#its behind you is the best episode of television period hands down end of sentence

[natjennie]

"oh, you're showing pat now? does he like it?" "he loves it, thank you" "his family seem really nice" "the best" I'M GONNA PUNCH MY COMPUTER APART

[tekka-dan]

more of a rant post but bare with me

everyone discusses how Avatar the Last Airbender was their first of its time to handle every single troupe correctly and basically defined “phenomenal story telling” which is not wrong. ATLAB is on par with Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones when it comes to phenomenal characters, scenery and world building as well as conflictions, resolutions and development.

However, I’m disappointed that no one speaks about how Inuyasha did this long before Avatar the Lasf Airbender was even airing on television.

Inuyasha was also during the time period of before Youtube even existed, it was right up there with Ruroni Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Jack. It was an anime that many children probably would define as their childhoods but with that being the case, it’s often forgotten and overlooked.

If you’re not familiar with the storyline, it’s not as difficult explaining as it would be watching the show. As a child myself, what I loved most about Inuyasha was despite missing an episode or two, it didn’t feel like the plot was leaving you behind and it didn’t make you feel as though you weren’t going to catch up (something One Piece and Dragon Ball Z lacked) so it was enjoyable not to mention relatable. Despite the anime being about a half demon, Inuyasha was far more than just a relatable character.

He was one of the first protagonists I distinctly remember being laid back, care free and outspoken. He was also the first character I saw in anime that defined what a “goal” was to me. His first appearance despite being a handsome devil, we’re given the impression from an outside characters point of view that he’s a bad oerson, evil and untrustworthy. Right off the bat the storyline sets you up to antagonize Inuyasha and sympathize with that bitch lovely woman, Kikyo.

In the first episode we are given a story with so much room to grow, it’s miraculous this anime isn’t spoken about anymore (despite it also being a long running shounen). Another thing about Inuyasha that it does well is it’s world building. We know Kagome and Inuyasha are from two different time periods and realms but the way their realities and timelines intertwine was done marvelously (for an early anime).

Inuyasha was so easy to follow and understand. Jewel Shards were such a basic goal for almost every character but the drastic differences in everyone searching to obtain them was done so variably well that you pretty much never cared to really invest in what the Jewel Shards themselves did, but rather you were more interested in the characters who went through hell to obtain them and for what reasons, and for what costs. That’s a main reason why I was able to board this anime so well and quickly, everyone’s goals were so apparent, but drastically different and it didn’t make any of the characters feel under developed or downplayed when their goals were/weren’t reached. You knew the characters were going to try and steal Jewel Shards, but what kept you invested was why. What it meant to them. What it meant to them having them and what it did to Inuyasha (and Kagome) to lose them.

That’s a big thing that people don’t seem to talk about with Inuyasha, is how well developed he was from beginning to end. I don’t just mean his personality, but his outlooks on others, himself and in general those around him who have no direct affect on him negatively or even positively. What I invested in for Inuyasha was his different reactions to different circumstances and under what conditions. It wasn’t even always about losing the jewel shards, even from the beginning of the show we are shown that Inuyasha was willing to make sacrifices to protect those he cares about/what matters to him. Most protagonists don’t have this. We are shown their self interests and their stories mold around accepting the view points of others. Inuyasha was one of the first protagonists introduced with a very obvious goal and ambition and yet he still was willing to sacrifice it/let it go under conditions of protecting those he values. This was so important to me as a child.

Naturally with having a protagonist, you in turn have to also have an antagonist. Now throughout the story, we are not really shown a definite antagonist (Naraku wasn’t as apparent in the beginning) but rather various characters acting in selfish impulses that misconstrue them as “antagonistic”. For example, enter Sesshomaru:

The older, sexier, demonic and brutal older brother, Sesshomaru. His first introduction outlays to us that he’s anti moralistic, selfish and spiteful. Inuyasha worlds and possess the sword that Sesshomaru envies and wishes to master, however given the background, their father purposefully kept the sword away from the older brother due to his demonic behavior and tendacies, therefore entrusting it to the younger brother Inuyasha who seemed to balance his human side better than his older brother. Their father knew that no evil or harm was to ever come if Inuyasha possesses the sword, because he also knew it’s full power couldn’t be awakened with Inuyasha only being half a demon and the swords strength intensified with demonic powers. Sesshomaru on the other hand wields a sword that can only bring back the dead, or heal someone. Sesshomaru had no interest in helping others, which is why the weapon he wielded was always so funny to me (and ironic which was the point).

Sesshomaru was a classic character that I wish was talked about more for the simple fact that he was interesting and his development was exquisite, but also for the fact that he was simple. Not all characters need to be complex and even a simple character can be well rounded/written/portrayed. At first appearance Sesshomaru is definitely brutal and a threat. However until his encounter with Rin, Sesshomaru’s character takes on a different role and it was incredible. His character after Rin’s introduction went from power seeking selfish demonic older brother to caring, protective and understanding. His goals changed from wanting to wield Tessaiga to instead wanting to protect Rin, because she couldn’t protect herself. In fact his demonic powers solely awoke if her life was threatened. What people seem to forget about Sesshomaru was that despite being a demon, he was only half. And despite being half a demon in general, he was still an older brother. So to see his character fleshed out this way was something we don’t see in antagonists often.

Another thing Inuyasha did really well was introducing its main cast of characters without making us feel overwhelmed and without developing them in their own senses. Each of the characters had their own goals, ambitions, motivations and intentions. It varies from their reasonings to collecting jewel shards to why they joined Inuyasha’s team.

Shippo the fox demon was introduced as a bandit wanting to steal Jewel Shards to avenge his father’s murder. Upon joining the group he becomes the comic relief but he has so much development, it’s phenomenal. His intentions don’t waver, he more than ever keeps to his ambitions. What’s even better is that his personality doesn’t change either. Despite being apart of the team, he still voices his opinions even if it’s rude, uncalled for or down right dick-ish. And the others don’t bend to him either, which makes them all feel that much more human. The group of characters are still individuals with and without one another. Take away one of them and their dynamics don’t really suffer which isn’t really a bad thing. It just means that they each have their own roles and it doesn’t always need it for them to be together. Shippo is a defining role of this. Something we also don’t see often in anime.

Miroku was the very first animated character tat I ever found hilarious and that I enjoyed every moment of him being on screen. His perverted attitude doesn’t get old and it’s for the mere fact that his character shines without it. He’s kind hearted, generous and observant despite talking about wanting to fuck Sango in most of his sentences, it’s not ALL he is. Another great thing about Miroku’s characterization is that he is introduced as a potential threat and we learn just how insecure this man truly is. Of every character in the group, Miroku is the only one who opens his entire heart and allows the group to express themselves. His role was so pivotal that their dynamics wouldn’t have had AS MUCH of an impact without his wise comments or relaxed advice. Miroku was the “mom” friend. He had advice for everyone about anything and what’s better is that he was simply a monk. He meant a lot to me as a child, he gave some of the best advice.

Sango was the first female character introduced that I was enticed by. She was fierce, outspoken, driven and knew her value. She never let the men do her work for her and she absolutely never backed down. In almost every single confrontation, Sango was the first one to make a move and she was deadly about it. She was the first female character that I was obsessed with because she was so well written and portrayed. Also upon joining the group, what Inuyasha did really well with her character was that it didn’t make her being apart of the team ALL she was. In fact Sango had the most conflicting feelings in the entire group upon being apart of the team, being as that her goals and ambitions was to rescue her little brother Kohaku. Miroku was the one to convince her to stay on numerous occasions but something Inuyasha ALSO does well was that it made all of the characters CHOOSE to either stay, join or leave. These characters were brought together by chance, not fate and the show kept reminding us that despite them being a team, they were still their own people with their own goals, emotions and aspirations.

The next thing Inuyasha excelled in was love triangles. Many anime try doing love triangles and just go about confusing the shit out of the audience or doing such piss poor jobs that it isn’t believable. Inuyasha does this well though.

Enter Koga!

Koga’s introduction was done really well, merely for the fact that it was one of the first times we saw another character (Naruku NOT included) apart of a team that isn’t a main character/villain. Koga came in swinging, he was bold, brash and impulsive. I loved him as a child because he spoke his mind and didn’t stop at anything to get what he wanted. Koga was also introduced as tease for Kagome (because this was before anything romantic was between Kagome and Inuyasha) and it was done really well. For the most part being that Kagome showed obvious no interest, she wasn’t a complete dunce around him nor did she allow him to swoon her or not respect her/her friends. His rivalry with Inuyasha could’ve been mapped for the fact Inuyasha was jealous, but it also centered around Koga possessing jewel shards that the team really needed and he just had the shit implanted in his legs so he could run faster, that was literally it. His character introduced that dynamic between Inuyasha and Koga for the mere fact that despite his reasonings to wanting to be faster was selfish, Inuyasha wanting them for his reason could’ve also been seen as selfish. So neither of them were correct in their ideals and it was really funny as child to see them bicker over such petty matters.

Koga doesn’t officially join the gang but he becomes a frequent ally of them and assists them when needed (although we all know it was at the sake of Kagome) one thing Koga never went back on was his word.

Another love triangle handled SO DAMN RIGHT IT NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT IN HISTORY BOOKS:

Kikyo, the most bad ass and cunning female I’ve probably ever seen in the history of anime (back then, come on now guys this anime is over 15 years old, this was a huge deal back then). Kikyo was introduced as a lover who was betrayed but it wasn’t until HALFWAY THROUGH SEASON 2, that we realize it was HER who did the betraying. The “love triangle” I was alluding to was the fact that Inuyasha loves Kagome for the mere (AT FIRST) fact that Kagome is the reincarnation of Kikyo, his first lover that betrayed him. However Kikyo doesn’t mind her business OR rest in goddamn peace because the bitch lovely woman makes frequent appearances to string Inuyasha along or fuck with his head/heart/emotions. What’s even worse is that her reasoning can definitely be sympathized with, you cannot morally EXCUSE her reasons though. Which is why Inuyasha handles and tackled TWO of the best love triangles ever done in history. That more people need to fawn over.

The last thing Inuyasha handled correctly were antagonists becoming protagonists/not being evil for the sake of evil.

Kagura was supposed to be an evil wench but after a whole season we learn that Kagura hates her creator more than Inuyasha hates him and it speaks volumes about her character and development for how she handles everything during that confliction. Kagura for the most part doesn’t like being used as a puppet and she doesn’t like not being able to have free will. Of all the “puppets” Naraku makes, Kagura is the only one (of I think..seven or nine?) that openly betrays and goes against him. Her reasons were pretty shallow in the end but before that, it was for her own self worth. Every time she has to fight, she only becomes stronger with rage when she thinks about Naraku (the man who created her) using her as a puppet and not considering her as a human/having feelings. The others all seem to understand their roles and have no issues sacrificing themselves but it goes against Kagura’s entire moral being. That’s why her ultimate sacrifice was ultimately phenomenal because it was pivotal, for both her character and Naraku’s. When characters switch from evil to good, you have to believe their intentions weren’t just for the sake of the plot, but in favor of what they themselves truly believe. Kagura’s changeover was done exquisite because throughout the plot we are shown instances where she doesn’t accept the treatment and at the end we learn that she doesn’t die FOR Naraku. She dies for her brother and sisters, bringing home that she views them as actually family, as humans.

I could go on but this post is already long. I just wanted to share.