An incredibly popular series in the 1990s, Yu Yu Hakusho was perhaps second only to Dragon Ball Z when it came to shonen anime in that era. Thus, it was full of exciting battles and blistering attacks, with the story transitioning from one about a "ghost detective" to a full-on supernatural martial arts series. Of all the show's incredibly devastating moves, one of the most effective and potentially inhumane was used by its kindest warrior.
Kurama was a gentle and almost robotically calm fox demon/human hybrid. Though he had several great strategies in the heat of battle, he was far from the most violent or bloodthirsty of Yusuke's allies. Nevertheless, it was Kurama who delivered the "killing blow" to one of the show's most inhuman villains, taking him down in a way that almost seemed cruel. He even used a tree of all things to do it, showcasing the softer side of his savagery. Here's how the soft-natured fox demon branched out with one of Yu Yu Hakusho's most horrifying attacks.
How Did Kurama Defeat Elder Toguro In Yu Yu Hakusho?
During the "Chapter Black" Saga, Elder Toguro was eaten by the demonic Gourmet. This was seemingly the end for the villain, but in actuality, it was all part of his long-term plans. Beforehand, Elder Toguro was supposedly done in another time, but he survived, albeit horribly weakened. Crawling out of the remains of the Dark Tournament Stadium, he realized that even his body's incredible healing powers would take some time to recover from such grievous wounds. Thus, he allowed Gourmet to consume him, later using the circumstance to take over the demon's body.
This truth was revealed when Kurama sliced Gourmet's head in half, revealing Toguro underneath. Worried about their foe continuing to be a thorn in the gang's side, Kurama unleashed a powerful attack that he only ever used once. Dubbed the "Sinning Tree," this tree constantly tormented a person until their body finally gave out. Given Toguro's healing powers, however, he was stuck in this debilitating and painful state for eternity, unable to save himself from his torture.
Kurama's Defeat of Toguro Was Especially Brutal
As mentioned, the Sinning Tree is an incredibly powerful offensive plant, with its nature reflecting Kurama's attacks being based on plant life. This carnivorous tree consumes its target, all the while forcing them to relive their most terrifying fears. It then feeds off their life force until they die, but in Elder Toguro's immortal case, the process never ends. This leaves the Elder Toguro as a testament to Kurama's power, stuck near the entrance to the Demon World for all to see.
This ending for Toguro certainly fit his crimes, as he was one of the most ruthless villains throughout Yu Yu Hakusho. Once merely obsessed with martial arts, his choice to give himself over to demonic power turned him truly evil and remorseless. From there, his shape-shifting and healing powers would help him in battle more than ever, as he relished inflicting pain on others. While he may have become a truly despicable individual, it's the character who finally "killed" him off that's surprising.
Kurama was, for the most part, a kind and quiet individual, despite his own demonic nature. Particularly caring toward his human mother, Kurama rarely showed negative emotions or even a relish for battle. Instead of rushing off into the fight, he would plan and plot strategically. His demonic "Yoko Kurama" form is more vengeful, but Kurama was not in this form when he used the Sinning Tree technique on Toguro. The brilliant move does reflect his mental aptitude, but it's still interesting that someone who was the complete opposite of hot-blooded would unleash such a hellish maneuver, finally ending one of the team's most resilient opponents for good. It was with intense battles like this that '90s anime such as Yu Yu Hakusho were able to define the medium for generations of viewers.