Kagome and Inuyasha have an angry argument that won't be settled until someone apologizes, but each of them is just as stubborn as the other! While Kagome and Inuyasha work things out, Naraku sends forth one of his own most enigmatic minions, a woman with the power to control the dead. As Naraku's plans unfold, Sesshomaru finds an unexpected reason to question his demonic nature. Between covetous wolf demons and Naraku's powerful illusions, Kagome and Inuyasha face even more difficult challenges!
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
I can see why I stopped reading this around here, 20 or so years ago. After a very cool and psychologically tense sequence with Kikyo, we're on to powering up, fighting a lot, and a rather boring "fight and make up" sequence between our leads.
It seems like Takahashi is tacking on new elements to recurring characters rather than doing much new. Kagura and Hanna in v. 15 are examples of that:
I'm happier with that than I would be with a slew of new additions for Inuyasha's train. Miroku, Sango and Shippo are near-inert witnesses to the proceedings as is.
I feel like I'm griping too much here, because I've been enjoying these volumes a lot as I've been reading along. This is one of Takahashi's strongest series, with a story that both younger readers and adults can enjoy. The character art is spot-on, with plenty of funny double-takes in between the battle-ready grimaces.
Kagura is one of my more favorite characters from the anime, so happy to see her introduced. I don’t remember much about Kanna, but the mirror she had seems cool. Gonna take a small break before I read the next volume.
I'm getting tired of Kagome and Inuyasha's BS. Individually, they are both great characters. Together they are annoying and juvenile. But anyway, at least my favorite wind witch showed up in this volume!
With every volume, the amount of story that was left out of the original anime keeps growing and growing. It is making me sad about the anime and how i wish there had been alot more. There are so many sweet moments between Inuyasha and Kagome that I think needed to be heard and seen, that were just excluded for time and money purposes back then. That being said, this volume was FANTASTIC! The art is gorgeous as always, and the development between inu and kag is beautiful! Highly recommend!
Taking my time and really enjoying this manga. I'm loving it! The style is so crisp and beautiful. I'm watching the anime while I walk on the treadmill, it's a great motivator. Always and forever one of my faves!
Spoilers Below!
Inuyasha and Miroku find a mountain where demons are battling each other to the death. Inuyasha jumps into the fray even though Miroku warns him not to. He can tell there is some evil sorcery at work.
Kikyo arrives and releases the demons and saves Inuyasha. In the process she is kidnapped by Naraku. Naraku uses his miasma to create evil illusions for Inuyasha and crew.
Turns out Kikyo is playing the long game...
We meet Totosai! He's a master swordsmith on the run from Seshomaru. He needs some protection from Inuyash'a big bro.
Inuyasha masters the wind scar!
Seshomaru is seriously wounded after his encounter with the wind scar. A young girl named Rin finds him and tries to take care of him. In a stunning twist of character, when young Rin is attacked, Seshomaru uses his sword to bring her back to life.
The crew meets Koga and his wolf demons. Koga kidnaps Kagome because she can sense the sacred jewel shard. He needs her help defeating the bird demons that keep attacking his pack. He also decides he's going to marry Kagome. (I never get tired of this.)
Kagome runs home for a bit and Inuyasha has to secretly check up on her. She comes back just in time for everyone to fall into Naraku's deadly trap. He lures the wolf demons to the slaughter and then makes Koga think it was Inyuasha! We also meet Kagura and Kanna, demons of Naraku's.
One of my favorite parts of this book is Koga. I love when he and Kagome meet up later on. I love how mad it makes Inuyasha.
I’m dnf’ing this series. I just haven’t been into it that much and also find Inuyasha and kagome’s relationship super frustrating. He acts like an ass and secretly liking her does not make it ok. The final straw was miroku coming on to a 14 year old. Even through the characters acknowledge it as wrong they still stay friends with him and all his behavior is brushed off in the end.
I would like to find out what happens with kikyo and naraku but just not enough to continue. Overall I’ve been finding these volumes slow with a lot of things that feel only vaguely linked to the main storyline. Everything feels like a side quest but then they go “oh, naraku was actually behind it somehow.”
This is volume 5 of the omnibus, ending right after volume 15 of the regular series.
A love triangle? Usually I'm opposed, but anything to push Inuyasha's feelings for Kagome to the forefront. I was tempted to give this three stars for that filler segment of Kagome returning home (not a fan of THAT slice her life; also, how is she able to hop back into school without any parent-teacher conferences? Suspend disbelief I suppose) and enduring pages upon pages of alternating inner monologues on how both Inuyasha and Kagome believe the other will return/rescue them. But then I remembered the absolute hell that was Inuyasha reliving the day of his death by Kikyou/Naraku's hand; having to lose your life/love all due to someone else's petty meddling...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love me some Koga! Watching the banter between Koga and Inuyasha is hilarious. It also gives another development to the relationship between Inuyasha and Kagome. While we have seen Kagome deal with jealousy and insecurity towards Kikyo, it is nice to have the tide turn and see Inuyasha deal with the same towards Koga.
I think is the lowest rate I have ever gave to a InuYasha manga and I think because I just recently just seen this episodes that is talking about , and could not stop comparing in my head. First what was I stupidly going on and on, was visualizing the episode and the events and saying that it did not happen like that, or that it was much funnier. Still the art beats all the manga's I have read so far , and yes that includes Dragon Ball (but to be fair I have not read Dragon Ball since vol 2 so maybe it got better...the reason I do not own them yet).
In the book even though the situation was funny (any time you put Kagome and InuYasha together, something will happen), at some points I found Kagome a little irritable (and I love the character). However somehow in this volume Sesshomaru's character changed for me (i like him, and not only that , but the art for him...did not realize he was so good looking) , and I started to understand where he is coming from (also that he is not as bad as he is trying to show). It is so funny when InuYasha apologizes to Kagome but for the wrong reason, but love the fact that he is finally starting to show some feeling for her even if they both deny them.
No matter how this book made me feel, I still enjoyed reading it, and will for sure continue with the story to see if is as different from the anime,as some people say.
I preferred the beginning of this volume over the end because of Kikyo’s and Sesshomaru’s parts. Koga is an interesting antagonist, and Naraku’s new ability shakes things up a little bit. But this volume does make me think about how there’s a bias toward humanoid demons. If he didn’t look like a pretty boy, I’m sure Koga would get away with less.
Sango, Miroku, and Shippo are unfortunately sidelined. They rarely get to contribute. It feels like Takahashi wrote herself into a corner by including all these characters when the focus is mostly on Inuyasha and Kagome. And I don’t care for Miroku much, so Sango developing feelings for him is meh.
I do like how Inuyasha and Kagome are more obvious about their feelings for each other now, though. They’re clearly not gonna say anything about it anytime soon, but it’s progress. And the art is fun during the action scenes, as usual. I liked this volume a little less than the last one, but it’s still a good time.
No stand alone “monster of the week” episodes this time, which is disappointing as those allow the most creative freedom to come up with interesting settings and characters, and the self-contained plots have better pacing and tension.
Naraku is kind of a lame villain. And the backstory with Onigumo and Kikiyo is too convoluted to remember.
Sesshomaru is also pretty boring and the encounters with him are low tension.
The volume ends with two tales that start out seeming like monster of the week, but Naraku quickly shows up in both, and the one with the wolf man devolves into romance.
Kagura resents Naraku so she may end up turning against him.
This was a disappointing volume with far less suspense and creativity than any of the previous volumes.
Another great installment! We meet a lot of new recurring characters here like Rin, Koga (my beloved), and Kagura.
But also, I like the fact that this volume felt a bit more introspective? Or in a way more character-driven. With Kikyo and her agenda (again can she leave Kagome alone omfg), Inuyasha mastering the Tetsusaiga, Sesshomaru knowing more about Tenseiga and meeting Rin. It just seems like a lot of character development and a bit of character study and I really liked that.
Also I really have to say I like the author/creator's way of creating symbolism, particularly with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's swords choosing them and what that means for their characters and the story. That's some good stuff right there 🥹
I forgot that we would be seeing Koga! I also forgot about Kagura and her connection to Naraku. This is where the details of the plot start to blur for me because I remember some of the bigger plot points but I forgot the little details or connections.
(Sidenote: I noticed Rumiko draws a lot of topless women. I'm not complaining, but I've seen more boobs in these 5 volumes than I was expecting.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Never liked the fact Sango ended up with Miroku... She always deserved something better. I know Miroku is supposed to be a "funny' character, but still. Almost nothing changes in him throughout the story. Sango deserved better Rumiko-sensei!
Also, the english translation of this is very poor. Only in this volume Sango calls Kagome, Lady Kagome, Kagome and Kagome-chan... Well, which one is it?... And don't make me talk of the typos... Fansubs do better than this. 🤨
This is, hands down, the best volume of Inuyasha so far. It has everything you could want out of the story condensed into a single volume. Plenty of new and interesting characters are introduced. The ever growing romance elements of the story are on full display. There’s even a classic Shonen moment of the hero learning a new way to fight.
This book is a banger Inuyasha story through and through.
It’s enjoyable enough, but mostly filler. Very enemy of the week style. Not enough time is being spent developing what’s become the train of characters following Inuyasha and Kagome. Even they aren’t really being developed. Kagome gets mad and leaves and then… immediately comes back… What was the point of that? Just filler. We went from a pretty compelling and tricky situation between Inuyasha and Kikyo (plus Kagome), and now we’re… I’m not entirely sure what we’re doing now.
Inuyasha is the best i love the romance it contains of an ordinary modern girl being a reincarnation of a priest and a demon who falls in love but does not admit it and does not know it yet. Even better it has so much humor and addictive.
MY MAN MY MAN MY MAN makes his entrance in this volume. What did y'all expect? Not to mention, this volume has some of my favorite arcs in here, and Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship deepens in this volume, too.
We are introduced to 3 new characters Koga, Kagura, and Kanna. Both Inuyasha and Kagome are starting to realize their feelings and are getting some character development.