InuYasha

I think there was a thread about InuYasha a while ago, but I don't want to bump old threads, so here's a new one!

I just started watching this again on DVD again (I've been buying the DVDs since they started to be released November of last year) and reading the Manga. Takahashi Rumiko is one hell of a manga writer and she has hit with every series she's ever done, InuYasha being no exception.

I watched all 9 discs is 2 days (vacation time is great!)

Before anyone starts throwing in spoilers, please be aware that I only have the 9 available DVDs and will not watch the Cartoon Network episodes for 2 reasons. The first reason is that I refuse to watch this dubbed. The second is, although minor, there are still edits in it. Yes, I could watch MUCH further into the series (considering there are only 27 episodes available on DVD so far), but I want to watch it the way I like it, and I don't like it edited or in English. No offense meant to anyone who enjoys the dub.

They put a lot of time and effort into this one and you can tell. The animation, for television animation that is, is quite good. The storyline is excellent with the manga and the Anime being almost exactly the same (which IMO is a good thing, since the manga comes first, being that it is a Takahashi production).

The voice acting, as far as the Japanese version is concerned at least, is one of the best, with some of the best selections available. InuYasha is voiced by the Boy Type Ranma (I believe the English voice actor is the Boy Type English Ranma as well). Kagome is voiced my Mutsumi from Love Hina (I believe the English Akane is the English VA?). Kikyo (one of my favorite characters) is voiced by Akane's JPN VA (though she's changed her voice so much between the 2, it can be difficult to tell) Myoga is voiced by the voice of Genma Saotome from Ranma as well (not sure on the English VA, sorry). Yanaka Hiroshi (he played Celestin from the Ah! My Goddess movie) plays Naraku. Fuuma from X TV plays Sesshomaru. Hell, Inoue Kikuko (Belldandy from Ah!My Goddess) played a part as the Un-Mother/InuYasha's mother!

This is also a very LONG series, I think they are up to 123 or so episodes in Japan, leaving the US far into the dust.

My favorite character would be either Sesshoumaru or Kikyo. Sesshoumaru is just so damn evil and unrepentant, he IS evil. Kikyo... I love the name and her tragic past helps make her damn cool. Of course, I like InuYasha and Kagome as well, but they can't compare to Sesshoumaru or Kikyo in my eyes.

My least favorite character would be... Shippo, but only 'cause I had to pick a least favorite. All the characters are well done. Evil characters are evil and good characters are good, and they give you the feeling as such.

I really love this series. I would dare say it's in the top 3.

One thing that bothers me about the DVDs is that it's only 3 episodes a disc. The other problem I have is that it is blatantly obvious the dub for a lot of episodes is complete, since they show up to what, episode 40 something on the Cartoon Network? Why's it taking so long for my DVDs to come out, dammit! To their credit though, they ARE releasing 2 InuYasha DVDs a month, so it's not the longest wait in the world (though they appear to be skipping September for InuYasha... bastards).

So what are your thoughts on the Anime (dubbed or subbed)? Thoughts on the Manga? Thoughts on any of Takahashi Rumiko's work (Ranma, Maison Ikkoku, Urusei Yatsura and plenty of others)? Favorite character and why? Least favorite character and why?

<small>[ September 07, 2003, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: slerch666 ]</small>

Read the first couple of manga digests a few weeks ago and loved it.

I really liked the character 'Kushinokago'. Sexy but spooky at the same time. 'Shibugarasu' was pretty neat too.

Just bought the first 6 DVDs last week. Never seen the series before... had no idea what it was about... never even read an opinion on it. I worked at a Gamestop 4 hours every 2 weeks between my internship at IBM to get my discount, saw them on the shelf, and was like "eh, what the hell." Now I see they are going to be releasing box sets to punish me for my impulse buy... Nice.

Anyways, I'm 2 or 3 episodes in (it's been a week - I forget) and I'm wondering how this can go for 123 episodes. wink

Still, I've been surprised by the animation, surprised by the characters' personalities (totally different than I would've guessed), and... uh... yeah. Just very curious to see where this goes. Maison Ikkoku has definately grown on me, so I'm guessing this will too. Kinda makes me want to try Ranma too...

The Cartoon Network just started showing new episodes, and Monday Sesshomaru returns, I'm hoping for a sweet battle.

Nick Goracke:
Just bought the first 6 DVDs last week. Never seen the series before... had no idea what it was about... never even read an opinion on it. I worked at a Gamestop 4 hours every 2 weeks between my internship at IBM to get my discount, saw them on the shelf, and was like "eh, what the hell." Now I see they are going to be releasing box sets to punish me for my impulse buy... Nice.

Anyways, I'm 2 or 3 episodes in (it's been a week - I forget) and I'm wondering how this can go for 123 episodes. wink

Still, I've been surprised by the animation, surprised by the characters' personalities (totally different than I would've guessed), and... uh... yeah. Just very curious to see where this goes. Maison Ikkoku has definately grown on me, so I'm guessing this will too. Kinda makes me want to try Ranma too...

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Actually those boxsets are limited edition and so far it's only 1 boxset, not sets. I think it's going to contain the first 3 discs and something extra.

It can go on for 123 episodes because *small spoiler alert* the jewel gets broken into TONS of fragments that InuYasha and Kagome need to go looking for.

Ranma is definitely worth checking out, especially since it's all out on DVD now. I'd wait for all the seasons to be in the 5 disc sets instead of 8 separate discs. They should all be out by the end of the year I believe.

I first watched the Maison Ikkoku Anime when it was released on DVD last month and immediately started buying the manga. Great series as well.

Only one you didn't mention that is available in the US is Urusei Yatsura. This one's got everything. It's pretty whacky yet so damn good!

Read the first couple of manga digests a few weeks ago and loved it.

I really liked the character 'Kushinokago'. Sexy but spooky at the same time. 'Shibugarasu' was pretty neat too.

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How far into the manga did they show up? I haven't seen either, that I am aware of, but they may have changed the names to their English equivalents when they translated it?

I hate to tell you this, but the plot takes a different path from the manga as the series starts going. Also, episodes 90-100 are 100% filler. It has nothing to do with the main plot. But this is awesome filler. Just wait until you see it, as I don't want to spoil anything for you. Yes I watch the fansubs, I'm evil. (But I do plan on buying the box set once it's released, if that makes you hate me less)

As much as I LOVE Kikyo, my favorite character is Sango. You've seen her right? She has depth that I feel most characters lack in the series. You can really understand how she feels. Also her <a href="http://www.win.ne.jp/~toshi/seiyuu/kuwashima-houko/" target="_blank">voice actress</a>, <a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=281" target="_blank">Kuwashima Houko</a> is my personal favorite.

Oh, and the dub is horrible. Such a shame considering InuYasha has one of the greatest casts of all time, and the dub is one of the worst ever.

Also, the music is incredible. I love it. Especially the first ED: "My will".

<small>[ September 07, 2003, 11:35 PM: Message edited by: Now Loading ]</small>

Now Loading:
I hate to tell you this, but the plot takes a different path from the manga as the series starts going. Also, episodes 90-100 are 100% filler. It has nothing to do with the main plot. But this is awesome filler. Just wait until you see it, as I don't want to spoil anything for you. Yes I watch the fansubs, I'm evil. (But I do plan on buying the box set once it's released, if that makes you hate me less)

As much as I LOVE Kikyo, my favorite character is Sango. You've seen her right? She has depth that I feel most characters lack in the series. You can really understand how she feels. Also her <a href="http://www.win.ne.jp/~toshi/seiyuu/kuwashima-houko/" target="_blank">voice actress</a>, <a href="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=281" target="_blank">Kuwashima Houko</a> is my personal favorite.

Oh, and the dub is horrible. Such a shame considering InuYasha has one of the greatest casts of all time, and the dub is one of the worst ever.

Also, the music is incredible. I love it. Especially the first ED: "My will".

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Sango shows up for the first time in Episode 24 I believe, which happened to be the last episode on disc 8... which really pissed me off at the time cause I wanted to see what happened! She joins the group in Ep. 26 I think it was. I think she's cool, yet tragic, but I couldn't call her my favorite, since I haven't seen or read much with her in it yet.

You are correct, the music is pretty amazing. I plan on buying the OSTs with my next paycheck. It's not just the openings and endings that ae good, it's ALL the music that is.

And as far as fan subbed, I'd rather you watched fan subbed than bootleg. The only problem I have with fan subbers are once a show is licensed, you're supposed to pull the availability for it, yet most do not. If you don't support the industry, why would they continue to make it?

Oh, and as far as the box set, again, there is only one boxset announced so far. I had thought they would go back and Ranma-ize the series and put 5 discs with 24-26 episodes in a box, but I don't think that will happen any time soon.

Filler eps don't bother me, it's the constant re-cap episodes (haven't seen any in InuYasha yet) that piss me off in some Anime.

I still wish the series would come out on DVD faster though. 2 discs every other month is just not enough. Should be 2 discs every month, but that's just my opinion of course.

<small>[ September 08, 2003, 05:51 AM: Message edited by: slerch666 ]</small>

You are correct, the music is pretty amazing. I plan on buying the OSTs with my next paycheck. It's not just the openings and endings that ae good, it's ALL the music that is.

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True, everything is great. It's just that some songs really stood out to me. I'm pretty sure Kaoru Wada also created the music for Kikaider, isn't that right?

And as far as fan subbed, I'd rather you watched fan subbed than bootleg. The only problem I have with fan subbers are once a show is licensed, you're supposed to pull the availability for it, yet most do not. If you don't support the industry, why would they continue to make it?

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Most fan subbers DO pull it when it's been licensed (Ex: Gundam Seed, which I don't think ANYBODY has available for download anymore) But like you've said before, it's painful waiting months for Viz to release it and I can't take the pain to watch it on Cartoon Network. So, I go for the fansubs. I hate it when people don't buy the anime after seeing it fansubbed. If I like the show, I buy it. That's what is nice about fansubs. "Incidents" like Fushigi Yugi don't happen.

Oh, and as far as the box set, again, there is only one boxset announced so far. I had thought they would go back and Ranma-ize the series and put 5 discs with 24-26 episodes in a box, but I don't think that will happen any time soon.

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But don't you think Viz will release box sets every once in a while? It doesn't make sense that they would release 1 for the first 3 discs and then just "forget" to release the rest of the series like that.

Filler eps don't bother me, it's the constant re-cap episodes (haven't seen any in InuYasha yet) that piss me off in some Anime.

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But think about this: There are filler eps in a 100+ episode series. Don't you find that...scary?

So far, there have been NO recap eps in InuYasha. Just short "In The Last Episode" bits at the beginning.

True, everything is great. It's just that some songs really stood out to me. I'm pretty sure Kaoru Wada also created the music for Kikaider, isn't that right?

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According to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0905264/" target="_blank">IMDB</a> , he did the music for one of the Kikaider series. I wasn't sure without looking though.

Most fan subbers DO pull it when it's been licensed (Ex: Gundam Seed, which I don't think ANYBODY has available for download anymore) But like you've said before, it's painful waiting months for Viz to release it and I can't take the pain to watch it on Cartoon Network. So, I go for the fansubs. I hate it when people don't buy the anime after seeing it fansubbed. If I like the show, I buy it. That's what is nice about fansubs. "Incidents" like Fushigi Yugi don't happen.

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As far as Seed is concerned, along with Wolf's Rain, Jerry Chu, the Bandai rep who visits all the conventions, has basically threatened legal action on anyone who continues to offer fan subs of Seed. He told people at Otakon that Bandai doesn't care if you fan sub it for yourself (which is pointless) but you cannot offer it without expecting legal repurcussions.

Unfortunately not every fan sub downloader does this. Nor do people follow these rules when file sharing as most everything that was available as a download from a fan subber is still available that way, be it Kazaa or your file sharing program of choice.

I agree that people who watch fan subs and enjoy a show should purchase a show. But the problen is that if a show is crap, and someone licenses it, can you really expect someone to buy it?

See, the people in Japan are lucky in a way, because they can watch something on TV and know if it's crap before buying (unless it's an OVA). We don't always have that option here in the US, and the shows we do have the ability to do so on are limited and of a small cross piece of the entire Anime spectrum.

I'm lucky. I have 975 DVDs, only 150 or so regular movies, the rest Anime. Most of what I've purchased Anime-wise has been strictly on looking at a description on a sales page and saying "that sounds good" and prepurchasing it. I've never downloaded a fan sub on my own, though I have seen a few, be them at Cons or what have you.

A lot of people download fan subs as a way to avoid actually paying for their Anime, which I will never agree with. You downloaded InuYasha to be able to enjoy the show sooner, but also plan to buy the DVDs and support the industry, I have no problem with that at all.

But don't you think Viz will release box sets every once in a while? It doesn't make sense that they would release 1 for the first 3 discs and then just "forget" to release the rest of the series like that.

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Well, you would hope so, but Viz hasn't always been on top of things. It will be interesting to see HOW Viz does box sets. Will they go the Ranma route and do 5 disc DVD-9 sets, or will they slap the DVD-5s in boxes like they are with this first set? You are correct though, I can't see Viz NOT doing SOME kind of boxset.

But think about this: There are filler eps in a 100+ episode series. Don't you find that...scary?

So far, there have been NO recap eps in InuYasha. Just short "In The Last Episode" bits at the beginning.

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Can it be assumed the filler eps were done to wait on the manga? I don't know, honestly, why they would need filler on this one, or any Takahashi series, since the Manga is almost always extremely long.

And the recap parts at the beginning of eps doesn't bother me, just recap eps blow_top

I hope they are going to be releaseing more of the limited ed. boxsets of it. Have to agree with slerch on the whole cartoon network thing. Won't watch em till I get the dvd's. buttrock

Cartoon Network said they didn't have to make any edits to Inuyasha last night during Adult Swim, so that's cool.

i enjoy the series too. just wondering about something, does sesshoumaru ever get his arm back or a new one?

orochi_lubu:
i enjoy the series too. just wondering about something, does sesshoumaru ever get his arm back or a new one?

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Naraku gave him one, but it almost kills him. He also takes this dragons arm, but I guess he takes it off.

genjiglove:

orochi_lubu:
i enjoy the series too. just wondering about something, does sesshoumaru ever get his arm back or a new one?

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Naraku gave him one, but it almost kills him. He also takes this dragons arm, but I guess he takes it off.

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but during the credits they had him walking around a cliff and the wind was blowing. and he was fixing his shirt or something and it was with his left hand. im confused