Yu Yu Hakusho Vs Dragonball Z
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Yu Yu Hakusho and Dragonball Z are two of the best fighting Anime series of all time. After re-watching both series a question enter my head. Which series is better than the other? If I had to make a choice who will reign supreme? The time has come for me to make my choice. I will be making my decision based on Story, Characters, Music, Acting, Battles and the Final Episode.
Story & Characters- When it comes to story, I will have to give it to Yu Yu Hakusho. Don't get me wrong the saga of Dragonball Z is epic. However DBZ tends to drag with fillers, and the storyline really feels the same for the most part. Villain comes to threaten the universe, Goku and the others train and fight to save the planet. The story is simple, and really doesn't offer a theme or some kind of mythos to make you think. That's not a bad thing, however Yu Yu Hakusho story is better written, the saga's have an emotional impact on the characters. There really isn't any fillers to make the series drag. The plot is more interesting, and you can relate to the characters more in Yu Yu Hakusho. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama and Hiei are characters many viewers can relate too. Yusuke coming from a broken home, with a drunk mother, people always judging him, telling him how to live his life. Some people can relate to a situation like that. While in DBZ it's hard to relate to Goku. Goku is the embodiment of purity. He really doesn't have no inner struggles like other characters in the series. Too many one dimensional characters and plots in DBZ makes you lose interest by time the Buu saga starts. All the villains in DBZ have one goal in mind and that is control. While in Yu Yu Hakusho the villains have more than power on their mind. Some villains have a point or ideal to prove like Sensui. Others want to just test their full potential like Toguro. Each villain in Yu Yu Hakusho has more of a complex motive, there is layers of why they're doing these things, it can relate to their personality or ideal. You don't really get that in DBZ. Frieza wants to rule, Cell wants to rule, Buu just wants chaos. There is no real reason why these villains want control. In Yu Yu Hakusho you understand why Sensui is the way he is, you get why Toguro is the way he is. What is the reason for Frieza tyrant ways? Where is the real backstory on the villains? It's too one dimensional. Dragonball Z has a nice concept, but it feels too repetitive and the story drags, the characters are one dimensional except for Vegeta, Piccolo and the Androids. Yu Yu Hakusho has a theme, well written characters, characters with layers and villains with a purpose. This leads to a more emotional ending, climatic battles and characters that you will remember. Winner for Story & Characters is Yu Yu Hakusho.
Music - I really enjoy the music of Yu Yu Hakusho, however it can't compete with Dragonball Z soundtrack both English and Japanese. Dragonball Z music is timeless from the beginning of it's opening theme Cha Ha La Head Cha La. The music in Dragonball Z really gets you excited for the show. It keeps you engaged during battles, and whatever is going on in a scene you feel it. Yu Yu Hakusho soundtrack is phenomenal as well, but some of the character themes I felt didn't fit. When it comes to replay value in my MP3 player, Dragonball Z soundtrack is on repeat. Winner for Music is Dragonball Z.
Acting - The acting is hard to judge, mainly because the voice actors in Dragonball Z are also in Yu Yu Hakusho (English Dub). This one is going to be a tie. I love the voice work in Yu Yu Hakusho and love the voice work in Dragonball Z. Justin Cook owns Yusuke, Chris Sabat owns Vegeta, you can't see these characters with different actors. If Sean Schemmel can scream that long for Super Saiyan 3 transformation, you know you have some really talented actors. Both series have some amazing performances from Laura Bailey, Chris Sabat, Justin Cook and more, it's hard to side one over the other. Winner for acting is a tie.
Sean Schemmel as Goku
Battles - The battles in Yu Yu Hakusho have more meaning, more emotion behind it. Dragonball Z battles are also emotional, but it's the same format in the outcome. Usually it's Goku who saves the day, in the series you were hoping other characters will get some shine. Goku always saves the day, while in Yu Yu Hakusho everyone gets some shine. Hiei saves the day, Kuwbara has his moment, Kurama and more. However when it comes to actual battles, Dragonball Z is in a league of it's own. Dragonball Z battles are pure epic, the series really shines in battles. The animation, fighting styles, attacks are all cleverly done and original. Yu Yu Hakusho battles are epic, but can feel generic at times, especially in the early episodes. Best battle in the series is Yuskue vs Sensui (see video below of epic ownage). This battle shows Yu Yu Hakusho at it's finest. However when comes to epic battles, styles, attacks Dragonball Z owns. Winner for Battles goes to Dragonball Z.
Yusuke vs Sensui
Final Episode - A series ending is just as important as it's beginning and middle. Yu Yu Hakusho ending is heartwarming, and after 112 episodes you feel like you're losing a friend. Dragonball Z also gives you this feeling as well. Both series endings gives you closure and satisfactions, however I like Yu Yu Hakusho ending better, due to the heartwarming and that little tear of joy that came with it. Winner For Final Episode is Yu Yu Hakusho.
Winner: Since I don't want this to end in a tie. I will add influence into the mix. Which Anime had the most influence? Which Anime is mostly referred to in pop culture and in other Anime? Which had the most impact? The winner is Dragonball Z. Yu Yu Hakusho is no doubt amazing, but Dragonball Z has made a bigger impact.
Which do you think is better and why? Sound off in the comments section.
Story & Characters- When it comes to story, I will have to give it to Yu Yu Hakusho. Don't get me wrong the saga of Dragonball Z is epic. However DBZ tends to drag with fillers, and the storyline really feels the same for the most part. Villain comes to threaten the universe, Goku and the others train and fight to save the planet. The story is simple, and really doesn't offer a theme or some kind of mythos to make you think. That's not a bad thing, however Yu Yu Hakusho story is better written, the saga's have an emotional impact on the characters. There really isn't any fillers to make the series drag. The plot is more interesting, and you can relate to the characters more in Yu Yu Hakusho. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama and Hiei are characters many viewers can relate too. Yusuke coming from a broken home, with a drunk mother, people always judging him, telling him how to live his life. Some people can relate to a situation like that. While in DBZ it's hard to relate to Goku. Goku is the embodiment of purity. He really doesn't have no inner struggles like other characters in the series. Too many one dimensional characters and plots in DBZ makes you lose interest by time the Buu saga starts. All the villains in DBZ have one goal in mind and that is control. While in Yu Yu Hakusho the villains have more than power on their mind. Some villains have a point or ideal to prove like Sensui. Others want to just test their full potential like Toguro. Each villain in Yu Yu Hakusho has more of a complex motive, there is layers of why they're doing these things, it can relate to their personality or ideal. You don't really get that in DBZ. Frieza wants to rule, Cell wants to rule, Buu just wants chaos. There is no real reason why these villains want control. In Yu Yu Hakusho you understand why Sensui is the way he is, you get why Toguro is the way he is. What is the reason for Frieza tyrant ways? Where is the real backstory on the villains? It's too one dimensional. Dragonball Z has a nice concept, but it feels too repetitive and the story drags, the characters are one dimensional except for Vegeta, Piccolo and the Androids. Yu Yu Hakusho has a theme, well written characters, characters with layers and villains with a purpose. This leads to a more emotional ending, climatic battles and characters that you will remember. Winner for Story & Characters is Yu Yu Hakusho.
Music - I really enjoy the music of Yu Yu Hakusho, however it can't compete with Dragonball Z soundtrack both English and Japanese. Dragonball Z music is timeless from the beginning of it's opening theme Cha Ha La Head Cha La. The music in Dragonball Z really gets you excited for the show. It keeps you engaged during battles, and whatever is going on in a scene you feel it. Yu Yu Hakusho soundtrack is phenomenal as well, but some of the character themes I felt didn't fit. When it comes to replay value in my MP3 player, Dragonball Z soundtrack is on repeat. Winner for Music is Dragonball Z.
Acting - The acting is hard to judge, mainly because the voice actors in Dragonball Z are also in Yu Yu Hakusho (English Dub). This one is going to be a tie. I love the voice work in Yu Yu Hakusho and love the voice work in Dragonball Z. Justin Cook owns Yusuke, Chris Sabat owns Vegeta, you can't see these characters with different actors. If Sean Schemmel can scream that long for Super Saiyan 3 transformation, you know you have some really talented actors. Both series have some amazing performances from Laura Bailey, Chris Sabat, Justin Cook and more, it's hard to side one over the other. Winner for acting is a tie.
Sean Schemmel as Goku
Battles - The battles in Yu Yu Hakusho have more meaning, more emotion behind it. Dragonball Z battles are also emotional, but it's the same format in the outcome. Usually it's Goku who saves the day, in the series you were hoping other characters will get some shine. Goku always saves the day, while in Yu Yu Hakusho everyone gets some shine. Hiei saves the day, Kuwbara has his moment, Kurama and more. However when it comes to actual battles, Dragonball Z is in a league of it's own. Dragonball Z battles are pure epic, the series really shines in battles. The animation, fighting styles, attacks are all cleverly done and original. Yu Yu Hakusho battles are epic, but can feel generic at times, especially in the early episodes. Best battle in the series is Yuskue vs Sensui (see video below of epic ownage). This battle shows Yu Yu Hakusho at it's finest. However when comes to epic battles, styles, attacks Dragonball Z owns. Winner for Battles goes to Dragonball Z.
Yusuke vs Sensui
Final Episode - A series ending is just as important as it's beginning and middle. Yu Yu Hakusho ending is heartwarming, and after 112 episodes you feel like you're losing a friend. Dragonball Z also gives you this feeling as well. Both series endings gives you closure and satisfactions, however I like Yu Yu Hakusho ending better, due to the heartwarming and that little tear of joy that came with it. Winner For Final Episode is Yu Yu Hakusho.
Winner: Since I don't want this to end in a tie. I will add influence into the mix. Which Anime had the most influence? Which Anime is mostly referred to in pop culture and in other Anime? Which had the most impact? The winner is Dragonball Z. Yu Yu Hakusho is no doubt amazing, but Dragonball Z has made a bigger impact.
Which do you think is better and why? Sound off in the comments section.
