First plot details and visual for the new Yu Yu Hakusho anime specials

Yu Yu Hakusho is making a triumphant return later this year with two anime specials and now we finally have confirmation about the plot along with the first official visual.

When Yu Yu Hakusho was announced to be receiving new animation, myself along with countless others were completely ecstatic about the prospects of returning to the lives of some of the best characters created. The series told the story of the young spirit detective who went from rebel to hero after an accident took his life, but he was given with a new chance as long as he was willing to combat demons from the demon world.

The franchise spawned several volumes of manga, over 100 episodes of anime, two movies, video games and just about any kind of merchandise you can imagine. Yu Yu Hakusho became a massive hit in Japan, but also here in the US where it aired on Toonami for years, earning it’s spot as one of the most action packed and gritty anime series of all time. The series seemed to only get better with age (the Sensui saga remains incredibly influential) but series creator Yoshihiro Togashi grew tired from constant deadlines leading to its conclusion in 1996.

The anime staple turned 25 this year and in honor of its unique, enthralling brilliance, it was announced that the series would make a return with new OVA’s (original video animation) in a re-release of the Japanese series. Little to nothing was known regarding the future of Yu Yu Hakusho, but now in the most recent issue of  Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, a new visual was revealed along with official descriptions of the next chapter in the team’s story.

The first of two anime specials will provide us with a back story on the meeting between Hiei and Kurama, the two demons companions on Team Urameshi. The story was a brief chapter in an earlier volume of the manga, but the second is the penultimate chapter that will send the team back to the spirit world for a hostage crisis. The news was paired with a first visual that depicted Hiei and Kurama, which is a wonderful way to show off the upgraded animation quality after 25 years – but still has the all important YYH feel.

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It had previously been confirmed that the original Japanese voice cast will be returning to reprise their roles, so hopefully Funimation eventually licenses the OVA’s to go with the current collection. Seeing the positive response and 90’s anime fans pure delight, let’s hold out hope that a sequel series could be the next step before achieving pure anime bliss.

Next: 7 Highly anticipated anime series to watch in 2018

Yu Yu Hakusho is available to stream on Hulu and Funimation, so why not kick-off a celebratory binge watch for the series 25th anniversary?