Wow.  That’s a bit abrupt if it’s true.

Meant to post here but somehow posted on the other. 

  akitafuki(Quote)

Yeah. I shifted things around so the preview audience and the spoiler audience would both be satisfied.  Starks(Quote)

thanks for the spoiler 

i couldnt keep myself away , actually cant wait for this chapter !  

  GEORGLY(Quote)

Wow, what a large spoiler! It's amazing that she really is going to end the manga in two chapters. I hope when we read it that it doesn't seem that she is rushing to end the story. She still needs to sum up a few relationships and such.

Just to add, there is a InuYashaXKagome music video that I have created on YouTube.com entitled "One Love That's Shared By Two…" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftLt-FM8dgU I would love to have comments on the video as well as have it rated. Thanks!

  inuyasha_lover(Quote)

Finally! I knew this wouldn't/couldn't go on for one more volume.

Let's see. Urusei Yatsura had 366 chapters, Ranma had 407, and Inuyasha will end at 558.

You're right Akitafuki. It's sort of abrupt. But overall, I think the entire final arc was brilliant.

The final chapter will probably be longer than the usual 18 pages (probably double). This one could, too.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the MEGA SPOILER.

  onivid(Quote)

Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice dies, and then Orpheus goes down to the land of the dead to retrieve her. Hades agrees to give her back, but Orpheus can't turn around to see Eurydice until they're back in the land of the living. "I Want to See You"… That's the wish Kikyo made, just like Orpheus turned back to see Eurydice, messing everything up. It makes sense.  Cantus(Quote)

Why LOL @ at all the Inu/Kag SHiT?

why is it funny? why is it shit?

  sagepink1(Quote)

Starks, Did I ever tell you how much I appreciate what u do?!!!

THANK YOU!

  Razzamatazz(Quote)

Next time, the final chapter

oh. my. god. Are you serious? You mean the VERY last chapter? I am so shocked it's actually coming to an end. After so long. It kind of makes me sad. But I hope they say what happens to all the characters after all this.

But I can't wait till this chapter!  

  RissRiss(Quote)

So 557 is It? Wow… That's a quick wrap up, Kind of down to the last spot.
  Joker(Quote)

….

Wow. Honestly I think this is a bit sudden, but who knows, maybe Takahashi – sensei has  one last thing up her sleeve.  I started freaking out when I read that last bit.  I've only been reading for a little over a year and I got choked up so the people who have been since the start must be shocked xD

I.  Can't.  Wait!!!

Cheers!  And as always domo arigatou to Starks and Patches

  Alaskan_girl(Quote)

wow that was sooo suden and if Inuyasha confesses his feelings for each other         he only has one chapter left to do it in  oh I do hope they confess to each other cuz we all know they love each other but now were all wandering one thing is Rumiko going to end it that way? I was personally hoping for a chapter that talks about the future! but hey beggers cant be choosers thank you soooo much starks! and patchs too we wouldnt have had any of this without you!!!  I have enjoyed reading this soo much!!  Simply Sally(Quote)

haha i meant inuyasha and Kagome confess their feelings toward each other  Simply Sally(Quote)

i wish something kool will happen 2 sesshomaru soon lol  Sesshomaru(Quote)

HOLY CRAP.

 I think I've just been blinded by this information.
 

  Nostalgia(Quote)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you say : " Next time, the final chapter… " does it means that it's the END OF ALL ???

  KagomePass(Quote)

OMG O__O *cries*

hey, plese!

can you post the spoiler of the last chapter when it goes out?

pleaaaseeeee…!?

  Yuki-Yasha(Quote)

The shikon no tama shaters "…? So, it doesn't disappear as well ??? The story is about to repeat at the beginning with anothers characters ?

And what about Tessaiga and the last upgrade ? It isn't the best moment for it ? To let the Jewel " unbreakable " !!???…

But all of this, I knew that InuYasha have to slash another Meidou into Darkness !!  .

So, I'll have the last novel of Rumiko in my hands in January 2009 !!!

Enjoy, and… Sadness…

  KagomePass(Quote)

Jesus Mary and Joseph I actually gasped out loud in shock. Earned a few strange looks from my fellow library goers. I'm SO pumped about this!  Langus(Quote)

oh my god.

the LAST chapter? i thought it will go on to chapter 560 because that is a nice number . 

i hope that the end is more then we can see that the juwel is broken and inuyasha and kagome are free. it will be nice when we can see what will happen in the future.

i can't wait

ps. soory for my mistakes
 

  sabrina 91(Quote)

O.o

Wwwow. Talk about abrupt.

o.O

Is this fake or genuine? The spoiler, I meant. Or is it one of those partially true ones, like the first half's for real, the second half isn't. WANTS KNOW!! >.<

*sigh* It's gonna be a long weekend, boys and girls.

  LittleFoxglove(Quote)

To Sukinu

Sorry if I may have spoiled anything for you.  Those images I got from one of Takahashi's short stories that appeared in Shonen Sunday Zokan in '83, where a young schoolgirl is transported back in time 500 years to Fuedal Japan by way of fire.  The story is called Fire Tripper and was later published again in a second book with a collection of her other short stories under the title of Rumic World Volume 1.  I say second because the first collection of short stories that she published were in book entitled Dust Spot!  Each collection contains 3 or more of her short stories; these two contain 4 of her stories.  All of this information I got from Rumic World.  You can visit the website here:

http://www.furinkan.com/

Now then… *ahem*… *sqeeeeeeee!!!*  I just had to let my inner fangirl come out.  Can't wait to see what happens in the next chappie.  And reading the spoilers or the ending of a book first doesn't ruin anything for me.  It actually makes me want to read it even more.  Okay I'll get off my "comment" box now and just say…

Bring on the last (maybe?) chapter! 

No matter how this ends though, no one will ever be truly satisfied.

  m84dani(Quote)

Sabrina, 560 would not be a nice number since a new volume would start with 559.

  Starks(Quote)

…Oh please don't tell me that Rumiko is rushing this! She could go on for another volume! NO! I can't believe it's ending…

So the jewel just shatters…wow, that's a little…no, that's REALLY abrupt… Now all we need to figure out is how the hell they get out of Kagome's Meidou…or did it just disappear along with the jewel and Inuyasha and Kagome just appear out of no where in front of Miroku, Sango, and Shippou? Wow, this'll be confusing…and only one chapter to explain it!

I'm almost sure that Rumiko will extend the last chapter to sum things up. Like how they get out, and all their lives. But wouldn't it be cool if Rumiko made a SEQUAL SERIES!! Man, that'd be REALLY COOL!

  Yamahato Yokimoko(Quote)

Yeah. I, for myself, am hoping for the spinoff: Miroku & Sango, Ghost Slayers.  Cantus(Quote)

My hearts dropped 10,000 feet.. I know it…

Last chapter? But I wanna know what happens AFTER the fighting! Darn that RT! She'd better start running! (LOL, jk..) Meh, at least she CREATED inuyasha, the best anime/manga ever.. (Better than Naruto at least >.>)

Awwww! Inuyasha and Kagome Embrace? Does that mean they only "hug" or "kiss?" =o

If they don't kiss, which I DOUBT THEY WILL, I'm gonna have a goody cry.. *tear*

See? Already crying…

And BTW, who wrote the "LOL @ all the kaginu sh*t"?

lol.. I actually thought THAT was funny! XD

I had a weird drea about Inuyasha and Kagome last night.. o.O Very weird.. it was like, star trek mixed with naruto mixed with chobits…

Anyways, who else wants RT to make a new series? *Raises hand* and one thats NOT as long as Inuyasha >.>

Something… Like inuyasha and ranma mixed!! =D

Dane.. I really hope she does.. she's the ONLY manga writer I'm a fan of >.>

(Than again, I'm 14 and think I'm gonna be a cartoonist, sooo… I like her art style ^_^)

…

Ok, I'm done! Woohoo! Everyone dance now!

I think we should all have a vertual party when it ends…. lol! XD

  inuyasha_is_super_smexy(Quote)

Woopsies, I meant dream

(I never really know what I'm typing most of the time! Lol!)

  inuyasha_is_super_smexy(Quote)

omg…….

i just don't know what to say

i always kinda thought takahashi-sensei would continue it forever….

…i think i'm so happy im in shock.

  Forever_Love(Quote)

I bet the well's going to return. And I even bet Kagome's friends will finallly realize the real reason she's missed so much school.

So, I guess there is "a way in holy hell she can finish this up in 2 chapters." Damn it, Takahashi! :'[  The idea of chapter 558 running longer than 18 pages cheers me up a small sum. But, I'm still sad and disappointed...
 
Despite feeling it was a tad bit rushed, I'm happy Inuyasha and Kagome found each other. At least, they're happy, and that's what really matters! :]  And, fangirls and fanboys… They embraced! ^-^

NOM NOM…NEED MORE ANIME NOW. NOM NOM NOM…

  Inuyasha_passion(Quote)

I must say indeed this was a great series. it'll be sad for it to end. i agree its slightly abrupt. Rumiko just better have a good ending between the two or i will be utterly disappointed. but it was still good anyway.

LOL i cant wait. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the MEGA spoiler. it'll make it that much more anticipated when it comes out. Ahh i hope they have a good IxK ending. It doesnt have to be brilliant or sappy or 100% sure of them being together forever, etc stuff but as long as the end is of them currently together. Well I'll be fine with that. Cuz as long as theyre "together" then that makes me happy.

WOOT!

  iAmArenoid(Quote)

YAMAHOTO :

" Now all we need to figure out is how the hell they get out of Kagome’s Meidou…[b]or did it just disappear along with the jewel and Inuyasha and Kagome just appear out of no where… " [/b]

Yes, it's that ! When InuYasha slashes with Tessaiga the point of light… it was effective. Remember… when InuYasha and Sesshomaru go out from the Meidou on Novel 51th…!!

But I repeat my question : What about the last " upgrade " of Tessaiga ??? Did Rumiko forget about it ???

Or… Is InuYasha going to use it against the Jewel on despair (just after it shatters) ? Hav we seen Tessaiga like the most powerful Sword after all this (chapter 557) ???

I'm sure not…

Disappointed…

It was very very easy to defeat Naraku…

Hai (Hey) Starks (!),… you can tell us that it was a fake, this " spoiler "… Lol…

  KagomePass(Quote)

well itßll be just like ranma,, all ends in a double length final chapter where everything gets wrapped up http://ranmahentai.ranma.ws/RanmaManga/Book38/RM38-122.htmland im starting to think that inukag will end together….just two weeks left…  javier.ardila(Quote)

- First problem : Tessaiga, last " upgrade " !

- Second problem : What about Kagomé's " so big soul " ???

- Third problem : Is it really THAT the " right wish " ???

- Fourth problem : And what about Kagomé's arrow which pierced the Jewel ?

- Rin / Kohaku : Will they get married ?…

  KagomePass(Quote)

I seem to be the only one who is happy about Rumiko's courage to finish off this milk-cow of hers. Although the projected ending is pretty lame for being too abrupt (I wouldn't mind open endings, such as how relationships go) many people would be just happy to see the word 'The End' – this series has gone on for WAYS too long, demolishing all excitement of manga-reading.

And to the fan-girls: I know it is against the Western culture to make personal remarks, but your craving for a wholesome and explicit completeness in storyline is usually a sorry sight. Great endings are inspiring ones that linger and encourage readers to behave in real-life. And a ways too-rounded ending which spells every single letter of characters' futures, will just simply fail to be remembered – 'Ah, that is a good ending, but somehow too blurred in my mind, probably somewhat similar to the Grimms' tales – read them and you can figure it out!'

Ipsen

P.S.: Rumiko has never been able to draw any acclaimed ending, perhaps save the good execution of relationships in Maison Ikkoku.  ipsen(Quote)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….wow. that is all I have to say.  Shikon No Tama(Quote)

Haha. I don't know what to say either. I'm in shock…

I'm happy tho!

  loveincubus(Quote)

Please Inuyasha and Kagome end up together! I have to say as long as the ending's clear and your not a die hard Kikyo fan(as in you'r still hoping she makes a comeback) than the ending should be good. O I just thought of something I might just be slow but what if the jewl was made of the miko's evil side( i can't remember how to spell her name) I say this becaues kikyo used the her soul to become whole and the jewl was is also her soul. I also wonder if the well will come back or if they will be torn apart(sob T.T that would be sad!!!)or stay in the past and get marrid(that would be nice!) sorry for my rambling^^

  annzip(Quote)

The manga discussion on the boards of AdultSwim isn't bad.
Ch-ch-check it out. ;] 

  Inuyasha_passion(Quote)

So how long is it going to be before this chapter comes out?  Crazybeautiful606(Quote)

I don't think the end is abrupt, it's really been coming for quite a while.  How many battles and extensions do you need anyway?!!!!  I want to thank Starks and Patches for providing this wonderful site and guilty pleasure which I truly will miss.  Yes I know you will continue but for me once Inuyasha is done I won't be checking each week for the next exciting chapter and I will truly miss that. clicking around I stumbled on Inuyasha the Musical which filled me with evil delight!!! there are some pictures of the production out there and, well, at least Inuyasha is played by a guy!  Actually being a music theater person it makes sense, why not make Inuyasha a musical.  Patches gave her ideas on possible lyrics on one site and she is a talented girl!!! An evil genius.  It's these little silly things that make life so worth living.  I continue to be an embarassment to my children!  Iolanthesong(Quote)

One chapter left after this, huh?

"I almost forgot:  in my backpack, next to Kikyo's Arrow and Sauron's Ring…the Ruby Slippers!  There's no place like Home…there's no place like Home…  Grandpa, Souta, Auntie Jaken and Uncle Sesshoumaru!  You're all here and I'm back in Tokyo.  I was so scared; I must have been dreaming.  Hey, where's Toto?"

Cue Inuyasha vocals:

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

Hehehe, c'mon, dogboy–>Toto–>TOTO.  Okay, caffeine warping the brain again, but, still it will be interesting to see just how all the loose ends get tied up in two chapters.  Afterall, I still want to see Inuyasha and post-depression Sesshoumaru actually face other, even if their personal resolution remains unspoken.  Kagome and Inuyasha need post-battle quiet time for reflection.  Even old lady Kaeda needs a closing moment to say, "methinks ye ol' village 'n' townfolks be saved, domo arigatou gozaimasu."

Oh Gawd, what if we all get thrown for it, and with the jewel gone from space and time, the world resets and last the manga panel is of Inuyasha and Kikyo back smooching on the docks, where they will live happily ever after!?

  Dr. Sesslove(Quote)

SHE isn't finishing this in only 2 pages.. if she were, the manga would have ended 20 volumes ago! XD  inuyasha_is_super_smexy(Quote)

I hope she doesn't end it like Ranma.. Akane and Ranma never kiss but that stupid Shampoo and him did!!!!!!?????!!!

GOD!!!! *breaks a bunch of windows* Glad to get that outta my system >.>…

Ugh! I can see it! On the last chapter, she's gonna make InuXkag fight, JUST liek the way she made RanmaXAkane fight and NOT say thet loved eachother?!?!?! WAAAH!

  inuyasha_is_super_smexy(Quote)

  inuyasha_is_super_smexy(Quote)

Is it really the end, Starks ?

It's impossible it finish with only one chapter !! What about the other characters ???

But… if you watch at the last chapter with Shippo and the others… you can see Sango NOT WEARING THE SAME CLOTHES AS BEFORE (during the battle) !!! So… some hours have passed !!!!!

I repeat what I said until now : I'm disappointed of this final battle :

ONLY… TWO NOVELS AND A HALF ??? 

  KagomePass(Quote)

So regarding this live action musical of InuYasha, does anybody have any valid information about this? I was hopeing to get lucky by typing in the right keywords into google video or youtube.com and find a video on it. If anybody knows anything about what I am looking for the help is great appreciated.  inuyasha_lover(Quote)

GOD!!!! *breaks a bunch of windows* Glad to get that outta my system >.>…
…
lololo…? Agreed. I'm still bummed that they haven't kissed yet. 494 was just a teaser! And, I've got no idea as to whether RT figured Inuyasha's realization in the last chapter was a "confession" or not. I mean, it was a big step forward, but Kagome still wasn't there, ya know? I'm still hoping for some real romantic closure. And I don't even want to imagine the idea of Kagome getting stuck on the other side with Inuyasha's incarnation. It's just not the same!

On a random note, I think Rumiko Takahashi smokes, but I could be wrong…

  Inuyasha_passion(Quote)

I need to cry!

Starks: Is this the last chapter, or is chapter 558 going to be the last one?

  inu_yasha_is_my_puppy(Quote)

558.  Starks(Quote)

Volume 13
Please tell us a time in which you thought, "I have to taste it just one more time!"
…
Very recently when I had some ankimo. It was delicious.

Also in this issue Takahashi discusses the Inuyasha stage
play… "To be honest, I'm a big fan of this troupe and have seen many
of their plays. I'm excited that they're adapting Inuyasha. The
perspective of manga is different, but I think you will enjoy this. The
Shinkansen Troupe has a funny manga-style and their costuming and
battles are great fun. I think it will be an interesting play to see." -Rumiko Takahashi

http://www.furinkan.com/talk/5.html
Where I found the quote.

Boo yah! I think that may have been the musical Iolanthesong mentioned…

  Inuyasha_passion(Quote)

KAGOMEPASS

Yes, it’s that ! When InuYasha slashes with Tessaiga the point of light… it was effective. Remember… when InuYasha and Sesshomaru go out from the Meidou on Novel 51th…!!

—

But that was only because Tenseiga showed Inuyasha. Remember that Inuyasha said that the only reason they were able to escape was because of Tenseiga's light. I think maybe to get out of the meidou, Inuyasha will have to find the last upgrade of Tessaiga, or just use the Meidou.

But with all that's left unanswered, I'm almost sure that the last chapter will be longer, the spoiler "The Final Chapter" is a fake, or "The Final Chapter" is a mistranslation, and it says something else that's the "final" thing(Development, Volume, The True "Final Battle", something like that). I guess we won't know until Wednesday/Thursday/POSSIBLY TUESDAY!

  Yamahato Yokimoko(Quote)

YAMAHOTO (Where is this name coming from ? lol… I want to know !! ) :

Yes, you're right, it's because Tenseiga's light, but… now, it's the same (not exactly, but…), because it was Kagomé who was able to say " no " to the Shikon no tama and to wait for InuYasha's coming…!! So, the light appears before InuYasha…

So, it's not because the last upgrade, isn't it ???? I f Rumiko shows us that point, it's only in the end of the end… if she doesn't forget !!!!

Arrrg…

At the same point, we don't know nothing about Sesshomaru…!!!

Does he intend to say " … " for the second (and last) time ????  Lol…

  KagomePass(Quote)

KAGOMEPASS

? My name? You mean Yamahato(Not Yamahoto, lol)? It's my Japanese name that I created, in the traditional style(Meaning my last name comes first, first name last. So in English it's Yokimoko Yamahato). Idk where it came from, just popped into my head one day.

—

Anyways, on another word…I'm curious about the light that appears. Does Midoriko show him this light, did the youkai block it in the beginning, is it the Shikon no Tama light he sees? WTF IS THE LIGHT HE SEES?!?! THAT is what I'm really curious about right now.

Is anyone else dying of anxiousness right now? Because I sure as hell am.

  Yamahato Yokimoko(Quote)

This is for INUYASHA-LOVER concerning the musical, if you look at the comments right here you will find one from M84DANI there's a site there if you click on it you will be in Rumic World (very neat)  click on Inuyasha specials and at the bottom you will find a poster from the stage production of Inuyasha.  I'm not sure it was a musical as we see it I mean I'm not sure if Inuyasha broke into song but I'm sure there was alot of athletic dancing and music involved.  If you google Inuyasha the musical and (I believe) Pancomics you will find some sites one of which has a comment with pictures of the production.  It reminds me a little of the musical version of Lord of the Rings I saw in London last year.  I think some of the pictures may be mislabled Kikyo and Shippo are bizarre so I think they may have mislabled the pictures.  The production looks quite professional so I think it must have been legit, also it must have been up quite a while ago.  If you find anything else let us all know.   Iolanthesong(Quote)

I saw the mega spoiler tag and swore I wouldn't read it, that I would wait until the chapter actually came out. I made it all the way until today and then I crumbled and read it. Oh Well.

Anyway, I'm way looking forward to reading this chapter.
  silverwurm(Quote)

It would be nice if the volume could be filled out and end at 558, But from what I've read that isn't going to be happening, If 557 is It, Then so be It.

Thanks to Sparks, Patches, etc for a wily chase down the rabbit hole.

  Joker(Quote)

Chapter 558 will be the last chapter. Dont some of you read what Starks responds?  thy_grekaosangel(Quote)

Wow…AdInuyasha has it up….and the next Chapter is the final chapter.  thy_grekaosangel(Quote)

WOW the next chapter is the last? I hope RT makes longer than the other ones because i really want that inu and kag confess their love to each other . Oh yeah I alredy read the chapter in AdInuyasha if anyone wants to read it!!!

  yamileth723(Quote)

It's looking like she'll likely extend the last chapter, she's done it before…who knows.

Starks? 

  thy_grekaosangel(Quote)

  OMFG!  she's really gonna do it this time.  why couldn't she end it in a nice round # like 560 rather than 558?  what has happened to Sesshy and the rest?  since they seem to dropped off from the storyline, they could start their own series (spin-off) either in another manga or fanfic.  i'm sure someone in the fanfic world has begun this task – question is, how close will their fanfic follow the manga?  

oh, thanks for the MEGA spoiler, despite the fact i left off on ch. #537.  to save me from cliff-hangers, i'll start reading again once the final chapter posts – that way, no interruptions.  

if Kag truly wished for the jewel to disappear, then wouldn't inuyasha and his time era would go also since it is the jewel that connected kag to inuyasha's world?   if this is the case, then, it's like as if my Sesshy never existed? ?  

  Sesshoumaru-my-Love(Quote)

Because 558 ends the current volume.  thy_grekaosangel(Quote)

Hi All,

I promised myself that I would be good and get ready for the art show I'm doing this weekend, but instead, here I am, heart poundind like a hammer, heart in my throat, having just seen the full pages of the second to last chapter.  WHEW!  The spoiler covers it except for some key things:

 This is the first time I've seen the SAME face InuYasha wore when he hugged his first true love Kikyo, but this time, he's hugging Kagome.  His eyes are closed, and his whole body reads that his love for Kagome has finally come forth.  He's always had an affection for her, but he's always kept a part of himself in reserve.  It would seem that's no longer true.  As most of my friends know, I got tired of Kagome and her fickle attitudes a LONG time ago, thus, I would have been very happy if she had just faded away.  But, this last hug had me feeling all romantic for the two of them, just like I did in the beginning.  Sigh.  What's a curmudgeon to do?

The other thing I noticed was that the chapter did not end like I thought it would.  I was all apprehensive and disgusted when I became sure that the jewel would be destroyed in a blazing flash that would rob InuYasha of his demon half and all his hard won power and strength.  Imagein my surprise when the jewel simply faded away and InuYasha is still his glorious self!  YAY!  Will that still be true by the end of the last chapter?  God I hope so.

I agree with the one reader on this list that thought that western sappy romance expectations were too narrow.  I have every expectation that this ending will be a good deal like the shotgun one of Maison Ikkoku  where we are given little vignettes of how each person's life will continue from here.

Here are some thoughts on them:

Kaede and her village will rebuild.  It's still the Sengoku period so they still have a lot to contend with.

Kohaku has had life restored to him.  He's a very strong warrior now though and could help re-establish the demon huinters clan.  I had not even considered that Rin and he might get together.  Interesting thought.

Sango, Miroku and Kirara will certainly stay together.  Sango will want her children to "live strong" as well, so she will teach them the ways of the demon hunters possibly with Kohaku's help.  Miroku will still look at girls (as all men do) but will hew to Sango as her husband.  She'll still probably bash him with the hiraikotsu for it too.

Kouga and the boys will have to get on with finding mates and shoring up the numbers of their clan as well.  He's a strong leader who can even face Sesshomaru so the wolf-girlies with certainly find him attractive.  He will try to waye his  way out of his affection for Kagome gracefully while still verbally abusing InuYasha.   He'll have to adjust to not having super speed though.

Miroku might go back to visit Mushin, the tanuki, and his father's grave.  I think he'd want to tell his father that it was all over at last, and to remove his hand covering for the last time.

 I doubt poor Kikyo, whose entire life was destroyed by the jewel and Naraku, will make any sort of appearance, but  Kaede may mention her in the end as being truly free at last to rest in peace.

 Sesshomaru has grown in depth and scope as a character since the beginning.  All along, he's roamed the countryside  always looking for more power.  As Naraku may well have been the ultimate power, he has no further reason to roam.  Will he return to his mother's palace and take his father's place as ruler of the Western lands?  And wherever he goes, so will go Jaken.  devoted to his lord and master despite himself.  Rin is a bit of a mystery since she is yet so very young.  She too is devoted to Sesshomaru so I can't really see her leaving him for some other life.

Little Shippo.  Poor thing.  He came to see Kagome as almost a mother-figure.  His path could end with him living with Miroku and Sango as he continues to grow up.  Or, he could hook up with more fox demons.  We do know that more of them exist.  Even he knows he's too young to be on his own so far.

Hojo.  Handsome, considerate Hojo.  Sadly Kagome didn't even want to give him a real chance.  She just doesn't know how rare it is to find someone who will care for you in spite of all the illnesses or infirmaties one might have.  Kagome's grandfather painted such an awfule picture of her to him that it's a wonder he kept trying to find ways to help.  Some fans think of him as dorky, but I always thought he was very endearing.  Aside from being a bit sappy, he would have been a perfect boyfriend.

As for Kagome's family, Souto will grow up to be a college soccer player, and he might work part-time in the shrine gift shop.  That gives Grandpa some incentive to retire whille Mom continues to dote on her family.

As for Kagome and InuYasha, well, there is lots to consider here.

If InuYasha retains his demon half, he will certainly remain in the Sengoku period.  There is no place for him in the future and in  near all the episodes where he spends any time there, he ends up being more destructive or more of a nuisance than usual.  Sure, he could become human, but that would be a very drastic thing for him to do.  I mean, if you were a millionaire, and had all the power and influence you could ever want, and got it all because you slaved and worked all your life to get it, would you give it all up (everything you'd ever hope to gain in life} to live with a fifteen year old in a city where you would even have to go back to kindergarten?  A place and time where nothing you'd learned would do you any good and you'd have to rely entirely on a girl like Kagome?  If RT goes this route, I would not have respect for her.  It would mean that she hadn't really thought out how her epic would really end, but instead went for a less "literary" conclusion.

Conversely, if he were to turn human and Kagome were to live with him in the past, they would be nothing more than ordinary farmers or villages, probably living either in Kaede's village or with Sango and Miroku, who might well try to rebuild the old demon slayers compound.  In this case, then she would have to give up soft beds, odon, shampoo, odon, all her friends, odon, her hard-won achievements in school, and odon.  Life on a farm with a baby on one hip would be hard in the past to say the least.  Even if InuYasha were to remain a demon and she to stay with him in the past, they would be pariahs, as so many have before thim.

This is why, logically, I think RT will indeed end it like she did with Ranma 1/2, though with far more logical reasons than just because a wedding donnybrook makes for good comedy.  I think Kagome and InuYasha will continue to see each other through a well that reappears in both times.  It really is the only solution that would make sense long term, based on the characters and their current circumstances.  I know many fans won't be happy unless they are married as humans, but really, sometimes, just making it through alive is achievement enough.  I have a dim hope that RT will surprise me with some really interesting twist here at the very end,  and if she does, I sure won't see it coming.

As for how long the story took, well, being an artist, I don't care how long she took to tell the story.  The fact that she was able to take this long tells me that she got to tell the story the way she wanted to.  That's very nice indeed.  Here in the US, too often editors or directors think they have a bitter idea of what we'd like, when more likely, it ruins the original vision of the persion that created it.  Bravo RT!  Thanks for sticking to your guns!  Heavy sigh.  I'm REALLY going to miss my Inu hit eash week.  InuYasha made a big hit on my life and I'm going to make sure he has a place here as long as I'm around.  My sister visited my house and surprised me by labelling my two bookshelves full of InuYasha stuff as "InuYasha shrines".  Yeah, a guess they are shrines, after all.

And lastly, I want to say I have a DVD of the fabled InuYasha stage musical and having seen it (it's LONG) i can say that even though I don't speak Japanese, I found it artsy and in places very funny.  Yura of the Hair and Urasue both appear in it as well as Myoga.  (The way they do Myoga is ingeniously funny!  I WISH WISH WISH someone would someday translate it so that I could enjoy it more than just visually.  The guy who does InuYasha is stockier in build, but he does fine with the character, and the girl who does Kagome is of course older, with no sailor suit style.  Hmm.  It's been a really long tine since I've seen it.  I think I need to watch it again.  If someone wants me to upload it, I might, especially if someone else will trade me an avi  or mpg file of the music DVD that came out a few years ago.  It has a lot of the beginning and end animations but with no credits over them, and I think there's some extras in there too.

Anyway, time to go back to being an artist again.  Always too much to do and no time to do it in.  One of these days, I'll put up some of my InuYasha portraits on Deviant art.  In my copious spare time that is….

"Doggedly" yours,

Mary Lynn

  inugesshoku(Quote)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! THAT CANT BE THE FIANL CHAPTER!!! UGUUUUUUU!! WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

I DONT WANT TO BEALIVE IT!! Im going to go through some serious trauma here folks. Ill defiantyl need some comforting from my freinds.  ive been such a big Inuyasha fan for so long. I cant bealive it finally going to end. IT HURTS!

though i didnt read the spoiler i only read that the next chapter is the last one. NUUUUUH HOW CAN THAT BE! i hope its a bit longer than usualy.

oh…the agony…i just cant bealive only one more chapter. its just seems like there is so much more than needs to be explained.HOW SHE GONNA SO THAT IN ONE CHAPTER!?!?!

oh please RT dont let us down.

  InuRyogaChan(Quote)

thy_grekaosangel

June 10, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

It’s looking like she’ll likely extend the last chapter, she’s done it before…who knows.

I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE MUST DO LIKE IT !!!!!!!!!!

YAMILETH : yes,… I saw the next chapter on the Website : THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!!

I love the last pictures (and when Inu. and Kagome " embrace " !!).

  KagomePass(Quote)

At " furinkan " (website), too, you can read the new chapter " Atai "  !

But of course, the pictures (and Starks's working) are the best  !

  KagomePass(Quote)

So, NOW, Naraku is really dead, because the Shikon no tama shattered WITH HIM INSIDE !!!!  

Kagome won the " battle of souls "…  !!!

And I think I understand what is the LAST UPGRADE OF TESSAIGA after all this !!!  :

Someone told that with the Shikon no tama disappeared, it will be impossible for Kagomé and Inu. to reach the Sengoku Jidai…

I think so first, because the ball was necessary for this " travel "…

BUT… BUT…

Now that InuYasha strikes the Darkness with ANOTHER AND A SECOND  Meidou, and Kagomé making the RIGHT WISH (and the Jewel, like a "weapon", destroyed), Tessaiga MUST HAVE ASSIMILAT the last and most important possibility… TO GO THROUGHT TIME AND SPACE ! So InuYasha and Kagomé can live in the modern time, OR in the Sengoku Jidai, LIKE THEY WANT… forever…

I'm sure it will be that in Rumiko's head… !

  KagomePass(Quote)

I was hoping that RT would have made the ending to Inuyasha a LOT longer, like several chapters even, just to wrap things up and show the fans who have been following these characters for so long what happens to all of them. Maybe even a chapter apiece for Sessy, Miroku and Sango, Inuyasha and Kagome, etc. Not a single jumbled ending to everything. Come on, she's been writing this for so long, SURELY she won't finish it up like this! *crosses fingers*

  Artemis18(Quote)

Kagomepass:

That would be so cool if that happened… and from that theory, that means the others (Miroku, Sango, Shippo, etc) can finally go to the modern time too!!

  aquaflame(Quote)

sorry… i just had to go to 'that other site' before i caved in and read the spoiler before the chapter!

is that a happy ending i'm sensing? i have butterflies in my stomach. even if inuyasha and kagome are trapped in the darkness forever, if it ends with them together, it couldn't be so bad.

but i guess i'm ahead of myself. we'll just have to wait till next week to see.

still can't wait to see your scanlation, starks. i just hate reading the entire chapter condensed into a couple paragraphs, but i know i will anyway. i'm glad 557 was up on the site (which shall remain nameless bc you get pissed) so i didn't spoil it for myself all at once.

  gingerbell(Quote)

This is for INUGESSHOKU aka Maryann  I really enjoyed your musings about the end of Inuyasha.  My guess with Kagome would be that she will not stay in the Feudal Era (what modern girl would even for a hunky half demon, damn, you would probably die in child birth!).  Besides she might end up her own great great etc. grandmother, how weird is that!!! No, I vote for a reincarnation meeting.  Inuyasha, reborn into the modern age, (like Kikyo reborn as Kagome).  Then perhaps they have a chance together.  Who knows what the master has in mind, I can hardly wait.

PS You know whatever she does it will never be enough for many fans.

Oh yes, how did you get the DVD of the musical? Is it out anywhere? I'm really not computer savy enough to download so I would need to buy it!!!

  Iolanthesong(Quote)

INUGESSHOKU! *tries to capture attention* You're so unbelievably lucky!!! Man, if you could just tell us where you bought the dvd, that would be amazing. I'm so envious… >_> But Lol…it's flattering jealousy, not spiteful jealousy… So, was it on Ebay? Or a website? Or..? I would be extremely grateful if you could help me fill in some blanks here.  

Pardon this, it might be rude, but if you wanted to translate, I wonder if Patches would be able to help you with that…? She translated the Inuyasha Hybrid Movie; although it really must be a lot of work, and you're so busy. Anyways, I hope you respond in some way. Thank you! 

P.s. I think I might post this twice. I hope that's ok.  

  Inuyasha_passion(Quote)

I mean, once here and once on the Shounen Sunday preview.  Inuyasha_passion(Quote)

Inugesshoku (Mary Lynn) – I enjoyed reading your glimpses into the "future".  I disagree that there is no place for Inuyasha in the modern era if he remains a hanyou.  I think that he will work at the Higurashi shrine, taking over for Kagome's grandfather.  I mean he already fits in pretty well, plus since it's in the family, he doesn't have to apply for the job!

 One of the main themes of this manga is to be yourself.  Kagome loves Inuyasha as himself -a hanyou.  Not as his human version or as a reincarnation of himself; she loves him just the way he is.  He will remain a hanyou.  I'm sure they will live in the present era b/c it ends three years later.  Highschool is three years long, so that makes me think that Kagome went.

 But I guess we will all find out in a week.  No more guessing, no more debates.  Hmm, that kinda makes me sad!

  Serena27(Quote)