EAR-TWEAK AND INUYASA
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

2. GENERAL INUYASHA-RELATED QUESTIONS

* UPDATE 3/31/05 *
Q: Do you know how Inuyasha ended, or when the series will end?

A: The Inuyasha manga has not ended. The manga chapters provided on Ear-Tweak are the latest chapters that are released in Japan. In that section, I list the date each chapter is released, as well as what Shounen Sunday volume (for the year) it is from.

The televised anime series HAS ended, which I will explain below. 

As far as the manga ending goes, at this point, there is no indication of when the manga will end, so I can't answer that. (UPDATE) In celebration of Inuyasha's 400th chapter, Rumiko Takahashi left a message to fans in Shounen Sunday that mentioned that she may be looking to go up to 500 chapters in the Inuyasha series, putting publication well into 2007. This also will make Inuyasha her longest-running series to date.

Original message: Mina-sama no ouen no okage de, 400-kai o mukaeru koto ga dekimashita. Ki ga tsukeba ichi-ban nagai rensai desu ga, mada mada kakanakereba naranai episoddo ga takusan arimasu. Toriaezu rensai 500-kai mezashite ganbarimasu!

Translation: Because of everyone's support, I've reached the 400th chapter. Noticeably, this is my longest series but, there are still a number of episodes needing to be drawn. So for now, I'll keep my eyes set on the 500th chapter!

Q: How is the televised anime ending different from manga's ending?

A: *CAUTION* This answer contains spoilers. The final anime episode aired on September 13, 2004 in Japan, for a total of 167 episodes for its original run. This episode covered material from the manga in chapters 345-356 (volume 35-36), roughly, with a few changes here and there.  

Because this is NOT where the manga ends (as the manga itself hasn't ended), the story in the anime was left open-ended. The group confronted Naraku at Ogre's Rock, and just as in the manga, he escaped. The anime ends with Inu-tachi voiwing to continue their quest to defeat Naraku. The anime did NOT rewrite its own ending to facilitate the defeat of Naraku, complete the Shikon Jewel, or close any of the threads that were still ongoing in the manga at that point.

At the time, it is still unannounced whether or not the anime will continue through other means, such as OAVs (original animation videos), movies, or other forms. But it has been very strongly hinted that the series WILL continue on in some form or another.

Q: Has Inuyasha decided between Kikyou and Kagome yet?

A: I seriously wish I could get a dollar for every email I've been sent asking me this question... At this point in the story, technically, NO, he has not outright chosen between the two. But I do personally think of Inuyasha and Kagome as a couple. I guess most people are asking if Inuyasha and Kagome kissed or if they've told each other they love each other.

Yes, Kagome has admitted that she loves/likes Inuaysha. ("Watashi wa Inuyasha o daisuki datte koto yo!") Yes, both characters have repeatedly reinforced just how much they like (and need) to be with each other. But no, neither character has actually said to the other, "I love you." Nor have they officially decided that they are boyfriend/girlfriend, although Kagome's three friends continually call Inuyasha "kare," a term that does usually translate to "boyfriend," and Kagome doesn't seem to mind that they call him that anymore.

But no, Inuyasha has not made an ultimate decision between the two at this point in the manga, as well as the entire anime series, or the four movies. I guess we'll just have to wait for that moment, huh? ;)

Q: Is Inuyasha 200 years old?

A: He is according to the timeline set by Tenka Hadou no Ken. This timeline is not "authenticated by the manga," but I have no problem accepting it as the most official answer given so far. Honestly, I really don't give the technicalities much mind.

If Inuyasha has been alive for 150 years and still acts like a teenager, then... he does. I just try not to think about it so hard. In the manga, Inuyasha has implied that humans age faster than he does. And until he met Kikyou and Kagome, I bet few (or probably even NO) human hands ever reached out to try and even be friends with him, let alone love him. So of course he'd have a nasty, mistrustful attitude.

Q: It's spelled "Inu-Yasha," "Tetsusaiga," "Sesshomaru," "Kikyo," and "Shippo," isn't it?

A: If you want it to be, yes. Those ways are all correct. So is the way I spell it. When I translate Japanese, I spell it in the way I've learned to Romanize for years, and every single native Japanese speaker, as well as every professional translator and Japanese teacher I have learned from, has deemed as acceptable. There are several different ways in which Japanese is Romanized, so there will be several different ways you'll see certain words spelled out in English that are all correct.

A: In Japan, the following movies are out on DVD:

Movie 1: Toki o Koeru Omoi
Movie 2: Kagami no Naka no Mugenjou
Movie 3: Tenka Hadou no Ken
Movie 4: Guren no Houraijima

In the United States, the following movies are out on DVD:

Movie 1: Affections Touching Across Time
Movie 2: The Dream Castle Within the Looking Glass
Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler
Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island

A: Honestly, there isn't that much in the way of spoilers in the movies, save for a few techniques/attacks and perhaps some (kind of obscure - or nitpicky) references. Here's where I figure are the most likely places for each of the movies to fit in (not that the gang could logically fit all this into their busy in-between-canon-storyline schedule, what with all that Shikon shard hunting, getting sword upgrades, and the occasional run-in with Naraku... but logic doesn't always fit in this world, now does it.)

Movie 1: (Toki o Koeru Omoi) - after episode 53
Movie 2: (Kagami no Naka no Mugenjou) - after episode 74, definitely before 145, at least... :P
Movie 3: (Tenka Hadou no Ken) - after episode 82 (-ish), may even be after 132
Movie 4: (Guren no Houraijima) - after episode 157, probably likely after 167 (final anime episode)

Q: Where can I get the drama CDs you're always talking about?

A: The "movie drama CDs" came with the Japanese DVDs for Toki o Koeru Omoi, Kagami no Naka no Mugenjou, and Tenka Hadou no Ken. Each special edition DVD is packaged with the movie DVD and an omake (extra) CD, which contains interviews, radio plays, and some other fun things. They are only available with the Special Edition DVDs.

The other two drama CDs were released in Japan last year. The first CD is "Jigoku de Matteta Shichinintai" (The Shichinintai Who Waited in Hell), and is a parody of Inuyasha and the gang getting sent to Hell, where they meet up with the deceased Shichinintai and engage in several hilarious battles in order to fight their way back out. The second CD is "Arashi to Matsuri no Houraijima," (The Tempest and Festival of Houraijima"), which is a parody that ties into the fourth movie, where Inuyasha and the gang hear about the legendary confectionary sweets of Houraijima and set off on a quest to find them.

Q: Where can I get Shounen Sunday?

A: This page has a few stores I reccomend. Most large Japanese bookstore chains will carry Shonen Sunday. There are several large Japanese chains that have stores in most of the major cities in the US that I know of. This includes stores such as Mitsuwa and Kinokuniya. I can't vouch for how, when, or even IF the local stores in your area carry Shounen Sunday, but I just suggest that if you can't order online from Sasuga or another source, look through your phonebook to find a Japanese bookstore and find out. Keep in mind that the publications are all in Japanese, as well.

Q: Where do you get your Inuyasha stuff? Where can I buy Inuyasha merchandise, like the soundtracks, DVDs, and other things I see on your website?

A: Yes, I live in Japan, people. I buy my stuff directly from stores here.

Most often, I get questions about the DVDs. As far as the Japanese DVDs go, I buy all of my DVDs at local stores. Because I get the Shogakukan releases, I do not buy the VIZ DVDs, so I don't keep up on where to buy those as much. I have, however, seen those available at almost any large video/game chain I can think of, like Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Suncoast.

The VIZ releases are region 1, have dual-language (Japanese/English) tracks, and subtitle options.

The Shogakukan DVDs are all region 2, and only play on equipment designed to play Region 2, NTSC discs (yes, I have a Japanese DVD player). They are not subtitled, nor do they have dual-language tracks. Sometimes they DO come with extra bonus options that aren't on the North American releases, but I don't really keep track of the differences.

As far as my other publications, soundtracks, video games, and the toys I sometimes have photographs of, I have collected them over the years from various places, such as import stores in the US, as well as from several shops directly in Japan.

Q: Who is your favorite Inuyasha character? Couple? Chapter? Song? Seiyuu? Episode?

A: Heehee... I love you guys. And yes, I do get asked these from time to time, so... I guess I can answer it here. ^_^

Favorite character: All of them. I know that's a cop-out answer, but there is honestly not a single character in Inuyasha that I don't like. I'd have to say that I find Inuyasha himself the most interesting to me personally. Sango, Hakudoushi, Miroku, Kagura, Inuyasha's Dad, and Sesshoumaru are also among characters I have an unhealthy fondness for. For various reasons.

Favorite couple: Definitely Inuyasha and Kagome. Yes, folks, I am rooting for them all the way to the end. ^_^ Oh, and I'd also have to say the enigmatic couple of Inuyasha's mother and father, as well.

Manga Chapter: Chapter 355 ("Kakera o Tsukau"). Joukasareta Inuyasha. Yesh.

Song: Tackey & Tsubasa's "Sayonara wa Ashita no Tame Ni," Namie Amuro's "Four Seasons," And Do As Infinity's "Rakuen."

Seiyuu (Japanese Voice Actor): .......well... duh... XD Kappei Yamaguchi (Inuyasha) is all that and a bag of cookies to me. Heh-heh. Although I am also extremely fond of Houko Kuwashima (Sango), Yuuichi Nagashima (Jaken), Ken Narita (Sesshoumaru), Kouji Tsujitani (Miroku), and Noriko Hidaka (Kikyou).

Anime Episode: The series finale, ("Futari no Kizuna - Shikon no Kakera o Tsukae") has recently become my favorite. Also, episodes 51 & 52 would be the other two at the top of the list ("Kokoro o Kuwareta Inuyasha" and "Tomerarenai! Youkai no Honshou.") Those episodes were a wonderful balance of action, drama, and also had some of what I always thought of Kappei Yamaguchi's greatest line deliveries. ^_^ The other episode I am really fond of is episode 43, the Goshinki battle.

Movie: The fourth movie ("Guren no Houraijima") is working its way up to being my overall favorite, but I like all of them almost equally for different reasons. I think the first movie ("Toki o Koreu Omoi") is my sentimental favorite. Just something about the power of the scene in the snow under the tree is always memorable to me.

Quote:
INUYASHA: Mou sukoshi dake... sasaetete kure... (Could you hold me up... just a little longer)

Q&A Updated on:
November 17, 2005

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