In the anime world, the shōnen genre is likely the most popular genre there is. After all, it is the category that many classic titles, such as Hunter x Hunter and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, fall into. In fact, the legendary “Big Three” of anime, consisting of Naruto, One Piece and Bleach are also part of the shōnen genre. As for new titles, many fans have become fond of series such as Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Jujustu Kaisen, and Dr. Stone.
However, there is another shōnen anime that is famous for not only being a childhood classic for many fans, but a staple of many genres still. That anime is Inuyasha, based on the manga of the same name by Rumiko Takahashi. The story takes place not only in Japan in the nineties, but in the Sengoku Period and some time before. Teenager Kagome Higurashi is forced to reckon with the half-demon, half-human Inuyasha after the Shikon Jewel is broken, and the two embark on a reluctant journey together in order to find the missing shards.
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Inuyasha Was Created by the Legendary Rumiko Takahashi
Takahashi Is Renowned for Creating Many Wonderful Characters
Inuyasha is one of many works created by the famed manga artist Rumiko Takahashi. She debuted in 1978 with Those Obnoxious Aliens, more often than not referred to by its untranslated title of Urusei Yatsura. Since its debut, Urusei Yatsura is still widely celebrated today, thanks to Takahashi’s signature art style, character designs and slapstick comedy. Following the creation of Urusei Yatsura, Takahashi would go on to create many other notable works. These range from more well-known titles such as the romantic comedy-drama Maison Ikkoku, to the lesser-known supernatural thriller Mermaid Saga.
Aside from Inuyasha and Urusei Yatsura, another work that Takahashi is famous for is the romantic comedy Ranma ½. A blend of martial arts and fantasy, the story follows the determined martial artist Akane Tendo, who suddenly crosses paths with the titular Ranma Saotome, another young martial artist who turns into a girl whenever she is exposed to cold water, and back into a boy whenever he is exposed to hot water. Though the two often bicker, Akane and Ranma soon find themselves falling in love with one another all while dealing with their own personal goals and obstacles. Like Ranma ½ and Urusei Yatsura, Inuyasha is often praised for its character writing, which also works with drama, comedy and romance.
The Original Voice Cast Is Star-Studded
The Voice Actor for Inuyasha Also Provided the Voice for Ranma
The original voice cast for the animated version of Inuyasha has many well-known voice actors and actresses, who have also voiced characters that anime fans are sure to recognize. For instance, the voice actress for Kagome, Satsuki Yukino, also has voiced Kaname Chidori in Full Metal Panic! and Milly Thompson in Trigun. Meanwhile, the voice actor for Inuyasha, Kappei Yamaguchi, has provided voices for well-known characters such as Usopp from One Piece and L from Death Note. His first known voice actirng role was actually in Ranma ½, where he provided the voice for the male version of Ranma.
The Japanese voice actors for the series’ supporting and opposing cast have also provided voices for other well-known anime casts. For instance, Inuyasha’s half-brother Sesshomaru is voiced by Ken Narita, who also voiced Ryūken Ishida in Bleach and the adult version of Reborn in the Reborn! animated series. Meanwhile, one of Inuyasha and Kagome’s first allies, Shippo, is voiced by Kumiko Watanabe, who is known in the video game world as the actress behind Klonoa’s voice. Sango and Miroku, Inuyasha and Kagome’s other famous allies, are voiced by Houko Kuwashima, the voice of the heroine of Phantom Thief Jeanne, and Kōji Tsujitani, the voice of Ryu in Street Fighter II V.
The English Dub for Inuyasha Remains Iconic
Richard Ian Cox and Moneca Stori Truly Bring the Heroes to Life
Though the original voice cast is fantastic, the cast for the VIZ Media English dub of Inuyasha is iconic to many anime fans. As Inuyasha aired on the Toonami block of Adult Swim, audiences in North America grew up with the Inuyasha English dub. To this day, Richard Ian Cox is famous for providing Inuyasha’s voice, giving the title character a tone famous for its confidence and sarcasm. As for Kagome, her voice is provided by Moneca Stori, and it gives the heroine a tone that is usually calm, bright and cheerful (save for her arguments with Inuyasha).
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
To this day, like many English dubs, the English-language version of Inuyasha has mixed reviews. However, from the perspective of many fans, new and old, the English dub for Inuyasha has a unique charm. Aside from the fan-favorite performances done by Richard Ian Cox and Moneca Stori for Inuyasha and Kagome, the voice cast for the supporting and opposing cast members is also well-liked by several fans. David Kaye, who is well-known for voicing Transformers characters such as Optimus Prime and Megatron, voiced Sesshomaru, a performance that many fans found to be very fitting for the often ruthless demon. In the meantime, Kelly Sheridan, who is well-known for voicing Barbie and Nana Komatsu, and Kirby Morrow, famous for voicing Cyclops in X-Men: Evolution, voice Sango and Miroku, a duo known for their banter and Sango’s understandable annoyance at Miroku’s womanizing tendencies.
Inuyasha Is an Isekai but Also So Much More
A Blend of Fantasy, Romance and Drama
When one looks at the isekai genre today, it is easy to see how much it has changed since the nineties and early 2000s. There are several isekai titles that have been very well-received by fans for their narratives, such as Re:Zero and Sonny Boy. Sadly, there are also some isekai anime nowadays that simply rely on stereotypes, harems, and fanservice that often drives viewers away from the genre. In the past, however, the isekai genre was often associated with the shojo genre, featuring titles such as Magic Knight Rayearth and Fushigi Yugi.
Inuyasha, though it falls under the shōnen anime category, has a lot in common with the shojo genre, thanks to Takahashi’s unique storytelling that often combines genres. For the most part, Inuyasha is a fantasy/adventure series that works with several different figures in Japanese folklore. However, Inuyasha is also a romantic drama, as it not only revolves around the relationship with Inuyasha and Kagome, but Inuyasha’s conflicting emotions towards Kikyo, his former love. As serious as the series can be, with many elements related to the tragedy drama, Inuyasha is also not without various hilarious moments.
Inuyasha Has Great Comedy and Fun Filler Episodes
Many Jokes Are Still Well-Liked by Fans Today
Rumiko Takahashi’s manga often feature several comedic scenes and characters, from the absurd comedy of Urusei Yatsura to the shenanigans revolving around the cast of Ranma ½. Compared to these two series, which are explicitly labeled as romantic comedies, Inuyasha is not, and is often regarded as one of Takahashi’s more serious works. After all, the themes surrounding the story, from the pain of betrayal to the grief of losing a loved one, are extremely prevalent. However, even in the heaviest arcs, one can be sure that they can find glimmers of humor in Inuyasha, from a witty comment to a goofy expression from one of the characters.
Aside from well-known comedic moments such as Kagome’s famous “Sit, boy!” commands, the Inuyasha anime has many fan-favorite filler episodes. From the perspective of many fans, while the filler episodes are usually just side stories, they are lighthearted in tone and offer even more fun moments with the main cast. In one popular filler episode, “Battle Against the Dried-Up Demons at the Cultural Festival!”, Kagome is trying to fulfill the duties needed of her at her school’s Cultural Festival while demons resembling food begin to wreak havoc. Unfortunately for Kagome, as the school prepares for and starts the play, Inuyasha is determined to dispose of these odd demons, even if it means making a chaotic, hilarious mess.
The Narrative of Inuyasha Is Both Heartwrenching and Heartwarming
A Tale of Reflection, Self-Worth and Saving the World
Inuyasha is not just a story about saving the world; it is a tale about learning to accept oneself. As viewers learn early in the narrative, Inuyasha is the son of a legendary dog demon and a human woman. Growing up, Inuyasha grew up isolated, as humans except for his mother viewed him with fear due to his father. Years later, Inuyasha would meet and fall in love with the priestess Kikyo, yet the two would seemingly betray one another, an event that would lead to Kikyo’s death and Inuyasha’s decades-long slumber. At the start of the series, Inuyasha has little love left in his heart for humanity and is very annoyed with having to work with Kagome, a girl from another time who looks eerily similar to Kikyo. Though the two soon became friends
Kagome soon learns that Inuyasha’s desire to gain the power of the Shikon Jewel is to finally become a full-fledged dog demon instead of only a half-demon, a wish that Inuyasha believes that, once granted, will rid him of his loneliness. In the meantime, Inuyasha slowly but surely learns to have faith in Kagome, who cares for her unlikely companion as he is, as well as the allies they meet during their long journey. Their quest is one full of hardships and violence, yet it is also a chance for each character to reckon with their obstacles and figure out what they want most from life. Each character narrative, whether it revolves around one of the main heroes or even the villains, comes together to create a story that is unforgettable for many veteran anime fans.
The Soundtrack for Inuyasha Is Absolutely Gorgeous
Fans Still Love the Series’ Opening and Ending Themes
The score for the Inuyasha television series was composed by Kaoru Wada, who has also composed for D. Gray-man and more recently, the Ranma ½ remake. Fans who grew up watching the series are likely very familiar with the first opening theme, titled “Change the World”. Performed by V6, this opening theme perfectly encapsulates the wonder of Inuyasha and Kagome’s journey. Aside from many iconic opening themes, the ending themes of Inuyasha are also very popular today still. One such example lies with “Fukai Mori” by Do As Infinity, showcased alongside a somber reflection of Sesshomaru’s own journey.
Various character songs were produced by Avex Mode, with the singers being the voice actors and actresses themselves. For instance, the character song “Aoki Yasei o Daite” (“Embrace the Untamed Wilderness” in English) is performed by the voice actor of Inuyasha and the voice actress of Kagome. Meanwhile, the instrumental pieces for the series are absolutely gorgeous and extremely well-fitting for each scene. One important piece is “Searching for the Shikonnotama”, which begins with a much more lively rhythm until it melts away into an ethereal and introspective melody.
The Beautiful Animation Was Done by Sunrise
A Fantastic Portrayal of Takahashi’s Art Style
Rumiko Takahashi not only has a gorgeous art style, but an extremely distinctive one. One can take a look at a piece of artwork done by her, even without knowing who the characters are, and know that it was drawn by Takahashi herself. When Inuyasha was adapted into the now-iconic anime, Sunrise was the studio in charge of production. The final product, consisting of both the original series and Inuyasha: The Final Act, was an absolutely gorgeous adaptation that still holds up today.
Many anime fans, new and old, love the look of older anime, and Inuyasha is one of many shows still well-received for its overall aesthetic. The older episodes are done traditionally, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that works very well with the environments and color palettes of the world. Meanwhile, newer episodes, mainly the ones found in Inuyasha: The Final Act, are showcased via crisp computer animation. No matter the episode or the season, each frame from Inuyasha looks amazing and truly adds to the narrative.
The Supporting (And Opposing Cast) Are All Fantastic
Featuring Allies Such as Shippo and Foes Such as Sesshomaru
While the protagonists of an anime remain central to the narrative, every good story needs an interesting supporting cast. Take Pokémon: Indigo League for instance: Misty and Brock may not have been the main characters compared to Ash and Pikachu, but they were still integral to Ash’s growth as a Pokémon Trainer and supported him, even after they all went their separate ways. In a similar way, the supporting cast of Inuyasha all act as important allies to Inuyasha and Kagome in the search for the missing shards of the Shikon Jewel.
Shippo, a young fox demon wishing to avenge his family, is the first loyal ally the two meet. Later on, they also meet Miroku, a womanizing monk with a dark curse and wind-based powers, as well as Sango and Kirara, a brave demon slayer and her loyal demon cat. Even foes like Sesshomaru, Inuyasha’s powerful yet cold half-brother, remain important to the overall narrative, although the overarching anatagonist of the series remains Naraku. The overall supporting cast, whether in the midst of battle or in a comedic moment, are never without their own spotlight.
Inuyasha and Kagome Remain Beloved Protagonists
One of Anime’s Most Complex and Captivating Duos
The anime world has many iconic duos, from best friends Ash and Pikachu to the alchemist brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric. However, Inuyasha and Kagome also fall into this renowned category. The two did not get off to the best start, as Kagome was trying to find her footing in the past, while Inuyasha’s anger towards humanity often made him cruel. However, the many perilous adventures the two find themselves working through together allow them to become friends. Over time, things become even more complicated when Inuyasha begins to fall in love with Kagome, and vice versa.
Though the two at this point wish to protect each other from harm, Inuyasha is still haunted by his past relationship with Kikyo, and his lingering feelings for the young priestess. Such emotions would ultimately result in one of the most famous and often frustrating love triangles in anime history, an event that even sparked debates in the fandom. Despite the complexities of the love triangle and the bitterness that brought about Inuyasha’s first romance, Kagome and her unlikely half-demon companion never give up on the other. Even as they tend to bicker, especially in the earlier episodes, it is plain to see how much the two care for one another, a bond that not only grants them both power, but also makes them a staple couple in the fantasy romance genre.
Inuyasha
- Release Date
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2000 – 2010-00-00
- Network
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ANIMAX, Nippon TV, YTV
- Directors
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Masashi Ikeda, Yasunao Aoki, Akira Toba, Hirofumi Ogura, Takashi Ikehata, Kunihiro Mori, Noriaki Saito, Naoki Hishikawa, Teruo Satou
- Writers
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Katsuhiko Chiba, Akatsuki Yamatoya
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Ai Kobayashi
Akago (voice)
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Kappei Yamaguchi
InuYasha (voice)
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Satsuki Yukino
Kagome Higurashi (voice)
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Koji Tsujitani
Miroku (voice)
