Yu Yu Hakusho

***Yu Yu Hakusho*** (Japanese: 幽☆遊☆白書, Hepburn: *Yū Yū Hakusho*) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. The series tells the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is struck and killed by a car while attempting to save a child's life. After a number of tests presented to him by Koenma, the son of the ruler of the afterlife Underworld, Yusuke is revived and appointed the title of "Underworld Detective", with which he must investigate various cases involving demons and apparitions in the human world. The manga becomes more focused on martial arts battles and tournaments as it progresses. Togashi began creating *Yu Yu Hakusho* around November 1990, basing the series on his interests in the occult and horror films and an influence of Buddhist mythology.

The manga was originally serialized in Shueisha's *Weekly Shōnen Jump* from December 1990 to July 1994. The series consists of 175 chapters collected in 19 *tankōbon* volumes. In North America, the manga ran completely in Viz's *Shonen Jump* from January 2003 to January 2010. An anime adaptation consisting of 112 television episodes was directed by Noriyuki Abe and co-produced by Fuji Television, Yomiko Advertising, and Studio Pierrot. The television series originally aired on Japan's Fuji TV network from October 1992 to December 1994. It was later licensed in North America by Funimation in 2001, where it aired on popular Cartoon Network blocks including Adult Swim and later Toonami. The television series has also been broadcast in various other countries around the world. The *Yu Yu Hakusho* franchise has spawned two animated films, a series of original video animations (OVAs), audio albums, video games, and other merchandise.

*Yu Yu Hakusho* has been well received, with the manga selling over 50 million copies in Japan alone and winning the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award for *shōnen* manga in 1993. The animated series won the *Animage* Anime Grand Prix prize for best anime in 1994 and 1995. *Yu Yu Hakusho* has been watched by a large audience in Japan and a wide range of age groups in the United States. The anime has been given mostly positive reviews by critics in North America, complimenting its writing, characters, and amount of action.

## Synopsis

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!

## MAL Info

Score:8.45

Ranked:#115

Popularity:#262

Studios:Studio Pierrot

Source: Manga

Duration: 24 min. per ep.

Rating:PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Producers:Yomiko Advertising, Fuji TV