Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

All right kids, get ready for a long ride, one that I plan to stick out because I’m psychotic about finishing things I start – anime is absolutely no exception. So what do we have here today? Inuyasha, another little gem of joy brought to you by the talented and ridiculously creative Rumiko Takahashi. If you’re already familiar with her famous Ranma ½ then by all means look into it. Cartoon Network used to have Inuyasha on all the time, but these days the craze is Naruto (be prepared for a tirade on that rascal).

There’s still time to turn back, haha. If you decide to get into Inuyasha, beware, because you’re going to be in for a long haul. Why? Because this series clocks in at a grand total of 167 episodes – and the DVDs only come with 3 episodes a pop. Yeah, I know. Dumb idea in my opinion, but that was Viz’s decision, so there you have it. Still, that’s sort of good for you because that makes it so I have absolutely no reason not to give you episode summaries (minus any spoilers of course). One last note in case you missed it before, if you’re going to stick with me through all these reviews, I’m going to let you know right now there won’t be a recap summary like I did with Fushigi Yuugi. Honestly, it would be a ridiculous idea, unless I come up with a flash-summary outlining the bare bones, but really that wouldn’t matter much. On to the next 3.

Episode 4: Ah, it’s so good to be home from the feudal era! That’s what Kagome’s thinking in her nice warm bed after a nice warm bath. Comfy, oh yeah. However, Inuyasha is having a hard time with the demon, Yura. Frustrated with his inability to find Yura’s weakness and defeat her, he hops into the well to retrieve Kagome, as she is the only one who can see what Yura is doing. Even with her help though, the battle is difficult and becomes frighteningly dangerous very fast.

Episode 5: Sesshoumaru…has arrived. Who is Sesshoumaru? Inuyasha’s full demon half-brother. If you’ve read socrazy’s review, it’s easy to see why she calls him Fluffy (and she’s not the only one out there either, haha). He and his little follower, Jaken are on the prowl for something very specific, something left behind by Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha’s late father, something very powerful. The problem is that he believes Inuyasha knows where it is and has a devious plan on how to find out. At least Inuyasha gets some warning from a little flea demon (at least I suppose he’s a demon – he’s not human and he’s not a flea soo…) named Myouga.

Episode 6: As the title gives away, the item Sesshoumaru is looking for is a powerful sword named Tetsusaiga and Inuyasha is the key to finding out where it is. But Inuyasha has no clue of what is going on until Sesshoumaru finds out how to open the gateway to their father’s grave. Naturally Kagome and Inuyasha follow. So what is so special about the sword? Their father bequeathed it unto Inuyasha – except neither one of them can pull it free of it’s little pedestal. That’s a big problem for everyone.

Animation – lovely! The countryside Kagome finds herself surrounded by is lush and green with waving grasses and rustling trees. Colors are bright and vibrant; the difference between modern and feudal Japan is nicely done. Jaken is a goofy little thing, though not entirely weak mind you. And Sesshoumaru? I love how he is drawn, from the eyes to his fluffy (as many of us dumb fangirls lovingly call it – that and we’re really not entirely sure just what it is or what purpose it serves). He’s one of those cool, calm, collected killers. Maybe if you hide and keep quite he’ll think you too weak to bother with. Besides, if you know anything about me, you know I love the bad guy – and it’s for more than one reason this time…

Music – aww, nice. I’m not the biggest fan of the opening song (“Change the World” by V6), but I’m sure they’ll switch it up sooner or later. The ending song, however, I am a fan of. Do yourself a favor and find “My Will” by Dream. I often listen to it. They’re both upbeat and in Japanese…well, “My Will” is completely anyway, maybe that’s partially why I don’t like “Change the World” so much – random English tossed into a Japanese song throws me off sometimes. As for the instrumental stuff, well, let’s just say it’s very nice, gets even better over time, and makes for great soft stuff to fall asleep too (been doin’ it for years actually ^_~).

And Voices! Japanese is great of course. No problems there. Still love Inuyasha. He’s such a young, snarling puppy – kudos to Kappei Yamaguchi. English? I’ve seen episodes way beyond these and if you have any worries, try not to because the VAs quickly grow more and more into their characters as time goes by. Sesshoumaru never nedded help though – David Kaye, whom I can’t give you a list for, he’s been in about a million things, just go to the Internet Movie Database and take a look for yourself, does a fantastic job. His voice is somehow smooth and a little rough all the same time, perfect for Sesshoumaru in my opinion. I actually prefer it over the Japanese version by just *eensy* bit. Inuyasha’s VA, Richard Ian Cox, is making his way up the ranks too, actually. He sounds just as young and snarling as the other one. I think it’s going to be a hard choice in future episodes as to which I like better (actually, I still can’t decide). I have to make a note of Jaken too because I really enjoy both his Japanese and English VAs. Though there are some times Jaken’s voice gets rather high-pitched in the English version, he still cracks me up and he’s just as fun in Japanese.

I must admit that whoever is doing the English script needs to get away from stupid jokes/quips/lines and/or anything else that can be filed under the general section of “Wow, that was lame.” Still, I do commend them for using “Sit boy!” to replace “Osuwari” as it looks like Kagome is indeed saying a two-syllable word, who knows what they could have used, but huzzah, huzzah! Osuwari does indeed mean sit.

Final thoughts? Things are going to get good. Too bad you have to leave off on a cliffhanger…

Episodes in this Volume:
Episode 4: Yura of the Demon Hair
Episode 5: Aristocratic Assassin, Sesshomaru
Episode 6: Tetsusaiga, the Phantom Sword

NT

Note: Yes, I know they spell it “Sesshomaru” but I’m just used to spelling it the Japanese way – the “o” is long, which makes for an extra Japanese character, designated as the “u.” So I use the Romanization. The same goes for Myouga. If you hate it, sorry. It’s habit and technically not really wrong… So again, nyah. XP

Earlier Inuyasha Volumes:
Volume 1: Down the Well

Future Inuyasha Volumes:
Volume 3: Fathers and Sons
Volume 4: The Thunder Brothers
Volume 5: Secret of the New Moon
Volume 6: Deadly Liaisons
Volume 7: Face of the Enemy
Volume 8: Kikyo’s Wandering Soul
Volume 9: Origin of the Sacred Jewel
Volume 10: Scars of Battle
Volume 11: Into the Miasma
Volume 12: Swords of Destiny
Volume 13: Den of Wolves
Volume 14: The Wind and the Void
Volume 15: Broken Fang
Volume 16: Heart of the Beast
Volume 17: Shattered Memories
Volume 18: The Demon Within
Volume 19: The Way to Wisdom
Volume 20: Fathers and Sons
Volume 21: Double Trouble
Volume 22: The True Face Of Evil
Volume 23: Wicked Clutches
Volume 24: Severed Identities
Volume 25: Crimson Blade
Volume 26: Curse of Generations
Volume 27: Brothers In Arms
Volume 28: Promise of the Past
Volume 29: Castle of Evil
Volume 30: Monkey Business
Volume 31: Duplicates and Dilemas
Volume 32: Glow of the False Jewel
Volume 33: Unexpected Encounters
Volume 34: Children of Snow

Inuyasha Movies:
Movie 1: Affections Touching Across Time
Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass
Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older