Hiei (YuYu Hakusho)

Hiei (Japanese: 飛影) is a fictional character in the manga series YuYu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi. The sword-wielding fire demon Hiei is introduced as one of three wanted demons, alongside Kurama and Goki, who stole three treasures from the Underworld. Following his defeat by the forces Yusuke Urameshi and Kurama, Hiei becomes their ally as a payment to the superior Koenma. While Hiei remains as a supporting character across the series, it is not until the final story arc that his backstory is revealed, involving his relationship with his sister Yukina and whether or not he seeks revenge for being abandoned. The character also appeared in the manga's two animated movies that feature him facing new enemies.

Togashi was inspired by Skunky from Patalliro! when designing Hiei while his inclusion as a lead in the manga was done by popular demand. Hiei's Japanese voice provided by Nobuyuki Hiyama in the original anime. Hiei's English voice actors are Chuck Huber in the Funimation dub of the television series, Kirk Thornton, in the dub of YuYu Hakusho: The Movie, and James Stanley in the second movie, YuYu Hakusho: Poltergeist Report. Critical response to Hiei's character was generally positive due to his quiet personality and contrast with the other characters as well as his role in the final arc.