Inuyasha (character)

Inuyasha
Inuyasha character
Inuyasha as illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi
First appearance	Inuyasha Chapter 1
Created by	Rumiko Takahashi
Voiced by	Japanese Kappei Yamaguchi English Richard Cox
Profile
Species	Hybrid
Relatives	Inu no Taisho (father, deceased) Izayoi (mother, deceased) Sesshomaru (brother) Kagome Higurashi (wife) Sota Higurashi (brother-in-law) Mrs. Higurashi (mother-in-law) Grandpa Higurashi (great father-in-law)

Inuyasha (犬夜叉) is a fictional character appearing in Rumiko Takahashi's manga series Inuyasha and its anime adaptation as the protagonist as well as its titular character. Inuyasha is a hybrid of human and yōkai who first appears sealed to a tree in the feudal world. When a girl named Kagome Higurashi is being chased by a yōkai, Inuyasha convinces her to free him so that he might eliminate the enemy. Despite initially distrusting Kagome, Inuyasha joins forces with her to search for the shards of The Jewel of Four Souls which increase a yōkai's powers. Although Inuyasha first aims to become a full demon using the Jewel, as the story progresses he develops strong bonds with the comrades who aid him.

Concept and creation

Inuyasha is stylized by Takahashi as an anti-hero.^[1] According to interviews with the author, the style for Inuyasha's clothing was based on "priest's garb" of Japan's Warring States period.

Characteristics

Inuyashas appearance is a mixture of his dog demon father and human mother, he has his fathers long silver hair, yellow eyes and claws, but does not exhibit facial markings in his half-breed form, or pointed humanoid ears, instead he has a unique pair of furry silver dog ears on top his head. As a dog demon, Inuyasha has claws he uses to fight with, utilized mainly in his Sankon Tessō (散魂鉄爪, "Iron Reaper Soul Stealer" in dub) attack. Due to his half-breed blood, Inuyasha turns completely human on the night of a new moon, losing all his demon traits and powers. Early in the series Inuyasha acquires Tessaiga (鉄砕牙, "Steel-Cleaving Fang"), a powerful sword made from a fang of his father that can absorb demonic powers and energy. This proves to be useful to keep Inuyasha from falling victim to demonic nature turning him into a berserker. Over the course of the series, Inuyasha develops Tessaiga's signature Wind Scar (風の傷 Kaze no Kizu), Backlash Wave (爆流破 Bakuryūha) and Adamant Barrage (金剛槍破 Kongōsōha, Adamant Destroying Spears) techniques. Eventually, Inuyasha gains a new ability in Meidou Zangetsuha (冥道残月破 Meidō Zangetsuha, "Dark Path of the Dawn Moon's Wave) that Sesshomaru prepared for him as part of their father's design.

Appearances

Born to a dog-demon father and a human mother, Inuyasha is a dog demon/human hybrid who initially wanted to use the enormous power of the Shikon Jewel to become a full-fledged demon. Inuyasha lived with his mother Izayoi when he was a child. After his father died saving Inuyasha and Izayoi, the two lived together, however the circumstances of Inuyasha's youth and any details of how long his mother was alive for or what happened to her is never revealed, but he was shown to have had an isolated childhood, shunned by humans for his demon blood. After the death of his mother when he was a child, Inuyasha grew up isolated and alone, having to deal with demons' and humans' hatred toward him.

Inuyasha met and fell in love with the priestess Kikyo, who was tasked with protecting the Shikon no Tama (Sacred Jewel), a powerful jewel that could grant a wish and that Inuyasha believed could making him a full demon. Through interacting with Kikyo, who was also living a lonely and isolated life, Inuyasha relinquished his dream of being a full demon and instead he and Kikyo planned for him to use the Shikon Jewel to become a human so that he could live with her. However, Naraku manipulated them into believing they had been betrayed by one another. Before Kikyo died, she shot Inuyasha with a sealing arrow that bound him to the Sacred Tree. Inuyasha remained there for 50 years, until Kagome Higurashi pulled out the arrow, breaking the seal. When the Shikon Jewel, which had previously been embedded in Kagome's body, is shattered into fragments that scatter across feudal Japan, Inuyasha and Kagome travel together to retrieve the shards with Inuyasha once again seeking it to turn into a full-fledged demon. While Inuyasha initially sees Kagome as merely a tool with which to retrieve the shards of the jewel, over time Inuyasha and Kagome grow closer and he begins to fall in love with her. Inuyasha vowed to protect Kagome. Others such as the fox demon Shippo and the rambunctious monk Miroku as well as Sango the demon slayer, later join the duo in their quest. Inuyasha eventually discovers that the events surrounding Kikyos death were a result of Naraku tricking him and Kikyo, forcing them to turn against each other. Inuyasha's quest changes over time from looking for the Shikon Jewel shards to trying to defeat Naraku.

Inuyasha rivalry with his older brother Sesshomaru is an underlying theme of the series. Sesshomaru hatred of Inuyasha stems from his disdain of Inuyashas human blood, and of his and his mothers role in their fathers' death. After Sesshomaru discovers that their fathers sword 'Tessaiga', which he covets, has been left to Inuyasha, his hatred of his younger brother intensifies. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru fought at their fathers tomb, Inuyasha defeat Sesshomaru by using Tetsusaiga to cut off his left arm. Sesshomaru would try and take Tetsusaiga but would fail, Inuyasha would defeat Sesshomaru 3 time, Sesshomaru had defeat Inuyasha before, One time when Inuyasha was in his demon form, another was when Jaken was sick, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru fought, However The two brothers would have their final battle, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru would battle to see who was the true heir of Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha would take Meido Zangetsuha from Sesshomaru's tensaiga.

Inuyasha has defeat many demons and enemies with Tetsusaiga. Grow stronger as time went on with Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha even master The wind scar an attack from Tetsusaiga that can slayer over 100 demons in one swing. However Tetsusaiga was broken but Inuyasha demonic blood take over, and Inuyasha turn into his demon form. Inuyasha kill Goshinki, The demon who broke Tetsusaiga. When Inuyasha's life is in danger his demon blood take over, turn into demon form. Inuyasha used to lose control of his demonic side, when even he lost Tetsusaiga and life was in danger, He would transform into a demon. However eventually Inuyasha stop losing control of his Demon form, Inuyasha in the end got control of his demon form, proof of this is when fought Sesshomuaru and Kanna. Inuyasha over time learn how to master Tetsusaiga, He learn new attacks like the backlash wave that was used to defeat Ryukotsusei. Inuyasha grew stronger while become a true master of the sword that was once his father, But Making it his own. Inuyasha would finally defeat his long time enemy Naraku once and for all, in the final battle against Naraku, Where Naraku finally met his end.

Inuyasha is constantly rude and prone to bursts of violence in retaliation to the slightest thing that upsets him. In the beginning, Inuyasha was hostile and uncooperative towards Kagome, merely seeing her as means of recollecting the Shikon fragments. Kaede places a necklace that restrains Inuyasha to prevent him from stealing the Shikon Jewel and killing Kagome during their first encounter; whenever Kagome gives the simple command "Sit!", Inuyasha is forcibly pulled face-first to the ground due to the strong spiritual power the unbreakable necklace contains. As the story progresses, however, he begins to fall in love with Kagome, and yet is strained by the unexpected reawakening of Kikyo. Inuyasha still had feeling for Kikyo and was still in love with her. However Inuyasha still care for Kagome and is extremely protective of her. He always worries about Kagome safety. He often blames himself when Kagome is in danger because he feels that she would be safer if she was not with him. Because of this, he sometimes tried to force Kagome to stay in her own world of modern-day Tokyo. During these time Inuyasha become stronger whenever he had to protect Kagome.

Kikyo Tragedy die as Naraku kill Kikyo, Kikyo spend her last moments in Inuyasha's arms as the two knew this would be their together. Inuyasha cry showing his tears, Inuyasha and Kikyo have their last kiss, Kikyo soul went away in the sky as her body is no more. After the reincarnated Kikyo's death, Inuyasha is hurt at first and heart broken over losing Kikyo but finally moves on. Inuyasha finally confessions his love for Kagome During the final battle within the Shikon Jewel, he states that she was born for him and he for her, meaning Kagome is the love of Inuyasha's life. After Kagome wishes the Jewel away with him at her side, they are separated for three years. However, Inuyasha and Kagome are eventually reunited, and later married.^[2]

Reception

In 2002, Inuyasha won the Animage Anime Grand Prix for Best Male Character.^[3] In the next year, he was third behind Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala both from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.^[4] He was sixth in the following poll.^[5] John Sinnott from DVD Talk noted how examined was Inuyasha including his heritage and use of his sword that could create a big impact.^[6] In a review of the second manga volume, Megan Lavey from Mania commented that the character's development was depicted for the first time as the story began to explore why Inuyasha is often angry and has difficulty trusting others.^[7] Inuyasha and Kagome were praised by Mania writer Chris Beveridge for how well they act together in contrast to the leads of Ranma 1/2.^[8] Writing later for the Fandom Post, Beveridge explained how it was fun seeing Inuyasha in the modern world and the impact it has on Kagome.^[9] Similarly, Holly Ellingwood from Active Anime particularly enjoyed the comedy that occurs when Inuyasha visits the modern world following Kagome.^[10] Despite noting how several characters had similar faces, Anime News Network's Zac Bertschy noted that Inuyasha stood out thanks to his clothes.^[11]

Derrick L. Tucker of THEM Anime Reviews praised the characterization of Inuyasha and other main characters, identifying it as a key reason why story elements such as the love triangle between Inuyasha, Kikyo and Kagome are able to evoke significant audience emotional response.^[12] In her book Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle, scholar Susan Jolliffe Napier analysed how certain lessons in the series relate to Inuyasha's representation of masculinity.^[13] Academic Caroline Ruddell analysed use of movement in the anime. In combat scenes Inuyasha is often slowed or frozen, against the moving background, to foreground his emotional and physical vulnerability. Close-up shots of his face and head place further focus on these aspects and on the character (rather than the narrative), particularly his facial expressions, while wide shots showing his whole body are used to depict his strength. Together, the techniques show the different facets of his hybrid nature.^[1] IGN's D. F. Smith praised the voice acting of Richard Cox as "he does a fine job getting the character's rough-edged, angry mode of speech across, even without being able to stick "yarou" at the end of every sentence."^[14]

References

1. Ruddell, Caroline (July 2008). "From the ‘cinematic’ to the ‘anime-ic’: Issues of movement in anime". Animation (SAGE Publications). 3 (2): 119–124. ISSN 1746-8485.
2. Takahashi, Rumiko (2011). "Chapter 558". Inuyasha, vol. 56. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-3299-8.
3. "＞＞第24回アニメグランプリ　［2002年6月号］". Animage. Tokuma Shoten. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
4. "＞＞第25回アニメグランプリ　［2003年6月号］". Animage. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
5. "＞＞第26回アニメグランプリ　［2004年6月号］". Animage. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
6. Sinnott, John. "InuYasha Season 2 Box Set". DVD Talk. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
7. Lavey, Megan (February 18, 2004). "InuYasha (Action Edition) Vol. #02". Mania. Demand Media. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
8. Beveridge, Chris. "Inu Yasha Vol. #01". Mania. Demand Media. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
9. Beveridge, Chris (March 28, 2013). "Inu Yasha: The Final Act Set 2 Blu-ray Anime Review". The Fandom Post. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
10. Ellingwood, Holly. "Inuyasha Seventh Season Box Set". THEM Anime. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
11. Bertschy, Zac. "Inu Yasha DVD 1: Down the Well". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
12. Tucker, Derrick L (2001). "Inuyasha". THEM Anime. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
13. Napier, Susan J. (November 29, 2005). Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 129. ISBN 978-1-4039-7052-7.
14. Smith, D. F. (December 22, 2008). "Inuyasha - Sixth Season Box Set DVD Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved April 19, 2015.