Byakuya Kuchiki vs Hiei (Battle of Speed, Calmness, & Tragic Pasts)

VS.

So the first matchup that came to my mind is Byakuya Kuchiki from Bleach & Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho. Both, in my personal opinion, embody 3 elements that make them similar: Cool, Fast, & have plenty of tricks up their sleeve to keep them interesting. They are considered cool in both their personality and character to the point that they have both attracted rivals, Renji/Ichigo/Kenpachi from Bleach & Kuwabara/Yusuke/Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho. Both have tragic pasts where Byakuya lost the love of his life and Hiei was abandoned/cursed from his own birth-home as well as not seeing his sister for a long time. They also both have attacks that make em formidable opponents for the main character (Ichigo Kurosaki & Yusuke Urameshi). These two were first antagonists to the main character, but later would become allies. And to add - both got their asses kicked by the protagonist. They are powerful in their own right, but they are far beyond perfect. Both have openings in their power and have been overpowered by tough opponents, but nonetheless - that's what makes this duo a pretty good pair to match in a fight. I won't got in depth on their abilities one by one, but I will got a little bit on their main power (Senbonzakura vs. Dragon of the Darkness Flame). 

Byakuya's Zanpaktou is considered both fast and elegant, capable of doing considerable damage. Look at Renji. He lost to Byakuya in his Bankai form and survived. Same as Ichigo. Senbonzakura has done considerable damage to all of Byakuya's opponents. Not only that Byakuya is a Kido practitioner and a pretty good one at that as well as a Shunpo Expert. A combination of a deadly Shikai/Bankai ability, Kido Expert, and Shunpo Master - Byakuya mixes the elements of cool and fast. Not only that, he can foresee his opponents next move, always remains calm during a fight, and he isn't hesitant to abide by a set of rules and regulations to ensure the peace and prosperity of the Soul Society. 

Hiei is a demon that has killed many that have got in his way. I mean look at Yusuke, with his Jagan Eye, Hiei did a good number on Yusuke. But what of Hiei's other opponents like Shigure, Bui, or Momotaro? They did a number on him, but nonetheless Hiei kicked their asses and you know what - Hiei is, if not, THE Dragon of the Darkness Flame. I mean Damn, he pulverized them and did it with style. Hiei is fast, has plenty of dragon attacks, and has the Jagan Eye. He pretty much a speed machine w/element of epic Darkness Dragon and his Jagan (demon) form. He remains calm, analyzes his opponents, and wants what's best for Team Urameshi and his sister, Yukina. 

So in my opinion - these two have had the following:

1) A Tragic past that defines who and what they are

2) Fast as Shit when reading/predicting their opponents

3) Calm as Fuck in most battles

4) Plenty of Tricks up their Sleeve (techniques and abilities)

4) Got their asses kicked by protagonists 

The final verdict is (in my opinion) - Byakuya Kuchiki

Why: Despite Hiei's impressive agility, badass techniques, and over-the top style of beating the crap out of his opponents, I found Byakuya's strength, demeanor, and overall style of fighting to be more defensive that Hiei's. Byakuya has both a defensive and offensive fighting style with Hiei is solely focused on offense with his speed being the escape route. I mean Byakuya can create a shield from Senbonzakura and he takes command of over 1000+ blades while Hiei, impressive as a Dragon, could only do much. Byakuya has lost to Ichigo, that is without question, but it was pretty much tied (in my opnion). For Hiei vs Yusuke, Hiei clearly lost and even got knocked out. Byakuya not only lost lotta blood when he fought Ichigo, he had the balls to save Rukia from Gin and sustain even more injury to himself. Hiei, impressive and badass as he is, I hate to break it to ya, but Byakuya Kuchiki is the stronger opponent. I found him more relatable because you see the pain he's going through with Rukia (being Hisana's little sister) and how is perception of duty changed upon meeting Ichigo. Same can be said Hiei and meeting Yusuke, but I think Hiei joined partly because he's taking the Vegeta-Route (Where he sees his rival as a friend, but still wants to prove himself a bit). Hiei, you see his pain, but it's as if it doesn't affect him as much as Byakuya's because Hiei's past is explained more in the final arc of Yu Yu Hakusho wheras Byakuya's was explained in the first major Arc of the story with more to come afterwards. So who did you think won? Comment Below. Look forward to Who Would Win in a fight Mondays every Monday.