Horst_In_Translation Review of Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie

Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie (1993)

Generic anime action à la Dragonball

[4/10 · 30 March 2017]

I guess this title may sound like a compliment to some, but it's not meant positive whatsoever. But first things first: This is "Yû yû hakusho", also known as "The Golden Seal", a 25-minute animated short film from Japan in 1993, so this one will have its 25th anniversary next year. Looking at how many writers and directors worked on this one here, the outcome is shockingly bad. There's English and Japanese language versions of this one out, of course also some with subtitles. This is the story of a lord who gets kidnapped by some demons and they want a golden seal in exchange for the release. Of course, the film's protagonists, i.e. heroes, can't let that happen and try to free the lord without losing the seal. It is not really a serious film. I made the Dragonball reference in the title already and in some moments there is quite a deal of comedy to it (big eyes, happens very often in these anime films). This is a pretty short one we have here, but I am glad it ended so quickly as it did not get me interested at all in the long running series this is connected to. The story is okay early on, but the longer it goes, the more forgettable it becomes. Only worth seeing for the very biggest anime lovers. I suggest you check out something else instead.