The Under Discussed Dynamic of Kuwabara and Kurama 

Kuwabara is my favorite character in the show. When I was younger I was upset he wasn't in the last tournament, but now that I'm grown I'm happy he's making a good life for himself in Human World.

The second time Yusuke dies, Kuwabara literally says "If you're not here, then who am I?" and I think that really drives it home. Going his own way was the character development he needed, even if it's bittersweet.

My favorite part is during the second to last episode, Kurama is watching Yusuke fight and he imagines Kuwabara next to him, cheering for Yusuke even though he isn't there. Really says a lot about them I think.

Kurama is often used as foreshadowing for aspects of future main villains we'll see in the series (spilt personalities, is kinder then we're initially lead to believe and has a sense of justice that his reputation doesn't imply, etcetera) He also never underestimated an opponent or thought pure brute strength nor intelligence alone would win him the day.

Lets be 1000% honest. Togashi knows how to write great characters and synergy between them

kuwabara and shuichi ar good boys

"Just as a cherry blossom is a flower among flowers, Kuwabara is a man among men" - Kuwabara

_The Four Protagonists_ - Yusuke, A Human/Demon who would call Demon World home. (Keiko is the Main reason he returns. When she dies, he will likely return to Demon World) - Kuwabara, A Human who calls The Human World home. - Kurama, A Demon/Human who calls The Human World home. - Hiei, A Demon who calls The Demon World home.

I was glad that Kurama and Kuwabara got along alright, like a brotherly kind of bond.

I wanted to see more of his powers. Kuwabara's was the most interesting. At epilogue he did become s class. I would love to find out how

I was ready for you to draw the parallel between Kuwabara and Leoario both leaving to study and further his own goals. He wouldnt have lasted in ant kingdom but was very important after in a different arena: politics. Also transdimension punch is as cool as the transdimension spirit sword.

That moment in the final tournament when Kurama thought he heared Kuwabara was so emotional.

I really liked this overall! Though I disagree that Kuwabara was weak, he was A class, same as much of the rest of the team and also had a power so dangerous Sensui needed to dodge it.

Kuwabara and kurama also both have names that start with a K that rhyme, both have red hair, both used to be leaders of a group of degenerates and now regret their past and want to apply themselves in a positive and productive way. Both have insane endurance and sometimes suffer a lot of punishment before turning a fight around. Both are more sensitive to the emotions and wants of others. In contrast, Hiei and Yusuke have names that rhyme, neither are really concerned too much about the past or future, living in the moment and a little more down to Earth. Both are often very blunt and rough around the edges. They tend to overwhelm with speed and power and aren't usually as creative as Kurama or as careful and observant as Kuwabara. Both don't take long to revert back to a demon life style when summoned back while Kurama is very unsure of his own identity. Both Hiei and Yusuke are also kinder than they let alone with Hiei being very protective of his sister and growing to value his companions and Yusuke not realizing just how much he cared about Genkai till she was gone for example.

Dang, just when I think I've caught all the subtle details in this story, someone cleverly points out another! Fantastic video! I hadn't noticed how similar Kurama and Kuwabara's stories really were in terms of their weaknesses and ultimate victories. And I agree completely that Kuwabara needed to be left out of the last arc. In fact, that decision was one of the things that solidified this as one of the best written shows I've seen. Usually, they're so desperate to keep all the "main" cast together for the whole story that they can't develop as individuals. I was just blown away by how they let each character learn and grow in ways that made sense for them and fulfilled what they wanted out of life. The focus being so heavy on the characters and their journeys is why I think this is probably the best show for someone like me, because I love interesting character studies. Honestly, I actually really dislike traditional action shows and movies. I don't like a lot of fighting or blood. This show shouldn't be one of my favorites, but the characters are so compelling and the way he uses their fighting as a means of story-telling instead of just "time to punch stuff" separates it from the rest.

Kurama struggled with his identity and sense of morals...so he felt indebted to self-sacrifice Kuwabara struggled with his sense of team value so he also felt indebted to self-sacrifice They really are both the same and it’s funny because I always saw them as similar when looking beyond their appearances. I just think Kurama wants to achieve a sense of balance between his good and evil and Kuwabara wants to feel as if he’s worth something to someone. Leading them both eventually to realize that they have to go on their own

Initially, I had no favorite character. They are all so integral to the narrative and themes, as well as each others' arcs, that not a single one stood out from one another, and I mean this in a positive light. But what eventually gave Kurama the edge were two lines of (dub) dialogue in-particular during the Chapter Black arc, lines that stand among my favorite of any medium. They sum up both his unwavering compassion and capacity for cruelty at once, two opposing forces joined in single moments, and really just embody the character outright (and ngl they are also badass). The first, during Genkai's test, the line just after when Kaito threatens to crush the souls of his friends (in which Kaito himself also has a great line about the intricacies of souls, aka ones moral compass, and having power over them): He proclaims: "I'm warning you. You so much as bruise what you hold in your hand and I will show you pain. The hue of your soul will cease to matter, because you will not be judged when you die, you will no longer exist." It gave me goosebumps at the time, and yet other lines have done similar and not stuck with me as long. What separates it, in my opinion, is like I said: it encapsulates who he is, someone who can show mercy and prefers it, but also who can punish you more severe then you could even imagine. He isn't just saying something cool; he is communicating where the line between his two selves cross, and I think it's an absolutely brilliant subtle deconstruction of him which only foreshadows what we come to know later on. The second, and probably my favorite of the two, is at the end of his "fight" (if you can call it that) with Elder Toguro: "The tree won't stop until its host is dead, but as you've said Toguro, your regenerative powers make you unable to die. You will suffer for eternity here, torn between your hate, and your agony, and so be it. Rogues like you deserve to be damned." Okay, goosebumps obviously. The simple notion of eternal suffering at his hands is enough to make you uneasy. But in retrospect this line sums up not just what he thinks of Toguro, he is also loathing himself for his own past actions (of which we get in more detail later). Only unlike with Toguro's second chance, he had up till that point chosen to change who he was. He hasn't 100% forgiven himself, again there is obvious self-loathing (imo) in that line, but he understands the difference between he and Toguro. It is also just such a cathartic moment after what he was forced to do just prior with the boy, itself very telling of his character, and again communicates where the line between his merciful (human) self and vicious (demon) self lies.

happy to find this video as i'm a big fan of this pair but i'm surprised there wasn't more detail about the ending episodes of the anime that really solidify kurama and kuwabara as good friends who care about eachother. it seemed like kurama kept up with kuwabara and cared about his studies. seeing them hang out together before meeting up with everyone else was a real treat.

Kuwabara is officially my new favorite character in this show. And I don't even watch it anymore. Anyone that loves cats is best in my book.

Yes Kuwabara was the heart of the team and Kurama was the soul. Yu Yu Hakusho really is a great dynamic of characters at each other’s throats yet come together when it matters most

YuYuhakasho one of the few animes that found a way to keep the original cast important while upgrading the main character. I feel a big reason this was accomplished is the main character was buffed at a slower pace compared to other MCS while the group he's part of majority wise all starts off stronger than him, while remaining stronger for a while, and at the same time getting major upgrades themselves, it takes a genuine long time before we can say that Yusuke is outright stronger than his friends, and even than if your talking about a death match between Hiei and Yusuke it's debatable, for yusuke still doesn't know how to control his full power perfectly.

Yusuke was born into humanity...Demonhood came after...

this show never gets old.. im re-watching for 10th time.

i never considered before how thematically intertwined Kurama and Kuwabara are. you're totally right, both represent the idea of future. Kurama just wants to live his normal human life as Shuichi, but his past haunts him. as he embraces Yoko more and more, he feels like, with the masks he has to wear, and as these masks begin to collide.. who IS he? is he Yoko, the powerful thief from long ago? is he Shuichi, the human who dearly loves his mother? or, is he Kurama, the Yokai who protects humanity from Yokai who choose darkness as their path. throughout the story, these masks get swapped often, so often so, that Kurama loses who he is. through the final arc of the story, thanks to being confronted by his past that haunts him, and his befriending of his enemy from long ago.. he realizes that he's himself. he's all three of these. he doesn't have to choose, because as you go towards the future, you aren't a static being, you *change*. these three people he has been in the past.. he realizes that he doesn't have to pretend anymore. he's himself. he's Shuichi, Yoko, Kurama.. he's his own person, and can carve out a future for himself. the part of him that is a brutal killer is part of him, so is the kind intelligent schoolboy, and so is the protector of mankind. Kurama is his own person, and as he walks towards a brighter future, he can only do his best and see what person he will grow into. he doesn't have to pretend to be something else for others anymore. he can be him, and learn who he is. Kuwabara's arc, as i said at the beginning, is similar. from the start of the story, depends on Yusuke. Yusuke doesn't realize it at first, but in a way, Yusuke is his reason for living. someone who can always beat Kuwabara.. it gives him something to strive towards. then.. Yusuke dies. this makes Kuwabara break down, yearning for his rival back. Yusuke , when he comes back to life, befriends Kuwabara, who bond over their mutual love of fighting. later in the story, Yusuke dies again. "No! You can't be dead! If you're dead, then who am I?!". for many story arcs, and death defying adventures, Kuwabara has just gone along with what he's been told to do. in endless battles, endless fights to the death.. Kuwabara ended up forgetting who HE is. he gained a co-dependency. this is the turning point for Kuwabara's character, where, no longer valuing his own life, decides that he wants to die. not just by his own hand, but by the hands of the man who killed Yusuke, so he can go with him. when Yusuke comes back to life again, this suicidal feeling fades, but it really gets Kuwabara thinking.. what's the point of my life, if it all revolves around Yusuke? sure, he doesn't think this directly, but he's a bit stupid, so he wouldn't realize this outside of his subconscious. after this story arc, Kuwabara realizes he cant keep mindlessly living in the present. he has to be somebody. he needs a future. so, he works hard to get into a good High School, so that he doesn't disappoint himself, and his sister, who was aimless at his age, and, from her perspective, ruined her own life because of this. fighting.. what's the point? people only get hurt and die in the end. Kuwabara realizes that it wasn't the fighting he loved, not entirely. He loves his friends. but, if you have no future, and you live only for your friends.. what's the point of your own life, really, in the end? Kuwabara is then resolved to make something of himself. soon after, Yusuke tells Kuwabara that he's leaving. to the Demon Realm. not to enact some kind of justice, no. just to fight for the sake of it. Yusuke and Kuwabara's lives have completely diverged at this point. Yusuke, who lives only for fighting's sake. Kuwabara, who's decided he needs a real life, and a real future. Kuwabara realizes the truth. Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, who are all troubled in this moment, think that all they need in life is to fight, it doesn't matter what side they're on, they just need to tear people apart. you wouldn't think so, but Hiei and Kuwabara are going through similar things right now. Hiei has completed every goal he had for his life, so now, he just wants to die. Kuwabara has decided that a vengeful suicide isn't the answer, but now Hiei is struggling with that very task. Hiei just wants to die an honorable death, as Yusuke's resurrection doesn't give him closure to the rest of his life. luckily for Kurama, as mentioned above, he resolves this conflict within himself, as does Hiei, somewhat, who, with his girlfriend Mukuro, has gained a new reason to live. for the sake of his friends. Kurama, Yusuke, Mukuro.. if you're surrounded by people that you like.. maybe living, isn't so bad? Kurama and Kuwabara, in the end, come to the same conclusion. "I need a future. i can't keep dwelling on the present/past.". a beautiful intertwined double character arc.

This is the quality content that I subscribed for.

Kuwabara was such an incredible character.

why did i think this was going to be a kuwabara x kurama pairing

The speeches and dialoue are legendary the writers went all in and that's one of the reasons this anime will always be a classic

Kuwabara is a real bro Yu yu hakusho is one of the greatest anime ever

Good thoughts. I take exception, though, to one thing. You describe Kuwabara's power level as "paltry", but he was clearly stronger than Kurama and Hiei during the fight with Sensui. Look at the beginning of the fight, when Sensui's aura blows the demons off their feet, but Kuwabara is not only left standing, he's actually able to charge forward. And of course, he could get stronger through training. I do agree that him quitting was the best thing for him. He wasn't needed for the final arc to end the way it did, which was probably the best possible ending, and he wouldn't have gained anything from it. In a sense, he didn't really need much in the way of character development. He wasn't a selfish jerkass like Yusuke or Hiei, and he didn't suffer from an identity crisis like Kurama. He always understood the value of love and friendship; no lesson to be learned there. He was always clear on what kind of person he was. If anything, the area where he most needed to grow was his intellect, and he's doing that by buckling down in school and getting a good education.

much like raizen kuwabara and kurama displayed the power of love and compassion that is unrivaled and unmatched but their compassion isn't limited to their friends and family

kuwabara is earnest in the moment selfless... kurama has regret about his past life that kuwabara does not know about so when kuwabara for instance says hes very caring its irony for the audience cause we know he has regrets and we find out his past so kurama kinda wants to make amends and live up to that pedestal kuwabara places him on....

Kuwabara the red head who has a realistic hair color vs Kurama who has anime red hair color. Perfection.

Great analysis...I just re watched all of yu yu and glad to see someone else caught how great of a character kuwabara is! Appreciate the content bro ! 👌

You made some good points, specifically the one about the group dynamic balancing each other quite well and each acting as a foil to one another. I disagree; however, that Kuwabara wouldn’t have survived in demon world. He had an A class power level at the conclusion of the Sensui arc, in addition to his unique abilities, so long as he did not attempt to act recklessly and instigate fights with superior demons he’d have been fine. Also, it’s not as if Yusuke would’ve allowed him to perish. I may be mistaken but I believe at the end of the manga he’s pictured with the gang again back in demon world for the next tournament.

Kuwabara was op if you think about it. He’s 100% human and he was able to hang in the dark tournament.

5:57 WOOOAH. It might've been after the anime finished up, but Kuwabara's legit the strongest human in the series. Let's not start labeling his power weak now lol

imagine a timeskip series of yyh where we explore what the main protags are doing in adulthood

I could rewatch this & still enjoy it just as much a the first time.

This is so well done! Yu yu hakusho was one of my first anime, but even after almost 10 years it remains my favourite.

A true swordsman never loses twice. Me: *cough cough* Zoro

Despite him not being the strongest he was always the manliest and always had the girls...that’s all that matters!

your channel is such a precious find!!!! love this vid

The day Kuwabara put down his fists and set straight his life was amazing for me. I mentally stood up and clapped for this decision. The guy fought so much for so long and for the stuff he believed was right, not only he had no reason to fight any more demons, he learned that fighting as fun as it may look like, hurting others was not. He chose a peaceful normal life and let the real fighters keep fighting. You gotta respect him for that.

I agree that Kuwabara had noting to gain by going to demon world, but I feel they gave him this awesome upgrade and don't show more of it.

I got the kids into this series. The times Kuwabara and Kurama pranks Yuske, were like 😆 🤣 😂 😹!!!

In my opinion you are wrong about one thing. Kurama during his life as a bandit he did care about his teammates. That was why he taught Yomi that harsh lesson. If you remember he tells Yomi that he should watch it that his foul character will be the death of him and then when he sets up that trap that guy says "Life is more important then the reward. So, if he didn't care then he wouldn't have gone to such lengths. Sure he was a bandit and killed and stolle. However, It was Yomi that got him into the predicaments. Kurama wanted to avoid conflict and get in and out with as little causalities as possible.

I miss these characters all a sudden

Hiei is 1 of my favorite characters. So is the show itself.

Wow this was an interesting detail I never really looked at. Thank you for this :)

Kuwabara is Yusuke's best friend. Yusuke even went all out on Taguro when he seemingly died.

kurama will always stay my favorite character

Lol very well put bro! Yu Yu Hakusho is legendary!

My one gripe with this video is when you said Kuwabara wouldnt last a day in the Demon World. I dont agree especially when he has the strongest ability out of the group, The Dimension Sword. I think that more than makes up for his lack of power. Its literally a sword that ignores durability and cuts through anything. So I think he would do well in Demon World. Other than that it was a great video!

I’ve watched Yuyu Hakusho and definitely am one of those people that hold Kuwabara as what a man should strive to be but I never thought of how his goals are all externally influenced throughout the series as he is reactionary rather than the type to ever be proactive unless pushed to do so.

Kuwabara was almost as strong as Link. He could have joined Kurama trained soldiers and survived in the makai.

Two gingers when good hearts while you got two guys with black hair that are rough on all the edges but the middle

Kuwabara and Kurama That a good ship.

- "Kuwabara; is he truly the Apex of masculinity that viewers make him out to be?" - *"YES."*

Just finished the anime this week. Kurama and Kurwabara are my two favorites from the show. Good video. Thank you for discussing their dynamic. Three Kings might be my favorite arc. I agree Kuwabara needed to go his own way and I'm sad to learn the manga didn't include the wonderful conclusion to Kurama's arc like the show did but I think it was the perfect end for Kurama and I'm very satisfied with it.

kurama and kuwabara have good role models in their life so they both seem to be good boys because of the main female in thei life I guess is the point ...yusuke and hiei well the less said the better about their moms...so thats kinda what togashi I think was sorta saying about why they get along so well

Nice video.

I also want to point out that these two also loves to prank Yusuke.

I love these characters so much

Thus there's Will of Nen. A game fusion of YYh and HXh

i wish kuwabaras theme was used more lol it fits his personality so well

Definitely agree with you about that being a proper ending for him

KURAMA IS MEH BOY. How is there a Yuki fan club but no kurama fan club? (Not hate towards Yuki btw he's cool too) Please comment if you would like to join the kurama fan club

Togashi truly is the king of shonen.

My favourite charecter is kurama

i agree and this is my favorite anime

I'm with you on the Kuwabara Three Kings arc.

They are my favorites!

great video

1:39 turn on captions and read that line

dragon of the darkness flame took a toll on Hiei in the tournament

No, Kuwabara could've gone to Demon World to finally find Yukina's long-lost brother, thus finally having a true confrontation between Kuwabara and Hiei.

Who would crowdfund another YuYu Hakusho game? (1 on 1 Fighting for the Bosses, action-horror for the exploring/mystery)

Great video! After this I checked out a lot of your other videos and they have great stuff too defiently subsrcibing. I’m a bit upset over the choice of top ten waifus but hey no ones perfect🤪.

Thumbnail so wholesome and cute

He is at least an a level by the end of the black arc

Yusuke born into demonhood ? I don't get that.i thought he was human but had the demon gene dormant in his body.

Kuwabara always had the most potential in regards to his powers. I really wish he would train with Genkai he would be a beast

Question is does kuwabara ever get with yukina?

Title is misleading. I thought it was going to be about Kurama and Kuwabara friendship from the thumbnail. But good video tho

Yes, ToGODshi :)))

Kuwabara should have trained under Bui and learn to use the Spirit ARMOR. I bet that would have brought him to S-Rank.

Kuwabara’s pompadour reminds me of shrimp nigiri 🍣

ToGODshi. Yes. Oh yes

Kuwabara is literally s class by the end he could have at least competed in the makai tournament and beat the likes of shishi or rinku who got power boosted but didn’t because he doesn’t live solely for violence and would rather act as a protector of the living than a conqueror of the strongest beings in existence, a dynamic which is similar to how yusuke abandoned his pointless emotionally detached tough guy persona except that yusuke had the responsibilities of makai thrust upon him by raizen dying and yomi not being content with a stalemate

I will always call them the Fab Four for anime

3:20 Kurama is very confusing to me, but isn't he just Minamino Shuichi but with Yoko Kurama's memories

I appreciate you using the dub

Though I appreciate the analysis, the final arc of yyh was very underwhelming. There was a complete lack of tension that the rest of the series conveyed extremely well, and I felt zero connection to yaomi, unlike the toguros or sensui.

And now we are getting a live action

I don't think kurama left behind Yoko, he even tells Hiei that when the former asks him if he has forfeited himself as Yoko Kurama. He says no, he never truly leaves anything behind. What I understood is that he made peace with who he was as both human and demon thus integrating his personalities.

I agree with your analysis of kuwabara's character but you didnt have recall his power level paltry like he was A-class level

0:40 for a second there I was like "Did he say 'booty' or 'Duty'?"

Did you mean to caption it "ToGODshi

y u got the hunter spoilers in here?