Customer Reviews

Inuyasha - A Girl's Best Friend (Vol. 2)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Inu-Yasha" is one of Rumiko Takahashi's biggest properties, and American publisher Viz knows that. After publishing 12 volumes and counting of the manga, they were determined bring the anime series to America and give it as much exposure as it deserved. So they approached Cartoon Network and managed to get the property onto the network's highly rated Adult Swim block, and the series just took off from there. Now the series is being released monthly on DVD, and like the first DVD, the second DVD, "A Girl's Best Friend", is a solid release.

With the Shikon no Tama shattered, Kagome and Inu-Yasha must team up together so they may search for the possibly hundreds of fragments. But the cocky half-demon, unable to even call Kagome by her own name, refuses to even consider the idea. But when a hair-controlling oni called Yura arrives and steals the single shard Kagome has in her possession, the middle-school student and her reluctant companion must put aside their differences and face the demon together. Then, when an old acquaintance of Inu-Yasha's, Myoga the flea-demon, enters the picture, he reveals that someone is attempting to rob Inu-Yasha's father's grave. Inu-Yasha soon discovers that that "someone" is his own elder, full-demon brother Sesshoumaru, who plans to use any despicable means possible in order to find a priceless treasure within his father's grave.

While the true essence of "Inu-Yasha" isn't found until later in the plot, these episodes do well to flesh out the story marvelously. The plot makes a quick jump from the first story arc to the next, deciding not to weigh the story down with unnecessary exposition or backstory. And each story moves along at a perfect pace, bringing Takahashi's already excellent manga to life. Granted, the anime does tone down the manga's violence and nudity somewhat (ex: Sesshoumaru breaks a man's neck instead of rips his head off), but that's merely a minor gripe.

Visually, "Inu-Yasha" continues to amaze with its beautiful art direction. The series is definately one of the best looking animes on the market, comparable to series such as "Cowboy Bebop" and the movie "Metropolis". Character models are perfect renditions of their manga counterparts, and scenery is vivid and detailed. A lot of work went into this series, and it undoubtedly shows.

Audio-wise, Wada Kaoru creates a beauatiful tapestry of sounds that fit the nature of the series perfectly. With orchestral melodies and downbeats, emotional tension is brought to its full potential, complimenting the visuals wonderfully. In regards to the opening and ending, the opening doesn't fit the series that well but the ending ends each episode on a haunting and perfect note.

As for the English dub, it's really starting to grow away from the "average feel" it established with the initial set of episodes, although it still has a way to go. Richard Cox by now has firmly established himself as Inu-Yasha; he may not sound as powerful as the original Japanese voice actor, but Cox is possibly the closest an English-speaking Inu-Yasha can get. Monica Stori has improved as Kagome in this set of episodes, but she hasn't yet reached the level established by Cox's performance. Paul Dobsen, while he doesn't sound like an old man, manages to voice the tiny flea-demon Myoga marvelously. David Kaye is a perfect fit for Inu-Yasha's condescending brother Sesshoumaru, and Don Brown voices Sesshoumaru's lowly assistent Jaken wonderfully.

Overall, the dub cast is a stellar one, but there's still one thing hindering the overall quality of the dub: the script. Unfortunately, the script still uses cliches, catchphrases, and puns throughout the show; episode four is actually a good example of how not to Americanize a Japanese anime series. Even so, the script is improving quite a bit, the biggest improvement no doubt being the allowance of curse words. It was widely thought that Viz would eliminate curse words from the "Inu-Yasha" dub altogether, but episode six thankfully proved this idea false. In all, the English dub as taken a step in the right direction and will only get better from here.

Overall, "A Girl's Best Friend" is another worthy DVD from Viz. Many will complain about Viz's decision to put only three episodes on each disc, but people must be aware of two things: 1)Viz has stated that the series will either be released three episodes per disc monthly or four episodes per disc every two months, and they decided to go with the slightly more expensive yet faster method; and 2) the Japanese "Inu-Yasha" DVDs also have three episodes per disc yet cost almost twice as much. If that explanation doesn't work for you, then you can always wait for a boxed set. But for those who cannot wait for a boxed set, then this DVD, along with the first one, should be more than enough.

I am totally obsessed with this anime. It drives me nuts that it hasn't finished yet and is still running in Japan - I can't wait to see how it ends. I think this anime will appeal to a broad range of people. It has romance, gore, humor, everything I can think of. The dubbed version isn't too bad, but nothing beats the original Japanese.

My only complaint is that it's being released in the United States so slowly -- and there are so few episodes per disc (only three so far). I hope that they decide to up the number of episodes per disc. A release per month isn't too bad though.

I have no complaints with this anime series at all. It's great! Pick it up, you will enjoy it. You can catch the dubbed version on Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network, 11PM on Saturdays. It's up to Episode 11, not bad. It's at episode 90 or 91 at the moment in Japan though, so it will be a while until all the DVDs are to be released, and I am SO IMPATIENT!! When are they going to release the first movie, I wonder. They will be releasing the 2nd movie soon. Please hurry and release the first one on DVD!!!

If you like this series, I think that you would like Ranma too (this came out first, of course). Ranma is done by the same person. She really a great writer of romantic comedy. I am generalizing and not commenting on this particular DVD -- but all the episodes are wonderful!

When we last saw our heroes Kagome, after having her shard of the Shikon Jewel stolen by the crafty Yura of the Demon Hair, is magically transported back to her own time. Thrilled to be home, she is quick to forget the quest she knows she and Inuyasha must complete. Meanwhile half-demon Inuyasha and Kaede are still back in the Feudal Era and with Yura running around, it looks like they don't have much time left. This episode picks up where the last left off. Yura, who has the ability to weave a dangerous web of hair that is invisible to all but Kagome and Kaede, attacks Inuyasha and everyone at the village. Kaede is left mortally wounded and Inuyasha is the only one left who can go through the well and get Kagome back. Will they be able to defeat Yura in time? The second two episodes introduce Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older brother who also happens to be a full demon. He despises Inuyasha for what he is but more than anything he wants the Tetsusaiga, a powerful sword forged from a fang of their father's. Unfortunately for Inuyasha the only way Sesshomaru can get the Tetsusaiga is by using Inuyasha. And he does this by what looks like bringing Inuyasha's human mother back from the dead and harming her until Inuyasha breaks down. But of course, things aren't as they seem and if Inuyasha doesn't figure out Sesshomaru's evil plot soon, he and Kagome are done for.

Just like the first DVD, A Girl's Best Friend has three very engrossing episodes of Inuyasha, "Yura of the Demon Hair," "Aristocratic Assassin, Sesshomaru," and "Tetsusaiga, the Phantom Sword." Also, just like the first DVD. This one ends in a hell of a cliffhanger. The new characters that are introduced are quite fascinating. Of course there's Sesshomaru, a demon worshiped by fans everywhere (especially female friends). He is a perfect villain, a coldhearted assassin who is as ruthless as he is powerful. How can Inuyasha face someone so much more powerful than he? Another new character (whom I introduce with a lot less enthusiasm) is Jaken, Sesshomaru's servant whose only purpose seems to be getting in the way. Still he makes the otherwise serious scenes with Sesshomaru a little more lighthearted so I guess he's not completely worthless. Another new character is Inuyasha's servant, Myoga who is always good for a laugh.

Once again you can watch every episode subbed and dubbed and they're all a complete joy to watch. If you love Inuyasha, buy this DVD. I can't wait to see the next DVD in the series, Fathers and Sons.

I belive that Inu Yasha is a facinating, mysterious tale. It has everything that most people enjoy. (suspence, action, romance, etc.) As you watch each episode the plot thickens. The characters at first seem mysterious. Then you slowly begin to realize their hopes, dreams, and secrets. Inu Yasha especiallly evolves in the story. I believe one thing that changes is his feelings toward Kogome. It seems he might be falling love with her or is it just his feelings toward Kikiyo (Kogome is her rencarnation) that make him seem to love her. You never know with him because he tends to try to hide his feelings. This dvd starts to show his feelings. It also brings amazing action. It truely brings out sibling rivalry and turns it into adventure. At the end though it doesn't tell you how their battle ends. It leaves you wondering. (except if you already saw the ending on TV) I guess we will just have to wait until the next dvd comes out. If you would like to see more of Inu Yasha it is on Cartoon Network at 11pm-12pm on Adult Swim.(Only on Sat.)

Sesshoumaru is awesome, I love the voice (David Kaye), the look, & he always seems so heartless, but he's not. In an episode, I don't remember which one, but Sesshoumaru saves the life of a little human girl named Rin. Which reveals a nicer side of the cold hearted demon. Anyway this is the final apperance of Yura, Kagome is actually the one who kills her not Inu Yasha. Also the first & I think the last apperance of Inu Yasha's mother, which turns out to be the un-mother, Sesshoumaru & Jaken put her up to it, of course. I HATE Jaken, for one thing he's ugly, he has yellow bug eyes, his mouth looks like a bird beak, his skin is green, & he has bird toes. Other than Jaken it's a great DVD.

If you thought Inu-Yasha Down the Well was good,you will be amazed with the performance of this one.This DVD contains episodes 4-6 which is the sesshoumaru sega.(The DVD after this one is called A True Warrior Never puts a Woman before a Battle.)That DVD also introduces Shippo,but I won't review any more than that.Anybody who is thinking about buying Love Hina should check this out in addition to it.
Also the show Inu-Yasha comes on cartoonnetwork's Adult Swim at 11:00 and 11:30 on Saturdays.Starting January 13th mon.-thur. it comes on at 12:30.The content of this DVD edited,but I strongy suggest nobody under 10 should watch it without an adult.It contains violence and brief nudity.To some it all up it's a good show and I suggest you buy it.

The first episdoe of this volume concerns the continuing battle with Yura of the Hair, a witch who is able to puppeteer corpses and use her hair to cut off body parts. Yes, she's always having a bad hair day! Sorry about that. In what I believe will be an ongoing trend, Inuyasha finds that he can't defeat Yura alone because only Kagome can see Yura's strands of hair. In the second story arc in this volume, a talking flea named Myoga, with the inappropriate title "Divine Grace" shows up to tell Inuyasha that someone is trying to rob his father's grave! That would-be graverobber is Sessho-Maru, Inuyasha's half-brother and full-blooded demon, which makes him more powerful than our anti-hero. Let's just say there's no love lost between the two, because there isn't any love at all! Looks like Inuyasha might have to call on Kagome again as the two square off.

Rumiko Takahashi is a true manga genius. Her artwork is beautiful and the anime is almost a direct copy of her manga series. You find yourself actually seeing an anime in your head when you read her manga, because they are so exquisitely detailed, and the characters spring to life. The Japanese voice actors are superb and really match the image of the manga characters. There is also a sort of warm charm in the relationship between Inuyasha and Kagome that seems more real than even most shojo. I could do without the 6 minutes average that is wasted in each episode with opening titles and recap but that's a small complaint. Great show!

This anime is GREAT!! I love InuYasha!! I especially liked this volume because I also like InuYasha's older brother, Sesshomaru!! InuYasha battles him for his father's sword, Tetsusaiga! As I said before, this volume is wonderful! It's a perfect addition to any anime collection (I know it was to mine).

After Kagome shatters the juel shards Inuyasha kills the demons in the way, and Kagome senses the juel shards. So now the're a team. But after a argument, Kagome want's to go home but then she runs into a new nemisis.

Yura:Beautiful, but plain out deadly. She uses her hair to decimate anyone who gets in her way. She senses a juel shard on Kagome, and seeks her out for her juel shard.

When Kagome falls down the well, she can say hello to all of her family again, but Inuyasha pays a visit to get Kagome back. But Yura still want's them dead.

After they defeat Yura, They run into one of the evilist villians in the show.

Sessoneru:He is one of my all time favorite villians(Vicious:Cowboy Bebop)(Knives:Trigun)(Sephroth:Final Fantasy VII)(I know there's a villian more crutial than him) But I just like his style, laid back, hardly suprised cold dark hearted, and evil. He is Inuyasha's older brother.(But he's full demon, not half, and that explains his dark heart) He is searching for a sword forged from his fathers fang. But he's gonna need a little help from his younger brother.

Jaken:One annoying little punk. But he has a staff that has enough fire to take out a whole army. The staff finds out where Inuyasha, and Sessomeru's father's tomb is so Sessomeru can find out where the sword is. Even the annoying fools get a key role.

This really got the show underway, as action, and character evolution. If you loved the first volume, there's no doubt in my mind, you'll love this.

I strongly recommend purchasing the first DVD before or along with this one, as it concludes the battle with Yura of the Demon hair.
Yura is a youkai (phantom, ghost, demon, whatever) with the unique ability to manipulate the hair of dead people to strangle, cut, or control people like marionettes, and she's got the few shards Kagome has managed to collect. Twisted, ruthless, and seemingly invulnerable, Yura proves that she is more indeed than Inu Yasha alone can handle.
Beginning on this DVD is the first appearance of Sesshomaru, Inu Yasha's elder pure youkai half-brother, whose elite ethnocentrism and cold hatred for humanity make Yura look angelic by comparison.
The violence and macabre supernaural themes are unsuitable for children under 13, but anyone interested in seeing how effectively these themes can be juxtaposed with those of the classic antagonistic romance/comedy in anime will find this and other volumes of the Inu Yasha series a welcome addition to their collection