I got an interesting email the other day. And with a little permission from the author (so that the person wouldn't feel as if I were picking on her), I wanted to write this.
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Why is it you seem to especially criticize Kagome? Not that it's not funny, but you've portrayed her as everything from a coward to an airhead. Do you not like her?
On the contrary. Kagome is is by far one of my favorite characters in Inuyasha, and I often find myself defending her against "Kagome-bashing" posters on a few message boards I frequent. It's kind of "fun" because obviously I don't take it so personally that I feel attacked if someone doesn't like Kagome for a genuine reason, after all... she's anime. Yes, to be honest, I didn't always like Kagome. Thank Satsuki Yukino's wonderful portrayal of her for turning my view around, though. And of course, over the course of the series, I began to not only respect Kagome's growth as a character, she quickly became one of my favorites. She's truly an enjoyable character.
But I took and completely overeggagerated Kagome's weaknesses and some of what I thought of as her character flaws...
I DO think she's often treated as a damsel in distress. Inuyasha is ALWAYS rescuing her. While I do like that about their relationship, since it shows how protective he is of her... I've been strapped for moments when Kagome doesn't get herself into a bind and it has to be Inuyasha to get her out of it. And YES, I do think she can be ridiculously ditzy sometimes (mostly thanks to filler episodes, but there are canon moments as well). No one can convince me of her immaturity in some respects, especially regarding some rather strong reactions to Inuyasha and Kikyou.
But then again, that might be because I also sympathize with Inuyasha so much on those occasions. ;)
Anyhow...
On the other side, it's her inner strength, and the amazing ability she has to stick it out emotionally... and the ability she's had to show that warmth to everyone despite her hardships, that make her one of my favorite characters in the show. She's also someone who isn't so annoyingly "goody goody" (to me) that I want to rip her sparkling eyeballs out. She has a dark edge. Her jealousy over Kikyou and Inuyasha.
She's a person who has helped almost every other character stand strong where they might have not been so fortunate on their own. To Inuyasha... she gave him a life and a love where he might have not beleived anything was left before. To Miroku, she brought him into their little team where the others didn't quite trust him, but she saw a potential friend. With Shippou, she sort of acts as a big sister where the little orphan kitsune was on his own before. And with Sango, she's probably a best friend and confidant when her entire world was crushed as well. As Kaede said to Kikyou once: "She's a mysterious child."
I've always believed that one of the themes of Inuaysha was "you're not alone." It's one of the most basic and simple morals anyone could possibly tell, but it's also a sentiment that I find truly touching. And in Inuyasha, if there's one character who represents that, one character who has taught everyone that "you're not alone..."
...it's Kagome.
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