Kurama, Shuichi and Yoko: Three People, One Body

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
  • My very first video essay, so I figured it would be fun to talk about my favorite anime of all time ever! Hopefully you like it and if you want me to make another video talking about it, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments below, I'll be looking!
    Just so you guys are aware, a user named Yam112003 Endemol who is known for claiming anime and other forms of fair use content has copyright struck this video and as I creep closer to the ability to monetize my videos to help with that sweet sweet student loan debt, this user will earn all the money from my Yu Yu Hakusho essays, which makes me hesitant to make more in the future. I've disputed them, however, this user won't back down unfortunately. If you wanna help out the channel in your own way, I do have a ko-fi at: ko-fi.com/studentcleric but please don't feel obligated! Only if you want to of course!
    The Hiei talking up Kurama thing is from: • Yu Yu Hakusho Abridged... (Hopefully he doesn't mind me using it!!)
    0:00 Introduction
    1:55 Spirit Detective Saga
    8:41 The Dark Tournament
    21:11 Chapter Black
    26:34 The Three Kings Saga
    35:50 Outro
  • Krátké a kreslené filmy

Komentáře • 389

  • @StudentCleric
    @StudentCleric  Před 4 lety +375

    I literally cannot put into words how touched I am that people still watch this video. I was going through a messy point in my life and just wanted to talk about a show that means the universe to me! Every comment and view brings a big smile to my face and I hope I'll get to make a video about Kuwabara in the beginning of 2020!

    • @tanuki2898
      @tanuki2898 Před 4 lety +10

      I cannot explain the noise that came out of me when you used the Yu Yu Hakusho Abridged clip. It was like a squeal and a choke. A squoke. I love this vid by the way!

    • @andrewshaw268
      @andrewshaw268 Před 4 lety +5

      Absolutely fantastic video!! I can't believe I haven't seen this sooner! I just got my Mom and little brother into the show 😁 They're both finishing up the tournament Arc. My brother sent me a message saying he loves yusuke but feel he's generic. So I started looking for a video essay explaining the opposite when I found your video 😍😍 I would love to see any new content of yours! And I'm watching your MHA video on Bakugo now! But... I was wondering if you could make something highlighting yusuke's qualities. There are character analysis out there but nothing as masterful or clear appreciation for the characters as this! I really can't explain how yusuke's so relatable without being generic... Thank you so much for the content! I really hope to see more soon!

    • @fictions_in_motion_07
      @fictions_in_motion_07 Před 3 lety +3

      I really love the video, I hope we can see more YYH character analysis later on in the future.

    • @troyterry3226
      @troyterry3226 Před 3 lety +1

      Hey just letting you know that it’s perfectly understandable that with year It’s been the Kuwabara video hasn’t came out. But thanks for making This amazing analysis video for one of the best written characters in anime history.

    • @ryanknight199
      @ryanknight199 Před 3 lety +1

      YYH is a masterpiece of anime. As far as I'm concerned you did the world an amazing creative service :)

  • @jeangentry6656
    @jeangentry6656 Před rokem +40

    Kurama wasn't willing to just throw his past life away for his mother. He was willing to die for her, trade his life so she could live. He's over a thousand yrs old, he could just wait out her life span if he was just sacrificing his plans as Yoko for her sake, human are only around for a few decades. It's when she gets sick that changes things- he's willing to wait, but he's not willing to see her life cut short.
    I think part of the reason he's willing to sacrifice his life for her is because he (probably) feels not just guilty for how he's treated her, but unneeded at the time. She has a boyfriend (her future husband). That boyfriend has a son of his own. It's no longer just her and him, he no longer needs to be the "man of the house" as it were.
    She has someone to look after her once he's gone, and a another son to love. Given his guilty conscience, he probably reasoned that he's no longer needed, and since he's been (in his eyes) a bad son, he might as well do one decent thing with his life- willingly sacrifice it to save her and give her a chance at a future with her new family.
    Thank goodness for Yusuke, who knows all too well how losing a son breaks a mother's heart.

  • @lucio989
    @lucio989 Před 3 lety +177

    Imagine how little Kurama feels about his demon mother. She probably nursed him and left him like a wild animal as soon as he was big enough to survive.

    • @kevinzk71
      @kevinzk71 Před 3 lety +8

      Thats true

    • @honeyham6788
      @honeyham6788 Před 3 lety +53

      considering Kurama is literally supposed to be a fox spirit and YYH bases it's entire mythology around Shintoism, the Kurama's "mother" wasn't a demon at all. But a normal Fox. animal spirits like Kurama come as a result of the animal living such an impossibly long life that their spirit evolves to a higher-level of being, i.e. a yokai.

    • @squaddegenerate5000
      @squaddegenerate5000 Před 2 lety

      @@honeyham6788 imagine your mom being an entirely different and less intelligent species then you after a while

    • @honeyham6788
      @honeyham6788 Před 2 lety +15

      @@squaddegenerate5000 Kurama's mother would have died long before he became a kitsune, that or she lived long enough to also be a kitsune

    • @lovelimbs4life
      @lovelimbs4life Před 11 měsíci +4

      I always wondered about Kurama's demon family, foxes in the real world are isolated and prefer to be in small families or alone. They don't travel in packs like wolves.

  • @francegamble1
    @francegamble1 Před 4 lety +142

    I, too, was drawn to Kurama. I felt that his fight with who he was resembled my daily struggle as a teenager, too. My secret life at home, being abused in many ways by my family as a well behaved quiet introvert, was at odds with my school life as an out going protector of bullied kids that made a huge group of friends. Which was I? Could I be both? I clung to Kurama and saw exactly as you talked about in this. I am very glad you made this video.

  • @Numbskies
    @Numbskies Před 3 lety +15

    Yoko=ID
    Kurama=ego
    Shuichi=superego

  • @Cobalt360Degrees
    @Cobalt360Degrees Před 3 lety +76

    25:57 I'm kinda bummed you didn't find that moment more significant, since it's basically the opposite of the Amanuma encounter. Instead of Youko wearing Shuichi's face, it's finally Kurama wearing Youko's. All the dialogue and body language says that it's not the Fox Bandit in control there, it's the one who cares so much for his friends that he's ready to die for them.
    31:46 While I ultimately agree that it would've been more meaningful to have him fight Yomi, I also think you're slightly underselling Shigure's significance to his struggle.
    Because Shigure offers him something that the Potion of the Previous Life couldn't: fully returning to the demon body he used to have, with none of the human weakness that he'd inevitably have to revert back to. The thing that heightens Kurama's eventual decision is that Shigure is offering him not only the thing he had initially wanted when he was reborn, but getting that thing even easier than he would've even dreamed back then. To a certain extent, Shigure is offering him a release from the torment of decision, an escape from the struggle and to let all the plates he had spinning just crash to the ground and to finally allow himself to be the demon that his soul initially was. And I think it's especially tempting because Shigure phrases it like freedom.
    I fucking loved this video by the way, I'm so glad I've finally found someone doing deep dives on all these boys I love so much!! ♥

  • @nhojleahcim47
    @nhojleahcim47 Před 2 lety +11

    Kurama walked so Kurapika could own all later HxH arcs 😂

  • @BlindRobotDragon
    @BlindRobotDragon Před 2 lety +15

    As a young teenager, I totally missed this, but as I watched the show in my 20's and now my 30's, I've picked up on just how much Yu Yu Hakusho delves into the psychology of its characters. Some get more exposure than others, but it goes out of its way to highlight how the minds of many of the people in that universe operate. Heroes and villains alike prove themselves to be more than they first appear to be, and more than you might expect of them upon first meeting them. I can safely say that no anime villain has made me stop and think, or try to figure him out, like the younger Toguro brother. Even now, I'm sure there are still facets to his character and personality that I'm missing.

  • @victoriamccaskill9182
    @victoriamccaskill9182 Před 2 lety +13

    This video made me emotional. I’ve loved this show and Kurama since I was a child and your video was so enlightening. You explained things that I never noticed before. Thank you

  • @cherenmertens
    @cherenmertens Před 2 lety +4

    Kurama was my childhood anime crush especially when he transformed to his white haired form. He's so beautiful 😍

  • @mana7047
    @mana7047 Před 2 lety +9

    There's two red-headed characters in anime I absolutely love and that's Kurama and Himura Kenshin (from Rurouni Kenshin) both have dark pasts and both are trying their best to be good people even though their dark pasts keep coming back to haunt them. I do think the cross cut that Kurama received from Mr.Blade-Arms McGee was a reference to Himura but dunno. lol

  • @yenu4683
    @yenu4683 Před 4 lety +170

    Kurama vs Yomi would have been fantastic and cathartic. Darn it Togashi. If only he had the will to continue the Yu Yu Hakusho manga something like that might have happened.

    • @yenu4683
      @yenu4683 Před 4 lety +12

      Also, I would love to hear the analysis behind why Kurama and Hiei are your favorite anime couple.

    • @iangallegos170
      @iangallegos170 Před 3 lety +6

      Heie and Kurama aren’t gay though

    • @yenu4683
      @yenu4683 Před 3 lety +6

      @@iangallegos170 Many people don't care about canon. Many people do. But I think the 'don't' camp is bigger. It's more of a 'what if...' when it comes to shipping

    • @iloveplumpgrannies174
      @iloveplumpgrannies174 Před 3 lety +8

      He had to end the demon world tournament arc coz he was pressured to do so. If he was given time he wouldn't have rushed it.

    • @rinchan24
      @rinchan24 Před 3 lety +8

      I agree, it would have been so interesting to see a fight between Kurama and Yomi. Also, between Kurama and Hiei (I'm certain it wouldn't break the strong bond between them, if anything it would make it stronger)

  • @jeangentry6656
    @jeangentry6656 Před rokem +7

    Kurama was my fav as well. A whole character devoted to the themes of redemption and change. He's literally reborn, a demon's spirit fused with a human's body, but it's a mother's love (and his love for her) that changes him. He's a study in contrasts, living a double life. A loving, dutiful son, and a master criminal (who was only caught because he wanted to be). A teen and one of the oldest characters in the series (and certainly the oldest on Team Urameshi). A Demon and a Human, as warm hearted as Kuwabara, and as cruel as Elder Toguro. Willing to die for his mother and willing to kill to protect her.
    The demon who would be King and a family man.
    He's a willingly tamed animal- sweet, loving, but has natural predatory instincts.
    And the DEADLIEST Mama's Boy you'd ever want to meet, lol. 🙂

  • @HipHopLuv123
    @HipHopLuv123 Před 4 lety +40

    I would happily take a course with you teaching about yu yu hakusho! You described Kurama perfectly. And I've been a fan of the show and kuramas character since 2005

  • @psvradamlevine6215
    @psvradamlevine6215 Před 4 lety +32

    Didn't Kurama say to Kuwabara while on the sudo space before they enter in the demon world he said "I haven't become Yoko I merely taken on his appearance while maintaining my human personality. That's this spike increase of demon energy."

    • @psvradamlevine6215
      @psvradamlevine6215 Před 4 lety

      In the sudo space*

    • @StudentCleric
      @StudentCleric  Před 4 lety +9

      When they're traveling to the Demon World through the tunnel? Yeah, Kurama does say something like that before Kuwabara cuts through the Kekai. I didn't mention it because it's one of those lines that I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it, since one one hand, this implies that Kurama is using Yoko as much as the former is, and on the other hand, the show has been treating their mutual existence as more parasitic and mutualistic, since Yusuke being avenged isn't really something Yoko would care about and every other time Yoko's body is seen, it's the 2000+ year old demon fox, not Kurama, in control.
      So I kind of treat this one fight a lot like how I treat Hiei in that green multi-eyed body, it looks cool in the moment but when you think about it for too long, it doesn't really make sense with the rest of the world the show has built up.
      TL;DR: Yes he does. I didn't bring it up because it didn't fit in with the essay's themes.

    • @psvradamlevine6215
      @psvradamlevine6215 Před 4 lety +5

      @@StudentCleric Now that I have gone back rewatched that scene from that episode I see on how very minor it is, and why you did not bring that up. Not to mention his fight with Shigure makes it crystal clear on what Togashi wants Kurama to be. Thank you very much for the reply I am gonna go binge watch Yu Yu Hakusho from the beginning how I wish my Dad was here so I can watch it with him, but that'll have to wait until christmas. Btw Happy Thanks Giving, and God Bless to everyone. Yu Yu Hakuhso is truly one of the best animes around.
      Ever thought of doing a video on Jin?

    • @bebopganymede
      @bebopganymede Před rokem +1

      @@StudentCleric I took it as he got more and more of yoko's power like kurama's realization at the end of karisu's fight. So when he only takes on the appearance it's because they become more as one cognitively as he gains more of yoko's power in the human body.

  • @DanielHernandez-hg5ey
    @DanielHernandez-hg5ey Před 4 lety +70

    Having watched this show twice and thoroughly analyzing it afterwards, I am amazed that people can still further my appreciation of Yu Yu Hakusho. It really goes to show how awesome and fleshed out all of the main cast are. Seriously, all of them are such cool characters executed so well it's hard to pick a favorite! Besides the show itself, seeing someone as passionate as me talk about this show for 37 minutes is a dream come true. This is one of the most thorough character analysis I've seen, and I will definitely watch your other videos just for what you bring to the table. I watched this video a while ago, but I forgot to finish my comment on it. But I knew I had to come back and show my appreciation for this video and my own thoughts here eventually!

  • @nunyabiznes33
    @nunyabiznes33 Před 3 lety +6

    I really liked Kurama when I saw this anime when I was a kid.

  • @iloveplumpgrannies174
    @iloveplumpgrannies174 Před 3 lety +4

    Every time somebody asks me who my favourite anime character is Yoko Kurama always comes to mind.

  • @edgaralanfro3079
    @edgaralanfro3079 Před 3 lety +6

    Bonus Points for including a clip from Yu Yu Hakusho Abridged

  • @luissegura1813
    @luissegura1813 Před 4 lety +35

    It’s crazy how much I love all 4 of the main characters so much. They were made so well and made better as the show went on. Any given day my favorite between the 4 can change so easily. And lmao, she really said Hiei and Kurama were doing it haha. That reminds me when I was like 7 trying to find good fan art of them and accidentally finding yaoi of them lmao. Internet in 2006 was weird haha.

  • @beegee2495
    @beegee2495 Před rokem +5

    beautiful analysis. watched this series in the 90s as a child. kurama is indeed a very beautiful and well developed character. Now as an adult I find that the dynamics of the cast was also complex and endearing.

  • @heyitsmorgannerdz
    @heyitsmorgannerdz Před 3 lety +23

    As somebody who fell in love with this show WAAAAY back during the Adult Swim/Toonami days, I can say this is a beautifully done assessments of my first and only prominent anime crush 🥰
    And that YYH Abridged clip had me dying. God I almost forgot all about it. 🤣

  • @tombob7891
    @tombob7891 Před 5 lety +35

    Nice to hear such an analysis to something that for me exists only in my head like yuyu hakusho and Kurama my favorite character as well. Friends couldn't care less about all that. Didn't know what to expect when I clicked, turned out to be very good. You got nice voice as well, kinda reminds me the referee in Dark Tournament I think :D

  • @fluentinoppai6271
    @fluentinoppai6271 Před 3 lety +29

    Glad to see there's someone out there who appreciates yu yu hakusho and the complexity of Kurama as much as I still do. Dunno how this video has any dislikes, it was an accurate and solid dissection of Kurama's entire character arc. You should make more videos in the future if you ever find the time or passion to do so.

  • @jeansalazar5541
    @jeansalazar5541 Před 4 lety +23

    This is exactly why kurama is my favorite character too! Great video I'd love to see more yu yu vids

    • @razkable
      @razkable Před 3 lety

      i loved his line logic is panics prey...

  • @chrisfool82
    @chrisfool82 Před 3 lety +6

    For the longest time I didn’t know who was my favorite yyh character. After my 4th watch through and reading the manga first time. I’ve decided it’s Kurama. His story is so deep

  • @dylanbanocy7729
    @dylanbanocy7729 Před 3 lety +10

    As much as I love kurama the answer to this question. Is there is no best character. This anime is a master piece. It saved me from suicide and I've watched it since I was 13 and can quote anything from it. There all unique in there own right and everyone brings something important to the table

    • @razkable
      @razkable Před 3 lety +2

      family guy and yu yu hakusho aqua teen hunger force and dbz all at the same time in 2007--2008 saved me from suicide but thats a different story

    • @higurashianduminekoconnect1702
      @higurashianduminekoconnect1702 Před 2 lety

      Agreed did you ever think that Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho kind of feels similar to Griffith from Berserk

  • @LaidaBee
    @LaidaBee Před 3 lety +6

    A well-explained description of Kurama's complex personality. I loved him even more because of this video. My favorite Anime character.

  • @kiralynx
    @kiralynx Před 2 lety +3

    Three years later and this video is still 😚👌🏽. While my favourite YYH character is Hiei, I always found Kurama so deliciously complex and compelling.

  • @Yami_Spirit
    @Yami_Spirit Před 5 lety +28

    Great video, I would love a college program on Yu Yu Hakusho :)

  • @Henry_Talks_Anime
    @Henry_Talks_Anime Před 2 lety +3

    Great video; I think one of my favorite things about this show is the way everyone is drawn to Kurama especially Hiei and how he has the respect and friendship and connection with every good character in the series

  • @JD0GG2296
    @JD0GG2296 Před 5 lety +83

    Coming from a Kurama fanboy, well done!

  • @jamiebaldwin8195
    @jamiebaldwin8195 Před 3 lety +8

    I want to say that your analysis of kurama is spot on. I noticed every time I watched he struggled with identity and personality. Yu yu hakusho is a personal favorite of mine and I've grown fond of kurama as a character in this series. I'm hoping to see much more.

  • @LunaP1
    @LunaP1 Před 3 lety +4

    Kurama is my favorite character.😍 He’s so gorgeous with his rose red hair and grass green eyes.

  • @ridleysomeliana-lauer5814
    @ridleysomeliana-lauer5814 Před 4 lety +13

    This. This whole video. This is exactly why Kurama is my favorite. Im so happy I stumbled upon this series, and I can't wait for that kuwabara video :3

  • @kimberly00013
    @kimberly00013 Před 4 lety +9

    The only thing is, it's not three in one body, but two. Shuichi is his human name, Kurama is his demon world name & Yoko is literally the word for demon fox in Japanese. When Kurama was injured in the spirit world, he sought refuge in the human world in Shiori Minamino's unborn child. The unborn child being it's own person was, for the most part, possessed by Kurama. Hence, there is only two beings "sharing" one body (if you can call or consider possession sharing that is.) I am guessing when they tranlated YYH for the English dub, they called Kurama "Yoko Kurama" to differentiate between human & spirit world Kurama. Interestingly, if my memory serves me right, Hiei recognized Shuichi as being the "legendary" bandit Kurama & referred to him using his demon name. But I don't know why Yusuke did so, as he would probably only know him as Shuichi Minamino, unless maybe Shuichi used Kurama as a nick name or his first meeting with Kurama was through Hiei. I don't recall that they ever covered that in the anime & I have yet to read the manga, so idk; I am just speculating there. Also, if anyone else had pointed this out before me, I do apologize; I didn't read any comments before posting.

    • @StudentCleric
      @StudentCleric  Před 4 lety +7

      These are interesting points. I guess a more literal way of wording the point of this essay would have been, "Three Identities, One Body," because there aren't literally three lives within this one form, more like three distinct identities. I didn't watch the sub, I really don't like Megumi Ogata as Kurama, so I can't speak for it, but in the dub all three are giving distinct names; Shuichi is only used by Shiori, his step family and Kaito, people who know him primarily from his human life, Kurama is used by all of the main cast (Koenma introduces Yusuke to Kurama as Kurama, not Shuichi, so he doesn't use his human name since he doesn't know him as a human, but as this neither human nor demon being), and Yoko is the only title the demon is given, he is called Yoko Kurama, but the short hand in english is just to refer to him as Yoko.Because of the way the three are addressed in the series, each of the three has a title assigned only to them, making the identities of all three distinct and separate from each other. You've got the "good" Shuichi, the "bad" Yoko and the middle man Kurama, who is both and yet neither.
      Or at least that's how I see it. This is of course 100% subjective and for all I know, Togashi would disagree with everything I said, haha.

  • @psvradamlevine6215
    @psvradamlevine6215 Před 4 lety +12

    I love all the characters Kurama I do put in my top five my personal favorite character being the happy go lucky cheerful Wind Master Jin. Everyone God Bless, and Happy Thanks Giving!

  • @jointhearumanati8065
    @jointhearumanati8065 Před 5 lety +22

    Thank you for breaking down the character of my favorite character you really braught him to light and made me love him even more thank you so much for making this masterpiece

  • @jessieparks7751
    @jessieparks7751 Před 4 lety +22

    I love this anime. In fact I own all four seasons and the movie. Much like you my favorite character is Kurama. There is just something about those eyes and that whitty personality that I can't get enough of. Also much like you I enjoyed seeing Yoko take control the first time I watched the series. But as I just finished watching it again I began to question how he would balance who he is versus who he was. And honestly I wondered if there was effectively a way for the two sides of him to ever actually become one. This video that you made helps to put things into perspective, but it also brings up another question. Would Yoko still be the cold hearted demon that he is if he found someone to love? would he finally see things just a little bit differently and see that Kurama was right and that there is more to life than the thrill of the hunt? Just food for thought. And I really enjoyed the video. Especially since it was about my favorite red head. A close second to Kurama is definently Hiei, so I will be looking forward to seeing a video about him next.

  • @saltysugar4618
    @saltysugar4618 Před 5 lety +36

    Hello! I know I'm almost two years late, but I just wanted to say that I'm glad I found your video! It's very informed and your observations really made me open my own mind when I rewatched YYH again! It also makes me very happy to see a video on this wonderful series that's so "recent" when most date back several years. I hope at some point more people will share their thoughts, opinions and observations like you did, and I hope this video gets more popularity and recognition soon for how well you managed to execute it! Thank you for sharing this video and I look forward to any others you may have on this absolute legend of a series!

  • @dontecrosland1883
    @dontecrosland1883 Před rokem +2

    I loved when kurama fight scenes occur, because he uses his high iq intelligence and real flashy it’s always a game like of chess with him always 10 steps ahead

  • @jxse_the_bean
    @jxse_the_bean Před 2 lety +4

    AAA I LOVE THIS!! Kurama is one of my most favourite characters in anime,, if not my favourite, and this makes me so happy because I think about his character in this way a lot, and seeing it put into words like this is just so satisfying 💞

  • @SparklingSheeps
    @SparklingSheeps Před 3 lety +3

    OMGoodness! This gave me a better perspective and understanding of Kurama's character.
    This was sooo beautiful and so well written! Thank you!

  • @victoriamartines5030
    @victoriamartines5030 Před 3 lety +5

    Great essay, methodic and thorough. Don't be surprised if people are still watching your video (even though CZcams algorithm works in the most chaotic way by recommended it more than 1 year later) because Yu Yu Hakusho anime have a strong base and growing still.
    With all said, I have to make a remark about what you said in ''Thanks for watching'' segment. It was a phrase that threw me off about Hiei and Kurama's relationship.
    It baffles me how quickly the younger generation (yeah, yeah, I'm old, deal with it) jump to this general conclusion when it comes of human interactions. If two people (of same or different sex) get along , building a friendship based on mutual respect, they MUST bang each other. I dunno how you understand friendship but involving sex as a catalyst, is not essential. Surely, some friendships can evolve or devolve in sexual desire, but these two- Hiei and Kurama- never shown one hint that could lead to that conclusion. More likely, Kurama is prolly asexual, while Hiei (in his own reserved way) is building a relationship with his boss lady, Mukuro.
    Peace.

  • @wheelman1324
    @wheelman1324 Před 3 lety +3

    “Little red-headed love bean.”

  • @xBeyondMystery
    @xBeyondMystery Před 3 lety +6

    Kurama is also one of my favorite characters ever and I love watching videos like this talking about his personality and identity crisis struggles. I also find it amazing how everytime I look back at the character I understand him more yet I feel he'll always have this bit of mystery to me :) regarding 36:17 ... you'll surely not see this comment 2 years later, but I would love to watch that essay about kurama and hiei's relationship, there's so much to say about it and their dynamics are so interesting!

  • @miyorihime1464
    @miyorihime1464 Před rokem +2

    This review is in-depth and intense! I watched this anime when I was a kid and loved Kurama very much, but never thought much about it. Thank you for making this review, it's very well done!

  • @Ivorie-Ice
    @Ivorie-Ice Před 7 měsíci +2

    I fucking love this show. I grew up Yu Yu Hakusho and have loved all of it's symbolism and tales of struggle, trial, and success. I love everything about it. Kurama is by far my favorite character but I do love them all.

  • @Ashberryvillage10
    @Ashberryvillage10 Před 3 lety +4

    I watched YYH a good 20 times. But not once did i ever take the time to think about his internal struggle and how he hates his yoko form. Great job

  • @legacy-ms1mu
    @legacy-ms1mu Před 3 lety +4

    This video is dope! It gives great insight into a deep character, my favorite anime character

  • @vigo2669
    @vigo2669 Před 3 lety +4

    Remember that one time when Kurama killed that kid? Yeah.

  • @PozerAdultRacingTeam
    @PozerAdultRacingTeam Před 3 lety +3

    Well all 3 of them are excellent characters.

  • @mongopangolin6974
    @mongopangolin6974 Před 6 lety +14

    Welcome to the world of anime video essays ;)

  • @rohantherevolution
    @rohantherevolution Před 5 měsíci +1

    Kurama couldve been THE main boy. I love him, hes so eloquent and righteous. Very layered and genuinely interesting.

  • @GoldieTamamo
    @GoldieTamamo Před 2 lety +6

    "Now, Kurama's fight with Roto isn't really of note..."
    But you're forgetting the character development inherent in:
    Roto: "I'm just a low class. I don't know any better. You believe in Mercy, don't you?"
    Kurama: *"No."*
    *Roto dies explosively on the spot*
    A side of Kurama that hasn't really been seen up to this point: That he's actually a very ruthless killer when forced to be.

    • @jeangentry6656
      @jeangentry6656 Před rokem +2

      Kurama wasn't forced to kill Roto. He had disabled Roto's arm, he was powerless against Kurama by that point. K even makes a point of lecturing Roto on the folly of betting it all on one threat. Kurama killed him because he dared to threaten his mother. If anything, it was the 1st display of Kurama's darker side- his cold fury and penchant for vengeance. He's not the forgiving type.
      The only time he was really forced to kill is when he had to win against Gamemaster. His rage at having to kill a child is part of the reason why he deals with Elder Toguro as gruesomely as he does.

    • @GoldieTamamo
      @GoldieTamamo Před rokem +1

      @@jeangentry6656 I mean, if we're going to be this pedantic, really, Kurama wasn't forced to kill anyone. We'll just call being a botanically empowered killing machine a lifestyle choice. (Massive spoiler warning: The above is sarcasm.)
      I'm fairly sure the alternative to killing Roto was allowing him to continue pulling his scheme on other people--something Kurama's morals would not permit. Ergo, he was forced to kill Roto, by his own (appropriately) merciless sense of justice.
      Good riddance.

    • @GoldieTamamo
      @GoldieTamamo Před rokem +1

      @@jeangentry6656 Also fairly sure that Kurama damned Elder Toguro to eternal torment out of a sense of justice--Elder Toguro being a conniving scheming body snatcher who enjoys driving people like the Gorenjas to murderous betrayal for kicks. Pretty convinced that had something to do with imprisoning the little tentacular shit in a perpetual illusion of trying to kill Kurama--because of Toguro's depravity. Otherwise he'd not be living out that particular fantasy in vain forever, right?
      Anger at Toguro? Toguro is beneath Kurama, in the same sense that Roto is. They're both just plant food. Now, definitely, Kurama is angry at Sensui over Amanuma--and I'm going to guess it's because what Sensui did is tactically reminiscent of what Yoko would have done, and moreover, Kurama is also angry at Sensui because of Yusuke's death. But I wouldn't call being impelled by your own values being "forced", I would call valueless wicked little shits like Roto and Toguro engineering a life or death scenario "forcing" Kurama's hand. The case with Amanuma was more a matter of Sensui deliberately using Amanuma as a human shield and trying to use the sensibilities of his foes against them, and Kurama simply seeing past that to the greater need not to have Hell on Earth from the Makai portal opening, and being the only one of the group ruthless enough to be able to kill a child soldier. In essence, Sensui 'forced' the killing of Amanuma, a naive human child suckered into serving Sensui's agenda, in the effort to use his opponents values against them--and Kurama was forced to step in, I will concur with this sentiment--because he reasoned that nobody else would be stone cold enough to kill the kid. But that priority, even took a backseat, to avenging Yusuke by chasing down Sensui AFTER the portal had opened. Because yay, moral complexity. Kurama is not at all a simple character.

    • @GoldieTamamo
      @GoldieTamamo Před rokem +1

      @@jeangentry6656 The distinction being that people are impelled and uplifted by their own values, created through personal experience? But some people have the acquired value of trying to cynically corrupt others' values, and they take that beyond skepticism, into the realm of coercion, torture, and murder. Those latter category are people trying to "force" something. And those people get to go to Hell, as far as I'm concerned. Which is where we draw the line between someone like Kurama and someone like Roto. Alternatively you can just say Kurama is the better schemer, but it's my personal belief that there's a proper scheme and one that falls apart. The Mandate of Heaven, if you like.
      Happy to philosophize with you. *tips hat*

    • @jeangentry6656
      @jeangentry6656 Před rokem +1

      @@GoldieTamamo I never claimed Kurama was a simple character, I very much enjoy his complexity.
      Kurama was enraged when he fought Elder Toguro (ET). Yusuke's dialogue makes that clear. Elder Toguro and even Kurama himself note that he was so angry that his mind couldn't be read. That wasn't out of righteous anger or a sense of Justice. He was pissed he had been forced to kill a kid and decided to use his next fight to vent. He could have killed ET, yet he sentences him to an eternity of suffering and pain. A "Just" person doesn't do that. We see just how cruel and vengeful he can be when greatly angered. Kurama doesn't have the same sense of Honor that the other three do. Even Hiei is capable of mercy. Kurama is not.

  • @rinchan24
    @rinchan24 Před 3 lety +6

    Thank you for this accurate and thorough analysis of Kurama! I really enjoyed watching this video and the one about Kuwabara (you're right, Kuwabara is an amazing character and we can learn a lot from him). Kurama is my favorite anime boy and he's a source of inspiration and strength for me. It always made me sad to see his inner conflict and his guilty conscience about his former life as Youko. Still, I strongly believe that Youko wasn't as ruthless as others may think. He could have killed Yomi, but he didn't and we have proof that he really cared about Kuronue. Which means he definitely had a good side (how else can he get along with Shuuichi and share the same body?). Maybe the things he did were in order to survive in Makai (so out of necessity,, not out of choice). I think Kurama is too hard on himself sometimes. I wish somebody would have told him that, in the anime. If you have time could you also make a video about Hiei? He's also a complex character and I admire him very much. Thank you!

  • @nadjaortizlopez7322
    @nadjaortizlopez7322 Před 3 lety +5

    What a beautiful and well thought video. It’s amazing.

  • @anonymouspumpkin8296
    @anonymouspumpkin8296 Před 3 lety +4

    This was such a good video and perfectly encaptures why I love Kurama

  • @elijah7197
    @elijah7197 Před 3 lety +2

    This was an amazing video really loved how much detail you put into explaining the significant changes in each arc. I think this video is the reason why I absolutely love him as a character. So many layers that add to each viewing. Makes you really appreciate the works done by the creators of this show.

  • @p.ondrejkovicova6849
    @p.ondrejkovicova6849 Před 4 lety +8

    Thank you for this video, it put a smile on my face. It felt nostalgic. I watched YYH when I was 15 yo and I still appreciate it, years later. And I have respect for Kurama and it grows as I age. Coz his story tells me its not who you are, its your choices that matter. I find a lesson for myself there 😀🤔 it is quite painful when who you are clashes with who you wish to be...ok I am stopping here. Have a nice day 😉

  • @DarkLiger
    @DarkLiger Před 2 lety +1

    A very interesting and well-done look at Kurama. Bonus points for the use of the YYH abridged clip

  • @MDrams22
    @MDrams22 Před 3 lety +3

    I'm so glad a video this in depth exists on one of my all time favorite characters! Amazing stuff!

  • @CookieMawnster
    @CookieMawnster Před 3 lety +3

    I love this video! Kurama is also my favorite character EVER! Across anime!! Love him 🥺 Thank you for this deep dive into his character. I learned things I didn’t know even though I’ve seen this series a couple times. And things I always thought were in this vid too. So much love for this vid. Subscribed ✨

  • @robertphillips213
    @robertphillips213 Před rokem +1

    Best analysis of Kurama I've ever come across.

  • @SebaIzu
    @SebaIzu Před 3 lety +2

    Thank you for this amazing video. I enjoyed it very much. Kurama is my favorite character from YYH, so I was very pleased to find a video like yours here on CZcams. It's really well done!

  • @deansanchez9449
    @deansanchez9449 Před 4 lety +36

    Who srsly loves Kurama?
    And wants to become a character in Yu Yu Hakusho? Lol I know its not just me..
    Btw 8:20: I ain't used to that voice of Hiei.

    • @meatreap7931
      @meatreap7931 Před 3 lety +3

      yeah its somehow not "hiei's voice" well whatever I came for the analysis anyway haha...

    • @evedl7857
      @evedl7857 Před 3 lety +6

      Me too! I want to be a character in YYH just to meet Kurama! 😁

    • @jessicanicodemus1107
      @jessicanicodemus1107 Před 3 lety +3

      That's me your talking about

  • @zi-muh
    @zi-muh Před 3 lety +5

    Kurama became my favorite too. Just finished the show for the first time recently after it got cancelled on toonami many moons again.

  • @scottlocke9328
    @scottlocke9328 Před 3 lety

    This is one of the best Character breakdowns I've ever seen. Fantastic effort put into this.

  • @prkrmc6457
    @prkrmc6457 Před 3 lety +3

    Truly amazing video about my favorite character EVER. Kenshin Himura reminds very much of Kurama as well. Great job.

  • @Kairoism_
    @Kairoism_ Před 3 lety +1

    Can we acknowledge the amazing quality of this video well done and thanks for this video about my favorite character

  • @debrachambers1304
    @debrachambers1304 Před 25 dny +1

    Imagine how much it would suck to love with a 2000 + years old mind in a baby's body.

  • @itsmefm
    @itsmefm Před rokem +4

    Beautiful. I saw this in my recommended and I do not regret it, Kurama is my second favorite character (Hiei is my first) and you've perfectly explained his struggle and story arc. Thank you.
    Edit: WOW this is from 2018?? This is why Yu Yu Hakusho is so great, very timeless (also, KuramaxHiei 5ever ✋😩)

  • @bro8118
    @bro8118 Před 3 lety +1

    This was a lovely video, for the love for Yu Yu hakusho as well as my favorite character as a teenager. It's also presented in such detail and depth of character development and the inner struggles of Kurama, Shuichi, and Yoko. I loved this video😊

  • @Devosent
    @Devosent Před 5 lety +11

    please make more videos, i enjoyed it

  • @agamotto5354
    @agamotto5354 Před rokem +1

    This was fantastic. Always loved Kurama but this made me appreciate him even more

  • @caleblewis1266
    @caleblewis1266 Před 3 lety +3

    Absolutely incredible analysis.

  • @zerzomega2764
    @zerzomega2764 Před 2 lety +1

    This kind of video is fire please make more! Especially yuyu it’s literally my favorite as well 😌

  • @FairladyZ2005
    @FairladyZ2005 Před 4 měsíci

    Just finished the series this week. It's become one of my favorites. Kurama and Kuwabara are my favorite characters from the show. This is a great essay. Thanks for making it. Kurama reminds me a lot of one of my other favorite anime characters, Kenshin Himura, who goes through a very similar mental journey.

  • @buzzmccant6256
    @buzzmccant6256 Před 4 lety +3

    Great video on Kuruma! I really enjoyed watching it!

  • @Alewyshus
    @Alewyshus Před 3 lety +2

    Ok. Let's see what else you got.
    Kurama is my favorite too. I wasn't sure if I was gonna finish the when he passed out after fighting Toya.

  • @PO-si4ty
    @PO-si4ty Před 3 lety +1

    I HAVE WATCHED 3 TIMES AND I STILL FIND KNEW THINGS EVERY TIME :] GREAT WORK!

  • @cygnusprime6728
    @cygnusprime6728 Před 3 lety +2

    Very well thought out break down. Each point is organized very well in a neat order.

  • @Nu_Merick
    @Nu_Merick Před 2 lety +2

    One thing I love to point out is during the first round of the dark tournament. Kuramas fight, when his opponent blackmails him, kurama has ZERO dialogue or isn't even thinking and it's not conveyed to the audience why. Usually when yusuke or kuwabara are fighting, they have inner monologe, not kurama. That's the creator really putting it out that kurama is so cutt throat that he's cut off all ties to emotion and went straight to finding a way to kill his opponent. Much like his fight with gourmet, no inner monologue.

    • @Nu_Merick
      @Nu_Merick Před 2 lety +1

      Both instances were because he had his weaknesses targeted.

  • @seeyah2221
    @seeyah2221 Před 2 lety +1

    I wished there’s a movie only about KuraMa.

  • @wutangsaiyan9556
    @wutangsaiyan9556 Před rokem +1

    This was so well written. Outstanding Video

  • @criss1461
    @criss1461 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Kurama is complex in a human way ,in a overpowered way and in a flawed way. He is a character that shows incredible wisdom ,calculated thinking , logical and beyond understanding and kind . He understands the natute of being human while simultaneously being a full time demon . Even since i first started watching Yu Yu Hakusho he was my favourite character for the many reasons we are all familiar with. The internal conflicts of morality ,kindesd and balancing fairness is a doficult path all characters share from Kurama to Yusuke ,Genkai ,Kuwaraba and even Hiei with the unfair hand life dealt him , has always been kind and caring behind a stone exterior.
    Kurama has the life of a cold demon fox that understands the complexities of fragile humans by becoming one and the way this charcter demenour and reasoning is presented ,makes him one of the best in the series . Even the creator intended at first to make Kurama a main character but he is clearly as main as it can get. All character development and backstory ,included the villains are presented in a engaging and meaningful way . The only character trully that is absolutely vile I'd say it's the elder Toguro while the younger Toguro ...i hated till i didnt. Choosing limbo to atone for his sins ..fitting but cruel to a fault .
    Sorry about the rant , really enjoyed this video and you wnet into good depth analysis.

  • @sethtarboro6114
    @sethtarboro6114 Před 3 lety +2

    Just found this video. Love Yu Yu. Love Kurama. Love this Analysis. Keep it up.

  • @reow7858
    @reow7858 Před 3 lety +1

    Love this video! Well done! I love Kurama! ❤️

  • @emi992
    @emi992 Před rokem

    Hope you’re doing well. This was an excellent vid on one of my fav anime characters. Just subscribed! Can’t wait to binge your vids

  • @xh3075
    @xh3075 Před 5 měsíci +1

    I've watched this video so many times. You analysis on Kurama is absolutely incredible. He's my favorite character and you helped me to understand more of him that I missed myself. I hope you'll make a Hiei episode, if you ever come back. Also, yes even now I'm still on the Hiei/Kurama ship 😂

  • @felldoh9271
    @felldoh9271 Před 3 lety

    I’ve never thought Kurama and Yoko as separate but it makes total sense. As soon as I saw your video listed as I scrolled I knew I’d subscribe.

  • @wilburm.bannon4378
    @wilburm.bannon4378 Před 3 lety +2

    One of the realest to step foot in, through, and out of Demon World 💯💪🏾

  • @RyuuseiBlizzard
    @RyuuseiBlizzard Před 2 lety

    You mentioned this vid in your kuwabara vid, and I love this vid too! Nice analysis!!

  • @Inu501
    @Inu501 Před 3 lety +4

    he's my favorite from Yu Yu Hakusho, but in the anime, my favorite is Sesshomaru from Inuyasha

    • @user-kg3xs1bu6x
      @user-kg3xs1bu6x Před 5 měsíci

      SAME!❤️🤍🦊(ok except for the the seeing eye dog emoji there's really no good dog emojis to depict sesshomaru) but like I said same!

  • @allonos
    @allonos Před 2 lety +2

    I wish they remaster and update the anime style of this anime but keep the original dub cast. Yu yu hakusho will always be in my top 4 anime of all time

  • @TheLaGangjShow
    @TheLaGangjShow Před 3 lety

    This was a great video, can’t wait to see more :D

  • @DiddyKongVsLuigi
    @DiddyKongVsLuigi Před 3 lety +1

    Just discovered your channel! I can’t wait fir more Yu Yu videos, or any other analysis. 👍🏽

  • @chrono2622
    @chrono2622 Před 3 lety +1

    This was an amazing video!!! I hope you keep making more YYH videos because youtube NEEDS great YuYu content creators!!!

  • @furyfortx
    @furyfortx Před 3 lety +8

    Great video. I do feel like I disagreed with certain aspects of your interpretation of the character(s). In particular, I never really felt as tho yoko and Shoichi were distinct personalities while on screen necessarily but rather one person who was being pulled in multiple directions by either character. What I pulled from this was a representation of a single character with almost multiple personalities, but not as discrete as sensui. I mean, maybe in nitpicking, but I do think these two different frameworks can affect the analysis of Kurama.
    But big question tho - do you watch sub or dub? I watch mainly Japanese dub (since I understand Japanese) and I wonder if the differences between the two media may account for my divergent thoughts. (Not to deride the dub, I hear it’s one of the better ones out there)

  • @TheMallachiv
    @TheMallachiv Před 3 lety +1

    Great video, masterfully well put