Pretty Good

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

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.

This Yu Yu Hakusho 'movie' was originally shown in Japan along with three other anime films, at the Toei Anime Fair in 1993. In North America Media Blasters released it along with Ninku The Movie.Basically Koenma gets kidnapped and Yusuke and his friends must save him and keep the Golden Seal out of the hands of evil. All the basic characters from the TV series are in this movie (Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama Hiei and Botan) and delivers enough action for 30 minutes.The profanity in the Media Blasters dub was edited out and the subtitles were censored, but this was dubbed properly for the FUNImation release.Those that love the FUNimation voices finally get to hear them again with the newly released DVD From FUNImation that was released in 2011. Media Blasters originally dubbed this in 1998. The Media Blasters dub is good too. Buy this if you want to have it for your collection. I give Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie 7/10