Kuwabara, one of the deuteragonists of the iconic animeYu Yu Hakusho, is not as simple as he seems at first glance — although he tends to act like a bully, and his angry loudmouth is virtually eternal, he can also be an incredibly devoted and righteous individual when it comes to protecting the innocent (or, more likely, his friends and teammates).
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His enduring love for the Ice Maiden, Yukina, aside, there are several things of note about Kuwabara: he's best friends with Yusuke, he's the only human member of the crew, his weapon of choice is the Spirit Sword, and so on. Nevertheless, there are a few details about this character that might need clarifying.
10 The Malleability Of His Spirit Sword Improves Its Offensive Power
Kuwabara's Spirit Sword is initially useless, or so it appears: as the story continues, it develops several more features that improve its offensivepower as well as efficiency. He uses "Batter up!" to swat attacks away from him, whereas the Javelin/Whip allows him to extend as well as curve his weapon.
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The Double Spirit Sword provides Kuwabara with two blades simultaneously, and he can also convert his spiritual energy into throwing stars (an excellent long-range technique).
9 Suzuka's Special Trial Sword Helps Kuwabara Out
Suzuka permits Kuwabara to employ Shishiwakamaru's sword hilt, which he then claims will transform his rei into a version that fits his combat style and personality perfectly. After considerable effort, he can produce an incredibly large rainbow-hued sword, which also creates a protective shield covering his whole anatomy.
In his battle with the Elder Toguro, Kuwabara converts the Trial Sword into a Spirit Flyswatter, so as todestroy thecruel villain's body in a single strike.
8 He's Based On The Bosozoku From The 1950s
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Kuwabara's character is based on the Bosozoku, a classic biker gang member from the 1950s. This is reflected in his appearance — his long overcoat, trousers stuffed inside his army boots, high hairdo, and the strips of cloth around his abdomen.
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Also, the members of the Bosozoku typically wield kendo blades made of bamboo, which is depicted in the form of Kuwabara's Spirit Sword. More importantly, his gruff, almost crude, demeanor is a behavioral parallel to this subculture.
7 He Shortens His Life For Yusuke
When Yusuke spends nearly all of his spiritual energy in defeating Suzaku, the leader of the Four Saint Beasts, his friends realize that he is most likely going to die from the effort.
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Kurama explains that there is no other way to save him than by literally transferring a part of their life energy into Yusuke, which Kuwabara does without question or doubt. Of course, the favor is returned many times over when the Spirit Detective rescues his best pal from Sensui.
6 The Tickle Allows Him ToGauge How Others Are Feeling
Being a human, Kuwabara is exceptionally perceptive, especially in the field of Spirit Awareness, better known as Reikan. Unlike Yusuke, who develops this trait after his first "death," his friend could always see spiritual events occurring around him.
Furthermore, he possesses the capacity to vaguely estimate how another person is feeling by just being in their vicinity. He and his peers have been known to refer to his personal phenomenon as the "Tickle."
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5 He's The Only One To Take Part In Every Stage Of The Dark Tournament Without Fail
Of the innumerable battles that take place during the Dark Tournament, Kuwabara is the only one who actually takes part in each stage without fail.Yusuke misses a couple of rounds at the beginning as well as after he inherits Genkai's Spirit Wave, given that he needs to recover.
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Hiei misses the battle against Team Masho, while Genkai doesn't take part in the finals with Team Toguro (on account of having been killed by its leader just before they take place).
4 HisFamily Knows About His Adventures
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In the anime, Kuwabara's sister, Shizuru, clearly knows about the Spirit World as well as all the adventures her brother goes through. In fact, she's even present at the Dark Tournament.
However, it's only in the manga that it is revealed that his parents also most likelyknow about his experiences the entire time because his dad tells him that Yukina will be staying with the family after the end of the story. It can be assumed, by extension, that his motheris aware as well.
3 He Possesses & Develops Oracular & Psionic Powers
His Reikan, in addition to sensing paranormal activity, has a crucial effect: it lets him access psionic abilities, as seen when he informs Yukina that he and Yusuke have arrived to rescue her through telepathy.
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More interestingly, Kuwabara develops some form of oracular powers, meaning that he could perceive possible future timelines in dire cases. The best example of this ability is displayed when he seesthe painful backstory of the Virucchi-controlled team led by Dr. Ichigaki.
2 Why Doesn't He Appear In The Three Kings Saga?
After taking out Sensui in the Makai, Yusuke and the others come back home when he immediately receives a notice from demons serving his ancestor, Raizen. Although he decides to take him up on his offer, Kuwabara chooses to remain at home so he can work hard and transfer into a better school.
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Under advisement from his sister, he permanently "retires" from combat. At the conclusion, he is shown to be an excellent student at Gaikou Fuzoku High School and on the way to an equally impressive university.
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1 He's The Most Powerful Human In Existence
Yusuke, being dead (and later Mazoku), does not count as a human anymore, and Kurama and Hiei are obviously demons. This makes Kuwabara themost powerful human alive, assuming that Genkai has passed on by this time.
In fact, Koenma confirms that Kuwabara is indeed that powerful. It's not clear if his strength outclasses that of Shinobu Sensui, the previous Spirit Detective, but given the speed and intensity of his spiritual growth, it's quite likely.
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