Wednesday, August 25

The End is Near



It's with a bit of melancholy that I got the confirmation that one of my favorite anime series, Inu Yasha, is about to end this September.
The news, which started first as a rumor and then only recently confirmed by producer Mitsuhiko Suwa, came as a surprise to the many fans of the latest (and in my view, greatest) Rumiko Takahashi series. Suwa announced that "the first series of Inuyasha anime will end on September 13". The finale will be a one-hour special entitled The Bond Between the Two- The Shard of Shikon.

This came as a surprise since it has been generally supposed that the series is still incredibly popular both in the US and in Japan. The reason for this is apparently since the anime has almost caught up to the Inu Yasha manga, which is already in the closing chapters of the saga. The whole production crew and the voice cast are very devoted to the series, and will reportedly include many extras for the finale, which will come out in the DVD release of the final episodes.

It is believed (and hoped) by fans of Inu Yasha that the anime will somehow continue, either in OAVs or movies or a second series, and finish the story that is currently still unfolding in the weekly manga. Yes, I believe that someday we'll see Naraku get what's coming to him in animation. Somehow, someday, some way.

Personally I'm pretty much saddened AND irritated, but I'm also excited to see how they're going to end the run. I don't think they will be diverging from the manga, but it will be interesting to see how it goes.

In whatever case, it's been a great 160+ episodes. It'll be great to revisit the whole thing again, via DVDs and VCDs.

Inu Yasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale tells of the adventures of a Japanese girl named Kagome Higurashi who is the reincarnation of a miko (priestess) charged with protecting the Shikon No Tama, an orb of great power. Through a mystical Time-travelling Well located in the back of her house, Kagome is transported to Japan's Sengoku or Warring States period, which is populated by demons (youkai) and other dangers. She soon encounters Inu Yasha, a half-human, half-dog demon youth who also seeks the Shikon No Tama. At first at odds, the two eventually learn to work together and even develop feelings for one another in the best Takahashi tradition. Together with several loyal friends and allies, Kagome and Inu Yasha fight to retrieve the Shikon No Tama and defeat the evil Naraku. Mixing Takahashi humor and romance, loveable characters, compelling storylines and some of the best demon-fighting action seen in animation, Inu Yasha is easily one of the best titles anime has to offer. To date, there are 160+ episodes in the TV series, and at least 3 cinematic releases (a fourth movie has already been announced).

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