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Inuyasha: The Final Act | 1 - Naraku's Heart
So the subbed episodes of the anime are up, both at Hulu and Shonen Sunday. I was able to watch it commercial-free at Hulu (guess I got back to the States just in time, LOL) and it was a pretty action-packed ride! Its nice to see everything animated again, and it'll be interesting to see how much of the story they cut and/or simplify.
I guess it's what we expected, considering only 26 episodes were ordered, in order to cover 21 volumes (approx 210 chapters) of manga. Even with the filler arcs, that's still shaving it mighty close to still include all the important stuff.
So I went and had a look ~ they skipped the medicine seller arc altogether (Chapters 357-358) and started with material from Chapter 359, "Hitoukon," where the little youkai that overpowers hosts is introduced in the form of a mountain dog. In the anime, Kohaku deals with this demon himself, with no help/intervention from the Inutachi, and he catches up to Kagura, to have the discussion of the location of Naraku's heart that's covered in chapter 368. The actual death of Goryoumaru is related to the Inutachi via a heated discussion between Kagura and Hakudoshi, instead of the way it was depicted in approximately five chapters of the manga, where both the Inutachi and Sesshoumaru fought with the newly transformed Mouryoumaru. The episode covers the betrayal and death of Hakudoshi, and leads directly into the end of Kagura's fate.
I was actually pretty impressed with the first episode, even if they did condense and simplify ten chapters of manga action into 24 minutes of playtime. The animation is reminiscent of the movies instead of the first anime, which has its strong and weak points. I liked the animation of Kagura's dance of blades (very impressive), and the adamant barrage attack, but the rest seemed a bit stilted, in the style of the movies. I was surprised and pleased to see at least a cameo from every major character in the series (the only one who didn't have any face time was Kaede), and splices of daily life from both the modern and feudal eras. We saw Naraku's group first, then Kagome's friends at her school, which lead to a LOL-worthy cut to Sesshoumaru's group (poor, put-upon Jaken!), and finally back to the reunited Inutachi. Even Koga and Kikyo had moments of action against Mouryoumaru. Instead of a dreaded "catch-up" episode, the second anime jumped right back into the story, so glossing over as much as they did feels a bit more forgivable.
It appears the next episode will be Kagura's death (and Koga's fight for the gorashi, which is being subbed as "Lightning Claws"), and the scenes we've seen via the preview here and the longer-cut preview at Shonen Sunday make me think its really going to be a good one! Goodness knows they spent most of this episode trying to redeem Kagura and make her sympathetic o.O But, Kagura's death means more facetime for Sesshoumaru, so you won't hear any complaints from this department :D Maybe it will breathe a bit more life into that ship, as the modern-day scenes from this episode will delight those Inu/Kag fans.
All in all, this was pretty good ~ if they can stay away from packing 10 chapters' worth of storyline into an episode, then I like the chances of seeing my favorite arcs coming to life: the Hell arc (with SessMom OMG!!!!!), Kikyo's death, Bakusaiga, and the rebirth of Hiraikotsu...before the big showdown. *fingers crossed*
Of the new opening/ending, I like the ending better - the song is pretty fast-paced, and it chronicles all of the important relationships between the characters in the story, starting with the brothers and ending with the red thread of destiny, tying Inuyasha and Kagome together. That was a magnificent piece of animation IMO, and here's hoping it'll be attached to most of the episodes!
I guess it's what we expected, considering only 26 episodes were ordered, in order to cover 21 volumes (approx 210 chapters) of manga. Even with the filler arcs, that's still shaving it mighty close to still include all the important stuff.
So I went and had a look ~ they skipped the medicine seller arc altogether (Chapters 357-358) and started with material from Chapter 359, "Hitoukon," where the little youkai that overpowers hosts is introduced in the form of a mountain dog. In the anime, Kohaku deals with this demon himself, with no help/intervention from the Inutachi, and he catches up to Kagura, to have the discussion of the location of Naraku's heart that's covered in chapter 368. The actual death of Goryoumaru is related to the Inutachi via a heated discussion between Kagura and Hakudoshi, instead of the way it was depicted in approximately five chapters of the manga, where both the Inutachi and Sesshoumaru fought with the newly transformed Mouryoumaru. The episode covers the betrayal and death of Hakudoshi, and leads directly into the end of Kagura's fate.
I was actually pretty impressed with the first episode, even if they did condense and simplify ten chapters of manga action into 24 minutes of playtime. The animation is reminiscent of the movies instead of the first anime, which has its strong and weak points. I liked the animation of Kagura's dance of blades (very impressive), and the adamant barrage attack, but the rest seemed a bit stilted, in the style of the movies. I was surprised and pleased to see at least a cameo from every major character in the series (the only one who didn't have any face time was Kaede), and splices of daily life from both the modern and feudal eras. We saw Naraku's group first, then Kagome's friends at her school, which lead to a LOL-worthy cut to Sesshoumaru's group (poor, put-upon Jaken!), and finally back to the reunited Inutachi. Even Koga and Kikyo had moments of action against Mouryoumaru. Instead of a dreaded "catch-up" episode, the second anime jumped right back into the story, so glossing over as much as they did feels a bit more forgivable.
It appears the next episode will be Kagura's death (and Koga's fight for the gorashi, which is being subbed as "Lightning Claws"), and the scenes we've seen via the preview here and the longer-cut preview at Shonen Sunday make me think its really going to be a good one! Goodness knows they spent most of this episode trying to redeem Kagura and make her sympathetic o.O But, Kagura's death means more facetime for Sesshoumaru, so you won't hear any complaints from this department :D Maybe it will breathe a bit more life into that ship, as the modern-day scenes from this episode will delight those Inu/Kag fans.
All in all, this was pretty good ~ if they can stay away from packing 10 chapters' worth of storyline into an episode, then I like the chances of seeing my favorite arcs coming to life: the Hell arc (with SessMom OMG!!!!!), Kikyo's death, Bakusaiga, and the rebirth of Hiraikotsu...before the big showdown. *fingers crossed*
Of the new opening/ending, I like the ending better - the song is pretty fast-paced, and it chronicles all of the important relationships between the characters in the story, starting with the brothers and ending with the red thread of destiny, tying Inuyasha and Kagome together. That was a magnificent piece of animation IMO, and here's hoping it'll be attached to most of the episodes!
no subject
It's been so long since I've read the manga that I had the same questions :P I was glad I wasn't quite aware how much of the story they skipped until after I watched the episode, though - I thought it came together pretty well, all in all. I wish they were giving this last part of the anime the same treatment as they did the first part (in terms of depth of storyline), but the fact that its being continued at all is nothing short of a miracle, so at this point, I'm content to take what I can get.
I only have a short list of deal-breakers, with SessMom being at the very top of it!
although I'm usually repelled by the Sess/Kagura pairing, so next episode might be difficult for me. :P
I like Sess/Kagura - its the only 'canon' ship of his that I'll readily support - but the best part of all is that we'll have more than two seconds of face-time with him, which is enough to make me happy...for now.
We got gypped out of a kiss in the manga, so I hope there's one in this series.
I hope so, too...and judging by how close the two of them appear to be already, in this first episode, I think there's a good chance of a kiss happening, either at Chapter 494 or at the end *fingers crossed*
did anyone else giggle their face off in the opening credits when Shippo and Jaken were playing what looked like Red Light, Green Light?
*raises hand* Oh, yes. I am perfectly fine with them turning Jaken into blatant comic relief :D
no subject
Exactly. I'm kind of at the point where the deal-breaker if Inuyasha dies and the world explodes, like it does in all of the "serious" anime. LoL!
I like Sess/Kagura - its the only 'canon' ship of his that I'll readily support - but the best part of all is that we'll have more than two seconds of face-time with him, which is enough to make me happy...for now.
Oh, yes - anytime with Sesshoumaru is good time! :D And you know, my problem with Sess/Kagura is not so much the canon or even the *idea* - it's how most fanfic handles it. They take out all the fire and independence and bitchiness from Kagura (i.e. all the bits that make me love her) and decide that she has to be tamed for Sesshoumaru to like her. WTF? Argh! I don't know why having Sesshoumaru be sweet to whoever he's paired with is okay with me compared to the pain of seeing Kagura declawed... maybe because I think she already has the capacity to care very much and more toning down isn't needed. I don't know, but it bothers me. /rant :P
Oh, yes. I am perfectly fine with them turning Jaken into blatant comic relief :D
He's one of my favorites! Hehe.
no subject
*fellow fangirl squee*
Hehe, I don't get much of it from my f-list, so I'll take what I can! =)
I don't know why having Sesshoumaru be sweet to whoever he's paired with is okay with me compared to the pain of seeing Kagura declawed... maybe because I think she already has the capacity to care very much and more toning down isn't needed. I don't know, but it bothers me. /rant
I haven't read much Sess/Kagura fic, but if authors tend to declaw her in order to pair them up, well, that's no good. I'd think he'd become bored of her if there was no challenge but meh, that's just my read...One of the best depictions I've read of these two was in BlackMamba07's Unleashed ~ she captured it all: the forbidden aspect, the chemistry, the tragedy ~ even though it wasn't a prominent storyline or pairing. It just...worked.
That fic is just awesome anyway, but one of the scenes that sticks with me to this day is his reaction to her death. On par with canon, IMO.
no subject
*is here for all Sesshoumaru-related fangirling needs*
I'd think he'd become bored of her if there was no challenge but meh, that's just my read
Exactly. And *she* becomes boring too. Ah, it just kills me on the inside! So I gave up. But maybe I'll check out Unleashed. :D
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YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT OMG.
Did I mention it's based on a NIN song? :D
no subject
SOLD.
no subject
You're welcome :D But be warned - it'll suck you dry. Especially chapter six.