YuYu Hakusho Manga: 015 Just One Win!

That's all it takes, often enough. Building confidence and power is quite a bit easier with even a single win, because it feels like you have something on which to base it. The demoralization that comes with failure is partly due to how it kind of convinces you that the universe is sending you a message not to even bother, so it can really be helpful to have what looks like a blessing from it by contrast. To a species that heavily relies on giving symbolic significance to pattern recognition, one win can make or break further efforts for a lot of people.

And then there are some people who have so many resources that winning and losing hardly even registers, because there are simply no consequences for either one. 

It's not hard to see which of these guys above has had more wins.

Yusuke is VERY excited, encouraging the fight and gushing about how he loves a good brawl to get the blood racing, but upon a second look, Yusuke has to admit that this looks more like a beating than a fight. As one of the bullies yells at their victim to get up, Yusuke seems to express some surprise when he gets a decent view of that victim's face. He exclaims that he knows the guy, someone he calls "Matsu the Dud". That already sounds pretty telling. 

Botan asks about his declaration of acquaintance, and Yusuke confirms that they met in grade school, explaining that the guy's name was Suekichi Matsuo, but everyone called him "Matsu the Dud" because he failed at everything. He characterizes the kid as a bully-magnet, and claims that he'd come to Matsuo's rescue a lot. Botan says that was nice of him, but I'm skeptical, given his insincere grin and the image accompanying it where a younger Matsuo has his arms tied to what looks like a push broom across his shoulders so he's forced to hold a T-pose. It looks like he's not wearing pants too, because with closer inspection you can see some *ahem* lumps drawn in the crotch area. A younger Yusuke stands by, smarming about how it doesn't look like Matsuo is having a great time. 

Yusuke reveals in the next panel that these "rescues" he refers to cost Matsuo a good 1000 Yen a pop, which is the real reason he was so happy to lend a hand. Botan cynically thinks that she should have known, and it looks a little like she's spitting a star as she sweatdrops? While Yusuke watches Matsuo get held by two guys and punched by a third, he says that Matsuo had mentioned wanting to get into boxing in junior high, but supposes that by the looks of things he didn't get too far. Matsuo is on the ground and being kicked from three different directions, his tormentors calling him a pansy and demanding he get up again, before Yusuke finally decides that this is just not right. He says it shouldn't take all three of those bullies to knock Matsu the Dud around, and they're just kicking him while he's down. Literally.

Pointing at the commotion, Yusuke tells Botan that he's got to put a stop to this business that has gone way too far. Botan reminds him that he's a ghost and that he can't really do anything unless he's in a body, and this seems to read to him as a suggestion, because he affirms this and starts descending to the ground. Botan angrily commands him not to dare, since he can't just slip into someone's body whenever he wants and that this is NOT how it works. He's not listening, though, already halfway into Matsuo's groaning body. 

Botan is in shock that he seems to have done it despite her insistence that he couldn't, Matsuo's body twitching. It's her explanation that this is because the kid is unconscious, but she's still quite affronted by what she characterizes as akin to a burglary, taking over a body when the soul isn't really there. Except, it SHOULD be there, right? Matsuo's just knocked out? Is it part of the lore that our souls leave our bodies when we're unconscious, because that happens A LOT in this one...

Anyway, the bullies call him a moron who should have just paid up and gotten it over with. 

Get THAT over with, douchebags.

After the brawl, Yusuke holds a handful of coins in Matsuo's palm, and exclaims that these guys just had chump change, and it must have been the reason they decided to mug his host. Yusuke scratches Matsuo's cheek, mumbling that he jumped into his body literally without an exit strategy. He wonders if he'll get ejected after 30 minutes like when he possessed Kuwabara, and seems to take this for granted, walking off to go wait it out at Matsuo's place. 

Botan asserts that waiting it out won't be enough this time, complaining about how Yusuke always leaps without looking. She contemplates reporting the incident to the underworld and have them discipline them, just when Koenma appears behind her in much the same way he did Yusuke in the last chapter. Koenma assures her that this isn't so bad, causing her to straighten up and whirl around in alarm and confusion that he's back again already. He cheerily points out that his appearances have been in two chapters in a row, busting through that fourth wall like the Kool-Aid Man. 

Koenma tells her that they actually had a meeting in the underworld, and that they've made a decision regarding Yusuke.

Awkward that he seems to have found a new one, lol.

After a speechless moment, Botan is in a little disbelief, admitting that she thought Koenma's intervention in the fire set Yusuke back a bit from being reunited with his body. Koenma confirms this, but he says that it brought something else to the fore, a little bad luck bringing some good fortune, so to speak. When Koenma came into direct contact with Yusuke's virtue as he pulled it out of Yusuke's chest, he was able to analyze the boy's soul. That must have been a LIGHTNING fast analysis - mine on these chapters take a few days at least. 

Koenma's main issue is that he couldn't really pin down Yusuke's true nature, with his extreme emotions, exhibition of immorality and decency almost simultaneously, and ALMOST consistent yet haphazard behavior. I don't know, bro, I think you're missing the forest for the trees, here. 

Are... are you sure that's the ONLY conclusion? You sure there buddy?

Oh well, who am I to argue with the toddler prince of the underworld? Koenma says their conclusion was that it's pointless to judge Yusuke's character as a non-corporeal ghost, and that it lacks definition without a body. I feel like that could apply to literally ALL living things, but go off I guess. It was Koenma's intention coming here to inform Yusuke of this, but he has found that Yusuke is already walking off in a body, sneezing, albeit not his own. So, Koenma suggests that this could be enlightening, and that he and Botan can sit back and observe for a while. 

The ultimate test here is supposed to be Yusuke helping the boy he's possessed with his problems or goals in some way, and if he succeeds, Koenma promises to return Yusuke to his own body for good. He admits that it'll break some long-standing rules, but they're pretty flexible when the occasion calls for it. Semantically I believe that would be BENDING the rules, not that it's all that important. Koenma does say that he thinks Yusuke is okay deep down, and asks Botan if she would agree as Yusuke's guide. She pauses a moment, but looks perfectly happy to say that she would indeed say so. 

Cut to a house with a side gate, and someone asking to be excused. A woman in a striped apron, labeled Suekichi's mom, walks out to greet the person who is speaking, finding her son in the entryway of the home claiming to have not seen her in a while and telling her she has a nice place. She snaps at him not to be cute, and asks what happened to his face, suggesting it was another mishap at boxing practice. From inside Matsuo's body, Yusuke is a little cowed, having been reminded that he's in another kid's body. Meanwhile, Suekichi's mom is still snapping at him, revealing that he let him box after he bugged her about wanting it so badly, but she's not putting up with this hobby if he keeps getting hurt every day. She thinks he'll end up too "punchy" to study or prepare for a good high school, which I think might be another way of her saying he'll get some brain damage. 

Yusuke, with Matsuo's mouth, tells her that it's okay, because he got into a fight rather than boxing. Unsurprisingly, this only confuses her at first, and then she yells that this is NOT okay with her. Can't say I blame her much. 

Got the spirit of the chapter down, I see.

Yusuke apparently spent a lot of time with this kid, because he recalled Matsuo going on about his boxing ambitions all the time, telling him that it wasn't about getting back at a bunch of bullies. He admired the pure sport of it, the opponents praying for each other beforehand and praising each other afterwards, the skill and discipline being everything. The younger Matsuo punches out at the air in excitement, expressing his goal of experiencing victory even if it's just once. 

Back in the present, Yusuke continues to observe the simple poster, and after a pause, mumbles that it's so far no good in this case. Suddenly, Matsuo/Yusuke appears mildly confused, humming in puzzlement both aloud and internally. A pulse passes through Matsuo's body, and just like that, he's holding a hand to his bruised cheeks as though he's just feeling it for the first time, whining in pain. He looks around, noting that he's in his room, and asking himself how he GOT there, muttering that he must have wandered back home absently. 

Yusuke's voice sounds inside his skull, announcing that HE'S the one who brought him here. Matsuo starts to panic, looking around and stuttering the obvious questions of who this is and where they are. Yusuke says he understands that it's been a couple of years, but he hopes that Matsuo hasn't forgotten his ol' pal Urameshi. He adds that he's actually INSIDE Matsuo, and he can't find his way out again. Understandably, Matsuo is pretty upset and alarmed by this; he's put his hands on either side of his head and denies Yusuke's statement at first, but it becomes apparent really fast that there really is a voice coming from INSIDE his skull. He starts supplying a stream of explanations for himself, everything from all the whacks in the head he's been taking, to the stress he's been feeling lately, to fatigue that might just be fixed with a small nap. As if he hasn't literally been unconscious up until recently. The whole time, Yusuke's voice is nagging at him to pay attention to it. 

That looks even MORE painful than I feel it should.

A transition panel shows the upper corner of a school, the morning bell ringing. Matsuo walks along a crowded hallway, acknowledging to Yusuke that he still hears him in his head even after a night's sleep. Hopefully none of those classmates surrounding him hear HIM talking to himself. Yusuke responds that now Matsuo knows he's not a dream, then starts complaining that there aren't many distractions in Matsuo's room. Apparently, Matsuo has a bunch of textbooks and boxing stuff, but not a single girlie mag. It IS possible he's not into girls, Yusuke. 

Matsuo freaks out about Yusuke rummaging around his room with his body while he was supposed to be asleep, punching the back of his head and calling Yusuke as shameless as he's always been, and alarming his fellow students in the process. Yusuke changes the subject to how junior high is almost over, and asking if Matsuo even has a SHOT at a match as Matsuo rubs the back of his own head, wincing. 

Smiling, Matsuo thinks at Yusuke about the city-wide junior high boxing tournament that takes place five days from now, and he's going to be the second-year representative for his school - his last chance at his victory. As Matsuo continues walking them down the corridor, Yusuke suggests that he smoked all the other contenders in his class, but Matsuo admits the truth that there are only two second-year contenders overall. After a small pause, Yusuke asks if he trounced the other guy, hopefully. Matsuo is stumbling over another disappointing explanation when someone else in the hall calls out to him. Someone NOT in his own head.

Looks like you guys have had ENOUGH sparring, frankly.

Matsuo protests that only basic exercises are scheduled today, but the guy with the square haircut grabs him by the collar and tells him to just shut up and come on. Matsuo is following of his own will in the next panel, not being dragged along like I thought, when Yusuke asks Matsuo who this clown is. He calls Square-Haircut Tachikawa, the OTHER second-year that said was representing the school. He's a kid big and tough enough to go up against high schoolers, but he's in trouble a lot and blows off practice, which is the reason Matsuo was the one picked for the match. Yusuke recognizes the guys behind Tachikawa as the ones beating Matsuo up yesterday, so it's obvious to him now that the incident wasn't just a random mugging. Yusuke's beating is why they have all those bandages on, I reckon.

In an out-building labeled for the boxing club, Tachikawa has got Matsuo down on the floor again, kicking him and mockingly asking what's with him. He demands Matsuo get up, repeating what he heard about Matsuo kicking the shit out of his guys with one lucky punch or something the previous day. Yeah, a guy does THAT much damage with one hit, keep telling yourself that. Inside Matsuo's head, Yusuke is urging him to go ahead and whack the dude, because thus far, this hasn't been much of a match. Matsuo staggers to his feet and holds up his gloves, complaining that Tachikawa isn't sticking to the rules - Matsuo wants to box, but his opponent clearly wants to brawl.

There's a few other students who have entered the club building, and are reacting to the sounds of punches and whacks from the ring with mild surprise, at most. The overwhelming attitude is a collective shrug at Matsu the Dud getting beaten up again, with an exasperated comment that the kid should either learn to throw a punch or quit. Tachikawa turns to shout at the first years coming in not to snitch on him to the seniors, then turns back to Matsuo and asks him if he's ready to quit and let HIM represent the class. Ah, that's why he's targeting Matsuo, a sense of misplaced injustice that a powerhouse like him should be passed over by a wimp like Matsuo. 

Matsuo's blood drips in the ring while Tachikawa continues to complain that it shouldn't matter when he misses practice, because he can wipe the floor with Matsuo, so he should be the one going to the tournament. Tachikawa argues that he would save Matsuo some pain if he would just quit already. A little pause later, Matsuo responds with a warbling refusal, but a refusal nonetheless. 

Tachikawa's reply is predictable. He scoffs, shuffles off his own gloves, and pulls back his fist for a bare punch, saying they'll see what he says after this. Matsuo's face is downright SMASHED by the punch, and the junior onlookers wince, muttering about the brutality of it. Tachikawa's group is reveling in the violence, though, laughing that Matsuo is getting his, and that it must really have been a fluke that Matsu the Dud managed to lay them all out yesterday. That would make me even MORE ashamed to getting my ass kicked like that, but hey, whatever helps them sleep at night. 

Matsuo lays on his side in the ring, bloodied and disfigured, Tachikawa looking down on him and chuckling that Matsuo will have plenty to think about when he regains consciousness. He then spits on the poor kid, the saliva landing on his cheek. Leaving the ring, Tachikawa invites his gang to leave with him, but then he hears a voice from behind him tell him to hold it. 

On his feet once more, Matsuo says he's had enough, that this isn't boxing, but street scrapping. Tachikawa says he's a bastard, but Matsuo isn't really talking to him anymore, but seemingly to himself. It's really Yusuke, of course, who has taken control of Matsuo's body once again, and the gloves come off as he suggests they dispense with the sport that Matsuo holds in such high regard and do things HIS way now. Tachikawa has returned to the ring, admitting he doesn't know what Matsuo is mumbling about, but he's happy to give him more pain if that's what he's after.

His teeth are flying and EVERYTHING. Tachikawa gurgles as the punch launches him, the audience of both junior students and his gang looking on in wide-eyed shock that he would not only go down with one hit, but that it came from "Matsu the Dud". Although, they're already correcting themselves in calling Matsuo by his proper name now. Yusuke, through Matsuo, is now stomping on Tachikawa in the ring, asking him if he thinks scum like him can mess around like this and threatening to all-out KILL him. Tachikawa howls like an animal, and the gathered students stand in complete frozen alarm for a minute. 

Hopefully this little incident doesn't lose Matsuo that coveted spot in the tournament...

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? It's amusing to me how... unconcerned Yusuke seems to be trapped in someone else's body, especially for a period of time that is way longer than the allotted 30 minutes that was put on his possession of Kuwabara. He doesn't appear to be in communication with Koenma or Botan at this point either, so he has NO idea what is going on. I suppose it isn't entirely unfair for Koenma to characterize him as a wild-card idiot who doesn't put any thought into his actions or the consequences, given how relaxed he's proven to be in this situation. 

Although, as I indicated above, I do think there's a slightly different explanation other than just "moron". Yusuke displayed in the very first chapter a devil-may-care attitude that seemed to stem from a deep-seated belief that he had no future. He saw his life going absolutely nowhere, so he didn't really value it. Any actions that other people considered reckless and alarming came down to an impulse of a split second, because there was only the present, and no real future. This extends all the way back to that first surprising act of self-sacrifice. In my opinion, his current laid-back attitude about being stuck in Matsuo's body and using it to defeat Matsuo's bully is just an extension of this habit of thinking. 

But I also wouldn't be surprised if the framing of this behavior continues to be reinforced as unmitigated stupidity. I've read enough of these comics to expect little else, lol!

Matsuo is an interesting contrast to Yusuke. He appears to be entirely rule-oriented, and is upset by the fact that his bullies refuse to actually follow them. If he wasn't physically capable of taking Tachikawa down, Yusuke couldn't have used his body to do it, but the only thing standing in his way turned out to be his sense of honor and sportsmanship. It makes him vulnerable to those who don't value those ideas, and so he ends up getting repeatedly hurt because he refuses to throw those rules of engagement out the window when they aren't an effective strategy for the current fight. I fully expect Matsuo to be a little pissed at Yusuke when he comes back to consciousness, because he ended up being forced to get down in the mud instead of sticking to those high-minded ideals of his.

It's not like I haven't seen THAT happen before.  ;)