Back in his body and newly employed by the celestial bureaucracy as a Spirit Detective, Yusuke Urameshi fights outlaw demons on Earth, and he’s getting good at it. Despite this, there is still much for him to learn. On one mission, he encounters a man called Younger Toguro, a human-turned-demon who helps to run a crime ring that provides monsters and other oddities to the supernatural underworld for prize fights and gladiatorial pursuits. Toguro defeats Yusuke in a head-to-head fight.
Displeased with the boy’s display and certain Yusuke could be a worthy opponent in time, the younger Toguro gives the spirit detective an ultimatum: enter the Dark Tournament—an underworld demon event funded by human crime lords—in two months or Toguro will have Yusuke’s friends and family murdered. Helpless to stop the demon, Yusuke accepts and begins training. Joined by Hiei, Kurama, and Kuwabara, Yusuke sets out to win the Dark Tournament and save his loved ones.
One obvious difference between season 1 and season 2 of Yu Yu Hakusho is sheer length. At 41 episodes, the second season is nearly twice the length of the first. For some, this is too much, but fans of the series will be delighted. The focus drifts away from the world-building and the lore behind Yusuke’s spiritual powers. Instead, the teenager and his friends are the focus in between fights. Kuwabara, Hiei, Kurama, and Keikio come into their own and develop their own friendships and bonds beyond simply knowing Yusuke.
The Dark Tournament is an interesting plot development and allows for an organic exploration of Yusuke and Kuwabara’s powers. Fans of Shonen, action, and supernatural themes will find boundless enjoyment in the second season of Yu Yu Hakusho. Highly Recommended for public library shelves.
Where does this title belong on library shelves?
Yu Yu Hakusho’s second season belongs on anime shelves next to supernatural and action series.