One of the oldest and most notable rivalries within the wider anime fandom revolves around the Naruto and Yu Yu Hakusho communities.
At the heart of this ongoing debate is the controversial issue of “Hiei clones” and their popularity in shounen anime following the popularity of Yu Yu Hakusho.
For seasoned veterans of anime forums and social media, this beef is a familiar topic of discussion. The crux of the problem lies in the fact that there are too many characters similar to Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho in the next Shonen series.
This Togashi man actually gave birth to many clones of Hiei
I’ll tax Shonen Jump at this point, $300k whenever another copy comes out pic.twitter.com/lMFrMVnzWh
– ???????????????????????? (@NakeemHere) March 16, 2024
However, controversy is increasingly fierce when it comes to determining the most iconic character among these “Hiei clones”.
Sasuke Sasuke, the character in the Naruto series, often emerges as the central figure in this debate. Widely recognized even by non-anime fans, Sasuke’s resemblance to Hiei is often cited as a prime example of this phenomenon.
While Hiei himself holds an important place in the annals of anime history, some argue that Sasuke’s popularity and widespread recognition elevated him to the ultimate “Hiei clone” status.
In fact, there are Naruto fans who boldly assert that with the advent of their series, the prototype of the “Hiei clone” effectively transformed into the “Sasuke clone,” thanks to Sasuke’s unparalleled popularity.
Naturally, this assertion was met with opposition from die-hard fans of Yu Yu Hakusho, opening another chapter in the ongoing saga of fandom wars.
Sasuke vs Hiei and the battle for influence in the anime fan community
The ongoing war between the Yu Yu Hakusho and Naruto fandom carries significant weight for both sides due to the perceived “prestige” attached to the characters they champion. In the anime and manga community, discussions surrounding influences and inspirations are hotly debated, especially when older series are considered to pave the way for newer series.
Each fandom strives to ensure recognition for their respective characters as influential figures who have shaped the landscape of the media.
However, this search for recognition often leads to heated debates, despite the fact that influences in anime and manga are often a tangled web of interconnected sources of inspiration. .
Social media platforms serve as battlegrounds for these debates, with fans passionately arguing their case. Ironically, while Naruto’s Sasuke can be considered a dominant character, it is widely acknowledged that he took direct inspiration from characters like Hiei, as confirmed by his creator. Naruto’s Masashi Kishimoto cites Yu Yu Hakusho creator Yoshihiro Togashi as an influence.
Despite this admission, many fans lean towards Sasuke’s iconic status as a reason to label subsequent characters as “Sasuke clones” instead of “Hiei clones”.
However, it is clear that the concept of a “Sasuke clone” would not exist without the foundation laid by the “Hiei clone,” weakening the argument for Sasuke’s primacy.
Inevitably, Naruto fans vehemently defend Sasuke’s stance, arguing that he deserves recognition and respect for his influence, seemingly overshadowing Hiei.
On the other hand, fans of Yu Yu Hakusho rallied behind Hiei, reminiscing about his impact and asserting that the characters discussed in the debate are more accurately classified as “clones of Hiei”.
The debate continues, fueled by fans’ unwavering loyalty to the series and their respective characters. While the discussion may never come to a definitive conclusion, it serves as a testament to the enduring passion and dedication within the anime community.