewers in. The original author, Togashi Yoshihiro's, unique writing style and deep themes were also highly praised. The episodes in the Dark Martial Arts Tournament arc in particular were beloved by many fans, and many memorable scenes were born from them.

This work had a huge influence on later anime and manga. In particular, the direction of the battle scenes and the depiction of character growth were incorporated into many works. In addition, characters such as Yusuke, Kurama, and Hiei became charismatic figures among anime fans, giving birth to many cosplays and fan art.

■ Related products and media development

Even after the anime ended, Yu Yu Hakusho was developed in a variety of media, including the release of DVDs and Blu-rays, streaming services, games, and the sale of figurines and merchandise. The games were particularly popular and were released on a variety of platforms. The figurines and merchandise are often traded at high prices among collectors.

■Fan communities and events

The fan community for Yu Yu Hakusho is still very active today. Information is exchanged on social media, forums, and blogs, and fan art and fan fiction are shared. In addition, Yu Yu Hakusho specials and screenings are held at regularly scheduled anime events, attracting many fans. In particular, screenings of the episodes from the Dark Tournament arc are always a huge success.

Conclusion

"Yu Yu Hakusho" is a monumental work of 1990s boys' anime, and its appeal has not faded to this day. Many elements of the show, such as the depth of the story, the growth of the characters, and the intensity of the battle scenes, have attracted viewers. This work has had a major influence on later anime and manga, and the fan community is very active. "Yu Yu Hakusho" can truly be called an eternal masterpiece.

■Recommendation

If you haven't seen "Yu Yu Hakusho" yet, you should definitely give it a watch. The episode about the Dark Martial Arts Tournament is especially a must-see. The original manga is also worth reading, so we recommend enjoying both. Also, be sure to check out the related products and events to get a deeper feel for the world of this work.

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>>:  The emotion and evaluation of "A Dog of Flanders - My Patrasche": Reevaluation of a classic anime

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