Inuyasha: The Final Act | 17 - Magatsuhi's Evil Will

[luxken27]

Dear RL: Plz to stop getting in the way of my Sesshoumaru fangirl time.

Finally, I'm ready to see my favorite arc animated...

Well, color me distinctly unimpressed.

I wanted to like this - I really, really did. It is, after all, the chapter I've been looking forward to the most ever since hearing the anime would be continued. And, indeed, the moment of Bakusaiga's introduction was quite impressive. I loved the power Sesshoumaru was able to wield with it, even before he recognized what it was.

But the rest? Totally soured what was to be my "big shiny moment" (quite like the one coming up for Inu/Kag fans in this week's episode).

I really hated that this didn't get its own episode, first of all. I know, I know, that's par for the course with the new anime, and I've been trying to be a good sport about it, but *sigh*. Instead of playing the story out as it was written, they've once again pulled apart the canon and stuck it back together in a very crude, simple way. Several of the big emotional points were spoiled - Inuyasha telling Kagome that it was the Jewel sealing her powers, not Kikyo (from 'The Right Wish'). Totosai's little spoilery "that was faster than I expected!" bit of foreshadowing. The quite rushed introduction of Magatsuhi and exactly what he was, which lessened the impact of his battle with Sesshoumaru. I'm sure better analysts than me could pick it apart and state exactly why changing these few key elements changed the entire resolution of the plot, but all I know is - it did, and in a rather crushing way.

This was to be Sesshoumaru's moment, not only of learning his reward for letting go of Tessaiga, but also for reaching a bit of emotional maturity and taking responsibility for himself and his 'group'. I don't recall any of them losing faith in his ability to win (though Jaken's crocodile tears made for good comedy) or so readily accepting of his death, even after transformation. I thought the actual canon-lifted elements were nice, including just how badly beaten up Sess was in this first encounter with Magatsuhi, but it was a little overdramatic and overwrought.

Plus - and this is going to sound weird coming from a Sess/Kag fan - I hated how much of the episode was devoted to Kagome's dilemma. She spent half of it unconscious, but still managed to steal the opening, closing, and a good chunk in between. The two storylines really don't mesh all that well; if this was supposed to be the animators' best shot at paralleling the character's arcs of growth, they picked precisely the wrong moments to do so. Bleh. Though, I'm sure Sess/Kag fans ate it up, especially the bits where context could be mangled as if he was doing all of this to save her or protect her or some other such nonsense.

I hope, in the next episode, we do get to see the 'aftermath' of Sesshoumaru's regaining his arm, when he leaves his charges at the village and declares Magatsuhi "my prey" - I think that's a very telling moment in his relationship with Rin, if nothing else, and will be disappointed if its glossed over.

It was nice to see Jaken taking a more central role in this episode, and I admit I LOL'ed at his exchanges with Rin. I love their antagonistic relationship, so snippy and sharp and yet undercut by something almost resembling love... :P And of course there were some good Kohaku/Rin shippy moments as well - maybe one day I'll trap the fluffy bunny idea I had for them, to write up for langus_fiction.

Next up: HS entrance exams and almost-kisses, oh my! LOL, hopefully I'll have the chance to see that episode sometime before next week, but alas...if RL continues to intrude, maybe not...

ETA: Or, what Milareppa said...

Comments

[replicantangel.livejournal.com]

LoL. Well, I was mostly pacified by the prettiness. And I was looking forward to Sesshoumaru's big moment so much that it was just kind of lovely to see him take charge. It was not much in comparison to the manga, of course, but it looked nice.

I do agree about Kagome though, Sess/Kag fan that I am. That was clumsily done. I was impatient in those bits - "yes, yes - get back to Sess, please!" While I understand cutting some of the arc out for sake of time, I don't understand why they had to put it back together like *that*. One, full episode dedicated to Bakusaiga would have been much more appreciated.

Still - Sesshoumaru was pretty. Jaken and Rin were adorable together. I wasn't over the moon about it, but it was enough.

Perhaps my standards have been lowering throughout watching these episodes. :P I accept that as a distinct possibility.

[luxken27]

I didn't find Sess all that pretty in this episode, I must admit. He had his moments, but overall, it wasn't the best animation of him. Kinda like with the Hell arc - at the most important moments in his bit of the storyline, he gets the worst art directors. WTF.

The more I think about it, the more I hate the way they spliced this together. Milareppa said it best:

Overall, I was baffled as to how the main storyline of the episode could have ended up feeling like it was the filler side-plot.

I don't know if it was because of the focus on Kagome, or what, but I never felt Sesshoumaru's peril or anguish or even mild frustration. The moment he unleashed Bakusaiga was the only part of the episode that I felt like was truly him, if that makes any sense at all, LOL.

Maybe its natural that I'm disappointed that the episode didn't turn out as I'd hoped, considering its my favorite and all, but damn :-/ I think they peaked with Sess's storyline during Kagura's death, if not the whole Shishinki arc. It's just been all downhill from there, IMO...

[replicantangel.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah - the filler sense of things definitely was annoying. And he didn't... um, emote enough. LoL. I guess that's the best way to say it. But that moment where he realized that he had his arm again and that Bakusaiga was there. That was kind of a swooning moment for me.

I should probably keep in mind that I watched the episode at like 3 am, while in a wretched mood.

[luxken27]

I'm in a rather wretched mood myself right now, but watching while delirious probably would've helped, LOL.

Yes, that was the crowning moment, I agree. I love it when he's all show-offy with his power, LOL!!

[sakura-kyoshi.livejournal.com]

Darling, Ep. 17 was Magatsuhi's Evil Will, Ep. 18 is The Day of Days.

[luxken27]

...

And that's exactly what I discussed. I'm an episode behind.

[sakura-kyoshi.livejournal.com]

I apologize. I hadn't gotten to read the entry yet, I just was the heading.

[aamalie]

Guh. I watched this just a few days ago, and if not for your summarizing, I wouldn't even remember what happened. It may be that I watched the past three episodes back to back (bahhh @ Monday release dates, I totally forget), or maybe it was just that unmemorable. I dunno. Maybe some combination of both?

But I do remember loving the Kohaku/Rin moments, at least. Some cuteness is just irresistible.

[luxken27]

I HATE THE MONDAY RELEASES, because I always forget they're up and am too tired once I get home from work to properly view them. And today was a horrible day, so no doubt I'm letting some of that negativity influence My Thoughts on Yaoi, but geesh. The last two episodes were bad. 'Unremarkable' would be a good descriptor, methinks. I guess my patience with the anime tearing the manga apart and throwing it back together again haphazardly has run out as well, because now that they're getting to the nitty gritty it's even worse. BLEH.

But <3 Rin/Kohaku <3 Oh, that's my next ship, I can feel it...

[aamalie]

Totally agree with your sentiments on Monday - it's just an exhausting day for me, with deadlines up the wazoo, and then Tuesday rolls around and there's no time for anything... by Wednesday and free time rolls around, the anime is just not on my radar anymore. *sigh*

Actually, there's a part of me that's okay with just letting it sit for another week or two, until we get a little closer to the battle in Naraku. But that's just because I'm bored and want shippy moments to motivate me look forward to amidst the hacked plot...

More Rin/Kohaku in the fandom? OHPLEASEYES.

[luxken27]

Actually, there's a part of me that's okay with just letting it sit for another week or two, until we get a little closer to the battle in Naraku. But that's just because I'm bored and want shippy moments to motivate me look forward to amidst the hacked plot...

There's a part of me that wants to let it all sit, but another, louder :P, part that says I started this whole "discussion post" idea for each episode that I need to follow through with, preferably sooner rather than later if I want to engender any actual discussion :P But I just wasn't ready for Bakusaiga yet...only the fact that another episode was released is what kept me on tract for this post. *sigh*

I need some motivation, too, and this should've been the perfect episode for me, but bleh. Hated it, even with the emphasis on Sesshoumaru and Kagome.

More Rin/Kohaku in the fandom? OHPLEASEYES.

o.O Oh, geez, me and my big mouth...

[aamalie]

I need some motivation, too, and this should've been the perfect episode for me, but bleh. Hated it, even with the emphasis on Sesshoumaru and Kagome.

LOL. When diehard fans are unmotivated to watch their show of choice, even when their favorite characters are in the spotlight? YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG. (Well, in this case? More than one something...)

o.O Oh, geez, me and my big mouth...
Haha, I won't hold you to it... for now!

[landofthekwt.livejournal.com]

I agree that scenes with the Inutachi which were from Two Worlds could have been left for this week instead of tacked onto the Bakusaiga. The scene with Totosai was extraneous. The director does see himself as Peter Jackson interpreting canon not just parroting it, but many times his addons are just bad.

I understand that zigsa says about the canon. I thought that the anime did capture the essence of the battle here. Sess was in danger twice here. First he had to worry about his arm. He dealt with that by taking dog form. when his dog form was captured he returned to human form to escape. It does not show the tactic Sesshoumaru uses to try to get the body to follow him, but his capture and IY's attempt to free him are there. We also learn that the body is physical so it can only be killed by worldly weapons. Unfortunately it regenerates and each bit of it can act independently. Only Bakusaiga can completely destroy that body. Only Tenseiga can kill Magatsuhi who is not of this world.

They left in the commentary from Jaken about how stupid Lord Fluffy is in dog form and his comments about how hopeless it was for Lord Sesshoumaru.
Kohaku was an idiot. Sesshy told him to leave. Rin told him not to do so and he got caught. The sealing of Kagome with just one look was effective.

Re: Rin/Kohaku: My next chapter in Left Behind is Rin/Kohaku called the dating game. I need to force myself to read Rin/Kohaku

[luxken27]

I admit it, I LOL'ed at Jaken's commentary on Sesshoumaru in True Form, especially the look he received for it. I'm glad they left that in.

I need to force myself to read Rin/Kohaku

You are the only person I know who forces themselves to read anything. Allow me to stand over here in amazement at the lengths you go to for fandom, my friend =)

It's a cute ship, so hopefully it won't be *too* torturous.

And Left Behind is on my TBR list! LOL it's getting longer by the day with everyone's updates, but I will get to it, dammit! And hopefully sooner, rather than later...