The WORST episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho

Every episode of Yu Yu Hakusho ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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: 11/15/2024Network: Fuji TVStatus: Ended
The Demon World Tournament Begins
star
7.43
35 votes

#1 - The Demon World Tournament Begins

Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 11/12/1994

As the main bouts of the Demon World tournament get underway, some of the best and most familiar fighters are removed rather quickly. While it looks like some of the fighters' motivations for entering aren't exactly what they seemed, they all have their eyes on one warrior as the prize--Yusuke.

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Torn Between Identities
star
7.47
38 votes

#2 - Torn Between Identities

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/8/1994

In a brutal power play, Yomi has forced Kurama to serve as his advisor. If he doesn't, Yomi will destroy the one person Kurama loves more than anyone. But the alliance is hardly stable, for ancient seeds of hatred lie between them. Meanwhile, a group of familiar faces from the past return for one more shot against Yusuke!

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The Preliminaries
star
7.60
40 votes

#3 - The Preliminaries

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 10/29/1994

Yomi and Mukuro, preventing a full-scale Demon War, have embraced Yusuke's unlikely proposal. Peace is secured for the moment. But the battle for control of Demon World must begin. Who will win the tournament, and grasp complete power?

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Haunted by the Past
star
7.60
40 votes

#4 - Haunted by the Past

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/17/1994

After years of searching, Hiei finally returns to his homeland. Hiei clearly remembers the traumatic banishing he was forced to endure. But despite his many losses, one thing was never far from his mind: complete and utter revenge! But to complete his mission Hiei must first survive an encounter with yet another demon from his past.

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Farewell, Kurama
star
7.61
36 votes

#5 - Farewell, Kurama

Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 11/19/1994

Kurama faces down Shigure in the ring! But Kurama has to deal with the demons of his past: namely his choice to remain in the Human World. With the boiling up of tempers and anxieties comes the resurgence of Yoko Kurama! But will Kurama find a way to keep his anger from taking over?

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Reunion of the Bandits
star
7.66
38 votes

#6 - Reunion of the Bandits

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/1/1994

Just as Yusuke and Hiei were forced to confront their demons, Kurama boldly ventures through his own past. Yomi, one of the three Kings of Demon World has summoned his former partner in crime to his inner sanctum. What secrets haunt Kurama? And why has Yomi prepared for the worst?

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The Battle of Father and Son
star
7.77
39 votes

#7 - The Battle of Father and Son

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/5/1994

As the tournament to decide the king of Demon World wraps up it's preliminary round, one match continues to wage on. A father and son were pitted against each other in the random drawing. Now the vigor of youth has to beat out the patience of age. Which one will come out on top? Who will finally advance to the main tournament?

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Yusuke's Destiny
star
7.79
39 votes

#8 - Yusuke's Destiny

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/20/1994

Yusuke Urameshi suffers from a recurring nightmare that he just can't shake. Is this a mere inconvenience? Or are there deeper meanings hidden behind the bizarre occurrences? Genkai sends Yusuke to the home of a former Spirit Detective. But what he doesn't know is that someone knows his destination... and more about his past than he ever thought possible!

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Return to Demon World
star
7.87
45 votes

#9 - Return to Demon World

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

Control of Demon World is divided among three rulers: Raizen, Yomi and Mukuro. From his deathbed, Raizen has invited his descendant, Yusuke Urameshi, to return to Demon World to train under him for one climactic battle. Yusuke's first challenge is to defeat his ancestor. If he cannot defeat one of the three kings, how could he expect to stand up to the other two?!

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Inheritance
star
7.87
38 votes

#10 - Inheritance

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/15/1994

It's been nearly a year since Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama arrived in Demon World, each firmly enmeshed in its tense power struggle. Now, the three former teammates are in high positions on conflicting sides, as they head towards an inevitable clash. With Raizen's time drawing to an end, Yusuke must act fast in order to keep the tenuous peace in Demon World.

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Departing Living World
star
7.88
40 votes

#11 - Departing Living World

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

Hiei and Kurama are visited by two of the kings of Demon World with a very dangerous proposition. Meanwhile, Yusuke prepares himself for his own long journey home. He finds out that the only thing more difficult than making an irreversible decision is trying to convince Kayko that everything will be all right. Won't it?

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The Secret of the Jagan
star
7.90
42 votes

#12 - The Secret of the Jagan

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/24/1994

This episode begins with the duel between Hiei and Shigure (the one who gave Hiei his Jagan). Hiei has a flashback to his early. In the Ice World, he was thrown off a cliff because he was "the Forbidden Child". He was found by a demon clan. They were fascinated by Hiei teargem from the Ice World. He made a name for himself as a ruthless killer. Eventually, Hiei left the clan of demons. He went to Shigure for the Jagan eye. He wanted the eye to find the Ice World and the teargem, which was cut off of his neck during a fight. Shigure refused to give Hiei the eye because he did not think Hiei could endure the pain. Hiei proves he is worthy by sticking his katana through his own hand. After the operation, Shigure asked Hiei to stay because the operation drained all of his spirit energy. Hiei agrees, figuring he will never see the surgeon again. The duel begins. Shigure throws his circle sword/boomerang at Hiei. Hiei blocks the sword, losing his left arm in the process. Shigure recovers and cuts Hiei.

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Hard Fights for Yusuke
star
7.91
164 votes

#13 - Hard Fights for Yusuke

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/19/1992

In his first match of the tournament, Yusuke faces an impossible disadvantage. He can't see a thing in the pitch-black arena, but a hi-tech helmet allows Kibano to follow Yusuke's every move. Even if the battle-worn detective can survive Kibano, he'll have to fight his second match immediately -— against a lethal ninja!

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Every Demon for Himself
star
7.92
37 votes

#14 - Every Demon for Himself

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/22/1994

Raizen's death has upset the balance of power in Demon World. Now it is up to Yusuke to prevent the threat of total upheaval. As Mukuro and Yomi prepare their next move, Yusuke arrives at a brilliant decision that just might preserve the peace. But at what cost?

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The Three Eyes of Hiei
star
7.97
179 votes

#15 - The Three Eyes of Hiei

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/28/1992

With two artifacts under his belt, Yusuke heads for his most dangerous challenge yet – the ruthless demon Hiei. But unbeknownst to Yusuke, Hiei is chasing him, and kidnaps his girlfriend Kayko! Unless Yusuke can retrieve the antidote inside Hiei's Shadow Sword, Keiko will become a brainless, monster slave! Can Yusuke close the case?

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Three Strangers, Three Kings
star
7.97
36 votes

#16 - Three Strangers, Three Kings

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/27/1994

As the three strangers in Kuroko's house explain the reason for their presence, Yusuke begins to sense that something is amiss. These demons have come to him to reveal one thing: that Yusuke's ancestor resides as a king of Demon World! And unless Yusuke travels to Demon World soon, the balance of power could shift and spell the end of humans reign at the top of the food chain.

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Gouki and Kurama
star
7.97
188 votes

#17 - Gouki and Kurama

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/21/1992

The oafish demon Gouki is using the stolen Orb of Baast to capture children's souls. If Yusuke doesn't track down and defeat this monster quickly, those souls will become the monster's next meal. But Gouki isn't the only one Yusuke has to worry about when the second thief suddenly appears. His name is Kurama, and to great surprise, he asks Yusuke for a favor...

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A Reason to Fight
star
7.98
41 votes

#18 - A Reason to Fight

Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 12/3/1994

As the fighters make their way through the main bracket of the Demon World Tournament, Yusuke Urameshi finds himself staring down Yomi. Both powerful warriors had their own reasons for entering, but one soon learns that he may not have any reason to continue. Which will be left standing when the dust settles?

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The Beasts of Maze Castle
star
7.99
154 votes

#19 - The Beasts of Maze Castle

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/16/1993

Yusuke returns from training with the great psychic Genkai, and not a moment too soon! Dreadful Makai Insects are invading his own city, part of a sinister scheme to flood the earth with demons! With Kuwabara at his side, Yusuke dives into a forbidden demon city. His target: four deadly creatures known as the Saint Beasts!

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Koenma Appears
star
8.01
254 votes

#20 - Koenma Appears

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/17/1992

Pulled by the sprightly, pink-robed Botan, Yusuke enters a realm that is not quite normal -- the Spirit World. There, Yusuke meets Koenma, a 700 year-old ruler with the body of a toddler, pacifier and all! But there's no room for laughs as Koenma gives Yusuke an ordeal to restore his life. Hatching a Spirit Beast!

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Genbu, the Stone Beast
star
8.02
159 votes

#21 - Genbu, the Stone Beast

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/23/1993

Kurama and Hiei, two demons Yusuke beat in his first case, join Yusuke and Kuwabara to battle the Saint Beasts. This awkward alliance must learn to trust each other quickly, as they struggle through the Gate of Betrayal. And waiting just beyond this trap is the first Beast —- a giant made of solid stone!

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To the Future
star
8.02
47 votes

#22 - To the Future

Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 12/17/1994

High school student Kazuma Kuwabara is having a typical day. He is studying hard for his college entrance exams and fending off the flirtatious glances from his female admirers. But nothing could prepare him for what happens when he arrives at a mysterious meeting with Genkai. Surprise follows surprise as one by one each member of the old gang shows up! But where is Yusuke?

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The Search Begins
star
8.05
172 votes

#23 - The Search Begins

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/5/1992

Yusuke's three-day weekend is cut short when Botan delivers his next big case. Genkai, an aging psychic, will hold a contest to find a worthy apprentice to her powerful technique: the Spirit Wave. But an evil demon, Rando, plans to steal the technique and use it for mass destruction! Yusuke must go undercover and infiltrate Genkai's compound!

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Rando Rises, Kuwabara Falls
star
8.05
165 votes

#24 - Rando Rises, Kuwabara Falls

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/26/1992

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and young Shorin are the only fighters still standing in the Genkai Tournament. Yet Rando has not been found. Could this mean that Shorin is actually Rando? Or is the demon lurking somewhere in the shadows? The truth will soon be known, as Kuwabara faces Shorin on the haunted field of battle.

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Kuwabara's Spirit Sword
star
8.07
168 votes

#25 - Kuwabara's Spirit Sword

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/12/1992

The candidates for Genkai's apprenticeship have been narrowed to eight. Among them: Yusuke, Kuwabara, and the disguised demon Rando! Genkai announces the final test will be a tournament, fought in total darkness. And Kuwabara's first opponent is swinging a supernatural sword!

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