Inuyasha (犬夜叉, lit. "Dog Yaksha") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It was serialized in Shogakukan's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from November 1996 to June 2008, with its chapters collected in 56 tankōbon volumes. The series begins with Kagome Higurashi, a fifteen-year-old middle school girl from modern-day Tokyo who is transported to the Sengoku period after falling into a well in her family shrine, where she meets the half-dog demon, half-human Inuyasha. After the sacred Shikon Jewel re-emerges from deep inside Kagome's body, she accidentally shatters it into dozens of fragments that scatter across Japan. Inuyasha and Kagome set to recover the Jewel's fragments, and through their quest they are joined by the lecherous monk Miroku, the demon slayer Sango, and the fox demon Shippō. Together, they journey to restore the Shikon Jewel before it falls into the hands of the evil half-demon Naraku.
In contrast to the typically comedic nature of much of Takahashi's previous work, Inuyasha deals with a darker and more serious subject matter, using the setting of the Sengoku period to easily display the violent content while still retaining some comedic elements. The manga was adapted into two anime television series by Sunrise. The first series ran for 167 episodes on Yomiuri TV from October 2000 to September 2004. The second series, Inuyasha: The Final Act, ran for 26 episodes from October 2009 to March 2010. Four feature films and an original video animation have also been released. Other merchandise includes video games and a light novel. A sequel anime television series, titled Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, aired for two seasons from October 2020 to March 2022.
Viz Media licensed the manga, the two anime series, and movies for North America. Both Inuyasha and Inuyasha: The Final Act aired in the United States on Adult Swim (and later on its revived Toonami block) from 2002 to 2015.
By September 2020, Inuyasha had 50 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series. In 2002, the manga won the 47th Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen category.
Synopsis[]
Kagome Higurashi's ordinary life comes to an abrupt halt when a demon drags her deep into a well, transporting her five hundred years into the past. In this era, Kagome quickly learns two things: demons walk amongst humans and she has unknowingly brought a dangerous object from her world—a marble-sized sphere known as the Shikon Jewel. This unusual orb brings tremendous power to any demon who has it in their possession, and Kagome is an easy target for anyone determined enough to steal it.
While in a fight with a demon, a hasty attempt to fend it off causes Kagome to accidentally shatter the jewel, sending countless pieces of it all over feudal Japan. She soon learns the grave consequences of her actions when she must work with the half-demon Inuyasha to collect all the pieces of the jewel before they fall into the wrong hands.
Development[]
Takahashi wrote Inuyasha after finishing Ranma ½. In contrast to her previous comedic works such as Urusei Yatsura (1978–1987), Maison Ikkoku (1980–1987), and One Pound Gospel (1987–2006), Takahashi wanted to create a darker storyline that was thematically closer to her Mermaid Saga stories. In order to portray violent themes softly, the story was set in the Sengoku period, when wars were common. Takahashi did no notable research on the designs of samurai or castles because she considered such topics common knowledge. By June 2001, a clear ending to the series had not been established because Takahashi still was unsure about how to end the relationship between Inuyasha and Kagome. Furthermore, Takahashi said that she did not have an ending to previous manga she wrote during the beginning, having figured them out as their serialization progressed.
List of Published Books[]
Light novel[]
A light novel, written by Tomoko Komparu and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi, was published by Shogakukan in 2004.
Manga[]
Inuyasha is written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. The series debuted in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday (issue #50, 1996) on November 13, 1996. Inuyasha finished after an 11 year and seven month run in the magazine (issue #29, 2008) on June 18, 2008. Its 558 chapters were collected in 56 tankōbon volumes by Shogakukan, released from April 18, 1997, to February 18, 2009. Shogakukan re-published the series in a 30-volume wide-ban edition, released from January 18, 2013, to June 18, 2015. Takahashi published a special epilogue chapter, titled "Since Then" (あれから, Are kara), in Weekly Shōnen Sunday on February 6, 2013, as part of the "Heroes Come Back" anthology, which comprised short stories by manga artists to raise funds for recovery of the areas afflicted by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The chapter was later included in the last volume of the wide-ban edition of the manga in 2015, and was published again in Shōnen Sunday S on October 24, 2020.
| No. | Title | Original release date | English release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turning Back Time | April 18, 1997 4-09-125201-X |
July 6, 1998 (1st ed.) / April 9, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-262-9 (1st ed.) / 978-1-56931-947-5 (2nd ed.) |
| 2 | Family Matters | June 18, 1997 4-09-125202-8 |
December 6, 1998 (1st ed.) / April 9, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-298-8 (1st ed.) / 978-1-56931-948-2 (2nd ed.) |
| 3 | Good Intentions | October 18, 1997 4-09-125203-6 |
May 6, 1999 (1st ed.) / July 9, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-340-4 (1st ed.) / 978-1-56931-960-4 (2nd ed.) |
| 4 | Lost and Alone | December 10, 1997 4-09-125204-4 |
May 6, 1999 (1st ed.) / July 9, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-368-8 (1st ed.) / 978-1-56931-961-1 (2nd ed.) |
| 5 | Flesh and Bone | March 18, 1998 4-09-125205-2 |
January 5, 2000 (1st ed.) / October 1, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-433-3 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-052-6 (2nd ed.) |
| 6 | Wounded Souls | May 18, 1998 4-09-125206-0 |
May 1, 2000 (1st ed.) / October 1, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-491-3 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-053-3 (2nd ed.) |
| 7 | Close Enemies | August 8, 1998 4-09-125207-9 |
October 30, 2000 (1st ed.) / December 24, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-539-2 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-114-1 (2nd ed.) |
| 8 | Stolen Spirit | November 18, 1998 4-09-125208-7 |
July 6, 2001 (1st ed.) / December 24, 2003 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-553-8 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-115-8 (2nd ed.) |
| 9 | Building a Better Trap | January 18, 1999 4-09-125209-5 |
October 10, 2001 (1st ed.) / April 7, 2004 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-643-6 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-236-0 (2nd ed.) |
| 10 | A Warrior's Code | April 17, 1999 4-09-125210-9 |
January 9, 2002 (1st ed.) / April 7, 2004 (2nd ed.) 978-1-56931-703-7 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-237-7 (2nd ed.) |
| 11 | Scars of the Past | July 17, 1999 4-09-125581-7 |
July 6, 2002 (1st ed.) / June 23, 2004 (2nd ed.) 978-1-59116-022-9 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-332-9 (2nd ed.) |
| 12 | Trials and Traps | September 18, 1999 4-09-125582-5 |
October 6, 2002 (1st ed.) / June 30, 2004 (2nd ed.) 978-1-59116-023-6 (1st ed.) / 978-1-59116-333-6 (2nd ed.) |
| 13 | The Mind's Eye | November 18, 1999 4-09-125583-3 |
April 9, 2003 978-1-56931-808-9 |
| 14 | Gray Areas | February 18, 2000 4-09-125584-1 |
June 11, 2003 978-1-56931-886-7 |
| 15 | Feminine Wiles | April 18, 2000 4-09-125585-X |
October 15, 2003 978-1-56931-999-4 |
| 16 | Mirror Image | June 17, 2000 4-09-125586-8 |
December 31, 2003 978-1-59116-113-4 |
| 17 | A Savage Cut | August 9, 2000 4-09-125587-6 |
April 7, 2004 978-1-59116-238-4 |
| 18 | Love and Lust | October 18, 2000 4-09-125588-4 |
July 7, 2004 978-1-59116-331-2 |
| 19 | Target: Kagome! | January 18, 2001 4-09-125589-2 |
September 7, 2004 978-1-59116-678-8 |
| 20 | Shards of Evil? | March 17, 2001 4-09-125590-6 |
January 4, 2005 978-1-59116-626-9 |
| 21 | Yet Another Naraku | June 18, 2001 4-09-125641-4 |
April 12, 2005 978-1-59116-740-2 |
| 22 | Cast-Off Heart | August 9, 2001 4-09-125642-2 |
July 12, 2005 978-1-59116-840-9 |
| 23 | Two Brothers, One Enemy | November 17, 2001 4-09-125643-0 |
September 4, 2005 978-1-4215-0024-9 |
| 24 | Liars and Ogres and Monkeys...Oh, My! | December 18, 2001 4-09-125644-9 |
January 17, 2006 978-1-4215-0186-4 |
| 25 | The Battle with the Band of Seven Rages On! | March 18, 2002 4-09-125645-7 |
April 18, 2006 978-1-4215-0383-7 |
| 26 | The Sacred Mountain | June 18, 2002 4-09-125646-5 |
July 18, 2006 978-1-4215-0466-7 |
| 27 | The Unlikely Allies | September 18, 2002 4-09-125647-3 |
October 17, 2006 978-1-4215-0467-4 |
| 28 | The Rebirth of Naraku | December 5, 2002 4-09-125648-1 |
January 9, 2007 978-1-4215-0468-1 |
| 29 | Naraku's Perfect New Form | March 18, 2003 4-09-125649-X |
April 10, 2007 978-1-4215-0900-6 |
| 30 | A Hideous Demon Baby's Mission | May 17, 2003 4-09-125650-3 |
July 10, 2007 978-1-4215-0901-3 |
| 31 | The Demon of the Birds | July 18, 2003 4-09-126661-4 |
October 9, 2007 978-1-4215-0902-0 |
| 32 | River of Blood | September 18, 2003 4-09-126662-2 |
January 8, 2008 978-1-4215-1522-9 |
| 33 | Allies and Enemies | December 5, 2003 4-09-126663-0 |
April 8, 2008 978-1-4215-1828-2 |
| 34 | A Mountain That Lives | February 18, 2004 4-09-126664-9 |
July 8, 2008 978-1-4215-1829-9 |
| 35 | Almost Human | May 18, 2004 4-09-126665-7 |
October 14, 2008 978-1-4215-1830-5 |
| 36 | A Question of Time | July 16, 2004 4-09-126666-5 |
January 13, 2009 978-1-4215-2218-0 |
| 37 | A Question of Time | September 17, 2004 4-09-126667-3 |
April 14, 2009 978-1-4215-2219-7 |
| 38 | A Heart in the Hand | December 10, 2004 4-09-126668-1 |
July 14, 2009 978-1-4215-2220-3 |
| 39 | The Struggle Continues | February 18, 2005 4-09-126669-X |
August 11, 2009 978-1-4215-2221-0 |
| 40 | The Fate of a Sword | May 18, 2005 4-09-126670-3 |
September 8, 2009 978-1-4215-2890-8 |
| 41 | Armor of a Demon | August 8, 2005 4-09-127321-1 |
October 13, 2009 978-1-4215-2891-5 |
| 42 | Mixed Messages | October 18, 2005 4-09-127322-X |
November 10, 2009 978-1-4215-2892-2 |
| 43 | Demon Swamp | December 15, 2005 4-09-127323-8 |
December 8, 2009 978-1-4215-2893-9 |
| 44 | Call of the Wolf Clan | February 17, 2006 4-09-120088-5 |
January 12, 2010 978-1-4215-2994-3 |
| 45 | Triple Threat | May 18, 2006 4-09-120350-7 |
February 9, 2010 978-1-4215-2995-0 |
| 46 | Lost Love | July 18, 2006 4-09-120558-5 |
March 9, 2010 978-1-4215-2996-7 |
| 47 | Yin and Yang | November 17, 2006 4-09-120680-8 |
April 13, 2010 978-1-4215-2997-4 |
| 48 | Feeding Frenzy | January 13, 2007 4-09-120810-X |
May 11, 2010 978-1-4215-2998-1 |
| 49 | Down to the Bone | April 18, 2007 4-09-121027-9 |
June 8, 2010 978-1-4215-2999-8 |
| 50 | Green Monster | July 18, 2007 4-09-121156-9 |
July 13, 2010 978-1-4215-3000-0 |
| 51 | Outfoxed | October 18, 2007 4-09-121198-4 |
August 10, 2010 978-1-4215-3001-7 |
| 52 | Transformations | January 18, 2008 4-09-121267-0 |
September 14, 2010 978-1-4215-3002-4 |
| 53 | Direct Attack | April 18, 2008 4-09-121339-1 |
October 12, 2010 978-1-4215-3003-1 |
| 54 | United Front | July 11, 2008 4-09-121428-2 |
November 9, 2010 978-1-4215-3004-8 |
| 55 | Power of the Jewel | October 17, 2008 4-09-121480-0 |
December 14, 2010 978-1-4215-3005-5 |
| 56 | Curtain of Time | February 18, 2009 4-09-121580-7 |
January 11, 2011 978-1-4215-3299-8 |
In North America, Inuyasha has been licensed for English language release by Viz Media, initially titled as Inu-Yasha. They began publishing the manga in April 1997 in an American comic book format, each issue containing two or three chapters from the original manga, and the last issue was released in February 2003, which covered up until the original Japanese 14th volume. Viz Media started publishing the series in a first trade-paperback edition, with 12 volumes published from July 6, 1998, to October 6, 2002. A second edition began with the 13th volume, released on April 9, 2003, and the first 12 volumes, following this edition, were reprinted as well. Up until the 37th volume, Viz Media published the series in left-to-right orientation, and with the release of the 38th volume on July 14, 2009, they published the remaining volumes in "unflipped" right-to-left page layout. Viz Media published the 56th and final volume of Inuyasha on January 11, 2011. In 2009, Viz Media began publishing the series in their 3-in-1 omnibus volume "VizBig" edition, with the original unflipped chapters. The 18 volumes were released from November 10, 2009, to February 11, 2014. On December 15, 2020, Viz released the 18 volumes digitally.
| VizBig edition | ||||
| No. | Release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 10, 2009 | 978-1-4215-3280-6 | ─ | ─ |
| 2 | February 9, 2010 | 978-1-4215-3281-3 | ─ | ─ |
| 3 | May 11, 2010 | 978-1-4215-3282-0 | ─ | ─ |
| 4 | August 10, 2010 | 978-1-4215-3283-7 | ─ | ─ |
| 5 | November 9, 2010 | 978-1-4215-3284-4 | ─ | ─ |
| 6 | February 8, 2011 | 978-1-4215-3285-1 | ─ | ─ |
| 7 | May 10, 2011 | 978-1-4215-3286-8 | ─ | ─ |
| 8 | August 9, 2011 | 978-1-4215-3287-5 | ─ | ─ |
| 9 | November 8, 2011 | 978-1-4215-3288-2 | ─ | ─ |
| 10 | February 14, 2012 | 978-1-4215-3289-9 | ─ | ─ |
| 11 | May 8, 2012 | 978-1-4215-3290-5 | ─ | ─ |
| 12 | August 14, 2012 | 978-1-4215-3291-2 | ─ | ─ |
| 13 | November 13, 2012 | 978-1-4215-3292-9 | ─ | ─ |
| 14 | February 12, 2013 | 978-1-4215-3293-6 | ─ | ─ |
| 15 | May 14, 2013 | 978-1-4215-3294-3 | ─ | ─ |
| 16 | August 13, 2013 | 978-1-4215-3295-0 | ─ | ─ |
| 17 | November 12, 2013 | 978-1-4215-3296-7 | ─ | ─ |
| 18 | February 11, 2014 | 978-1-4215-3297-4 | ─ | ─ |
Characters[]
The human equivalent age is 15; the actual age is unknown. In the movie version of "Tenka Hadou no Ken", he was born on the same day Inuyasha's father died 200 years ago, which means he is 200 years old. In the original story, he has a vague memory of his father, and it is unknown if the movie version and TV anime series share the same setting. He is a half-demon, born between a yokai (Demon Dog) and a human; his father was a Great Dog Demon who had his roots in the western part of Japan, and his mother was a human of a fallen noble family.
He is a roughneck who always uses a rough tone of voice, but at heart he is gentle and conscientious. Because of his naturally belligerent nature, he shows no mercy to those he regards as enemies, even when he has no choice but to cut them down. On the other hand, if the opponent begs for his life or apologizes, he will let him go without killing him, and he will go easy on a human opponent. When he encounters a half-demon who is in the same position as himself, he shows some kind of concern (Naraku is no exception). He is furious with him for having a human heart but choosing the life of a Yokai.
Like Kagome, he can pass through the Bone-Eater's well and is the only one of the group who can move freely between the Sengoku period and the present day. When he comes to Kagome's house, he is often playing with her cat, Buyo. He is characterized by his dog ears and silver hair, the hallmarks of a half-demon dog. The ears are said to feel like five raw dumpling skins. He occasionally makes dog-like gestures, but gets angry if he is treated like a dog. He has a very good sense of smell and is very good at finding his targets by the slightest smell left on the ground or in the air. On the other hand, he has a weakness for strong smells. His nose is usually wet and dries up when he catches a cold. A black pearl is hidden in his right eye, leading to the place where his father's grave is located.
In the beginning, he has a prayer bead of the spirit of words placed around her neck by Kaede, and is knocked to the ground by Kagome's "spirit of soul-quelling" osutsuwari. At first, he is averse to Kagome, but gradually becomes attracted to her kindness, cheerfulness, and resilience. As a result, he is quick on his feet when Kagome is involved. He is extremely curious, showing interest in Kagome's luggage of math textbooks, practicing riding Kagome's bicycle when he is alone, and mastering the use of a flashlight before he knows it.
He is not good at brain games, as he is basically an intuitive person. Therefore, he has been caught up in his opponent's schemes many times throughout the work. On the other hand, he has very keen intuition and has often discovered his opponent's weak points. He is also a gourmand, and his favorite foods are cup noodles, potato chips, and takuan (pickled radish). He does not like spicy food.
Past Life[]
New-moon Effect: Inuyasha's Human Form
He spent his childhood in a mansion with his mother, an aristocrat (of fallen descent), and was shunned and ostracized as a half-demon. According to Kuseimaru, his father's side of the family also treated him as an outcast because he was a half-demon.
After his mother's death, he was lonely and spent his childhood running away from the monsters, even though he was the son of a great demon. Because of these circumstances, he gradually began to have it rough, and in order to become stronger, he spent all his time fighting with the Yokai (Demons). He was a warrior-like in his approach to defeat his enemies fairly and squarely. Because of this upbringing, he was simple and childish for a 15-year-old (actually 200 years old), and often fought by rushing into everything with brute force. Therefore, he was often at the mercy of his opponents, such as Nahira and Nekkotsu of the Seven, who were skilled in wiles and schemes. In the middle of the battle, when Kagome, Miroku, and Sango were almost killed by the poison from the misty bone, Inuyasha, who usually refuses to admit his faults, seriously regretted his inadequacies.
Eventually, he fell in love with Kikyo, whom he met in his quest for the ball of the four souls, and promised to use it to become human and live together, but their relationship was torn apart by Nahira's trickery, and he was crucified and sealed to the sacred tree by Kikyo's sealing arrow.
The Encounter with Kagome[]
Fifty years after being sealed, she was unsealed by a reincarnation of Kikyo (Kagome Higure) who came from a world 500 years in the future. At first he dislikes her because of her resemblance to Kikyo, but as they work together, he gradually opens his heart to her and eventually falls in love with her. After Kikyo's resurrection, he is torn between her and Kagome, and each time he is torn between the two women, he hurts Kagome. On the other hand, when she sees Kagome being courted by other men, including Kouka, she ignores Kagome's attempts to stop her and instantly lashes out at her, showing a jealous side to her. At first, when Kagome's modern friends (Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi) heard about him, they called him a "two-timing, jealous, and violent man" (a two-timing violent man). After the battle with Naraku and the Four Spirits Balls was over and Kagome was sent back to the present day, he lived in the village of Kaede while helping Maitreya with exorcisms after the Bone Eater's well was disconnected, and about three years later, he reunites with Kagome who came from the Bone Eater's well that is now connected once again. In the sequel anime "Half Demon Princess Yashahime," he and Kagome become husband and wife, and have a daughter, Moroha.
As a Demon-God[]
The yokai blood he inherited from his father is so powerful that when his life is in danger, the yokai blood takes over his body and he is temporarily transformed into a full-blown yokai. Its appearance becomes terrifying, with purple bruises appearing on its cheeks like claw marks, its eyes turning red, and its claws becoming sharper and sharper. The yokai is particularly fierce, and even Kenseimaru muttered in his mind that he felt fear the first time he witnessed Inuyasha's transformation. While his fighting abilities increase dramatically when he changes (his defenses also increase dramatically, such as instantly recovering from serious injuries and nullifying poison), he also loses all sense of reason and begins to indiscriminately destroy all life except his own. It no longer feels fear or pain, and its main emotion is the joy of tearing apart its enemies (and others). The outburst does not stop until the body is destroyed. It is said that if the change is repeated many times, the mind will be eaten by the blood of the yokai, and the person will eventually lose his/her mind. In addition, he does not remember what happened during the transformation. The only way to prevent this change is to have the Tetsu Shatter Fang, and even during the change, the change can be reversed or the person can regain control of his mind if he has the Tetsu Shatter Fang in his hand (he can also be quelled by Kagome's "sitting").
On the night of the first day of the first month (new moon), which comes around once a month, he loses his yokyoku, his claws and fangs become human, his silver hair and golden eyes turn black, he cannot use his nose, he cannot change his iron-shattering fangs, and even his fire-rat robe loses its yokyoku and becomes a mere robe. This is due to the fact that on the first day of the month, during the day, Inuyasha is a half-demon with no yokai, at sunset he becomes a human, and at sunrise his yokai power is restored and he returns to being a half-demon. Therefore, it would be fatal for Inuyasha to know the date of the first day of the month, so he never tells others about it and has kept it a secret for a long time. He has kept it a secret for a long time, but his companions learned of it during their travels. Also, it seems that Kouseimaru knew about it before, but later even Koga and his group, Kagura, and the deceptive spirits of the Môryômaru came to know about it. The day on which he loses his yoken power seems to vary from person to person, but in the sequel, "The Half-Demon Yashahime," Setsuna and Towa also lose their yoken power on Saku no Hi. In addition, the quarter demon (quarter) does not have this characteristic. Shiori, a half demon of the Hyakki Bat, loses her demon power on the day of Eclipse.
At first, he had hoped to become a complete yokai by using the Four Souls Ball, but after his fight with Mothtenmaru, in which he turned into a yokai and took on evil people and was treated as a monster by the villagers he protected (as a result), he realized that he would become a yokai by using the Four Souls Ball in the same way, and he has given up hope of becoming a complete yokai since then. After that, he gave up the hope of becoming a complete yokai. However, even after his renunciation, he still does not deny that humans and yokai are fundamentally different, and he vehemently criticizes ordinary humans for having yokai swords.
When he goes outside the Nipporo-jinja Shrine in the presence of Kagome, he wears a hat borrowed from the Nipporo-jin family to hide his dog ears.
Abilities[]
"Should something terrible be caused again by the Shikon Jewel, whatever it may be, I shall cut it down with my own hands."
― Inuyasha
The red robe and hakama he usually wears are made of woven fire-rat hair (Robe), and provide powerful armor against fire and poison. In addition, Inuyasha himself has a robust body that can withstand pressure that would blow off the head of a normal human being. Inuyasha's life force is also considerable, and he can fight even with a gaping hole in his stomach, and his wounds heal within three days.
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Sankon Tessō (散魂鉄爪, Iron Reaver Soul Stealer, "Soul-Scattering Iron Claws") was Inuyasha's signature attack. It was his choice of attack before he obtained Tessaiga. By channeling his yōki through his claws, Inuyasha could increase their range and strength to cut through objects deeper than otherwise possible, allowing him to destroy weaker yōkai many times his size in one hit. It attacks with a slashing claw while rushing into the enemy camp. Although it is a simple technique, it is powerful enough to break through a steel frame. |
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Hijin Kessō (飛刃血爪, Blades of Blood, "Flying Blade Blood Claws") was one of Inuyasha's attacks. By drenching his claws in his own blood, Inuyasha could use his Hijin Kessō to charge the blood with yōki and sling it like a barrage of crescent-shaped blades. While he typically used blood from an already open wound, Inuyasha could draw the necessary blood to use the attack by digging his nails into his palms. He would often use this tactic as a surprise counterattack after being wounded when his opponents would assume he was weakened by his wounds and lower their guard. |
His horsepower far surpasses that of ordinary yokai, and he uses his father's Tessaiga, a sword, as his main weapon, as well as his claw technique, a weapon unique to the dog-shaped half-demon. When transformed into a yokai, his abilities other than his intelligence are dramatically improved compared to when he was a half-demon, and he can instantly heal serious wounds sustained before his transformation.
The Tessaiga also seemed to possess a mind of its own, as it has been seen guiding Inuyasha, such as wanting to be drawn or giving him advice in certain situations; this was a trait Tessaiga shared with Sesshōmaru's Tenseiga. It was later revealed that the two swords were originally one blade, but Inuyasha's and Sesshōmaru's father decided to divide the blade into two swords so that he could give each of his sons one sword with each sword possessing different abilities to teach each of the two sons about certain values, which their father wished for them two to learn about and acknowledge. | |
Katana Form Effect
Tessaiga's Scabbard
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| TESSAIGA TECHNIQUE | |
|---|---|
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Kenatsu (剣圧, "Sword-Force, Sword-Pressure"): Like many yōkai swords, Tessaiga can cut opponents without touching them by emitting small concentrated bursts of yōki. This was Inuyasha's main method of combat with the Tessaiga before he learned the Kaze no Kizu, using it to dispatch weaker yōkai with simple slashes. During the night of the new moon, the Tessaiga can't transform since Inuyasha has turned into a human, temporarily once a month as a hanyō. |
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Wind Scar (風の傷, Kaze no Kizu, "Scar of the Wind"): The Tessaiga's full-powered kenatsu and signature attack that could, according to legend, slay one hundred yōkai in a single strike. It was activated by sensing the fissure (or "scar") between the clashing yōki of the Tessaiga's wielder and his yōkai opponent and swinging the sword into the fissure, unleashing a massive, destructive wave of yōki. Inuyasha took some time to master this technique and didn't even know of its strength at first until Sesshōmaru showed it to him. After his battle with Ryūkotsusei, Inuyasha learned to put his own power into the attack so the scar appeared around Tessaiga's blade and could be triggered instantaneously. Until Inuyasha gained that ability, the Wind Scar was not very useful against Kagura since she could change the yōki winds so they didn't clash and create it. Instead of obliterating the rouge raccoon dog demon Shogen Mamiana, it had left a scar on his forehead. |
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Backlash Wave (爆流破, Bakuryūha, "Explosive Stream Blast"): The Tessaiga's ougi (lit. "ultimate technique"). It used the opponent's yōki and unleashed the Kaze no Kizu at the right point. The yōkai's energy would be reflected back with the added power of the Kaze no Kizu. Inuyasha first used the technique to defeat Ryūkotsusei by reflecting his yōki blasts back at him. However, two requirements were needed in order to implement the Bakuryūha. The first was that Inuyasha could only reflect pure energy attacks composed of yōki. The second was that his own yōki had to be at a similar level to his opponent's or the Bakuryūha would not form. |
| TESSAIGA'S TRANSFORMATION | |
Akai Tessaiga (赤い鉄砕牙) also known as Kekkai Yaburi no Akai Tessaiga (結界破りの赤い鉄砕牙, "Red Tessaiga Barrier Shattering"): This technique was obtained from Shiori's orb as a reward for saving her from her grandfather and his bat yōkai. In this state, the blade was able to cut through barriers, allowing Inuyasha to reach his enemies. Though it could cut through Naraku's barrier at one point, it could not follow the events of Mount Hakurei. It was also ineffective against spiritual shields, such as Hitomiko's. It is known as the "Barrier-Breaking Red Tessaiga" which is unnamed.
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Adamant Barrage (金剛槍破, Kongōsōha, "Diamond Spear Blast"): This technique was obtained from Hōsenki I after Naraku used a Shikon shard to corrupt him and forced him to fight Inuyasha. When swung, the Tessaiga fired a barrage of diamond shrapnel that could dissolve barriers the Red Tessaiga could not, including Naraku's later barriers. This technique could also be combined with the Kaze no Kizu to enhance its power. Oddly, it had no effect on the barrier of Tessaiga's sheath during the battle that joined Tessaiga and Tenseiga.
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Dragon Scale (竜鱗, Ryū uroko): It absorbs the Yōkai of the opponent or slashes the Yōkai hole to destroy it. Slashing the Yōki, which is the source of the Yōkai's energy, causes instant death to ordinary Yōkai. On the other hand, the deceptive spirits of Nara and the Môryômaru, which are made up of multiple yokai, do not have an instant death effect.
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Meidō Zangetsuha (冥道残月破, "Dark Path of the Dawn's Moon Wave"): This technique was attained when Sesshōmaru's Tenseiga broke on Tessaiga. The original technique manifested as a giant black circle that sent anything within its vicinity directly to the Netherworld. It could also be used as an escape from a Meidō one was already in, though the exit location was not set. Inuyasha also used it to reach both the closed-off path between eras in the Bone-Eater's Well and the Sacred Jewel itself.
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TV Anime[]
Inuyasha[]
The first Inuyasha anime adaptation, sometimes known as Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale (戦国御伽草子 犬夜叉, Sengoku Otogizōshi Inuyasha), produced by Sunrise ran for 167 episodes and was broadcast in Japan on Yomiuri TV from October 16, 2000, to September 13, 2004. It was also broadcast on Nippon Television. Avex collected the episodes in a total of seven series of DVD volumes distributed in Japan between May 30, 2001, and July 27, 2005.
In North America, the series was licensed for an English dub release by Viz Media. The series was first run on Adult Swim from August 31, 2002, to October 27, 2006, with reruns from 2006 to 2014. When Toonami became a block on Adult Swim, Inuyasha aired there from November 2012 to March 2014, when the network announced that they had lost the broadcast rights to the series. On August 25, 2017, Starz announced that they would be offering episodes of the series for their video on demand service starting on September 1 of that same year, where they were available until November 30, 2018.
The series was also streamed on HBO Max in the United States from August 4, 2020, until August 3, 2022. The series aired in Canada on YTV's Bionix programming block from September 5, 2003, to December 1, 2006. Viz collected the series in a total of 55 DVD volumes, while seven box sets were also released. In September 2020, Funimation announced that they would begin streaming the first 54 episodes of the series and the four films.
- Staff
- Planning - Michihiko Suwa, Masuo Ueda
- Original work - Rumiko Takahashi
- Director - Sari Ikeda (Episode 1-Episode 44) → Yasunao Aoki (Episode 45-Episode 167)
- Series Composition - Katsuyuki Sumisawa (Episode 45-Episode 167)
- Character Design - Yoshihito Hishinuma
- Yokai Design - Takumi Sakura
- Art Director - Shigemi Ikeda
- Acoustic Director - Yota Tsuruoka
- Director of Photography - Kumiko Ito, Yoichi Ogami
- Color design - Miyuki Sato
- Editing - Tomoaki Tsurubuchi
- Music - Kaoru Wada
- Draft Cooperation - Weekly Shonen Sunday Editorial Department
- Producer - Michihiko Suwa, Hideyuki Tomioka
- Production - Yomiuri TV, Sunrise
Viz Media also released a separate series of ani-manga volumes which are derived from full-color screenshots of the anime episodes. 30 volumes were released from January 14, 2004 to December 9, 2008.
Wikipedia Info: List of Inuyasha episodes
All of the theme songs for this film were sung by artists belonging to the Avex Group at the time they were used. This was also the case with the follow-up program "Black Jack," and has been followed in the film version and "The Final Arc".
| TRAILER |
Inuyasha: The Final Act[]
In 2009's 34th issue of Weekly Shōnen Sunday, published July 22, 2009, it was officially announced that a 26-episode anime adaption of volumes 36 to the end of the manga would be made by the first anime's same cast and crew and would air on Japan's YTV. The following week, Viz Media announced it had licensed the new adaptation, titled Inuyasha: The Final Act (犬夜叉 完結編, Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen). The series premiered on October 3, 2009 in Japan with the episodes being simulcast via Hulu and Weekly Shōnen Sunday in the United States. In other parts of Asia the episodes were aired the same week on Animax Asia. The anime completed its run on March 29, 2010. Aniplex collected the series into a total of seven DVDs released between December 23, 2009, and June 23, 2010.
- Staff (final version)
- Original work - Rumiko Takahashi
- Draft cooperation - Shinichiro Tsuzuki, Masato Hayashi, Masaki Nawata, Shunsuke Motegi, Masakazu Usutani
- Director - Yasunao Aoki
- Deputy Director - Teruo Sato
- Series composition - Katsuyuki Sumisawa
- Character design/chief drawing director - Yoshihito Hishinuma
- Art Director - Shigemi Ikeda
- Color design - Miyuki Sato
- Director of Photography - Shigeru Ogawa
- Editing - Tomoaki Tsurubuchi
- Acoustic Director - Yota Tsuruoka
- Music - Kaoru Wada
- Chief Producer - Michihiko Suwa, Hideyuki Tomioka
- Producers - Tomoyuki Saito, Minoru Asai, Naohiro Ogata
- Production - Yomiuri TV , Shogakukan, Sunrise
Viz Media released the series in two DVD or Blu-ray sets which included an English dub. The first thirteen episodes, constituting the first set, were released on November 20, 2012, and the last thirteen episodes, constituting the second set, were released on February 12, 2013. The series began broadcasting in the United States and Canada on Viz Media's online network, Neon Alley, on October 2, 2012. On October 24, 2014, it was announced that Adult Swim would air The Final Act on the Toonami block, beginning on November 15, at 2:00 a.m. EST.
| No. in series | Title | Original air date | English air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Naraku's Heart" Transcription: "Naraku no Shinzō" (Japanese: 奈落の心臓) |
October 3, 2009 | October 2, 2012 |
| Kagura is persuaded by Hakudoshi to release Goryomaru from imprisonment in exchange for her freedom from Naraku by collecting the remaining Shikon Jewel shards. After snatching a jewel shard from Kagome Higurashi, Hakudoshi later realizes that Kagura has betrayed him, due to her being moved by Kohaku's determination to destroy Naraku's heart. Inuyasha and the rest of his group arrive to confront Hakudoshi, while Kagura sends Kohaku off on one of her feathers. Hakudoshi gives the jewel shard to Goryomaru, who reveals himself to actually be Moryomaru, and sends him after Kohaku. Naraku, having discreetly watched his incarnations' plot against him unfold, disables Hakudoshi's barrier and withdraws the Saimyōshō, somehow allowing Miroku to suck Hakudoshi up into his Wind Tunnel. Knowing that Naraku could crush her heart at any given time, Kagura must now flee for her life, after having revealed that The Infant, which contains Naraku's own heart, resides inside Moryomaru. When Sango finds Kohaku before the others, she learns that he has regained his memory that they were siblings. Since the cat's out of the bag about him housing The Infant, Moryomaru flees to grow stronger. Kohaku has a tearful reunion with Sango. Elsewhere, Kikyo is slowly weakening, to the point of her spiritual shield not being able to keep novice monks away. | |||
| 2 | "Kagura's Wind" Transcription: "Kagura no Kaze" (Japanese: 神楽の風) |
October 10, 2009 | October 12, 2012 |
| Kikyo continues to weaken due to Naraku's miasma eating away at her from within, and summons the soul of the priestess Midoriko to restore her powers. She explains to Inuyasha that in order to destroy Naraku, the Shikon Jewel must be completed and purified with Naraku the moment he absorbs it. Kohaku trails her and tells Inuyasha to tell the others. Meanwhile, Koga completes a series of trials to obtain the Goraishi, a treasure of his clan. He succeeds and gains the clawed weapon and protection of the spirits of his ancestors that will keep Midoriko's will from freezing his legs in place only one time. Kagura encounters Naraku, who returns her heart back to her, but he immediately impales her on his tendrils, injecting her with miasma and leaving her on the brink of death. After managing to escape on a feather, she lands in a meadow filled with flowers, where she listens to her newly-returned heart beating inside her chest. Sesshomaru battles Moryomaru, who has acquired the armor of a turtle demon named Meioju after devouring it. Smelling Kagura's blood, Sesshomaru quickly finishes his battle, shattering his sword Tokijin in the process. He finds her in the meadow just as she begins to die, and she is happy to see him one last time. Her body dissolves into dust and her feather hairpin floats away into the wind, signifying that she is now free. | |||
| 3 | "Meido Zangetsuha" Transcription: "Meidō Zangetsuha" (Japanese: 冥道残月破) |
October 17, 2009 | October 19, 2012 |
| Totosai approaches Sesshomaru to tell him that the Tenseiga can now be reforged into an offensive weapon, since Sesshomaru has now experienced rage and sorrow for someone other than himself. In the present, Kagome's grandfather tells her that the Shikon Jewel can only be erased from the world if the one who had obtained it makes the one correct wish. However, their conversation deviates from her worries about passing her academic studies. Elsewhere, Inuyasha and the others find an inn, where fox demons play tricks on others to try to advance in demon rank. As some of the fox demons disguise themselves as beautiful women, Miroku has no problems with being tricked, much to Sango's discontent. After accidentally entering the test, Shippo plays several tricks on Inuyasha, clobbering him each time. Shippo retreats into the forest where he meets a girl named Mujina, determined to avenge her father by using her sword to absorb demonic energy. After Mujina absorbs demonic energy from Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga a few times, Inuyasha blocks the released attack and uncovers Mujina to be a fat, badger demon (mujina) in disguise before sending him into the sky. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru learns the Meido Zangetsuha technique, which cuts a small path to the Underworld and sends one's opponent there directly. Having gained a powerful offensive technique to replace Tokijin, Sesshomaru decides that he will be the one to choose whether or not Kagura died in vain. | |||
| 4 | "The Dragon-Scaled Tetsusaiga" Transcription: "Ryūrin no Tessaiga" (Japanese: 竜鱗の鉄砕牙) |
October 24, 2009 | October 26, 2012 |
| Inuyasha's group rescues a swordsmith named Toshu from the demon Ryujin, who is after Toshu's Dakki, a sword designed to absorb demonic energy. After Ryujin is injured by Inuyasha, Toshu stabs him with this sword, taking away his demonic energy to complete the blade. However, Toshu then attempts to steal Tetsusaiga's demonic energy, though this slowly begins to turn Toshu into a demon. The demonic energy proves to be too strong for Dakki to control fully, as it transfers its damage of absorption into Toshu, thereby killing him. After Dakki breaks and releases its power, Tetsusaiga gains Dakki's ability to absorb great amounts of demonic energy. Meanwhile, Naraku's latest incarnation, Byakuya, has ordered a young wolf demon to retrieve Koga's shards in exchange for his younger brother, Shinta. The youth brings Koga to Byakuya, who proceeds to send Shinta away with a moth demon. Moryomaru catches it and almost absorbs Shinta. However, while Shinta is rescued, Moryomaru gets the older brother's shard. Inuyasha's arrival with his new dragon-scaled Tetsusaiga reluctantly allows Moryomaru to absorb the Adamant Spears, but the overwhelming power forces Moryomaru to flee. However, Tetsusaiga begins to backfire, leaving Inuyasha wounded and bewildered. Byakuya reports back to Naraku, who ponders whether Tetsusaiga would succeed in eradicating its opponent or its wielder. | |||
| 5 | "The Great Holy Demon Spirit’s Test" Transcription: "Yōrei Taisei no Shiren" (Japanese: 妖霊大聖の試練) |
October 31, 2009 | November 2, 2012 |
| Kohaku joins Kikyo, willing to give up his shard if it means killing Naraku, while Koga leaves Ginta and Hakkaku behind because of the increasing danger. Meanwhile, Moryomaru devours the twin demons Kinka and Ginka, obtaining their fire and lightning abilities to strengthen his armor. Sesshomaru attempts to use the Meido Zangetsuha to send some of Moryomaru to the Underworld, but Byakuya interferes on Naraku's orders. Also, Totosai sends Inuyasha and his group to see the demon hermit Yorei-Taisei in mastering his new sword. Upon arriving at his house, they realize that Yorei-Taisei is missing his internal organs, and all the villagers have been turned into the form of demons by an organ thief, who is a real demon blended among the villagers. Yorei-Taisei wraps Tetsusaiga in chains to disallow Inuyasha from drawing it until facing the organ thief. Inuyasha comes across a female serpent demon, and all but Kagome are swept away when trying to help Inuyasha defeat her. When Inuyasha returns to Yorei-Taisei's home with Kagome, he faces a male ox demon. Inuyasha uses his nose to locate Yorei-Taisei's demonic energy manifested around the demon in the form of vortexes. He is able to draw Tetsusaiga and cut the right vortex, clearing the hermit's test, but there is one final technique that Inuyasha has yet to discover. | |||
| 6 | "The End of Moryomaru" Transcription: "Mōryōmaru no Saigo" (Japanese: 魍魎丸の最期) |
November 7, 2009 | November 9, 2012 |
| Naraku, by reviving and absorbing a demonic tree named Yomeiju, flees from Inuyasha and his friends. Kikyo crosses paths with Koga for the first time, after Moryomaru bursts from a mountain without catching sight of them. Inuyasha's gang witnesses Moryomaru and Naraku battle each other, though they seem evenly matched; the miasma emanating from the two demons kills much of the surrounding forest. Moryomaru consumes Naraku to gain his jewel shards and later captures Koga. However, this was a ruse to allow Naraku to penetrate Moryomaru's armor and destroy him from the inside, using Yomeiju's tendrils to pierce the Infant's barrier and re-absorb him. After Koga frees himself, Miroku aims his Wind Tunnel at Naraku, refusing to close it despite his friends' pleas. Despite Naraku's miasma severely poisoning him, Miroku nearly manages to suck in Naraku's heart. However, when Miroku begins vomiting blood, Inuyasha forces him to close the Wind Tunnel, allowing Naraku to narrowly escape. Unconscious, Miroku is left near death, and Kikyo states that even her great abilities of purification cannot entirely heal him. | |||
| 7 | "The Mausoleum of Mount Azusa" Transcription: "Azusayama no Reibyō" (Japanese: 梓山の霊廟) |
November 14, 2009 | November 16, 2012 |
| Lady Kikyo is able to partially heal Miroku by pouring some of her life-force into him, though this causes her chest wound to reopen again. Naraku is forced to take Onigumo, his human heart, back in, gaining the abilities to create and spin spiderwebs. He manages to lure Lady Kikyo, canceling out her unusually strong purification powers and leaving her to be infected with his evil will. Inuyasha and Kagome end up entangled in the spiderwebs when trying to help Kikyo. Kagome sees a vision of the tragic parting between Inuyasha and Kikyo which took place fifty years prior. Kagome tries to use Kikyo's longbow to heal her, but the bowstring snaps due to the resulting defilement of the spiderwebs. Lady Kikyo instructs Kagome to go to the Mausoleum of Mount Azusa to obtain a special longbow in order to save her life. Meanwhile, Byakuya finds Kohaku and poisons him with snakes, but leaves when Sesshormaru's group shows up to save Kohaku. Once reaching the mausoleum at the top of the sacred mountain, the spirit guardian, in the form of Kikyo, gives Kagome the longbow, but Kagome is tested when she tries to go back down, ending up dangled from a cliff. Kikyo appears to her and questions her desire to save Kikyo's life, but Kagome learns it was just an image of Kikyo created from her own insecurities. Kagome passes the test and obtains the sacred longbow of Mount Azusa, then falls into the abyss below the cliff. Naraku, realizing Kagome is now freed from the spiderwebs, plans to personally kill Kikyo in order to prevent her from being purified. | |||
| 8 | "Among the Twinkling Stars" Transcription: "Hoshiboshi Kirameki no Aida ni" (Japanese: 星々きらめきの間に) |
November 21, 2009 | November 23, 2012 |
| After Inuyasha catches Kagome from the sky, Naraku recaptures the rest of the group, intending to acquire Koga's two fragments of the Shikon Jewel, but unable to defile their purity. While Inuyasha battles Naraku, Kikyo stops Kagome from using the sacred longbow to save her. Naraku drops Kikyo and his body opens up, which reveals the Shikon Jewel inside, but it disappears as Koga charges towards it, trapping him inside. Miroku and Inuyasha are able to save Koga, but his Shikon Jewel fragments are taken in the process. With the Shikon Jewel having been hidden inside Lady Kikyo's wounded chest, she mentally urges Kagome to shoot her and purify her wounds in their entirety. It purifies the Shikon Jewel, and Kikyo's soul collectors guide the arrow at Naraku to try purifying him along with the Shikon Jewel. However, his demonic energy overwhelms Kikyo and taints the Shikon Jewel, rendering her powerless and on the verge of death. Naraku is forced to retreat, due to being wounded from the attack. As the others mourn for her death, Inuyasha shares one last kiss with Kikyo before she dies peacefully in his arms. Her soul collectors carry her spirit into the stars to rest in peace. | |||
| 9 | "Sesshomaru in the Underworld" Transcription: "Meikai no Sesshōmaru" (Japanese: 冥界の殺生丸) |
November 28, 2009 | November 30, 2012 |
| Without his jewel shards, Koga leaves Inuyasha's group, taking Ginta and Hakkaku with him. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru visits his mother to strengthen the power of Meido Zangetsuha, so she summons a hellhound from her Meido Stone for her son to battle, which takes Kohaku and Rin into the void of the Underworld. Sesshomaru follows them into the void and defeats the hellhound to rescue them, but Kohaku later notices that Rin stops breathing. The darkness envelopes Rin, and Sesshomaru confronts the Guardian of the Underworld to rescue her. However, Sesshomaru sadly realizes that he cannot resurrect Rin, having already done so in the past. After purifying the corpses of the Underworld, Sesshormaru uses Meido Zangetsuha, this time a much wider pathway, back to the physical world. After Sesshomaru is scolded for thinking he could cheat death simply because he carries Tenseiga, the sword of Heaven, his mother revives Rin using her Meido Stone. Before Sesshomaru's group departs, Sesshomaru's mother warns Kohaku that even though his life has been unnaturally prolonged by his jewel shard, Tenseiga is still unable to save him from death. | |||
| 10 | "Flowers Drenched in Sadness" Transcription: "Kanashimi ni Nureru Hana" (Japanese: 悲しみに濡れる花) |
December 5, 2009 | December 7, 2012 |
| Kanna goes to the meadow where Kagura died, finding her fan and tossing it into a glistening pond, as she bids her sister farewell. Naraku is still recovering from his battle with Kikyo and is barely able to move. Despite his efforts to defile the Shikon Jewel, a speck of pure light remains, much to his irritation. Elsewhere, Inuyasha and his group arrive in flower-filled village, where the villagers are disturbingly happy. They discover a demon called the Flower Prince, who uses his magic to drain all sorrow and pain from the hearts of others, allowing them peace before making them part of the soil. Inuyasha, still carrying grief over Kikyo's second death, is easily snared in an illusion, where Kikyo offers to go to the afterlife with him. After briefly becoming ensnared by the demon herself, Kagome manages to destroy him, removing all the flowers in the village. Meanwhile, Byakuya tells Kanna to lure Inuyasha and his companions in and unleash her mirror. When the group arrives at the pond, a mirror demon emerges from the mirror and steals all of Tetsusaiga's powers, forcing Inuyasha and his friends to flee. | |||
| 11 | "Kanna's Gravestone" Transcription: "Kanna no Bohyō" (Japanese: 神無の墓標) |
December 12, 2009 | December 14, 2012 |
| Inuyasha's party hides in a cave with a barrier created by Miroku, but the mirror demon finds them and breaks through it. Tetsusaiga draws out the power of Inuyasha's full-demon state to help him fight. Kanna heals the mirror demon's injuries by transferring them to herself. Inuyasha switches his target to the replica Tetsusaiga and successfully breaks it, restoring the power to his own sword and his body to his normal half-demon state. Although having taken much damage from the mirror demon and believing she is now free, Naraku orders her to walk towards the group and detonate herself. However, she stands still, disobeying the orders. Naraku crushes Kanna's heart, causing Kanna to shatter into several pieces of glass. One of the shards pierces Kagome's eye, and she hears Kanna saying that the light will destroy Naraku. Once the dust settles, Kagome explains to the rest that Kanna never wanted to die, being the reason why she wanted Kagome to hear her last words. | |||
| 12 | "Sango's Feelings, Miroku's Resolve" Transcription: "Sango no Omoi, Miroku no Kakugo" (Japanese: 珊瑚の想い 弥勒の覚悟) |
December 19, 2009 | December 21, 2012 |
| Facing off against a bone-collecting demon, Miroku is poisoned when forced to use his Wind Tunnel, so Sango coats Hiraikotsu in a corrosive poison and uses it to destroy the demon, to which Inuyasha charges in to kill the demon's master. Myoga suggests to have Hiraikotsu repaired by the Master of Potions, seen as a drunken sage. The Master of Potions dissolves Hiraikotsu into a jug of alcohol. Sango jumps into another jug to pacify the demons that were used to create Hiraikotsu. Meanwhile, the Master of Potions talks in secret with Miroku, offering him a medicinal yet poisonous drink that will null any pain from intake of miasma or poison, though it will not actually prevent it from spreading, as it is the price to pay to continue protecting Sango. The demons of Hiraikotsu, angry with Sango but eventually accepting the fact that she would sacrifice herself if it means saving Miroku, allow to fully restore her weapon. However, the Master of Potions explains that Hiraikotsu has changed in some way due to his herbs and poisons. | |||
| 13 | "A Complete Meido" Transcription: "Kanzen na Meidō" (Japanese: 完全な冥道) |
December 26, 2009 | December 28, 2012 |
| Sesshomaru is approached by the demon Shishinki, who attacks him using a complete Meido Zangetsuha, claiming that Sesshomaru's father stole the technique from him. Shishinki even absorbs Sesshomaru's attempt at doing Meido Zangetsuha. He tauntingly says that Sesshomaru must have been shunned by his father since Tetsusaiga should have belong to Sesshomaru instead of Inuyasha, who butts in the battle until Sesshormaru tells him not to interfere. As the battle continues, Myoga explains to Sesshomaru that his father entrusted him with Tenseiga, already knowing he would be able to fully master the Meido Zangetsuha. Although Shishinki, unleashing multiple attacks of Meido Zangetsuha, doubts this would happen, Sesshomaru proves him wrong by launching a massive complete Meido Zangetsuha, successfully swallowing him in. Inuyasha tries to convince Sesshomaru that Tenseiga is a proper keepsake, but Sesshomaru, before departing with his group, states that they are destined to fight one another for the rest of their lives. | |||
| 14 | "In Pursuit of Naraku" Transcription: "Naraku no Tsuigeki" (Japanese: 奈落の追撃) |
January 4, 2010 | January 4, 2013 |
| Byakuya arrives to see the aftermath of the battle between Sesshomaru and Shishinki. Meanwhile, Totosai confirms that Sesshomaru's father gave him Tenseiga so Meido Zangetsuha could be perfected, then have Tetsusaiga reabsorb it. Elsewhere, Naraku tries to take Kohaku's jewel shard, only to find that it is still being protected and purified by Kikyo's spiritual powers. Kohaku fights Naraku alone in order to protect Jaken and Rin. Inuyasha's group go past Byakuya to get to Naraku, who tries to taunt Sango by claiming Kohaku runs from her to forget his past, but yet she states would still fight for him when he needs her. She attacks with Hiraikotsu and to her surprise, it now has its own demonic energy and it is able to injure Naraku. Although Inuyasha, Kagome and Miroku each try to attack him, the severely wounded Naraku manages to flee. Afterward, Kohaku tells them that because his jewel shard is still pure, they may still be able to use it in the final battle with Naraku. | |||
| 15 | "True Heir" Transcription: "Seitōnaru Keishōsha" (Japanese: 正統なる継承者) |
January 11, 2010 | January 11, 2013 |
| Using the fragment of Kanna's mirror given to him by Byakuya, Sesshomaru is able to make Tenseiga replicate Tetsusaiga's powers and abilities and challenges Inuyasha to a battle to test his worthiness to wield their father's fang of destruction. Every time the swords cross, Tetsusaiga regains some of its powers and abilities back. Sesshomaru uses Meido Zangetsuha on Inuyasha and throws Tenseiga inside, but Inuyasha cut through his demonic energy to save himself. Naraku tries to control Tenseiga through Kanna's mirror, but Sesshomaru jumps inside Meido Zangetsuha and forces Inuyasha to break Tenseiga. Tetsusaiga's blade becomes black, Inuyasha uses Meido Zangetsuha to exit the Underworld and the broken Tenseiga comes back anew. Now freed from his obsession with Tetsusaiga, Sesshomaru is one step away from obtaining a much more powerful weapon of his own that is not inherited from his father. | |||
| 16 | "Hitomiko's Barrier" Transcription: "Hitomiko no kekkai" (Japanese: 瞳子の結界) |
January 18, 2010 | January 18, 2013 |
| Naraku attacks and fatally wounds Hitomiko, a priestess with unusually strong and powerful spiritual powers and abilities that he previously tried to kill fifteen years ago. Using the Shikon Jewel, he keeps her alive and uses his spiderwebs to control and manipulate her. He has her erect an incredibly strong and powerful barrier that traps Kagome, and begins torturing her to death. Kagome shoots the spider controlling Hitomiko, though she worries this will corrupt both Hitomiko's soul and spiritual powers. When she fires her sacred arrow, a huge light purple glowing ray of intense spiritual power shoots out and Hitomiko is able to die peacefully in Kagome's arms, after first telling Kagome that she can sense that Kagome's true spiritual powers are highly extensive, but are somehow sealed. | |||
| 17 | "Magatsuhi's Evil Will" Transcription: "Magatsuhi no Janen" (Japanese: 曲霊の邪念) |
January 25, 2010 | January 25, 2013 |
| Inuyasha returns to Kaede's village to tell her of Kikyo's death. Kaede states that Kagome's innate spiritual power was probably sealed by Magatsuhi, the evil will of the Shikon Jewel who did so out of fear. Meanwhile, as a countermeasure against Kikyo's spiritual powers, Naraku provides some of his flesh to give Magatsuhi a physical form, ordering him to retrieve Kohaku's jewel shard. Sesshomaru struggles to defend the boy without a weapon or a left arm. Inuyasha's group arrives to find Sesshomaru's right arm badly wounded and Kohaku's shard being defiled. After Magatsuhi renders Kagome unconscious, Sesshomaru heals his wounds and assumes his true form to attack, but to no effect. The brothers struggle to battle Magatsuhi, while protecting their respective groups. Sesshomaru ends up speared and trapped in a ball of appendages, yet is able to burst through. When Totosai then appears, Sesshomaru's left arm is restored and he is wielding a new sword named Bakusaiga, able to rot whatever he cuts, forcing Magatsuhi to flee after destroying the evil spirit's vessel. Soon after, Kagome finally awakens with a puzzled expression on her face. | |||
| 18 | "The Day of Days" Transcription: "Jinsei no Ichidaiji" (Japanese: 人生の一大事) |
February 1, 2010 | February 1, 2013 |
| Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's groups go to Kaede's village, where Kohaku remains unconscious due to the defilement of his jewel shard, but not even Kagome can purify it, seemingly due to Magatsuhi's mental attack against her. After Totosai makes a scabbard for Bakusaiga, Sesshomaru leaves Jaken and Rin with Kohaku to hunt down Magatsuhi. Kagome decides to return home to take her high school entrance exams, promising to return when they are done. However, Kagome is at a loss since her family is away on a trip, the school is closed and her friends are unavailable. Inuyasha visits her, advising her to stay at home until Naraku is defeated, and he believes her spiritual powers and abilities were sealed by Kikyo's final wish not to fight anymore. Kagome wants to keep her promise to Kikyo instead and to make the one correct wish that will make the sacred Shikon Jewel disappear from world of the living forever. Inuyasha vows to protect Kagome with his life, and they almost kiss passionately, but are interrupted by the sudden return of her family. Ten days later, Kagome goes on her way by train to take her entrance exams, but is persistently followed by Inuyasha. Kagome's bag gets caught in the train when exiting, but Inuyasha carries her after the train to retrieve her bag. Inuyasha takes her to the exam site, where her mother meets her with the exam ticket she somehow left at home. | |||
| 19 | "Kohaku's Shard" Transcription: "Kōhaku no Kakera" (Japanese: 琥珀の欠片) |
February 8, 2010 | February 8, 2013 |
| Sesshomaru finds Magatsuhi and attacks him with Tenseiga, but it was only an illusion created by Byakuya. The real Magatsuhi attacks Kaede's village and gains control of Kohaku's body. Before escaping, despite Miroku's attempt to suck the evil spirit into his Wind Tunnel at a fatal cost, Magatsuhi badly injures Miroku and Sango while knocking Rin out. Inuyasha and Kagome return and give chase, while Sesshomaru discovers the deception and uses Bakusaiga to take out the thousand demons Byakuya summons to keep him from reaching Magatsuhi's location. Back at the village, Sango kisses the sleeping Miroku and prays for him to survive, before chasing after Kohaku. When Inuyasha, Kagome and Sango find him, Magatsuhi reveals that Kohaku is reliving the events of slaughtering his father and comrades. But responding to his sister's appeal with the aid of what little of Kikyo's pure light remains in his jewel shard, Kohaku manages to break Magatsuhi's control momentarily as he jumps into a canyon to force the evil spirit to leave him. | |||
| 20 | "When the Jewel Is Whole" Transcription: "Shikon no Tama ga Kansei suru Toki" (Japanese: 四魂の玉が完成する時) |
February 15, 2010 | February 15, 2013 |
| Kohaku successfully drives Magatsuhi out of his body, just as Sesshomaru arrives, using Bakusaiga by destroying Naraku's appendages and then using Tenseiga by cutting Magatsuhi in half, yet still able to escape. When Sesshomaru heads back to the village, Naraku manages to capture Kagome and demands Inuyasha's group gives him Kohaku's jewel shard in exchange for her. Discreetly spotting a sacred arrow on the ground before offering himself to Naraku, Kohaku stabs him in the right shoulder, shattering the turtle shelled armor previously absorb by Moryomaru, prompting Naraku to retreat. Meanwhile, as the Wind Tunnel is close to consuming Miroku, a fragment of Magatsuhi possesses Rin's body to fly off with a demon. After Kokaru reunites with the others, a piece of Naraku's flesh pierces Kohaku's neck and takes the jewel shard, leaving his empty body behind. Luckily, Kohaku is brought back to life by Kikyo's light after her spirit hears Sango crying for him. With the Shikon Jewel now complete in Naraku's hand, the final battle between light and darkness begins. | |||
| 21 | "Inside Naraku" Transcription: "Naraku no Tainai e" (Japanese: 奈落の体内へ) |
February 22, 2010 | February 22, 2013 |
| Kagome happily learns that she has been put on the waiting list for high school, finally graduating from middle school with her friends. Hojo wishes to give Kagome his second button, a tradition in Japan which means that the boy likes the girl, but she leaves before he can. Meanwhile, Naraku has absorbed the power of the Shikon Jewel and a dark cloud spreads over the land. Inuyasha's group leaves to defeat Naraku, leaving Shippo behind in the care of Kaede. As they find Naraku and Byakuya in a cloud of miasma, they see Sesshomaru enter Naraku's body in search of Rin. As Inuyasha's group enters, Miroku pauses to propose to Sango. They soon realize that though they are breathing in the miasma, it is not harming them because the Shikon Jewel wants to capture their souls first. Inuyasha and Kagome search for the defiled jewel, after Miroku and Sango are captured. As Inuyasha gets closer to the Shikon Jewel, he turns into a full-blooded demon and attacks Kagome. Naraku offers Kagome a miasma-coated arrow to save herself with, but she refuses. Naraku says Inuyasha will kill her, just as he had killed Kikyo. Inuyasha attacks again, throwing her off a cliff. | |||
| 22 | "Naraku: The Trap of Darkness" Transcription: "Naraku Yami no Wana" (Japanese: 奈落 闇の罠) |
March 1, 2010 | March 1, 2013 |
| Miroku and Sango are shown an illusion of Miroku's father being sucked in by his own Wind Tunnel. Inuyasha momentarily regains his humanity when he hears Kagome's voice, but diverts back to his demon form when his heart is devoured by the Shikon Jewel’s poison. After Miroku uses his Wind Tunnel to save Sango from oncoming demons, Miroku recommends that he should part ways with Sango. Rin, finally gaining her consciousness, is chased by Magatsuhi. She encounters Inuyasha, who ends up being possessed by Magatsuhi after a failed attempt of attack. When Sesshomaru and Kagome arrive, the former takes on the possessed Inuyasha, while the latter attempts to retrieve Tetsusaiga, which Magatsuhi tossed aside due to its connection to Inuyasha's senses. As Kagome pulls the sword, she falls over the cliff, but is able to hold onto the side. Inuyasha regains control of his body after smelling Kagome's blood and when Tetsusaiga is returned to him. Magatsuhi tries to possess Kagome, but Inuyasha uses Tetsusaiga to draw out the demonic energy and Sesshomaru uses Tenseiga to dispel the evil spirit once and for all. | |||
| 23 | "Naraku: The Trap of Light" Transcription: "Naraku Hikari no Wana" (Japanese: 奈落 光の罠) |
March 8, 2010 | March 8, 2013 |
| After Magatsuhi's defeat, Kagome's innate spiritual powers and abilities are released to their fullest extent with Shikon Jewel having a spark of pure light within it. Naraku tries to eradicate the pure light by sending out illusions, one to trick Miroku to using his Wind Tunnel for one last time, and another to make Sango kill Rin to save Miroku from the Wind Tunnel. Inuyasha makes it in time to prevent Miroku from opening the Wind Tunnel. Kagome's sacred arrow hits Naraku, destroying the illusions and freeing Rin with the Hiraikotsu. Though Rin is freed and nearly falls to her death, Kohaku comes to save her before hitting the ground just in time. Inuyasha, Kagome and Miroku see Naraku's true body as his miasma starts to fill the air. As Inuyasha sends a Meido Zangetsuha traveling past Naraku, Shippo later sees Byakuya intercepting it with a strange blade to rob some of this dark orb's energy. Sango protects an awakened Rin from the miasma by giving the girl her protective mask. | |||
| 24 | "Naraku's Uncertain Wish" Transcription: "Naraku Hakanaki Nozomi" (Japanese: 奈落 儚き望み) |
March 15, 2010 | March 15, 2013 |
| Naraku releases more miasma, while Inuyasha uses Tetsusaiga's barrier to protect himself, Kagome and Miroku. Sango arrives riding Kirara and throws her Hirakotsu, but it absorbs too much of the miasma and Sango, poisoned, falls through a hole that Naraku opens in his flesh. Miroku follows and she decides to die with him there. Elsewhere, Sesshomaru, having recovered Rin, strikes Naraku's outer body with Bakusaiga; the effects of the blade's destruction begin to spread rapidly. When Kagome questions Naraku about whether his real wish has come true, he becomes enraged. As he absorbs the Shikon Jewel, he begins transforming and spreading spiderwebs around the area. Inuyasha unleashes Meido Zangestuha, which takes on the form of slashing blades due to the different nature of his sword. Miroku and Sango fall again, but are joined by Shippo. Byakuya slashes Kagome across the back with his blade, but strangely it leaves no wound. Inuyasha quickly attacks and kills Byakuya, who states that he has fulfilled his purpose. Together, Miroku, Sango, Shippo and Kirara, along with Sesshomaru's group, join Inuyasha and Kagome in the final battle against Naraku. | |||
| 25 | "Thoughts Fall Short" Transcription: "Todokanu Omoi" (Japanese: 届かぬ想い) |
March 22, 2010 | March 22, 2013 |
| Naraku transforms after finally feeding his soul to the Shikon Jewel, vastly spreading miasma in the area. As the group exits the large mass of misama, they find themselves over the Bone Eater's Well near Kaede's village. After Naraku's body is destroyed forever by Inuyasha's Meido Zangetsuha and Sesshomaru's Bakusaiga, Kagome pierces the Shikon Jewel with an unusually powerful sacred arrow, dealing his soul a fatal blow. It is learned that Naraku's true wish was Kikyo's heart, a wish that the Shikon Jewel never granted. Miroku's Wind Tunnel vanishes after Naraku's soul has been purified from the material world, but a Meido suddenly opens behind Kagome (created due to Byakuya striking her earlier) and pulls her in along with the well. Kagome finds herself in front of her high school, resuming her normal life with her friends and family, but without any memories of Inuyasha or the others. However, she is bothered by a nagging sense that something is wrong. When she touches the Sacred Tree, her memories return and the spell is broken, but she is then surrounded by darkness. The voice of the Shikon Jewel tells her that she will forever remain there, lest she makes a selfish wish to return to her own time. Meanwhile, Inuyasha uses Meido Zangestuha to jump into the darkness after Kagome. As Inuyasha battles through the demons, he yells to Kagome not to make any wishes yet, since doing so would bound her inside the Shikon Jewel, battling demons for an eternity. | |||
| 26 | "Toward Tomorrow" Transcription: "Ashita e" (Japanese: 明日へ) |
March 29, 2010 | March 29, 2013 |
| Inuyasha's voice is ultimately able to reach Kagome, who remembers her grandfather telling her that the one and only correct wish will cause the Shikon Jewel to be banished from the world forever. Inuyasha battles his way to her and after they share a loving kiss, she makes the one and only correct wish, shattering the Shikon Jewel from existence. Three years later, eighteen-year-old Kagome, who is now graduating high school, recalls how she and Inuyasha returned to the present. The well then transported Inuyasha back to his time and stopped working since then. In the present day, Kagome returns to the well and realizes her own feelings were what was blocking the well. When she wishes to see him again, the well reactivates and she bids farewell to her mother and enters the well. Inuyasha quickly catches her scent, meets her, takes her by the hand, and embraces her. Kagome's family and friends continue to live as they always have. Kagome's brother Sota Higurashi tells his friends that his sister got married right after high school and moved away; Kagome's friends are in college; and Hojo is dating an underclasswoman. Shippo is training to become a strong fox demon; Sango and Miroku live with their three kids in Kaede's village; Kohaku is off to train to become a strong demon slayer; Myoga continues to live with Totosai; Koga marries the wolf demon girl Ayame; and Rin lives with Kaede in the village where Sesshomaru and Jaken are shown paying her visits. Inuyasha said that this was practice for returning her to a human village or whatever she chooses. Kagome is contently adapting to her new life in the feudal world as Inuyasha's wife. | |||
| TRAILER |
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon[]
Wikipedia Info: List of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon episodes
In May 2020, an anime original spin-off/sequel series was announced, titled Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (半妖の夜叉姫, Han'yō no Yashahime), following the journey of Towa Higurashi and Setsuna, Sesshomaru and Rin's fraternal twin daughters, and Moroha, Inuyasha and Kagome's daughter. It premiered on October 3, 2020.
The series is produced by Sunrise, directed by Teruo Sato (season 1) and Masakazu Hishida (season 2) with main character designs by the original creator Rumiko Takahashi. Staff from Inuyasha returned, with Katsuyuki Sumisawa in charge of the scripts, Yoshihito Hishinuma in charge of the anime character designs and Kaoru Wada as composer. The cast includes Sara Matsumoto as Towa Higurashi, Mikako Komatsu as Setsuna, and Azusa Tadokoro as Moroha.
Viz Media announced the rights to digital streaming, EST, and home video release of the series for North and Latin American territories.
Stage plays[]
In 2000, a Japanese live-action stage play ran from April through May in the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo, around the same time the anime series began production. The play's script followed the general plot line of the original manga, with a few minor changes to save time. A second run of the play ran from January through February in 2001 at the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo.
In February 2017, it was announced that a stage play adaptation of Inuyasha would be performed at Tennozu Galaxy Theater in Tokyo from April 6–15 of the same year, featuring Yutaka Kyan from Golden Bomber as Inuyasha and Nogizaka46's Yumi Wakatsuki as Kagome.
Films[]
There are four animated films with original storylines written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa, the writer for the Inuyasha anime series. The films were released with English subtitles and dubbed audio tracks on Region 1 DVD by Viz Media. Together, the four films have earned over US$20 million in Japanese box offices.
The first film, Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time, was released in 2001. In the film, Inuyasha and his friends confront Menomaru, a demonic moth warrior brought to life by one of the shards.
In the second film, Inuyasha the Movie: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass, released in 2002, the group seemingly kills Naraku for good and return to their normal lives, only to encounter a new enemy named Kaguya, a character based on the literature The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
The third film, Inuyasha the Movie: Swords of an Honorable Ruler, was released in 2003. In it, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are forced to work together to seal the evil Sō'unga, their father's third sword, when it is awakened from its sheath.
The fourth and final film, Inuyasha the Movie: Fire on the Mystic Island, was released in 2004. It follows Inuyasha and his friends protecting a group of half-demon children from four evil demons on an ancient mystical island.
Original video animation[]
A 30-minute original video animation titled Black Tessaiga (黒い鉄砕牙, Kuroi Tessaiga), was presented on July 30, 2008, at an "It's a Rumic World" exhibit at the Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district. The episode uses the original voice cast from the anime series. It was released in Japan on October 20, 2010, in both DVD and Blu-ray formats.
Soundtrack CDs[]
Multiple soundtracks and character songs were released for the series by Avex Mode. Three character singles were released August 3, 2005 – "Aoki Yasei o Daite" (蒼き野生を抱いて, Embrace the Untamed Wilderness) by Inuyasha featuring Kagome, "Kaze no Naka e" (風のなかへ, Into the Wind) by Miroku featuring Sango and Shippō, and "Gō" (業, Fate) by Sesshomaru featuring Jaken and Rin. The singles charted at number 63, 76, and 79 respectively on the Oricon chart. Three more character songs were released on January 25, 2006 – "Rakujitsu" (落日, Setting Sun) by Naraku, "Tatta Hitotsu no Yakusoku" (たったひとつの約束, That's One Promise) by Kagome Higurashi, and "Abarero!!" (暴れろ!!, Go On A Rampage!!) by Bankotsu and Jakotsu. The singles charted at number 130, 131, and 112 respectively on the Oricon chart.
On March 24, 2010, Avex released Inuyasha Best Song History (犬夜叉 ベストソング ヒストリー, Inuyasha Besuto Songu Hisutorī), a best album that contains all the opening and ending theme songs used in the series. The album peaked at number 20 on the Oricon album chart and charted for seven weeks.
Video Game[]
Cardback to the Inuyasha Trading Card Game.
Three video games based on the series were released for the WonderSwan: Inuyasha: Kagome no Sengoku Nikki (犬夜叉 〜かごめの戦国日記, Inuyasha: Kagome's Warring States Diary), Inuyasha: Fūun Emaki (犬夜叉 風雲絵巻, Inuyasha: The Sealed Scroll Picture), and Inuyasha: Kagome no Yume Nikki (犬夜叉 かごめの夢日記, Inuyasha: Kagome's Dream Diary).
A single title, Inuyasha: Naraku no Wana! Mayoi no Mori no Shōtaijō (犬夜叉〜奈落の罠!迷いの森の招待状, Inuyasha: Naraku's Trap! Invitation to the Forest of Illusion), was released for the Game Boy Advance on January 23, 2003, in Japan.
Inuyasha has been adapted into a mobile game released for Java and Brew handsets on June 21, 2005.
Two titles were released for the PlayStation: an RPG simply titled Inuyasha, and the fighting game Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale, the latter of which was released in North America. For the PlayStation 2, the two released games were the RPG Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask and the fighting game Inuyasha: Feudal Combat, which also received an English version. An English-only RPG, Inuyasha: Secret of the Divine Jewel, was released for the Nintendo DS on January 23, 2007.
Inuyasha appeared in the crossover video game Sunday vs Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen as a playable character.
Inuyasha's sword, Tessaiga, has appeared in Monster Hunter as a craftable weapon using items gained from a special event.
An English-language original collectible card game created by Score Entertainment that was first released on October 20, 2004
Reception[]
Manga[]
Inuyasha was one of the Manga Division's Jury Recommended Works at the fifth and 12th installments of the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2001 and 2008, respectively. In 2002, the manga won the 47th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōnen category. On TV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo 2021 poll, in which 150,000 people voted for their top 100 manga series, Inuyasha ranked 28th.
By February 2010, Inuyasha had over 45 million copies in circulation. By September 2020, the manga had over 50 million copies in circulation. Individual volumes from Inuyasha have been popular in Japan, taking high places in rankings listing sales. In North America, the manga volumes have appeared various times in The New York Times and Diamond Comic Distributors top selling lists. Moreover, in 2005 Inuyasha was one of the most researched series according to Lycos.
Reviewing volume two for Ex.org, Eri Izawa wrote that Inuyasha combines many of Rumiko Takahashi's best elements; "fast paced action, interesting characters, deep doses of imaginative fantasy, a bit of horror, and those famous touches of Takahashi humor." She also praised the "undeniably intelligent and observant" Kagome as refreshing. Izawa described the faults of the series as subtle and minor; feeling that the action sometimes seems to drag a little and that some of the characters are too familiar to those from Takahashi's previous works. Rebecca Bundy began her review of volume 23 of Inuyasha for Anime News Network by claiming; "Twenty three volumes in and this series still packs a serious punch." She called its balance of action, conversation and "reflection" perfect, and noted it had plenty of character development for the main cast, sans Koga. Bundy's sole complaint was that she felt the character designs had changed a modest amount since the beginning of the series. Even though they had not read Inuyasha since around volume six, Manga Life's Penny Kenny said they were able to jump right in with volume 52 thanks in part to the sense of familiarity provided by Takahashi "riffing on the same themes." Kenny stated that Takahashi's genius lies in her "endless improvisations on the standard elements" by adding new enemies and monsters she forces the heroes to up their game and grow as individuals. The reviewer described the art as having little background detail, with Takahashi instead focusing on the characters and their actions. Kenny also noted that, like all of the manga artist's works, the drama is heightened by levity, with each character having their own style of humor.
Anime[]
The anime of Inuyasha was ranked twenty by TV Asahi of the 100 best anime series in 2006 based on an online survey in Japan. In ICv2's Anime Awards from both 2004 and 2005, the series was the winner in the category of Property of the Year. In the Anime Grand Prix polls by Animage, Inuyasha has appeared various times in the category of Best Anime, taking third place in 2003. In the American Anime Awards from 2007, Inuyasha was a nominee in the categories of Best Cast, Best Long Series, and Best Anime Feature, but lost to Fullmetal Alchemist and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, respectively. A 2019 NHK poll of 210,061 people saw Inuyasha named Takahashi's best animated work. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were voted first and third place respectively in her characters category.
The English DVDs from the series had sold over one million copies between March 2003 and November 2004, with the first film's DVD topping the Nielsen VideoScan anime bestseller list for three weeks. By 2016, Viz Media had sold more than 2 million Inuyasha home video units. Mania Entertainment listed the series in an article ranking anime series that required a reboot, criticizing the series' repetitiveness.
External Links[]
- Inuyasha TV Anime Website
- Shonen Sunday's official Inuyasha manga website (in Japanese)
- Viz's official Inuyasha website
- Sunrise's official Inuyasha anime website (in Japanese)
- Sunrise's official Inuyasha: Final Act anime website (in Japanese)
- Yomiuri Television's official Inuyasha anime website (in Japanese)
- Official Sunrise Inuyasha: The Final Act anime website (in Japanese)
- Avex official Inuyasha anime website (in Japanese)
- Inuyasha Movie Website
- Wikipedia Website
See Also[]
- Hanyou no Yashahime (Sequel)
Trivia[]
to be added.