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Kurama (YuYu Hakusho)

January 14, 2023

Kurama (Japanese: 蔵（くら）馬（ま）, /ˈkuːrɑːmɑː/ KOO-rah-mah) is a fictional character from the manga YuYu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi. A Fox Demon (妖狐, Yōko) reborn as the human Shuichi Minamino (南野 秀一, Minamino Shūichi) in modern life,[ch. 21] is introduced as a thief who stole a supernatural mirror to save his dying mother. Although Kurama is initially portrayed as a villain, he becomes a supporting character to aid the protagonist Yusuke Urameshi in the next arc. Across his fights, it is revealed events from his past life as a demon which he becomes able to transform for a limited time. The character has also appeared in the anime adaptation, the two movies, and other related works.

Kurama
YuYu Hakusho character
Kurama as illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi
First appearanceYuYu Hakusho manga chapter 20: "The Deadly Trio!!"
Created byYoshihiro Togashi
Voiced by
Japanese
English
In-universe information
AliasShuichi Minamino (human name)
Family
List
  • Unnamed father (deceased)
  • Shiori Hatanaka (mother)
  • Kazuya Hatanaka (stepfather)
  • Shuichi Hatanaka (stepbrother)

Kurama was modeled after a friend that Togashi found interesting. Already during his introduction Togashi planned to have him become an ally to the main characters despite being a villain. As the next arcs which primarily relied on action much to Togashi's pressure, Kurama became a prominent fighter. He was voiced by Megumi Ogata in Japanese and Shigeru Nakahara in his demon persona. Several voice actors have voiced Kurama in English.

Kurama became one of the series' most popular characters early in the series which led to Pierrot demanding director Noriyuki Abe to introduce him earlier in the anime adaptation. He was praised for his design due to his sex appeal as well as multiple sides of his character as he was previously a demon. Despite early criticism Ogata's portrayal had, Kurama became one of Ogata's most famous characters too.

Creation

Kurama was modeled after a friend that manga author Yoshihiro Togashi has.[1] Togashi was impressed by such a person for claiming to be a French aristocrat even though he was Japanese. His name was rumored to be from Mount Kurama.[1] However, Togashi denied it, claiming he applied the kanji to the sounds he chose "based on my senses". In his characterization, Togashi labeled him as "the typical "desu ne (ですね)" archetype who is usually polite, but scary when he gets angry. The surname, Minamino, comes from the singer "Youko Minamino". There were other surname candidates such as the Japanese celebrities Minamida, Ishino and Gushiken whose first names are also Youko.[2] Meanwhile, the name Kurama's name came to Togashi on the spur of the moment.[3]

Although Kurama and Hiei were introduced as enemies that the protagonist Yusuke Urameshi had to fight, Togashi planned from the beginning to turn Kurama into a supporting character afterwards.[4] According to editors from the magazine, Kurama went on to become one of the most popular characters in the series, which Togashi intended due to the way he drew him.[5]

As the YuYu Hakusho transitioned from a comedy to a fighting series, Togashi expressed pressure when incorporating Kurama and Hiei as main characters. For the Four Holy Beasts story arc, Togashi made four enemies on impulse, but the only humans were Yusuke and Kuwabara. When it became clear that they were not strong enough to take on two demons each, Hiei and Kurama appeared on the scene, making their introductions as protagonists.[6] There were also many instances where Togashi would create nearly entire manuscripts by himself, such as the battle between Kurama and Karasu.[7] Mari Kitayama finds Kurama to be the easiest of the main characters to design due to his well-proportioned features and considers Hiei to be her favorite.[8]

Casting

Kurama was Megumi Ogata's first voice-acting role. She stated that while auditioning it was a requirement by the anime's production company that the character's voice sound like a 17-year-old male but also like that of a member of Takarazuka Revue, an all-female musical theatre group that portrays both men and women.[9] Shigeru Nakahara takes over the role of Kurama for his demon form.[10]

For the English adaptation, John Burgmeier voices Kurama in the TV series and first film from the Funimation dubs, Candice Moore in the TV Series from the Animax Asia dub, Chris Orbach for the second film in Central Park Media dub, and David Hayter in the first film from the Anime Works dub.[11]

Kurama was also portrayed by Hiroki Suzuki[12] and Jun Shison in the TV drama.[13]

Appearances

In YuYu Hakusho

Fifteen years before the series began, he was badly injured and escaped to the Human World in soul form, where he entered an embryo in a pregnant human woman, becoming Shuichi Minamino (南野 秀一, Minamino Shūichi) at birth.[ch. 21] Within ten or so years his powers would return and his body would become inhuman, at which point he planned to leave. However, Kurama comes to love his now-single human mother, and when she becomes gravely ill he cannot bear to leave her all alone and remains as Shuichi in the Human World.[ch. 21] Having teamed up with Hiei and Goki to steal three Underworld treasures, Kurama becomes a target of Yusuke Urameshi. However, he betrays his partners and takes the Mirror of Darkness (暗黒鏡, Ankoku-Kyō, known as the "Forlorn Hope" in the English anime dub), a mirror capable of granting the user's desire at the cost of the user's life, to cure his mother of her deadly illness. Yusuke saves Kurama's life with both of them giving some of their lifeforces, therefore they both survive (in the anime, the mirror cancels the sacrifice due to Yusuke's kindness).[ch. 21] This act bonds Yusuke and Kurama as friends and allies. He begins assisting Yusuke in defeating The Four Beasts in exchange for a reduced sentence.[ch. 33] For associating with humans, Kurama and Hiei are invited to take part in the Dark Tournament on Yusuke and Kuwabara's team.[ch. 51] Kurama uses his demonic powers to control plants, including his signature weapon the Rose Whip (薔薇棘鞭刃（ローズ・ウィップ）), a rose he turns into a whip of thorns capable of cutting through steel.[ch. 34] He also possesses a talent for calm, analytical thinking, even during tense battle situations, which allows him to gauge his opponents' strengths and weaknesses and formulate effective strategies. During the Dark Tournament, Kurama is able to temporarily revert to his original form; Fox Demon Kurama ("Yoko Kurama" in the English anime), a tall, silver-haired character with sharp nails, fox ears, and a tail. As Demon Kurama, his powers are far greater and he is capable of creating demonic plants which possess various attributes and highly formidable powers.[ch. 83,97] After watching Yusuke's death by Sensui, Kurama's old demon powers awaken.[ch. 147] He is invited to the Demon Plane to join his old partner Yomi and becomes his second in command.[ch. 158,163] He takes part in the Demon Plane Unification Tournament, losing in the third round. At the end of the series, he is shown working at his stepfather's company.[ch. 176]

In other media

Kurama appears as a supporting character in Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie on a mission to rescue Koenma who was taken by the demons Koashura and Garuga.[14] The second film, Yu Yu Hakusho the Movie: Poltergeist Report, Kurama battles the Netherworld's forces. Kurama faces one of Yakumo's servants who impersonates one of his deceased friends Kuronue. On finding out about the impersonation and that henchman had tried to pervert the friendship between him and Kuronue, an enraged Kurama summons a whole forest of sharp-edged bamboo which pierces the imposter and kills him. Kurama later assists Yusuke in his final battle against Yakumo, restoring order they destroyed in the process.[15]

A spin-off was also written which shows the first meeting of Kurama and Hiei and how they become allies before the series' start. The character is also playable in multiple video games including Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen, Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament and Yu Yu Hakusho: Tournament Tactics.[16][17][18]

Reception

 
Megumi Ogata's portrayal of the character was initially controversial in Japan for not having the same gender.[19]

Kurama is a popular character with fans, coming in third and second place in the series' first two popularity polls.[20][21] He came in second in the American Shonen Jump poll.[20] In Animage's Anime Grand Prix, he was ranked as the third most popular male anime character of 1993 and the most popular male character in both 1994 and 1995. His alternate demon form was ranked sixteenth in 1994.[22][23][24] Demon Kurama additionally won About.com's "Best Supporting Character" in its 2005 Anime Award Show.[25] Kurama was also ranked the third best male anime character of the 1990s by Newtype.[26] In an "Anime! Anime!" poll, Kurama was rated as the most popular character voiced by Megumi Ogata.[27] Manga author Masashi Kishimoto was mainly inspired to create the Naruto character with the same name, Kurama, based on Togashi's character.[28] In Japanese website goo poll, Kurama was voted as the fourth most sexually appealing character in Shonen Jump.[29] In another poll from Goo, Kurama was voted as the most beautiful of men with long hair.[30]

Kurama and Hiei's popularity in the series led to demand to introduce their characters earlier in the anime. However, the fact that Kurama was voiced by woman rather than a man generated controversy in Japan when the series first aired.[19] Director Noriyuki Abe said it must have been a lot of pressure on Ogata. However, as the anime went on, the actor's charms were brought out and more fans were born rather those who disliked it. Designer Mari Kitayama found that despite his original friendly personality, Kurama often comes across as scary.[19] Animerica's Justin Kovalsky found Kurama and the others as suitable supporting characters for a fighting anime.[31] THEM Anime Reviews found Kurama appealing especially when interacting with Hiei.[32]

Comic Book Resources also enjoyed Kurama's characterization most notably when fighting in the Dark Tournament due to his darker side being exposed when becoming his past demon persona as well as his several styles of fighting.[33] Anime News Network favorited Kurama's tactics in the early episodes of the Black Chapter arc for standing out as one of the most intelligent characters.[34] Despite the Three Kings arc being panned for being the series' worst story arc, Anime News Network praised it for exploring more of Kurama's dark characterization.[35] DVD Talk agreed for the bigger focus on Kurama's character that was briefly explored in previous arcs.[36] Fandom Post liked the balance that both Kurama and Hiei's sidestories bring to Yusuke's in the final arc but felt they were overshadowed by Hiei's side as the series had not properly explored his backstory before.[37]

References

General

Entire manga

  • Togashi, Yoshihiro. 幽☆遊☆白書 [YuYu Hakusho] (in Japanese). 19 vols. Tokyo: Shueisha, 1991–1994.
  • Togashi, Yoshihiro. YuYu Hakusho. 19 vols. San Francisco: Viz Media, 2003–2010.

Individual volumes

  • Vol. 1 (ch. 1–8): Goodbye, Material World!. May 2003. ISBN 1-56931-904-9. and さよなら現世！！ (in Japanese). April 1991. ISBN 4-08-871273-0.
  • Vol. 2 (ch. 9–17): Lonesome Ghosts. November 2003. ISBN 1-59116-082-0. and 黄金色のめざめ!! (in Japanese). June 1991. ISBN 4-08-871274-9.
  • Vol. 3 (ch. 18–26): Spirit Detective. February 2004. ISBN 1-59116-183-5. and 魔性の森!! (in Japanese). September 1991. ISBN 4-08-871275-7.
  • Vol. 4 (ch. 27–35): Training Day. June 2004. ISBN 1-59116-325-0. and 妖魔街からの兆戦状!! (in Japanese). November 1991. ISBN 4-08-871276-5.
  • Vol. 5 (ch. 36–45): Focus Your Mind As One!. October 2004. ISBN 978-1-59116-521-7. and 心をひとつに！！ (in Japanese). March 1992. ISBN 4-08-871277-3.
  • Vol. 6 (ch. 46–55): The Dark Tournament. February 2005. ISBN 1-59116-668-3. and 暗黒武術会開幕！！ (in Japanese). June 1992. ISBN 4-08-871278-1.
  • Vol. 7 (ch. 56–Two Shot): Knife-Edge Death Match. June 2005. ISBN 1-59116-812-0. and ナイフエッジ・デスマッチ (in Japanese). June 1992. ISBN 4-08-871279-X.
  • Vol. 8 (ch. 64–72): Open Your Eyes!!. October 2005. ISBN 978-1-4215-0026-3. and 霊丸を越えろ！！ (in Japanese). October 1992. ISBN 4-08-871280-3.
  • Vol. 9 (ch. 73–81): The Huge Ordeal!!. April 2006. ISBN 978-1-4215-0278-6. and 最大の試練！！ (in Japanese). December 1992. ISBN 4-08-871515-2.
  • Vol. 10 (ch. 82–91): Unforgivable!!. August 2006. ISBN 978-1-4215-0695-1. and 許せない！！ (in Japanese). February 1993. ISBN 4-08-871516-0.
  • Vol. 11 (ch. 92–100): Eat or Be Eaten!!. December 2006. ISBN 978-1-4215-0696-8. and 喰うか喰われるか！！ (in Japanese). April 1993. ISBN 4-08-871517-9.
  • Vol. 12 (ch. 101–109): The Championship Match Begins!!. May 2007. ISBN 1-4215-1118-5. and 決定戦開始!! (in Japanese). June 1993. ISBN 4-08-871518-7.
  • Vol. 13 (ch. 110–118): The Executors of a Dying Wish!. October 2007. ISBN 1-4215-1119-3. and 遺志を継ぐ奴等！！ (in Japanese). August 1993. ISBN 4-08-871519-5.
  • Vol. 14 (ch. 119–128): A Bloody Past!!. February 2008. ISBN 1-4215-1120-7. and 血塗られた過去！！ (in Japanese). October 1993. ISBN 4-08-871520-9.
  • Vol. 15 (ch. 129–138): Standoff at the Eleventh Hour!!. July 2008. ISBN 1-4215-1516-4. and 瀬戸際の対峙！！ (in Japanese). December 1993. ISBN 4-08-871521-7.
  • Vol. 16 (ch. 139–148): Breaking Into Makai. December 2008. ISBN 978-1-4215-1517-5. and 魔界への突入！！ (in Japanese). March 1994. ISBN 4-08-871522-5.
  • Vol. 17 (ch. 149–158): Separate Choices. May 2009. ISBN 978-1-4215-2448-1. and それぞれの決心！！ (in Japanese). June 1994. ISBN 4-08-871523-3.
  • Vol. 18 (ch. 159–167): The Makai Tournament. October 2009. ISBN 978-1-4215-2449-8. and 魔界統一トーナメント (in Japanese). September 1994. ISBN 4-08-871524-1.
  • Vol. 19 (ch. 168–175): And So.... March 2010. ISBN 978-1-4215-2450-4. and それから・・・ (in Japanese). December 1994. ISBN 4-08-871525-X.

Specific

  1. ^ a b "Kurama's model is a real person!". Weekly Shounen Jump. No. 35. Shueisha. 1991.
  2. ^ Togashi, Yoshihiro (2005). "Main Characters Comment Section from Yoshihiro Togashi". Yu Yu Hakusho Official Characters Book Reikai Shinshiroku. Shueisha. ISBN 978-4088737324.
  3. ^ Togashi, Yoshihiro (February 2005). YuYu Hakusho. Vol. 6. Viz Media. p. 1. ISBN 1-59116-812-0.
  4. ^ "Interview: Yoshihiro Togashi". Shonen Jump. San Francisco, CA: Viz Media. 1 (5). May 2003.
  5. ^ "Shonen Jump Exhibition Vol. 2". Shonen Jump. San Francisco, CA: Viz Media. 2017.
  6. ^ "Togashi-sensei talks about YuYu". V-Jump. No. December. Shueisha. 1992.
  7. ^ Togashi, Yoshihiro (1994). Yoshihiro Togashi Speaks. ヨシりんでポン！[Yoshirin de Pon!] (in Japanese). p. 17.
  8. ^ Kitayama, Mari (December 9, 2003). Yu Yu Hakusho Volume 19: Tournament's End Mari Kitayama Interview (DVD). Funimation. ASIN B0000C7PSO.
  9. ^ Tokyo Otaku Mode staff (June 26, 2017). "Exclusive Interview with Voice Actress Megumi Ogata (Part 2)". Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  10. ^ [YuYu Hakusho (Staff & Cast)] (in Japanese). Studio Pierrot. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  11. ^ "Yu Yu Hakusho (2002)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 24, 2019). "Yu Yu Hakusho Stage Play Reveals Cast Visuals". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 17, 2022). "Jun Shison Joins Cast of Live-Action Yu Yu Hakusho Series as Kurama". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  14. ^ Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie (VHS). Anime Works, Animaze. 1993.
  15. ^ Yu Yu Hakusho the Movie: Poltergeist Report (DVD). Central Park Media. 1998.
  16. ^ "Yū Yū Hakusho: Makyō Tōitsusen (Genesis)". Moby Games. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  17. ^ Mylonas, Eric (2004). Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament Prima Official Game Guide. Prima Games. p. 13. ISBN 0-7615-4513-1.
  18. ^ "Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files - Tournament Tactics (Game Boy Advance)". Moby Games. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c Yu Yu Hakusho 2009 Blu-Ray Booklet. Pierrot. 2009.
  20. ^ a b Togashi, Yoshihiro (2005). Yu Yu Hakusho, Volume 7. Viz Media. pp. 90–91. ISBN 978-1-5911-6812-6.
  21. ^ Togashi, Yoshihiro (2007). Yu Yu Hakusho, Volume 12. Viz Media. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-1-4215-1118-4.
  22. ^ [15th Anime Grand Prix since (1993 May issue)]. Animage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  23. ^ [16th Anime Grand Prix since (1994 May issue)]. Animage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  24. ^ [17th Anime Grand Prix since (1995 May issue)]. Animage (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2009.
  25. ^ Luther, Katherine (March 2, 2005). "And the Winner Is... 2005 Anime Award Show". About.com. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  26. ^ "Newtype's Top 30 Male and Female Characters of Each Decade". Newtype (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. March 2010. p. 24.
  27. ^ "Fans Rank Megumi Ogata's Anime Roles for Her Birthday". Anime News Network. from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  28. ^ Kishimoto, Masashi (December 4, 2009). Naruto ― ナルト―[秘伝·皆の書]オフィシャルプレミアムファン Book. Naruto (in Japanese). Japan: Shueisha. pp. 74–81. ISBN 978-4-08-874834-4.
  29. ^ "Top 10 Hottest Dudes in Shonen Jump Might Surprise You". Otaku USA. January 21, 2020.
  30. ^ "Japanese Fans Rank Anime's Most Beautiful Long-Haired Men". Otaku USA. June 21, 2018.
  31. ^ Kovalsky, Justin (November 2001). . Animerica. Viz Media. 9 (10/11): 38–43. ISSN 1067-0831. Archived from the original on April 7, 2004.
  32. ^ "Yu Yu Hakusho". THEM Anime. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  33. ^ "Yu Yu Hakusho: Kurama's Darker Side Richly Enhances His Dark Tournament Battles". Comic Book Resources. November 8, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  34. ^ "Yu Yu Hakusho DVD: Terrible Truths". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  35. ^ "Yu Yu Hakusho: Does it Hold Up?". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  36. ^ Douglass Jr., Todd (May 9, 2006). "Yu Yu Hakusho - The Saga of the Three Kings". DVD Talk. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  37. ^ "Yu Yu Hakusho Season 4 Complete Collection Blu-ray Anime Review". FandomPost. December 5, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2022.

January 14, 2023
kurama, yuyu, hakusho, kurama, japanese, くら, ɑː, ɑː, fictional, character, from, manga, yuyu, hakusho, yoshihiro, togashi, demon, 妖狐, yōko, reborn, human, shuichi, minamino, 南野, 秀一, minamino, shūichi, modern, life, introduced, thief, stole, supernatural, mirro. Kurama Japanese 蔵 くら 馬 ま ˈ k uː r ɑː m ɑː KOO rah mah is a fictional character from the manga YuYu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi A Fox Demon 妖狐 Yōko reborn as the human Shuichi Minamino 南野 秀一 Minamino Shuichi in modern life ch 21 is introduced as a thief who stole a supernatural mirror to save his dying mother Although Kurama is initially portrayed as a villain he becomes a supporting character to aid the protagonist Yusuke Urameshi in the next arc Across his fights it is revealed events from his past life as a demon which he becomes able to transform for a limited time The character has also appeared in the anime adaptation the two movies and other related works KuramaYuYu Hakusho characterKurama as illustrated by Yoshihiro TogashiFirst appearanceYuYu Hakusho manga chapter 20 The Deadly Trio Created byYoshihiro TogashiVoiced byJapanese Megumi Ogata human Shigeru Nakahara demon English John Burgmeier Funimation dub Candice Moore Animax Asia dub Chris Orbach Central Park Media dub David Hayter Anime Works dub In universe informationAliasShuichi Minamino human name FamilyList Unnamed father deceased Shiori Hatanaka mother Kazuya Hatanaka stepfather Shuichi Hatanaka stepbrother Kurama was modeled after a friend that Togashi found interesting Already during his introduction Togashi planned to have him become an ally to the main characters despite being a villain As the next arcs which primarily relied on action much to Togashi s pressure Kurama became a prominent fighter He was voiced by Megumi Ogata in Japanese and Shigeru Nakahara in his demon persona Several voice actors have voiced Kurama in English Kurama became one of the series most popular characters early in the series which led to Pierrot demanding director Noriyuki Abe to introduce him earlier in the anime adaptation He was praised for his design due to his sex appeal as well as multiple sides of his character as he was previously a demon Despite early criticism Ogata s portrayal had Kurama became one of Ogata s most famous characters too Contents 1 Creation 1 1 Casting 2 Appearances 2 1 In YuYu Hakusho 2 2 In other media 3 Reception 4 References 4 1 General 4 2 SpecificCreation EditKurama was modeled after a friend that manga author Yoshihiro Togashi has 1 Togashi was impressed by such a person for claiming to be a French aristocrat even though he was Japanese His name was rumored to be from Mount Kurama 1 However Togashi denied it claiming he applied the kanji to the sounds he chose based on my senses In his characterization Togashi labeled him as the typical desu ne ですね archetype who is usually polite but scary when he gets angry The surname Minamino comes from the singer Youko Minamino There were other surname candidates such as the Japanese celebrities Minamida Ishino and Gushiken whose first names are also Youko 2 Meanwhile the name Kurama s name came to Togashi on the spur of the moment 3 Although Kurama and Hiei were introduced as enemies that the protagonist Yusuke Urameshi had to fight Togashi planned from the beginning to turn Kurama into a supporting character afterwards 4 According to editors from the magazine Kurama went on to become one of the most popular characters in the series which Togashi intended due to the way he drew him 5 As the YuYu Hakusho transitioned from a comedy to a fighting series Togashi expressed pressure when incorporating Kurama and Hiei as main characters For the Four Holy Beasts story arc Togashi made four enemies on impulse but the only humans were Yusuke and Kuwabara When it became clear that they were not strong enough to take on two demons each Hiei and Kurama appeared on the scene making their introductions as protagonists 6 There were also many instances where Togashi would create nearly entire manuscripts by himself such as the battle between Kurama and Karasu 7 Mari Kitayama finds Kurama to be the easiest of the main characters to design due to his well proportioned features and considers Hiei to be her favorite 8 Casting Edit Kurama was Megumi Ogata s first voice acting role She stated that while auditioning it was a requirement by the anime s production company that the character s voice sound like a 17 year old male but also like that of a member of Takarazuka Revue an all female musical theatre group that portrays both men and women 9 Shigeru Nakahara takes over the role of Kurama for his demon form 10 For the English adaptation John Burgmeier voices Kurama in the TV series and first film from the Funimation dubs Candice Moore in the TV Series from the Animax Asia dub Chris Orbach for the second film in Central Park Media dub and David Hayter in the first film from the Anime Works dub 11 Kurama was also portrayed by Hiroki Suzuki 12 and Jun Shison in the TV drama 13 Appearances EditIn YuYu Hakusho Edit Fifteen years before the series began he was badly injured and escaped to the Human World in soul form where he entered an embryo in a pregnant human woman becoming Shuichi Minamino 南野 秀一 Minamino Shuichi at birth ch 21 Within ten or so years his powers would return and his body would become inhuman at which point he planned to leave However Kurama comes to love his now single human mother and when she becomes gravely ill he cannot bear to leave her all alone and remains as Shuichi in the Human World ch 21 Having teamed up with Hiei and Goki to steal three Underworld treasures Kurama becomes a target of Yusuke Urameshi However he betrays his partners and takes the Mirror of Darkness 暗黒鏡 Ankoku Kyō known as the Forlorn Hope in the English anime dub a mirror capable of granting the user s desire at the cost of the user s life to cure his mother of her deadly illness Yusuke saves Kurama s life with both of them giving some of their lifeforces therefore they both survive in the anime the mirror cancels the sacrifice due to Yusuke s kindness ch 21 This act bonds Yusuke and Kurama as friends and allies He begins assisting Yusuke in defeating The Four Beasts in exchange for a reduced sentence ch 33 For associating with humans Kurama and Hiei are invited to take part in the Dark Tournament on Yusuke and Kuwabara s team ch 51 Kurama uses his demonic powers to control plants including his signature weapon the Rose Whip 薔薇棘鞭刃 ローズ ウィップ a rose he turns into a whip of thorns capable of cutting through steel ch 34 He also possesses a talent for calm analytical thinking even during tense battle situations which allows him to gauge his opponents strengths and weaknesses and formulate effective strategies During the Dark Tournament Kurama is able to temporarily revert to his original form Fox Demon Kurama Yoko Kurama in the English anime a tall silver haired character with sharp nails fox ears and a tail As Demon Kurama his powers are far greater and he is capable of creating demonic plants which possess various attributes and highly formidable powers ch 83 97 After watching Yusuke s death by Sensui Kurama s old demon powers awaken ch 147 He is invited to the Demon Plane to join his old partner Yomi and becomes his second in command ch 158 163 He takes part in the Demon Plane Unification Tournament losing in the third round At the end of the series he is shown working at his stepfather s company ch 176 In other media Edit Kurama appears as a supporting character in Yu Yu Hakusho The Movie on a mission to rescue Koenma who was taken by the demons Koashura and Garuga 14 The second film Yu Yu Hakusho the Movie Poltergeist Report Kurama battles the Netherworld s forces Kurama faces one of Yakumo s servants who impersonates one of his deceased friends Kuronue On finding out about the impersonation and that henchman had tried to pervert the friendship between him and Kuronue an enraged Kurama summons a whole forest of sharp edged bamboo which pierces the imposter and kills him Kurama later assists Yusuke in his final battle against Yakumo restoring order they destroyed in the process 15 A spin off was also written which shows the first meeting of Kurama and Hiei and how they become allies before the series start The character is also playable in multiple video games including Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen Yu Yu Hakusho Dark Tournament and Yu Yu Hakusho Tournament Tactics 16 17 18 Reception Edit Megumi Ogata s portrayal of the character was initially controversial in Japan for not having the same gender 19 Kurama is a popular character with fans coming in third and second place in the series first two popularity polls 20 21 He came in second in the American Shonen Jump poll 20 In Animage s Anime Grand Prix he was ranked as the third most popular male anime character of 1993 and the most popular male character in both 1994 and 1995 His alternate demon form was ranked sixteenth in 1994 22 23 24 Demon Kurama additionally won About com s Best Supporting Character in its 2005 Anime Award Show 25 Kurama was also ranked the third best male anime character of the 1990s by Newtype 26 In an Anime Anime poll Kurama was rated as the most popular character voiced by Megumi Ogata 27 Manga author Masashi Kishimoto was mainly inspired to create the Naruto character with the same name Kurama based on Togashi s character 28 In Japanese website goo poll Kurama was voted as the fourth most sexually appealing character in Shonen Jump 29 In another poll from Goo Kurama was voted as the most beautiful of men with long hair 30 Kurama and Hiei s popularity in the series led to demand to introduce their characters earlier in the anime However the fact that Kurama was voiced by woman rather than a man generated controversy in Japan when the series first aired 19 Director Noriyuki Abe said it must have been a lot of pressure on Ogata However as the anime went on the actor s charms were brought out and more fans were born rather those who disliked it Designer Mari Kitayama found that despite his original friendly personality Kurama often comes across as scary 19 Animerica s Justin Kovalsky found Kurama and the others as suitable supporting characters for a fighting anime 31 THEM Anime Reviews found Kurama appealing especially when interacting with Hiei 32 Comic Book Resources also enjoyed Kurama s characterization most notably when fighting in the Dark Tournament due to his darker side being exposed when becoming his past demon persona as well as his several styles of fighting 33 Anime News Network favorited Kurama s tactics in the early episodes of the Black Chapter arc for standing out as one of the most intelligent characters 34 Despite the Three Kings arc being panned for being the series worst story arc Anime News Network praised it for exploring more of Kurama s dark characterization 35 DVD Talk agreed for the bigger focus on Kurama s character that was briefly explored in previous arcs 36 Fandom Post liked the balance that both Kurama and Hiei s sidestories bring to Yusuke s in the final arc but felt they were overshadowed by Hiei s side as the series had not properly explored his backstory before 37 References EditGeneral Edit Entire manga Togashi Yoshihiro 幽 遊 白書 YuYu Hakusho in Japanese 19 vols Tokyo Shueisha 1991 1994 Togashi Yoshihiro YuYu Hakusho 19 vols San Francisco Viz Media 2003 2010 Individual volumes Vol 1 ch 1 8 Goodbye Material World May 2003 ISBN 1 56931 904 9 and さよなら現世 in Japanese April 1991 ISBN 4 08 871273 0 Vol 2 ch 9 17 Lonesome Ghosts November 2003 ISBN 1 59116 082 0 and 黄金色のめざめ in Japanese June 1991 ISBN 4 08 871274 9 Vol 3 ch 18 26 Spirit Detective February 2004 ISBN 1 59116 183 5 and 魔性の森 in Japanese September 1991 ISBN 4 08 871275 7 Vol 4 ch 27 35 Training Day June 2004 ISBN 1 59116 325 0 and 妖魔街からの兆戦状 in Japanese November 1991 ISBN 4 08 871276 5 Vol 5 ch 36 45 Focus Your Mind As One October 2004 ISBN 978 1 59116 521 7 and 心をひとつに in Japanese March 1992 ISBN 4 08 871277 3 Vol 6 ch 46 55 The Dark Tournament February 2005 ISBN 1 59116 668 3 and 暗黒武術会開幕 in Japanese June 1992 ISBN 4 08 871278 1 Vol 7 ch 56 Two Shot Knife Edge Death Match June 2005 ISBN 1 59116 812 0 and ナイフエッジ デスマッチ in Japanese June 1992 ISBN 4 08 871279 X Vol 8 ch 64 72 Open Your Eyes October 2005 ISBN 978 1 4215 0026 3 and 霊丸を越えろ in Japanese October 1992 ISBN 4 08 871280 3 Vol 9 ch 73 81 The Huge Ordeal April 2006 ISBN 978 1 4215 0278 6 and 最大の試練 in Japanese December 1992 ISBN 4 08 871515 2 Vol 10 ch 82 91 Unforgivable August 2006 ISBN 978 1 4215 0695 1 and 許せない in Japanese February 1993 ISBN 4 08 871516 0 Vol 11 ch 92 100 Eat or Be Eaten December 2006 ISBN 978 1 4215 0696 8 and 喰うか喰われるか in Japanese April 1993 ISBN 4 08 871517 9 Vol 12 ch 101 109 The Championship Match Begins May 2007 ISBN 1 4215 1118 5 and 決定戦開始 in Japanese June 1993 ISBN 4 08 871518 7 Vol 13 ch 110 118 The Executors of a Dying Wish October 2007 ISBN 1 4215 1119 3 and 遺志を継ぐ奴等 in Japanese August 1993 ISBN 4 08 871519 5 Vol 14 ch 119 128 A Bloody Past February 2008 ISBN 1 4215 1120 7 and 血塗られた過去 in Japanese October 1993 ISBN 4 08 871520 9 Vol 15 ch 129 138 Standoff at the Eleventh Hour July 2008 ISBN 1 4215 1516 4 and 瀬戸際の対峙 in Japanese December 1993 ISBN 4 08 871521 7 Vol 16 ch 139 148 Breaking Into Makai December 2008 ISBN 978 1 4215 1517 5 and 魔界への突入 in Japanese March 1994 ISBN 4 08 871522 5 Vol 17 ch 149 158 Separate Choices May 2009 ISBN 978 1 4215 2448 1 and それぞれの決心 in Japanese June 1994 ISBN 4 08 871523 3 Vol 18 ch 159 167 The Makai Tournament October 2009 ISBN 978 1 4215 2449 8 and 魔界統一トーナメント in Japanese September 1994 ISBN 4 08 871524 1 Vol 19 ch 168 175 And So March 2010 ISBN 978 1 4215 2450 4 and それから in Japanese December 1994 ISBN 4 08 871525 X Specific Edit a b Kurama s model is a real person Weekly Shounen Jump No 35 Shueisha 1991 Togashi Yoshihiro 2005 Main Characters Comment Section from Yoshihiro Togashi Yu Yu Hakusho Official Characters Book Reikai Shinshiroku Shueisha ISBN 978 4088737324 Togashi Yoshihiro February 2005 YuYu Hakusho Vol 6 Viz Media p 1 ISBN 1 59116 812 0 Interview Yoshihiro Togashi Shonen Jump San Francisco CA Viz Media 1 5 May 2003 Shonen Jump Exhibition Vol 2 Shonen Jump San Francisco CA Viz Media 2017 Togashi sensei talks about YuYu V Jump No December Shueisha 1992 Togashi Yoshihiro 1994 Yoshihiro Togashi Speaks ヨシりんでポン Yoshirin de Pon in Japanese p 17 Kitayama Mari December 9 2003 Yu Yu HakushoVolume 19 Tournament s End Mari Kitayama Interview DVD Funimation ASIN B0000C7PSO Tokyo Otaku Mode staff June 26 2017 Exclusive Interview with Voice Actress Megumi Ogata Part 2 Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc Retrieved November 4 2018 幽遊白書 スタッフ amp キャスト YuYu Hakusho Staff amp Cast in Japanese Studio Pierrot Archived from the original on November 1 2009 Retrieved December 22 2009 Yu Yu Hakusho 2002 Behind the Voice Actors Retrieved December 17 2022 Pineda Rafael Antonio July 24 2019 Yu Yu Hakusho Stage Play Reveals Cast Visuals Anime News Network Retrieved January 13 2020 Hodgkins Crystalyn July 17 2022 Jun Shison Joins Cast of Live Action Yu Yu Hakusho Series as Kurama Anime News Network Retrieved July 17 2022 Yu Yu Hakusho The Movie VHS Anime Works Animaze 1993 Yu Yu Hakusho the Movie Poltergeist Report DVD Central Park Media 1998 Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen Genesis Moby Games Retrieved December 23 2022 Mylonas Eric 2004 Yu Yu Hakusho Dark Tournament Prima Official Game Guide Prima Games p 13 ISBN 0 7615 4513 1 Yu Yu Hakusho Ghost Files Tournament Tactics Game Boy Advance Moby Games Retrieved December 23 2022 a b c Yu Yu Hakusho 2009 Blu Ray Booklet Pierrot 2009 a b Togashi Yoshihiro 2005 Yu Yu Hakusho Volume 7 Viz Media pp 90 91 ISBN 978 1 5911 6812 6 Togashi Yoshihiro 2007 Yu Yu Hakusho Volume 12 Viz Media pp 148 149 ISBN 978 1 4215 1118 4 第15回アニメグランプリ 1993年5月号 15th Anime Grand Prix since 1993 May issue Animage in Japanese Archived from the original on October 19 2010 Retrieved November 15 2008 第16回アニメグランプリ 1994年5月号 16th Anime Grand Prix since 1994 May issue Animage in Japanese Archived from the original on October 19 2010 Retrieved November 15 2008 第17回アニメグランプリ 1995年5月号 17th Anime Grand Prix since 1995 May issue Animage in Japanese Archived from the original on October 19 2010 Retrieved December 7 2009 Luther Katherine March 2 2005 And the Winner Is 2005 Anime Award Show About com Retrieved October 17 2010 Newtype s Top 30 Male and Female Characters of Each Decade Newtype in Japanese Kadokawa Shoten March 2010 p 24 Fans Rank Megumi Ogata s Anime Roles for Her Birthday Anime News Network Archived from the original on September 16 2019 Retrieved January 2 2020 Kishimoto Masashi December 4 2009 Naruto ナルト 秘伝 皆の書 オフィシャルプレミアムファン Book Naruto in Japanese Japan Shueisha pp 74 81 ISBN 978 4 08 874834 4 Top 10 Hottest Dudes in Shonen Jump Might Surprise You Otaku USA January 21 2020 Japanese Fans Rank Anime s Most Beautiful Long Haired Men Otaku USA June 21 2018 Kovalsky Justin November 2001 Animerica Feature Yu Yu Hakusho Animerica Viz Media 9 10 11 38 43 ISSN 1067 0831 Archived from the original on April 7 2004 Yu Yu Hakusho THEM Anime Retrieved December 16 2022 Yu Yu Hakusho Kurama s Darker Side Richly Enhances His Dark Tournament Battles Comic Book Resources November 8 2022 Retrieved December 16 2022 Yu Yu Hakusho DVD Terrible Truths Anime News Network Retrieved December 16 2022 Yu Yu Hakusho Does it Hold Up Anime News Network Retrieved December 16 2022 Douglass Jr Todd May 9 2006 Yu Yu Hakusho The Saga of the Three Kings DVD Talk Retrieved December 4 2009 Yu Yu Hakusho Season 4 Complete Collection Blu ray Anime Review FandomPost December 5 2011 Retrieved December 16 2022 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kurama YuYu Hakusho amp oldid 1133511163, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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