Well, the cover art and character designs are absolutely lovely.
…But that might be the most positive thing I can say about it. The title of this new anime sequel to Inuyasha is Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon. From the most recent news I’ve read, the story centers around Sesshoumaru’s estranged twin daughters Setsuna and Towa and Inuyasha’s daughter Moroha, who aids Towa in a quest to recover her sister’s missing memories. Setsuna is a youkai taijiya working for Kohaku; Towa is a student living in Modern Day Japan and raised by Souta; and Moroha is some kind of ghost bounty hunter. The story takes place several decades after the end of Inuyasha, and it’s slated to start airing in Japan this fall.
Honestly, the storyline sounds okay to me, as far as anime storylines go (lol). But I was, and still am, a little saddened by this news. In an era of flagrant cash-grabs and half-baked sequels, I can’t help but view this Yashahime as another attempt to wring $$$ out of a beloved, long-completed franchise. Despite being a die-hard SessKag shipper, I was happy with how the original Inuyasha series wrapped up – enough of a conclusion to the main plot points to satisfy, while still leaving possibilities open for the future. I set down the manga feeling like the world of Inuyasha was a wide-open vista – a place for us romantics to dream of ‘tomorrow’.
A direct sequel necessarily limits the scope of the original. It relegates our beloved protagonists to the role of ancillary characters and trivializes their past adventures – their struggles and triumphs, their losses and loves, the richness and fullness and depth that was *their* story. What they’re reduced to is a footnote in someone else’s story, and there’s something inherently sad to me about that.
Even if the followup is *good*, will it ever be as fantastical as our own imaginings of where the story might have gone? And let’s just face it – sequels are often a letdown in quality as well. Not always, but often. And when they are, it casts a cloud over the entire franchise.
Now, of course, it’s Rumiko’s creation – and continuing it is her prerogative, if it’s anyone’s. I can’t blame her for trying to relive the glory days or even earn herself a few more bucks. But I wish she wouldn’t. I wish she would leave Inuyasha alone. Or, if she wanted to return to the universe, why not go the prequel route of expanding upon minor characters in Inuyasha, like Inu no Taishou, or Midoriko, or past heroes unknown to us? That way, she could give the fans what they want without compromising the integrity of the original. (This is, by the way, the approach HBO has chosen to take with its GoT prequel series)
But, no. What we’re looking at instead is bound to be a disappointment – to me, at least. Especially considering that, from what I’ve read, the hanyou girls (even the ones without amnesia LOL) don’t even seem to remember their parents…
While it’s pretty well-established that Kagome is the mother of Moroha, the identity of the twin girls’ mother is currently unknown. Most speculate that it’s Rin – and I’m inclined to believe this, unfortunately.
Why do I say ‘unfortunately’? Well of course I’m a veteran SessKag shipper, but that’s not the main issue here. The main issue is that the idea of SessRin has always made me uncomfortable – because it smacks of ‘grooming’. It’s great material for dark fanfiction lol (like Resmiranda’s Correction), but not something I enjoy being romanticized, especially in the canon. I know the original series leaves off with Rin choosing to remain in the human village; however, Sesshoumaru still continues to visit her. Even if he didn’t, even if they totally went their separate ways and were only reunited later when she was a grown woman, the idea of them having a romantic relationship is squicky to me at best. It’s not so much Rin I would fault for developing these kinds of feelings, as Sesshoumaru. After all, *he* was always the adult, the caretaker. It’d be like a step-father hooking up with the step-daughter he’s known since she was a child.
Sorry, but that’s just kinda creepy.
I’d like to have believed, if nothing else, his lingering prejudices towards humans would’ve prevented him from going down that road. But obviously in this sequel, he’s fathered a pair of half-demon twins, so unless he adopted them (*snort* yeah right…), he got it on with a human woman. And the odds of it being another female character from Inuyasha or some random unknown woman just seems slim…
Maybe just to make myself feel better about all of this, I’ll write a fanfic about how all three of the girls are actually Kagome’s 😉
Which brings me back full circle to the point that I wish Inuyasha had been left to stand on its own as a complete, self-contained story. Leave the follow-ups and expansions to us fanfiction writers and sit back and rest on your laurels, Takahashi-sensei!
Haha, but so it goes. Will I watch this new sequel series? Probably. Will I enjoy it? Probably, for what it’s worth. But it’ll be a mental exercise for me to appreciate this sequel as its own separate entity, and the original as another.
For us SessKag fans, no matter what, we’ll always have the world of fanfiction to spirit us away <3
This is devastating on a level that I can’t describe 😭 Why are Sesshoumaru’s daughters “estranged”?
Apparently they were separated during some sort of fire – Towa went down the well for safety and ended up in the Modern Era, while Setsuna remained in old Japan. I think they haven’t seen each other for 10 years or something like that.
But yeah, it’s not exactly uplifting D:
The “grooming” thing to me is my sentiments exactly. Sesshomaru is my favorite character within the entire series. For him to have always been the parent figure, I never wanted their relationship to be anything but familial. There’s a stark difference between two same mentally and physically aged characters falling for each other than a guardian/parent figure being with someone hes known since their early childhood. I’ve never read any romantic fanfics between rin and sessh for this very reason. It makes me sick to my stomach. To go back to your first point about this sequel cheapening the series I am inclined to agree with you too. All of this makes me want to just leave my love of this series in the past. It’s very upsetting.
“There’s a stark difference between two same mentally and physically aged characters falling for each other than a guardian/parent figure being with someone hes known since their early childhood. ” – well said! This is the key distinction between a romance taking place on equal footing vs. an exploitation of a power imbalance…which is pretty much how I view SessRin. Can’t get past it.
The only SessRin(?) fic I ever could stomach was Fenikkusuken’s ‘Snowbound’ – but in this story, it’s the grown-up reincarnation of Rin who meets and falls in love with Sesshoumaru. So there’s a different dynamic in play (although you still have to do some mental gymnastics to get past the implied past SessRin D:) So yeah…idk.
Anyway, I know how you feel 🙁 But if this sequel turns out to be utter garbage, I think I’ll just go the route of pretending it doesn’t exist – and I don’t think I’ll be the only one. We’ll always have the original – and our fandom!! <3
I do not like Sessrin as well because of the reasons you’ve stated. Im most likely not going to watch the sequel. I just really like how Inuyasha ended. Cause I can always imagine Sesskag happening somewhere down the line. So yeah im just going to stick inside my sesskag bubble and forget Ive even heard about the sequel.
“Cause I can always imagine Sesskag happening somewhere down the line.” – this! And no matter what, I’m still gonna keep imagining. In that regard, this sequel will be like a fly buzzing around outside the bubble 🙂
Yeah, I dunno. When I first heard the news, my gut reaction was – I ain’t watchin it. But I know myself lol, and I don’t think I’ll be able to resist the curiosity of giving watching it a try. If it’s entertaining and not a complete blight on the franchise, maybe I’ll even enjoy it. Maybe it’ll even somehow be awesome (especially if there’s a SessKag curveball thrown in somehow LOL). It’s tough though. Not to go off on a tangent, but I’m so sick of cheap-ass sequels and re-hashes…the thought of this happening to a series so dear to my heart is upsetting.
Fingers crossed that it’ll somehow exceed my extremely low expectations. Stranger things have happened lol <3
I’m just going to treat it the same way I think of Cursed Child. I will pretend it doesn’t exist. That said, what I’ve read is that Takahaski has only done the main character design and is not involved with the writing. So it will probably be like watching an endless string of filler episodes. Nothing more than a cash grab.
“So it will probably be like watching an endless string of filler episodes. ” – you know, now that you mention it, this is probably the most likely outcome. There’s pros and cons to that I guess. If this ‘sequel’ is removed enough from the original substance, it makes it easier to disregard it as non-canon (in my heart at least LOL)
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It really does feel like some form of abuse to the original fans. You already have your target demographic in place. All you have to do now is tease. Tease at what they’ve always wanted: More. But at these terms? *sigh* smh They really will cheapen the characters and their uniqueness. I share the same trepidation.
You said it well, likely to be a cash grab. ESPECIALLY if she is not even involved in the storyline, just the design. I’m going to watch. Why? Because I’m a sucker for this Universe. Will I oblige with the same fanatic optimism? Probably not. I am interested to see what B characters make a return and their influences.
“I’ll write a fanfic about how all three of the girls are actually Kagome’s” YES, PLEASE! hah I said the same thing! This could be possible y’know? Maybe they’re all hers and Inuyasha’s. Maybe Inuyasha (hell and Kagome) died and Sessh stepped in as Papa. I mean, Rin is pretty much his daughter too. Not like he’s a stranger to adoption. Or better yet, the twins are really his girls he had with Kagome (my fave solution btw). Like you said…the possibilities are endless.
For Rin to be the mother feels incredibly out of place for the original formula Takahashi Sensei left in place. It wasn’t the most incredibly wholesome accounts of a fictional Edo period, but she never laid actual claim to a romantic relationship between them. It leaves a bitterness to both characters that is offputting. And again, Baby girl, NOT Baby mama. The wishful thinking of overzealous fans. I can completely understand, since I could be described similarly for my Sesskag dreams.
Who knows, maybe she’s been reading these incredible fanfics over the years and felt motivated by folks like yourself who kept the characters alive and interesting in worlds that didn’t destroy their appeal.
This sequel though, just might do it.
The cheapening is my biggest fear D:
I’m a sucker for the Inu-verse too! Which is why I WISH that they had gone the prequel/spinoff route. I mean, with the girls not even remembering their parents, the creators have essentially opted to do this – except in what appears to be a clear cash-grab tactic, they’ve loosely tied the new characters’ backstories to the old in order to cash in on fan’s nostalgia. Not to be overly cynical (lol too late I guess), but it’s just a low tactic and downright irritating to me.
Dude, I’m really feeling the urge to write my own version of the sequel events prior to the air date…I have a head-canon churning around. You know, if I had any artistic talent whatsoever, I would render it into a sort of long panel one-shot showing images of how the three girls are all Kagome’s – ugh, I can just SEE it. But at the moment I don’t have a good idea of how to write it that way :/ maybe it’ll come to me 🙂
“Baby girl, NOT Baby mama” – I feel like I wanna emblazon this on a poster and take to the streets LOL <3
Couldn’t agree more. These sequels aren’t asked for. We loved the stories we were given. Much like the continuation of Card Captor Sakura, this one reeks of a cash grab, and I’m worried it will sour the love we had for the original.
Who knows? Maybe Kagome is the twins’ mother? I’ve seen stranger things happen. It’s definitely preferable to Rin.
“Who knows? Maybe Kagome is the twins’ mother? I’ve seen stranger things happen.” – Yeah, until my hopes are absolutely dashed, I will continue to hold onto this one D:
I just have a sneaking suspicion (more like dread) that Rin’s the mother. All the SessRin shippers have been crying forever that their pairing is canon, and I’ve ignored them, despite my own dark suspicions, because there was never any concrete proof. Now it feels like the noose is closing so to speak LOL ok, that was unnecessarily morbid…but I just hate the idea of them being right XD
It is striking that one of Sesshomaru’s daughters is living in modern Tokyo with Souta; could it be that the twins are Kagome’s (correct me if I’m wrong but Kagome and Inuyasha were really the only ones able to use the well right?)? I am hopeful they aren’t Rin’s, but I guess only time wil tell us what they’ve cooked up.
Dude, not gonna lie, but when I read that one of the twin’s names is Higurashi Towa and that she’s a time-traveler my breath caught for a second….But I just don’t know. My gut is telling me it’s SessRin. I can only hope that I’m wrong.
Even if it’s some random woman Sess hooked up with, I’d be thrilled XD
…Like maybe, because of Rin opening Sesshoumaru’s heart toward humans, he was able to fall in love with one. Even if it’s not Kagome, that would still be awesome – it’s a concept pretty much all of us SessKag authors have explored at some point or another 🙂
You brought up Resmiranda’s Fugue…and I had to reread it again. I do not know how many times I’ve reread fanfiction through the years. It is one of those fanfictions that is timeless. I certainly hope the archives never disappear. a I have been reading sesshomaru/kagome fanfictions since I was 13 and am now 28. I’m in a melancholy hole for the 2000s. All the fanfiction, the community, the fanart…the feeling of sadness and acceptance of Fugue. Oh, my heart aches. Please, for all your beautiful talent that takes me to the wonder of Inuyasha universe, if the sequel is a pile of dog crap, please write something of your own creation. Now if you excuse me, I must adventure down memory lane again. What are some other fanfictions you would recommend?
Fugue will forever be one of my favorite (if not my absolute favorite) SessKag fic. I re-read it from time to time over the years, but I have to be in the right mental place because it rips out my heartstrings and eats them for lunch D: Still, such a masterpiece of fanfiction. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think I like Fugue even better than HOTM…
Woohoo! – congrats to us for being 15 years in the fandom!! As a reward to us, the sequel should turn out to be SessKag – wouldn’t that be something?? 😀 And thank you so much for the lovely compliment – I might just have to pen my own version of the sequel. 🙂 But I’ll try to resist the urge for now – for y’alls sake and my own! I’ve got quite a few unfinished fics on my hands that are demanding attention 😉
As far as recs go, here are some completed fics I’d recommend, in no particular order:
– Second Alliance by Imani Joain
– A Blue Ribbon by Stella Mira
– Alpha by Lyra
– Lord Charming by forthright
Thanks again, and happy reading!! <3 <3
Fugue is one of my absolute SessKag fics too. I’ve read it so many time and every time it just gets me in the feels so hard. Hmmm it’s been a while – might need to re-read it this weekend lol
At first, I was excited. Mainly because my mind didn’t consider Rin as the mother of his children. There were memes I thought were funny. Like who FUCKED Sesshomaru. People are talking about Inuyasha again, in 2020, mind you. How fun! But now it seems there’s a real possibility that person is Rin and I’m rubbed the wrong way. I have a young daughter so fuck that. I said fuck that.
Who is this sequel for exactly? The core fanbase? This is a form of mass character assassination. Sesshomaru becoming a groomer and a deadbeat, Kagome and Inuyasha just deadbeats. It doesn’t make sense. It does not make any sense.
If somehow Sesshomaru just ends up a deadbeat, I’ll give it a chance. But if Rin is indeed the mother of his daughters… Well I just won’t acknowledge it. There’s a lot of canon I convinently ignore anyway.
Haha well said! Especially about ignoring the canon 😉
I’d like to keep an open mind about this sequel, but I’m afraid I’m too cynical XD Oh well. Maybe somehow it’ll turn out to be good – or at least not a total affront to my sensibilities. We shall see…
Gotta admit, the idea of Sesshoumaru fucking *someone* is pretty intriguing….I just hope to god it’s not Rin-chan D:
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I saw those memes too and was like, Kagome, duh!!! I wondered the same questions about who the sequel is for as well. I can’t even really think to call it a sequel because that implies the same characters in my mind.
I 100% agree with this post. If anything, I’m hoping that this sequel will inspire even more fanart and fanfiction of the OG Inuyasha cast!
How funny would it be if Kagome turned out to be the mother? That would make this sequel a true drama, lol!
Here’s to hoping the sequel is enjoyable.
“If anything, I’m hoping that this sequel will inspire even more fanart and fanfiction of the OG Inuyasha cast!” – yes! I’m going to try to keep this in mind 🙂 Because that would be such an awesome thing <3
Lol Kagome turning out to be the mother - wouldn't that be a twist that would make the SessRin shippers scream?? Hahaha fingers crossed....
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Oh my god. I had the same thought process as you about this whole sequel debacle! Oh but if it actually ends up that Kagome was the mother… of Inuyasha met his end somewhere or they broke up for whatever reason, and what with how Sesshomaru would come by to visit Rin and how he had protected her during the final battle with Naraku and they got closer (like the plot line with most SessKag fanfics)… and one thing leads to another… maybe the Shikon no Tama makes it so she was able to live an immortal life? For some reason, to me it just doesn’t sound that far fetched, but perhaps I’ve deluded myself from the money fanfiction I’ve poured myself over xD
I do agree on how I wish they’d left the whole Inuyasha canon universe alone. It was done and finished so long ago, it seems so cheapened you be brought back to life just to make more money – UNLESS canon depicts SessKag as a reality since InuKik was originally supposed to have happened, Kagome deserves to be loved as herself. One thing I know for sure, is I am SO AGAINST SESSRIN. Just… no. I wish people would put that to rest. It makes me sick just thinking about the fact that they might’ve had kids… although where are the ears atop the head if they are Hanyou? I was wondering about that.
Fingers crossed for that SessKag twist! That would be so nuts XD …in an awesome way, of course!
Yeah, I was also wondering about the lack of dog ears in the hanyou girls…another disappointment 🙁 – Inuyasha’s puppy ears were too cute!! At least one of the girls shoulda had them. :/
Oh well, at this point I’ll just settle with being happy if it turns out not to be SessRin >.>
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I’m so there with you Char. Seeing all the memes and excitement about it just feels like a big hype-train by people who haven’t watched (or read) Inuyasha in so long they’ve forgotten the key points we’re all thinking about.
Can’t go there with Sess & Rin for same reasons as above but I feel like that’s where it’ll go. The thing that’s bothering me the most is where are their parents??? At first I hoped that when I heard they were in their teens it was like “hanyo” years like where Inuyasha looks 15 but is really like 250 or something. With Kohaku and Souta raising the twins, then they are in fact only 14-15 human years, which pisses me off lol. You cannot convince me their parents abandoned them and wouldn’t be tearing the world apart looking for them. Sango & Miroku too!! Are they going say they’re all dead?? If that turns out to be true, I’m pretty sure I’ll be done, as that is the laziest, cheapest trick in the book and already overdone in anime and sequels in general.
I can see wanting to expand on this amazing world, but damn, leave the OG characters alone and just build something new and different in that universe. Or how about Koga’s kids instead lol. We all love Koga but does anyone *really* give a shit if something tragic happened to him or would they be surprised if he was a deadbeat dad?? right??? Lol
Now if it turns out adult Kohaku is like the hot mess from Control, I might watch. For science of course.
“I can see wanting to expand on this amazing world, but damn, leave the OG characters alone and just build something new and different in that universe. ” – Preach it! <3 These are my sentiments entirely. It's like insult to injury to make them Sesshoumaru & Kagome/Inuyasha's kids and then for them to otherwise have nothing to do with the OG characters -_- Like, why??? Just, why.....
I like the Kouga's kids angle 🙂 Especially since Moroha looks so much more like Ayame than Kagome XD
Hehehe...and now I'm super curious about this Kohaku reboot myself 😀
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Kohaku with a dad bod 😂😂😂