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Television Series - Season 2

1-26|27-56|57-86|87-101|102-125|126-159|160-167
The Final Act: 1-26|Yashahime 1-24|Yashahime 25-48 Top

Episodes 27 - 56


Season overview:
The second season continues to run very strongly, and the theme songs are changed regularly. The themes are from some of the most popular artists in Japan at the time, and mark the first time mainstream artists of this caliber have worked on a Takahashi anime. The series music is provided by Kaoru Wada who won a Japanese Academy Award for his work on Crest of Betrayal.

You can see samples of each of the animation directors works on our article about the animation directors of Inuyasha.


DVD 10

Episode 27: 水神が支配する闇の湖
Suijin ga Shihaisuru Yami no Mizuumi
(The Lake of the Evil Water God)
Inuyasha and the others come across a village with a lot of wreckage, a flood to be exact. A boy gets the gang to help the villagers, and later is proven to be the headmasters real son. They go to the temple of the Water God and fight with him, but he seems invincible. Sango and Miroku, who have been washed out, travel to the mountain where the true God is sealed, who's a shrunken, beautiful female. They return to the temple and finish the battle with the fake Water God.

Episode Staff:
  • Director: Megumi Yamamoto (山本恵)
  • Animation Director: Rie Nakajima (中島里恵)
  • Script: Tetsuko Takahashi (高橋哲子)
  • Storyboards: Masami Hata (波多正美)
Originally Aired:
  • May 21, 2001
    7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
Themes:
Adapted from:
Notes:
  • Taromaru's father the village headman does not have a name, only a title (名主/nemushi). This term means "village headman" and was primarily used in the Kanto region.
  • Suekichi's name (末吉) is a fortune-telling term that means "good luck to come".
  • Daija, the False Water God makes his first appearance in this episode. His name (大蛇) means "great snake".
  • The paper talisman that Miroku and Sango find sealing the rock in place is a "fuda" (札). These are charms or talismen that serve as holy seals.
  • The True Water God makes her appearance here. She has no proper name and is only ever refered to as the true god to contrast with Daija, the false god.
  • The Amakoi Halberd is written in Japanese as 雩の鉾 (Amakoi no Hoko). The first kanji is unique because it is a hyogai kanji (表外字) which essentially means it is a non-standard kanji that is outside of the 2,136 joyo kanji (常用漢字) and 863 jinmeiyo kanji (人名用漢字) that are allowed to be used in names. It means "a sacrifice made for rain".

Episode 28: 過酷な罠にかかった弥勒
Kakoku na Wana ni Kakatta Miroku
(Miroku Falls into a Dangerous Trap)
After Sango finishes exterminating a large spider, Miroku is drawn away to a beautiful lady dressed as a princess, who is actually a praying mantis demon, but when Miroku uses his Wind Tunnel to suck her in, the claws widen his rip which is bad. He sets off with his tanuki friend (without telling Inuyasha and the others) to visit his former foster-father, Mushin, who can perhaps heal the wound. Mushin gets posessed, and attempts to kill Miroku, who sends his tanuki friend for help. The tanuki runs into the gang. Inuyasha and the others arrive in time, but have trouble dealing with Mushin. Myoga points out that a certain demon is manipulating Mushin. Inuyasha used Tessaiga with amazing results while protecting Miroku, and Sango manages to kill the manipulator and get Mushin back to normal.

Episode Staff:
  • Director: Masakazu Hishida (菱田正和)
  • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一) & Atsushi Shigeta (重田敦司)
  • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
  • Storyboards: Akira Nishimori (西森章)
Originally Aired:
  • May 28, 2001
    7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
Themes:
Adapted from:
Notes: ---

Episode 29: 珊瑚の苦悩と琥珀の命
Sango no Kunou to Kohaku no Inochi
(Sango's Suffering and Kohaku's Life)
Naraku commands a young boy in his territory to kill Inuyasha and the others. The gang come across a village, with many dead corpses. Some bombs explode, and the culprit is a young boy wearing similar fighting clothes to those that Sango wears. She is shocked that the young boy is in fact her brother Kohaku. He runs off into the forest, and the gang pursues him. They stop in front of a barrier, that only Sango could go through. She meets Kohaku, and Naraku appears behind him, who explains how Kohaku is alive again. Naraku makes a deal with Sango, which is something that seems impossible for her to do. As the gang spends the night in one of the sheds in the village, they are surrounded by an army of demons, and Kohaku. After a short fight, Kohaku tries to take the fragment out of himself, which causes Sango to throw Hiraikotsu, her weapon, against Tessaiga, and bring it to Naraku (it was his deal in return to let Kohaku live forever). Everyone else follows in pursuit to Naraku's castle.

Episode Staff:
  • Director: Masashi Abe (阿部雅司)
  • Animation Director: Keiji Tani (谷圭司)
  • Script: Akira Nishimori (西森章)
  • Storyboards: Akira Nishimori (西森章)
Originally Aired:
  • June 4, 2001
    7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
Themes:
Adapted from:
Notes: ---


DVD 11

Episode 30: 盗まれた鉄砕牙 対決 奈落の城!
Nusumareta Tessaiga Taiketsu Naraku no Shiro!
(Tessaiga is Stolen! Showdown at Naraku's Castle)
As the group spends the night in one of the sheds in the village, Sango ponders Naraku’s words to her and the deal he offered. If she brings Tessaiga, he will allow Kohaku to live permanently. In the night they are surrounded by an army of demons, led by Kohaku. After a short fight, Inuyasha attacks Kohaku and plans to kill him to end Naraku’s manipulation. Kohaku attempts to kill himself by removing the shard in order to manipulate Sango further, causing her to stop Inuyasha from fighting by using Hirakotsu to knock Tessaiga away. Kohaku leaves and Sango follows on Kirara, leaving everyone else to travel on foot. At Naraku’s castle he reveals himself to Sango and shows that he has now taken the form of Kagewaki Hitomi. Sango is saddened as the lord was kind to her and curses Naraku once more. He demands that she serve him, but she refuses and tries to use Tessaiga to attack him. Naraku easily defeats her and poisons Kirara with his miasma before claiming the sword, and sending Kohaku to fight her once more. Sango refuses to fight back and is severely injured by her brother. Naraku expects her to either kill Kohaku, of allow herself to be killed by him. Kagome, Miroku, Shippo and Inuyasha arrive to witness this, and Kagome becomes enraged. Miroku points out that Naraku is trying to recreate what he did to Inuyasha and Kikyo fifty years ago, and Kagome uses Naraku’s Shikon shards to pinpoint his location and fire an arrow at him, forcing him to drop Tessaiga. Naraku is gravely wounded and realizes Kagome’s power that she has inherited from Kikyo. In his escape Kagewaki’s castle is destroyed, but Naraku manages to keep Kohaku with him. Sango weeps, and says she cannot travel with the group because they cannot and should not trust her. Inuyasha and the others refuse to listen and welcome her back while she weeps in Kagome’s arms.

Episode Staff:
  • Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
  • Animation Director: Shouko Ikeda (池田晶子)
  • Script: Akinori Endo (遠藤明範)
  • Storyboards: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
Originally Aired:
  • June 11, 2001
    7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
Themes:
Adapted from:
Notes:
  • Fans of Takahashi's work might wish to know that both Naraku in Inuyasha and Yurako in MAO use the same energy (jaki) at times. However, this is easy to confuse with the term "shoki" (瘴気) which is a poisonous vapor. Occasionally both are translated into English as "miasma" (which is not an incorrect term, though it can confuse the two source words from the Japanese which have different connotations). The difference can be difficult to parse. Jaki could be said to be malice and anger made manifest into an energy, a wicked power. Shoki has a more literal sense of a toxic, poison cloud. Shoki can be a term used literally as "swamp gas". So in summation:
    • Jaki(邪気) - demonic energy
    • Shoki (瘴気) - poisonous vapor
  • Kagewaki Hitomi’s castle is built in the hirayama (平山城 flat hilltop castle) style. Japanese castles (城, shiro or jō) are fortresses constructed primarily of wood and stone. They evolved from the wooden stockades of earlier centuries, and came into their best-known form in the 16th century. Castles in Japan were built to guard important or strategic sites, such as ports, river crossings, or crossroads, and almost always incorporated the landscape into their defenses. As regional officials and others became the daimyōs, and the country descended into war, they began to quickly add to their power bases, securing their primary residences, and constructing additional fortifications in tactically advantageous or important locations. Originally conceived as purely defensive structures, or as retirement bunkers where a lord could safely ride out periods of violence in his lands, over the course of the Sengoku period, many of these mountain castles developed into permanent residences, with elaborate exteriors and lavish interiors.
  • Naraku’s has two voices in the original Japanese language edition of Inuyasha. Hiroshi Yanaka has played Naraku in his hooded baboon guise, and also played his human side Onigumi and Muso as well. While the Kagewaki guise that Naraku keeps for the rest of the series is voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa.

Episode 31: 心優しき哀愁の地念児
Kokoroyasashiki Aishuu no Jinenji
(Jinenji, Kind but Sad)
Kagome and Inuyasha go to get herbs to cure Kirara from Naraku's misama poisoning. Upon meeting some villagers, they learn that a demon nearby named Jinenji has been attacking villagers. He was the owner of the field of herbs, and the villager used to get some from him. When Inuyasha tries to beat him up, it's quite shocking that he acts like a small child. His mother comes out, and the villagers run away. Jinenji is a half demon, and when they get the antidote, they decide to settle the problems, Inuyasha goes to find the real demon behind the attacks, and Kagome stays at the hut where Jinenji and his mother live. Jinenji warms up to her, but in the meantime, Inuyasha has found the demon nest, and has discovered why it's deserted. The villagers have planned to attack Jinenji, who's afraid to come out. The villagers have started to attack, but the real demon who killed the villagers appears with her children, coming to feast on more humans. Jinenji protects Kagome, who is hit by a mad, wounded, parent demon. Inuyasha arrives and kills most of the larva. Jinenji defeats the demon, and Kagome and Inuyasha leave, all of the problems resolved. At the end, Inuyasha reveals the bad times he had as a child, and makes Kagome happy, and afterwards, Inuyasha arrives at a comforting realization.

Episode Staff:
  • Director: Akira Nishimori (西森章)
  • Animation Director: Rie Nakajima (中島里恵)
  • Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa (隅沢克之)
  • Storyboards: Mitsuko Kase (加瀬充子)
Originally Aired:
  • June 18, 2001
    7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
Themes:
Adapted from:
Notes:
  • Jinenji makes his debut in this chapter as does his mother.
  • Jinenji's name (地念児) has the kanji for "earth" in it, likely because of his work as a farmer.
  • Inuyasha mistakes Jinenji's mother for a "mountain witch" (山姥/yamanba) due to her rough appearance.
  • The expressive and fluid style of animation director Rie Nakajima is on display in this episode. She previously worked on episodes 10, 18 and 27 and her style stands out amongst others. She is the third most frequent animation director for Inuyasha.

Episode 32: 邪気に落ちた桔梗と犬夜叉
Jaki ni Ochita Kikyou to Inuyasha
(Kikyo and Inuyasha are in Trouble)
Kikyo is serving at a village full of soldiers, and is healing their injuries. A few men pass by explaining that they have come to take Kikyo to their leader. Once meeting him, she feels something strange about the castle. Naraku is shocked to see Kikyo alive again, and he has prohibited her from leaving, though she manages to. The gang has been called to investigate, because of a problem that the farmers had. When they reach the nearby mountain by the village, Inuyasha and Miroku head inside, while the rest stay out. Inuyasha attacks one of the demons in the mountain, but Miroku seems to think that it was a bad idea... Outside, Kikyo suddenly arrives, heads in, and Kagome follows after her with Kirara. Miroku explains to Inuyasha about the mountain and dangers, but with no avail. Once Kagome goes down to where Kikyo fell, Kikyo shoots an arrow at Tessaiga, which undoes its transformation, reflects up to the seal, and destroys it. Everything but Miroku and Kirara are pulled out the opening by a strong gust, and the demons merge with Naraku, who was waiting a distance from the mountain. He gains a new body and flies off with Kikyo.

Episode Staff:
  • Director: Akira Toba (鳥羽聡)
  • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一) & Atsushi Shigeta (重田敦司)
  • Script: Ai Ota (太田愛)
  • Storyboards: Masami Hata (波多正美)
Originally Aired:
  • June 25, 2001
    7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
Themes:
Adapted from:
Notes:
  • Kikyo points out that the creature that appears on the dying man is a "gaki" (餓鬼), often translated as a "hungry ghost". In the lore of Inuyasha Rumiko Takahashi primarily uses them a creatures that claim souls and take them to the underworld. In actual Buddhist conception these are creatures that the particularly sinful or wicked have been reincarnated as. Hunger gnaws at them constantly and they eat the earwax, dead skin cells and other foul things shed by the bodies of others. Though she uses their traditional appearance for the basis of these creatures (and for Jaken as well as she states in this interview between herself and Takashi Shiina) she never alludes to their stated "hungry ghost" characteristics.
  • “There must be a source of very powerful evil nearby.” Miroku says this using the word "jaki" (邪気). This can be translated as a "demonic energy" or "evil aura".
  • We see the interior of the mountain being used as a kodoku (蠱毒). This is later repeated during the Mount Hakurei chapters. It is also frequently referenced in Rumiko Takahashi's MAO.
  • Kikyo is shown being carried in a palanquin, or norimono (のりもの).
  • Fans of Takahashi's work might wish to know that both Naraku in Inuyasha and Yurako in MAO use the same energy (jaki) at times. However, this is easy to confuse with the term "shoki" (瘴気) which is a poisonous vapor. Occasionally both are translated into English as "miasma" (which is not an incorrect term, though it can confuse the two source words from the Japanese which have different connotations). The difference can be difficult to parse. Jaki could be said to be malice and anger made manifest into an energy, a wicked power. Shoki has a more literal sense of a toxic, poison cloud. Shoki can be a term used literally as "swamp gas". So in summation:
    • Jaki(邪気) - demonic energy
    • Shoki (瘴気) - poisonous vapor
  • “You good for nothing priest!” “I’m a monk.” – Inuyasha uses the word “bozu” (坊主) while Miroku corrects him with "hoshi" (法師). Bozu is dialectal. Essentially, they both mean "monk" however "bozu" can sometimes be an insulting reference to baldness.
  • Miroku says tht Naraku has used the "Spell of Fuko" in his Kodoku. These are both related terms, including kodoku (蠱毒/curse poison), also called kodō (蠱道/curse method), kojutsu (蠱術/curse technique), and fuko (巫蠱/sorcery curse) is a type of poisonous magic found in Japanese folklore. It is the Japanese derivative of the Chinese gu magic.


DVD 12

Episode 33: 囚われた桔梗と奈落
Torawareta Kikyou to Naraku
(Kikyo, Captured by Naraku)
Naraku brings Kikyo to his castle, and sticks a Shikon fragment in a dead soul of Kikyo's. Miroku notices Kikyo's Shinidamachu in the air, and the gang go after them. They go through a sudden light, and become separated. Inuyasha sees himself at the time when Kikyo sealed him; Miroku is being sucked into his air void; Sango sees her friends dead, murdered by her brother Kohaku, who then kills her; Shippo sees everyone gone, and is lonely. Naraku chuckles about it, and reveals that he is using vines called Gen-eisatsu (literally Illusional Death), to which only Kagome is immune. Kikyo rescuse Kagome but takes her Shikon fragment in the process. Inuyasha manages to get out of the illusion, gets Miroku out, and asks him to find Sango and Shippo, while he goes to find Kagome. Inuyasha finds her and Kikyo, who quickly vanishes. She gives Kagome's Shikon fragment to Naraku, and reveals his secret, he is a half demon, not full. Onigumo's presence is still living in him, and Naraku is disgusted at this.

Episode Staff:
  • Director: Masakazu Hishida (菱田正和)
  • Animation Director: Yoshihito Hishinuma (菱沼義仁) & Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
  • Script: Ai Ota (太田愛)
  • Storyboards: Masami Hata (波多正美)
Originally Aired:
  • July 2, 2001
    7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
Themes:
Adapted from:
Notes:
  • The English translation variously calls Kikyo's creatures, the shinidamachu, "soul collectors" but the kanji in their name translates as "dead soul insects".
  • In Naraku's castle we see some of the screens of his room are decorated with spider lilies (曼珠沙華/manjushage). These flowers are symbolic of death in Japan. Long ago, because the flower is poisonous they were planted over graves as a deterent to prevent animals from digging up corpses.
  • Kagome loses her Shikon fragment to Kikyo, who had a shard given to her by Naraku. Naraku gives the completed fragment and her shard to Naraku, leaving Kagome with no shards.
  • The next episode narration has Kagome saying she needs a Shikon shard to return to the present, but this is never indicated in the following episode or in the manga.
  • Episode 34: 鉄砕牙と天生牙
    Tessaiga to Tenseiga
    (Tessaiga and Tensaiga)
    An old man named Totosai is trying to escape from Sesshomaru, who is pursuing him in order to force him to make a sword better than Tessaiga. He arrives where Inuyasha and the others are, and tests him, afterwards he thinks that Inuyasha's not worthy of wielding Tessaiga. Sesshomaru arrives, but Totosai helps everyone escape. Near a stream, he explains that he had already made a sword for Sesshomaru called Tenseiga, but Sesshomaru never uses it, because that sword can't inflict damage, instead it heals. Sesshomaru kills a dragon and gains a new temporary arm before mentioning something called the "Wind Scar".

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    • Animation Director: Shouko Ikeda (池田晶子)
    • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
    • Storyboards: Hitoyuki Matsui (まついひとゆき)
    Originally Aired:
    • July 9, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
  • Totosai, Momo and Aun  make their debut in this episode.
  • Sesshomaru's two-headed dragon Aun's (阿吽) name comes from Angyo and Ungyo, two famous nio (仁王). The nio are Buddhist guardian deities, almost akin to western gargoyles. They are monstrous in appearance but helpful and protective of the faith. The names of Angyo and Ungyo come form which has their mouth open (Angyo making an "ah" sound) and which has a closed mouth (Ungyo making an "un" grunting sound). Sometimes this sound is transliterated as "Om" in Western religious texts.
  • Momo (猛々)'s name means "fierceness" however the the sound of the cow's name is a reference to the onomatopoeia of a the sound a cow mooing.
  • In this episode we see the "Kaze no Kizu" (風の傷/Wind Scar) referenced by name for the first time.
  • Tenseiga (天生牙) is named for the first time.
  • Episode 35: 名刀が選ぶ真の使い手
    Meitou ga Erabu Shin no Tskai te
    (The True Owner of the Great Sword)
    After Sesshomaru knocks Inuyasha away, he explains about his new arm. Sesshomaru blinds Inuyasha temporarily, who is only able to see a swirl of Sesshomaru's aura with a strike across it. When he strikes, Tessaiga almost kills Sesshomaru, who is saved by Tenseiga. Inuyasha has mastered the Wind Scar. He washes his eyes at a nearby river, while Totosai "repairs" Tessaiga before he leaves. Meanwhile, a young girl approaches Sesshomaru, and takes care of him, by bringing food and water, which he rejects. When she attempts to steal a fish from a village, the villagers, who call her Rin, punish her, and she leaves. She returns with the food the next day, but when she returns to the village, it is attacked by wolves, and she dies. Sesshomaru finds her, and uses Tenseiga to bring her back to life. Meanwhile, the gang comes upon the slaughtered village and a human-like being takes on Inuyasha.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Takehiro Nakayama (中山岳洋)
    • Animation Director: Takehiro Nakayama (中山岳洋)
    • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
    • Storyboards: Akira Nishimori (西森章)
    Originally Aired:
    • July 16, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
  • Rin and Koga make their debut in this episode.
  • The kanji in his Koga's name (鋼牙) means "steel fang".
  • Debut of “I am” by hitomi.
  • Rin's death in this episode complicates things later when Tenseiga cannot be used to bring her back to life a second time. This becomes a major plot element in Inuyasha: The Final Act episode 8.

  • DVD 13

    Episode 36: かごめ略奪! 超速の妖狼 鋼牙
    Kagome Ryakudatsu Chousoku no Yourou Koga
    (Kagome Kidnapped by Koga, the Wolf Demon!)
    Inuyasha and the wolf demon battle each other, the wolf demon happens to be super fast, and Kagome realizes that the Shikon fragments he is carrying are increasing his speed. The wolf demon, Koga, is amazed that Kagome realizes it. Inuyasha attempts the Wind Scar, but Koga escapes. The gang burry the dead corpses of the villagers, and spend the night. The next day, Koga has kidnapped Kagome, thinking that she would be useful, and takes her to his lair. Sango apparently was attacked by bird demons when she was close to saving Kagome, the demons had a blue human torso and the lower half being that of a round, feathered, monstrous bird. She and the others search for Kagome, but instead they wind up fighting the demons that attacked Sango earlier.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Aoki Yasunao (青木康直)
    • Animation Director: Rie Nakajima (中島里恵)
    • Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa (隅沢克之)
    • Storyboards: Mitsuko Kase (加瀬充子)
    Originally Aired:
    • July 23, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • The Birds of Paradise (極楽鳥/gokurakucho) appear in this chapter. In the English adaptation of the manga they are sometimes called "Harpies" however "birds of paradise" is an accurate translation from the Japanese.
    • Koga's clansmen Ginta and Hakkaku make their first appearances in this episode.
    • The design of the harpies, also called "birds of paradise", is likely based upon the creature from Daijiro Morohoshi's 1978 manga "Adam's Rib" (アダムの肋骨/Adamu no abarahone). Takahashi is a longtime fan of Morohoshi's work and drew Moroshi's monster on the obi of a collection of his work.
    • Yorozoku (妖狼族/Wolf Demon Tribe) is first introduced and explained by Sango and Shippo. The tribe is split into multiple factions, with Koga being a newly appointed young chief. The wolves primarily live in mountainous regions, and Shippo remarks that they bully and intimidate smaller demons out of their hunting areas. The wolf demons are carnivores and use normal wolves in their hunts. They raid villages and are responsible for the eradication of Rin’s village. While not mentioned in this episode, Koga is the chief of the eastern Wolf Demon Tribe.

    Episode 37: かごめに惚れたあいつ
    Kagome no Horeta Aitsu
    (The Man Who Fell in Love with Kagome!)
    Shippo tries transforming into Koga so that he and Kagome can escape, but his transformation is flawed. When they get outside, Kaogme gets Shippo to escape, and one of the wolf men is about to attack her, but Koga throws a dead boar on him, to stop him. He jumps down, and examines Kagome closer. Then he announces Kagome as "his woman". Kagome, however, is quite flabbergasted at this, and slaps him, and (without thinking) says she and Inuyasha have feelings for each other. Koga's planned on killing Inuyasha, the "mutt face", anyway, and figures that if he's gone, there will be no problem. Meanwhile, the gang continuously try attacking the demons, called the Birds of Paradise, but there are too many. The wolf demons have already battled the birds, and Koga leaves with Kagome to take care of the leader. Everyone has trouble with it, and Koga leaves some of his troops to take care of Kagome. One of them is taken away when attempting to attack Bird of Paradise, and Kagome uses an arrow to knock it down. Inuyasha and the rest arrive in the nick of time, and finish off the Birds of Paradise. Koga becomes injured in the process. Inuyasha is mad that Kagome stopped him from trying to kill Koga and let he and his troops escape. They get into another fight, and Kagome leaves on Kirara, heading for home.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Akira Toba (鳥羽聡)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa (隅沢克之)
    • Storyboards: Mitsuko Kase (加瀬充子)
    Originally Aired:
    • July 30, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • After battling against the Birds of Paradise their conjoined leader debuts in this episode.
    • In this episode Inuyasha kills both of the conjoined Bird of Paradise brothers with the Wind Scar. In the manga Koga had decapitated the elder brother leaving Inuyasha to kill the younger with his attack.
    • Ginta refers to Kagome as "big sister" (姐さん/nee-san) which surprises her given how familiar the term is and they have only just met.
    • Hakkaku uses the term "wakagashira" (若頭) to refer to their relationship to Koga. This is a term used for a the high-ranking underlings in a criminal organization such as the yakuza.
    • After losing all her shards to Kikyo, Kagome earns one shard from the Leader of the Birds of Paradise and one from Koga’s right arm.

    Episode 38: はなれて通うふたりの気持ち
    Hanarete Tousu Futari no Kimochi
    (Two Hearts, One Mind)
    Back in modern times it seems another girl has set her sights on winning Hojo, Kagome's friends still believe he is the best choice for her, so the encourage her to try and win him back. At home everyone wonders why Kagome is so frustrated, but she refuses to tell them why. Of course she is still mad at Inuyasha over the arguement that they had. Shippo tells a story about a dog, cat, and wolf and asks Kaede what the dog and cat should do to get back together. When Kaede suggests the dog apologize to the cat, Inuyasha decides to head to modern times and be a man. When he arrives Kagome is sleeping and her alarm clock startles him, causing him to run off with it. When Kagome travels back to the past, Inuyasha apologizes for the clock, but his stubborn pride keeps him from apologizing for their arguement.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Ukei Okada (岡田宇啓)
    • Animation Director: Kazuo Takigawa (滝川和男)
    • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
    • Storyboards: Aoki Yasunao (青木康直)
    Originally Aired:
    • August 6, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • “An upright tea stem!” - A tea stalk swimming upright in a cup of tea is simply a well-known lucky omen in Japanese tea culture. It's called ‘chabashira’ (茶柱), which means ‘tea pillar’.
    • “Damn, someone’s out there badmouthing me!” - In China, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan, for instance, there is a superstition that if talking behind someone's back causes the person being talked about to sneeze; as such, the sneezer can tell if something good is being said (one sneeze), someone is thinking about you (two sneezes in a row), even if someone is in love with you (three sneezes in a row) or if this is a sign that they are about to catch a cold (multiple sneezes).
    • Wacdonalds makes its first named appearance in this episode.
    • Kagome's room is fairly unique in that it is decorated in a style that is called "wayoshitsu" (和洋室). This means that it is a traditional Japanese style mixed with Western style. We see she has tatami mats for her flooring and a western style bed.


    DVD 14

    Episode 39: 仕組まれた死闘
    Shikumareta Shitou
    (Trapped in a Duel to the Death!)
    A tribe of wolf demons seperate from Koga's ask that for his assistance in raiding a castle that holds a Shikon shard. Koga declines due to the injuries he is still suffering from after his battle with the Birds of Paradise. Koga allows a few of his men to assit the other tribe though. Meanwhile Inuyasha and the others cross paths with a giant bear. Suddenly the creature turns to bones as Naraku's wasps remove a Shikon shard from it. The group chases after the wasps and follow them to a castle. When the arrive they find the corpses of the wolf tribe who had come seeking the shard. Kagura, a female demon who has animated a corpse and sent it to Koga bearing a poisoned Shikon shard. Koga takes the shard and heads to the castle, but when he arrives he sees Inuyasha standing around a pile of dead bodies that were his former tribesmen. Koga is enraged and believes Inuyasha killed the men. While they battle once again, Miroku and Sango head inside the castle where they encounter Kagura and one of Naraku's puppet clones.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    • Animation Director: Shouko Ikeda (池田晶子)
    • Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa (隅沢克之)
    • Storyboards: Masami Hata (波多正美)
    Originally Aired:
    • August 13, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Kagura makes her debut in this chapter. Her name comes from an ancient Shinto song and dance. This is why her attacks had dance nomenclature.
    • “They’re from the Northern caves.” – Koga’s pack is revealed to be the Western Wolf Demon Tribe.(correct ep 36)
    • Naraku takes a shard from the demon bear, adding to his collection.
    • Kagura uses the technique Dance of the Dead (屍骸舞/Shikabane mai) to reanimate the dead bodies of Koga’s fallen tribemates. https://furinkan.com/iycompanion/culture/items/tech12.html (Add this to chapter 142 of vol 15 of manga as well, it is the title of the chapter.)

    Episode 40: 風使い神楽の妖艶なる罠
    Kaze Tsukai Kagura no Youen Naru Wana
    (The Deadly Trap of Kagura, the Wind Sorceress)
    Miroku and Sango are able to deal with the phony Naraku, but in the meantime Inuyasha is having a hard time dealing with Koga now that he has another Shikon shard powering him up. Soon though, Kagura raises the dead bodies of the wolf tribesmen and makes them attack Koga. The poisoned shard begins to do it's work and Koga is unable to fight any longer. Inuyasha prepares to execute the Wind Scar but because of Kagura's abilities to control wind he is unable to find the correct point to strike to initiate the manuver. Suddenly he realizes that if Kagome were to fire an arrow at him it would purify the area and allow him to see the necessary point in which to strike. He does so and Kagura rapidly retreats on her flying feather. As she does they notice she has a spider shaped mark burned into her back exactly like Naraku. With everyone out of danger Kagome begins the process of cleaning the poison out of Koga's arm. Meanwhile Kagura meets up with Naraku who explains that she was born from a part of himself.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Masakazu Hishida (菱田正和)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa (隅沢克之)
    • Storyboards: Masami Hata (波多正美)
    Originally Aired:
    • August 20, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Kagura uses Dance of Blades for the first time in this episode.
    • Kagura uses her attack Fujin no mai (風刃の舞/Dance of the Wind Blade).
    • In the manga Naraku literally has Kagura's beating heart in his hand. The anime makes this less visceral and does not show Kagura's physical, anatomical heart in his hand. In the anime it is simply a sphere.
    • The group makes the realization that Naraku is able to create new demons from himself after his kodoku power up in episode 32.

    Episode 41: 神楽の舞と神無の鏡
    Kagura no Mai to Kanna no Kagami
    (Kagura's Dance and Kanna's Mirror)
    The group happens upon a village where the encounter a girl fleeing her cruel master. The girl's name is Koharu and everyone is shocked that she is one of the dozens of women that Miroku asked at one time or another to bear his children. They escort Koharu to the next village and leave her with the village headman. Suddenly Kanna, a young child with white hair arrives in the village. She is actually the first demon born from Naraku and she and her sister Kagura begin to wreak havoc. Kanna uses her mirror to absorb the souls of everyone in the village while Kagura uses her reanimating abilities to control their souless bodies. The villages go on the attack which manages to distract everyone long enough for Kanna to suck out a lot of Kagome's soul.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Akira Toba (鳥羽聡)
    • Animation Director: Rie Nakajima (中島里恵)
    • Script: Akinori Endo (遠藤明範)
    • Storyboards: Aoki Yasunao (青木康直)
    Originally Aired:
    • August 27, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Matsuo Ginza passed away on August 25th. Two days later before this episode aired, the producers showed a 10 second memorial clip dedicated to the actor, who portrays Grandfather Higurashi and Buyo in the series.
    • First appearance of Kanna and Koharu.
    • “She refused the oil merchant’s son.” – Koharu was to be wed an oil merchant’s son. The guilds of the feudal age of Japan were known as za (座/seat). After the Meiji restoration, the za was either replaced, eclipsed or would gradually adopt more modern forms of business, eventually giving rise to the modern zaibatsu and keiretsu monopolies of the 20th century. one hundred years into the Sengoku period, Oda Nobunaga briefly took command of the country, and established "free" markets and guilds, known respectively as rakuichi (楽市) and rakuza (楽座). These dealt a severe blow to the power and influence of the older, monopolistic za, but did not replace them. Several other types of trade associations came into being around this time as well; though it could be argued that they replaced the za, it seems more likely that the change was a more gradual, organic one, and that the za could be said to have continued to exist, just in new forms and with new names. Saitō Dōsan (1494-1556), who was a monk turned oil merchant turned daimyō of Mino.
    • When the brigands attack Sango, mistaking her for Koharu, she smacks on with her bamboo water carrier. This flask is known as a suitou (水筒).


    DVD 15

    Episode 42: 破られた風の傷
    Yaburareta Wind Scar
    (The Wind Scar Fails)
    Inuyasha once again attempts to nail Kagura with his Wind Scar attack, but Kanna jumps between them and is able to use her magical mirror to reflect the blast back at Inuyasha. Inuyasha is severely damaged by the reversed attack when Naraku makes a surprise appearance on the battlefield. Naraku reveals to everyone that Kikyo gave him the large portion of the Shikon Jewel that she took from Kagome during their last encounter. Everything seems to be going Naraku's way until Kagome fires her arrow at Kanna's mirror. Kagome's power causes the mirror to spill out all the villagers souls and Naraku, Kanna, and Kagura all quickly flee. While everyone rests the next day, Inuyasha wonders why Kikyo would give the shard to Naraku.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Naoki Hishikawa (菱川直樹)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Akinori Endo (遠藤明範)
    • Storyboards: Eiji Yamanaka (山中英治)
    Originally Aired:
    • September 3, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Naraku confirms what the group suspected in episode 40, he has gained more power through the kodoku he performed in episode 32, but it was receiving the Shikon Jewel fragment from Kikyo that specifically gave him the power to create Kanna and Kagura as aspects of himself.
    • Miroku knocks out Koharu with a punch to the stomach. This is a common feature in manga and anime that when a character needs to be knocked out they are slugged hard in the solar plexus and knocked unconscious. In western media a blow to the back of the head seems to be the preferred method of rendering unconscious. In reality a blow to the head could cause permanent brain damage and a blow to the stomach often does not knock someone out but causes them to seize up in pain with the wind knocked out of their lungs or pain from a stiff liver shot.
    • The paper talisman or sutra that Miroku uses are "ofuda" (お札), which are generally Buddhist or Shinto in origin. Ofuda were introduced to Japan via onmyodo before eventually becoming appropriated by Buddhism and Shintoism. There are a number of different names for these. In this case Koharu calls the one she finds a "gofu" (護符).
    • First episode to use Dearest as the ending theme.

    Episode 43: ついに折れた鉄砕牙!
    Tsuini Oreta Tessaiga!
    (Tessaiga Breaks)
    Inuyasha doesn't have to wonder long about Kikyo's motivations. He sees her soul skimmers appear and Inuyasha follows them despite the fact that he is still trying to recover from being hit by his own Wind Scar attack. He confronts Kikyo about Naraku and she explains that she plans on killing him. Kikyo departs just as the others arrive and ask Inuyasha what happened. Kagome is frustrated by Inuyasha once again defending Kikyo. Meanwhile Goshinki, Naraku's youngest creation has been unleashed in a village and massacred everyone living there. The group crosses paths with the grostesque monster, but because Goshinki can read minds it is able to dodge the Wind Scar and bite Tessaiga in two. Unexpectedly Inuyasha transforms into a full-blooded demon. With his new power Inuyasha kills Goshinki quickly, but then warns everyone to stay away from him. Inuyasha fears for their safety, but a well timed "Sit!" from Kagome returns Inuyasha to normal.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    • Animation Director: Shouko Ikeda (池田晶子)
    • Script: Tetsuko Takahashi (高橋哲子)
    • Storyboards: Akira Nishimori (西森章)
    Originally Aired:
    • September 10, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Naraku's third incarnation, Goshinki (悟心鬼), makes his debut in this chapter.
    • Goshinki's name is written with the kanji "go" meaning "to percieve or discern", "shin" which is "mind" and "ki" which is "devil". Basically his name means "mind reading devil".
    • Goshinki refers to both Kagura and Kanna as "older sister" (姉/ane) indicating he is indeed the third-born of the trio.
    • In this episode Inuyasha transforms into his fully-demonic form for the first time after Tessaiga is broken by Goshinki.
    • Of Goshinki, Rumiko Takahashi stated, “There were a lot of Incarnations, and that’s because Naraku made them by way of trial and error. It was the same for me, too. His incarnations can be split into two groups: the ones that survived, and the ones that died immediately. Like with Goshinki. I needed him to damage Tessaiga, but after that I no longer had any use for him.”

    Episode 44: 灰刃坊の邪悪な剣
    Kaijinbo no Jaaku na Ken
    (Kaijinbo's Evil Sword)
    Sesshomaru comes across Goshinki's decapitated head and detects Inuyasha's scent on it. He takes the head to Kajinbo, an evil, rouge, swordsmith who was once a disciple of Totosai, who forged by the Tessaiga and the Tenseiga. Totosai arrives after discovering that the Tessaiga was broken in the battle against Goshinki. He tells Inuyasha that he will be able to repair it, but he needs to use on of Inuyasha's own fangs in order to do so. All of this coincides with the New Moon which leaves Inuyasha in his full human form. Soon Kaijinbo arrives with the new sword he has created from the remains of Goshinki. The new blade is called Tokijin and proves to be a formidable weapon. With the repairs to Tessaiga complete Totosai gives the blade to Inuyasha so that he can fight off his former pupil. The new and improved Tessaiga seems to have some problems though, as it has become to heavy for Inuyasha to wield properly.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Masakazu Amiya (阿宮正和)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
    • Storyboards: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    Originally Aired:
    • September 17, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Kaijinbo makes his debut in this chapter. The kanji in his name means "ash sword monk".
    • Jaken dies in this episode ensuring that if he died again in the future he would not be resurrected by the Tenseiga.
    • Making its first apperance in this episode, the sword Tokijin (闘鬼神) is written with kanji meaning "fierce fighting god".
    • When Miroku smashes Kaijinbo's skull he says "judgement" (as in the divine/religious sort). In Japanese this is "seibai" (成敗).
    • Tokijin is not a katana (刀), a curved sword with a cutting edge on one side. Instead it is a type of sword called a "tsurugi" (剣). These are swords that were primarily made in the 10th century before being replaced by the katana. One of the most famous swords in Japanese history, Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙の剣), is a tsurugi-style blade.
    • Although never stated outright, one of the chapters in which Kaijinbo appears is entitled Oni no tsurugi (The Orge's Sword), distinguishing Kaijinbo as an oni. His fangs and horns also contribute to this classification.
    • Totosai mentions that Kaijnbo once created a sword by murdering ten children. The skills that he wears around his neck are obviously the skulls of children. In many legends, oni are said to eat children.


    DVD 16

    Episode 45: 殺生丸、闘鬼神を振るう
    Sesshomaru, Toukijin o Furou
    (Sesshomaru Wields Tokijin)
    The new blade Tokijin proves to be so powerful that it destroys Kaijinbo while he attempts to wield it. Inuyasha insists on staying put until the person who commsioned Tokijin's creation arrive to claim the blade. While they wait Totosai explains that Inuyasha's power plus that of his father now flows in the Tessaiga, hence it's heavy weight. In order to use it properly Inuyasha must become more powerful. Kagura meets up with Sesshomaru and tells him what has become of Tokijin. Sesshomaru sets off to claim his sword and finds Inuyasha awaiting him. The two do battle, but with the increased weight of Tessaiga Inuyasha is at a disadvantage. Inuyasha ditches his sword and leaps at Sesshomaru who repeals him easily. Without the blade Inuyasha begins to transform into a full demon again, but before Sesshomaru can strike him down Totosai sends a firey blast between them allowing for Inuyasha and the others to make their escape. All of this has taken place under the watchful eye of Kagura who thinks Sesshomaru may be powerful enough to kill Naraku.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Teruo Sato (佐藤照雄)
    • Animation Director: Rie Nakajima (中島里恵)
    • Script: Junki Takegami (武上純希)
    • Storyboards: Aoki Yasunao (青木康直)
    Originally Aired:
    • October 8, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • “We’ll have to erect a pagoda around it.” – Miroku explains that the evil aura of Tokijin is so strong that in order to contain it they would have to erect a pagoda. Pagodas in Japan are called tō (塔). Pagodas were originally used as reliquaries but in many cases they ended up losing this function. Pagodas are usually Buddhist in nature.
    • This episode features the first meeting of Kagura and Sesshomaru.

    Episode 46: 獣郎丸と影郎丸
    Juromaru to Kageromaru
    (Juromaru and Kageromaru)
    Koga happens by and asks the group if there is anything new concerning Naraku. Suddenly he picks up on Kagura's scent and races off to find the source. When he arrives he finds one of Naraku's puppets and a new demon creation born from Naraku. The new demon's name is Juromaru, and Koga doesn't feel up to fighting it. Koga flees as Inuyasha arrives. Inside Juromaru is a smaller creature named Kageromaru. Kageromaru is so fast that it is able to evade Miroku's Wind Tunnel. Koga returns when he realizes that Kagome could be killed during Inuyasha's battle. Koga and Inuyasha bicker amongst themselves as the battle Juromaru and Kageromaru, but they finally manage to defeat the duo even though Inuyasha is still hampered by the weight of the Tessaiga. Sick and tired of Koga and Inuyasha's pettiness, Kagome decides to go home for awhile.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Akira Toba (鳥羽聡)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
    • Storyboards: Mitsuko Kase (加瀬充子)
    Originally Aired:
    • October 15, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Juromaru and Kageromaru make their debuts in this episode.
    • Ths episode features the first meeting of Koga and Naraku.
    • Despite his savage nature, Juromaru is dressed very formally. He wears a kimono (きもの) with a haori (羽織) over it. The white pom pom style fluff ball is a haori himo (羽織紐) and is used for fastening the haori.

    Episode 47: 奈落に残る鬼蜘蛛の心
    Naraku ni Nokoru Onigumo no Kokoro
    (Onigumo's Heart Still Beats Within Naraku)
    In the present day Kagome is restocking the groups medical supplies. Meanwhile in the past, Naraku and Kikyo meet once again. Naraku realizes that he still carries Onigumo's heart, which loves Kikyo. Naraku sends a giant Soul Skimmer after her which begins to suck the deceased souls from Kikyo. Growing weaker Kikyo arrives at the Goshinboku Tree where Inuyasha was imprisoned for so many years. Inuyasha is in the area awaiting Kagome's return when he happens upon Kikyo. He saves her from the giant Soul Skimmer and then she tells him about Onigumo's heart being inside of Naraku. Kikyo and Inuyasha hug one another just as Kagome arrives. Kikyo leaves after telling Inuyasha he is no better than Naraku because of his possessiveness.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Masakazu Amiya (阿宮正和)
    • Animation Director: Hideaki Araki (荒木英樹)
    • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
    • Storyboards: Eiji Yamanaka (山中英治)
    Originally Aired:
    • October 22, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • This episode is the only appearance of the Huge Shinidamachu.
    • An animation cut of Kikyo looking up followed by a close-up of her eye is used in this episode and re-used in episode 70. Thanks to Shrine Maiden for pointing this out, and you can see the example at this link.


    DVD 17

    Episode 48: 出会った場所に帰りたい!
    Deatta Basho ni Kaeritai!
    (Return to the Place Where We First Met)
    Unable to deal with Inuyasha and Kikyo's relationship, Kagome dumps the supplies on Miroku and Sango and quickly travels back to the present day. She tells her friends that she was dumped and realizes that she can not possibly compete with Inuyasha's feelings for Kikyo. She considers returning her Shikon shard, but can't bear to deal with Inuyasha. Kagome's mother tries to give her some advice and soon Inuyasha emerges from the well to check on Kagome. Kagome tells him that she wants to make him happy and stay with him even though she knows she cannot compete with his feelings for Kikyo.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    • Animation Director: Shouko Ikeda (池田晶子)
    • Script: Takashi Yamada (山田隆司)
    • Storyboards: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    Originally Aired:
    • October 29, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • “This is the cause.” – Grandpa flashes an upturned thumb to Sota, who acts confused as to its meaning. In Japan, a thumb’s up sign is representative of a secret male lover, while an extended pinky finger symbolizes a secret female lover.
    • When Kagome meets her friends on the way to school they pass by WacDonald’s.
    • Kagome’s father is mentioned for the first and only time in this episode.

    Episode 49: 失われた琥珀の記憶
    Ushinawareta Kohaku no Kioku
    (Kohaku's Lost Memory)
    Everyone decides to investigate the former site of Naraku's castle. While searching, Sango uncovers remnants of her father's armor. Nearby Kohaku has wandered away from Naraku. He has no memory of who he is or what has happened to him, when suddenly a demon attacks him and attempts to steal the Shikon shard in his back that is keeping him alive. The group saves him, and Sango insists on bringing Kohaku with them even though Inuyasha is adamant in his believe that this is another one of Naraku's traps. Kohaku leaves them because he does not want to cause problems for the group, when suddenly they are attacked by a swarm of Naraku's wasps with Kagura leading the charge. While Sango and Kagome search for Kohaku, Miroku and Inuyasha attempt to deal with the demons. With Kohaku found Sango heads back to the battle and leaves Kagome to take hide out in a cave with her little brother until the coast is clear. Suddenly Kohaku remembers that Naraku has ordered him to kill Kagome.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Masakazu Hishida (菱田正和)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Junki Takegami (武上純希)
    • Storyboards: Masakazu Hishida (菱田正和)
    Originally Aired:
    • November 5, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • The old couple tell Kohaku that Kagewaki Hitomi’s castle disappeared 10 days ago, which occurred in episode 30.
    • Miroku removes his outer robe in order to gather up the remains of Sango's father and fellow demon slayers. This outer robe is called a "kesa" (袈裟). The word comes from the original Sanskrit term for this outer robe- kasaya. The garment under the kesa is called the "jikitotsu" (直裰).
    • The elderly couple that takes Kohaku in played by Eiji Maruyama (Wiseman from Sailor Moon R) and Mizuki Arima (old Tsubaki).
    • After reuniting with Kohaku the group spend the night in a roadside structure. This appears to be a shrine (神社/jinja). Many roadside shrines are very small structures but some are larger, single rooms like this.

    Episode 50: あの顔が心から消えない
    Ano Kao ga Kokorokara Kienai
    (That Unforgettable Face!)
    Kohaku strikes out at Kagome and cuts her arm. She flees, while Kohaku's blade hovers over her, ready to strike the deathblow. Inuyasha is still trying to do his best against the demon wasps without using the Tessaiga which is still too heavy for him to wield properly. He soon realizes that this must be a distraction to keep him away from Kagome, and leaves Miroku to deal with the demons. Miroku has no other choice but to open his Wind Tunnel and take in a lot of venom from the wasps. Kohaku flees when Sango arrives, but she pursues him. Kagome realizes that Sango is planning on killing Kohaku. Inuyasha finds them battling against each other and Sango ready to kill her brother. Inuyasha stops her and explains that that is what Naraku would want her to do. Kagura and Kohaku fly off together on her feather as Inuyasha promises to bring Kohaku back alive.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Megumi Yamamoto (山本恵)
    • Animation Director: Rie Nakajima (中島里恵)
    • Script: Junki Takegami (武上純希)
    • Storyboards: Hitoyuki Matsui (まついひとゆき)
    Originally Aired:
    • November 12, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • This episode is the first meeting between Kagura and Kohaku.


    DVD 18

    Episode 51: 心を喰われた犬夜叉
    Kokoro wo Kuwareta Inuyasha
    (Inuyasha's Soul, Devoured)
    Sesshomaru visits Bokuseno, a living tree whose branches were used to carve the scabbards for Tessaiga and Tenseiga. Bokuseno tells Sesshomaru why Inuyasha was given Tessaiga- it is designed to keep his demonic blood from overcoming him. For if this happens often enough he will fly into murderous rages and eventually the pure potency of the blood will be too much for his half-demon body to handle and he will die. While Sango cares for the ailing Miroku who has injested too much poison from Naraku's wasps, Inuyasha and Kagome have a moment to themselves. Eventually they help an old man make his way to a village, but encounter Gatenmaru, a moth demon disguised as a human who is raiding the village. He manages to trap Inuyasha and Miroku inside his venomous cocoon, and tries to take Tessaiga for himself. Without Tessaiga, Inuyasha begins to undergo another transformation into his full-demon side.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Akira Toba (鳥羽聡)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Junki Takegami (武上純希)
    • Storyboards: Mitsuko Kase (加瀬充子)
    Originally Aired:
    • November 19, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Bokuseno and Gatenmaru debuts in this episode.
    • Gatenmaru's men address him as "kashira" (頭). This means "boss" or "chief".
    • The little boy who's grandfather Inuyasha carries calls him a "bakeinu" (化け犬) which is basically a "monster dog". Historically there is not a creature known as a "bakeinu", but there are "bakeneko" (化け猫) or "monster cats".
    • The boy is played by Yuko Sato and his grandfather is portrayed by Ikuo Nishikawa.
    • Gatenmaru uses a war axe (鉞/masakari or 斧/ono), however his axe differs considerably from traditional japanese axes used in warfare, which were closer to long polearms or short hatchets. Of course the legend of Kintaro (金太郎) prominently features an axe wielding hero.

    Episode 52: 止められない! 妖怪の本性
    Yamerarenai! demon no Hounshou
    (The Demon's True Nature)
    Gatenmaru proceeds to viciously prey on the girls of the village as Inuyasha and Miroku are helpless to do anything but watch. Kagome and Sango arrive but are unable to fend off the numerous bandits. The old man Inuyasha helped earlier realizes that Inuyasha needs his sword, and tries to get it to him, but fails.As he does Inuyasha flies into a rage and breaks free of the cocoon just as Miroku's protective barrier is about to give out. Inuyasha begins viciously killing the bandits and then quickly kills Gatenmaru himself with little effort. Kagome begs Inuyasha to stop, but just as she does Sesshomaru arrives wanting to guage Inuyasha's new killing power. They battle furiously but Inuyasha's elder brother proves to be too skilled and when given the chance to kill him he decides it is better to leave his little brother alive. Sesshomaru instructs them to give Inuyasha the Tessaiga to make him revert and then leaves. Inuyasha cannot believe what he has done after he transformed, but realized that if he continues to experience these transformations he will endanger his friends and possible kill Kagome.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Masakazu Amiya (阿宮正和)
    • Animation Director: Hiroshi Takeuchi (竹内浩志)
    • Script: Junki Takegami (武上純希)
    • Storyboards: Masakazu Amiya (阿宮正和)
    Originally Aired:
    • November 26, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Gatenmaru, like many other moth monsters in popular culture, is portrayed as having a poisonous dust. The dust or powder that comes from moths is actually scales from their wings. The scales are not poisonous, but can cause irritation to the eyes and skin.

    Episode 53: 父の宿敵 竜骨精
    Chichi no Shukuteki Ryuukossei
    (Ryukotsusei, Father's Old Enemy)
    Inuyasha sneaks off on his own to see Totosai. He asks Totosai if there is anything he can do to make Tessaiga lighter and easier to wield like it was before Goshinki broke it. If the sword is like it once was Inuyasha will not have to worry about it becoming a hinderance in battle and thus making him discard it and unleashing his full-demon blood. Totosai tells him of the dragon Ryukotsusei who his father once fought, but could not kill. If Inuyasha can kill the entrapped demon the blade should become lighter because Inuyasha will have done something his father could not, and the weight of his fang that is inside the blade will lose it's heavy weight. Naraku sees this using Kanna's mirror and then sends one of his puppets to the site where Ryukotsusei is imprisoned before Inuyasha arrives. As soon as he does, the fake Naraku melts the seal keeping Ryukossei asleep and tells him that Inuyasha is the son of the demon that sealed him. Inuyasha only expected to deal with killing a sleeping demon, but now the dragon is awake and thirsty for revenge. He manages to knock Tessaiga away from Inuyasha, who begins to transform just as the others arrive.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    • Animation Director: Shouko Ikeda (池田晶子)
    • Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa (隅沢克之)
    • Storyboards: Tatsuya Ishihara (石原立也)
    Originally Aired:
    • December 3, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Ryukotsusei debuts in this episode.
    • First mention of the Bakuryuha (爆流破/Backlash Wave).
    • Totosai’s hammer (/genno) is long and flexible. This is actually a Chinese style of hammer. The bendiness reduces vibrations to the users hands and amplifies the force on the object being hammered.
    • “If Ryukotsusei acts up once more, Musashi will become a plain of ashes.” -Totosai’s comment refers to Musashi Province (武蔵国, Musashi-no-kuni). It contains Edo, or modern day Tokyo as well as most of Saitama Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture.


    DVD 19

    Episode 54: 鉄砕牙の奥義 爆流破
    Tessaiga no Ougi Bakuryuuha
    (The Backlash Wave: Tessaiga's Ultimate Technique)
    The berserk, full-demon Inuyasha attempts to regain Tessaiga before he totally looses his senses, but Ryukotsusei's attacks are unrelenting. He uses Tessaiga's scabbard to fend off the attacks, and Miroku tries to assist using his air rip, but Ryukotsusei is two powerful for them. Inuyasha finally manages to retrieve Tessaiga and reverts to his original half-demon form. He manages to shove the blade into Ryukotsusei's heart, but even that does not stop the incredible dragon. Only completely destroying his body will put an end to him. Suddenly Tessaiga returns to it's original lighter weight and Inuyasha is able to wield it as he once was. With the new power of the blade he unleashes the Bakuryuha attack, which combines the power of the wind scar with the attack of an enemy making for an ultra-devestating technique. Ryukotsusei dies and Inuyasha regains the power of Tessaiga and no longer has to worry about his demonic side emerging as long as he possesses the sword.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Megumi Yamamoto (山本恵)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Katsuyuki Sumisawa (隅沢克之)
    • Storyboards: Masami Hata (波多正美)
    Originally Aired:
    • December 10, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • As to why many Asian dragons have deer antlers, Henri Doré a writer on Chinese mythology writes about the standard characteristics of Chinese dragons. In his book Researches into Chinese Superstision he comments that Chinese dragons have: "The antlers of a deer. The head of a crocodile. A demon's eyes. The neck of a snake. A tortoise's viscera. A hawk's claws. The palms of a tiger. A cow's ears. And it hears through its horns, its ears being deprived of all power of hearing."

    Episode 55: 石の花と七宝の初恋
    Ishi no Hana to Shippo no Hatsukoi
    (The Stone Flower and Shippo's First Love)
    One day in a village Shippo sees a little girl named Satsuki being beaten up by a group of boys. He transforms and scares them away to save her. He hears that her brother had passed away in battle, but the girl insists that is not the case. She has a Shikon shard and plans to use it to revive her brother should be deceased. After Kagome sees the "shard" she realizes it is nothing more that a rock, but out of kindness does not tell the little girl, so she does not lose hope that her brother will return. Miroku exorcises a small lizard demon from a house that overheard the girl had a Shikon shard. The lizard creature transforms disguises himself as Satsuki's missing brother and says that he returned to life because she made a wish on her "shard". Shippo sees the creature's reflection and forces it to reveal it's true form. He helps Satsuki escape, but must face the demon alone. Things seem bleak for Shippo until Inuyasha arrives and slays the creature. When Satsuki arrives Inuyasha tells her it was Shippo that saved the day. They leave the girl in the care of the village headman and continue on their search for the shards.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Akira Toba (鳥羽聡)
    • Animation Director: Yoshihito Hishinuma (菱沼義仁)
    • Script: Tetsuko Takahashi (高橋哲子)
    • Storyboards: Mitsuko Kase (加瀬充子)
    Originally Aired:
    • December 17, 2001
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Satsuki and the Demon Disguised as Satsuki's Older Brother also debut in this episode.
    • Shippo punches his shoulders like an old man in an effort to relieve katakori, or stiff shoulders. The Nanzando Dictionary of Medicine identifies katakori as "subjectively, an extremely uncomfortable feeling, accompanied by dull, heavy pain in the muscles of the neck and shoulders". The action of relieving this pain is sometimes referred to as uchikata (uchi = to hit; kata = shoulders).
    • The elderly man's title is "nanushi" (名主), "village headman".
    • Depending on the language you may find "stone flower" (石の花)) returns various results. Sango is the one that uses this term and Kagome clarifies that it is "quartz" (石英/sekiei). Another use of the term unrelated to Inuyasha of "stone flower" is a lichen that grows on trees. The Latin name of which is parmotrema perlatum.

    Episode 56: 霧の奥に美女の誘惑
    Kiri no Oku ni Bijo no Yuuwaku
    (Temptress in the Mist)
    The group comes across a village where all the men seem to have vanished into the woods never to return. The village women tell them that a beautiful demon apparently lives in the woods and has been taking the men. Miroku decides to investigate alone, but Sango insists on accompanying him. In the woods she tells him of the local legend that soldiers protecting a noblewoman became lost in these woods and all died and perhaps this is somehow connected to the demon living here now. Miroku gives Sango a rosary to protect herself, and once they cross the barrier the demon has set up they become separated. Miroku is lead into a castle by a beautiful young woman while Sango stumbles across a group of elderly men. They tell her they are actually not old at all but were made so buy the woman of the castle. Sango continues her search for Miroku who seems to be preparing to make out with the lady of the castle when Sango arrives. The woman changes into a giant dog demon but cannot see Sango because of the rosary Miroku gave her. The two work together to free the woman's soul from the demon. Sango feels bad for doubting Miroku's true intentions.

    Episode Staff:
    • Director: Kiyoshi Fukumoto (福本潔)
    • Animation Director: Shinichi Sakuma (佐久間信一)
    • Script: Katsuhiko Chiba (千葉克彦)
    • Storyboards: Kiyoshi Fukumoto (福本潔)
    Originally Aired:
    • January 14, 2002
      7:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Yomiuri TV
    Themes:
    Adapted from:
    Notes:
    • Both Sango and the woman who Miroku massages on the road are shown wearing furoshiki over their shoulders in this episode. The furoshiki (風呂敷) is a wrapping cloth that was used to transport goods or gifts.
    • While Sango and Miroku go off together, Kagome, Shippo and Inuyasha stay together at a small building in the forest. This appears to be a shrine (神社/jinja). Many roadside shrines are very small structures but some are larger, single rooms like this.
    • Often translated as a "rosary" the prayer beads that Miroku gave to Sango to project her are called "juzu" (数珠).


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