Genkai is introduced into Yu Yu Hakusho as a 70 years old lady, who still can kicks butts! She is a Master of Reikai and very powerfull. She is the teacher of Yusuke.
Her interesting past was revealed during the dark combat tournament. She masked herself and joined the Urameshi Team. During a certain battle, her identidy was revealed as the Champ of the last Tournament, 50 years ago. The reason why she was masked was that she didn't want to let others know, that she was the strong en young Genkai 50 years ago. "I just didn't want to reveal myself among the youkai. There are embittered youkai after my neck."
Being a champ, they may wish whatever they want and the wish will be granted. She wished she would never be invited at the Tournament again. Her buddie, Toguro Ototo, the winner of the Dark Combat Tournament, wished to maintain his power and became a youkai. Toguro challenged Yusuke, but Yusuke defeated him. After defeating him, Toguro meets the beautifull and young Genkai for the last time. ^_^ Genkai looks here so pretty. Toguro's past was here revealed. The challenger of the Tournament killed all his best buddies before his own eyes and challenged him for not having the power to defeat him. Toguro was very upset about his friends and trained himself and defeated the challenger. Still feeling uneasy, because he knew if he had the power then, his friends wouldn't be killed. To payback he choosed the hardest way. Genkai tried to stop him, because he didn't deserved this. "It's all over. It was not your fault. You have suffered enough." But he didn't listen. He last words were: "Thank you for your care trough all over the years." ^_^ Such an unfair ending for a guy, with a good heart and good intentions.
I love that part when they sit together in the boat... sweet memories. [By the way, i watched this part many many times.] Here Toguro tells her how scared he is, that when he needs his strength that his body will be detoriated and can't use it no more. That's why he want to become a demon, but Genkai only answers "If you grow old, so do I... isn't that beautifull......".
I like Genkai very much, because she's a very strong women in every way you can imagine. I really envy her. Even though Toguro killed her, she didn't blame Toguro for anything. Instead of this, she encouraged him. She knew which gate Toguro would choose, and went there waiting for him. And when Toguro saw her, he was surprised to see her, because she still knew what he's thinking. Instead of yelling at him, she encouraged him, he suffered enough and that it would be foolish to suffer any longer, what he really didn't deserved.
To be honest, I have never seen her fight with some one when she was young... and that's really pityfull.. they should put that in a special or a movie...