This two-disc set ends the Black Chapters saga of Yu Yu Hakusho and begins the final story arc, the Three Kings saga. The fight between Yusuke and the others versus Sensui is taken all the way to the Demon Realm, after an astonishing revelation about Yusuke’s lineage. This is by far the most intriguing part of the YYH storyline yet with the discovery of Yusuke possessing the DNA of an S-class demon in his blood. Koenma forsakes his dad’s orders and follows Yusuke into the Demon Realm to help Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama and to let Yusuke finish the ex-spirit detective off in the fight they had started. Not only are there interesting facets to Yusuke discovering his rebirth, but the fights get more intense and you easily get swept up in the emotional roller coaster these episodes provide.
Presentation
Once again, like the 2-disc sets before it, presentation of these DVDs is kept fairly simple for the sake (I assume) of cramming as many episodes in as possible. I do like the way the DVDs stack into the case, because, as most anime collectors know, shelf space means everything. The menu is simple and plain with unique background music setting the mood of the episodes to follow. I prefer simple menus like this; as opposed to some DVDs that make you feel like you’re hunting Easter eggs to get the options you want. With this set you also get a solid bi-lingual track with quality voice acting on both the English and original Japanese dubbing, and the translations between the two are spot on so there won’t be any random statements that seem to flounder or make little sense.
Extras
As has become typical, there are few extras on disc one. You get four trailers for Case Closed, Tenchi Muyo: Ryo-Ohki, Black Cat and Full Metal Alchemist. But the DVD also opens with a brief trailer for Glass Fleet. Disc two also opens up with a trailer before the menu, this time of Slayers season one. The other trailers available on this disc include Z-Store, Tsubasa, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Dragonball Z. I think, of the extras these DVDs provide, I always seem to enjoy watching the trailers most. It provides a better glimpse into what certain series have to offer than blurbs in magazines can give you.
Other extras include the textless versions of the opening and ending songs and character profiles. After watching the opening and ending so often, seeing them textless really is moot and kind of makes their offering pointless. The character profiles sport the same resolution issues as Sixth Sense in that the larger your screen size, the more pixilated they become, but the descriptions give you solid enough info on the characters to jump into the story with comfort in knowing who the large supporting cast is.
Overall
All in all, these DVDs are highly enjoyable if you love adrenaline-pumping action and plot twists. It is what it is though, your standard formulaic shonen series—a handful of guys fighting against overwhelming odds. Be that as it may, Yu Yu Hakusho stands above the general crowd with its fast-paced action and unique characters. But bear in mind, these DVDs are uncut and PG, so if you’re squeamish about blood or violence, or have children you don’t wish to see it, then be advised. Personally, I enjoy a good bit of violence to turn my brain off to for a few hours. And with both quality and quantity of the story and action, this set is well worth the money for it.
Overall: 10.0