Inuyasha Vol. 42 continues the story of Kagome, the reincarnation of a Japanese priestess from the feudal era and her adventures with Inuyasha, a half-demon. They were searching for the shards of the shattered Shikon Jewel; a crystal tainted with evil power that enhanced the abilities of demons it’s now (aside from three shards with Kohaku and Koga respectively) completely in the hands of their arch nemesis, the half-demon Naraku. There’s no telling what evil he will do next, and their small band of heroes fights to destroy him and save the innocent people of Feudal Japan from all sorts of monsters and demons; and fall in love with each other in elaborate love triangles… it is a Takahashi series after all. Inuyasha is part gory action horror and funny/sad love story. In the previous volume, Inuyasha and his party, Kikyo and his adversarial brother Sesshomaru all working together failed to defeat Naraku’s creation Moryomaru. The demon escaped, carrying within him a small child containing Naraku’s heart…once again, the battle and the horror continued.
Highlights
Inuyasha’s friend Sango is still worried about her younger brother Kohaku, and this volume begins with him. He was last seen with Kikyo, Inuyasha’s lost love, who had told Inuyasha of her plan to let Naraku complete the Shikon Jewel. Why would Kohaku, who is kept alive by one of the last shards, be staying with Kikyo, the woman whose plan would end his life? This is just one of the mysteries and difficult questions asked as everyone rests from the previous battle; of particular note is Sesshomaru, who lost his sword Tokojin last volume. He is visited by Totosai who bears him some surprising news; he believes Sesshomaru is now ready for Tensaiga’s reforging… but for what purpose? This volume also has another of the chapters where Kagome visits the present; these chapters are always hilarious and this one is no exception. Thrill to Inuyasha making more of a nuisance of himself then ever as he even shows up at school; right in the middle of an important test! Maybe he’s a nicer guy than Kagome gives him credit for sometimes? Then a battle begins back in the Feudal Era between our heroes and an old wooden tree demon; but for some reason it has a shikon shard! What’s Naraku hatching this time, and why does it seem like his previously loyal servant Kanna is betraying him to help Moryomaru? There are mysteries and lots of weird regenerating head action, but Inuyasha might not be cut out for it because it’s the night of the new moon and he’s lost all his demon powers again.
Overall
It’s a particularly unique manga that features both battles with gory dismemberment and cute chapters with romance and worries about math tests, and this volume really showcases that. The first three chapters are more contemplative, and for fans of Kagura like myself, touching and sad as well. The series really feels like it’s passed a turning point recently, and with only a little over ten volumes left, the final confrontation with Naraku is looming closer and closer. It’s particularly interesting in this volume to see the further development of Sesshomaru; it’s difficult to say what role he will play in the final confrontation, but he now has a real reason to fight as well…in fact, Naraku’s biggest talent seems to be making enemies. I mentioned in my Rin-ne review that I was a fan of Takahashi’s art, and it’s in full display in this volume, at times sweet, at other times action packed. She really knows how to make each look and glance filled with emotion with a relative simplicity of form; sarcasm, despair, love, smugness. Shippo’s sly little looks at Inuyasha, for example. I’m also a big fan of the no longer flopped art the series has had for the past few volumes; it’s nice to read right to left again in a manga series. In short, Inuyasha is a perfect example of why Rumiko Takahashi is a manga legend in Japan and an exciting and frequently touching read.
ComicsOnline gives Inuyasha Vol 42 5 out of 5 Shikon shards.
