All 4 Seasons of ‘YūYū Hakusho’ Anime in Order (Including OVAs, Movies & Live Action Series)

YūYū Hakusho is a manga turned anime that follows the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who unexpectedly dies while saving a child. After his death, he learns that his selfless act was not predicted, and he’s given a chance to come back to life by working as a Spirit Detective. The anime adaptation, spanning 112 episodes, aired from 1992 to 1995 and includes four seasons, two movies, several OVA episodes, and 1 season of live-action series. Today, we’re going to tell you how to watch it in order.

Editor’s Note: This watch order was updated in December 2023 with the release of Yu Yu Hakusho TV series.

All YūYū Hakusho seasons, movies & OVAs in release date order

YūYū Hakusho was an extremely successful manga; in a great poll in 2021, it ranked 17th as the best manga ever made, so it doesn’t surprise us that the anime series was equally successful. Over the span of 26 years it gave rise to over hundred episodes, two movies, 2 OVAs, and most recently, the series got live-action adaptation created for Netflix. Let’s see the proper release order of the entire franchise.

1. YūYū Hakusho, Season 1 (anime, 1992–1993)
2. YūYū Hakusho: The Movie (movie, 1993)
3. YūYū Hakusho, Season 2 (anime, 1993–1994)
4. YūYū Hakusho, Season 3 (anime, 1994)
5. YūYū Hakusho the Movie: Poltergeist Report (movie, 1994)
6. YūYū Hakusho, Season 4 (anime, 1994)
7. Eizou Hakusho (OVA, 1994–1996)
8. TWO SHOTS / All or Nothing (OVA, 2018)
9. Yuyu Hakusho (TV Series) (2023)

Are all seasons, movies, and OVAs of YūYū Hakusho connected? What’s the best way to watch them?

The different seasons, movies, and OVAs of YūYū Hakusho are all connected and part of the same overarching storyline. If you’re new to the story, it’s best to watch it in release date order; however, if you’re seasoned and know your way around the franchise, you should opt out for chronological order.

YūYū Hakusho anime series in chronological watch order

In this section, we are going to give you a chronological overview of the works in question since not all installments in the franchise were released in their proper chronological order.

1. TWO SHOTS (OVA, 2018)
2. YūYū Hakusho, Season 1 (anime, 1992–1993)
3. YūYū Hakusho: The Movie (movie, 1993)
4. YūYū Hakusho, Season 2 (anime, 1993–1994)
5. YūYū Hakusho the Movie: Poltergeist Report (movie, 1994)
6. YūYū Hakusho, Season 3 (anime, 1994)
7. YūYū Hakusho, Season 4 (anime, 1994)
8. All or Nothing (OVA, 2018)
9. YuYu Hakusho Live-Action (2023)

1. TWO SHOTS (OVA, 2018)

Students exploring an abandoned mannequin factory encounter a demon instead of ghosts. Rumors circulate, with some suspecting alien abductions. Kurama, initially skeptical, is later seen talking to a defeated demon, sparking intrigue. Kitajima, sensing something supernatural, confesses her feelings to Kurama. When demons attack, Kurama protects her with a Leaf Blade. However, a twist occurs when Kitajima is kidnapped by another demon, adding a layer of suspense to the unfolding supernatural events.

2. YūYū Hakusho, Season 1 (anime, 1992–1993)

Yusuke Urameshi, a rebellious 14-year-old with a tough reputation, leads a delinquent lifestyle, skipping school and engaging in vices. One day, after saving a child from an accident, he sacrifices himself and is unexpectedly killed. As a ghost, he meets Botan, a spirited guide to the afterlife, who reveals that his selfless act was unexpected. This sets the stage for Yusuke’s journey in the supernatural realm. The summary concludes with a mention of “YūYū Hakusho: The Movie,” released in 1993, hinting at additional adventures in the series.

3. YūYū Hakusho: The Movie (movie, 1993)

The movie kicks off with Botan searching for Yusuke and Kuwabara, who are busy fighting bullies during their summer vacation. Botan whisks them away to the spirit world, where they learn that Koenma has been kidnapped. George presents a video showing a giant demon named Garuga demanding Enma’s Golden Seal for Koenma’s release. The seal controls the spirit world. Yusuke and Kuwabara embark on a perilous journey to Magma Valley, encountering various demons trying to stop them. Amidst challenges like falling boulders and stone demon trees, they face a flying demon bearing the coveted Golden Seal. The tale takes an intense turn as the duo gets ensnared in a cage, setting the stage for an epic showdown.

4. YūYū Hakusho, Season 2 (anime, 1993–1994)

Yusuke finds himself reluctantly dating Keiko, and in the Spirit World, it’s revealed that Toguro orchestrated his fight with Yusuke to give away Tarukane’s fortune. After discussing Yusuke’s potential, Toguro kills Tarukane and departs. Later, Toguro confronts Yusuke and unveils 60% of his power, terrifying both Yusuke and Kuwabara. Despite the fear, Yusuke agrees to participate in the Dark Tournament as Hiei and Kurama watch. The team trains under Genkai’s guidance, with Hiei and Kurama also training Kuwabara. As they reunite for the Dark Tournament, an unknown fifth fighter joins. On the boat to the tournament, Yusuke, exhausted from training, falls asleep. The tournament host announces a battle royale, with only one team allowed to participate, setting the stage for intense competition.

5. YūYū Hakusho the Movie: Poltergeist Report (movie, 1994)

The film opens in the spirit world, with the River Styx flooding due to relentless rain, submerging the entire realm. Koenma tasks Botan with delivering an unknown sphere to Yusuke before being dragged underwater. Struck by lightning, Botan ends up in the world of the living, landing on Yusuke’s school terrace. Yusuke, who happens to be skipping class, catches her and learns of the mission. Asking Keiko to take Botan to the Genkai temple, Yusuke and Kuwabara set out to find Hinageshi. Along the way, they rescue a girl from demons, only to discover she is Hinageshi. She is brought to the Genkai temple, where the gang assembles, and Hinageshi reveals the existence of a fourth world, the Lower World (Meikai).

6. YūYū Hakusho, Season 3 (anime, 1994)

The Chapter Black Saga is the third arc in Yu Yu Hakusho, featuring a former spiritual detective as the main antagonist. The saga revolves around the Black Club, whose actions directly and indirectly lead to significant events in the narrative. As the story unfolds, the characters find themselves entangled in the consequences of the Black Club’s actions, adding complexity and intrigue to the saga.

7. YūYū Hakusho, Season 4 (anime, 1994)

Following Shinobu Sensui’s defeat, Yusuke Urameshi falls ill due to demon interference during their battle. Struggling with an existential crisis, Yusuke turns to Genkai for guidance. Genkai, in her usual sardonic manner, advises him to consult Kuroko Sato, the original Spirit Detective for Earth. During the visit, three messengers from the Demon World interrupt, claiming to hold the answers Yusuke seeks. They reveal that the demon possessing him was his ancestral father, Raizen, one of the Three Kings of the Demon World. Raizen is near death due to his refusal to consume anything other than humans. The messengers insist that Yusuke must accompany them to the Demon World to confront Raizen, whether he likes it or not.

8. All or Nothing (OVA, 2018)

In this segment of the second OVA, the storyline closely mirrors the manga’s epilogue. Shunjun informs Yusuke that the courthouse gate has been seized, with Koenma and Botan held hostage. Terrorists demand the removal of demons from the human world and the restoration of the barrier. Yusuke contacts the Demon World’s ruler, Enki, who gathers Yusuke’s former comrades. Team Urameshi reunites, leaving their bodies to venture into the Spirit World. Hiei uses his eye to gather crucial information on the enemies and hostages. With Kurama’s assistance, they formulate a plan that requires Kuwabara’s help. To motivate Kuwabara, Hiei fabricates a threat to the city, causing concern for Yukina and Kuwabara. In response, Kuwabara uses his dimension sword, enabling the team to enter the hostage situation.

9. YuYu Hakusho Live-Action (2023)

Netflix’s YuYu Hakusho is a reboot of the series. The first season is an adaptation of the first several chapters of the manga, and the first season is five episodes long. We recommend that you watch it last since it’s, in some aspects, completely different from the first season of the anime.

Where to watch the above-mentioned series & movies?

All four seasons of YūYū Hakusho can be streamed on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Tubi, and Hulu. The movies so far, aren’t available on any major streaming services. The new live-action adaptation can be watched exclusively on Netflix.

Will there be more YūYū Hakusho anime or live-action series?

The chances are slim that YūYū Hakusho anime will be revived in the next few years. Our only hopes are on Netflix’s live-action adaptation. Season 2 hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we have high hopes. In any case, we’re going to update you as soon as we have more information. Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!