Inuyasha BigVIZ volume 2 finishes Shippo’s introduction and brings in two major characters: Kikyo, who is resurrected, and Miroku, the lecherous wandering Buddhist monk. In addition, BigVIZ volume 2 introduces Naraku as an overarching nemesis for the first time.

Part 1 of Inuyasha BigVIZ volume 2 is set in the modern era where Kagome finds a ghost girl who is tormenting her living brother and mother, the former who is hospitalized. When a piper demon (a Japanese spirit who attempts to soothe the souls of departed children) fails in its task, it gives Kagome a warning that if the girl’s spirit continues to cause mischief, it will send her soul to hell. Kagome, realizing the girl isn’t bad, tries to help to her make up with her mother to calm the turbulent emotions inside her. In Part 2, the tale of Kikyo and Inuyasha’s relationship and its eventual downfall is told after Kikyo's grave is disturbed by an ogress. The ogress resurrects Kikyo at the likely cost of Kagome’s life. In the end, the Kagome is saved, but Kikyo, who burns with hatred for Inuyasha, escapes. Part 3 introduces Miroku, the lecherous Buddhist monk whose family line was cursed by Naraku with a void tunnel in their hand that will expand until it consumes them. Miroku travels around collecting shards of the Shikon Jewel  to thwart Naraku. As he does this, he attempts to impregnate every unattached cute young maiden so that his family line won't die out. At first, Miroku’s attempts to hit on Kagome and his quest to obtain the Shikon Jewels keep him away from the protagonists because of clashing with Inuyasha; however, he eventually decides to work with them.

Highlights:
Most of the demons not helping Kagome and Inuyasha are portrayed as evil or selfish at best. However, this volume shows a different kind of demon: the piper demon. This demon is unusual in that first, its appearance is in modern as well as feudal Inuyasha-styled Japan; almost no demons exist in the modern setting. However, what truly sets this demon apart is that it appears to want to help the children whose souls it plays its pipe for. Rumiko Takashi shows clearly through this that in her world even pure-blood demons are more than simple beings of carnige and destruction. If the demon had not cared whether the child was saved or went to hell, it would not have given Kagome the warning.

This notion that a demon is merely a judge is absent in modern western religious concepts who see demons as only evil or tainted beings. As such this may be one of the ideas most people unfamiliar with Japanese culture could find confusing; in most western literature, especially those centered on Judeo-Christian texts, if a demon was set such a task as judging a soul, it would not seek to help that soul find peace without some underlying narrative reason. Instead it would try to send it to hell. The piper demon needs no such reason though; it simply feels that the child should be saved because she isn't  evil.

Overview:
This volume introduces two of my favorite characters from Inuyasha, Kikyo and Miroku. As such, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this volume. In addition, the modern tale from part 1 was refreshing in the way it handles an unusual demon. If there is one complaint I have about these early volumes of Inuyasha, it’s that Kagome is largely inept without Inuyasha by her side combined with Inuyasha’s overpowered archetype. However, that is only a minor quibble in an otherwise strong story.

Takahashi’s artwork continues to impress me. While no Berserk, she clearly shows with Inuyasha that she is capable of doing a more gritty series as seen with the depictions with the artist in part 3. That part also shows to some extent her ability to draw in other styles as the drawings the artist does are depictions of classical Japanese wall scrolls composed of demons of various sorts. Beyond that, she is still capable of combining great comical moments alongside some of the heavier moments in Inuyasha. The storyline still remains fresh and innovative. While Inuyasha and Kagome’s personality and relationship somewhat resembles Ranma and Akane from Ranma ½, she is capable of creating other unique characters like Miroku and Shippo.

The extras in this volume are about the same as last volume. There are the color photos of the original covers and some Shonen Sunday covers, however no color artwork inside the manga itself. The story also flows in its original Japanese format (right-to-left) unlike the first prints of Inuyasha.

Inuyasha BigVIZ volume 2 is still a great buy even for those who own the original volumes as you get the bigger print on better quality paper along with having un-flipped pages. Takahashi continues to have innovative and engaging storylines that should appeal to a large audience.

ComicsOnline gives Inuyasha BigVIZ volume 2 4 out of 5 resurrected priestesses.