Naruto VS Yu Yu Hakusho: A Comparison

Post Author: Metal Superman

I have managed to compile a short list of similarities between Naruto and Yu Yu Hakusho. It is quite obvious that Kishimoto gathered his inspiration from several series of anime, but nowhere is it more evident than in Yu Yu Hakusho.

For instance, Hiei and Sasuke are a lot alike, both use fire based techniques and swords. Sasuke wields the Sharingan, while Hiei had undergone a surgical procedure to have the Jagan Eye implemented into his body; which is a lot like how Kakashi obtained his Sharingan. Both characters are exceptionally fast. Their overall personalities are similar as well.

Shortly after the Dark Tournament ended, Yusuke is tasked to fight a practician of medicine, Doctor Ichigaki. His foe seems to exhibit a fighting style similar to that of Neji Hyuuga and an ability which mirrors that of Kabuto’s medical ninjutsu. He is able to severe the muscles and tissue of any opponent, while his energy is focused upon his hands. In his introduction, he paralyzed a fellow pupil of Genkai’s with precise targeting of the muscles aligning the spine.

During a later episode in the Black Saga, Kuwabara runs into a psychic with the ability to manipulate water, imprisoning his friends in an (almost) impenetrable mass of liquid. This technique is similar to that of Zabuza’s Water Prison technique, seen in the earlier episodes of Naruto.

Both Kurama and Naruto have demon foxes trapped inside their bodies; however, there are several notable differences between their demon counterparts. Yusuke has a demon form as well, but I won’t bother getting into that right now.

In an episode where Genkai puts Yusuke and his group through a series of tests, an opponent comes into play with the ability to bind anyone by stepping on their shadow. Kishimoto may have expanded upon its initial idea, but he probably drew his inspiration from this particular character.

There are two other pieces of evidence I would like to present, which are not limited to the Yu Yu Hakusho series. I find these to be the most powerful pieces, despite them being from two completely different series.

Hunter X Hunter is yet another prime example in which Kishimoto has borrowed a few ideas from. Kurapika, one of the main protagonists in the story, has a few things in common with the infamous Sasuke Uchiha. His entire clan was assassinated by one skilled assassin, in which he has vowed to kill. He is also able to enter a mode in which his eyes turn red and his skills are temporarily increased.

One of the more irrefutable pieces I have stumbled across comes from the Cowboy Bebop movie, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. If you can recall the fight between Naruto and Neji during the Chuunin exams, then you might know where I am going with this. I doubt words could do this justice…

Perhaps it was the same director? All of the camera angles and movements are the same, so I would have to assume they borrowed from Cowboy Bebop’s fighting animation as well.