NinjaSheik

November 21, 2009 @ 2:33 pm

THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!

But, poor Kikyo…

Hipatia

November 21, 2009 @ 2:36 pm

So beautiful…

NinjaSheik

November 21, 2009 @ 3:39 pm

YAHOO! IT'S OUT IN SUB!

YTC

November 21, 2009 @ 3:59 pm

Bawled like a baby…. Beautiful animation and the instrumental Dearest was a great choice.  So sad at the end .  I also loved the addition of the dialog between Kikyo and Kaede.  I always felt that even though they were sisters they didn't have enough time with each other.  RIP Kikyo

Devi

November 21, 2009 @ 4:35 pm

The Hell arc, and Sessmom!!!XD
I can't wait!!!

hakudoushigurl

November 21, 2009 @ 4:57 pm

damn it!!!! so sad! poor inuyasha….he broke my heart.

NinjaSheik

November 21, 2009 @ 6:37 pm

My heart, too…

I cried…

notpotable

November 21, 2009 @ 7:45 pm

I am extremely pleased that they added in a few seconds of Kaede and Kikyo together. I've always felt that Takahashi didn't give enough time to their relationship. Mad thanks to Sunrise for giving poor Kaede a little closure in this ep.

I was sad that they didn't include the Yama-Arashi arc, since I'm a big fan of Miroku and the Miroku/Sango relationship development. Oh, well. I makes sense that they'd skip it and condense it into an "Oh shits the wound!" in this episode. Less satisfying, but logical.

MooMoo-of-Doom

November 21, 2009 @ 7:53 pm

It isn't coming out in sub for me?!?!?!

Catie

November 21, 2009 @ 8:07 pm

Maybe it's just me, but Naraku looked hella weird in this episode. The animation has been bothering me for the last few weeks but I thought tonight's was especially off.
As for Kikyo's death, I thought Sunrise did a great job of the last moments between Inuyasha and Kikyo… it broke my heart in the manga when she said "I've become an ordinary woman" and that line didn't seem to have as much emotion in animated form… but seeing her genuine smile after she said that was what finally brought a tear to my eye.
I agree with Notpotable, bring back the Yama-Arashi arc!

INUYASHA ANIME EXAMINER

November 21, 2009 @ 8:28 pm

@ All of you.

This is a special review for today.

Today i will say that despite the tradgedy involving one of the main characters, i am honored to see that person go out in a very dignifed fashion. This battle throughout the episode involved truly whether or not our female main character dies in the arms of one of two men. One possiblity having been with the man she hated for tragically ruining her life, and the other she had loved, and still does.

REVIEW TIME
Most of this episode isnt just one boxed judgement together.

At first glance, the battle seems to be less of a focus than just the viewer tuning in to maidens Death. I really wanted to see Koga concerned about Sango and Mirokus welfare when attempting to be ready after escaping Narakus Spider-Web. In that scene Koga just didnt seem as though he was taking charge while Inuyasha was away, but i am not without saying that he did engage more of a fight than the sences in the manga. Anime addition made the battle a somewhat hype, and a little past average.

Another anime addition i felt wonderfully executed was that I felt Naraku and Kikyos battle as it was shown with naraku in pain, and the Chest Arrow struggling with the Toxins of the Miasma in the mix. 

I really enjoyed the addition of Kaede feeling kikyos death through a vision. Thats appreciative. I liked the execution of Kikyos death. The pace is neutral since they get most of the comic panels like they did in episode 6. But they did cut a few panels here, yet they went at an average speed.

And why didnt this episode feature Koga's theme? since this is his final battle before he decides to hand the fight to Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and his Friends. I am going to srongly have faith we will see Koga again in the finalie. I admit I'm wrong or right, but i dont know the answer until i find out, and thats a positive thing even though as a reviewer I will be dissappointed for his fate to be left without proper closure since this is Inuyasha The Final Act, After all.

A couple things that bug me.

- No mention of Moryomaru's Armored Shell, and how Inuyasha cant penetrate it. Inuyasha Attacks Naraku but the characters go without asking or reflecting on why the sword doesnt breach the armor.

- Kikyo not elaborating her worry of Kohaku, while being captured in the Spider Web, and in Naraku's Arms. I had really wished for more elaboration in the anime, this time around. The animators still need to learn to flesh out chraracter details in the anime. I dont care about the previous episodes before 6 that might be a reason for the way things are now. I hope Sunrise fleshes out old details and new ones for the rest of the anime.

- Narakus Character design (as in one of the arms during the battle), the arm used to hold Kikyo looks less bigger/ intinidating than the first time we saw this story arc, and at some angles Naraku's look is seemingly skinnier than his original manga updated design

- And no Kikyo Elaboation as to wondering why Naraku did not battle the characters back where and when they were, Anime fans might understand it slowly but it shouldve been fleshed out more in the anime. To Save some space here, im just going to say that when Koga enters a part of Naraku, thinking he can purify the Jewel instead of needing Kikyo, Koga enters as though hes slowly floating. It just felt like a very very slow float before commerical or Hulu.com Pause.  Instead of a death defying jump like in the original script. Manga, or not, that still felt weird.

To be honest though, ive never been a fanboy caught in the web of wonder over how fangirls think………..nor do i ever want to be. I am just fine where I am. I mean Twilight has a fanbase beyond negative recognition, and that trend with little tween girls, and mothers, scares me. Thanks for that problem, New Moon Film Release of 2009!!

Anyway back to focus on Inuyasha. Its his final Farewell to Kikyo. The Real Final Farewell.

The animation, picture quality, and coloring makes the show appear as though it were a two hour movie. Im not sure if im fond of it though. Im not sure these new episodes have the same artwork quality as the original Episode 160 to 167 had. It may all depend on the art director. I dont really desire quality related to a movie format, if it isnt a movie. Kikyo and Kagome look absolutely beautiful though. Kikyos death is not only adaptated from the manga but is done originally as well, and im pretty well recieved of it. One important Arguement that can be made is that Kikyos soul is also Kagomes original soul taken and used to bring Kikyo back to life. "Kikyo's" soul taken and sent to Heaven is a sign of someone who is dead returning to her rightful place outside of the world of the living. Whether Kikyos soul is returned to kagome or not , i am satisfied with either ending. Who knows, Maybe a piece of Kikyos Warm light was her soul comforting Koga, Kagome, Miroku, and the rest of the Crew.

In other news as of After this week i will begin to show up every other week. I feel as though ive waited only a long week for this event and feel short of a full hand in entertainment. Im going to be reviewing Episode 9 and 10 in Seperate review boxes. Maybe i might go back to reviewing after each 1 episode, but i want to feel as though i will be watching a two part episode, which is what i used to do with the manga chapters. I used to come back and read 4 to 5 chapters at a time.

Ive seen the next episode's preview. And yes I am execited for it, but I really feel spoiled in the trailer for next week. They are showing all the integral parts to the episode before they actually air it!! I dont get it, but one thing i enjoy is seeing Sesshomaru's mother animated. I hope she will be named, because I dont look at her as a minor character. He he in fact she seems more like a widowed MILF!!

As much as I have enjoyed the Hype on Episode 6, 7, and 8, and I will continue to do so for 10 -20 and more….

I am taking a break from the series for a while. I feel satisfied by watching more episodes in one day is more of a blessing, in cherishing these moments.

Azula

November 21, 2009 @ 8:37 pm

BAAWWW JUST BAAAAWW.
I cried. ):
 
Can't wait for Flufette, though.

INUYASHA ANIME EXAMINER

November 21, 2009 @ 8:41 pm

I like this episode's title because Kikyo really is………. Among the stars.

YTC

November 21, 2009 @ 8:45 pm

@ Inuyasha Anime Examiner
Great opinion! I personally loved "two hour movie" effect towards the end.  Whether or not its a movie, the movie like animation quality was superb and it really brought the manga to life and made the story's impact all the more powerful.
Furthermore,  I really wanna commend the voice actors of Kikyo and Inuyasha.  The dialog between them at the end was really well executed.  The emotional speech by Inuyasha and the soft and subtle voice of Kikyo really complemented the animation of their faces.  When Kikyo said "that's enough" I seriously started to WEEP not cry but like all out SOBBING.
While the next few weeks episode look exciting, this episode is going to be hard to top in my book.  Takahashi's best work in the manga (in my opinion) was very well executed with very little flaws in the anime.
And I do agree with everyone, Naraku seemed a little weird.  I don't think its so much the way he was drawn but it was the menacing laugh and crazy look on his face.  Maybe they really wanted to drive home the fact that he wanted Kikyo to die.

psychosybil

November 21, 2009 @ 8:47 pm

I think I can better express myself here than on AS. OMG, what an amazing episode! Dearest orchestral was just an absolutely perfect musical composition for Kikyou and InuYasha's final moments together and this combined with the amazing voice acting for Inu's anguish and Kikyou's soft wavering voice was what made ep 8 fucking amazing. I replayed their final moment over and over again just to hear the violins, violas, cellos, bass fiddles and harps come together to to make Dearest the amazing orchestral piece it is and, again, it so made ep 8.

Yeah and what YTC said. I balled like a baby too.

I getting out one of my 8 antique fiddles, tuning it and playing Dearest tonite…by ear. OMG!

sunrise you are somewhat forgiven for the 1st 4 eps.

Starks

November 21, 2009 @ 9:03 pm

You guys can blame Sugimoto Sachiko and Koiso Sayaka for the strange animation of  Naraku's face.

Patty

November 21, 2009 @ 9:17 pm

Loved it, amazing throughout, in myopinion. I'm not even a big fan of Kikyo but I cried for her.

animeluver89

November 21, 2009 @ 9:25 pm

I was and still am crying like a baby ever since I first saw it this afternoon. This was one of my absolute favorite chapters and to see it this way…omg I freakin loved it.
The part that got me the most was the part at the very end. In the manga there are several different translations as to what Inuyasha was saying. In one version it was translated like: “Kikyo is saying ‘Don’t mourn…I’ll always protect you’”, while the other translation had Inuyasha saying “Kikyo won’t suffer anymore” followed by Kagome saying “You said you’d always protect her.” Neither one really made me feel like that was what was going on, but the translation from Viz sounds more like it. “I didn’t want Kikyo to suffer anymore…I wanted to protect her forever.” That part absolutely broke my heart and fresh tears well up in my eyes every time I think about it. Inuyasha wanted to protect her so much since he knew that she was always alone and suffering like he was before they met, and then to have her suffer even more when she was brought back to life only to be killed again by the same person, Viz’s dialogue really makes more sense. I feel so bad for Kikyo, I always have, but I feel especially bad for Inuyasha and how powerless he felt to protect her.
Anyway, enough of my fangirlishness. It was such a great episode and it indeed will be a very hard episode to top.

psychosybil

November 21, 2009 @ 9:30 pm

In memoriam to Kikyou's passing, I felt the need to listen to Slaughter's "Fly to the Angels." Its a nice way to say goodbye.

Blurreh

November 21, 2009 @ 10:54 pm

Oh my god. o_o This made my day. <3

pinkdragonstrike

November 22, 2009 @ 12:18 am

T_T  My eyes became glassy and I couldn't see the screen anymore. I had to stop and replay the scene just to see the whole thing clearly. When I read this part I cried and just typing this is bringing tears to my eyes. I never really liked or disliked Kikyo, but this part hit me right in the core. Inuyasha broke me apart along with the theme. Oh, it's going to take me a minute to get over this.

As for the previews with Mother Sesshy; I'm really excited about the next episode. However, just as my tears started to dry with the preview, there went Sesshoumaru looking down at Rin, gritting his teeth, angry and trying not to cry. Once again the water works started even though I know that that has a good end, I completely felt like that was so ironic. Inuyasha experiences loss and then Sesshoumaru experiences, more or less, the same thing!

I'm so glad I was not in a public place when I watched this episode.

pinkdragonstrike

November 22, 2009 @ 12:46 am

I do have a question though. I listened to Sesshoumaru' s mom in the preview. Does anyone know who her voice actress is? Is it one of the voice actresses already in the anime? Just curious.

YTC

November 22, 2009 @ 2:15 am

So after watching the amazing heart wrenching part about 25 times and seeing that everyone enjoyed it like me…. Can we also discuss the epic awesomeness of the infamous Chest arrow!?  Yea, it was awesome .
 
 

elotequeen

November 22, 2009 @ 2:56 am

Somber episode. I stumbled across this AMV accidentally. Ironic, considering I'm not much of a Kikyo fan, but I figured it suited the occasion,  so here.  Hope it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZMzWrzNOmw
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
 
 

misspretty

November 22, 2009 @ 8:49 am

I thought this episode was good! I loved how they added that little scene with Kikyou and Kaede; that was so sad. I just sat there going 'Awww….' during that whole scene. And Kikyou's death scene was beautiful and very sad. The Dearest instrumental theme really suited it.

You guys can blame Sugimoto Sachiko and Koiso Sayaka for the strange animation of Naraku's face.

WELL, BOO TO THOSE PEOPLE!

^_^

I did not like his animation in some parts of this episode.

Starks

November 22, 2009 @ 12:14 pm

@Pink

Yoshiko Sakakibara is Sessmom's seiyuu.

NinjaSheik

November 22, 2009 @ 12:59 pm

COOL~!

Levia

November 22, 2009 @ 4:39 pm

I hate when they try to make the animation look extremely amazing… because then it turns out looking terrible. But I think Naraku was actually drawn better than he is by other animators. :O

But this episode was definitely the best so far.

Lela

November 22, 2009 @ 4:43 pm

WOW. First episode that I THOROUGHLY enjoyed… Random little shots of Kaede and Sesshomaru showed a bit of closure as everyone who knew Kikyo in life/death was alerted to her death. The KISS was very well executed, as was her soul passing. I'm not gonna lie, the character I felt the most sorrow for was Kagome. The inadequacy she felt, I felt, the pain she felt, I felt, the shortcomings she felt, I felt, and the apprehension she felt about the future, I felt.

"I am an ordinary woman." The line blew me away. So short, yet so much significance.

Koga: Is it me, or has he been portrayed as rather weak is the past few episodes? Basically he fights Naraku, his legs freeze up, he gets drawn closer to Naraku's body by the little tentacle things, and then gets saved. AND next episode, he backs out gracefully… Poor Koga-kun, you don't have a very nice exit from the storyline.

On the topic of Naraku, he did have very strange animation, namely the abnormally large smile on his face and his stranger-than-usual body. His usual… sangfroid was mysteriously absent. But I blame that on his hysteria and excitement to kill Kikyo.

But, uh, time to FANGIRL IT TO THE MAX. Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru… Test after test, your father dearest grants you. Can't wait to see the look on your face when you understand why you have to perfect the Meidou Zangetsuha Heeheehee. Something I'm sure we are all curious to see, and knowing how the writers have kind of BUTCHERED the storyline so far, it is a viable possibility. Will Sesshomaru……. CRY? LOL We shall see, come next Saturday.

Until then, Lela out.

poohbear4991

November 22, 2009 @ 4:58 pm

Oh, the sorrow… Three main characters in this episode, and three different types of sorrow…

Kikyo had such a suckish life, first of all, being a miko and bound to a fate of protecting the jewel forever. Then she had a chance, one chance, to get rid of the jewel AND getting to live with the man she loved after he sacrificed his dream of being a real demon to be with her. Then, after a bunch of confusion, she ends up dead and he ends up sealed to a tree. That alone sucks. Then after a particularly nasty resurrection, she is forced to live in the world of the living, a realm where she knows she does not belong. Then, at least, in a death that should grant her freedom to go back to the netherworlds, she is killed by the same man a second time. Good thing she died in her lovers arms. "I am an ordinary woman."

Inuyasha's life has been hardship since birth, being a half-demon. He was shunned from society and what not, then has a chance at a life with a woman he loved and no longer be unaccepted and alone. Sealed to a tree for 50 years leaves him bitter. Basically, he loses the first woman he loved twice and is now torn between loyalty to her and fondness for Kagome.

Kagome has the position of being second in line to Inuyasha's heart and second in power to Kikyo. She cannot have him to herself and learns to accept that position. Kagome's heart is ridiculously pure, yet she still feels inadequacy, and why wouldn't she, if she compares herself to Kikyo? Then, being the only person able to save Kikyo, she feels like an unbelievable failure as Kikyo passes. Why couldn't she save her?

Lots heartwrenching moments in this ep… I liked it SUPER excited for next week's episode, too!! Bring on the Sesshmom and Hell. And… DUNDUNDUN. Rin dies. AGAIN.

YTC

November 22, 2009 @ 6:38 pm

Hehe Rin is lilke the Kikyo for Sesshomaru… Always dying!

mich

November 22, 2009 @ 11:35 pm

one of the best done so far
i kinda agree on the Naraku look, but somehow i think it was fitted, i mean, its rare that we see a complete laugh from the character, he had to look kinda phsyco for finally getting rid of kikyo.
i cried too…  :p
 

Levia

November 23, 2009 @ 3:12 am

Okay, I've decided I really like the animation director guy who did this episode. I've found so many flaws (such as the kazaana suddenly being on Miroku's left hand). Keep him.

ERICK

November 23, 2009 @ 6:58 pm

@Levia

How can you like an animation director with so many flaws. I didnt notice the wrong hand for the wind tunnel Now i definetly will, which sucks. The artwork for the episode was Movie ish and i like Episode 6's art better. The art there was drawn well. Here….not so much until the end.

You sound sarcastic but then you say keep him. I really didnt like this animation director. Naraku has had better character designs in the past. InuyashaAnimeExaminer was right about the Arm used to to fight Inuyasha, Koga, and to cature Kikyo. – The NonDiamond arm was looked bigger and intimdating in the manga.

Leah

November 23, 2009 @ 6:59 pm

I saw this episode and was not dissapointed. When Inuyasha's eyes got all glassy mine did too! I didn't think I would cry, considering I wasn't really a fan of Kikyou but hey. I LOVED it.

Levia

November 23, 2009 @ 11:44 pm

I am completely srs. No sarcasm here.

pinkdragonstrike

November 25, 2009 @ 2:10 pm

Thank you Starks! Sorry it took me so long.

MooMoo-of-Doom

November 26, 2009 @ 1:56 pm

SESSHOMARU SESSHOMARU SESSHOMARU SESSHOMARU!!!!! SESSHOMARU'S MOM!!!!!

RIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!

Sorry, had to get that out…at least some of it.

NinjaSheik

November 28, 2009 @ 3:07 pm

IT'S OUT!!! SESSHOMARU IN HELL EPISODE IT'S OUT!! IN SUB!!!

MooMoo-of-Doom

November 28, 2009 @ 7:24 pm

This is about the next episode so…

Episode 9…..was acceptable….but…

25 SECONDS FROM RIN BEGINNING TO REVIVE AND THE SWITCH TO INUYASHA'S GROUP?!?!?! WTF?!?!?

Anya

December 7, 2009 @ 3:06 pm

i cried like hell when Kikyo died T.T after rewatching the scene 20 times i still cry, so i stopped, lol. well, i was a bit disappointed to hear Sesshy´s mother, her voice is not what i imagined… and also, the scene when Rin revives again, in the manga was so much more emotional.
and man…ep.10…inuyasha crying blood tears for Kikyo T.T
 it was heart breaking…

Mark

December 9, 2009 @ 12:53 am

Anyone know where I can find the instrumental version of Dearest they used in this episode? It was so slow and nice, I really want to find it.