Genre: Fantasy / Adventure
General Audience
Credits: Rumiko Takahashi
Shop: Inuyasha DVD, Manga, Music CDs

Thundersenshi’ Description:
Kagome lives in a temple that has been kept alive for thousands of years. As told by her grandfather, the sacred grounds have kept its share of secrets and legends along with the passage of time. But Kagome had never really believed any of it, until an accident draws her deep into the well, and sends her to feudal Japan where myths come alive and evil strikes at every corner.

Her arrival at this point in time is divine intervention. The village she chanced upon is being attacked by a demon hunting a magical jewel called Shikon no Tama. Coincidentally, Kagome is the descendant of the powerful priestess who once guarded this jewel! But what does a modern-day girl know about fighting demons, anyhow? Desperate to end a life-threatening encounter, she unknowingly awakens the hanyou Inu-Yasha…and releases him from an enchanted imprisonment her own ancestor had placed. But if she was expecting a knight-in-shining-armour, she had better think again.

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