Dog Demon

Biodata

Background / History

Under Toga, the Dog Clan established its rule over the Western Lands, bringing demons of other tribes into submission. After his death, Sesshomaru possessed enough power to hold the territory together, although he continued to be described as the clan’s heir and future ruler 17 39 41.

Toga’s relationship with the human princess Izayoi produced Inuyasha. Despite inheriting considerable strength from his father, Inuyasha was rejected by both humans and demons because of his mixed ancestry. Sesshomaru likewise despised his younger half-brother’s human blood 1 32.

Sesshomaru’s Tengu Heritage

• Paternal ancestry: Toga carried a faint trace of ordinary tengu blood 41.
• Maternal ancestry: Sesshomaru’s mother was a thunder tengu princess stranded in the human realm after an accident involving her clan’s greatest treasure 41.
• Inherited marking: Sesshomaru’s indigo crescent-shaped Demon Moon marked his inheritance of his mother’s noble blood 41.
• Foretold role: Guibu predicted that Sesshomaru held the key to opening the gate to the true Monster World. Granny Medicine said he would eventually lead the realm’s monsters back there 41.

Appearance

The documented members display different combinations of humanoid and canine features; Sesshomaru can assume both a humanoid appearance and an enormous white dog form 8 11 32.

• Sesshomaru’s humanoid form: Long silver hair, golden eyes, purple cheek markings, and an indigo crescent on his forehead. He wears white robes, demon armor, and a sash, and has a long furry tail 8 41 43.
• Sesshomaru’s true form: An enormous, ferocious white dog capable of fighting a gigantic python at close quarters 11.
• Transformation signs: Bloodshot eyes, increasingly vivid facial markings, and a widening mouth appear as Sesshomaru approaches his dog form 49.
• Inuyasha’s appearance: White hair and conspicuous dog ears remain visible in his humanoid appearance 32 34.

Abilities & Skills

Canine Transformation

Sesshomaru changes into a giant white dog when fighting sufficiently dangerous opponents 11.

• Uses his jaws to attack vulnerable areas, including the Black Python’s neck 11.
• Retains tremendous speed in his true form 11.
• Can still be restrained or injured: the Black Python coils around him until Han’s arrows create an opening 11.

Heightened Senses

Sesshomaru possesses a keen sense of smell and exceptionally sensitive hearing 16 46 50.

• Detects wolf demons by scent before they reveal themselves 16.
• Tracks an underwater opponent through sound after ink obscures his vision 46.
• Hears a faint sound from Han beneath a heap of rubble 50.
• His hearing is vulnerable to overwhelming noise; Black Kuro’s shriek places considerable strain on his ears 46.
• Dog Demons cannot inherently see through illusions. They must recognize flaws or break the illusion through force; Han’s call awakens Sesshomaru from the seaweed forest’s illusion 47.

Poisonous Claws

Sesshomaru’s innate Poisonous Claws combine piercing attacks with corrosive poison 11 46.

• Penetrate the Black Python’s neck during close combat 11.
• Release yellow-green poison that corrodes Black Kuro’s tentacle 46.
• Cannot pierce Ryūkotsusei’s tough hide, forcing Sesshomaru to seek a vulnerable target and another means of overcoming its defenses 49 50.

Light Whip

Sesshomaru projects a long Light Whip from his fingertips 11.

• Cuts down groups of snake demons and tears Bikuni apart 11 40.
• Entangles weapons and restricts an opponent’s movement 11 46.
• Loses offensive strength underwater, but remains useful for restraining Black Kuro 46.
• Clears the rubble covering Han after the battle with Ryūkotsusei 50.

Recovery and Bodily Connections

Sesshomaru normally heals quickly, and Totosai states that his extracted canine tooth will soon grow back 11 15.

• The Black Python’s wounds heal unusually slowly, which Sesshomaru associates with its inherited bloodline 11.
• A removed demon body part retains a connection to its original owner. Clear Torrent therefore carries both the power of Sesshomaru’s fang and a continuing connection to him 19.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Tenseiga — Sesshomaru’s inheritance from Toga, described as the fang of healing. Its sheath was carved from Hakuōju’s trunk. During the Ryūkotsusei battle, it severs the otherworldly power of the stolen Dragon Bones 12 50.
• Tessaiga — Toga’s powerful sword, left to Inuyasha rather than Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru repeatedly seeks it, while Totosai explains that Inuyasha’s half-demon nature enables him to wield it 1 15.
• Clear Torrent — Han’s protective sword, forged by Totosai from Sesshomaru’s canine tooth and named by Sesshomaru. Its scabbard uses a branch supplied by Hakuōju 15 19.
• Demon armor — Part of Sesshomaru’s usual humanoid attire 8 40.

Known Members

Relationships

• Wolf Demon Tribe — Rival ruling clan associated with the north. Toga maintained a personal friendship with Chief Lei, but contact diminished after Toga’s death. Lei later proposes that Sesshomaru marry Ayame; Sesshomaru refuses 17.
• Fox Tribe — Yan Luo seeks marriage to Sesshomaru. Others suspect she wants the Dog Clan’s power, while Sesshomaru rejects her approach and judges her intentions malicious 42.
• Han — Sesshomaru’s traveling companion and eventual romantic partner. He protects her, arranges for her sword to be forged, and seeks Granny Medicine’s guidance for her spiritual power 13 15 41 43 44.
• Totosai — Swordsmith and close friend of Toga. He advises Sesshomaru about his inheritance and uses Sesshomaru’s fang to forge Han’s sword 15.
• Jaken — Sesshomaru’s devoted servant. He abandons his own followers after Sesshomaru kills Bikuni and saves him from being eaten 40.