I’m quite sorry for the lack of a better title. Anyways…

Inu-Yasha has to be Takahashi’s finest series ever produced. If you have been a Rumic fan for a long time, you will definitely have noticed Takahashi’s mangaka style and skill have matured.

First off, there are the adorable characters. Perhaps she has never made a series with such an adorable cast of [main] characters, with the exception of Ranma 1/2 (Takahashi’s longest and most famous work as of yet, which ended in a short time before Inu-Yasha came to be published). Lead characters Inu-Yasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Shippou consist the oddly formed group. Each are delightfully eccentric and sweet…and absolutely hilarious, of course! This is Takahashi’s characters we are talking about, after all.

Then there is the story. In every little detail, panel and dialogue that unfolds, one will realize that Rumiko Takahashi has indeed imrpoved as a storyteller. Her utter fondness for legends is still there, but there is something different. For IY is not simply a mix of comedy and romance–there is a great deal of adventure, action and magic involved, more so than any of her series to date. Her plots have gotten more complex as well, involving intricacies in relationships and circumstances.

Artwork has improved as well. Takahashi’s style of drawing has never been as detailed as, let’s say, Naoko Takeuchi’s (of Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon fame). However, this does not mean she is lacking in effectiveness of delivery. IY’s art is still cute, and suits the story (and its characters) well enough.

Very, very impressive all in all, to say in the least. Did you expect anything less from Rumiko Takahashi herself?

Note: As it is with anime adaptations, there are a few differences from the manga. The latter, being the original version, has those special moments between Inu-Yasha and Kagome that weren’t included in the former. And I’m pretty sure fans wouldn’t want to miss them, so be sure to get ahold of IY manga now!

Individual Rating: Individual Rating: Art 8; Story 10; Characters 10

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2002 at 5:42 pm and is filed under Inuyasha, Manga. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.