Come Join Me In My Otaku Time Machine….

Few anime series stand the test of time like Yu Yu Hakusho. A perfect blend of action, heart, and supernatural intrigue, this 1990’s classic takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through the spirit world, dark tournaments, and high-stakes battles that shaped the shonen genre. With its gripping storytelling, iconic characters, and some of the most intense fights in anime history, Yu Yu Hakusho isn’t just a nostalgic favorite—it’s a masterpiece that continues to inspire. But does it still hold up today? Let’s dive into what makes this series a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Like many millennials, I grew up in a time before the internet was a major part of everyday life—before Crunchyroll, YouTube, Facebook, or Reddit existed. Anime was hard to find and hadn’t yet gained popularity in America. If you wanted top-tier animation, nothing beat the legendary Saturday morning cartoons. Shows like X-Men, Batman, Captain Planet, Transformers, and Spider-Man dominated the scene. Every kid knew them. That’s a topic in itself, but at the time, American cartoons were at their peak in terms of production quality.

That’s not to say anime wasn’t around, but it wasn’t as widely watched as it is today. Sailor Moon arrived in 1995, Dragon Ball Z hit American airwaves in 1996, and the long-running Pokémon series began that same year. Then, in 1998, Cartoon Network introduced Toonami, which launched the American anime revolution into full swing. From that point onward we needed more and more.

The early 2000’s ushered in shows like Inuyasha, Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, Deathnote, Full Metal Alchemist, Gundam Seed, Zoids, Hellsing, Cowboy Bebop, and many more.

One Stands Out on the Battle Arena Stage

I remember exactly where I was when I discovered Yu Yu Hakusho. It was at my grandparents’ house, the night before we set off on a family road trip. Like any good kid back then, I wanted to stay up late—far beyond what the adults would tolerate.

Toonami was airing Yu Yu Hakusho (likely a rerun from earlier that day), and Yusuke was battling the Four Saint Beasts. Specifically, it was one of his fights against Suzaku, who wielded a demon insect flute, in a race against time to save Keiko from a horde of zombies. It was cool, it was edgy, and it was fun. I was immediately hooked. Like so many others at the time, Yu Yu Hakusho became the foundation of my love for anime.

For those of us who love the show, no introduction is needed. But I have to believe that some of you may be too young to know about it—or maybe you really did miss out on something great like this when growing up.

Yu Yu Hakusho follows the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who constantly gets into fights, and the chaos that unfolds after his death. One day, Yusuke gets hit by a truck (truck-kun?)—before the rise of the isekai genre—so instead of being transported to another world, he’s given a second chance. Tasked with fighting ghosts, spirits, and demons, he becomes Earth’s Spirit Detective under the watchful eye of his guide, Botan.

Along the way, Yusuke forms strong friendships, becomes insanely powerful, and competes in martial arts tournaments and other high-stakes battles to save the world. And as it turns out, he might be more than he seems. This unforgetable anime is worthy of being your first and if you are already an anime fan then it’s not too late to jump in and watch the action!

Sub or Dub? The Final Boss Question

This is a question that constantly stumps anime fans. Some are sub purists who refuse to watch anything that isn’t in Japanese with subtitles. Others prefer dubs because they’re more convenient—especially when multitasking (that’s me!). While some anime have been dubbed really poorly, others absolutely knock it out of the park entirely.

Yu Yu Hakusho is one of those series where the dub truly shines. The original Japanese version isn’t bad, but Justin Cook (Yusuke’s English voice actor) and the rest of the cast elevate it to another level. The series is widely regarded as one of the best English adaptations ever made. The team behind it was a proverbial dream team for English dubs.

Justin Cook, Cynthia Cranz, Christopher Sabat, John Burgmeier, Chuck Huber, and many more—you’ll recognize these names as staples of the English dubbing scene today.

Awesome Story but Lack Luster Ending

Yu Yu Hakusho is one of those series that keeps you on your toes. It begins with Yusuke’s rise to the role Spirit Detective and the world-building needed to set the story in motion. He discovers his powers, turns enemies into allies, finds his future love, and meets the mentor who shapes his growth. These early arcs are short but immersive, showing how martial arts and supernatural abilities define this world. While most people remain unaware, some wield incredible powers and battle demons in the shadows.

After establishing the mortal realm, the story expands into Spirit World, which exists as a fully developed world of its own. Yusuke gets thrown into conflict with the Four Saint Beasts—monsters who want to escape their voluntary captivity and unleash terror on the human world. They use mind-controlling insects to take hostages, forcing Spirit World into a crisis. And, of course, Yusuke’s ragtag team ends up at the center of it all in Maze Castle.

Once past that, the stakes skyrocket as Yusuke and his friends enter the Dark Tournament. Corrupt humans force demons to fight for entertainment, and Yusuke is dragged into the brutal competition. This is the longest and best arc, filled with intense battles, unforgettable characters, and new power breakthroughs. It all leads to the final showdown against Toguro, an antagonist with a tragic yet well-developed backstory. By the end, you almost understand why he became the way he is.

The Chapter Black arc starts off slow, but things take a turn when Sensui appears. He’s a deeply depressed and misguided former Spirit Detective who has grown dangerously powerful. So powerful, in fact, that he plans to rip open a portal to Demon World—without caring that demons will spill into the human realm and wreak havoc. He is just that far gone and he’s lost his humanity. During this arc, Yusuke learns the truth about his power, bloodline, and heritage, which is really freaking awesome. This leads into the Three Kings Saga, essentially a muted martial arts tournament for control of Demon World.

Not much to say about that last arc because it ended abruptly. Yoshihiro Togashi lost interest and intentionally rushed the conclusion, killing one of anime’s greatest series just because he wanted to move on. Ironically, he pulled the same stunt with Hunter x Hunter.

Fight Music That Gets Your Blood Pumping

Although music isn’t a major focus in this series, some of the fight tracks are fantastic, and the opening theme is an unforgettable banger. That song will get stuck in your head for weeks. While there isn’t much to say about the soundtrack, it does exactly what it needs to. The music fits the scenes perfectly, enhancing key moments with memorable tones.

Final Review Score Ahead…

I’ve decided to ditch the sushi review scoring system and switch to a simple American school grading scale—it’s just easier. If this article hasn’t convinced you to watch Yu Yu Hakusho, I don’t know what will.

This is one of those series that every anime fan should experience, regardless of age, genre preference, or language preference. Its influence has shaped almost every major anime from the past 25 years, and without it, many of today’s greatest shows wouldn’t exist. So go watch it! And who knows? Maybe you’ll end up like me and buy the box set… because physical DVD/Blu-ray copies are justice! My copy: