Inuyasha

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Inuyasha is the Great Dog General’s second son, born to the human Princess Izayoi. He never met his father and endured rejection from both humans and demons because of his mixed ancestry. Izayoi raised him with affection despite the difficulties of bringing up a half-demon child in a war-torn age; her care helped prevent him from going astray 17 28 32 39.

He originally sought the Shikon Jewel to become a full-fledged Great Demon. His relationship with its guardian, Kikyo, changed that ambition: he agreed to become human instead so they could spend their lives together 21.

Their relationship ended in apparent betrayal. Inuyasha recalls Kikyo attacking him on the way to their meeting place; after regaining consciousness, he attacked Kaede’s Village and was sealed to the sacred tree for fifty years. Kaede’s account instead identifies Inuyasha as Kikyo’s attacker. Hojo Akitoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide later expose the contradictions between these accounts, with Akitoshi proposing that an unidentified third party engineered the tragedy out of unrequited love for Kikyo 21.

Appearance

• Silver hair and dog ears: His silver hair is noted during his jealous reaction to Kagome’s interest in Akitoshi; he is also explicitly described as dog-eared 13 17.
• Claws and canine fangs: Prominent physical traits that he bares when threatening opponents 3 9.
• Red Robe of the Fire Rat: His distinctive protective clothing, seen billowing around him during the battle against Yura 14.

Personality

Inuyasha is hotheaded, proud, and quick to interpret unfamiliar people as threats. Suspecting that Akitoshi wants the Shikon Jewel, he considers killing him before learning his intentions. His recklessness also extends to combat: he initially intends to cut down Yura’s controlled villagers regardless of their innocence, forcing Kagome to restrain him 5 9.

His harsh speech often conceals attachment and concern. He is touched when Kagome rescues him, anxiously waits for her return from the modern world, and refuses to admit how much her companionship matters. Her growing admiration for Akitoshi repeatedly provokes jealousy and unsuccessful attempts to impress her 9 14 28 36.

His mother’s memory is especially important to him. Insults to Izayoi’s blood drive him into a furious attack on Sesshomaru. Nevertheless, he can adapt under pressure and cooperate with humans: during that battle, he changes tactics, coordinates with the Hojo Army’s gunfire, and becomes genuinely distressed when its soldiers are endangered for helping him 32 33.

Abilities & Skills

Half-Demon Physiology

• Strength: Overpowers Mitsuhide’s mounted charge sufficiently to make his horse rear; carries Kagome and Kaede simultaneously while fleeing Yura’s villagers 3 9.
• Speed and agility: Uses rapid leaps and claw attacks to move through battle and shred large quantities of Yura’s hair 9 14.
• Recovery: His earlier gunshot injuries are no longer a major impediment after a short recovery period 10 12.
• Limits: Matchlock fire wounds him severely, and Sesshomaru initially defeats him in a single exchange 10 30.
• Perception: Cannot see Yura’s invisible hair as Kagome can, leaving him dependent on her observations 9.

Sankon Tessō

• A close-range claw technique used when he rushes to protect Kagome from Mitsuhide 3.
• His claws can shred Yura’s Hair Sea, but Mitsuhide’s sword still leaves a shallow cut across his palm during their clash 3 14.

Flying Blade Blood Claws

• Combines his blood with demonic power to launch blood-red claw attacks at range 33.
• Described as his strongest offensive technique and only ranged attack at that point 33.
• Can be fired repeatedly, but drawing large amounts of his own blood makes him dizzy and slows his attacks 33.
• Sesshomaru’s demonic whip shatters the projectiles, preventing the technique from overcoming his defense 33.

Tessaiga Wielding

• The sword accepts him after he begins to understand his father’s emphasis on love and protection 39.
• Understanding the principle intellectually is insufficient to awaken it; its transformation occurs when he instinctively tries to protect two people important to him 40.
• Its awakened power allows him to sever Sesshomaru’s arm, though Sesshomaru has already been substantially weakened during the preceding battle 34 40.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Robe of the Fire Rat — A red treasured robe described as impervious to water and fire. Inuyasha pulls it over his head and face to survive Yura’s Demon Fire Hair. It is stronger than most armor, but does not prevent painful wounds from matchlock fire 10 14.
• Beads of Subjugation — Allow Kagome’s command, “Sit!”, to force him to the ground and temporarily immobilize him. She uses them to halt reckless confrontations and prevent him from attacking innocent villagers 5 9 28.
• Tessaiga — His father’s demon blade, initially rusty in appearance. Akitoshi draws it from its resting place and throws it to Inuyasha; its awakened form is as broad as a door, with a flowing guard resembling a lion’s mane 38 40.
• Black Pearl — Hidden in one of his eyes until Sesshomaru extracts it. Opening its seal reveals the route to the Great Dog General’s tomb 35.

Relationships

• Kagome — Companion in the Shikon Jewel search and Kikyo’s reincarnation. They repeatedly rescue one another, but her admiration for Akitoshi strains their relationship. She later worries about Inuyasha’s past attack on the village and resolves not to let him become a demon like those they have encountered 3 9 28 41.
• Kikyo — Former lover who sealed him for fifty years. He once agreed to abandon his ambition of becoming a Great Demon and become human for her; conflicting accounts leave the circumstances of their separation unresolved 21.
• Princess Izayoi — His late human mother. He treasures her loving care and reacts intensely to both insults against her and the appearance of a woman impersonating her 29 32 39.
• Great Dog General — His late father, whom he never met. Inuyasha inherits both his demonic blood and Tessaiga 3 28 37 40.
• Sesshomaru — Older brother and hostile rival. Sesshomaru despises his association with humans, attacks him to locate their father’s tomb, and contests his inheritance of Tessaiga 29 30 39.
• Kaede — Adviser and intermediary who repeatedly tries to curb his recklessness. Inuyasha addresses her disrespectfully as an old woman despite being much older himself 5 9 20.
• Myōga — Loyal flea servant left to him by his father. Warns him of Sesshomaru’s approach and urges him to flee 28.
• Hojo Akitoshi — Initially a suspected rival for the Shikon Jewel, later a reluctant ally who repeatedly saves him. Inuyasha comes to value his help, while remaining jealous of Kagome’s interest in him 5 15 33 37 40.
• Akechi Mitsuhide — An antagonistic Hojo retainer. Their first clash occurs over Kagome’s safety; Mitsuhide later uses the Matchlock Corps to deter Inuyasha from confronting him 3 17.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Encounter with the Hojo Army

• Intervenes when Mitsuhide prepares to kill Kagome, bringing him into direct conflict with Akitoshi’s cavalry 3.
• Suspects the army has come for the Shikon Jewel and attempts to confront its commander before Kagome stops him 5.
• Experiences firearms for the first time when the Matchlock Corps shoots him down near the camp; Akitoshi orders the soldiers to stand down 10.

Yura of the Hair

• Escapes the controlled villagers with Kagome and carries Kaede to the Hojo camp 9.
• Shreds Yura’s Hair Sea, survives her flames through his robe, and narrowly avoids decapitation when Akitoshi’s arrow deflects her sword 14 15.
• Helps occupy Yura while Kagome and Akitoshi sever her connection to her comb. Her apparent destruction does not settle the threat; Akitoshi later destroys the comb with a spiritually empowered arrow 16 17 26.
• Witnesses the Hojo Army’s massed charge and incendiary bombardment with unease and dread 12 24.

Sesshomaru and the Inheritance of Tessaiga

• Learns from Myōga that Sesshomaru is hunting him for information about their father’s tomb 28.
• Nearly falls for the false Izayoi before Akitoshi questions the deception 29.
• Fights alongside the Hojo Army after his initial defeat, then follows the conflict into the Great Dog General’s tomb 30 33 35 36.
• Fails to take Tessaiga at first, receives it after Akitoshi draws it, and ultimately awakens its true form to protect Kagome and Akitoshi 37 38 39 40.
• Defeats Sesshomaru and severs his left arm, but receives none of the praise he expects from Kagome, whose attention remains on the injured Akitoshi 40.

Notable Quotes

“My mother was the best mother in the world! I won't let anyone insult her!” 32

“If one isn't enough, I'll throw countless more at you! I've got plenty of blood!” 33

“Watch out, Hojo Akitoshi!” 33