By far the best manga I have ever read, Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi is #1 on the Top Five Manga You Must Read list.

STORY: A
From the very beginning, this manga hits you with a nasty curveball...the main character of the manga is dead! Yusuke Urameshi, 14 year old delinquent, has been killed in a car accident, and after meeting Botan, guide of the River Styx, and Koenma, son of the god of the underworld, it has been determined that Yusuke can take a test to come back to life! With the help of his living friends, especially the main female character of the story, childhood friend Keiko Yukimura, Yusuke must come back to life - and if he's successful, that's just the beginning of his problems!

PROTAGONISTS: A+
Yusuke Urameshi - (front center in pic) The main character, dead as the manga begins. After passing a test to come back to life, he becomes the "Spirit Detective" to assist the spirit world in stopping demons and other problems in the Real World. He is a very skilled fighter, and possesses the Spirit Gun technique.

Kazuma Kuwabara - (back of pic) Yusuke's fighting rival, but also one of his best friends. Lacking mental intelligence, he makes up for it with a powerful sixth sense, and can easily detect spiritual power. He possesses a Spirit Sword technique.

Shuichi Kurama - (left in pic) Yoko Kurama was a famous fox spirit thief in the spirit world, when 15 years ago, he was captured and apparently killed. Instead, he took refuge in the body of human baby Shuichi Minamino to heal his wounds and become stronger. Shuichi is known simply as "Kurama" for possessing the demon thief within him, and possesses the Rose Whip technique.

Jaganshi Hiei - (right in pic) Hiei possesses the Jagan Eye, a third eye that endows him with many demonic powers. He was at first the leader of a group to steal the Spirit World's most precious items, but after Yusuke straightened him out, he joined up with Urameshi. Hiei's speed is unmatched, and he can perform the Dragon of the Darkness Flame Technique.

ANTAGONISTS: A
There are many antagonists as different parts of the story progress. However, later in the manga, a man named Toguro Otouto becomes the main nemesis of Yusuke Urameshi. Toguro was at first a fighter who later became a demon by choice. He lures Urameshi and friends to attend the "Dark Tournament", which is a major part of the manga.

ART: A
Awesome. The art in this manga is so great...sometimes, early in the manga, Togashi draws different faces for Yusuke, which can be quite humorous, but overall, the art is stellar, and the characters are unforgettable!

OVERALL: A
You have to check this manga out! It rocks! Very funny at times, but excellent themes and action! I would recommend it to anyone! It's the best!

If you wanna catch the final episode of the "Dark Tournament" saga on TV to get a taste for that part of the series, check:

SATURDAY, JULY 10
CARTOON NETWORK
9:30 PM

For links, I have two text translation links:

Volumes 1-5: [link]
Volumes 6-10: [link]