So, folks have been asking me, “Is Inuyasha any good?” and it got me thinking about my own journey with that show. It wasn’t a quick watch, let me tell you. It was a real undertaking, a proper viewing project I set for myself a while back, and I figured I’d share how that whole experience went down for me.
My First Steps into Feudal Japan (and a Well)
I remember hearing about Inuyasha for ages. It was one of those anime that just always seemed to be around. So, one day, I decided, “Alright, let’s see what all the fuss is about.” I had some free time, and I was looking for a longer series to get into. Little did I know just how long!
First off, I pulled up the episode list. Wow. We’re talking over 160 episodes for the original run, then The Final Act, plus movies. I thought, “Okay, this is gonna be a marathon, not a sprint.” My plan was to just watch a few episodes each evening, steady as she goes. No binging, because I genuinely wanted to absorb it, or at least try to.
Getting into the Groove (and the Grumbles)
The initial setup, Kagome falling into a well and ending up in feudal Japan, meeting Inuyasha – it was pretty cool. I liked the mix of modern girl with this ancient, demon-filled world. The art style had that classic early 2000s vibe, which I’ve got a soft spot for.
But here’s the thing, as I got deeper into it, the length really started to show. Some folks say it’s “brilliant,” and I get that, especially with the characters. Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku with his Wind Tunnel (and his wandering hands, haha!), Sango and Kirara – they were the ones who kept me hooked. You really start to care about them, their backstories, their struggles. Miroku, in particular, always seemed to have something interesting going on, even if it was just his usual antics.
However, and this is a big however, there were stretches where it felt like the story was just treading water. So many episodes felt like filler. Like, “Oh, here’s another random demon we need to fight that doesn’t really move the main Naraku plot forward.” That part got frustrating. I found myself thinking, “Come on, get on with it!” The main storyline with the Shikon Jewel shards and Naraku was compelling, but it definitely got watered down by all the side quests that didn’t add much. I’d say that’s its biggest weakness, easily. My patience was definitely tested during some of those arcs.
The Characters Carried It For Me
Despite the pacing issues, what made me keep going? The characters. Honestly.
- Inuyasha: Your classic tsundere half-demon. Gruff on the outside, but you know he’s got a good heart. His struggles with being a half-demon were interesting.
- Kagome: She could be a bit much sometimes, but her resilience was admirable. And her “Sit, boy!” command never got old.
- Miroku & Sango: These two were probably my favorites as a pair. Their developing relationship, mixed with Miroku’s lecherousness and Sango’s no-nonsense attitude, provided a lot of the better moments.
Even the villains, especially Naraku, had layers. He was a genuinely nasty piece of work, and you really wanted to see him get his comeuppance.
So, My Final Take After All Those Hours?
After slogging through all those episodes, what’s my verdict? Yeah, I think Inuyasha is good, but with a big asterisk. It’s a product of its time, when longer-running anime with a fair bit of filler was more common.
If you have the patience for a very, very long journey and can appreciate character development over a slowly unfolding plot, then you’ll probably find a lot to like. The core story is solid, the world is imaginative, and the main characters are truly memorable. They don’t get boring, that’s for sure, even if the situations they’re in sometimes do.
For me, the “practice” of watching it was an exercise in understanding what makes a long-running series work, and what makes it stumble. I saw the brilliance, and I saw the padding. Would I recommend it to everyone? Probably not. If you want something tight and fast-paced, this ain’t it. But if you’re looking for an epic adventure with characters you can really get to know over time, and you don’t mind the occasional detour, then yeah, give Inuyasha a shot. Just be prepared for the commitment!
