In Yu Yu Hakusho, Kurama, played by Jun Shison, is one of the three yokai thieves that Yusuke has to catch.
Once Yusuke becomes a Spirit Detective, he is tasked with catching three yokai thieves who have stolen different objects that are monitored by the Spirit World.
These objects are powerful and can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Yusuke’s search for the stolen objects leads him to a yokai named Kurama.
After meeting Kurama, Yusuke decides not to fight the yokai and lets him keep the stolen object, the Mirror of Darkness.
A compassionate yokai in human disguise
Kurama, once a ruthless yokai, now lives among humans and has taken on their appearance as a disguise, which helps him blend in.
After stealing the Mirror of Darkness, he expects Yusuke to come after him, so he goes to observe Yusuke and Goki’s fight without helping either of them.
Botan believes him to be a cunning adversary, which is why she expects him to lead Yusuke into a trap. However, Kurama surprises everyone by taking Yusuke to see his ailing mother.
Yusuke then finds out why Kurama stole the Mirror of Darkness, an object that can grant any wish; it can even cause natural disasters and mass killings.
Kurama only wants to use the mirror to cure his human mother. The yokai trusts Yusuke, so he tells him his story.
It turns out that Kurama was attacked by a creature 17 years ago. As he was gravely injured, he entered a fertilized egg to stay safe.
He planned to stay with the human woman who gave birth to him only until he regained his strength, but while staying with her as her son, Shuichi, he grew attached to her.
Kurama’s concern for his mother convinces Yusuke that he is telling the truth. He stole the mirror because his mother does not have long to live.
As he promises to return the mirror after saving his mother, Yusuke lets him keep it and use it.
Returning the favor
Later, Yusuke finds out that the Mirror of Darkness grants wishes, but it takes something in return — the life of the person making that wish.
Yusuke rushes to warn Kurama, but it is too late, as Kurama has already made the wish.
Yusuke knows that if Kurama dies, his mother will not be able to live a happy life, so he offers half of his own life to the mirror to save Kurama’s life.
As a result of Yusuke’s sacrifice, Kurama becomes his ally. Kurama then tries to convince Hiei to hand over the object that he had stolen to Yusuke.
Additionally, when Keiko gets kidnapped, Kurama finds out that she is being kept on an island and accompanies Yusuke to rescue her.
He had resolved never to use his yokai form again. However, while fighting on the island, he takes that form because he refuses to give in to his opponent.
Kurama has nothing to gain by fighting on the island, yet he stays by his friends’ side, no matter how dangerous the situation gets. He proves to be a loyal friend until the very end.
Also Read: Yusuke Urameshi: Yu Yu Hakusho character explained
