Wow that was a really fantastic chapter! So much action and everything finally seems to be coming together…I'm so excited for the next issue. Thank you so much Starks for getting this out as fast as you did.

Random interjection…did anyone else find certain elements of his chapter hilarious? Such as Naraku's reaction: "My tentacles…have been cut?" hahahaha

  

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That was amazing! Great chaper! Looks like combat is going to the end. Thank you so much!

 "Random interjection…did anyone else find certain elements of his
chapter hilarious? Such as Naraku’s reaction: "My tentacles…have been
cut?" hahahaha"

ou're right ^^ well I must say there was more of this kind situations in the story. I think Naraku is kind of stupid guy who don't know what to do and that's why his most fun is when he turn upside down everyone's life. But that bastard is somehow funny – i kinda like him.

  

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One of the better chapters in quite some time.

 Thanks, Starks!

P.S. The Jaken scene was pure win.

  

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Wow! That was some major butt-kicking!

The part I thought was funniest was the image of the collapsing Naraku-sphere; can anyone say Death Star? That and that picture of Jaken being overcome with emotion just to get stepped on. He really looked goofy.

It looks like the peril has changed from Miroku's life to Sango's. Miroku is rallying and looks about to be saved, but can Sango last long enough for them to get out? I'll bet she dies and Sesshoumaru has to make a decision of whether or not he forgives her enough to bring her back.

Other loose ends are where is Shippou, what's Byakotsu up to, and what's going to happen with the Shikon jewel? I still think the jewel is going to be on Kagome's head to deal with. What do you suppose is the meaning of that bit of Naraku-goop clinging to it on page 9?

Eagerly awaiting the next chapter…

(thanks Starks and Patches)  

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 Wow, this chapter was so great. But really, this battle seems more complicated than it appears. I think Naraku will have to make an important decision.  

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Well, I've gone from being annoyed at the series to being excited again!  This chapter had a little bit of everything, didn't it?  I'll admit, I LOLed at the Jaken bit.

 I'm so glad Miroku has snapped out of his funk.  I was not prepared to have my two favorite characters just sitting around for 6 chapters waiting to die.

 Can't wait for the next chapter… It's gonna be a long week.  And I think I'm one of the only people here who doesn't read the spoilers. 

  

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Thank you Starks-sama and Patches-san!  

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Maybe this will end at Chapter 550 afterall.   

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I doubt it.
At least another…15-30 chapters or so…We'll see where Rumiko takes us.
This chapter was another fulfillment to my weekly IY dose. What in the world will Byakuya do with that damned sword of his?! That makes me nervous… 

Thank you my wonderful scanlating and translating saviors!! You guys rule for doing this.  

  

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awww jawken SESSHOMARU SAMAAAAA!!!!I loved this chapter awesome!it seems the final battle has come at last!yea im ready to see some naraku ass kicking!!!!

thanks starks and patches!!!!

  

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Naruku's wish will be this:

That Bloomberg will stop trying to be a corrupt ass-hat…

That politicians stop flaunting their blatant corruption all over the news…

That someone tells politicians that they are role models and should act accordingly…

That someone should kill the creators of these shows: The Tyra Banks show, Gossip Girls, American Idol, Dr. Phil (actually just kill Dr. Phil)…

That Takahashi Rumiko will finally stop dragging this series out…I mean..come on!  this is worse than Dr. Phil…The only thing worse than a fat, bald old man rattling off a list off bullshit that you have to do is a short Japanese woman feeding you a line of bullshit for ten years…

  

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Feyd, have you taken your medicines today?  

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A chapter that got some more things accomplished! But I don't think it will end at 550. At least I hope not. Just because it doesn't seem like it would be enough to wrap EVERYTHING up. But hey who knows.

Oh and I loved Jaken's face when he was reunited with Sesshomaru. XD 

  

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Feyd,

You are my hero. Truly.

  

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@ Inuyasha_passion and RissRiss17: If It doesn't end at 550, Ok, It's was as good a number as any other right now, As to the sword that Byakuya has, Since the manga said It was a one time use only power in the sword, It could be part of one of Narakus backup plans, Get all Your enemies into one tight spot and use the sword on them, Only Sesshomaru would be able to make It back from Hell intact, Inuyasha would leave His human soul there and be a battle mad demon that Sesshomaru would then have to destroy as He said He would.

@ Sparks and Patches: You're doing a fine job, But why have the joke at the beginning of each chapter instead of at the end?
 

  

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At least we won't have to worry about celebrating 600 chapters… I think….  

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Mystyc1: 600 chapters doesn't seem too unreasonable.

I can't go to Sakura Con. for the whole three days or on Saturday. either.

  

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Joker: Whoah! That theory is one of the most insane, yet very reasonable, I've ever had the pleasure of coming across. That really does fit into the plot so far… But let's not jump to conclusions… Unless, of course, you're Nostradamus!!   

Feyd: Is Inuyasha really, I quote, "a line of bullshit" to you? Have some respect man!

I'm down for 600 chapters!! Woot, woot, bring it on!! 

  

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Inuyasha wasn't a line of BS at one point in time.  That time has long since passed.  I realize that this is a bussiness for Takahashi and she must make money one way or another.  I just can't agree with her bleeding this out any longer. 

     All the characters are developed and have been developed for some time now.  Sango has been devoted to Miroku and willing to sacrifice her lifefor him for years.  Miroku has known about his curse his entire life and the fact that his life is in danger because of his kazaana is not only common knowledge but the fact that he is on the brink of death because of his kazaana is nothing new; Miroku has nearly killed himself any number of times to save Sango and the group.  Inuyasha is still the same adolescent character he's always been; giving him new powers does not change his character or his motivations.  Kagome is still in love with Inuyasha and unwilling to admit her love.  Unlocking her powers is hopefullyan attempt at somekind ofplot catalyst.  Sesshomaru has always been a cold bastard ready to kill anyone he doesn't like.  Kohaku is still the same feeble and useless failure he's always been.  Jaken, Rin, and Shippo are more or less insignificant plot characters.

On top of all this the plot has been in a very stagnant position for the last year.  Aside from very recent developements (Naraku completing the shard and being poised to make his wish) the story hasn't gone anywhere new or interesting in some time.  Even Naraku's tricks now at the "endgame" are the same as always…pit two lovers against one another..seed doubt and play mind games yet never attack directly.  It just seems like I have been reading the same exact story over and over again.  The people and story are the same but they are in a different environment. 

I think Takahashi may be more clever than I originally gave her credit for.  If she ended the story 200 chapters ago the fan-base would be foaming at the mouth; Better to exhaust all possibilities so the fan-base has no complaints about where the manga could have gone…cuz it went everywhere. 

This is not to belittle the efforts of Starks or Patches.  They both do excellent work and their endeavors are commendable.  Thank you Starks and Patches

  

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I'll have to disagree with Feyd on a few things.. While I do believe this manga is being drawn out for way too long, I don't believe there has been absolutely no major character changes. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru have softened considerably thanks to Kagome and Rin. Side note…To me, it's a wonder that Sess didn't kill Jaken at the time he met him, and still hasn't. This was before Rin and he'd kill just about anything that was even an itch to him. I have just been aching for someone to off the annoying toad, though I will admit the reunion was quite comical… Anyways, back on topic, I think all the characters have changed at least a little bit, but maybe not the minor characters. Sesshoumaru has forgotten about taking Inuyasha's sword long ago, and also seems to no longer wish to kill him, has shown compassion to Kagura and even changed facial expression for Rin's death. (gasp!) Inuyasha still may be an idiot, but it is apparent that he is maturing at least somewhat, he's even considered becoming human again instead of full demon. He'd explained himself about Kikyou's death and he's even being all lovey-dovey on Kagome now. I at least think these are all things that can be considered character development.

I definitely agree with you though, Feyd, on seemingly reading a lot of the same battles over and over again. Her repetitiveness of battle sequences was getting pretty tiring. I'm getting pretty excited about what will happen next, though. These new developments seem to actually be leading somewhere.

Starks and Patches, you are amazing!

  

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In all the discussions that go back and forth about the Inuyasha/Kagome/Kikyou triangle, there is one thing I have trouble agreeing with – and that is how Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship has been thought of since Kikyou's death. The assumption seems to be that now that Kikyou is dead Inuyasha and Kagome's interactions are somehow romanticized.

There hasn't been anything concrete (at least not that I've seen) in the chapters since Kikyo's death to suggest that Inuyasha feels any sort of lovey-dovey affections towards Kagome. I think out of a desire to see them end up together, we as dedicated fans have been reading too far into what's been given to us by Takahashi.

I can't even count the number of comments that suggested that Kagome and Inuyasha were close to kissing in that scene a few chapters back when he caught her. I'm not suggesting that there is no connection between them since it's obvious they care for one another, but it's a question of what exactly that relationship is that needs to be answered by Takahashi – something she has yet to do in any kind of satisfactory way. The way those two have been drawn thus far, their relationship could be read as two lovers just as easily as it could be read as two best friends so I think it would be incorrect to suggest one over the other at this point.

That's just my peace anyway…good debate so far though! *applause*

  

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FEYD I agree with you for the most part.

 But one of the things that I find really charming about the series is that similar scenes are repeated throughout, yet the characters react slightly differently based on the developments you mentioned.

But I'm running late for work and don't have time to think of a compelling example. 
 

  

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Thank you Langus for bring that up. I have always been a little unsure as to what exactly Kagome and Inuyasha’s relationship is. The jealously show by Kagome and Inuyasha, and that one almost kiss are the only things that really shows us that they have serious feelings for one another. Aside from those instances nothing has really happened to prove that they are more than just best friends. Kagome tells her friends that Inuyasha is her boyfriend but is he really? I know they like each other but nothing has really gone on between them that would make them a definite couple.

I thought that when Kikyo died something would happen between them, but nothing did. And I see no instances where Inuyasha is more lovely-dovely toward Kagome then before. RT defiantly needs to come out and tell us what exactly is going on between those two.

Another point: Do you think Kagome is going to have to choose between eras at the end? We really don't know why only Kagome and Inuyasha can pass through the well. What if when the jewel is gone Kagome can no longer pass between times. Or if Inuyasha does become human, will he still be able to pass through the well. If they want to be together they are going to have to decide which time to be together in.

  

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All I ever asked of this series in the end was that,

A) Kikyo died (REALLY died)

B) Inuyasha and Kagome actually got together

C) Miroku and Sango lived and got married

D) Naraku endured a slow, painful, fan-satisfying death, and no one ever mentions him again.

Okay, so one down, three to go.

  

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Ok well perhaps lovey-dovey was too strong a word on my part. I know that neither party has fully confessed to each other how they feel, though the almost kiss gives us a pretty good idea. My point is that Inuyasha has been a lot less rough with Kagome and even praising her in battle ("It was all thanks to your arrow kagome"). As for Kikyo's death, I was trying to say that he told Kagome that it was something he though he had to deal with on his own, and he didn't realize how badly it affected her. It was like an apology to her, which is something Inuyasha doesn't commonly do. ( Character maturity?) My whole argument was supposed to be on the basis of character development, not the inukag friends or more deal. Sorry for the confusion!

As for the era thing… eh. I have no idea, though there was something that resembles foreshadowing before when it said that 'Kagome never thought there would be a day when she would have to choose between the two era's' or something like that. But it could be that Takahashi is using that as a way to throw us off… again.

  

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Sorry. I know your post was about character development, I just wanted to talk about inukag. But I think you are right, Inuyasha does seem like less of and arrogent jerk now.  

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lol i dont remeber what chapter that girl was from on the joke page. XD there are so many @.@ there are some i havent even read yet. i think i started on this site about back in chapter 400 or so, so yeah i missed a few.

BUT YEAH!! NARAKU IS GETTIN THE TAR KICKED OUTTA HIM! i fear this will be coming to an end an about 20 chapters or so. GAH!! PLEASE NO! I JUST NOW WHEN THEY DEFEAT NARUAKU ITS GONNA BE GREAT! or really upseting

  

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