The BEST episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho

Every episode of Yu Yu Hakusho ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho!

Fourteen-year-old Yusuke Urameshi is having a typical day. He's cutting class, arguing with teachers, and getting into fistfights with his rival Kuwabara. But when Yusuke dives in front of a speeding car to save a little boy, things take an unexpected twist! As a result of his self-sacrifice, Yusuke is taken to the Spirit World where he meets Koenma, a 700 year-old ruler with the body of a toddler - pacifier and all! There's no room for laughs, as Koenma gives Yusuke an ordeal that could restore his life - or end all chances for revival. Yusuke has reclaimed his life, but has only one

Last Updated: 8/8/2024Network: Fuji TVStatus: Ended
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Wielder of the Dragon
star
9.25
91 votes

#1 - Wielder of the Dragon

Season 2 - Episode 33 - Aired 11/27/1993

Hiei unleashes his most powerful attack, the Dragon of the Darkness Flame! But Bui is able to turn the Dragon against his master. Will Hiei be swallowed and destroyed by his own power?

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Toguro's Desire
star
9.01
87 votes

#2 - Toguro's Desire

Season 2 - Episode 39 - Aired 1/15/1994

As one of his friends lies on the arena floor, Yusuke powers up to the same level as Toguro. To defend himself, Toguro must power up to 120% of his capacity. Can either fighter, each completely devoid of any remaining energy, survive to claim the prize?

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Yoko's Magic
star
8.95
83 votes

#3 - Yoko's Magic

Season 2 - Episode 31 - Aired 11/13/1993

With Karasu able to counter Yoko Kurama's attacks, the vicious member of Team Toguro is set to take the victory. Taking his own life into his hands, Kurama prepares to sacrifice his life energy in a final chance to defeat the demon. But with no life energy remaining, Kurama may stay down forever.

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Yusuke vs. Toguro
star
8.94
84 votes

#4 - Yusuke vs. Toguro

Season 2 - Episode 36 - Aired 12/18/1993

The ultimate showdown between Yusuke and Toguro finally begins, and everyone is on the edge of their seats -- at least everyone that hasn't been melted into their seats by Toguro's intense Spirit Energy. Yusuke reveals the power he inherited from Genkai with a colossal blast of his Spirit Gun, but is it enough to bring down Toguro once and for all?

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The Proof
star
8.93
74 votes

#5 - The Proof

Season 3 - Episode 26 - Aired 7/30/1994

After being saved in the nick of time by Puu, Yusuke revels in his new power and resumes his battle with Sensui. Although Yusuke's skill and strength have increased, he is still clumsy with his new abilities. But there is no time to practice as Sensui bears down for the final confrontation.

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Waking the Lost
star
8.93
71 votes

#6 - Waking the Lost

Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired 7/23/1994

With no thought to their own safety, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei charge deep into the tunnel in an effort to rid all worlds of Sensui forever. Meanwhile, King Yama's soldiers arrive to take Yusuke's body away to ensure he is never revived. As Koenma does his best to stop them, help arrives on the horizon in a very different form.

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The Death of Genkai
star
8.92
83 votes

#7 - The Death of Genkai

Season 2 - Episode 27 - Aired 10/16/1993

Fifty years ago, Genkai and Toguro were actually teammates who fought and won their own Dark Tournament, before becoming violently estranged. Yusuke Urameshi arrived just in time to see his teacher slain, and assaulted Toguro in a rage, only to be knocked away by one devastating blow. With the final round of the tournament soon to begin against Toguro, Yusuke must find a way to keep that from happening again.

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Toguro's Wish
star
8.91
79 votes

#8 - Toguro's Wish

Season 2 - Episode 41 - Aired 1/29/1994

Team Urameshi prepares to depart Hanging Neck Island the victor of the sinister Dark Tournament to return to the world of the living leaving their fallen mentor and friend behind. But somewhere far away a chance encounter between two former allies seems to hint at what is to come as the most unlikely of people reveals a most shocking secret.

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The Shadow of Elder Toguro
star
8.91
86 votes

#9 - The Shadow of Elder Toguro

Season 2 - Episode 34 - Aired 12/4/1993

During his match with Toguro, Kuwabara is told of Genkai's death. With extreme rage Kuwabara strikes Toguro with the Trial Sword splitting the demon in half! The arena watches in horror as the evil Toguro rises from the arena floor unharmed.

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Yusuke's Despair
star
8.89
84 votes

#10 - Yusuke's Despair

Season 2 - Episode 38 - Aired 1/8/1994

As Yusuke lies beaten on the arena floor, Toguro taunts the Spirit Detective. Toguro begins to suck the souls of the spectators in order to enrage Yusuke to once again bring out his full power. But Toguro soon learns that the best way to provoke Yusuke is to kill one of his friends!

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Death of a Spirit Detective
star
8.88
102 votes

#11 - Death of a Spirit Detective

Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 7/9/1994

Yusuke comes to terms with the fact that he cannot defeat Sensui. Watching but unable to help, Kuwabara fights off emotion with rage as he remembers all the good times and bad he's had with his best friend. Kuwabara manages to free Kurama and Hiei, but it's too late. Yusuke Urameshi has been destroyed.

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The True Face of Sensui
star
8.88
100 votes

#12 - The True Face of Sensui

Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 7/2/1994

Koenma's tactics have saved Yusuke for now. But mysteriously Yusuke won't allow the Prince of Spirit World to use his pacifier. While they discuss their next move, the terrible gateway between Demon World and Living World opens.

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Attempting Revenge
star
8.85
68 votes

#13 - Attempting Revenge

Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 7/16/1994

Too late to save their friend's life, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei unleash their most devastating attacks on Sensui, who retreats within the tunnel. King Yama reveals a dark secret to Botan. What news would cause her to tremble in terror? What does King Yama know about Yusuke that the others do not?

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The Beast Within
star
8.83
86 votes

#14 - The Beast Within

Season 2 - Episode 30 - Aired 11/6/1993

The Dark Tournament finals have just begun and Kurama finds himself facing the strangely magnetic yet dangerous Karasu. Kurama, believing that it's his only chance to defeat his eerie opponent, transforms himself into the powerful and equally ruthless Yoko Kurama. Things seem to be looking up, but will Kurama's metamorphosis be enough to conquer Karasu?

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Toguro's Full Power
star
8.82
88 votes

#15 - Toguro's Full Power

Season 2 - Episode 37 - Aired 12/25/1993

Yusuke reveals to Toguro that he has not been fighting at full power and removes the Spirit Cuffs, which reduce his power. Finally, a fully powered Yusuke launches an attack at his nemesis. But Toguro too has powered up to his top level and stares down Yusuke's most powerful Spirit Blast.

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Moving Target
star
8.80
71 votes

#16 - Moving Target

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 5/7/1994

Yusuke continues to evade Sniper's dangerous attacks, but the horrible villain may still have a few tricks up his sleeve. Meanwhile, Hiei has finally returned to his former teammates to join in their crusade, but will that be enough to free Kuwabara before Gourmet can consume his power, and tear the Kekkai Barrier to shreds?

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Jin, the Wind Master
star
8.80
91 votes

#17 - Jin, the Wind Master

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/24/1993

The episode starts with Jin in the air, admiring the island. He swoops down and flys by Yusuke. Yusuke turns around and takes a punch to the face. He tries to counter with a kick but misses. Jin pulls out his signature move, the Tornado Fist. It is literally a tornado on his wrist. The punch misses Yusuke but the force pushes him back. Yusuke goes the hand to hand combat. Jin blocks everything but one punch. He flees into the air and recovers. While he is recovering, Yusuke shoots a spirt gun. Jin makes a tornado around him and deflects it. On the sideline, Botan realizes the Yusuke can't fight close and far away. Koenma is concerned because Jin uses wind for offense and defense. Jin comes down with another Tornado Fist. Yusuke doesn't even move. When Jin is at pointblank, Yusuke fires spirit gun into the Tornado. There is a huge explosion. Yusuke is blown back to the medical tent. Hiei tells him that Jin blocked with the Tornado Fist, saving both of their lives. He tells Yusuke that a

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Out With a Bang
star
8.76
85 votes

#18 - Out With a Bang

Season 2 - Episode 40 - Aired 1/22/1994

With the Dark Tournament at an end, Yusuke must beign to cope with the loss of his best friend at the hands of Toguro. After Sakyo asks Koenma to take his life, the evil billionaire unveils his final evil plan to destroy the entire stadium with everyone still inside!

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If You Could Play Forever
star
8.76
74 votes

#19 - If You Could Play Forever

Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 5/21/1994

Yusuke's team has won the first round, but they'll need to win three more to defeat the Game Master and move on to Sensui's lair. The hole to the Demon World is rapidly expanding. Can they make it there in time to prevent the end of the world?

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Sensui's End
star
8.75
73 votes

#20 - Sensui's End

Season 3 - Episode 27 - Aired 8/6/1994

Yusuke's body has undergone an intense transformation as his dormant demon blood takes hold. As the battle against Sensui concludes, Koenma tells Yusuke that he must choose between Demon World and Living World. Without hesitation, Yusuke makes his decision!

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Dragon of the Darkness Flame
star
8.75
92 votes

#21 - Dragon of the Darkness Flame

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/15/1993

Hiei takes on Rokuyukai’s leader, Zeru, whose explosive fire attacks ravage the stadium. Hiei must resort to an unbelievable technique, one that could take his life as well: he must summon the power of a dragon.

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Suzuki's Challenge
star
8.74
84 votes

#22 - Suzuki's Challenge

Season 2 - Episode 25 - Aired 10/2/1993

In the last match against Team Uraotogi, Genkai overwhelmed Suzuka, an old demon with many tricks and specialties, but little strength. Meanwhile, Yusuke recovers from the torturous absorption of Genkai's Spirit Wave Orb, which promises to give him unfathomable power. Yusuke's team has claimed their spot in the Dark Tournament's final round. Now Team Toguro must try to do the same.

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Ambition Destroyed: A Trial of Light
star
8.73
92 votes

#23 - Ambition Destroyed: A Trial of Light

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/26/1993

The doctor’s human experiments are clearly fighting against their will! As Yusuke prepares to put them out of their misery, the Masked Fighter intervenes and suggests a peculiar plan.

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Kurama's Stand
star
8.73
88 votes

#24 - Kurama's Stand

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/10/1993

Okay, brief recap to what happened last episode: Kurama has just had his arms and legs frozen, but used his spirit energy through his hair when he used the rose whip to slice Gama apart. And like in the last episode, Gama tries to hit Kurama through his wounds, splattering his blood all over him. Right before he dies, Gama tells Kurama that his blood has sealed his spirit energy. Uh-oh. To make matters worse, the next member, Touya is ready to fight and avenge his dead teammate. Touya attacks just as Gama's first spell wears off, allowing him to move, but with his energy still sealed, he's still in a bad situation. Kurama spends all of the time trying to keep himself from getting killed by Touya's attacks. Eventually, he forms a plan to defeat Touya, and gets himself cut on purpose to plant one of his death plant seeds inside his own body right so it can manifest as a weapon. Right as Touya as is about to deliver a death blow, Kurama's death plant finally sprouts, and he has it

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Kuwabara: Awakening
star
8.72
71 votes

#25 - Kuwabara: Awakening

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/9/1994

The dormant powers of Kuwabara have awaken, as he continues his fight against Seaman. Seaman realizes that Kuwabara is the one that can shatter barriers between different dimensions. Using his new spirit sword, Kuwabara frees his friends and defeats Seaman. Kuwabara brings his friends, along with Seaman, back to his home. Seaman talks about a video called Chapter Black, showing footage of victims of humankind's atrocities against their fellow men. Viewing of this footage can change a human against its own kind. Shinobu "Black Angel" Sensui, is revealed to be a former spirit detective, unveiled as the mastermind behind the plot to remove the barrier to the Demon World.

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