Yu Yu Hakusho
Reviewed by Dan Peterson |
| Synopsis |
| Ghost stories are always good, and they’re even better when martial arts tournaments are involved! Yusuke Urameshi is a normal, belligerent middle school kid when he gets hit by a car saving a child. He dies, but because he died so heroically he is given the chance to get his body back by becoming a spirit detective and hunting down demons and other undead criminals. He does get his body back, but even then he is forced to continue his demon tracking and fighting occupation. Throw in a couple of wacky sidekicks, a love interest, and a dark tournament involving a 50 year old grudge, and you’ve got the makings of yet another fun anime from Shonen Jump. |
| PLOT: 70% |
| In a word, the beginning is…dull. Yu Yu Hakusho starts slowly, and the plot is, for a while, boringly episodic. Over time, however, a general plot direction develops, and new characters (both allies and enemies) emerge so that by the time the dark tournament you can tell that the writers and animators are having a fun time with the series. However, as the series drags on the characters become monotonous, repetitive, and unengaging. If you’re looking for some good fight scenes, you’ll find them here, but if you’re looking for great character or plot developments, you’ll most likely have to look elsewhere. |
| CHARACTERS: 65% |
| The characters (with a few notable exceptions I’ll mention later) are generally annoying. The women are all weak and generally only seem to have power or abilities in hilarious situations where they’re yelling at their significant others. Yusuke is arrogant, annoying, and static, never turning into the hero he could be and rejecting his self-absorbed nature. His friend Kuwabara also suffers from boring, static character by always being foolhardy and obnoxious. Kurama and Hiei, however, are much more interesting and developed characters, bad guys who become good guys one of whom eventually becomes a bad guy again. All in all, were it not for these two redeeming characters, the entire show would sink into predictable repetitions of boring, static characters. |
| ART: 60% |
| Over a decade ago I’m sure it was cutting edge, but now it just gives me a headache. There are lots of dull flashes and “bright” explosions in the decently well-constructed fight scenes, but if you’re looking to watch a fighting anime with more style, plot, and pizzazz, skip this one and check out Flame of Recca. |
| SOUNDTRACK: 60% |
| As bad as the art and characters if not worse. There is nothing memorable about any of it, and usually it just grates on your nerves. With the exception of Naruto, it seems that Shonen Jump animes do not do a good job of finding good soundtracks for their shows. |
| CONCLUSION: 65% Overall |
| Good for killing brain cells, but watch it on your own in case kids on your hall start making fun of you. |
|
