Intro:
From experience, I know that many people find it hard to follow a story that has Japanese names in it. Especially if you have never seen the show this Fan Fiction is based on, a general introduction might be welcome.
This information comes straight from the Official Yuu Yuu Hakusho Site
Please, don't direct link to these pictures.
Basic Japanese terms: Makai: Demon World
Ningen-kai: Human World
Rei-kai: Spirit World
Reiki: Spirit Energy
Reiki Tantei: Spirit Detective
Ankoku Bujutsukai : Dark Tournament
Oni: Ogre, demon
Youkai: demon
Hai: Yes
Iie: No
Nani? : What?
(Domo) Arigatou : Thank you
Gomen (Nasai) / Sumimasen : I'm sorry
Sayonara : Good bye, farewell
Hajime : Begin, start
Yamero : Stop it, cut it out
(Chotto) matte : Wait, hold on (a little)
Baka: dickhead, idiot, jackass, monster...
Kuso, Chikuso, Shimatta... : shit, fuck, damn, dammit... (general swearing)
More useful information on Japanese language can be found here.
How the story begins: It's another typical day for troublemaker Yusuke Urameshi... cutting classes, clashing with teachers, fighting local tough guys. Just when everybody thinks they have the hoodlum figured out, Yusuke suprises even himself by diving in front of a speeding car to save a little boy, getting himself killed in the process! Far from the end of a story, it's the start of an epic saga.
Yusuke gets a second chance at life and becomes a Spirit Detective, charged with tracking evil supernatural beings and preventing them from fulfilling their diabolical plans.
Yusuke teams up with his old rival Kuwabara, the elusive Kurama and the dark and cynical Hiei.
The (First) Dark Tournament: Life for these teens refuses to settle down, as Spirit World makes a chilling discovery. The Toguro Brothers faked defeat during Yusuke's last case, in an elaborate plan by the trillionaire Sakyo. Now Toguro will hit Yusuke with a terrible threat. Enter a vile competition run by the criminal world, or watch everyone he knows be hunted down and destroyed!
Of course, Team Uramishi prevails.
Meet the Gang and the Others:
(Click on the picture to see their other form) Urameshi Yusuke
Yusuke Urameshi is the worst student at Sarayashiki Junior High. He gets terrible grades, skips class as often as possible, and has little respect for authority. On top of that, his coarse language and brash, arrogant manner get him into more altercations than he can count. Fortunately for him, he's good at protecting himself.
Really good. In fact, Yusuke has the reputation of being the toughest kid in town. But despite his killer rep, Yusuke is misunderstood. His home life is troubled. He is constantly hounded by his teachers, by his mother, and by fellow students gunning for him... As such, Yusuke is generally pretty miserable. Only after being assigned the job of Spiritual Detective does Yusuke truly begin to find his place in life.
Powers:
Spirit Gun
- Yusuke's Spirit Gun channels his Spirit Energy into one small point—his index finger. But the blast leaves Yusuke so drained of power and energy that he must learn to master this ability if he is to use the Spirit Gun more than once a day.
Spirit Wave
- Instead of channelling spirit energy into one small point, the Spirit Wave uses a person's entire body producing an attack that dwarfs the power released by the Spirit Gun. Yusuke struggled to learn this technique from his teacher, Genkai.
Shotgun
- Very similar to the Spirit Gun, the Shotgun fires a spray of Spirit Gun bullets at once.
Spirit Wave Orb
- The Spirit Wave Orb concentrates the energy of the spirit and the body into the smallest possible space creating a power that could easily destroy an entire city block. Genkai worked for years to perfect the technique, which she passed on to Yusuke.
Kuwabara Kazuma
Kuwabara is Yusuke's chief rival at Sarayashiki Junior High. Like Yusuke, he isn't the greatest student, but he is an excellent fighter. Next to Yusuke he is a formidable adversary. Kuwabara is driven by an unwavering desire to be the best. Adding comic relief to Yu Yu Hakusho, Kuwabara has an affinity for kittens. Kazuma also has a sister, Shizuru.
Powers:
Spirit Sword
- Kuwabara can focus his own spirit energy due to his heightened Spirit Awareness into a solid object like a sword. The first of Kuwabara's special abilities to manifest itself, the Spirit Sword is a weapon with undeniable power.
Spirit Javelin
- The Spirit Javelin is an extension of Kuwabara's powerful Spirit Sword.
Spirit Sword Double
- The same technique as the Spirit Sword, but this time Kuwabara summons two equally powerful swords.
Hiei
Hiei is a fire apparition whose true origins are unknown. He is a master swordsman, and his strength and speed are incredible. However, these are hardly his most fearsome abilities. Typically kept concealed behind a bandanna on his forehead is the Jagan, a mysterious third eye that possesses magical properties. With it he can control weak-minded humans, send telepathic messages, and move objects through telekinesis. Hiei is fiercely independent, and his raw ambition drives him to pursue his own agenda at all times. Although he generally cares little for human life, and views others as mere obstacles in the pursuit of his own goals, Hiei strictly adheres to his own unique code of honour. As such, he helps those who help him, and is fiercely loyal to those who have managed to earn his respect.
Powers:
Dragon of the Darkness Flame
- His most powerful attack, Hiei summons energy from the deepest pits of Spirit World into his arm to create a terrible dragon that destroys everything in its path. Once unleashed Hiei loses control of the beast…which sometimes turns on its master.
Fist of the Mortal Flame
- Similar to the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, the Fist of the Mortal Flame uses Mortal Energy instead of Spirit Energy rendering it much less potent.
Shadow Sword
- The Shadow Sword transforms any human its blade cuts into a zombie-like creature. Only the secret held within the sword can revert the victim to his or her normal self.
Sword of the Darkness Flame
- By harnessing the power of the Darkness Flame into an object outside his body, Hiei is able to create this powerful weapon, which is much more controllable, yet much less powerful than the Dragon of the same name.
Yoko Kurama (a.k.a. Shuichi Minamino)
Not actually a human, Kurama has lived for over 300 years and possesses the wisdom and knowledge one would expect of someone his age. He is generally soft-spoken, almost eerily calm, even in the face of great adversity. But this calm exterior belies Kurama's incredible strength. He is a powerful, ruthless warrior, with wisdom and experience. As such, he is a formidable opponent to all he battles.
Powers:
Rose Whip
- The Rose Whip is a beautiful weapon with a sinister ability. Its thorns can slice through any substance, even stone. The Rose Whip usually has the last word in any battle.
Rose Whiplash
- The powerful Rose Whiplash is an attack using the Rose Whip. Kurama moves the whip so rapidly that most can't see the many deadly slices it makes as it glides through the air.
The Death Tree
- Each branch of this tree has a mouth that produces a substance that melts most anything in mere minutes, though it is said the pain will make every second seem like its own eternity.
Koenma Daioh
Son of King Yama, ruler of the Spirit World, Koenma is left in charge of day to day operations while his father is away on vacation (a chore he despises - too much paperwork). Koenma's youthful appearance is quite deceiving - the little prince is actually over 700 years old! Koenma possesses the wisdom to accompany his years, and can pose a rather commanding figure in spite of his diminutive size. There's only one thing that Koenma fears: making his father angry.
Botan
A messenger of the Spirit World, Botan serves as a guide to newly-departed spirits. She is friendly and often quite chipper, but when it comes to performing her duties she is all business. After Yusuke is assigned the job of Spiritual Detective, Koenma assigns Botan to be his assistant. Her knowledge and experience often prove invaluable to Yusuke during his many adventures.
Powers:
Healing
Ki to generate the oar which she flies on and uses to hit people. She also uses a metal baseball bat to beat on people.
Kayko Yukimura
Kayko is Yusuke's closest (and at times, only) friend. She and Yusuke have known each other since they were little children, and although he would never admit it, she is probably the person that he cares most about in the world. As such, Kayko has a unique ability to talk sense into Yusuke when he is being stubborn or unruly. Kayko is one of the leading students in her school. Intelligent, friendly, and outgoing, she is well-liked and respected by her peers. She is confident, self-assured, and at times a bit head-strong. She is brave in the face of danger, and will not hesitate to put herself at risk in order to help a friend in need.
Genkai
Genkai, aging master of the Reidoha (or Spirit Wave) fighting technique, wishes to pass her knowledge to one worthy pupil before she dies. Yusuke is chosen to be that pupil, and he soon discovers Genkai's training to be the most difficult ordeal of his life. Despite her advanced years, Genkai constantly amazes Yusuke with her ability to perform superhuman feats of strength and agility. Her wit is as finely honed as her technique, and she possesses the wisdom that comes from a life rich with experience. Impossible to intimidate, she stares unflinchingly into the face of danger, ready to meet even the most daunting of challenges.
