September 4th, 2020 
Charles Solomon 
Rumiko Takahashi’s “feudal fairy tale” InuYasha (2000) was one of the big hits of the early 21st century in Japan and the US. Kagome Higurashi (Moneca Stori), a normal 15-year-old high school girl, falls down the dry “Bone Eater’s Well” in her family’s Shinto shrine–and emerges during the “Warring States“ period (1467-1615). At the shrine, her ancestress, the priestess Kikyo (Willow Johnson), imprisoned the half-human/half-demon Inu-Yasha (Richard Cox).
As Kikyo’s reincarnation, Kagome possesses the magical Shikon Jewel. Inu-Yasha wants to use its power to make himself all demon. When the Jewel is shattered Kagome and Inu-Yasha must ally to recapture the fragments. Even a single shard contains so much power that if an evil demon or human obtained one, the consequences would be terrible.
Although they bicker endlessly, Kagome and Inu-Yasha bond to fight the bizarre demons they encounter. As Kagome discovers previously untapped psychic talents, Inu-Yasha develops a grudging respect for her. Inu-Yasha and his haughty older brother Sesshomaru (David Kaye) both want the Tetsusaiga, the enchanted sword carved from the fang of their father, The Great Dog Demon. Inu-Yasha defeats Sesshomaru to obtain the sword, but Kagome discovers how to release its devastating power.
During this first season, the filmmakers introduce the supporting cast. Kagome and Inu-Yasha are first joined by Shippo (Jillian Michaels), an orphan fox spirit. In Japanese folklore, foxes are shape-shifters, a talent Shippo uses in battles with hostile demons. The lecherous monk Miroku (Kirby Morrow) conceals a vaccuum-like weapon beneath the bandages on his right hand. He clumsily tries to put the moves on Sango (Kelly Sheridan), a girl who slays demons with a boomerang-like blade.
The heroes’ principal foe is the terrible Naraku (Paul Dobson), a demon who wears a hood made from a baboon’s skin. Kikyo once tended Onigumo, a badly burned thief. Overcome by his desire for the Shikon Jewel–and Kikyo, Onigumo allowed a horde of demons to consume his flesh and soul. These evil beings coalesced to form Naraku.
Rumiko Takahashi is the celebrated manga artist who created “Ranma ½,” and Kagome and Inu-Yasha’s quarrels recall the fractious relationship between Akane and Ranma. But Kagome has the upper hand. Inu-Yasha wears the magical “Beads of Submission:” When she shouts, “Sit, boy!” Inu-Yasha sits, whether he wants to or not.
A mixture of adventure, romance and character comedy set against a rich tapestry derived from traditional folk tales, InuYasha has a depth the farcical Ranma ½ lacks. The Shikon, the Jewel of the Four Souls, embodies the qualities of courage, friendship, wisdom, and love. When they function together, harmony and happiness are the result. But the Jewel is also a miniature battleground between good evil: a metaphor for the world–and for Inu-Yasha’s heart, as he vacillates between selfishness and kindness.
InuYasha arbuptly ended (or, more accurately, stopped) in 2004 after 167 episodes and four theatrical features. Takahahashi’s manga was still running, so no one knew how the story would end. The main characters thanked the viewers for watching and flew off. Five years later, the 26-episode series The Final Act picked up where the first one ended, and brought the story to its conclusion.
In the last two decades, InuYasha has lost none of its appeal, and it’s a good candidate for binge-watching. Viz recently announced that Yasashime, an animated sequel centered on the daughters of Inu-Yasha and Sesshomaru, will debut in Japan in October. A trailer for the new series is up on the Viz website:
InuYasha 1: Episodes 1-27 [Link]
InuYasha 2: Episodes 28-55 [Link]
Viz: $39.99 each, 4 discs, Blu-ray
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