Kurama
Former Yoko Thief
A former thief yokai who lives as Minamino Shuichi in the human world, utilizing intellect and demon energy.
Quotes
- 'What you know is only the human world.'
- 'Flowers have thorns. To protect you.'
- 'No matter how finely you chop me, I am me.'
- 'Don't run away. Fight.'
- 'Yoko doesn't die. As long as the soul doesn't vanish.'
Trivia
- When voice actress Megumi Ogata voiced Kurama, there was strong backlash from viewers, but staff supported the casting.
- Kurama's name has no particular origin and was decided intuitively.
- Yoko form has a cold, ruthless personality like a different person.
- Deep affection for mother Shiori is the core of his humanity.
- Can summon and weaponize various plants like tropical plants and mimosa pudica.
- Has a mutual guardian-like relationship with Hiei.
Alternate names
Minamino Shuichi
Yoko Kurama
Profile
- Species
- Yokai
- Gender
- Male
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Possesses androgynous beauty with wild, spiky long hair. Yoko form features silver long hair, fox ears, and tail.
- Height
- Approximately 175cm (anime setting)
- Eye color
- Green
- Hair color
- Red
- Distinguishing features
-
- Spiky long hair
- Silver hair, fox ears, and tail in Yoko form
- Androgynous facial features
- Iconic items
-
- Rose Thorn Whip Blade (Rose Whip)
- Mugenka (Pollen)
- Seeds of the Demon World
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Calm and Composed
- Detailed personality
- Calm and highly intelligent. Has a sociable and good-natured side, but shows no mercy to those who harm comrades or family. While harboring the ruthlessness from his Yoko days, he lives grappling with human morality. Adjusts comrades' disputes and takes on a protective role for Hiei.
- Keywords
-
- Calm
- Highly Intelligent
- Loyal to Comrades
- Teasing
- Strategist
- Kind
- Ruthless
- Strong Sense of Responsibility
- Talents
-
- Manipulation of all plants using demon energy
- Exceptional swordsmanship and whip handling
- Strategic thinking
- High intelligence and analytical skills
- Talent as a nurturer
- Skills
-
- Operation of Rose Thorn Whip Blade
- Yokai capture using illusions
- Martial arts combat
- Reconnaissance and thievery techniques
- Living skills in human society
- Motivation
- Protect family and continue peaceful life in the human world. Support comrades and protect the human world from yokai threats.
- Habits
- Likes teasing Hiei. Concerned about androgynous appearance.
- Hobbies
- Plant cultivation, Guitar playing
- Favorite colors
- Red, Green
- Disliked situations
- Family or comrades in danger, Injustice
History
- Backstory
- A yoko who has lived for centuries, known in the Demon World as a treasure-specialist thief. 15 years ago, critically wounded by Spirit World hunters, possessed the fetus of Minamino Shuichi and fled to the human world. Demon energy gradually recovered from childhood; initially stayed home due to bonds and guilt toward family. Stole the Dark Mirror to save Shiori, met Yusuke. Thereafter, served as the intellectual pillar of Yusuke's team and reintegrated into society. Grapples between moral views and yokai nature, finding purpose in protecting family and comrades.
- Debut date
- January 1, 1990
- Work title
- Yu Yu Hakusho
- Media type
- Manga
- Episode or chapter
- Act.20 'Three Yokai!!'
Rebirth into Human World via Possession
- Significant event
- Rebirth into Human World via Possession
- Description
- Critically wounded Yoko Kurama possesses Minamino Shuichi's fetus and lives in human form thereafter.
Theft of Dark Mirror and Encounter with Yusuke
- Significant event
- Theft of Dark Mirror and Encounter with Yusuke
- Description
- Stole Dark Mirror to save mother Shiori, contacted Yusuke, averted death crisis.
Yoko Form Revival in Dark Tournament
- Significant event
- Yoko Form Revival in Dark Tournament
- Description
- Transformed into Yoko form, unleashing true combat power.
Demon World Tournament Arc
- Significant event
- Demon World Tournament Arc
- Description
- Continues life between human and demon worlds through family remarriage and bond with stepbrother.
Relationships
Minamino Shiori
Mother
Mother who protected and raised Kurama from fetal stage. Source of his humanity.
Hatanaka
Guardian
Stepmother's remarried husband, president managing Minamino household.
Hatanaka Shuichi
Sibling
Stepbrother and close friend. Call each other by first names.
Urameshi Yusuke
Teammate
Saved by Yusuke in Dark Mirror incident, thereafter mutual supporting war comrades.
Hiei
Best friend
Long-time best friends, both orphans, with protective roles for each other.
Kuwabara Kazuma
Teammate
Comrade trained and nurtured during Dark Tournament.
Yusuke Team
Yusuke Team: strategist
Media appearances
Yu Yu Hakusho
Manga / Protagonist
Serialization started in 1990
Yu Yu Hakusho (TV Anime)
Anime / Protagonist
1992 TV series
Yu Yu Hakusho: Poltergeist Report - Bonds of Fire
Movie / Protagonist
1994 theatrical release
Yu Yu Hakusho Series
Game / Protagonist
Appears in numerous fighting games
Voice cast and creators
Megumi Ogata
- Voice actor
- Megumi Ogata
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime Version
- Notes
- First generation, main voice actor
Shigeru Nakahara
- Voice actor
- Shigeru Nakahara
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Dark Tournament, Yoko Form
- Notes
- Only specific scenes
Jun Shison
- Voice actor
- Jun Shison
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Live-action Drama Version
Yoshihiro Togashi
- Creator name
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Role
- Original author
Related goods
Kurama Figure
- Item name
- Kurama Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Rose Thorn Whip Blade Replica
- Item name
- Rose Thorn Whip Blade Replica
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Limited
Kurama Character Goods
- Item name
- Kurama Character Goods
- Category
- Apparel
- Availability
- Regular