Product Details

• Actors: Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Ken Narita, Kôji Tsujitani, Houko Kuwashima
• Directors: Toshiya Shinohara
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Viz Video
• DVD Release Date: September 6, 2005
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0009OL84E
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,460 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #8 in	Movies & TV > Animation > Characters & Series > Inu Yasha
  #22 in	Movies & TV > Anime & Manga > Feature Films
  #32 in	Movies & TV > Art House & International > Asian Cinema > Japan > Science Fiction & Fantasy

• This is item 3 in The Inu Yasha Movie Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Swords of an Honorable Ruler is darker and more dramatic than the two previous Inu-Yasha features--or the broadcast series. Inu-Yasha's father Inu no Taisho, the Great Dog Demon, possessed not two but three swords: Tetsusaiga, Tenseiga, and Sounga, which are linked to Earth, Heaven, and Hell, respectively. After the human princess Izayoi gave birth to Inu-Yasha, she was killed by Takemaru, a samurai who loved her from afar. Inu no Taisho died soon after; the sword smith Totosai and Myoga the flea hid the first two swords, according their master's instructions, and sealed away Sounga. Seven centuries later, Sounga has become one of the treasures of the Higurashi family shrine. During what should be an ordinary ritual, Sounga is freed and returns to the past through the Bone Eater's Well. The bloodthirsty spirit of the sword raises the soul of Takemaru and begins a campaign of hideous destruction. Can Inu-Yasha, Kagome, Shippo, Miroku, Sango, and Sesshomaru defeat the sword-ghoul--individually or collectively?

In addition to being more violent than other Inu-Yasha films, Swords of an Honorable Ruler is more lavish, with lots of CG special effects and a score by Kaoru Wada that evokes The Rite of Spring. Director Toshiya Shinohara keeps things movie so briskly, the viewer doesn't have time to miss Naraku, Kikyo, or the Shikon Jewel, although the final battle goes on far too long. The drama and passion of Swords of an Honorable Ruler will delight Inu-Yasha fans. (Rated PG-13: violence, grotesque imagery, minor risqué humor) --Charles Solomon

Product Description
Many years ago, the Great Dog Demon wielded the Three Swords of the Fang. Upon his death, he bequeathed a sword to each of his sons, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, leaving the third sword, the wrath-filled Sounga, locked away forever. Now that the Sounga’s power has been awakened, these two battling brothers must put away their sibling rivalry and face off against a force that spells doom for all mankind!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anime movie of the year, July 23, 2005

A Kid's Review

Having already seen this film in Japanese, I can't wait to see how the English version of it will turn out. At the beginning of the movie, 200 years before the actual series starts, you get to meet up with a teenage Sesshoumaru, a new-born Inuyasha, the mighty Inu no Taisho, and Inuyasha's mother Izayoi. Shortly after saving Izayoi and his new-born son, though, the Inu no Taisho is killed, and the story switches back over to 700 years later in Kagome's time.

You learn about a new sword that the Inu no Taisho possessed. It is a malicious sword named Sou'unga, which can only be handled by the late dog demon and his eldest son Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha comes across it after the seal on the evil sword is broken and it ends up destroying the city of Tokyo. After picking up the sword, Inuyasha is possessed by it, almost kills Kagome, and disappears back into the well.

This movie is really quite fantastic. Although the animation might not be as good as some people are hoping for, the plot itself is actually very nicely done. Sesshoumaru actually shows more than 3 emotions during the course of the movie, and the villians actually go farther than being just some evil human dude. Even if you didn't find yourself a fan of the first two movies, I would definitely recommend this movie for your Inuyasha collection. And if you don't have an Inuyasha collection, you can just start one by buying this movie.

Animation: 4 stars
Storyline: 5 stars
Action: 4.5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Originality: 4.5 stars

Rated PG-13 for violence, swearing, and some groping.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Inuyasha movie yet!, September 19, 2005

By	Christopher P. Cecena "ssjanifan" (Pine Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The second movie definitely provided us a bit of a change of a pace by showing how the heroes would go if they ever defeated Naraku, but this one definitely rocks the usual formula. Starting with a flashback that goes to the night Inuyasha was born, offering a bit into the past of his father, we go to present day in the series. A deadly sword called Sounga is awakened and starts its destruction by destroying Kagome's hometown(!). It then possesses Inuyasha, turns him evil, and sets him on a destruction spree in the Feudal Era(double !!). Eventually though, the sword settles on a new host... Takemaru, a deceased lord who hated Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father, and in a nice touch of continuity allows him to wield the sword by giving him Sesshomaru's decapitated arm. Both brothers want to destroy the sword on their own, but the only possible way is to work together. Can Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, along with the usual gang, as well as Totosai believe it or not, actually defeat their deadliest threat yet? The story is good and the entire film is well animated, especially the battle scenes. The usual voice cast, for both versions, is also great as usual. As the other two films did, there is a "behind the series" featurette that's told entirely in Japanese that recaps all the importants events that lead up to the film. There's also all the theatrical trailers, as well as one for the 4th film if you watch long enough. Inuyasha fans should definitely check this out. Some non-fans may want to watch the first two seasons to fully get the scope of the series despite the featurette included, though.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was my favorite of all 4 movies!, August 3, 2005

By	Shanna Dailey "Nerd Nerdorum" (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have seen all four Inuyasha movies, and I must say this one was by far my favorite! It's the only time you will see Inuyasha and Sesshomaru fighting on the same side, although they would never admit it. Also, in this movie, we finally get to hear Miroku's feelings for Sango!

This is a must see movie!