Is Inuyasha good? Is it worth watching? A review

The anime Inuyasha has etched itself into the consciousness of many weaboos and otakus and has become one of the most-watched animes of the 21st Century. With a total of approximately 200 episodes, 4 films, video games and a tonne of merchandise, it is not hard to fathom the popularity that it enjoys in Japan.

That Inuyasha won the 47th Shogakukan Manga Award in the Shonen Category, is testament to its artistic worth and popularity. If you are a fan of watching “yokais” fight using supernatural powers, you will love Inuyasha. However, it can be a bit much.

1. Quick Review

In spite of the storyline’s dreary atmosphere, it doesn’t transit to scary, thanks to Takahashi’s ability to fuse supernatural horror and violence with comedy and romance.

Even the tensest and bloodiest situation can quickly turn comedic and humorous. The series is also well-known for its incredible soundtrack and opening and closing tracks, which add lots of mood to the episode.

It is often claimed that watching any anime would be incomplete without listening to its OST. Still, it is truer for a series like Inuyasha.

2. Is it worth watching?

I. Plot

Based on the manga of the same name written by Rumiko Takahashi, the series follows the journey of a 15-year-old girl, Kagome Higurashi, who gets pulled into the Sengoku Period of Japan through a well in her family’s shrine.

There she learns about her past and her purpose to collect all the Shikon Jewel shards, which had been accidentally scattered all over Feudal Japan. To a large extent, the series follows the typical Shonen format.

It features lots of intense battle scenes between macabre-looking monsters/demons called “Yokai” and the group of five, led by the half-demon protagonist Inuyasha.

One notable thing about Inuyasha is its brilliantly crafted battle scenes. Thet are fast-paced and involve very little tedious mouth-service from the characters, as is the norm with Shounen.

Rumiko Takahashi should be commended for her skill with which she infuses wit and energy into her battle scenes. The characters don’t just fight battles of strength, they’re also emotionally and psychologically engaged towards annihilating their opponent.

II. Characters

The characters are equipped with a range of powers that are all unique in their way. In particular, Inuyasha’s Wind Scar or “Kaze No Kizu,” Kagome’s Sacred Arrows, and Miroku’s Wind Tunnel “Kazaana” stand out among the many supernatural abilities that are shown.

The intensity of every battle scene in Inuyasha gets accentuated by the inclusion of each of these special abilities, which serve as the path to climax in the scene/episode.

Like any other Shonen series, the antagonist Naraku is blessed with a bewildering set of supernatural abilities on a whole other level compared to the protagonists. In addition to his craftiness and cunning, he has mind-control, casting illusions, astral projection, and creating his own minions-incarnations, shapeshifting among many others.

As the group travels throughout the territory of Feudal Japan, we are introduced to the blooming of romance between the characters Inuyasha and Kagome, Miroku, and Sango. Shippo and Kirara provide comic relief for the awkward romantic scenes.

Both Kagome and Inuyasha are provided with romantic love rivals, with Inuyasha’s ex-lover Kikyo and the leader of the yokai-wolf tribe, Koga, respectively.

Miroku’s tendency to flirt with every girl that he comes across with his uncanny pick-up line, “Do you want to bear my children?” earns the wrath of Sango, who turns out to be envious of such attention.

However, even though the romance is an important part, the focal point of the series is the battle against the evil Naraku, his incarnations, and their encounters with grisly demons and monsters who come in all shapes and sizes.

They merely perform the task of punctuating such a dark and serious storyline with much needed comic relief and deepen the beauty of such a plot.

The character development of each of the characters is also quite impressive. At the beginning of the series, glimpses into the troubled pasts of each of the protagonists, Miroku, Inuyasha, Sango, and Shippo, are revealed to be their motivations for wanting to wipe out Naraku.

Both Inuyasha and Sango struggle with losing a precious loved one because of Naraku and come to terms with their loss towards the end of the series. As much as the series is about action and adventure, it is also about the pains of loss and remembrance.

Also, Naraku’s incarnations like Kagura and Kanna are not left in the dark. They are portrayed not just as “villains” but as living people despite their hearts being under Naraku’s possession, who go through every human emotion.

The series is unique all the more for this reason that Takahashi has done an amazing portrayal of the characters of even her antagonists and their hopes and desires.

3. Final Thoughts

This is one of the few anime with gut-wrenching emotional scenes juxtaposed against adrenaline pumping and intense battle sequences. Even though Inuyasha has come to an end, it has aged wonderfully and the legacy remains strong.

With its amazing soundtrack, visuals, plot, and detailed character development, it will not stop being the favorite anime for many around the world.

4. Grade

5. Info Card

6. Watch Order

Inuyasha has many filler episodes. To watch only the relevant parts, click on the link below: