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

I’m sure all of you will now be thinking, “Thank you, powers that be,” because I am now all caught up to my current viewing spot in the Inuyasha series. That means reviews over a period of months as opposed to a gazillion in one day. What I should be doing is sleeping right now, considering it’s Sunday and I do, in fact, have class tomorrow, but I’m a total night-owl and it’s only one class at 11am anyway, so who cares?

F.Y.I. – Inuyasha is brought to you by the talented and creative Rumiko Takahashi, who is also well-known for Ranma ½. If you are new to Inuyasha, don’t start here. It’s a bad idea. You wouldn’t have a clue of what is going on. Scroll to the bottom of this review and choose Volume 1. If you’re a parent and have no idea what you are looking for, I suggest you get help from your children, but if you’re just perusing around, by all means, forge ahead. Inuyasha is a series with a total of 167 episodes with only 3 episodes per DVD. Such was that decision made by Viz to get the episodes out to the public faster.

Episode 64: Now that Miroku has stopped groping the girls maybe they can get somewhere. Kagura makes a brief appearance, forever stuck doing Naraku’s bidding, while Tsubaki does what her teacher told her long ago should never be done. A huge demon sealed inside a tower is about to be used by Tsubaki and it’s going to be up to Inuyasha to defeat it.

Episode 65: WHAM! And Miroku kills the giant centipede. Good job Miroku – all the girls at the nearby village want to meet you! Free food and lodging for the group is always appreciated, and Miroku isn’t going to pass up pretty girls, so they stay. However, that night Sango has a surprise for him. But is that really Sango or is there something else going on? Who’s the real culprit here?

Episode 66: Kouga is still out for revenge against Naraku – join the club wolfy boy. Everyone hates Naraku. Even Kagura hates Naraku and she works for him! Sticking to Naraku’s scent, Kouga faces off with Kagura, but it might be more than he bargained for. When his two packmates Ginta and Hagaku find Kagome and ask for help, they get a bit of a surprise.

Highlights and Issues:
I was wondering when I’d get to see the Bakuryuuha again. #65 was pretty messed up – or should I say hilarious? Somewhat of a mix. It was weird in Japanese because suddenly Inuyasha’s voice turned female. I can't say more without giving everything away (sorry). I absolutely love how Shippou squeaks when he freaks out too much, it’s so “aww” inspiring, haha. And let’s not forget Miroku, I just thought it was so funny he was that ready to invite Sango into bed - no, not for sex (well not initially anyway, at least I think - who knows how that monk's mind works?). I mean, didn’t he think that would be the last thing she would show up in his room for? What a dope. Lastly, Kouga showing up again always makes me happy, even though this was one of those “Awww, poor baby!” episodes. At least it is for me – I’ve always had a soft spot for wolves, demons or otherwise. ^_^;

The Usual:
Animation – the animation is awesome. It’s not going to stop being awesome unless the animators suddenly get lazy and start drawing stick figures. But I doubt that because we still have over 100 episodes to go, so that must mean everyone still liked it beyond this point, otherwise I’m sure it would have been cancelled over in Japan. Great use of character design, color, detail (I’m always a fan of detail when it comes to anime – the more the better – we don’t do enough of it here in the US, so sad), and always the facial expressions. Gotta love anime facial expressions.

Music – magical! The opening song is “I Am” by Hitomi Yaida. It’s all right, but her voice is just too high pitched for me to really enjoy it. It’s a good song, but not one of my favorites. The ending song, “Dearest” by Ayumi Hamasaki is a very nice piano and gentle instrument piece, soft and serene. It almost seems to reflect the strained love between Kagome and Inuyasha, or the trials that all their companions have been through and have yet to go through. Very expressive. I approve this song. Instrumental background music done by Kaoru Wada within the show is always good, a lot of the same themes, but they always work well wherever they’re placed. Piano and gentle string themes, such as Kagome and Inuyasha’s songs of when they’re together make for great soft stuff to fall asleep to.

Voices! Japanese is great of course. English; as pleasing as the Japanese. As you can see from the little compiled list below, I’m not always biased toward the Japanese version. It just depends upon the script and who they hire for voices. Sometimes they do a good job and I prefer the English version. Then there are times like this, when I just can’t decide…

Inuyasha – love both VAs, and am unable to pick a favorite. Perfect characterization.
Kagome – enjoy both, but prefer Satsuki Yukino for Japanese version.
Sesshoumaru – I *love* David Kaye for the English version, but just barely over the Japanese VA
Shippou – both are totally cute, and I cannot choose a favorite
Jaken – they both crack me up, prefer Japanese just a *bit* over the English one
Kikyo – definitely prefer the Japanese version, just seems to fit better
Miroku – both VAs are very good, very similar, and I can’t pick a favorite
Naraku – the evil guy, done very well by all VAs (2 Japanese, 1 English), no favorites, though they have different qualities, they’re all good.
Sango – both are very good, though I do have a slight preference for the Japanese version
Kirara – no actual voice here, but I like the sound effects chosen to represent her, such as the snarling jaguar noise in her fired up form, and then the little squeak of a mew in her adorable little form.
Kouga – English favorite hands down, but Japanese is still cool. I just love Scott McNeil.
Everyone else, such as Souta, Kagome’s mother, grandfather, Myouga, Kaede, Kohaku, and demons involved are well done. Kaede would be better if she weren’t speaking in medieval English all the time (“Ye?”), but that’s blame on the scriptwriters.

Note to Parents: There is some language, some implied nudity, a lot of violence, blood, and dead people are involved. Some of the demons themselves are pretty creepy looking and do some bizarre things. Hey, demons are demons. You’re the parent; you decide.

Episodes in this Volume:
Episode 64. Giant Ogre of the Forbidden Tower
Episode 65. Farewells Days of My Youth!
Episode 66. Naraku's Barrier-Kagura's Decision

NT


Earlier Inuyasha Volumes:
Volume 1: Down the Well
Volume 2: A Girl’s Best Friend
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

Future Inuyasha Volumes:
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