As the above title mentions I am a die hard comic book fan. I’ve delved into the recesses of the superhero, horror,thriller, etc genre’s and have been bettered for it. But one genre I seemed to never be able to wade through has been the Manga demographic.

Why you may ask?

Its because the look and presentation of the books in question just didn’t interest me. The big eyes with their many exclamation points and facial puzzles left me feeling like I’m reading a book meant for children. Even when the die hard fan took me to task about how these Japanese imports where far superior to the American equivalent, I would scoff and tell them that Disney-fying a character and have them make off the wall expressions does not an interesting story make.

That is until Dragon Ball. But that is for a later time.

Here we find a book that I have heard about but not read until recently.

the title means "Ghost Files" or "Poltergeist Report"

A 175 chapter story that spanned Shonen Jump from 1990-1994, detailing the life of an 14 yr old, eighth grader that attends Sarayashiki Public Junior High. A borderline sociopath, who during an act of kindness, dies and is stuck in limbo performing tasks that affect his chance at rebirth or Hell or be given a second chance at life.  With the added assist of Botan, who is essentially Japan’s version of Charon, you know the guy who wears the black hood that rides a boat taking people to the after life for change. Almost like catching the bus.

YuYu Hakusho.  Or as I describe it “A sociopath dies and attempts to find redemption. ”

Our Hero and roadkill all in one

That’s right Yusuke Urameshi, a junior high student, who will remind us of all those loner kids you went to school with who stood by themselves and always seemed to be involved in trouble.

His only real friend is a young girl named Keiko.

our love interest.

He treats her horribly, from goosing her to groping her in public to her shame. All the while seeing something good in him that no one else sees. Including his mother.

and their love

Speaking of people who wish more for our “hero” Urameshi is his instructor, Mr Takenaka.

Tough love. The only kind that works for a sociopath

But with all these people in his life their are bound to be someone who wishes ill on our lead. Enter Kuwabara, the number two toughest guy in school. Next to Urameshi. A fact that irks Kuwabara to no end causing repeated conflicts.

Everyone has their Lex Luthor

All of this seems moot considering before this day is out he will be street pizza. And all due to a child and a Red Ball. What struck me when I first started to read this was how much like a sci-fi/fantasy comic this seemed. Almost American in its presentation where the cartoon faces were down played and only used to break the bleak subject matter.The story even deals with the different stages of grief one goes through when someone dies, plus considering our lead had acquaintances and enemies alike it really grounded my interpretation.

He's crying on the inside

This is the first part in a 3 part series about a Yu Yu Hakusho, currently I’m finishing volume 3, (shout out to the Moline Public Library,in Illinois) heading into V.4.

Part 2 should cover volume 2-18 leading to my closing on Part 3 and my overall feelings of Yoshihiro Togashi 4+ year endeavor. So far I’m impressed with his ability to get a comic fan to read manga, even finding it enjoyable. And by no means am I a girl.