Yu Yu Hakusho Volume 4

We rejoin Yu Yu Hakusho with Yusuke continuing his quest to learn the powerful supernatural techniques of the aging Master Genkai. Having clawed his way into the final fight thanks more to blind luck than real fighting ability, it seems that Yusuke may be in above his head against a murderous opponent who made mince meat of the usually determined Kuwarabara.

Besides Genkai’s tournament, dark trouble is brewing in the spirit realm. The mythical Four Holy Beasts have announced their intentions to invade the human world and it seems there is little to stop them leaving their demon city and doing just that. Yusuke is sent in to halt their evil ambitions and a few new friends have come along for the ride- namely the elegant Kurama and walking time bomb Hiei; enemies have turned friends in this last ditch attempt to save friends and family from demon invasion.

And so three more episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho fly by faster than Hiei’s fastest dodge. I wish I had more to watch, three episodes on just one DVD aren’t enough to satisfy my quick spreading addiction to this surprisingly accomplished Shounen Jump series.

As has been evident since the start, Yu Yu Hakusho just wants have fun. The plot may be derivative of countless other Shounen Jump adaptations, but the fantastic character interplay and laugh out loud sense of humour transforms this aging anime into an endearing and effortlessly watch able series.

The reintroduction Kurama and Hiei, this time on the good side, sees us following a quartet of lively and interesting heroes. For a start, the sharp banter between the cold as hell Hiei and egocentric Kuwarabara raises many a smirk but it’s just great fun seeing these vivid personalities working together for the greater good.

The animation still looks rather old and creaky, but the varied and colourful character designs make up for any shortcomings with some inspired invention. A great example would have to be the first of the Four Holy Beasts; a kind of giant half-man/half-scorpion sporting a body of stone and fanged teeth. It sounds fun and it is, this is primarily an action-packed series but where other shows take the quieter moments to wallow in pointless angst, Yu Yu Hakusho throws a cream pie in your face.

In Summary

Action anime is rarely as unpretentious and outright fun as Yu Yu Hakusho and as this fourth volume flies past, I’m left to realize that I’m really quite enjoying the ride. All the humour, growing friendships and supernatural fights are proving to be consistent and compulsive viewing.