Ask John: What About Inuyasha?

Question:
In response to too many different questions about Inuyasha from too many different queries to list individually…

Answer:
Inuyasha will be returning to the Cartoon Network’s broadcast line-up on Monday, March 3rd. Yu Yu Hakusho will move from 1 AM to the earlier 6 PM timeslot, and Inuyasha episodes will air Monday through Thursday at 1 AM.

Inuyasha episode 103 is scheduled to air on Japanese television on Monday, March 3rd. On average, only Detective Conan, Chibi Maruko-chan, Sazae-san, and Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kouen mae Hashutsusho earn higher ratings than Inuyasha, suggesting that the series is in no danger of ending anytime in the foreseeable future.

There are 2 Inuyasha motion pictures. “Inuyasha: Tokio Koeru Omoi” (Inuyasha: Feelings That Transcend Time) was released to Japanese theaters in December 2001. “Inuyasha: Kagami No Naka No Mugenjou” (Inuyasha: Castle Beyond the Looking Glass) was released to Japanese theaters in December 2002. There has been no confirmation yet of plans for either of these films to be released in America, but presumably the popularity of the series in America will lead to both of these films eventually seeing an American release.

Viz Communications has not yet announced how much of the Inuyasha animation will be released in America, but presumably Viz will continue releasing new Inuyasha DVDs as long as they remain profitable. Viz has also not yet announced any plans for Inuyasha DVD boxed sets, but with only 3 DVD volumes currently available, anticipating DVD boxed sets may be a bit premature at this point.

The American Inuyasha DVDs include 3 episodes each at a retail price of $24.98 per disc. The episode count per DVD may be contractually related to the Japanese DVD releases, which contain 3 episodes per DVD at a retail price of 5800 yen ($49.50) each.

In all likelihood, Inuyasha and Kagome will never “get together.” Inuyasha was created by Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura. The relationship between Inuyasha and Kagome roughly parallels the relationships of Ranma and Akane, and Ataru and Lum- relationships that were never clearly consummated. As long as Inuyasha and Kagome maintain their slightly antagonistic, unspoken mutual attraction, viewers will continue to tune in with hopes of someday seeing their relationship evolve.