Characters
Inuyasha
Growing up, Inuyasha had a difficult childhood. Being half human and half demon, he was ostracized from both worlds, never finding a place to fit in as a child. His father, a great dog demon lord, died when Inuyasha was born while his mother passed away early in his childhood. Although he has a half-brother, the full demon Sesshomaru, the two had a bad relationship due to Sesshomaru's distaste for Inuyasha's mixed heritage.
The rest of his early life was lonesome and isolated until he met the priestess Kikyo. Although they should have been enemies, the two slowly fell in love until the tragic day that Naraku pitted them against one another. Believing Inuyasha had betrayed her, Kikyo sealed Inuyasha to a tree with a magical arrow. Kikyo died, and Inuyasha slept undisturbed for fifty years until Kagome arrived and set him free.
Initially Inuyasha could not stand Kagome, due to her strong resembalance to Kikyo. To counter this, the magical Beads of Subjugation were placed around Inuyasha neck, forcing him to the ground whenever Kagome shouts "Sit!" The pair slowly grow close as Inuyasha journeys to find the scattered pieces of the Shikon Jewel, but when Kikyo returns to life Inuyasha begins to doubt his feelings for Kagome.
Due to his mixed parentage, Inuyasha also has to contend with an unusual affliction. Each month during the new moon Inuyasha looses his powers and turns into a human. This is when he is most vulnerable, and only his closest companions are aware of the time of his transformation. Another concern is when his demonic blood overtakes him, causing him to transform into a full demon. During this state Inuyasha is uncontrollable to such an extent that he attacks friend and foe alike.
Over the course of Inuyasha's travels he learns that it was Naraku who engineered his feud with Kikyo. With his sword Tessaiga in hand, Inuyasha's mission has gone beyond merely collecting the jewel shards, but getting revenge against Naraku for his evil acts. Initially Inuyasha wanted to use the completed Shikon Jewel to become a full-blooded demon, but he now has reservations for what that decision may bring.
The Meaning Behind the Name - 犬夜叉
"Inu" means "dog", while "Yasha" means "demon".
Voices:
Kappei Yamaguchi
Kappei Yamaguchi made his voice acting debut in the role of male Ranma from Ranma 1/2. He has also portrayed Shinichi Kudo in Detective Conan, Usopp in One Piece, Sabato Rokudo in Kyokai no Rinne and Tombo in Kiki's Delivery Service.
Richard Cox
The English voice for Inuyasha is provided by Richard Cox who is coincidentally also the English voice of male Ranma from Ranma 1/2, as well as Kai Shiden in Mobile Suit Gundam and Bit Cloud in ZOIDS.