Historical Action And Romance From One of Japan's Most Beloved Creators
Kagome is a modern Japanese high school girl. Never the type to believe in myths and legends, her world view dramatically changes when, one day, she's pulled out of her own time and into another! There, in Japan's ancient past, Kagome discovers more than a few of those dusty old legends are true, and that her destiny is linked to one legendary creature in particular--the dog-like half-demon called Inuyasha! That same trick of fate also ties them both to the Shikon Jewel, or "Jewel of Four Souls." But demons beware...the smallest shard of the Shikon Jewel can give the user unimaginable power.
Rumiko Takahashi (高橋留美子) was born in Niigata, Japan. She is not only one of the richest women in Japan but also one of the top paid manga artists. She is also the most successful female comic artist in history. She has been writing manga non-stop for 31 years.
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
There is simply nothing about this series what I don´t love and it keeps getting even better. The fight between Inu Yasha and Bankotsu was awesome and especially the cliffhanger in the end... I´m so excited to continue!
The cave was freaky. And so were those gross little babies. Can we talk about how hard the monk and naraku scene goes, it reminds me of the eren and his dad scene where eren told him to get up and kill that guy. Same energy where naraku told the monk he hated the people who did this and it was okay to hate them. Those scenes just went so hard and it didn’t have to
So finally we are done with the band of seven storyline. God, this was painful. But at least we get to finally see naraku again. & all super uber powerful now too. The art work is great & even the fight scenes are good, but there's just been to many. I am so ready for something calmer.
So far this is my Fave out of all of the series. Its amazing to see the rebirth of Naraku and how everything can go wrong. Kikyo has a huge part in this event and I love the fights and everything else!
I am very exsided to read the next book and find out how everything unfolds!!
*This review is for the series as a whole with 4.5 out of 5 stars*
This series is absolutely the longest series I’ve ever read so far, with a total of 56 volumes containing 559 chapters. Yeah right? I grew up watching anime and when I stumbled to this one, I instantly got hook. I’m so in love with this anime that I have the complete anime series in my possession. Yep! It occupy mostly the memory of my external drive haha sucker I know. And it’s just now that I finally had the courage to read its manga. I started reading this last December but had a 1 week off because of the Holiday until finally I finished it!
This story is about this modern Japanese girl, Kagome, that was pulled from her own time and went to feudal Japan. It is where she met the half yokai (supernatural monster in Japanese folklore) or also called Hanyou, Inuyasha. Two opposite personalities that were forced to travel together because of the Shikon Jewel or the Jewel of Four Souls.
Kagome (female lead) is so much fun and a wonderful heroine. If she’s a real person, she could be my hero. And Inuyasha on the other hand is such an awesome badass that thinking about him hurts. And as a couple, they sure are mind blowing. After writing this review, I’ll definitely re-watch the anime hehe.
Speaking of which, Inuyasha is a bad boy. But he’s the awesome kind of bad boy with humor and with a touch of dumbness at the same time. When he first met Kagome, I swear he could really be a great pain in the ass and is a straight-up a-hole. And as the story progresses, he became this kind of awesome person without losing his bad boy image ofcourse. And when it comes to Kagome, he sure is kind of protective and I love their usual bantering. It could get annoying sometimes but mostly entertaining lol, especially when Kagome really gets angry at him.
His character is so realistic too. Behind the bad boy image is the guy who lost his first love and when she returned, he’s torn between her and Kagome. Which to be honest, made me kind of mad at him. Well, I’m 100% with Kagome and I totally hate Kikyou. But after reading the manga, I still don’t like her, but she is kind of likeable now especially when she saved Kohaku. And also Inuyasha’s inner battle with his demon blood and his human heart, and you know what’s awesome about it? It’s because it’s only Kagome who can make him back to his senses, isn’t that just sweet?
(I was a bit teary-eyed when the Spider youkai were after them and he got bitten while he’s in his human form. And speaking of human form, he sure still rock it even with black hair minus the cute doggy ears. Then he lay on Kagome’s lap and told her that he love her scent even if he told her otherwise before. They’re in the middle of a dangerous situation but because of that, it became kind of romantic and unforgettable scene for me.)
Kagome on the other hand is a typical female lead. She started as a helpless girl until they found out about her being the reincarnation of Kikyou which was Inuyasha’s first love and the strongest Miko in the feudal Japan. I love how she became badass as the story progresses. Kikyou may be the first woman Inuyasha loved, but it is Kagome who really changed Inuyasha as a person. Plus, did I tell you how many times she saved Kikyou? Also, even how many times she got hurt because she’s Inuyasha’s first love, her heart remains pure.
I have to be honest, there’s some point in this series that totally got my nerve and made me flipped. That’s mostly about Inuyasha being torn between Kikyou and Kagome and how many times he chose Kikyou over Kagome. I mean, that’ quite of cruel really. But even that’s the case, I learn to outgrow it simply because he still travels with her, plus, once in a while they have their own moments. And speaking of moment, I need to step ahead and point out the lack of kissing scenes between them. In anime there’s quite a lot, but in manga, almost none. Yeah right?
As they travel, their group of two grows into a group of 6 where they met the kitsune Shippou, the monk Miroku, cool Sango and her cute Kirara.
Shippou is a cute Kitsune (fox) yokai that specializes in making pranks which he mostly use to Inuyasha lol. At first, they both hate each other and argues which is kind of funny lol. But as they both travels together, their relationship improved. He is really adorable and so attached to Kagome.
Miroku – A playboy and pervert who loves caressing women’s butt. But his proposal to Sango was pretty sweet.
Sango – a really tough cookie. I love her character and the fact that she can man handle guys. And her relationship with Miroku was so kawaii.
(Quite cliche eh? Inuyasha and Kagome fell in love with each other and Miroku, Sango with each other too. Well, IDC haha. I just love their group.)
Kirara – is a cute yokai that transforms into a ferocious beast during battles. Plus, he flies!
With a very long series, a long list of character isn’t a surprise at all. But what’s really hard with manga or anime is to get familiarize with the character’s names. But as for my favorites or the ones that totally got my attention here’s my list. (I’m being mean today, so I’m not going to add Kikyou in my list, blee)
1. Number one in my list is Sesshoumaru. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m one of those really annoying fangirls who love him. Deym! When I first saw him in the anime, I’ve got to say that there’s something dangerous about him. Inuyasha has this bad boy image, but Sesshoumaru is on the highest level. I really hate him at first. Unlike Inuyasha, he really is living the bad boy life. He’s rude, full of pride and all things bad. I specifically hated how he keeps on stealing their Father’s memento, Tessaiga, that is originally given to I But everything changed when he met Rin, and then we got to find out about Tenseiga and everything about it. Then, it just happens, I love Sesshoumaru. And then I came to the part about Meidou Zangetsuha, I feel so sorry for him. Huhu, and then after that my admiration for him intensified. He made me feel so many emotions, I almost cried because of him. It will take too much writing if I’ll enumerate the things that made me love Sesshoumaru so I’ll just let these images speaks for itself.
2. Well, obviously, it’s Rin. I love her character simply because she’s the reason why Sesshoumaru became compassionate, which is also the reason how he was now able to use his healing sword T And I love her teasing with Jaken. I love how the boring team of two grows and became lively because of her.Honestly, at first, I’m one of those fans that ships Rin to Sesshoumaru. But after I read the manga, I realized how absurd that is. I don’t know, but I think Jaken is right. Sesshoumaru is like a father to Rin in a strange way, and he sure is a great one.
3. Kagome’s family, her mother, younger brother Shouta, grandpa including their cat Buyo. I thought it’s going to be a big shocker when they met Inuyasha, but end up petting him like a pet dog lol. They’re all touching Inuyasha’s ears haha. Well, that couldn’t be help lol especially if he has that adorable doggy ears.
4. Kouga – The moment he was introduced in this series, I can’t stop laughing. He’s the third party between Inuyasha and Kagome and I can’t really stop laughing whenever I remember the scene where he boldly said that he loves Kagome and he’s determine to make her his woman. Well, after what Kagome went through because of Kikyou, I can’t help but send Inuyasha a dirty sign. Blee!
5. Miyouga – The coward flea. He’s some sort of the guy who knows it all, well, not totally all but mostly about Inuyasha and his father. I wish this series was able to show something about the past especially about Inuyasha’s father and mother. Well, it did actually in the anime.
6. Totosai – The swordsmith who forged Tessaiga and Tenseiga due to Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru’s father’s request. I would have love it more if they included a back story of him too.
7. Kaede – Kikyou’s younger sister. A strong lady who would probably live another 50 years the way she’s going.
8. Kohaku – The younger brother of Sango. For a young age, he’s been through a lot. But I’m happy how he was able to regain or fight for his humanity after what Naraku did to him.
9. Jaken – Originally, I didn’t have the intention of adding him in this list but looking back, I have to say that he made my whole reading experience so enjoyable too. He’s Sesshoumaru’s companion. He’s arrogant and even pitiful sometimes especially when he receives death glare or punches from Sesshoumaru when he’s pissed but he is mostly funny especially when Rin joined the group.
10. Naraku – For the ultimate cunning supervilain, I guess he quite deserve to be in this list lol. He’s a hanyou like Inuyasha. He’s the reason why Kikyou died 50 years ago and is the reason why Kikyou and Inuyasha had a rough past.
When I think about it, this is obviously a typical adventure anime/manga. For an adventure stories, the idea of different set of individuals forming a group while traveling is quite cliche too, let alone falling in love with each other! But what sets this story different from others is on the adventures each characters went through. When I though it’s the end and the ideas are already sucked out dry from the author, we then introduced to a new unexpected scene. I’ve been watching anime and they all gave me the same reaction. And what is that? It’s astonishment. We might already encountered the story’s plot before, but the twists and turns, the scenes, the lines are so unique. I can’t count how many times I said out loud “I didn’t expected that!” while reading this series.
All we’re covered too. I love that each characters has their own background covered, so we all got the chance to really know more about them and where they come from. I love that each characters have the chance to stand out and we’ve got to see how they matured with each chapters. As the title goes, without watching the anime, I really thought this series would only revolves around Inuyasha, well, it kind of does since each characters have a connection with Inuyasha. But what I like to say is that the author didn’t made a selfish decision to just make Inuyasha the hero all the time. We’ve got the chance to see the weaker side of him, the annoying one, the part where others from the group became the hero and saved him, and ofcourse the funny and dense Inuyasha which is my favorite.
As I said, this series has a total of 559 chapters so it will absolutely take us a lot of time if I talk about the adventures the group encountered one by one. So to make it short, I’ll just “kind of share” my favorite chapters from this series. Before I decided to read this manga, I have a lot of favorite scenes from the anime, mostly? Well, all of them we’re from Kagome and Inuyasha. But after reading the manga, I have to say that my favorite scenes were from Sesshoumaru (Inuyasha’s youkai brother). The first one was when he met Rin (human girl) and resurrected her. I really love how little by little he changed from this full mean badboy image to a compassionate one. He’s still a badboy but when he’s with Rin, dayum, I just can’t help but squeal in delight. And another favorite scene was when he went inside the meidou (a place where the living are not suppose to go) to save Rin. It’s also the most touching scene ever because of how he discarded his sword tenseiga (his father’s memento) because it can’t save Rin. Like dang! (just zoom the image to read the lines)
For my rating, I’m detracting a half star. It really is painful but I guess I really need to. It’s because even with the 559 chapters, it failed to tell us an introduction of what really is a yokai or hanyou or everything about those so-called monster. I mean, it’s been 50 years after that the story resumed but Sesshoumaru look as fabulous as ever and so is Inuyasha. I mean, if Inuyasha and Kagome will live together as man and wife, Kagome will age and Inuyasha would still be looking the same? The slowness of the villains too is quite so-so but I understand that to make this series long. Also, about crossing time through the well, in its first few chapters, we’ve got to find out that it’s the Shikon Jewel that connects the two worlds, but I remembered after Naraku seized all the shards of the Jewel, Kagome was still able to go back to her world. That really is kinda confusing though. And lastly, the epilogue. Dang! Sango and Miroku had their three little angels, how come Inuyasha and Kagome didn’t have atleast 1 son or daughter?! Oh well, I guess you can’t really have all.
You might be wondering which one of the two I love, manga or anime, I have to say that I love both. All the scenes from manga can be seen in anime, but what’s great with anime is that there’s some new scenes added to it. So if you’re planning to read the manga, I would highly recommend watching the anime too.
I would highly recommend this series, if you’re down for a good solid adventure and a kickass heroine with a sexy demon badboy. It’s often hilariously funny and the drawing is so lovely. It’s just simply awesome.
InuYasha is in serious trouble. Passing through the mountain barrier has rendered him a mere human. Snake blade wielding pretty boy, Jakotsu (finally remembered his name), is slowly, slowly slicing him to pieces. Without his demon strength and speed, or his swords power…or his rat robe armour, he is hanging on through skill alone. Meanwhile Monk and Sango are dealing with the living budha, albeit not well, but well enough to save Inuyasha’s gorgeous head from the snake blade.
Kikioy does what the others cannot and finds a way to help the living budha pass peacefully. With the barrier down, demons explode into the world. Inuyasha fights the band leader once more (and he just fought the snake boy too). Sango and Monk fall into what Naraku was trying to accomplish in the mountain. Though They have yet to figure out what it all means. But time dissolves away…
Die Sieben Krieger wurden einst besiegt und Naraku ist wieder zurück, doch er ist nun in einem neuen Körper. Inu Yasha und seine Freunde stehen vor einer neuen Herausforderung. Denn Naraku ist stärker denn je.
Das Cover gefällt mir wieder richtig gut. Ich liebe die Kampfszene auf dem Cover, die die Geschichte sehr gut wiederspiegelt. Die Zeichnungen sind wieder gewohnt spitze. Rumiko Takahashi hat ein Händchen für den Geschichtsaufbau und die Dialoge.
Auch dieser Manga hat es wieder faustdick hinter den Ohren. Allein die Wiedergeburt von Naraku ist großartig in Szene gesetzt. Ich bin schon sehr gespannt wie es weitergeht.
Rumiko Takahashi really is a master of her craft! InuYasha versus The leader of the Band of Seven. This storyline comes to its conclusion. Some liked this arc, but I found it to be just okay...but the magic of Takahashi is apparent in volumes that aren't moving the story that forward or don't necessarily get your blood pumping. They are almost always solid and have some forms of entertainment to keep the reader engaged. That is to be applauded.
There's a reason why Inuyasha is my favourite manga series of all time. Or... several reasons actually. The characters, the art and the setting are just so wonderful. At it's very best - in volumes like this one, where the whole gang face the Big Bad - the high-stakes action and sweet character moments are pitch perfect.
Reread Possible spoilers?? I recently have been told that some feel as though the Band of Seven were basically a whole season (or couple volumes) of filler. I can't really dispute that, but I don't 100% agree. Long series are going to have some diversions from the main storyline. The Band of Seven is used as a shield by Naraku to grant him time to transform. His new transformation was revealed in this volume, so technically the Band is a part of the main storyline. I fully enjoyed the addition of them, so I could be biased. BUT all that ranting is basically for nothing because in this volume the last of the seven die. Jakotsu is heavily wounded by Inuyasha and Renkotsu finished him off for his jewel shard. Bankotsu, mad about Jakotsu being killed, kills Renkotsu. THEN a crazy fight happens between Inuyasha and Bankotsu. Guess who wins, though... Koga gets absorbed by this nasty flesh substance, and it turns out that Naraku has taken complete control of Mt. Hakurei! As in, it's basically his whole body. And from this, he reveals his crazy new dinosaur looking body. The volume ends with quite the suspenseful cliff hanger. This was a great volume because it is the beginning of a new part of the gangs journey. Basically a season finale, so of course it's very interesting. Kikyo speaking with and consoling st. Hakushin was probably my favorite scene. She speaks about a lot of things that all humans struggle with and it ultimately felt like a pep talk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Betrayal and Transformation Saint Hakushin reveals he helps Naraku because Naraku rescued him from darkness, despite knowing Naraku's evil nature. Miroku's wind tunnel disintegrates the temple, but saimyosho allow Hakushin to escape. Inuyasha, in human form, is losing to Jakotsu, who tortures him until the purifying barrier weakens, allowing Inuyasha to transform back into a half-demon and cripple Jakotsu.
Internal Conflicts and Deaths Renkotsu kills the crippled Jakotsu and takes his shard, but Bankotsu, informed by the saimyosho, kills Renkotsu and blocks Inuyasha's path to Naraku. Inuyasha defeats Bankotsu by cutting him in half. Kikyo shows Hakushin how Naraku tricked him, bringing peace to Hakushin's soul, which ascends to Heaven and drops the barrier, releasing Naraku's aura and many demons from the mountain.
Naraku's True Form Kagura drops Miroku and Sango deep into the mountain, where they find remnants of Naraku's baby-like creations. Koga, Kagome, Shippo, and Kirara enter the mountain to find the others. The mountain turns into flesh, trapping Kagome, Inuyasha, and Koga. Naraku reveals his plan to sacrifice the mountain and Bankotsu to transform into his true, more powerful form, taking all the jewel shards. Inuyasha's wind-scar bounces within the mountain, and Naraku taunts that it will kill Inuyasha and his friends.
Jakotsu’s beating up human Inuyasha pretty bad but Miroku uses his air rip to destroy the man holding the barrier up & the mountain’s powers weaken & Inuyasha gets his hanyou form back & beats up Jakotsu but leaves him alive to go after Naraku’s scent & it’s Renkotsu that comes & kills Jakotsu for his Shikon piece, wanting to be stronger & kill Bankotsu - & Bankotsu knows Renkotsu betrayed them & kills him - Kikyou helps the man’s soul who held up the barrier pass on & the barrier vanishes fully & youkai come flooding out & Inuyasha runs into Bankotsu & they fight it out while Miroku & Sango are at the bottom of the mountain where they find bodies of youkai & these nasty things trying to be born - so Naraku’s trying to recreate his body -Inuyasha starts taking out the Shikon fragments from Bankotsu’s body & he kills him eventually but then the inside of the mountain becomes flesh, like the walls & stuff & they start sucking them up & they finally meet NAraku & he tells them the entire mountain is his body & he gets the Shikon fragments & shows them their new body & his youki energy’s much stronger than before & Inuyasha releases the cutting wind on him…OMG
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What first drew me to this series was the romantic historical aspect. I loved how a modern day girl gets pulled back into the past. I don't know what it is about those stories that attract me so much, maybe it is the difficulty for the girl of fitting in and having to rely on the guy so much to be able to get along in the world.
I also really liked the group aspect to this series and the corresponding relationships that affect each of the characters.
I would really recommend this series to fans of Red River, it has a lot of the same concepts.
I love InuYasha. It has everything a good book (or manga, in this case) should have. Action, adventure, romance, humor. Rumiko Takahasi draws her mangas extremley well, and that makes it even better in my opinion.
I liked this better than the previous. Not only does it tie up the Band of Seven storyline, but it brings up the idea of a living Buddha (a priest who's buried alive in order to continue serving his people). By far my favorite part of this volume.
What a lame and gross way to end the arc! 'I'm going to eat you! Bwahahaha!' As the run around in intestines, or whatever that cave thing was suppose to be.