There’s no way the mention of spirits in anime doesn’t remind one of Yu Yu Hakusho. For many fans, Yoshihiro Togashi was the introduction to the dark shonen realm, where the classic shonen optimism was paired with complex themes and characters. The anime-manga series dates back to the 90s but still enjoys great prominence in the anime community.
The greatest proof of that is its recent live-action adaptation. Yu Yu Hakusho is still fondly remembered by a lot of fans, but the same can’t be said about its ending. The manga ending came out of nowhere and shook the fandom. A few tweaks in the anime softened the blow, but there’s still some contention surrounding the abrupt ending.
It’s common knowledge among anime fans that Togashi’s deteriorating health made it difficult for him to continue drawing manga. It’s believed that his health issues resulted in the rushed ending of the manga, but there’s another reason that’s not known by many.
Yoshihiro Togashi’s deteriorating health wasn’t the only reason behind Yu Yu Hakusho’s ending
Yu Yu Hakusho manga began its run in 1990, and concluded abruptly after the Sei-Sei Shinto Saga in 1994. Part of the reason behind the manga’s ending was Yoshihiro Togashi’s worsening health. However, there was another reason that pushed the mangaka to bring the narrative to a close.
According to a CBR article, Togashi didn’t want to continue the story beyond a certain point. Seemingly, his vision for the future of the series was not the same as his editors. For that reason, along with the health issues, the manga came to an end rather unexpectedly.
It’s truly admirable how Togashi never compromises his creative vision. Whether it’s in the progression of his series or its conclusion, he believes in doing things his way. This is also the reason why he doesn’t let anyone else continue his manga. As interesting as it is to see him practice his autonomy, the ending discussion is still a sore point for fans.
Yu Yu Hakusho’s abrupt ending is still a sore topic for the fandom
From the well-written characters to its complex and dark themes, Yu Yu Hakusho offered a refreshing experience to fans. Togashi crafted a world with the conflict between humans and demons at its centre. Throughout the story, he brilliantly introduces new characters and villains to keep the audience hooked.
After the final tournament, a shocking revelation about King Enma’s lies changed the meaning of many canon events. Up until that point, it was clear that both demons and humans couldn’t be labelled as morally right or wrong. Both the factions committed heinous crimes, but there was also a lot of good.
By revealing King Enma as the villain and the demons as mere victims, the conflict was somewhat simplified with a clear good and bad side. Everything Yusuke achieved proved to be in vain to some extent. This ending wasn’t only unexpected but left a bitter aftertaste. The anime softened the blow without revealing King Enma’s true nature.
Yu Yu Hakusho is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
