Mangaka
Yoshihiro Togashi
Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter, the arcs that rewired shonen.
Yoshihiro Togashi drew Yu Yu Hakusho in his twenties and then Hunter x Hunter, a series whose breaks are as famous as its arcs and whose rules every battle manga since has borrowed. His series and their anime are graded here, with the arcs and fights ranked.
The arcs
Across both series, ranked.
- Chimera AntHunter x HunterA monster story that turns into a love story.
- Yorknew CityHunter x HunterKurapika against the Phantom Troupe.
- Dark TournamentYu Yu HakushoThe tournament arc everyone else copied.
- Greed IslandHunter x HunterA video game with real stakes, and Bisky's training.
- Chapter BlackYu Yu HakushoSensui, and the arc that questioned the hero.
- Chairman ElectionHunter x HunterA political vote with a life on the line.
- Heavens ArenaHunter x HunterNen explained, then weaponised.
- Succession WarHunter x HunterFourteen princes, one ship, no easy exits.
The fights
Battles decided by rules, bluffs and sacrifice more than by power.
- Hunter x Hunter, Chimera AntNetero and MeruemA prayer, a thousand hands, and a very old man's last idea.
- Yu Yu Hakusho, Dark TournamentYusuke and ToguroA final that is really an argument about growing old.
- Hunter x Hunter, Yorknew CityKurapika and UvoginA chain, a vow, and the cost written into the power.
- Hunter x Hunter, Chimera AntGon and PitouThe hero's worst moment, drawn without flinching.
- Hunter x Hunter, Heavens ArenaHisoka and ChrolloTwo schemers finally meet, and the rules decide it.