Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files: Season 4

The gateway between worlds lies open and past must battle present, but with Yusuke’s final death his friends rush onward. Risen once more with the blood of ages coursing through his veins, the young man sheds humanity as the war shifts realms to the land of demons. Three legendary kings seek power where only one can rule, and friends are enlisted as champions to become foes in the final struggle for control. From troubled teen to royalty, Yusuke’s final chapter unfolds.

Season 4 contains episodes 85-112 on 4 discs. As the fantasy-adventure Yu Yu Hakusho enters its final season, Yusuke Urameshi and his friends Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama battle fallen Spirit Detective Sensui. Although he was unaware of it, Yusuke had a demon ancestor 44 generations back. When Sensui kills Yusuke's human form, the demonic genes cause Yusuke to arise more powerful than ever. With Sansui defeated and the tunnel linking the Demon and Human Realms sealed, everything seems to be happily resolved. But Yusuke quickly grows bored when there's no one to fight. Three spirits appear to escort him to the Demon Realm: his ancestor Lord Reizen is dying. Reizen's death will throw the Realm into chaos unless Yusuke acts to prevent it. Hiei and Kurama are summoned by Makuro and Yomi, the other two demon-lords. Bidding his friends farewell and promising to return in three years, Yusuke begins a new adventure. Sizing up the situation, he suggests the ruler of the Demon Realm be chosen in a martial arts tournament every few years--"like a presidential election, only with fists." Much of this combat/election feels like replay of Dark Tournament, but with the attacks ramped up even further. Viewers can't help missing the irrepressible Kuwabara, who stays in the Living World and enters a top high school. During the Tournament, Yusuke realizes the importance of fighting for the greater good, rather than for the sheer joy of fighting. But he never does learn to engage his brain before his fists, and he remains as impulsive, stubborn, hot-tempered, and appealing in Episode #112 as he was in #1. (Rated TV PG, suitable for ages 12 and older: violence, violence against women, grotesque imagery, profanity, alcohol and tobacco use.) --Charles Solomon