☆ Rereading Yu Yu Hakusho - Chapter Black Saga - Part 2 ☆

1/x/2025

Togashi must have been having a bad week here. Where did all my backgrounds go? They pretty much disappear for two chapters. More chibi forms and exaggerated expressions come up, which don't always feel totally appropriate for this exact moment. Check out the truck Sensui is riding in. I believe Hunter x Hunter fans call these kinds of drawings scribbles, though I don't think anything in Yu Yu Hakusho looks like this. Now that I've looked at that, maybe I shouldn't mention it!

Things get back on track when Yusuke encounters Sniper, real name Hagiri. It's a fun enough setup, but the upstaging by Hiei is smirk-worthy. We haven't seen him with a bit of edge since the Dark Tournament, so it plays well here. It feels a little random, and if you liked where the battle with Sniper was going, it might feel a bit deflating. We're heading to the final encounters so fast, it's like we don't even really have time for Sensui's team.

In Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, it's unknown how many assassin Stand users Dio has sent after the gang. Also, Dio is really far away, at the outset. The journey to, and through, Egypt is a significant part of the series. They don't fight like, ten guys in Cairo. Yu Yu Hakusho doesn't have this road-trip aspect as part of the series, but I have to imagine that from a writing perspective, Jojo offers the greater flexibility. Dio can be out of assassins whenever Araki is ready for him to be. The Yu Yu approach builds good anticipation for the battles ahead, but the scenario suggests that the only real obstacle to Team Yusuke just walking or driving over to the hole would be the Sensui Seven.

Both series have a ticking clock element to try and move our heroes along. In Jojo, that would be Holly Kujo, and in Yu Yu it's the demon portal opening up. But again, Togashi has written himself an issue. Holly Kujo's life force being drained by her Stand doesn't have a hard date attached to when it will kill her. Meanwhile, the demon portal opening up has an exact timeframe that's been sped up. Let's also consider that the story has Sensui is the final boss, and Itsuki has to stay with the portal. So that's two out of seven we can't use. Doctor and Seaman/Mitarai got their spotlight, and Sniper hardly lasted two chapters. I don't mean to imply that Jojo's storytelling is perfect (certainly not) or that Yu Yu's is disastrous. It's just that the story and the expectation that was created for readers aren't lining up, which adds to the disorienting sensation of the pace.

Also, in the same chapter, Genkai gives a speech about how would be more dangerous if all of them went inside together. But then they go back and grab Genkai, Kaito, and Yanagisawa anyway. I'm not even sure what to say about that.

Thankfully, there's a total home run with Gamemaster. The game challenges themselves are fun (just like the house setup from earlier), but it's the harrowing reveal that this poor kid's own territory will kill him if he loses that makes it good. The flashback to Sensui recruiting him is sickening. It's one of the best moments in the entire arc, for sure. I can't get enough of how Kurama's face is largely hidden until it's all over.

The Sensui TV Room

I just mentioned the art quality, but I think something like this might have been an artistic choice. It definitely adds a surreal feeling to the story, like reality itself is falling apart. I wonder how the TV and VCR are getting power down here? A lot of things are about to happen, with something to talk about in almost every chapter going forward. We'll have to play rapid fire, but I'll try not to truncate my comments too much.

Firstly, the reveal that Elder Toguro is here! This is...somewhat disappointing. There are no shortages of ties connecting this arc to events previous, so having Elder Toguro show up and be immediately dealt with, with basically no impact on the story proper, is pretty wimpy. The idea that E.T introduced Sensui to Yusuke is somewhat interesting, but it's not explored to any degree where it would add much. I'm not totally sure how much potential he had specifically as a returning villain. As far as we know, his only motivation would be revenge on Team Yusuke, but it's not impossible for him to have some kind of sympathetic or interesting background story for him written the way Sensui and Younger Toguro did. Coming back now diminishes his chances of making an impact. If he has to show up right now, I lament the lack of an actual fight with Kurama or a rematch with Kuwabara. Kurama seems to save his best plants for random villains.

I do like the Inverse Man. I'm sure there were countless excuses to have a (mostly) one-on-one between Sensui and Yusuke, so I'm happy saying this one is more creative than it technically had to be. This is also where Itsuki will reveal the depth of his feelings for Sensui. Saying the two are lovers doesn't quite cover everything, but it's one aspect to what seems to be a somewhat one-sided relationship. Itsuki is enamored with Sensui's descent into darkness, loving what was once a sweet soul of justice crumble under the weight of the worst of humanity. It's great; it ties in with the series' themes so far, and I'm thankful that Sensui has this kind of outside observer to help confirm certain things about Sensui. Without Itsuki, I have to imagine that Sensui would read completely differently.

I'm also going to ignore the panel where Sensui says that the demon tunnel only mattered to bring him and Yusuke together. That doesn't make any sense, but it amuses me to point it out.

This is where Sensui's multiple personalities come into play as well. This one is tricky to write about. I'm comfortable saying that this aspect was handled with a lot more sensitivity than Yusuke's transphobic outburst from before. Kuwabara is the most vocally shocked and surprised by this, but at least in the English version I don't think he says anything really offensive. Your mileage may vary. Itsuki, and interestingly, Koenma, both seem to treat Sensui's personalities with respect. Itsuki introduces the idea that Sensui's other selves (that have names, including one mentioned as female!) are creations of trauma. We know what Sensui has been through, so I would say the work has been done to make this a plausible and believable aspect of the character.

I think what gives me pause is the fact that Sensui will switch personalities to mark shifts in the battle, ala Freeza in Dragon Ball. This makes it feel more gimmicky than it actually is. There was more consideration here than "Heheh, this isn't even my most deadly personality." Though, the gun arm is kind of wild. I'm also not sure how else you would use this element in a shonen battle manga anyway.

Yusuke Dies, Deploy The Army

Yusuke seemingly dies, causing Kuwabara and the others to try to kill Sensui. It's ineffective, as everyone in the main squad ends up in the space between worlds. Sensui says he can pass through the force field that exists (this is separate from the need to open a portal) because his Chi is not evil. This is cool concept number eight (or so) that doesn't get the elaboration I wish it did. How could Sensui possibly not be perceived as malicious or evil? Is it because he believes himself to be right? What makes this Chi holy? The force field blocks class A demons, but what's stopping Kuwabara from walking through it? Is he evil? Or not holy enough?

The fight moves into the Demon World in one of the coolest spreads in the series. Sensui unleashes yet another power that strongly resembles Younger Toguro's more monstrous form. Meanwhile, in the Underworld, Koenma Sr. deploys the Underworld Special Defense Force to try and repair the situation. I'd like to make a particular note of this guy, Captain Ohtake, who I swear shows up in the ending. Ohtake and company try to kill Yusuke, revealing to us that Yusuke actually has demon lineage.

This is probably one of the lamest things to happen in the series. Attributing at least some of Yusuke's power to his lineage that nobody had any idea about doesn't seem to fit the character. It's not all bad, though. This is one concept that is given some time, but it's a monster of a page. The story teases a few times that Yusuke could perhaps become like Sensui, so getting us closer to a scenario where it may be possible carries excitement. Yusuke seems to be his usual self, which is great as it always is. The fake-out after his resurrection is just a riot. Pu's transformation and usage here are well done. He looks awesome.

All of that happened in a few chapters. Let's note now that there are three volumes left in the entire series.

The fight between Sensui and Yusuke resumes, at a power level we haven't seen in the series before. I suppose flying around and blowing up mountains was somewhat inevitable for a fighting manga. Remember how this arc started with a down-to-Earth style and interesting Territory powers? I wish some of that energy could have stayed here, but looking at it positively, the stakes are definitely raised.

Yusuke transforms into a demonic form, not acting like himself. From what I understand, you will see this form again in the anime, but never again in the manga. So enjoy it, if you think it's cool. After unleashing an ultra powerful Rei Gun, Sensui is down for the count, and Itsuki reappears. Yusuke laments that it wasn't really him who beat Sensui. This is yet another interesting connection between the two. Itsuki reveals that Sensui only has two weeks left to live due to malignant tumors. Sensui dies right there, and Itsuki takes him to some kind of limbo or eternity, rather than letting Sensui's soul go through the Underworld.

Yusuke decides that he'd rather stay in the human world than the demon plane and threatens(!!) the Underworld Forces that if they try to punish Koenma Jr, he'll return the favor. Ooh, spicy! A fantastic moment actually does make you wonder if Yusuke could go rogue, for some reason.

In an epilogue, we see that Amanuma (Gamemaster) is alive...somehow, no explanation. We check in on the other survivors of the Sensui Seven as well. It's good that they're not totally forgotten. Our territory user allies apologize for not being much help (UGH) and Yusuke wonders if he might have stayed in the demon plane, had he been completely alone. Sensui and Itsuki's fate is unknown, if they have an ultimate fate.

So closes the Chapter Black arc.

So Close, But So Far

Despite its relatively short length, this arc is stuffed top to bottom. This works both for and against it.

Sensui is the star of the show. There's a lot to like about him as a villain. There are too many things going on with Sensui. and it creates a sense of whiplash. Most of them are good things, but it's a lot to swallow with the breakneck pace of the fighting and story. Sensui is Yusuke's dark counterpart. Sensui is a soul broken by the sometimes depraved nature of humans. Sensui has multiple personalities, with different ones "fronting." Sensui has a gun for an arm for a minute. Sensui has two weeks to live.

This character is too complex and needed to be broken down a bit. There are too many ideas at play; they dilute each other. Sensui's greatest strength is his connection to the series-long theme of the nature of humanity and demonhood, which is going to come full circle very soon. Sensui is, at least partly, a victim of believing humanity is universally good, his binary worldview was shattered upon seeing the horrid scene that Sakyo was a part of. This is really, really good, and it's that setup that allows us to feel just a little uneasy when Yusuke starts to change. This series just doesn't have the time to spell it all out, instead teasing readers who are paying attention. In terms of Sensui's character, the battling aspects can feel like a distraction from this interesting, nuanced character that Togashi or somebody really wanted to exist.

Comparing Sensui to Younger Toguro, Y.T is much simpler, but the revelation of his backstory and his actions throughout it are impactful. We come to understand his goals and the emotions that led him to his path. We also see Y.T much sooner, and get a slower buildup to him potentially having a softer or sentimental side. Sensui, at any given chapter, can have different goals and desires. They're not always in conflict, but a character with this much going on needed more room to breathe.

In a way, it's kind of brilliant. You might not even notice how all of this ties together, especially with some of the reveals that come in the next arc. Is the Underworld really as good as we think? Their actions in this story are somewhat dubious at times. Koenma Jr. finally gets in the action and goes "off-script," setting off a wave of other things. Things are starting to get gray, and that's interesting. That is something commendable about Sensui's character, and pretty subversive for a fighting manga at this time. On the other hand, it feels like things are being rushed, and the thematic depth the story can carry is hidden behind it, not cleverly disguised.

If we're looking at arcs individually, it's not exactly this one's fault that so much of this isn't going to reach a truly satisfying conclusion. That's on the next arc. Chapter Black is responsible going so fast and jumping between so many ideas.

I have a notable preference for this arc before Sensui arrives. But where we end up is not at all where we started. I loved the regular human characters who have come into Territories. Perhaps someone at Shonen Jump editorial would disagree with me, but it was the perfect pace shake-up after the Dark Tournament, getting our characters back in a recognizable world with more human, ordinary characters. I can appreciate the escalation; one expects it a certain amount, but the earliest stuff here was so damn good.

The Sensui Seven are set up like a gauntlet, but such a thing hardly happens, and they start dropping out of the story like flies. The effect of the Chapter Black videotape itself is only lightly explored with Seaman, which, as I mentioned last time, seems like an enormous missed opportunity. Hiei is shown holding it at the end. Is he gonna watch it? The awesome new characters we meet early on stop playing a role at the halfway point. What's with the holy chi? How is Aonuma alive?

Sadly, this aspect of the series is going to become the series right here at the end. Fantastic concepts and ideas, big characters, would-be series-defining moments, speeding by like a car on a highway.

The Chapter Black Saga has some of Yu Yu Hakusho's most promising, interesting, and different moments. The star villain is one of its most complex characters. It's also features some unfortunate foreshadowing of the story falling apart, and drops some of its valuable new characters. It's some of the highest highs for the manga, but we have much lower to go.

See you next time for the Three Kings Saga.

- Jane