For over 30 years, Yu Yu Hakusho has been hailed as both an acclaimed manga and a popular anime series that fans still love today. Created by Yoshihiro Togashi, the series tells the story of Yusuke Uramishi, a high school delinquent turned Spirit Detective who investigates and fights all manner of humans, demons and monsters with his allies Kazuma Kuwabara, Kurama and Hiei. RELATED: Yu Yu Hakusho's Genre Defying Story was Ahead of Its Time If you’ve never seen it, I wholeheartedly recommend it. That said, if you have seen it, you probably haven’t gotten enough of it. It’s just THAT good. However, since there isn’t a Yu Yu Hakusho 2: Kuwabara’s Big Adventure or whatever, you’re just gonna have to watch some other anime to get your fix. Not to worry, as we have 10 anime suggestions to scratch that Spirit Gun into. While none of these can replace Yu Yu Hakusho , they have aspects that might reignite the spark it provided for you. WIND BREAKER RELATED: WIND BREAKER is an Ode to How Much We Love Delinquents We all love anime delinquents. There are few things better than an unruly high schooler throwing punches and slowly revealing that they have a heart of gold. That’s why WIND BREAKER , the story of a group of academic ne’er-do-wells that have actually banded together to defend their town, could hit the spot. Sure, it lacks the supernatural flourish of Yu Yu Hakusho , but it makes up for it with rough-edged affability. The kids in WIND BREAKER know how to throw down, but as you learn, they have an inner tenderness that keeps them from trying to stomp on the little guy. Especially Haruka Sakura, who not only has great hair (the colors are split between black and white, a pretty clear metaphor) but has a drive to protect that would make Yusuke very proud. Chainsaw Man RELATED: Which Chainsaw Man Character Are You? Yu Yu Hakusho had a decent amount of violence, but it was also pretty thoughtful about it. Plenty of fights not only end with a thrilling victory but also question the nature of brutality. If you love themes about cycles of violence and the impact they have on people, you’ll love Chainsaw Man . Both creatively ambitious and gorgeously animated, Chainsaw Man is a modern masterpiece, and its main character, Denji, has quite a bit in common with Yusuke (right down to both being killed and resurrected with supernatural powers). But it isn’t just The Denji Show . Like Yu Yu Hakusho , Chainsaw Man has a collection of side characters that are just as unforgettable as the lead. Kekkaishi RELATED: What Did You Pick as Your Favorite Anime Tournament Arc? How cool would it be to have a rival? In Yu Yu Hakusho , Yusuke gets a new one about every other episode, even if he doesn’t mean to. Take Kuwabara, for example, who obviously considers Yusuke his greatest rival… nooooot sure Yusuke feels the same. Well, if you dream of basing your life around a rivalry while going to school, performing martial arts, and taking on the supernatural, check out 2000’s staple Kekkaishi . Yoshimori Sumimura and Tokine Yukimura both believe that they’re the primary heir of the art of the magic barrier, and both are willing to stop at nothing to take on any evil that might threaten their sacred land. Hunter x Hunter RELATED: Hunter x Hunter Nen Explained: Types, Techniques and More Of course Togashi’s other iconic work is on this list! Hunter x Hunter is the saga of a boy named Gon who wants to become a hunter like his famous father, all while trying to figure out what happened to said father. It’s an adventure that’s both exciting and heartbreaking at times, balancing its action with intense focus on character development and pathos. If you enjoyed Yu Yu Hakusho for how well it rounded out its antagonists, taking them from being boss battles to intriguing victims of their own ambitions and strengths, you’ll love Hunter x Hunter . It’s become a beloved classic for a reason. JUJUTSU KAISEN Just like Yusuke Urameshi dies, is reawakened with supernatural abilities, and now just kinda has to deal with that, JUJUTSU KAISEN ’s Yuji Itadori also has a learning curve to process. He ate a cursed finger to protect a classmate, and now he’s been thrown headfirst into a world of curses, sorcery, monsters and sweet, sweet anime fights. Many have hinted that JUJUTSU KAISEN is Yu Yu Hakusho ’s heir apparent of sorts, dialing in on its many familiar story elements and the way it gleefully mashes up genres. But JUJUTSU KAISEN is no mere copycat. Its massive success around the world can be attributed to its compelling characters, story and tone. Oh, and those sweet, sweet anime fights . You’ll be getting a lot of those. Flame of Recca RELATED: 15 Essential '90s Anime on Crunchyroll, From Dragon Ball Z to Excel Saga Okay, let’s go back a few years to an adaptation of a manga that emerged just after Yu Yu Hakusho ended its serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump. Flame of Recca begins like Yu Yu Hakusho , with a headstrong boy who’s willing to pick a lot of fights. This guy is Recca Hanabishi, and he swears that he will become a loyal ninja to anyone who beats him in combat. Recca does get his wish, but not like he (or anyone else) expected. As it turns out, his claims of being a ninja aren’t so silly; they’re essentially his destiny. Oh, and he has the power to wield fire, hence the title. It’s a great show for those who yearn for that ‘90s anime aesthetic. Solo Leveling RELATED: Which Solo Leveling Guild Do You Belong To? Yes, Solo Leveling is one of the most popular anime on the planet right now, but the comparison to Yu Yu Hakusho is a little deeper than that. You’re playing all the old favorites with this one — "resurrection," a world that’s totally unknown to mankind, bizarre creatures that must be fought, a dive into the mythology of the supernatural, and a protagonist who doesn't quit, especially if the lives of his loved ones is on the line. There’s a chance that Solo Leveling won’t reinvent any wheels for you if you’re familiar with those elements, but it thrives on the kinds of tropes that Yu Yu Hakusho helped cement into our anime consciousness. Sometimes you need good comfort food, even if that comfort food is full of blood-pumping monster slaying. Blue Exorcist RELATED: Blue Exorcist Watch Order and Episode List Don’t ya hate it when the human world and the demon world, normally existing in peaceful division from one another, collide in a way that causes chaos? Our best boys from Yu Yu Hakusho certainly did and so do the heroes from Blue Exorcist . I’ll do my best not to spoil the main plot hook for lead character Rin Okumura (it’s kind of a big one, and it’s better to go in unaware). However, one major part, like Yu Yu Hakusho , involves the expulsion of demons, a job normally left for the “Exorcists.” Rin not only has cool powers of his own, but dreams of being an Exorcist himself. However, when you learn his backstory, you realize that his relationship to this conflict is a little more… personal. Hell’s Paradise RELATED: So You Want to Get Into Japanese Historical Anime? Here's What to Watch! Yu Yu Hakusho could be a little more hard-edged than its peers. It's full of battle scenes, some of which are particularly hard-hitting, making you wonder why these poor, sad folks are even fighting at all. Hell’s Paradise is also about lives that are forged and dictated by blood and tells the story of a ninja assassin and an executioner trying to survive in the worst possible conditions while also having revelations about themselves and what they want from life. There’s only one season so far (the next one is set to drop in 2026! ), so you have enough time to catch up on, in my opinion, one of the most underrated of the recent Weekly Shonen Jump adaptations. GANTZ RELATED: Your Halloween Anime Watchlist, From Kooky to Spooky Did you watch some of the brutal fights in Yu Yu Hakusho and wish they’d level the gore up a bit (along with keeping, ya know, the now standard “resurrection with a new purpose” thing)? Well, it’s time to get into GANTZ , the adaptation of the cult manga hit that finds a ragtag group of newfound combatants killing the aliens that lurk in our society. If that sounds like bloody work, that’s because it is. GANTZ always plays for keeps, meaning that it doesn’t mess around with life-or-death stakes. Power battles are often full of moments where someone on the brink of death gets pulled back to life. GANTZ ? Well, when it’s your time in this anime, it’s your time. MORE RELATED FEATURES 5 Yu Yu Hakusho Villains That Helped the Series Evolve Myth and Religion in Yu Yu Hakusho (Part 1) Myth and Religion in Yu Yu Hakusho (Part 2) Could You Win Yu Yu Hakusho’s Dark Tournament? The Tragic Way Yu Yu Hakusho's Toguro Brothers Cursed Themselves
