While the Toguro fight is Team Urameshi's main goal during Yu Yu Hakusho's Dark Tournament arc, the matches leading up to it are among the most entertaining in the series. Of these early-round bouts, fans tend to favor the battles against Team Masho. Two of their members even returned later to help out our favorite fox boy during the Makai Tournament saga. The other three members were either killed during their fights or never seen again after the Finals.
Team Masho was made up of five Demon Realm Shinobi warriors: Risho, Touya, Jin, Bakken, and Gama. Before the third round match began, the team's corrupt sponsor Butajiri conspired with Risho to capture Genkai and Hiei by using a fake nurse named Ruka, thus weakening the already struggling Team Urameshi. Here are all five mysterious Team Masho members, ranked by both strength and character.
5. Bakken
Bakken is the most intimidating Shinobi in terms of size, but inside that tall muscular stature is a weak little worm. He took pleasure in beating up an unconscious and weakened Kurama with a smile on his face. Had Yusuke not threatened to blow him away with a Spirit Gun to the back, Bakken most likely would have killed Kurama. Even the Dark Tournament announcer Koto protested to such underhanded tactics, which says a lot given how often she revels in its gory violence.
Bakken uses his sweat to create a thick mist before forcing his opponent to dodge a wind attack, then hits them while they're in the air. He protested when Jin didn't want to fight Team Urameshi with such a disadvantage, even angering the Wind Master by grabbing him. When Yusuke stepped into the ring, Bakken was taken out in under ten seconds.
4. Risho
Risho is the leader of Team Masho but uses trickery and cheating to win most of the fights. He wants to win no matter what, even if the cost includes his teammates' lives. Risho hits Touya when the latter protests against fighting with dirty tactics, despite Touya's own significant injuries from Kurama. He advises Butajiri to have the Dark Tournament's committee void the fight between Jin and Yusuke, saying Koto didn't properly count down from ten.
Despite his deceitful ways, Risho recognizes that Yusuke could cause a riot if Bakken kills Kurama, telling his teammate to just throw Kurama out of the ring and end it. While he's shown to be tactical and competent in his earth abilities, his overconfidence in his fight with an injured Kuwabara ultimately leads him to lose.
3. Gama
While Jin and Touya are willing to go above and beyond for their team, Gama is the one who really lays it all on the line by continuing to fight despite losing large amounts of blood. He allows himself to bleed out so that he can seal Kurama's demon energy before fighting anyone else. Gama's body paint and makeup are one of the more creative fighting techniques seen in Yu Yu Hakusho, but he also underestimates his opponents and likes to make them suffer rather than ending the fight as soon as possible.
Despite Kurama offering to spare him, Gama gives up his life to ensure his opponent could no longer use his full power against Team Masho. Despite his sacrifice, Kurama is still able to take down Touya before passing out.
2. Touya
Out of all Team Masho's members, Touya is the closest thing to a true shinobi. He doesn't underestimate anyone and is tactical in his approach, trying to plan ahead while also getting inside his opponent's head. While Touya is considered an accomplished assassin, he's also one of his team's kinder members, letting Kurama talk to him while waiting for Gama's seals to wear off. He deduces Kurama's stalling plan soon enough but also doesn't go for a quick kill, understanding Kurama isn't easy to defeat even with his handicap.
Touya shows respect to Kurama but wants to win for his teammates and himself. He calls out Risho for cheating and seems to have a close friendship with Jin -- and possibly Gama, given how he desires to avenge his teammate's death. He becomes loyal to Kurama after being spared, even joining his team in Yu Yu Hakusho's final arc when Kurama asks for his help.
1. Jin
Unlike the rest of Team Masho, Jin is constantly smiling and looking for a good time. He doesn't care much for Bakken or Risho's willingness to cheat, believing outside influences and anger have no place in a fight for your life. Instead, just have fun and enjoy it. Jin is highly adept with his wind powers and proves to be a one-to-one match for Yusuke, taking risks to try and gain the upper hand.
The Wind Master was willing to go up against Yusuke first until Ruka trapped Genkai and Hiei within her barrier, then decided to chill on the sidelines until he could fight the Spirit Detective fairly. Jin also shows up later when Kurama goes to join the Makai King Yomi, showing that he and Touya now consider Team Urameshi friends and allies rather than enemies.
